KR20210038358A - Dimple patterns for golf balls - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a dimple pattern for golf balls based on a square dipyramid which is two square pyramids with the base sides connected to each other. Dimples are arranged in four substantially identical triangular sections on each of the two substantially identical hemispheres of a golf ball.

Description

Dimple patterns for golf balls {DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS}

The present invention relates to a golf ball dimple pattern based on a square dipyramid, wherein the dimples are arranged in four substantially identical triangular sections in each of the two hemispheres of the ball.

Although closely controlled by the National Golf Association (U.S.G.A.), golf's national supervisory authority, golf ball manufacturers make significant efforts to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency of golf balls. One U.S.G.A. The requirement is that the golf ball has aerodynamic symmetry. Aerodynamic symmetry allows the ball to fly with a very small amount of vibration, no matter how the golf ball is placed on the tee or on the ground. To improve aerodynamic symmetry, many dimple patterns are based on, for example, geometric shapes, 5 Platonic Solids and 13 Archimedean Solids. Because the number of symmetrical polyhedral plane systems useful in designing dimple patterns is limited, it can be difficult to derive new symmetrical patterns. In addition, dimple patterns based on some geometric shapes lead to less than optimal surface coverage and other unfavorable dimple arrangements.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for new dimple patterns that include a unique combination of dimple properties such as size, shape, number, volume, or arrangement to provide golf balls with superior properties.

The present invention relates to a golf ball having a plurality of dimples arranged in a pattern formed by square cones projected onto the spherical outer surface of the ball. The plurality of dimples includes at least three different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter. A golf ball consists of two hemispheres separated by an equator. The two hemispheres have substantially the same dimple arrangement. The dimple arrangement of each hemisphere consists of four triangular sections formed by projecting the four faces of a square pyramid onto the hemisphere, so that each of the four triangular sections corresponds to a portion of the ball's equator. It is formed by a boundary line consisting of two linear lateral edges connecting each end of the equatorial edge of the linear equator and the edge of the equatorial line to the poles of the ball. The four triangular sections of each hemisphere are substantially equal in size and dimple arrangement. The dimple arrangement in each of the four triangular sections optionally comprises a shared polar dimple with a center of gravity lying at the vertices of the two side edges of the section. The diameter of the shared pole dimple, if present, is not the minimum dimple diameter or the maximum dimple diameter. The dimple arrangement within each of the four triangular sections is not rotationally symmetric around the center of the section. Each of the four triangular sections can be divided into a pole region, a middle region, and a region on the equator. The pole region is the region of the triangular section from latitude angle 0° to latitude angle 30°, and latitude angle 0° is the pole. The middle area is the area of a triangular section with a latitude angle of 30° to a latitude angle of 60°. The area on the equator is the area of the triangular section from 60° latitude to 90° latitude, and 90° latitude is the equator.

In certain embodiments, the pole region includes at least one non-polar dimple with a minimum dimple diameter and no dimple with a maximum dimple diameter. The intermediate region includes at least one dimple with a minimum dimple diameter and at least one dimple with a maximum dimple diameter. The area on the equator includes at least one dimple with a maximum dimple diameter and no dimple with a minimum dimple diameter. In certain aspects of this embodiment, the intermediate region includes at least one dimple with a minimum dimple diameter. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the intermediate region includes at least one dimple having a maximum dimple diameter. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, the intermediate region includes at least one dimple with a minimum dimple diameter and at least one dimple with a maximum dimple diameter.

In another specific embodiment, the pole region has a dimple surface coverage (S _p ), the middle region has a dimple surface coverage (S _i ), and the region on the equator has a dimple surface coverage (S _e ), S _p ≠ S _i ≠ S _e .

In another specific embodiment, 2% to 10% of the dimples have an elliptical planar shape. In certain aspects of this embodiment, each dimple with an elliptical planar shape is positioned within the pole region.

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are considered together with the specification, and like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts in the various drawings.
1 shows the four sides of a square pyramid projected onto a hemisphere.
Fig. 2 shows one of the four facets of Fig. 1 divided into three regions.
3 is a schematic diagram showing a method for measuring the diameter of a dimple.
4A to 4C show the side of FIG. 2 in which dimples are arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5A-5C show the side of FIG. 2 in which dimples are arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6A and 6B show the side of FIG. 2 in which dimples are arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A square pyramid is a polygon formed by connecting each of the four vertices of the square base to the vertex. The resulting polyhedron consists of a square base and 4 triangular faces of the same size, and has 5 vertices, including the 4 vertices and vertices of the square base. Each of the four triangular faces has two side edges and a bottom edge. Adjacent faces have a common side edge. Thus, a square pyramid has eight linear edges, including four side edges and four base edges.

A square cone is a polygonal body formed by two square pyramids joined together at the bases. The resulting polyhedron consists of 8 triangular faces of equal size and has 6 vertices, including 4 vertices of the base where the 2 square pyramids merge and each vertex of the 2 square pyramids. Each of the eight triangular faces has two side edges and a bottom edge. Adjacent sides on the same side of the square button have a common side edge, and adjacent sides on opposite sides of the square button have a common bottom edge. Thus, it has 12 linear edges, comprising a square cone, 8 side edges and 4 bottom edges.

The golf ball dimple pattern of the present invention is based on a square cone. As shown in Fig. 1, each hemisphere of the ball consists of four triangular dimple sections 10 formed by projecting the four faces of a square pyramid onto the hemisphere. Each of the four triangular dimple sections is formed by a boundary line consisting of two linear lateral edges 13 and a linear equatorial edge 11 corresponding to the side edges and the bottom edge of the face of the square pyramid. . Thus, the two hemispheres of the ball correspond to two square pyramids, where the bases merge to form a square cone projected onto the spherical outer surface of the golf ball. Each base edge of a square cone corresponds to a portion of the ball's equator when projected onto the ball's spherical outer surface. Each of the two vertices of a square cone, when projected onto the spherical outer surface of the ball, corresponds to the pole of the ball.

The two hemispheres of the ball have substantially the same dimple arrangement. For the purposes of this disclosure, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, where the relative positions of the centers of gravity of the dimples are approximately the same, the dimple arrangement is substantially the same. The overall dimple pattern on the golf ball may have a rotational offset between the two hemispheres, of 45° or less.

The dimple arrangement in each of the four triangular dimple sections on each of the two hemispheres of the ball is substantially the same. For the purposes of this disclosure, the triangular section in which the dimple is located is determined based on the location of the center of gravity of the dimple. Thus, it can be said that each dimple on the ball is located within a single dimple section, except for dimples having a center of gravity located along the lateral edge or edge on the equator.

A dimple with a center of gravity positioned along the edge is referred to herein as a shared dimple. A shared dimple, whose center of gravity lies on the lateral edge, but does not lie at one of the two vertices of the weight or at one of the four vertices of the base where the two square pyramids merge, is referred to herein as a lateral edge dimple. Thus, the side edge dimples are shared between adjacent sections of one hemisphere having a common side edge over which the center of gravity of the side edge dimples lies. A shared dimple, whose center of gravity lies on the edge on the equator, but not at one of the four vertices of the base where the two square pyramids merge, is referred to herein as a dimple on the shared equator. Thus, the dimples on the shared equator are shared between adjacent sections of different hemispheres having an edge on the common equator upon which the center of gravity of the dimples on the shared equator lies. A shared dimple whose center of gravity is shared by the four sections of one hemisphere and lies at one point corresponding to the pole is referred to herein as a pole dimple. Thus, the pole dimple is shared between the four sections of the hemisphere containing the pole on which the center of gravity lies. A shared dimple, whose center of gravity lies at one of the four vertices of the base where the two square pyramids merge, is referred to herein as a base vertex dimple. Thus, the base vertex dimple is shared between four sections, comprising two adjacent sections of one hemisphere with an edge on the equator in common with two adjacent sections of the other hemisphere.

The dimples of the present invention are shared dimples or non-shared dimples. Thus, the non-shared dimple of the present invention is a dimple with a center of gravity not located along the edge. Non-covalent dimples of the present invention include dimples having a perimeter that does not intersect any edges, referred to herein as non-crossing dimples, and at edges on the equator, referred to herein as dimples on the non-covalent equator. It includes a dimple with a perimeter intersected by but not intersected by a lateral edge. The dimple pattern of the present invention does not include non-shared dimples having a perimeter intersecting the side edges.

The dimple arrangement within each of the triangular sections is a plurality of non-intersecting dimples, and, optionally, the following dimples: polar dimples, one or more lateral edge dimples, one or more dimples on non-shared equator, one or more shared equator lines. And one or more of a dimple, or one or more bottom vertex dimples.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the dimple arrangement in each of the triangular sections is comprised of a plurality of non-intersecting dimples, at least one lateral edge dimple, at least one dimple on the non-shared equator, and, optionally, a polar dimple. . In certain aspects of this embodiment, there are no large circles without dimples on the outer surface of the ball. In other words, in this particular aspect, every large circle on the outer surface of the ball intersects with at least one dimple.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, the dimple arrangement in each of the triangular sections is comprised of a plurality of non-intersecting dimples, at least one dimple on the non-shared equator, and, optionally, a polar dimple. In certain aspects of this embodiment, the triangular section includes polar dimples, and there are no large circles without dimples on the outer surface of the ball. In another particular aspect of this embodiment, the triangular section does not include polar dimples, and the outer surface of the ball has a large circle without two dimples formed by the side edges of the triangular section.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, the dimple arrangement in each of the triangular sections is comprised of a plurality of non-intersecting dimples, at least one side edge dimple, and, optionally, a polar dimple. In certain aspects of this embodiment, the outer surface of the ball has a large circle without dimples corresponding to the equator line.

In another specific embodiment of the invention, the dimple arrangement in each of the triangular sections is comprised of a plurality of non-intersecting dimples. In certain aspects of this embodiment, the outer surface of the ball has a large circle without dimples corresponding to the equator line, and a large circle without two dimples formed by the lateral edges of the triangular section.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the dimple arrangement in each of the four triangular dimple sections 10 is substantially the same, so that the dimple arrangement on each hemisphere of the ball is 4- It has directional rotational symmetry. Thus, in each non-shared dimple located within a particular triangular dimple section, a corresponding non-shared dimple is located in each of the other three dimple sections of that hemisphere. In the dimple pattern of the present invention comprising side edge dimples, for each side edge dimple with a center of gravity positioned along a particular side edge, a corresponding side edge positioned along each of the other three side edges of the hemisphere. There are dimples. In the dimple pattern of the present invention comprising dimples on a shared equator, for each dimple on a shared equator with a center of gravity located along an edge on a particular equator, a position along each of the edges on the other three equator lines. There are dimples on the corresponding shared equator. In a dimple pattern of the present invention comprising a polar dimple, a polar dimple on one hemisphere has a corresponding polar dimple on the other hemisphere. In the dimple pattern of the present invention including the base vertex dimples, for each base vertex dimple having a center of gravity located at a specific vertex of the base where the two square pyramids are joined, the corresponding located at each of the other 3 base vertices There is a dimple at the bottom vertex. In each set of corresponding dimples, the relative positions of the dimple centers of gravity within their respective sections are approximately the same, and, in certain embodiments, each of the dimples within that set of corresponding dimples has substantially the same dimple characteristics (e.g. For example, it has a planar shape, a cross-sectional shape, a diameter, an edge angle, etc.).

The dimple arrangement within each of the triangular sections is not rotationally symmetric around the center of the section.

Each of the triangular sections can be divided into three areas: a pole area, a middle area, and an area on the equator. The pole area is the area of a triangular section with a latitude angle of 0° to a latitude angle of 30°. The middle area is the area of a triangular section with a latitude angle of 30° to a latitude angle of 60°. The area on the equator is the area of a triangular section with a latitude angle of 60° to a latitude angle of 90°. The latitude angle of 0° is a pole. The latitude angle of 90° is the equator. For example, FIG. 2 shows one of the triangular dimple sections 10 of FIG. 1. The triangular section is divided into a pole region 15, a middle region 17, and a region 19 on the equator.

The area where the dimple is located is determined based on the position of the center of gravity of the dimple. For the purposes of this disclosure, a dimple with a center of gravity positioned at a latitude angle of 30° is defined as being within the middle region, and a dimple with a center of gravity positioned at a latitude angle of 60° is defined as being within an area on the equator. do. As will be described further below, for the purpose of calculating the dimple surface coverage of the region, although a part of the dimple may lie in another region, the total area of the planar shape of the dimple is, where the center of gravity of the dimple is located. It is included in the calculation of the dimple surface coverage of the area. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention in which the dimple pattern includes side edge dimples, when calculating the dimple surface coverage for the pole area, the middle area, and the area on the equator of a single triangular section, for each side edge dimple It should be noted that only half of the total planar shape area is included in the calculation.

The pole region of each triangular section has, for the purposes of the present invention, a dimple surface coverage S _p determined as follows. The surface area (if no dimples) of the pole region of each triangular section (A _p ) is calculated as:

)이고,

이다. 각각의 삼각형 섹션의 극 영역 내에 위치된(즉, 그 내에 위치된 무게 중심을 가지는) 모든 딤플의 평면 형상 면적의 합(AD_p)이 계산된다. 이어서, 각각의 삼각형 섹션의 극 영역의 딤플 표면 피복률(S_p)이 다음과 같이 계산된다:Where R is the ball radius (i.e.

)ego,

to be. _{The sum of the planar shape areas (AD p} ) of all dimples located within the pole region of each triangular section (ie, having the center of gravity located therein) is calculated. _{Then, the dimple surface coverage (S p} ) of the pole region of each triangular section is calculated as follows:

.

.

Each of the middle area of the triangular sections, for the purposes of this invention, has a dimple surface coverage (S _i) is determined as follows. The surface area (if no dimples) of the middle area of each triangular section (A _i ) is calculated as follows:

_,

_,

)이고,

이며, A_p는, 전술한 수학식에 따라 계산된, 각각의 삼각형 섹션(딤플이 존재하지 않는 경우)의 극 영역의 표면적이다. 각각의 삼각형 섹션의 중간 영역 내에 위치된(즉, 그 내에 위치된 무게 중심을 가지는) 모든 딤플의 평면 형상 면적의 합(AD_i)이 계산된다. 이어서, 각각의 삼각형 섹션의 중간 영역의 딤플 표면 피복률(S_i)이 다음과 같이 계산된다:Where R is the ball radius (i.e.

)ego,

And A _p is the surface area of the pole region of each triangular section (when no dimples exist), calculated according to the above-described equation. _{The sum of the planar shape areas (AD i} ) of all dimples located within the middle region of each triangular section (ie, having a center of gravity located therein) is calculated. _{Then, the dimple surface coverage (S i} ) of the middle region of each triangular section is calculated as follows:

.

.

The area on the equator of each triangular section has, for the purposes of the present invention, a dimple surface coverage (S _e ) determined as follows. The surface area (if no dimples) of the area on the equator of each triangular section (A _e ) is calculated as follows:

_,

_,

)이고,

이며, A_p 및 A_i는 각각 전술한 수학식에 따라 계산된, 각각의 삼각형 섹션(딤플이 존재하지 않는 경우)의 극 영역의 표면적 및 각각의 삼각형 섹션(딤플이 존재하지 않는 경우)의 중간 영역의 표면적이다. 각각의 삼각형 섹션의 적도선 상의 영역 내에 위치된(즉, 그 내에 위치된 무게 중심을 가지는) 모든 딤플의 평면 형상 면적의 합(AD_e)이 계산된다. 이어서, 각각의 삼각형 섹션의 적도선 상의 영역의 딤플 표면 피복률(S_e)이 다음과 같이 계산된다:Where is the radius of the ball (i.e.

)ego,

Where A _p and A _i are the surface area of the pole area of each triangular section (if no dimples exist) and the middle of each triangular section (if no dimples exist), calculated according to the above equation Is the surface area of the area. _{The sum of the planar shape areas (AD e} ) of all dimples located within the area on the equator of each triangular section (ie, having a center of gravity located therein) is calculated. _{The dimple surface coverage (S e} ) of the area on the equator of each triangular section is then calculated as follows:

.

.

In certain embodiments, the dimple patterns of the present invention have one or more of the following characteristics:

Each triangular section includes at least three different dimple diameters, including a maximum dimple diameter, a minimum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter. In certain embodiments, each triangular section includes at least four different dimple diameters. In another specific embodiment, each triangular section includes at least 5 different dimple diameters. In another specific embodiment, each triangular section includes at least 6 different dimple diameters. Preferably, in the dimple pattern of the present invention where polar dimples are present, the polar dimples do not have a minimum dimple diameter. It should be understood that manufacturing parameters are taken into account when determining the number of different dimple diameters. For the purposes of this disclosure, dimples having substantially the same diameter, also referred to herein as “same diameter” dimples, include dimples on a finished ball having respective diameters that differ by less than 0.005 inches due to manufacturing variables. do.

In certain embodiments, the dimple patterns of the present invention have one or more of the following characteristics:

a) the pole region of each triangular section comprises at least one dimple that has a minimum dimple diameter and is not a pole dimple, and optionally, the latitude of at least one non-pole dimple located within the pole region and having a minimum dimple diameter. The angle is less than 20°;

b) the pole area of each triangular section does not contain a dimple with a maximum dimple diameter;

c) the area on the equator of each triangular section comprises at least one dimple with a maximum dimple diameter;

d) the area on the equator of each triangular section does not contain a dimple with a minimum dimple diameter;

e) the middle region of each triangular section comprises at least one dimple with a minimum dimple diameter; And

f) The middle region of each triangular section comprises at least one dimple with a maximum dimple diameter.

The dimple patterns of the present invention optionally have one or more of the following additional properties:

a) The overall surface coverage of the golf ball is at least 75%, or at least 78%, or at least 80%.

b) there is a pole dimple;

c) no pole dimples;

d) each triangular section comprises at least 4, or at least 5 different dimple diameters;

e) within each triangular section, the number of different dimple diameters located within the middle region is more than the number of different dimple diameters located within the pole region and more than the number of different dimple diameters located within the region on the equator;

f) within each triangular section, the number of different dimple diameters located within the pole region is equal to the number of different dimple diameters located within the region on the equator;

g) the total number of dimples with the minimum dimple diameter is greater than the number of dimples with the maximum dimple diameter;

h) the total number of dimples with the minimum dimple diameter is less than the number of dimples with the maximum dimple diameter;

i) there are no large circles without dimples on the outer surface of the ball;

j) the outer surface of the ball has a large circle without dimples corresponding to the equator line; And

k) The outer surface of the ball has a large circle without dimples corresponding to the equator line, and a large circle without two dimples formed by the side edges of the triangular section.

The dimples of the present invention are not limited to a specific shape of a planar shape or a profile shape. Particularly suitable planar shapes include, but are not limited to, circular, polygonal, oval, and irregular shapes. Particularly suitable profile shapes include, but are not limited to, circular, chain, elliptical, and conical shapes.

In a specific embodiment, the dimple pattern of the present invention comprises a plurality of dimples having an elliptical planar shape. The elliptical planar shape has a major axis and a minor axis, and the length of the major axis is longer than the length of the minor axis. The length of the short axis of the elliptical planar shape of the dimple of the present invention is preferably 0.120 inches to 0.160 inches, but this need not be the case. The difference between the length of the long axis and the length of the minor axis of the elliptical planar shape of the dimple of the present invention is preferably, but not necessarily, 0.020 inches or less, the difference is 0.003 inches, or 0.005 inches or 0.020 inches, or the difference Is within the range with the lower and upper limits selected from these values. The difference between the length of the long axis and the length of the minor axis of the elliptical planar shape of one dimple may be the same as or different from the difference between the elliptical planar shape of the other dimple. For example, a dimple having an elliptical planar shape has a first portion of the dimple in which the difference between the length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis is 0.003 inches to 0.005 inches, and the difference between the length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis is 0.005 inches. And a second portion of the dimple that is 0.020 inches. The ratio of the length of the long axis to the length of the short axis of the elliptical planar shape of the dimple of the present invention is preferably 1.02 to 1.10, or 1.02 to 1.04, or 1.04 to 1.10, but this need not be the case. The ratio of the length of the long axis to the length of the short axis of the elliptical planar shape of one dimple may be the same as or different from the ratio of the elliptical planar shape of the other dimple. For example, a dimple having an elliptical planar shape may include a first portion of the dimple having a ratio of the length of the major axis to the length of the minor axis of 1.02 to 1.04, and the first portion of the dimple having a ratio of the length of the major axis to the length of the minor axis is 1.04 May contain 2 parts.

In certain aspects of this embodiment, at least 2%, or 2% to 10%, or 4% to 8% of the dimples have an elliptical planar shape. In a further specific aspect of this embodiment, the remaining dimples are configured with dimples having a circular planar shape. In another further specific aspect of this embodiment, the remaining dimples are constructed with dimples having a non-elliptical, non-circular planar shape. In another further specific aspect of this embodiment, the remaining dimples include a first portion of the dimple having a circular planar shape and a second portion of the dimple having a non-elliptical, non-circular planar shape.

In another specific aspect of this embodiment, each dimple with an elliptical planar shape is positioned within the pole region. In a further specific aspect of this embodiment, the polar dimple, if present, has a circular planar shape.

Each dimple on the outer surface of the ball has a diameter of 0.050 or 0.060 or 0.070 or 0.080 or 0.090 or 0.100 or 0.110 or 0.120 or 0.130 or 0.150 or 0.160 or 0.170 or 0.180 or 0.190 or 0.200 or 0.205 or 0.210 or 0.220 or 0.250 inches, Or have a diameter within a range having a lower limit and an upper limit selected from these values. In certain embodiments, the maximum difference between any two dimple diameters on the ball is less than 0.055 inches. The diameter of a dimple with a non-circular planar shape is defined by _{its equivalent diameter (d e) calculated as follows:}

Here, A is the planar area of the dimple. The term "planar shape area" means an area based on a planar view of a dimple plane shape such that the viewing plane is perpendicular to an axis connecting the center of the golf ball to the center of gravity of the dimple. The diameter measurement is determined on a finished golf ball, according to FIG. 3. In general, it can be difficult to measure the diameter of a dimple due to the unclear nature of the boundary that divides the dimple from the ball's undisturbed land surface. Due to the influence of the paint and/or the dimple design itself, the junction between the land surface and the dimple may not be a sharp edge and is therefore unclear. This can make the measurement of the dimple diameter somewhat obscure. To solve this problem, the dimple diameter on the finished golf ball is measured according to the method shown in FIG. 3. 3 shows a dimple half-profile 34 extending from the dimple centerline 31 to the land surface outside the dimple 33. A ball phantom surface 32 was constructed over the dimples as a continuation of the land surface 33. Subsequently, a first tangent line T1 was constructed at a point on the dimple sidewall spaced from the virtual surface 32 radially inward by 0.003 inches. T1 intersects the imaginary surface 32 at point P1, which forms a nominal dimple edge position. Subsequently, in P1, a second tangent line T2 forming a tangent to the virtual surface 32 was drawn. Edge angle is the angle between T1 and T2. The dimple diameter is the distance between P1 and its equivalent point diagonally opposite along the perimeter of the dimple. Alternatively, the dimple diameter is twice the distance between P1 and the dimple center line 31, measured in the direction perpendicular to the center line 31. Dimple depth is the distance measured along the ball radius from the virtual surface of the ball to the deepest point of the dimple. The dimple volume is the space enclosed between the virtual surface 32 and the dimple surface 34 (which extends along T1 until it intersects the virtual surface).

In a particular embodiment, most of the dimples on the outer surface of the golf ball of the present invention are spherical dimples, ie dimples having a circular planar shape and a profile shape based on a spherical function. In certain aspects of this embodiment, the spherical dimple has one or more properties/features selected from:

a) the edge angle of each spherical dimple is 10° or 11° or 12° or 13° or 14° or 15° or 16°, or within a range having a lower and upper limit selected from these values;

b) the maximum difference in edge angle between any two spherical dimples is 1°; And

c) The edge angles of all spherical dimples are substantially the same (for the purposes of this disclosure, the edge angles of the finished ball are substantially the same, and if different, differ by less than 0.25°).

Preferably, none of the dimples on the outer surface of the ball overlap or touch.

The dimple patterns produced by the present invention can achieve a large percentage of surface coverage. In certain embodiments, the present invention produces a surface coverage of at least about 75%. In another specific embodiment, the present invention produces a surface coverage of at least about 78%.

The total number of dimples on the golf ball is preferably an even number between about 250 and about 500. In certain embodiments, the total number of dimples is 320 or 322 or 328 or 330 or 336 or 338 or 344 or 346 or 352 or 354 or 360 or 362 or 368 or 370 Or the total number of dimples is within a range with lower and upper limits selected from these values.

The golf ball of the present invention is not limited by a particular golf ball configuration. Golf balls can have any type of core, such as solid, liquid, winding, and the like, and can be single-piece, two-piece, or multi-layered balls. Each layer of a golf ball may be constructed of any suitable thermosetting or thermoplastic material known to those skilled in the art. When desired, the cover may be coated with any number of layers, such as a base coat, top coat, paint, or any other desired coating. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, any manufacturing technique can be used to construct different parts of a golf ball. In certain embodiments, the golf ball is a multilayer ball comprising a solid single layer core, an inner cover layer, and an outer cover layer. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, the core is formed of a thermosetting rubber, the inner cover layer is formed of an ionomer composition, and the outer cover layer is formed of a polyurethane composition.

Yes

The following non-limiting example shows a dimple pattern of a golf ball made according to the present invention. The examples are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of the invention, as determined by the appended claims.

Non-limiting exemplary dimple pattern 1

A triangular section of a dimple pattern based on a square weight according to a specific embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 4A-4C. 4A-4C show a triangular dimple section 10 packed with dimples in a dimple arrangement consisting of 32 non-intersecting dimples, one pole dimple, 10 lateral edge dimples, and 6 non-shared dimples on the equatorial line. ). Thus, a golf ball having a dimple pattern based on a square cone, each triangular dimple section having the dimple arrangement shown in Figs. 4A-4C, has a total of 346 dimples, and the surface coverage is about 82.1%. The golf ball has non-planar dividing lines formed by drawing a non-linear segment 11 along the path of the edge on each equator. In order to provide a pattern of dimples whose perimeter is intersected by an edge on the equator, the dimple pattern has a rotational offset between the two hemispheres of about 45°. There are no large circles without dimples on the outer surface of the ball. 4A and 4B, the numeric labels in the dimples represent dimples of the same diameter; That is, all dimples with label 1 have substantially the same diameter, all dimples with label 2 have substantially the same diameter, and so on. In certain aspects of the embodiment shown in Figures 4A-4C, dimples of the same diameter also have substantially the same chord depth and substantially the same edge angle. In a further specific aspect of the embodiment shown in Figures 4A-4C, dimples with labels 1-5 have diameters given in Table 1 below.

Number label Dimple diameter
(inch) One 0.128 2 0.150 3 0.160 4 0.170 5 0.180

Thus, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and wherein the dimples have properties according to Table 1, the dimples have a total of five different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter of 0.128 inches and a maximum dimple diameter of 0.180 inches. Have them. The total number of dimples on the ball with the minimum dimple diameter is 40, and the total number of dimples on the ball with the maximum dimple diameter is 64.

4B and 4C are lines drawn at a latitude angle of 30° and a latitude angle of 60°, thereby dividing the triangular dimple section 10 into a pole region 15, a middle region 17, and a region 19 on the equator. Shows. In Fig. 4C, the alphanumeric label in the dimple indicates an area in which the dimple is located; That is, all dimples with label A are located within the pole region 15, all dimples with label B are located within the middle region 17, and all dimples with label C are within the region 19 on the equator. Is located.

Accordingly, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C and the dimples having the characteristics according to Table 1, the triangular dimple section 10 has the following characteristics:

a) the pole region 15 comprises one dimple with a minimum dimple diameter, the latitude angle of about 15°;

b) the pole region 15 does not contain dimples with a maximum dimple diameter;

c) the middle region 17 comprises 4 dimples with a minimum dimple diameter;

d) the middle region 17 comprises two dimples with a maximum dimple diameter;

e) the region 19 on the equator includes 8 dimples with a maximum dimple diameter, including 4 non-shared equator dimples and 4 side edge dimples;

f) the area 19 on the equator does not contain dimples with a minimum dimple diameter;

g) the middle region 17 comprises five different dimple diameters, the pole region 15 comprises three different diameters, and the region 19 on the equator comprises three different diameters; Accordingly, the number of different dimple diameters located within the intermediate region 17 is more than the number of different dimple diameters located within the pole region 15 and more than the number of different dimple diameters located within the region 19 on the equator, The number of different dimple diameters located within the pole region 15 is equal to the number of different dimple diameters located within the region 19 on the equator; And

h) the pole region 15 has a surface coverage (S _p ) of 69.4%;

i) the intermediate region 17 has a surface coverage (S _i) of 79.2%; And

j) The area 19 on the equator has a surface coverage (S _e ) of 87.1%.

Non-limiting exemplary dimple pattern 2

A triangular section of a dimple pattern based on a square weight according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 5A-5C. 5A-5C show a triangular dimple section 10 packed with dimples in a dimple arrangement consisting of 32 non-intersecting dimples, one pole dimple, 10 side edge dimples, and 6 non-shared dimples on the equator line. ). Thus, a golf ball having a dimple pattern based on a square cone, each triangular dimple section having the dimple arrangement shown in Figs. 5A-5C, has a total of 346 dimples, and the surface coverage is about 80.3%. The golf ball has non-planar dividing lines formed by drawing a non-linear segment 11 along the path of the edge on each equator. In order to provide a pattern of dimples whose perimeter is intersected by an edge on the equator, the dimple pattern has a rotational offset between the two hemispheres of about 45°. There are no large circles without dimples on the outer surface of the ball.

5A and 5B, the numeric labels in the dimples represent dimples of the same diameter; That is, all dimples with label 1 have substantially the same diameter, all dimples with label 2 have substantially the same diameter, and so on. In certain aspects of the embodiment shown in Figures 5A-5C, dimples of the same diameter also have substantially the same chord depth and substantially the same edge angle. In a further specific aspect of the embodiment shown in Figures 5A-5C, dimples with labels 1-5 have diameters given in Table 2 below.

Number label Dimple diameter
(inch) One 0.128 2 0.150 3 0.160 4 0.170 5 0.180

Thus, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and wherein the dimples have properties according to Table 2, the dimples have a total of five different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter of 0.128 inches and a maximum dimple diameter of 0.180 inches. Have them. The total number of dimples on the ball with the minimum dimple diameter is 40, and the total number of dimples on the ball with the maximum dimple diameter is 64.

5B and 5C are lines drawn at a latitude angle of 30° and a latitude angle of 60°, thereby dividing the triangular dimple section 10 into a pole region 15, a middle region 17, and a region 19 on the equator. Shows. In Fig. 5C, the alphanumeric label in the dimple indicates an area in which the dimple is located; That is, all dimples with label A are located within the pole region 15, all dimples with label B are located within the middle region 17, and all dimples with label C are within the region 19 on the equator. Is located.

Thus, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5C and the dimples having the properties according to Table 2, the triangular dimple section 10 has the following properties:

a) the pole region 15 comprises one dimple with a minimum dimple diameter, the latitude angle of about 15°;

b) the pole region 15 does not contain dimples with a maximum dimple diameter;

c) the middle region 17 comprises 4 dimples with a minimum dimple diameter;

d) the intermediate region 17 does not contain dimples with a maximum dimple diameter;

e) the region 19 on the equator includes 10 dimples with a maximum dimple diameter, including 6 non-shared equator dimples and 4 side edge dimples;

f) the area 19 on the equator does not contain dimples with a minimum dimple diameter;

g) the middle region 17 comprises four different dimple diameters, the pole region 15 comprises three different diameters, and the region 19 on the equator comprises three different diameters; Accordingly, the number of different dimple diameters located within the intermediate region 17 is more than the number of different dimple diameters located within the pole region 15 and more than the number of different dimple diameters located within the region 19 on the equator, The number of different dimple diameters located within the pole region 15 is equal to the number of different dimple diameters located within the region 19 on the equator;

h) the pole region 15 has a surface coverage (S _p ) of 64.2%;

i) the intermediate region 17 has a surface coverage (S _i) of 74.8%; And

j) The area 19 on the equator has a surface coverage (S _e ) of 88.1%.

Non-limiting exemplary dimple pattern 3

A triangular section of a dimple pattern based on a square cone according to a specific embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. 6A and 6B show a triangular dimple section 10 packed with dimples in a dimple arrangement consisting of 32 non-intersecting dimples, one pole dimple, 10 lateral edge dimples, and 6 non-shared dimples on the equatorial line. ). Thus, a golf ball having a dimple pattern based on a square cone, each triangular dimple section having the dimple arrangement shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, has a total of 346 dimples, and the surface coverage is about 81.0%. The golf ball has non-planar dividing lines formed by drawing non-linear segments 11 along the path of the edge on each equator. In order to provide a pattern of dimples whose perimeter is intersected by an edge on the equator, the dimple pattern has a rotational offset between the two hemispheres of about 45°. There are no large circles without dimples on the outer surface of the ball.

6A and 6B, the dimples with numeric labels have a circular planar shape, and the numeric labels in the dimples represent dimples of the same diameter; That is, all dimples with label 1 have substantially the same diameter, all dimples with label 2 have substantially the same diameter, and so on. In a further specific aspect of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, dimples with labels 1 to 6 have diameters given in Table 2 below.

Number label Dimple diameter
(inch) One 0.128 2 0.150 3 0.160 4 0.170 5 0.175 6 0.180

6A and 6B, a dimple with an alphanumeric label has an elliptical planar shape, and an alphanumeric label in the dimple represents dimples, having a major axis and a minor axis of substantially the same length; That is, all dimples having a label of N1 have a major axis of substantially the same length and a short axis of substantially the same length, all dimples having a label of N2 have a major axis of substantially the same length and a short axis of substantially the same length, The same is true of others and so on. In certain aspects of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the dimples with labels of N1 and N2 have the properties given in Table 2 below.

Alphanumeric label Shortening length
(inch) Long axis length
(inch) N1 0.123 0.127 N2 0.150 0.163

Thus, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and the dimples having the properties according to Tables 3 and 4, the dimples include a minimum dimple diameter of 0.128 inches and a maximum dimple diameter of 0.180 inches. Includes circular planar dimples with different dimple diameters, and elliptical planar dimples of the first type (N1) and second type (N2), the first type (N1) having a major axis length and a minor axis of 0.004 inches. The second type (N2) has a difference between the length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis and a ratio of the major axis length to the minor axis length of 1.09 and a difference between the length of the major axis and the minor axis length of 0.013 inches. .

6B shows a line drawn at a latitude angle of 30° and a latitude angle of 60°, thereby dividing the triangular dimple section 10 into a pole region 15, a middle region 17, and a region 19 on the equatorial line. . As shown in Fig. 6B, each dimple having an elliptical planar shape is located in the pole region 15. Further, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and the dimples having properties according to Tables 3 and 4, the triangular dimple section 10 has the following characteristics:

a) the pole region 15 has a surface coverage (S _p ) of 70.0%;

b) the intermediate region 17 has a surface coverage (S _i) of 79.2%; And

c) The area 19 on the equator has a surface coverage (S _e ) of 85.4%.

It will be appreciated that when a numerical lower limit and a numerical upper limit are described herein, any combination of these values may be used.

All patents, publications, test procedures, and other references described herein, including priority literature, are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent that such disclosure is not inconsistent with the present invention and for all rights to which such inclusion is permitted. .

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described with specificity, it will be appreciated that various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can be easily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the scope of the appended claims to the examples and descriptions described herein, and instead, the claims are based on the present invention, including all features that may be treated as equivalents by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It may be thought of as including all features of the patentable novelty involved.

Claims (10)

A golf ball having a plurality of dimples disposed on the spherical outer surface of the ball:
The plurality of dimples comprises at least three different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter;
The golf ball is composed of two hemispheres separated by an equatorial line, the two hemispheres having substantially the same dimple arrangement;
The dimple arrangement of each hemisphere consists of four triangular sections formed by projecting the four faces of a square pyramid onto the hemisphere, so that each of the four triangular sections is part of the equator of the ball. A boundary line consisting of a linear edge on the equator line corresponding to and two linear side edges connecting each end of the edge on the equator line to the poles of the ball;
The four triangular sections of each hemisphere are substantially equal in size and dimple arrangement;
The dimple arrangement within each of the four triangular sections optionally comprises a shared pole dimple having a center of gravity lying at the vertices of the two side edges of the section, the diameter of the shared pole dimple, if present. Either not the minimum dimple diameter or the maximum dimple diameter;
The dimple arrangement in each of the four triangular sections is not rotationally symmetric about the center of the section;
Each of the four triangular sections is a pole area with a latitude angle of 0° to a latitude angle of 30°, a middle area with a latitude angle of 30° to a latitude angle of 60°, and an area on the equator with a latitude angle of 60° to a latitude angle of 90°. Can be divided, the latitude angle 0° is the pole and the latitude angle 90° is the equator;
The pole region comprises at least one non-polar dimple with the minimum dimple diameter and does not comprise a dimple with the maximum dimple diameter; And
And the area on the equator includes at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter and does not include a dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. The method of claim 1,
The plurality of dimples comprises at least 5 different dimple diameters; A golf ball, wherein the number of different dimple diameters present in the intermediate region is greater than the number of different dimple diameters present in the pole region and greater than the number of different dimple diameters present in the region on the equator. The method of claim 2,
A golf ball, wherein the number of different dimple diameters present in the pole region is equal to the number of different dimple diameters present in the region on the equator. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the intermediate region comprises at least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter and at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. A golf ball having a plurality of dimples disposed on the spherical outer surface of the ball:
The plurality of dimples comprises at least three different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter;
The golf ball is composed of two hemispheres separated by an equatorial line, the two hemispheres having substantially the same dimple arrangement;
The dimple arrangement of each hemisphere consists of four triangular sections formed by projecting the four faces of a square pyramid onto the hemisphere, so that each of the four triangular sections is part of the equator of the ball. A boundary line consisting of a linear edge on the equator line corresponding to and two linear side edges connecting each end of the edge on the equator line to the poles of the ball;
The four triangular sections of each hemisphere are substantially equal in size and dimple arrangement;
The dimple arrangement within each of the four triangular sections optionally comprises a shared pole dimple having a center of gravity lying at the vertices of the two side edges of the section, the diameter of the shared pole dimple, if present. Either not the minimum dimple diameter or the maximum dimple diameter;
The dimple arrangement in each of the four triangular sections is not rotationally symmetric about the center of the section;
Each of the four triangular sections is a pole area with a latitude angle of 0° to a latitude angle of 30°, a middle area with a latitude angle of 30° to a latitude angle of 60°, and an area on the equator with a latitude angle of 60° to a latitude angle of 90°. Can be divided, the latitude angle 0° is the pole and the latitude angle 90° is the equator;
The pole region has a dimple surface coverage (S _p );
The intermediate region has a dimple surface coverage (S _i );
The area on the equator has a dimple surface coverage (S _e );
S _p ≠ S _i ≠ S _e , golf ball. The method of claim 5,
Golf ball with S _p <S _i <S _e. The method of claim 5,
_Si -S _p ≥ 7; S _e -S _i ≥ 7; And S _e -S _p ≥ 8, a golf ball. A golf ball having a plurality of dimples disposed on the spherical outer surface of the ball:
The plurality of dimples comprises at least three different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter;
The golf ball is composed of two hemispheres separated by an equatorial line, the two hemispheres having substantially the same dimple arrangement;
The dimple arrangement of each hemisphere consists of four triangular sections formed by projecting the four faces of a square pyramid onto the hemisphere, so that each of the four triangular sections is part of the equator of the ball. A boundary line consisting of a linear edge on the equator line corresponding to and two linear side edges connecting each end of the edge on the equator line to the poles of the ball;
The four triangular sections of each hemisphere are substantially equal in size and dimple arrangement;
The dimple arrangement in each of the four triangular sections is not rotationally symmetric about the center of the section;
Each of the four triangular sections is a pole area with a latitude angle of 0° to a latitude angle of 30°, a middle area with a latitude angle of 30° to a latitude angle of 60°, and an area on the equator with a latitude angle of 60° to a latitude angle of 90°. Can be divided, the latitude angle 0° is the pole and the latitude angle 90° is the equator;
2% to 10% of the dimples have an elliptical planar shape; And
Each dimple having an elliptical planar shape is positioned within the pole area. The method of claim 8,
In the first part of the dimple having an elliptical planar shape, the difference between the length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis is 0.003 inches to 0.005 inches, and in the second part of the dimple having the elliptical planar shape, between the length of the major axis and the length of the minor axis A golf ball with a difference of 0.005 inches to 0.020 inches. The method of claim 8,
In the first portion of the dimple having an elliptical planar shape, the ratio of the length of the major axis to the length of the minor axis is 1.02 to 1.04, and in the second portion of the dimple having the elliptical planar shape, the ratio of the length of the major axis to the length of the minor axis is 1.04 To 1.10, a golf ball.

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