FR2627092A1 - GOLF BALL WITH ALVEOLES PATTERN - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a golf ball having a plurality of cells in its spherical outer surface. Each cell 10 is not curved in plan view and has a curved cross section; the non-curved shape facilitates the establishment of a uniform spacing distance between adjacent cells and improves the aerodynamic properties of the ball; furthermore, the curved configuration facilitates cleaning and improves the appearance of the ball.

Description

The present invention relates to cell patterns, or recessed portions,

  for golf balls and relates more particularly to the relationship between the cell shape, the straight section configuration of the cell and the distribution

  Spacing of alveoli on a golf ball.

  It is well known to create cavities or other discontinuities in the outer surface of a golf ball so as to minimize

  aerodynamic drag when the ball is played.

  It is also well known that a uniform spatial arrangement (hereinafter referred to as "spacing distance") between adjacent cells may contribute to the reduction of aerodynamic drag and that this uniform spacing distance may be more conveniently obtained when the cells have a non-curved shape (for example rectangular

or polygonal).

  However, attempts known in the past to achieve such non-curved cells have resulted in cells whose cross-sectional configuration is not curved. Although such known cells contribute to improving the aerodynamic performance of the ball, they are quickly fouled and they are also very difficult to clean. As a result, golf balls having cells having a non-curved shape in plan view and having a non-curved cross section configuration have not been accepted.

  until now by the players.

  We have now found that the prediction of planes having a non-curved shape and having a curved cross-sectional configuration allows to combine the advantages of a uniform special arrangement, a maximum reduction of the aerodynamic drag and the an improved appearance of a golf ball. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a golf ball having a plurality of cells in its spherical outer surface and wherein each cell has in plan view a non-curved shape and a curved cross-sectional configuration. Preferably, the cells can be distributed spatially uniformly over

the surface of the ball.

  The present invention also relates to a golf ball as described in the immediately preceding paragraph and wherein the spacing distance (as defined above) between

adjacent cells is constant.

  The cells can be rectangular,

  triangular or polygonal plan view.

  The curved straight section configuration of the cells may advantageously be that of a solid of revolution generated by the rotation of a plane curve around a radius of the bale. For example, the configuration of the cells may be that of a

  part of sphere or part of ellipsoid.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will be highlighted later in the

  description, given by way of non-limiting example, in

  1 is a plan view of an individual cell on a golf ball according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II - II of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line

III-III of Figure 1.

  The cell 10, or hollow part, has in plan view a square shape in the whole and whose

  sides have a length of between 2 mm and 5 mm.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cell 10 has a configuration of generally curved cross-section, with an average depth

  falling within the range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

REVEIIDICATIONS

  A golf ball having a plurality of cavities, or recessed portions, in its spherical outer surface, characterized in that each cell (10) is non-curved in plan view and has a

curved straight section.

  Golf ball according to claim 1,

  characterized in that the cells (10) are distributed

  tis spatially uniformly over the entire surface

spherical exterior of the ball.

  Golf ball according to claim 2,

  characterized in that a uniform distance of space

  is defined between any two adjacent cells

c.

  4. Golf ball according to any one of the

  1 to 3, characterized in that each cell (10) has a triangular shape in plan view,

rectangular or polygonal.

  5. Golf ball according to any of the claims

  1 to 4, characterized in that the configura-

  cross-section of each cell (10) is that of a solid of revolution generated by the rotation of a plane curve around a radius of the ball, having for example the shape of a part of

  sphere or part of ellipsoid.