JP4102986B2 - Golf ball - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a golf ball, and more particularly to a golf ball in which a ball surface is divided into predetermined regions and predetermined dimple patterns are arranged in each region.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many concave portions called dimples are formed on the surface of the golf ball, and it is said that it is desirable to form the dimples so as to occupy 70 to 90% of the ball surface in order to maintain good aerodynamic characteristics. Yes. In this case, various methods have been proposed for arranging the dimples, but a typical method is a method using a regular polyhedron.
[0003]
In this method, first, a regular polyhedron inscribed in the golf ball is assumed, and each side thereof is projected onto the spherical surface of the golf ball to define a division line. Then, the spherical surface is partitioned by the partition lines, and the same dimple pattern is arranged in each partitioned region. Examples of the regular polyhedron used at this time include a regular hexahedron, a regular octahedron, a regular dodecahedron, a regular icosahedron, and the like. In particular, a regular octahedron is frequently used. This is because the sides constituting the octahedron are orthogonal to each other, so that it is easy to share the lane markings and the golf ball mold splitting surface, so that the degree of freedom in dimple design is increased and the symmetry of the octahedron is increased. This is because the arrangement is orderly depending on the nature, and the design is excellent.
[0004]
However, the arrangement of dimples using a regular octahedron has the above-mentioned advantages, but also has the following disadvantages. For example, a regular octahedron has a monotonic dimple pattern that appears periodically by rotation due to its symmetry, especially the dimple pattern, resulting in insufficient air separation from the ball surface and aerodynamic characteristics. There is a problem that decreases.
[0005]
In order to solve this problem, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose golf balls in which dimples are arranged in a regular octahedron, and the dimple patterns of four spherical regular triangles sharing each vertex of the regular octahedron on the surface thereof are different from each other. It is supposed to be. Thereby, the monotonicity of the dimple pattern that appears during rotation is eliminated, and the aerodynamic characteristics are improved.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-346908
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-762
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the golf balls disclosed in the above publications, since the dimple patterns in the areas sharing the vertices are all different, the dimple pattern is not symmetrical with respect to the great circle passing through the ball surface. Therefore, the arrangement of the dimples that appear sequentially on the flying ball direction plane with the rotation of the ball lacks symmetry, and as a result, the symmetry of the aerodynamic characteristics at the time of flying ball is lost, and a stable trajectory and flight distance can be obtained. There is a problem that you can not.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a golf ball having excellent aerodynamic characteristics.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and defines three great circles by projecting each side of a regular octahedron inscribed in the spherical surface onto the spherical surface, and the great circle is defined as a partition line. A golf ball in which dimples are formed in each of the eight spherical regular triangular regions partitioned on the spherical surface, and one of the six vertices of the regular octahedron located on the spherical surface shares one vertex. In the four regions, dimple patterns in regions adjacent to each other across the partition line are different from each other, and the dimple patterns in the two regions facing each other while sharing the vertex are related to the diameter of the ball passing through the vertex. Provided is a golf ball having a basic arrangement of being rotationally symmetric with respect to each other.
[0011]
According to this configuration, the eight regions are configured by two types of dimple patterns so that the adjacent dimple patterns are different. Therefore, for example, when the ball is rotating substantially along the lane markings, different dimple patterns appear alternately at the portions sandwiching the lane markings. Accordingly, since the arrangement of the dimples that sequentially appear in the flying direction with the rotation of the ball becomes symmetric, the symmetry of the aerodynamic characteristics of the ball surface can be maintained. As a result, variations in flight distance or ballistic disturbance can be reduced, and a stable flight distance and trajectory can be obtained.
[0012]
Here, in this specification, setting the arrangement of a specific dimple to “basic arrangement” means the following. That is, the dimple arrangement is not limited to the specific arrangement, but includes an approximate arrangement that is close to the specific arrangement and that can obtain the same effects as those obtained by the specific arrangement. means. Such an approximate arrangement is, for example, when a dimple pattern of a region having the same size is overlapped with a dimple pattern of a specific arrangement in a certain region, the total area of the overlapping portions of the dimples is equal to the total area of the specific arrangement dimple. It can be defined as the case of occupying 95% or more.
[0013]
In the golf ball, the basic arrangement may be that the dimples arranged on both sides along the lane marking in each region are displaced from the positions facing each other across the lane marking. By doing so, the arrangement of the dimples in the vicinity of the lane markings becomes irregular, and the dimple arrangement can be made dense, so that air separation at this portion is good and aerodynamic characteristics can be improved. . In addition, the lane markings are inconspicuous in appearance, and the product value in terms of design can be improved. In this case, “displaced from the opposite position across the lane line” means not only when all the dimples arranged along the lane line are displaced from the opposite dimple, but only a part of the dimples. It includes the case where it is arranged at a position shifted from the opposing dimple.
[0014]
The following can be mentioned as such an example. For example, the above object can be achieved by arranging the dimples arranged on both sides along the lane marking in a staggered manner with the lane marking in between.
[0015]
Also, in the dimples arranged on both sides along the section line, the dimples closest to the lane marking, that is, the dimples closest to each other across the lane marking should have different diameters. The above object can also be achieved. In this case, some dimples may have different diameters, or all the dimples may have different diameters.
[0016]
Further, the basic arrangement may be such that the dimples arranged along the lane marking intersect the lane marking. In this way, the lane marking can be made less noticeable, and the aerodynamic characteristics in the vicinity of the lane marking can be further improved. In this case, a part of the dimples may intersect with the lane marking, or all the dimples may intersect with the lane marking. Here, a dimple pattern is formed on the dimple that intersects the partition line as belonging to the region where the center is located. For example, when the center of the dimple is on the lane line, the dimple pattern is formed on the assumption that the dimple belongs to each region sandwiching the lane line.
[0017]
In addition, if the dimple pattern in each region is rotationally symmetric about the center of gravity of the region, the aerodynamic characteristic symmetry in each region is maintained, and the aerodynamic characteristic symmetry of the entire ball can be further improved. As a result, the flight distance and ballistic stability can be further improved.
[0018]
Further, in each region, the ratio of the dimple area to the area of the spherical triangle constituting the region is 70 to 85%, and among these regions, the proportion of the region having the largest proportion and the region having the smallest proportion The difference from the ratio is preferably within 4%. Thereby, aerodynamic characteristics can be made favorable.
[0019]
Further, the number of dimples arranged in each region is 40 to 61, and among these regions, the difference between the number of dimples in the region with the largest dimple and the number of dimples in the region with the least dimple is four. Is preferably within. This also makes it possible to improve the aerodynamic characteristics.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a golf ball according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf ball according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the golf ball of FIG.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the golf ball 1 is a two-piece solid golf ball having a core (not shown) and a cover covering the surface, and 416 dimples are arranged on the surface of the cover. Yes.
[0022]
The dimples in the golf ball 1 are arranged using a regular octahedron arrangement. That is, assuming a regular octahedron that is inscribed in the spherical surface that constitutes the ball, and projecting each side of the regular octahedron from the center of the ball onto the spherical surface, three orthogonal great circles are defined. These great circles are defined as virtual partition lines L1, L2, and L3, and eight spherical regular triangular regions S1 to S8 are defined on the spherical surface, and each of these regions S1 to S8 serves as one unit to form a dimple pattern. Is formed.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a diagram in which a golf ball is arranged such that L3 of the three lane markings L1, L2, and L3 coincides with the paper surface, and L1 of the remaining lane markings extends in the left-right direction of FIG. , L2 extends in the vertical direction. FIG. 1 shows four regions S1 to S4 among the eight regions formed by the partition lines L1 to L3. On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows four regions on the back side, that is, S5 to S8, which are not shown in FIG.
[0024]
Moreover, six intersection points (vertices) P1 to P6 are formed on the ball surface by three division lines L1 to L3 being orthogonal to each other, and P1 to P4 are located on the division line L3. 1 shows an intersection P5 between the division lines L1 and L2, and FIG. 2 shows an intersection P6 between the division lines L1 and L2.
[0025]
Moreover, in this golf ball 1, the dimple pattern arrange | positioned in each area | region S1-S8 is comprised as follows. That is, in this golf ball 1, in the four regions sharing the intersections P1 to P6, the dimple patterns in the regions adjacent to each other with the lane markings are different from each other, and the intersections are shared 2 The dimple patterns in the two regions are in a rotationally symmetric relationship with respect to the ball diameter passing through the intersection.
[0026]
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the four areas sharing the intersection P5 are S1 to S4. In these areas, the areas S1 and S3 and the areas S2 and S4 have a ball diameter (P5-P6) passing through P5. ) Around each other. Further, the region S1 is different from the regions S2 and S4. Referring to FIG. 2, the same dimple pattern having a rotationally symmetric relationship is formed in the regions S1, S3, S5, and S7. Hereinafter, this dimple pattern is referred to as a pattern I. On the other hand, the same dimple pattern having a rotationally symmetric relationship is formed in the regions S2, S4, S6, and S8. Hereinafter, this dimple pattern is referred to as a pattern II. That is, the dimple pattern in the area of the golf ball 1 is composed of two types of patterns I and II.
[0027]
The diameter of the dimple formed in each of the regions S1 to S8 is 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and the dimple depth from the spherical surface circumscribing the golf ball 1 is 0.1 to 0.2 mm. In order to obtain good aerodynamic characteristics, the ratio of dimples to the area of the spherical triangle forming each region S1 to S8 is preferably 70 to 85%, more preferably 75 to 85%. . At this time, the difference in the dimple ratio between the area having the largest dimple occupancy ratio and the area having the smallest ratio is 4% or less so as not to cause a large difference in the aerodynamic characteristics in each of the areas S1 to S8. Is preferable, and it is more preferable to make it 3% or less.
[0028]
In addition, the number of dimples formed in each of the regions S1 to S8 is preferably 40 to 61, and more preferably 46 to 57. In this case, the difference between the number of dimples in the region with the most dimples and the number of dimples in the region with the least dimples may be 4 or less so as not to cause a large difference in the aerodynamic characteristics in the regions S1 to S8. Preferably, it is more preferably within 2.
[0029]
Furthermore, the dimple pattern in each of the regions S1 to S8 is configured to be rotationally symmetric about the center of gravity of the spherical triangle that forms the region. That is, when each region is rotated 120 ° or 240 ° around the center of gravity, the dimple pattern is matched between the region before rotation and the region after rotation. Thereby, the symmetry of the aerodynamic characteristic in each area | region S1-S8 is maintained.
[0030]
Next, an example of each dimple pattern is given. FIG. 3 is a developed view of a region where the pattern I is formed. In this region, there are 3 dimples with a diameter of 3.0 mm, 21 dimples with a diameter of 3.21 mm, 12 dimples with a diameter of 3.85 mm, 16 dimples with a diameter of 4.15 mm, that is, 52 in total. Dimples are formed. The ratio of dimples in the area of this region is 76.1%. Further, as described above, the pattern I is formed so as to be rotationally symmetric with respect to the gravity center G1 of the spherical triangle forming this region, and this region is rotated by 120 ° or 240 ° about the gravity center G1. And the dimple pattern before and after rotation coincide with each other.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a developed view of a region where the pattern II is formed. In this area, there are 6 dimples with a diameter of 30 mm, 15 dimples with a diameter of 3.21 mm, 12 dimples with a diameter of 3.85 mm, 19 dimples with a diameter of 4.15 mm, that is, a total of 52 dimples The proportion of dimples in the area of this region is 77.9%. Similarly to the pattern I, the pattern II is also configured to be rotationally symmetric with respect to the gravity center G2 of the spherical triangle constituting the region.
[0032]
A dimple pattern is formed at the boundary between the region having the pattern I and the region having the pattern II as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of dimple rows arranged along the partition line L are arranged in a staggered manner with the partition line L interposed therebetween, that is, alternately arranged along the partition line L.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the four areas sharing the vertices of the ball surface, the dimple patterns in the adjacent areas are different from each other, and share the intersection and face each other. Are configured so as to be rotationally symmetric with respect to the ball diameter passing through the intersection. That is, the eight areas on the surface of the golf ball are constituted by two dimple patterns. Therefore, even if this golf ball is rotated along any of the lane markings L1 to L3, two types of dimple patterns appear alternately in a region sandwiching the lane markings L1 to L3. In addition, even when rotated along a great circle other than the partition line, two types of dimple patterns appear alternately. Therefore, the symmetry of the aerodynamic characteristic at the time of ball rotation is maintained, and it is possible to prevent variation in the flight distance or the trajectory. As a result, a stable flight distance or trajectory can be obtained.
[0034]
Further, since the dimples arranged on both sides along each lane marking L1 to L3 are arranged in a staggered manner with the lane marking in between, the dimples in the vicinity of the lane marking can be densely arranged. As a result, it is possible to improve the air separation in the vicinity of the lane markings and improve the aerodynamic characteristics. Furthermore, this arrangement makes it difficult to recognize the lane markings in appearance, so that the commercial value of the ball can be improved.
[0035]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning. For example, in the above embodiment, in order to make it difficult to recognize the lane markings and improve the aerodynamic characteristics, the dimples are arranged in a staggered pattern along the lane markings. The dimples arranged on both sides along the lane markings in each region may be arranged so as to deviate from the dimples at positions facing each other across the lane markings. As another example, for example, the same effect can be obtained even if the dimples are arranged so that the diameters of the dimples facing each other across the partition line L are different.
[0036]
In the above-described embodiment, all the dimples are arranged in the spherical triangle that constitutes each region. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as long as the symmetry of the dimple pattern in each of the regions S1 to S8 as described above is ensured, the dimples may be arranged so as to intersect the partition line L as shown in FIG. At this time, the number of dimples intersecting with the partition line is not particularly limited.
[0037]
In the case described above, a dimple pattern is formed on the dimple that intersects the partition line L as belonging to the region where the center is located. Further, when the center of the dimple is on the lane marking, it can be considered that the dimple belongs in common to each region sandwiching the lane marking.
[0038]
In the above embodiment, an example of a golf ball in which 416 dimples are formed on the cover surface is shown, but it is needless to say that the dimple pattern is arranged as described above. The number can be changed. The dimple patterns I and II described above are merely examples, and various changes can be made with respect to the size and depth of each dimple.
[0039]
In the above description, the present invention is applied to a two-piece solid golf ball having a core and a cover. However, the present invention is applied to a one-piece golf ball or a three-piece or more multi-piece golf ball having a plurality of cores and covers. You can also. In addition to the solid golf ball as described above, the present invention can also be applied to a wound ball. The cover having dimples is preferably only the outermost cover layer.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the golf ball of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a golf ball with excellent aerodynamic characteristics that can ensure symmetry of aerodynamic characteristics.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a golf ball according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the golf ball shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a developed view of a spherical triangle that constitutes one region of the golf ball shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a developed view of a spherical triangle that constitutes a region of the golf ball shown in FIG. 1;
5 is a view showing the vicinity of a lane marking of the golf ball shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the vicinity of a lane marking of a golf ball according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 golf balls S1 to S8 Regions L1 to L3 Marking lines P1 to P6 Intersection (vertex)

Claims (8)

A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on a spherical surface,
Defining a three great circles by projecting each side of a regular octahedron inscribing the said spherical surface in the spherical,
A dimple pattern in which a plurality of dimples are arranged is formed in each region of the eight spherical regular triangles partitioned on the spherical surface with the great circle as a partition line ,
In the four regions sharing one vertex in any of the six vertices of the regular octahedron located on the spherical surface, the dimple patterns in the regions adjacent to each other across the partition line are different from each other, and A golf ball having a basic arrangement in which dimple patterns of two regions facing each other sharing a vertex are in a rotationally symmetric relationship with respect to a ball diameter passing through the vertex.   2. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the dimples arranged on both sides along the lane marking in each of the regions are basically displaced from positions facing each other with the lane marking in between.   The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the dimples arranged on both sides along the lane marking are arranged in a staggered manner across the lane marking.   The dimples arranged on both sides along the section line are basically arranged such that the dimples closest to the partition line have different diameters. Golf ball.   5. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein dimples arranged along the lane line intersect with the lane line as a basic arrangement.   6. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the dimple pattern in each region is basically rotationally symmetric about the center of gravity of the region. Within each region, the ratio of the dimple area to the area of the spherical triangle constituting the region is 70 to 85%,
7. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein a basic arrangement is such that a difference between a ratio of a region having the largest proportion and a proportion of a region having the smallest proportion is within 4%. The number of dimples arranged in each region is 40 to 61,
8. The golf according to claim 1, wherein a basic arrangement is such that a difference between the number of dimples in a region having the largest dimple and the number of dimples in a region having the smallest dimple is within four. ball.

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