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 foam inner core and thermoplastic outer core
    Patent number: 9126083
    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 thermoplastic composition such as ethylene acid copolymer ionomer. 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: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Multi-layer golf ball
    Patent number: 9108084
    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: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Hebert C. Boehm
  • Negative Hardness Gradient Inner Core For Dual Core Golf Ball
    Publication number: 20150224368
    Abstract: A golf ball including an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 90 Shore C; an outer core layer disposed about the inner core having a second outer surface and being formed from a second substantially homogenous composition such that the outer core layer has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 95 Shore C; and a cover layer disposed about the outer core layer. The geometric center and first and second outer surfaces each have a hardness, the hardness of the second outer surface being lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan
  • Golf Balls Having Cores Made of Polybutadiene Rubber Blends
    Publication number: 20150217165
    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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau
  • MULTI-LAYERED COES FOR GOLF BALLS HAVING FOAM AND THERMOSET LAYERS
    Publication number: 20150209624
    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: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • Polybutadiene Rubber / Ionomer Blends For Golf Balls Having Multi-Layered Cores and Covers
    Publication number: 20150202499
    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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
  • Multi-piece golf ball comprising low hardness gradient core
    Patent number: 9072945
    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: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Brian Comeau, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd
  • GOLF BALL INCORPORATING CASING LAYER FOR CORE HAVING STEEP HARDNESS GRADIENT AND METHODS RELATING THERETO
    Publication number: 20150165276
    Abstract: Golf ball comprising a core wherein the geometric center has a hardness X of from about 40 Shore C to about 75 Shore C and the first outer surface has a hardness Y of from about 75 Shore C to about 95 Shore C such that (15 Shore C)<(Y?X)?(55 Shore C). A casing layer, disposed about the core, is formed from a high acid divalent ionomeric composition, and has a second outer surface having a hardness Z of from about 90 Shore C to about 100 Shore C wherein (20 Shore C)<(Z?X)?(60 Shore C). Core Atti compression A is from about 40 to about 100; Atti compression B of the core and the casing layer, combined, is from about 55 to about 115 such that 1.05?(B/A)?1.75; and the overall golf ball Atti compression is from about 65 to about 120. Also, to methods of making the inventive golf balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Binette, Derek A. Ladd
  • Foam-core golf balls
    Patent number: 9056226
    Abstract: A golf ball with a controlled moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball comprises a subassembly and a cover, the subassembly comprising an inner core and an intermediate layer, wherein the subassembly has a diameter of from about 1.45 inches to about 1.66 inches, the inner core has a diameter of less than about 0.75 inches, and the intermediate layer comprises a foamed polyurethane composition. The inner core has a specific gravity of higher than about 1.15, the intermediate layer has its specific gravity reduced to less than about 1.05, and the subassembly has its specific gravity reduced up to about 8% such that the coefficient of restitution of the subassembly is controlled by or is substantially the same as the coefficient of restitution of the intermediate layer, and the golf ball has its coefficient of restitution reduced by less than about 6%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Variable density core golf balls
    Patent number: 9056228
    Abstract: A golf ball is provided having a modified density gradient among the inner layers to produce a desired high or low moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The golf ball has three or more inner layers in addition to a cover, and the density of the inner layers is selected such that the layers inside the cover have a density progression from the core to the cover or from the cover to the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan, Antonio U. DeSimas, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Multi-layered cores having foam inner core for golf balls
    Patent number: 9050501
    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 core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition 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: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • GOLF BALL HAVING SPECIFIC SPIN, MOMENT OF INERTIA, LIFT, AND DRAG RELATIONSHIP
    Publication number: 20150148150
    Abstract: Golf ball with a novel combination of spin rate, lift coefficient, drag coefficients, and optionally moment of inertia: a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a high moment of inertia; and a golf ball with a high spin rate, a low lift coefficient, a low drag coefficient, and optionally a low moment of inertia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert, Laurent Bissonnette
  • MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20150141168
    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: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Negative hardness gradient inner core for dual core golf ball
    Patent number: 9011271
    Abstract: A golf ball including an inner core having a first outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a first substantially homogenous composition such that the inner core has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 90 Shore C; an outer core layer disposed about the inner core having a second outer surface and being formed from a second substantially homogenous composition such that the outer core layer has a hardness of about 60 Shore C to about 95 Shore C; and a cover layer disposed about the outer core layer. The geometric center and first and second outer surfaces each have a hardness, the hardness of the second outer surface being lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Acushent Company
    Inventors: David A. Bulpett, Brian Comeau, Derek A. Ladd, Michael J. Sullivan
  • Golf balls having cores made of polybutadiene rubber blends
    Patent number: 9006344
    Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls having a core made of a composition comprising a polybutadiene rubber blend are provided. The blend includes a non-metallocene catalyzed polybutadiene rubber and a 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 golf ball may contain single layered core or multi-layered cores. The 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: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Derek A. Ladd, David A. Bulpett, Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau
  • MULTI-LAYER GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20150099595
    Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Cooper, Derek A. Ladd
  • Multi-layered coes for golf balls having foam and thermoset layers
    Patent number: 8998750
    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 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Mark L. Binette, Brian Comeau, Michael Michalewich, Shawn Ricci
  • MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL HAVING OPPOSING HARDNESS GRADIENT WITH STEEP GRADIENT OUTER CORE LAYER
    Publication number: 20150094170
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center hardness is 56-80 Shore C and the outer surface hardness is 50-75 Shore C. An outer core layer has an outer surface having hardness of 85-98 Shore C and an inner surface hardness of 68-78 Shore C and being formed from a second homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is disposed about 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 +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 ?1 to ?15 Shore C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau
  • MULTI-LAYER CORE GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20150094169
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising: an inner core having a compression of less than about 60, wherein the inner core comprises a highly neutralized thermoplastic ionomer; at least one intermediate layer surrounding the inner core, having a hardness of at least about 55 Shore D, a specific gravity and a flexural modulus such that each of the hardness, specific gravity and flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is greater than a hardness, a specific gravity, and a flexural modulus of the inner core; and a cover surrounding the at least one intermediate layer, having a flexural modulus and a Shore D hardness that are greater than a flexural modulus and a hardness of the inner core, and a Shore D hardness of the cover is at least 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Polybutadiene rubber / ionomer blends for golf balls having dual cores and covers
    Patent number: 8992342
    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 a center and surrounding outer core layer. The polybutadiene rubber/ionomer resin blend is used preferably to form the outer core layer. The ball further includes a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers. The surface hardness of the outer core layer is preferably greater than the material hardness of the inner cover layer. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good impact durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd