IP Library Granted Patent US 11,986,703
Granted Patent B2
US 11,986,703 · App. 18/212,843 · Granted May 21, 2024

Buoyant high coefficient of restitution (CoR) golf ball incorporating aerodynamics targeting flight trajectory

Inventors: Michael R. Madson (Easton, MA); Courtney N. Engle (Fall River, MA); Derek A. Ladd (Acushnet, MA); Michael J. Sullivan (Old Lyme, CT); Mark L. Binette (Mattapoisett, MA); William E. Morgan (Rehoboth, MA)
Assignee: Acushnet Company
A63B37/0063A63B37/0003A63B37/0039A63B37/0043A63B37/0045A63B37/0049A63B37/0051A63B37/0062A63B37/0064A63B37/0072A63B37/0074A63B37/0075A63B37/0076A63B37/0078A63B37/008A63B37/0082A63B37/0083A63B37/0084A63B37/0092A63B37/02C08F279/02C08K5/098C08L23/06C08L23/0869C08L23/0876C08L33/04C08L51/06C08L75/04A63B2209/00A63B2225/605
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,986,703
App. No.
18/212,843
Granted
May 21, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Buoyant dimpled golf ball having CoR ≥0.810, specific gravity <1.00 g/cc, initial velocity ≥250 ft/s, first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.25 and about 0.30 and first aerodynamic force angle between about 29 degrees and 34 degrees at Reynolds Number of 230000 and spin ratio of 0.085; and second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.26 and about 0.31 and second aerodynamic force angle between about 31 degrees and 36 degrees at Reynolds Number of 180000 and spin ratio of 0.101. Golf ball may additionally have third aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.27 and about 0.32 and third aerodynamic force angle between about 34 degrees and 39 degrees at Reynolds Number of 133000 and spin ratio of 0.133; and fourth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.33 and about 0.38 and fourth aerodynamic force angle between about 38 degrees and 43 degrees at Reynolds Number of 89000 and spin ratio of 0.183.

Claims (46)

1. A golf ball having an outer surface with a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the golf ball has:

a coefficient of restitution (CoR) of at least 0.810,

a specific gravity of less than 1.00 g/cc,

an initial velocity of at least 250 ft/s,

a first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.25 and about 0.30 and a first aerodynamic force angle between about 29 degrees and 34 degrees at a Reynolds Number of 230000 and a spin ratio of 0.085, and

wherein the golf ball comprises three layers L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 ;

wherein layer L 1 is formed of at least one rubber and has a first specific gravity SG 1 ;

wherein layer L 2 surrounds L 1 and is formed of at least one highly neutralized polymer and has a second specific gravity SG 2 ; and

wherein layer L 3 surrounds L 2 and has a third specific gravity SG 3 ;

wherein at least two of SG 1 , SG 2 , and SG 3 are less than 1.13 g/cc.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein:

the first aerodynamic force angle, θ F1 , satisfies the condition

95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +95≥θ F1 ≥95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +90,

wherein SG B is the specific gravity of the golf ball in g/cc.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein a second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.26 and about 0.31 and a second aerodynamic force angle between about 31 degrees and 36 degrees at a Reynolds Number of 180000 and a spin ratio of 0.101.

4. The golf ball of claim 3 , wherein:

the second aerodynamic force angle, θ F2 , satisfies the condition

95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +97≥θ F2 ≥95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +92,

wherein SG B is the specific gravity of the golf ball in g/cc.

5. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the layer L 3 is formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition.

6. The golf ball of claim 5 , wherein the thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprises one or more of a polyurethane, polyurea, polyurethane/polyurea hybrids, or ionomer.

7. The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein the thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprises a partially neutralized polymer.

8. The golf ball of claim 6 , wherein the thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprises a highly neutralized polymer.

9. A golf ball having an outer surface with a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the golf ball has:

a coefficient of restitution (CoR) of at least 0.810,

a specific gravity of less than 1.00 g/cc,

an initial velocity of at least 250 ft/s,

a first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.25 and about 0.30 and a first aerodynamic force angle between about 29 degrees and 34 degrees at a Reynolds Number of 230000 and a spin ratio of 0.085,

a second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.26 and about 0.31 and a second aerodynamic force angle between about 31 degrees and 36 degrees at a Reynolds Number of 180000 and a spin ratio of 0.101,

a third aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.27 and about 0.32 and a third aerodynamic force angle between about 34 degrees and 39 degrees at a Reynolds Number of 133000 and a spin ratio of 0.133; and

a fourth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude between about 0.33 and about 0.38 and a fourth aerodynamic force angle between about 38 degrees and 43 degrees at a Reynolds Number of 89000 and a spin ratio of 0.183,

wherein the golf ball consists of three layers L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 ;

wherein layer L 1 is formed of at least one rubber and has a first specific gravity SG 1 ;

wherein layer L 2 surrounds L 1 and is formed of at least one highly neutralized polymer and has a second specific gravity SG 2 ; and

wherein layer L 3 surrounds L 2 and has a third specific gravity SG 3 ;

wherein at least two of SG 1 , SG 2 , and SG 3 are less than 1.13 g/cc.

10. The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein:

the third aerodynamic force angle, θ F3 , satisfies the condition

95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +100≥θ F3 ≥95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +95; and

the fourth aerodynamic force angle, θ F4 , satisfies the condition

95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +104≥θ F4 ≥95.4SG B 2 −156.4SG B +99;

wherein SG B is the specific gravity of the golf ball in g/cc.

11. The golf ball of claim 9 , wherein the layer L 3 is formed from at least one of a thermoset or thermoplastic composition.

12. The golf ball of claim 11 , wherein the thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprises one or more of a polyurethane, polyurea, polyurethane/polyurea hybrids, or ionomer.

13. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprises a partially neutralized polymer.

14. The golf ball of claim 12 , wherein the thermoset or thermoplastic composition comprises a highly neutralized polymer.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2025
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073689/0464 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 22, 2023
From: MADSON, MICHAEL R.; ENGLE, COURTNEY N.; LADD, DEREK A.; SULLIVAN, MICHAEL J.; BINETTE, MARK L.; MORGAN, WILLIAM E.
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064028/0462 →
Continuity (37)
Division 17352607 · Jun 21, 2021
Continuation In Part 16658357 · Oct 21, 2019
Division 15712267 · Sep 22, 2017
Continuation In Part 15197988 · Jun 30, 2016
Division 14467089 · Aug 25, 2014
Continuation In Part 14467086 · Aug 25, 2014
Continuation In Part 14467083 · Aug 25, 2014
Continuation In Part 14145593 · Dec 31, 2013
Continuation In Part 14145633 · Dec 31, 2013
Continuation In Part 14145648 · Dec 31, 2013
Continuation In Part 14017979 · Sep 4, 2013
Continuation In Part 13913670 · Jun 10, 2013
Continuation In Part 13872354 · Apr 29, 2013
Continuation In Part 13758041 · Feb 4, 2013
Continuation In Part 13736997 · Jan 9, 2013
Continuation In Part 13736993 · Jan 9, 2013
Continuation In Part 13737026 · Jan 9, 2013
Continuation In Part 13737041 · Jan 9, 2013
Continuation In Part 13692583 · Dec 3, 2012
Continuation In Part 13611376 · Sep 12, 2012
Continuation In Part 13584167 · Aug 13, 2012
Continuation 13329398 · Dec 19, 2011
Continuation 13169753 · Jun 27, 2011
Continuation 13164233 · Jun 20, 2011
Continuation 12795295 · Jun 7, 2010
Continuation 12697368 · Feb 1, 2010
Continuation 12125306 · May 22, 2008
Continuation 12125260 · May 22, 2008
Continuation 12125320 · May 22, 2008
Continuation In Part 12048021 · Mar 13, 2008
Continuation In Part 12048003 · Mar 13, 2008
Continuation In Part 11972240 · Jan 10, 2008
Continuation In Part 11972259 · Jan 10, 2008
Continuation In Part 11738759 · Apr 23, 2007
Continuation In Part 11738759 · Apr 23, 2007
Continuation In Part 11694007 · Mar 30, 2007
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