Patents by Inventor Derek Ladd

Derek Ladd has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Golf balls having cores made of polybutadiene rubber blends
    Patent number: 9415270
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a core made of a polybutadiene rubber blend are provided. The golf ball contains a multi-layered core. The inner core is formed from a blend containing a non-metallocene catalyzed polybutadiene rubber and metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. The surrounding outer core layer is made of a non-metallocene-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber. Catalysts such as neodymium, nickel, and cobalt based catalysts may be used to make the non-metallocene catalyzed rubber. Catalysts such as ferrocene, cobaltocene, nickelocene, titanocene dichloride, zirconocene dichloride, and samraocene based catalysts may be used to make the metallocene-catalyzed rubber. The multi-layered core is surrounded by a cover having at least one layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and a soft compression feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau
  • Polybutadiene rubber / ionomer blends for golf balls having multi-layered cores and covers
    Patent number: 9415275
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a multi-layered core comprising a center, intermediate core layer, and surrounding outer core layer. The polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used preferably to form the outer core layer. Polybutadiene rubber compositions may be used to form the center and intermediate core layers. The ball further includes a cover having inner and outer cover layers. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is preferably greater than the material hardness of the outer and inner cover layers. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 9415274
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls including a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively soft or low modulus HNP and a layer formed from a composition comprising a relatively hard or high modulus HNP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert, Douglas E. Jones
  • MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20160220871
    Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or positive hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate core layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
  • MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20160206927
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
  • GOLF BALLS WITH OXYGEN AND MOISTURE BLOCKING PROTECTIVE PAINT LAYER
    Publication number: 20160184651
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for golf equipment that can be applied as a thin paint layer to block oxygen and moisture from underlying structural layers. The compositions include a polymer component present in a resin system, a stabilizing component, and porous particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Derek A. Ladd, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Multi-layer core golf ball
    Patent number: 9375614
    Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or negative hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
  • Multi-layered cores for golf balls having foam and thermoset layers
    Patent number: 9375613
    Abstract: Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably formed from non-foamed thermoset compositions such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • GOLF BALL COMPOSITIONS
    Publication number: 20160175659
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are heterogeneous golf ball compositions comprising a matrix formed from a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer composition and discrete particles dispersed within the matrix, and to the use of such heterogeneous compositions to form at least one core layer in multi-layer core golf balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Golf balls having dual cores made of polybutadiene rubber/ionomer blends
    Patent number: 9364719
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball comprising at least one component made of a polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is provided. The ball preferably contains a dual-core comprising an inner core and surrounding outer core layer. Preferably, the polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used to form the outer core layer. The center hardness of the inner core is preferably greater than the outer surface hardness of the outer cover layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
  • Multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 9339694
    Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a single layer cover are disclosed. The dual core consists of an inner core layer formed from a rubber composition and an outer core layer formed from a highly neutralized polymer composition. The Shore C hardness of the outer core layer's outer surface is preferably greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and more preferably is 56 Shore D or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 9333397
    Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 70. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
  • MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING OPPOSING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITH STEEP GRADIENT OUTER CORE LAYER
    Publication number: 20160121174
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center hardness is about 56 to 80 Shore C. An outer core layer has an outer surface having hardness of about 85 to 98 Shore C and an inner surface hardness of about 68 to 78 Shore C and being formed from a second homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of about 7 to 30 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of about 1 to 15 Shore C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau
  • Multi-piece golf ball comprising low hardness gradient core
    Patent number: 9320945
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a single core formed from a substantially homogenous rubber composition, an inner cover disposed about the core, and an outer cover. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and has a hardness of about 60 Shore D or greater. The outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer, is formed from a castable polyurea or polyurethane, and has a material hardness of about 60 Shore D or less. The outer surface of the core has a trans content of about 12% or less and a hardness of about 71 to 88 Shore C, the geometric center of the core has a trans content of about 10% or less and a hardness of about 70 to 80 Shore C, and the core surface hardness is greater than the geometric center hardness by about 1 to 10 Shore C to define a shallow positive hardness gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd
  • Multi-layer cover dual core golf ball having a high acid casing and low gradient center
    Patent number: 9320944
    Abstract: A golf ball having an inner core layer having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a rubber composition. An outer core layer surrounds the inner core to form a dual core. An inner cover layer surrounds the dual core, and includes a high-acid ionomer having a hardness of about 66 to 75 Shore D and an acid content of 16 wt. % or greater. An outer cover layer surrounds the inner cover layer, and includes a polyurethane and having a material hardness of about 38 to 56 Shore D. The inner core layer surface hardness is from 0 Shore C to 10 Shore C lower than the geometric center hardness to define a negative hardness gradient and the outer core layer has a surface hardness at least 10 Shore C greater than the geometric center hardness to define a dual core positive hardness gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Scott Cooper, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd
  • MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20160107041
    Abstract: Low compression 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
  • Multi-layer core golf ball
    Patent number: 9314672
    Abstract: Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a zero or positive hardness gradient center that is hard relative to an intermediate core layer. The overall core preferably has a zero hardness gradient, a negative hardness gradient, or a positive hardness gradient of up to 20 Shore C units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
  • Multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 9308419
    Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a dual core and a dual cover are disclosed. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer, and is preferably 75 Shore C or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Hebert C. Boehm
  • Golf Balls Containing Multi-Layered Cores With Foam Center and Thermoplastic Outer Layers
    Publication number: 20160096077
    Abstract: Golf ball multi-layered core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes a foam inner core (center); and intermediate and outer core layers. Foamed polyurethane is preferably used to make the inner core. The intermediate and outer core layers are preferably made from non-foamed thermoplastic compositions such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomers that are partially or highly neutralized, polyester-polyether block copolymers, polyether-amide block copolymers, and blends thereof. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The ball further includes a cover having at least one layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Golf balls having foam inner core and thermoset outer core layer
    Patent number: 9302156
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. Preferably, the specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is less than the density of the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover of at least one layer and may include at least one casing layer. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binnette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci