EP1166831A2 - Balle de golf - Google Patents

Balle de golf Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1166831A2
EP1166831A2 EP01114651A EP01114651A EP1166831A2 EP 1166831 A2 EP1166831 A2 EP 1166831A2 EP 01114651 A EP01114651 A EP 01114651A EP 01114651 A EP01114651 A EP 01114651A EP 1166831 A2 EP1166831 A2 EP 1166831A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
row
golf ball
dimples
dimple
coincide
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01114651A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1166831A3 (fr
Inventor
Brent D. Emerson
Matthew B. Stanczak
George R. Wallace
Sanjay Kuttappa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TaylorMade Golf Co Inc
Original Assignee
Dunlop Sport Group Americas Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dunlop Sport Group Americas Inc filed Critical Dunlop Sport Group Americas Inc
Publication of EP1166831A2 publication Critical patent/EP1166831A2/fr
Publication of EP1166831A3 publication Critical patent/EP1166831A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/12—Special coverings, i.e. outer layer material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/0006—Arrangement or layout of dimples
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/0007—Non-circular dimples
    • A63B37/0011—Grooves or lines
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/0018—Specified number of dimples
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0004—Surface depressions or protrusions
    • A63B37/002—Specified dimple diameter
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0023—Covers
    • A63B37/0029—Physical properties
    • A63B37/0031—Hardness
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0023—Covers
    • A63B37/0029—Physical properties
    • A63B37/0036—Melt flow rate [MFR]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B37/00—Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles
    • A63B37/0003—Golf balls
    • A63B37/0023—Covers
    • A63B37/0029—Physical properties
    • A63B37/0037—Flexural modulus; Bending stiffness

Definitions

  • the instant invention is directed to golf balls, and more particularly to a ball having the optimal core compression, core diameter, cover hardness, and dimple configuration to provide superior playability capabilities with respect to softness and spin without sacrificing superior distance capabilities.
  • the core of the golf ball is the source of the ball's energy. Among other things, the core affects the ball's "feel” and its initial velocity. The "feel” is the overall sensation transmitted to the golfer through the golf ball after striking a ball.
  • the initial velocity is the velocity at which the golf ball travels when first struck by the golf club. The initial velocity, together with the ball's trajectory, determine how far a shot will travel.
  • two-piece golf balls were developed.
  • the primary difference between a two-piece golf ball and a three-piece golf ball is the elimination of the rubber thread windings found in the three-piece balls.
  • a relatively large solid core in a two-piece ball takes the place of the relatively small center and thread windings of a three-piece ball core having the same overall diameter. With the elimination of the thread windings, there is no need to freeze the core during the manufacturing process of the two-piece golf ball.
  • Two-piece balls have proven to be more durable than three-piece balls when repeatedly struck with golf clubs and more durable when exposed to a variety of environmental conditions.
  • An example of these environmental conditions is the high temperature commonly experienced in an automobile trunk.
  • two piece balls are typically less expensive to manufacture than the three-piece wound balls.
  • two-piece balls are, in general, considered to have inferior characteristics of feel and workability when compared to three-piece balls.
  • two piece balls use harder cover materials for increased durability.
  • the "hardness" of a golf ball can affect the "feel" of a ball and the sound or "click” produced at contact.
  • “Feel” is determined as the deformation (i.e. compression) of the ball under various load conditions applied across the ball's diameter.
  • two-piece golf balls have a higher initial velocity.
  • typically two-piece golf balls have more potential energy, which is derived primarily from the core.
  • the cores in two piece golf balls are typically larger than the centers in three-piece golf balls.
  • three-piece golf balls with their smaller centers historically use softer cover materials. These softer cover materials result in a lower initial velocity when compared to two-piece golf balls. However, this difference in the initial velocity may be somewhat made up by the windings in the three-piece golf ball.
  • dimples surface indentations or depressions
  • ball manufacturers have looked to dimple configurations in an effort to design a ball with superior distance capabilities.
  • Many efforts have been made to select the optimum number, size and shape of dimples as well as their disposition around the outer surface of a generally spherically shaped golf ball.
  • Ball manufacturers are bound by regulations of the United States Golf Association (USGA) which control many characteristics of the ball, including the size and weight of the ball, the initial velocity of the ball when tested under specified conditions, the overall distance the ball travels when hit under specified test conditions, and the ball's aerodynamic symmetry.
  • USGA regulations the diameter of the ball cannot be less than 1.680 inches, the weight of the ball cannot be greater than 1.620 ounces avoirdupois, the initial velocity of the ball cannot be greater than 250 feet per second when tested under specified conditions (with a maximum tolerance of +2%), the driver distance cannot exceed 280 yards when tested under specified conditions (with a test tolerance of +6%), and the ball must perform the same aerodynamically regardless of orientation.
  • USGA United States Golf Association
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,142,727 to Shaw discloses the projection of a dodecahedron onto the ball as a basis for a dimple configuration in one of their preferred embodiments.
  • the dodecahedron is formed by the projection of twelve (12) pentagons onto the balls surface.
  • the preferred ball disclosed in this reference has a minimum of five (5) uninterrupted great circle paths present on the dimpled ball, and a major portion of the dimples present on the ball are within the boundaries of either a triangle, rhombus or pentagon.
  • a problem with the prior art dimple configurations is that they fail to take into account other features of the ball, such as core size, core compression and cover hardness, which also influence how far a ball will travel.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,368,304 to Sullivan discloses a ball having a low spin rate, which in turn enables the ball to travel greater distances.
  • the low spin rate is the result of a soft core and hard cover. While the '304 patent discloses the use of a soft core and hard cover to lower the spin rate, it does not disclose a dimple configuration for the ball.
  • the primary properties associated with golf ball performance are resilience and hardness.
  • the coefficient of restitution (C.O.R.) which is the ratio of the relative velocity of two spheres before and after direct impact is used to determine the resilience of a golf ball.
  • the C.O.R. is measured on a scale of zero to one, with one being a perfectly elastic collision and zero an inelastic collision.
  • the C.O.R. of a golf ball is a function of the properties of its core and cover combination.
  • the golf ball with a higher measured C.O.R. performs better than other golf balls with a lower measured value.
  • Materials with a C.O.R. of 0.700 and above are useful as a cover material.
  • Materials with a C.O.R. of .715 are considered to have superior performance as a golf cover.
  • It is still a further object of the instant invention is to provide a two-piece golf ball having superior distance, trajectory and flight stability.
  • Another object of the instant invention is to provide a two-piece golf ball having a surface divided into a plurality of pentagonal configurations or shapes for the location of dimples for enhancing the aerodynamic properties of the golf ball.
  • the invention achieves the above-described objectives by providing a two-piece golf ball having a solid rubber core, a synthetic ionomer resin cover, and a "dodecahedron" dimple pattern.
  • the ball of one embodiment of the instant invention has a core compression in the range of 68 PGA to 75 PGA; a core diameter in the range of about 1.535 inches to about 1.545 inches; a core with a C.O.R. value of 0.690 to 0.710; a cover hardness in the range of about 60 Shore D to about 70 Shore D, and a dimple pattern based on the geometry of a dodecahedron. This combination has been found to produce a ball with superior distance capabilities, which also satisfies USGA regulations.
  • the use of these properties in the golf ball of the instant invention is based on the recognition that it is the combination of the core compression, core composition, core size, cover composition, cover hardness, dimple configuration, dimple size and dimple shape that will produce a ball that will travel the greatest distance without compromising shot-making feel.
  • the cover material should be constructed from a relatively stiff material, for example, synthetic thermoplastic materials.
  • synthetic thermoplastic materials are ionomeric resins.
  • Ionomeric resins are polymers containing interchain ionic bonding.
  • ionomeric resins are generally ionic copolymers of an olefin having from about two to about eight carbon atoms, such as ethylene and a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or maleic acid.
  • the pendent ionic groups in the ionomeric resins interact to form ion-rich aggregates contained in a non-polar polymer matrix.
  • Metal ions such as sodium, lithium, zinc or magnesium are used to neutralize some portion of the acidic groups in the copolymer. This results in a thermoplastic elastomer, which exhibits enhanced flight characteristics and durability when compared to golf balls constructed with balata covers. However, the advantages gained by enhanced durability have been offset by the decreased playability properties.
  • the instant invention addresses the playability shortcomings of earlier ionomer covers.
  • the ionomers used in the cover composition are sold by E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Company under the name SURLYN.
  • SURLYN Low modulus SURLYN ionomers
  • These SURLYN ionomers have a flexural modulus of from about 3000 to about 7000 PSI and hardness of from 25 to about 40 as measured on the Shore D scale - ASTM 2240.
  • the low modulus ionomers are terpolymers, typically of ethylene, methacrylic acid and n- or iso-butylacrylate, neutralized with sodium, zinc, magnesium or lithium cations.
  • DuPont De Nemours & Company has disclosed that the low modulus ionomers can be blended with other grades of previously commercialized ionomers of high flexural modulus from about 30,000 to 55,000 PSI to produce balata-like properties.
  • soft blends typically 52 Shore D and lower (balata-like hardness) are still prone to cut and shear damage.
  • SURLYN ionomers have a high flexural modulus in the range of 60,000 PSI to 80,000 PSI, sodium metal ions are used to partially neutralize a moderate amount of acid groups. Furthermore the higher modulus SURLYN grades have a hardness of from 60 to about 70 as measured on the Shore D scale - ASTM 2240.
  • a blend of high modulus ionomers with an associated high acid level and partially neutralized by sodium with a very low modulus ionomer containing a low acid level partially neutralized by zinc results in a golf ball cover with improved playability characteristics.
  • a low acid level is approximately 12% by weight
  • a medium acid level is approximately 15% by weight
  • a high acid level is approximately 19% by weight.
  • dimples are preferably circular in shape, but can have a non-circular shape within the scope of this invention.
  • the combination of the aforementioned core, cover and dimple specifications produces a golf ball that possesses noticeable improvements in playability (i.e. spin properties) without sacrificing the ball's durability (i.e. impact resistance etc.) which in turn relates directly to the distance a ball will travel when struck.
  • the instant invention provides a golf ball composition that exhibits the desired properties of the three-piece wound ball (e.g. long distance in combination with a soft feel), but with the lower manufacture cost associated with the two-piece ball.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of a golf ball made in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is an elevation view of the outer surface of a golf ball being divided into a plurality of polygonal configurations according to the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a polar view of the pentagons projected onto the surface of the ball
  • Figure 4. is the ball with great circles projected upon the surface.
  • Figure 5 is a pentagon that is further subdivided by great circles.
  • Figure 6 is an equatorial view of pentagons being projected onto the surface of the ball.
  • Figure 7 is a polar view of pentagons projected upon the balls surface.
  • Figure 8 is a view of a pentagon further subdivided into triangles and rows.
  • Figure 9 is a cross sectional view cut through one of the dimples on the outer surface of the ball.
  • Fig. 1 shows a section view of a two-piece golf ball made in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.
  • a two-piece golf ball has a solid rubber core 2 and a cover 4.
  • the solid rubber core 2 is manufactured by using conventional compression molding processes. The components are mixed together and extruded to produce pre-forms, which are then placed in cavities in the mold and are compression molded under pressure and cured/vulcanized to form cores. The same mix may also be injection molded. Curing is carried out in the mold at temperatures of 280-380 degrees F for five to twenty minutes depending on the compound. Once fully cured, the cores are removed from the mold cavities and prepared for application of a cover.
  • the golf ball core 2 is made of a solid rubber composition comprising a polybutadiene rubber center of a composition typical to the industry.
  • the rubber may be 90-100 PHR polybutadiene, 0-10 PHR polyisoprene, 20-40 PHR zinc diacrylate, 3-10 PHR zinc oxide, 8-40 PHR fillers, process aids and antioxidants, and 0.5-5 PHR peroxide initiator.
  • the diameter of the solid rubber core 2 is about 1.540 ⁇ 0.005".
  • the core 2 weighs about 36.00 ⁇ 0.50 grams, and has a PGA compression of about 70 t 7.
  • the solid rubber core may acceptably range from 1.45 to 1.60 inches, have a core weight range of 32 to 40 grams.
  • the type and amount of crosslinking agents used to make the core will have the greatest influence on the core compression achieved.
  • a core composed primarily of high-cis polybutadiene in combination with cross-linking agents, activators, initiators and fillers (active and inactive) can be used to achieve a golf ball core having the desired compression characteristics.
  • high-cis means a cis isomer content of greater than 93%. It is to be understood that the core formula set forth herein is but one formula that can be used to make a core having the desired core compression.
  • the solid rubber core 2 is then subjected to a conventional molding process whereby the polymer cover 4 is injection or compression molded around the core 2 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the blended components of the cover are injection molded into cavities, which contain cores suspended in the center of the cavities.
  • the inner surfaces of the cavities are constructed with dimple-shaped projections, which form the dimples in the cover.
  • the process used to make the cover is the standard process used and well known in the art wherein one or more components are added together to form a blend, which is then injected into the mold.
  • the golf balls produced may undergo further processing steps such as pressure blasting, vibratory finishing, stamping of the logo, application of a primer, and finally, application of a top coat.
  • the cover has a thickness of about 0.070" leading to provide a total diameter of core and cover of 1.680", the commercial ball diameter standard specified by the United States Golf Association.
  • the cover may range in thickness from 0.020 inches to 0.90 inches.
  • the cover material is comprised of ionomer resins available from E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co. under the name SURLYN.
  • the ionomers are 70% by weight of SURLYN 8150 and 30% by weight of SURLYN 9320W.
  • the hardness of the cover is about 60 ⁇ 3 Shore D.
  • An acceptable range is 30% to 90% of SURLYN 8150 blended with 10% to 50% or SURLYN 9320W.
  • the 9320W SURLYN ionomer is a soft ionomer. This very low modulus ionomer uses the zinc metal ion to neutralize the acid groups, and its acid level is about 12% by weight. Moreover, the 9320W SURLYN grade is copolymerized with n-butyl acrylate. Finally, the 9320W SURLYN resin has a melt index of about 1.0. If SURLYN 9320W is not commercially available then a similar performing olefin based copolymer can be substituted. An acceptable substitute would have a melt index of about 0.2 to 2.0 g/10 minutes.
  • the 8150 SURLYN resin is classified as an improved-flow ionomer, which has a high acid level of about 19 % by weight, which in turn produces a resin characterized by a high stiffness level.
  • the 8150 SURLYN resin uses the sodium ion to neutralize the acid groups.
  • the 8150 SURLYN resin has a melt index of about 4.5. If SURLYN 8150 is not available commercially then any similarly performing olefin copolymer can be substituted.
  • the 8150 substitute may have a melt index range of 2.0 to 10.0 grams/10 minutes.
  • the cover composition contains color concentrate for coloring the golf ball in an amount well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the preferred geometry is a dodecahedron. Accordingly, the scope of this invention provides a golf ball mold whose molding surface contains a uniform pattern to give the golf ball a dimple configuration superior to those of the art.
  • the invention is preferably described in terms of the golf ball that results from the mold, but could be described within the scope of this invention in terms of the mold structure that produces a golf ball.
  • the golf ball of this invention has its outer spherical surface partitioned by the projection of a plurality of polygonal configurations onto the outer surface. That is, the formation or division that results from a particular arrangement of different polygons on the outer surface of a golf ball is referred to herein as a "plurality of polygonal configurations.”
  • a view of one side of a golf ball 5 showing a preferred division of the golf ball's outer surface 7 is illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • a polygonal configuration known as a dodecahedron is projected onto the surface of a sphere.
  • a dodecahedron is a type of polyhedron, which contains twelve (12) polyhedra.
  • the term "dodecahedron” means a twelve (12) sided polyhedron.
  • the dodecahedron of the preferred embodiment is comprised of, twelve (12) pentagons 22, which is then subdivided into sixty (60) triangles 14. It has a uniform pattern of pentagons with each pentagon subdivided into triangles and then rows.
  • the outer surface of the ball is further defined by a pair of poles and an uninterrupted equatorial great circle path around the surface.
  • a great circle path is defined by the intersection between the spherical surface and a plane that passes through the center of the sphere.
  • the uninterrupted great circle path is uninterrupted as a result of being free of dimples.
  • the mold parting line is located from the poles in substantially the same manner as the equator of the earth is located from the north and south poles.
  • Every uninterrupted great circle path 13 defines one side of three smaller pentagons 25 made up of five dimples 60 inside of pentagon 22 that makes up the dodecahedron, as displayed in figure 5.
  • two uninterrupted great circle paths 13 intersect.
  • the poles 70 are located at the vertices of three pentagons 22 on the top and three pentagons 22 on the bottom side of the ball, as illustrated in this view of one such side.
  • the mold parting line 30 is at the outer edge of the circle in this planar view of figure 7 of the golf ball.
  • each of the twelve pentagons 22 established by the projection of the dodecahedron onto the outer ball surface 5, is further subdivided into five similar triangles 23.
  • Each row can be described as having (R+1) dimples, where R is the row designation.
  • Row three contains two dimples 58, and two dimples 59.
  • Row two contains three dimples 58.
  • Row one contains two dimples 60.
  • the seam line 12 intersects six of the pentagons 22.
  • Dimple size is measured by a diameter and depth generally according to the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 4,936,587 (the '587 patent), which is included herein by reference thereto.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates an exception to the teaching of the '587 patent is the measurement of the depth, which is discussed below.
  • a cross-sectional view through a typical dimple 6 is illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • the diameter Dd used herein is defined as the distance from edge E to edge F of the dimple.
  • Edges are constructed in this cross-sectional view of the dimple by having a periphery 50 and a continuation thereof 51 of the dimple 6.
  • the periphery and its continuation are substantially a smooth surface of a sphere.
  • An arc 52 is inset about 0.003 inches below curve 50-51-50 and intersects the dimple at point E' and F'.
  • Tangents 53 and 53' are tangent to the dimple 6 at points E' and F' respectively and intersect periphery continuation 51 at edges E and F respectively.
  • the exception to the teaching of '587 noted above is that the depth d is defined herein to be the distance from the chord 55 between edges E an F of the dimple 6 to the deepest part of the dimple cross sectional surface 6 (a), rather than a continuation of the periphery 51 of an outer surface 50 of the golf ball.
  • dimples 58, 59, and 60 are dual radius in nature.
  • dimples 58 have a diameter Dd of 0.1535" and may range from 0.15 to 0.16 inches and a corresponding depth d of 0.0062", which may range from 0.005 to 0.007" (as measured from the cord 55 to the bottom of dimple 54).
  • Dimples 59 have a diameter Dd of 0.1457", which may range from 0.13 to 0.15 inches, and a corresponding depth d of 0.0062", which may range from 0.005 to 0.007" (as measured from the cord 55 to the bottom of dimple 54).
  • Dimples 60 have a diameter Dd of 0.1248", which may range from 0.1 to 0.3 inches, and a corresponding depth d of 0.0062" and 0.005 to 0.007 inches (as measured from the cord 55 to the bottom of dimple 54). All dimples on the ball may range in diameter from 0.075 to 0.25 inches and may range in depth from 0.0025 to 0.0125 inches.
  • the golf ball cover is defined by the strategic placement of 360 dimples over the surface of the ball.
  • the size and placement dimples of the ball are defined by their numbers and their diameters.
  • a single radius dimple is defined as having one radius that defines the profile of the dimple.
  • a dual radius dimple has two radii that define the dimple profile.
  • R1 is 0.7874" , which may range from 0.5 to 0.9 inches and R2 is 0.1181", which may range from 0.9 to 1.3 inches.
  • a major radius (Radius 1) describes the bottom of the dimple (i.e. it governs the shape of the dimple toward the bottom of the dimple).
  • a minor radius (Radius 2) governs the shape of the dimple about its circumference. As noted below, in some embodiments, these radii may be equal.
  • R1 defines the "bottom” portion of the dimple
  • R2 defines the "side" portion of the dimple.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention is further defined by the presence of bald patches upon the ball surface.
  • the bald patches are located at the midpoints of the sides of all the pentagons projected onto the surface. At that midpoint, any two uninterrupted great circle paths intersect.
  • the bald patches can be further defined by their geometric shape.
  • the bald patches are rectangular in shape and are determined by the mean dimple diameter of the golf ball.
  • the rectangle has a width of at least half the mean dimple diameter and an area of more than eight times the mean dimple area.
  • the width of the rectangle is at least three quarters of the mean dimple diameter, while the rectangle is at least four times the mean dimple diameter
  • Dimples are placed on the outer surface of the golf ball based on segments of the plurality of polygonal configurations described above. In the preferred embodiment, thirty (30) dimples are associated with each pentagon.
  • the term "associated" as used herein in relation to the dimples and the polyhedra means that the polyhedra are used as a guide for planing the dimples.
  • this decrease in the number of dimples when compared to prior art golf balls results in a geometrical configuration that contributes to the aerodynamic stability of the instant golf ball. Aerodynamic stability is reflected in greater control over the movement of the instant golf ball.
  • dimples that are dual radius in cross section improves the performance of the instant golf ball with respect to both distance and control of the movement of the golf ball.
  • the presence of dual radius dimples allows for a soft trajectory in golf ball's flight. In turn, this soft trajectory leads to a soft entry of the golf ball onto the golf course green, which in tum results in greater control over the movement of the instant golf ball.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
  • Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
EP01114651A 2000-06-19 2001-06-19 Balle de golf Withdrawn EP1166831A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21225100P 2000-06-19 2000-06-19
US212251P 2000-06-19

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EP1166831A2 true EP1166831A2 (fr) 2002-01-02
EP1166831A3 EP1166831A3 (fr) 2004-04-14

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8096701B2 (en) 2006-01-28 2012-01-17 Fisia Babcock Environment Gmbh Method and apparatus for mixing a gaseous fluid with a large gas stream, especially for introducing a reducing agent into a flue gas containing nitrogen oxides

Families Citing this family (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US7935285B2 (en) * 2007-04-04 2011-05-03 Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a golf ball
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