US 7,513,838 B2
Golf balls having a low modulus HNP layer and a high modulus HNP layer
Michael J. Sullivan, Barrington, R.I. (US); Derek A. Ladd, Acushnet, Mass. (US); Edmund A. Hebert, Fairhaven, Mass. (US); and Murali Rajagopalan, South Dartmouth, Mass. (US)
Assigned to Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, Mass. (US)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2008, as Appl. No. 12/102,515.
Application 12/102515 is a continuation of application No. 11/694029, filed on Mar. 30, 2007, granted, now 7,357,736.
Application 11/694029 is a continuation of application No. 11/304863, filed on Dec. 15, 2005, granted, now 7,211,008.
Application 11/304863 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/797810, filed on Mar. 10, 2004, granted, now 6,988,962.
Application 10/797810 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/797699, filed on Mar. 10, 2004, granted, now 6,981,926.
Prior Publication US 2008/0188324 A1, Aug. 07, 2008
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A63B 37/06 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 473—376 16 Claims
 
1. A golf ball comprising:
(a) an inner core layer formed from a diene rubber composition and having a diameter of from 0.500 inches to 1.580 inches;
(b) an outer core layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition and having a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.560 inches, the high modulus HNP composition comprising:
a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer having a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi;
(c) an intermediate core layer disposed between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the intermediate layer being formed from a low modulus HNP composition and having a thickness of from 0.020 inches to 0.280 inches, the low modulus HNP composition comprising:
a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer having a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi; and
(d) a cover;
wherein the modulus of the highly neutralized copolymer of the low modulus HNP composition is at least 10% less than the modulus of the highly neutralized copolymer of the high modulus HNP composition.