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Low deformation golf ball

a golf ball, low deformation technology, applied in golf balls, solid balls, sports equipment, etc., can solve the problems of difficult control of the greens, hard ball feel, etc., and achieve the effect of high stiffness

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-12-31
ACUSHNET CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The thickness of the intermediate layer is about 0.001 inch to about 0.100 inch, preferably about 0.010 inch to about 0.050 inch, and more preferably about 0.015 inch to about 0.035 inch. The diameter of the innermost core and the intermediate layer is at least about 1.500 inches.
[0016]In accordance to another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising an innermost core, a cover and an intermediate layer disposed between the innermost core and the cover, wherein the core comprises a rubber composition containing a halogenated organosulfur compound, and wherein the core and the intermediate layer have a compression of greater than about 60 PGA. Preferably, the compression is greater than about 80 PGA, and more preferably greater than about 90 PGA. This golf ball has coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 at 125 feet per second, and more preferably at least 0.81 at 125 feet per second.
[0017]The rubber composition of the core preferably comprises about 2.2 phr to about 5.0 phr of halogenated organosulfur compound, and the diameter of the core is less than about 1.500 inches. Preferably, the core has a compression of less than about 60 PGA and more preferably less than about 50 PGA. The thickness of the intermediate layer is at least about 0.090 inch, and preferably between about 0.090 inch and about 0.180 inch. The intermediate layer comprises a laminate, and may comprise a blend of a fatty acid salt highly neutralized polymer and a high stiffness partially neutralized ionomer. The intermediate layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 50,000 psi, and preferably greater than about 60,000 psi. More preferably, the flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is between about 50,000 psi to about 150,000 psi.
[0018]In an example of this embodiment, the innermost core has a diameter of from about 0.800 to about 1.400 inches and a compression of less than about 30 PGA, and the intermediate layer has flexural modulus of at least about 50,000 to at least about 70,000 psi and a thickness of about 0.110 inch, and the cover comprises thermoset polymer having a hardness from about 45 to about 60 on the Shore D scale

Problems solved by technology

However, hard ball has a “hard” feel and is difficult to control on the greens.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0045]In accordance to the present invention, golf ball 10 comprises at least two core layers, an innermost core 12 and an outer core 14, and a cover 16. Preferably, outer core 14 comprises a flexible, low compression, high CoR rubber composition discussed above, and inner core 12 comprises a low deformation material discussed above. The hard, low deformation inner core 12 resists deformation at high club speeds to maintain the CoR at an optimal level, while the resilient outer layer 14 provides high CoR at slower club speeds and the requisite softness for high iron club play. The inventive ball 10, therefore, enjoys high initial velocity and high CoR at high and low club head speeds associated, while maintaining a desirable soft feel and soft sound for greenside play.

[0046]In accordance to one aspect of the present invention, inner core 12 is made from a rubber composition that is highly cross-linked with more than 50 phr of zinc diacrylate and the outer core 14 comprises rubber co...

second embodiment

[0059]In accordance to the present invention, golf ball 20 comprises a low compression, high CoR inner core 22, a relatively robust, low deformation mantle or intermediate layer 24 and a thin soft cover 26. Ball 20 also has low deformation during impacts at high club speeds, such as hollow wood drivers, and still has soft “feel” and sound at lower club speeds. To achieve this object, the diameter of the inner core 22 is preferably less than 1.50 inches or smaller, but occupies sufficient volume to positively impact the feel, sound and overall compression. The mantle or intermediate layer preferably has a thickness in the range of at least about 0.080 inch, more preferably at least about 0.090 inch and most preferably between about 0.090 inch and 0.180 inch. The desired thickness can be selected in conjunction with the flexural modulus of the material of the mantle and the desired overall compression of the ball and deformation of the ball. Thicker mantle would provide lower deformat...

third embodiment

[0072]In accordance to the present invention, golf ball 30 comprises a high compression, high resilient core 32 and cover 34 comprising at least three cover layers.

[0073]Core 32 preferably comprises a single solid layer. Alternatively, core 32 may comprise multiple layers. Preferably, its diameter is at least about 1.400 inches, more preferably more than about 1.430 inches and most preferably more than about 1.450 inches. Core 32 is preferably a high compression core having a compression greater than about 80 PGA, more preferably greater than about 90 PGA and most preferably greater than about 100 PGA. Core 32 has a CoR of at least about 0.790, more preferably at least about 0.800 and most preferably in the range of about 0.820 and 0.900 so as to give ball 30 a CoR of at least 0.800 and more preferably in the range of about 0.820 to about 0.880. Core 32 may be made from any of the low deformation materials discussed above, so long as it has these preferred properties.

[0074]Cover 34 ...

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Abstract

A golf ball comprising an innermost core, an outer core, and a cover is disclosed. At least a layer of the golf ball is made from a low compression, high coefficient of restitution material, and is being supported by a low deformation, high compression layer. The resulting golf ball has high coefficient of restitution at high and low impact speeds and low compression for controlled greenside play.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 347,456, filed Feb. 3, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 279,506, filed Oct. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,345, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention generally relates to golf balls with high coefficient of restitution and low deformation, and more particularly to a high coefficient of restitution golf ball at high club speeds.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Golf balls have been designed to provide particular playing characteristics. These characteristics generally include initial ball velocity, coefficient of restitution (CoR), compression, weight distribution and spin of the golf ball, which can be optimized for various types of players.[0004]Golf balls can generally be divided into two classes: solid and wound. Solid golf balls ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A63B37/06
CPCA63B37/0003A63B37/0031A63B37/0037A63B37/0043A63B37/0049A63B37/0062A63B37/0065C08F8/44A63B37/0069A63B37/0075A63B37/0092C08F210/02A63B37/00622
Inventor SULLIVAN, MICHAEL J.
Owner ACUSHNET CO