IP Library Granted Patent US 10,226,670
Granted Patent B2
US 10,226,670 · App. 15/082,677 · Granted Mar 12, 2019

Multi-layer core golf ball

Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan (Old Lyme, CT); Derek A. Ladd (Acushnet, MA); Brian Comeau (Berkley, MA); Douglas S. Goguen (New Bedford, MA)
Assignee: Acushnet Company
A63B37/0092A63B37/0003A63B37/0043A63B37/0045A63B37/0062A63B37/0063A63B37/0064A63B37/0076A63B37/0097A63B37/0031A63B37/0033A63B37/0035A63B37/0047A63B37/0066
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,226,670
App. No.
15/082,677
Granted
Mar 12, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. At least one core layer has a plurality of projections disposed thereon.

Claims (30)

1. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and comprising a plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 30 Shore C or greater; the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 25 Shore C or greater; the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 40.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 70 Shore C or greater; the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater; the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 20.

3. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and comprising a plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 90 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater; the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater; the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is ≤20.

4. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches and comprising plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.20 inches;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition and having a thickness of from 0.10 inches to 0.25 inches; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 30 Shore C or greater; the intermediate core layer has an outer surface hardness of 40 Shore C or greater; the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 25 Shore C or greater; the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 40.

5. The golf ball of claim 4 , wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 80 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 70 Shore C or greater; the intermediate core layer has an outer surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater; the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 60 Shore C or greater; the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is from 0 to 20.

6. A golf ball comprising:

an inner core layer formed from a first thermoset composition and having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches and comprising plurality of projections disposed on the outer surface thereof;

an intermediate core layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of from 0.01 inches to 0.20 inches;

an outer core layer formed from a second thermoset composition and having a thickness of from 0.10 inches to 0.25 inches; and

a cover;

wherein the outer surface hardness of the intermediate core layer is greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer core layer; and

wherein the inner core layer has a center hardness of 90 Shore C or less and an outer surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater; the intermediate core layer has an outer surface hardness of 85 Shore C or less; the outer core layer has an outer surface hardness of 80 Shore C or greater; the outer surface hardness of the inner core layer is greater than the center hardness; and the difference between the outer surface Shore C hardness of the outer core layer and the center Shore C hardness is ≤20.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061099/0236 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (ASSIGNS 039506-0030) Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS RESIGNING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0414 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2016
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 039506/0030 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2016
From: SULLIVAN, MICHAEL J.; LADD, DEREK A.; COMEAU, BRIAN; GOGUEN, DOUGLAS S.
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 038135/0957 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation In Part 14520606 · Oct 22, 2014
Continuation In Part 13433321 · Mar 29, 2012
Continuation In Part 13204830 · Aug 8, 2011
Continuation 12772478 · May 3, 2010
Continuation 12407856 · Mar 20, 2009
Continuation In Part 11972240 · Jan 10, 2008
Related Publication 20160206927A1 · Jul 21, 2016