Golf ball utilizing silicone materials

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved golf ball comprising at least one interior layer and/or a core comprising a silicone material. It is preferred to also utilize a multi-layer cover in conjunction with the silicone materia(s). The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a core;    a cover layer; and    at least one interior layer surrounding said core and disposed between said core and said cover layer;    wherein at least one of said core and said at least one interior layer comprises a silicone material selected from the group consisting of silicone polymers, silicone fluids, silicone elastomers, silicone resins, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         2 . A golf ball according to    claim 1    wherein said silicone material is a silicone polymer.  
     
     
         3 . A golf ball according to    claim 1    wherein said silicone material is a silicone elastomer.  
     
     
         4 . A golf ball according to    claim 1    wherein said silicone material is a silicone resin.  
     
     
         5 . A golf ball according to    claim 1    wherein said cover layer comprises an inner cover layer molded on said at least one interior layer, and an outer cover layer molded on said inner cover layer.  
     
     
         6 . A golf ball according to    claim 1   , wherein the interior layer has a thickness of about 0.100 to about 0.010 inches and the cover layer has a thickness of about 0.010 to about 0.05 inches, the golf ball having an overall diameter of 1.680 inches or more.  
     
     
         7 . A golf ball according to    claim 6    wherein the interior layer has a thickness of about 0.0375 inches and the cover layer has a thickness of about 0.0300 inches, the golf ball having an overall diameter of 1.680 inches or more.  
     
     
         8 . A golf ball according to    claim 1    wherein said silicone material, upon curing, has a Shore 00 hardness of from about 55 to about 100.  
     
     
         9 . A golf ball according to    claim 1    wherein said silicone material, upon curing, has a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 600 psi.  
     
     
         10 . A golf ball according to    claim 1    wherein said silicone material, upon curing, exhibits an elongation of from about 350% to about 650%.  
     
     
         11 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a core comprising a silicone material;    an inner cover layer molded on said core;    an outer cover layer molded on said inner cover layer; and    at least one interior layer disposed between said core and said outer cover layer, said interior layer comprising a silicone material.    
     
     
         12 . A golf ball according to    claim 11   , wherein the inner cover layer has a thickness of about 0.375 to about 0.010 inches and the outer cover layer has a thickness of about 0.010 to about 0.375 inches, the golf ball having an overall diameter of 1.680 inches or more.  
     
     
         13 . A golf ball according to    claim 12    wherein the inner cover layer has a thickness of about 0.030 to 0.375 inches and the outer cover layer has a thickness of about 0.030 to 0.375 inches, the golf ball having an overall diameter of 1.680 inches or more.  
     
     
         14 . A golf ball according to    claim 11    wherein the outer layer composition includes 90 to 10 percent by weight of a hard high modulus ionomer resin and about 10 to 90 percent by weight of a soft low modulus ionomer resin.  
     
     
         15 . A golf ball according to    claim 14    wherein the outer layer composition includes 75 to 25 percent by weight of the hard high modulus ionomer resin and about 25 to 75 percent by weight of the soft low modulus ionomer resin.  
     
     
         16 . A golf ball according to    claim 11    wherein said silicone material, upon curing, has a Shore 00 hardness of from about 55 to about 100.  
     
     
         17 . A golf ball according to    claim 11    wherein said silicone material, upon curing, has a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 600 psi.  
     
     
         18 . A golf ball according to    claim 11    wherein silicone material, upon curing, exhibits an elongation of from about 350% to about 650%.