U.S. patent application number 13/685353 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-04 for golf balls with clusters of dimples having non-uniform dimple profiles.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is NIKE, Inc.. Invention is credited to David A. Goodwin.
Application Number | 20130085017 13/685353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43447932 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130085017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goodwin; David A. |
April 4, 2013 |
Golf Balls with Clusters of Dimples Having Non-Uniform Dimple
Profiles
Abstract
Golf balls include an exterior cover having a plurality of
dimples arranged thereon, wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have
a non-uniform dimple profile. At least a majority of the dimples
having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body may be
arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior surface
of the ball. In some example structures, the exterior surface of
the ball will include from 4-18 repeating dimple clusters, from
4-12 repeating dimple clusters, or even from 6-10 repeating dimple
clusters.
Inventors: |
Goodwin; David A.;
(Portland, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKE, Inc.; |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIKE, INC.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
43447932 |
Appl. No.: |
13/685353 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12559146 |
Sep 14, 2009 |
8337334 |
|
|
13685353 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/383 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 37/0052 20130101;
A63B 37/0007 20130101; A63B 37/0006 20130101; A63B 37/002 20130101;
A63B 45/00 20130101; A63B 37/0004 20130101; A63B 37/0053 20130101;
A63B 37/0018 20130101; A63B 37/0019 20130101; A63B 37/0012
20130101; A63B 37/0021 20130101; A63B 37/0074 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/383 |
International
Class: |
A63B 37/00 20060101
A63B037/00 |
Claims
1. A golf ball, comprising: a golf ball body including a cover
having a plurality of dimples arranged on an exterior surface
thereof, wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a non-uniform
dimple profile, and wherein at least a majority of the dimples
having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body are
arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior
surface.
2. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the exterior surface
includes 4-12 dimple clusters.
3. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball body
includes a first pole, a second pole opposite the first pole, and
an equator evenly spaced between the first and second poles so as
to divide the golf ball body into a first hemisphere including the
first pole and a second hemisphere including the second pole,
wherein the first hemisphere includes three dimple clusters evenly
spaced around the first pole, and wherein the second hemisphere
includes three dimple clusters evenly spaced around the second
pole.
4. A golf ball according to claim 3, wherein centers of the dimple
clusters in the first hemisphere do not align with centers of the
dimple clusters in the second hemisphere along any great circle
extending between the first pole and the second pole.
5. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball body
includes a first pole, a second pole opposite the first pole, and
an equator evenly spaced between the first and second poles so as
to divide the golf ball body into a first hemisphere including the
first pole and a second hemisphere including the second pole,
wherein the first hemisphere includes six dimple clusters evenly
spaced around the first pole, and wherein the second hemisphere
includes six dimple clusters evenly spaced around the second
pole.
6. A golf ball according to claim 5, wherein centers of the dimple
clusters in the first hemisphere do not align with centers of the
dimple clusters in the second hemisphere along any great circle
extending between the first pole and the second pole.
7. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball body
includes a first pole, a second pole opposite the first pole, and
an equator evenly spaced between the first and second poles so as
to divide the golf ball body into a first hemisphere including the
first pole and a second hemisphere including the second pole,
wherein the first hemisphere includes N dimple clusters having
their centers arranged 360/N degrees apart with respect to a
circumferential direction of the ball, wherein the second
hemisphere includes M dimple clusters having their centers arranged
360/M degrees apart with respect to the circumferential direction,
wherein N=M, wherein N and M are integers between 2 and 20, and
wherein centers of the dimple clusters in the first hemisphere are
arranged 360/2N degrees apart from the centers of the dimple
clusters in the second hemisphere with respect to the
circumferential direction of the ball.
8. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein each dimple having a
non-uniform dimple profile includes a deep side and a shallow
side.
9. A golf ball according to claim 8, wherein the shallow side of
each dimple having a non-uniform dimple profile is arranged so as
to be closest to a geometric center of the dimple cluster in which
it is contained.
10. A golf ball according to claim 8, wherein the deep side of each
dimple having a non-uniform dimple profile is arranged so as to be
closest to a geometric center of the dimple cluster in which it is
contained.
11. A golf ball according to claim 8, wherein, for each dimple
cluster, a first portion of the dimples having a non-uniform dimple
profile in the dimple cluster are arranged to have their shallow
side closest to a geometric center of the dimple cluster, and a
second portion of the dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile
in the dimple cluster are arranged to have their deep side closest
to the geometric center of the dimple cluster.
12. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the
dimple clusters have an overall pentagonal configuration.
13. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the
dimple clusters have an overall hexagonal configuration.
14. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
dimples includes: (a) a first dimple cluster having a plurality of
dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile surrounding a single
dimple having a uniform dimple profile, and (b) a second dimple
cluster having a plurality of dimples having a non-uniform dimple
profile surrounding a single dimple having a uniform dimple
profile.
15. A golf ball according to claim 14, wherein the first dimple
cluster includes five or six dimples having a non-uniform dimple
profile surrounding the single dimple having a uniform dimple
profile, and wherein the second dimple cluster includes five or six
dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile surrounding the single
dimple having a uniform dimple profile.
16. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein all dimple clusters
on the exterior surface have the same pattern arrangement.
17. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball body
includes a first pole, a second pole opposite the first pole, and
an equator evenly spaced between the first and second poles so as
to divide the golf ball body into a first hemisphere including the
first pole and a second hemisphere including the second pole,
wherein the first hemisphere includes a first dimple cluster having
a first dimple cluster pattern arrangement and a second dimple
cluster having a second dimple cluster pattern arrangement that
differs from the first dimple cluster pattern arrangement, and
wherein the second hemisphere includes a third dimple cluster
having the first dimple cluster pattern arrangement and a fourth
dimple cluster having the second dimple cluster pattern
arrangement.
18. A golf ball, comprising: a core including one or more
individual parts; and a cover member enclosing the core, wherein
the golf ball includes a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere,
wherein the cover member includes 2-9 repeating non-uniform dimple
clusters arranged around the first hemisphere, wherein each
non-uniform dimple cluster in the first hemisphere includes from 2
to 36 non-uniform dimples arranged such that each non-uniform
dimple in the cluster is located immediately adjacent at least one
other non-uniform dimple in the cluster; wherein a majority of the
non-uniform dimples in each cluster have an axis of symmetry, a
first end centered on the axis of symmetry, and a second end
centered on the axis of symmetry; and wherein the first end is
deeper than or has a steeper entry angle than the second end,
wherein the cover member includes 2-9 repeating non-uniform dimple
clusters arranged around the second hemisphere, wherein each
non-uniform dimple cluster in the second hemisphere includes from 2
to 36 non-uniform dimples arranged such that each non-uniform
dimple in the cluster is located immediately adjacent at least one
other non-uniform dimple in the cluster; wherein a majority of the
non-uniform dimples in each cluster have an axis of symmetry, a
first end centered on the axis of symmetry, and a second end
centered on the axis of symmetry; and wherein the first end is
deeper than or has a steeper entry angle than the second end, and
wherein at least one of the 2-9 non-uniform dimple clusters in the
first hemisphere is arranged in a first pattern and at least one of
the 2-9 non-uniform dimple clusters in the second hemisphere is
arranged in the first pattern.
19. A golf ball according to claim 18, wherein the first pattern is
a generally hexagonal arrangement containing the non-uniform
dimples in the cluster.
20. A golf ball according to claim 18, wherein the first pattern is
a generally pentagonal arrangement containing the non-uniform
dimples in the cluster.
21. A golf ball according to claim 18, wherein the first pattern is
a generally linear alignment of the non-uniform dimples in the
cluster, wherein the non-uniform dimples in the generally linear
alignment have their respective axes of symmetry aligned.
22. A golf ball according to claim 21, wherein the first ends of
each non-uniform dimple in the generally linear alignment face the
same direction.
23. A golf ball according to claim 21, wherein the first ends of
two immediately adjacent non-uniform dimples in the generally
linear alignment face in opposite directions.
24. A golf ball according to claim 21, wherein the first ends of
two immediately adjacent non-uniform dimples in the generally
linear alignment face in the same direction.
25. A golf ball according to claim 18, wherein the axes of symmetry
of the non-uniform dimples in the first hemisphere are arranged to
point toward a geometric center of the dimple cluster in which the
non-uniform dimples are contained.
26. A golf ball according to claim 25, wherein the first end of
each non-uniform dimple having the axis of symmetry is arranged to
be located as close as possible to the geometric center of the
dimple cluster in which it is contained.
27. A golf ball according to claim 25, wherein the first end of
each non-uniform dimple having the axis of symmetry is arranged to
be located as far as possible from the geometric center of the
dimple cluster in which it is contained.
28. A golf ball according to claim 25, wherein a first portion of
the dimples in a cluster having axes of symmetry are arranged such
that their first ends are located as close as possible to the
geometric center of the dimple cluster in which they are contained,
and wherein a second portion of the dimples in a cluster having
axes of symmetry are arranged such that their first ends are
located as far as possible from the geometric center of the dimple
cluster in which they are contained.
29. A golf ball according to claim 18, wherein each non-uniform
dimple cluster on the cover member has the same pattern.
30. A golf ball according to claim 18, wherein each non-uniform
dimple cluster includes from 6 to 24 dimples having a non-uniform
dimple profile.
31. A golf ball according to claim 18, wherein the first hemisphere
further includes at least one non-uniform dimple cluster having a
second pattern that differs from the first pattern, and wherein the
second hemisphere further includes at least one non-uniform dimple
cluster having the second pattern.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/559,146 filed Sep. 14, 2009 in the name of
David A. Goodwin and entitled "Golf Balls with Clusters of Dimples
having Non-Uniform Dimple Profiles." This prior application is
entirely incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to golf balls that include
clusters of dimples having non-uniform dimple profiles and methods
of making such balls.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Conventional golf balls include several dimples on their
cover, e.g., to improve ball flight by providing lift to the ball
and promoting establishment of a turbulent air flow (to reduce
aerodynamic drag). While many different dimple types exist (e.g.,
different sizes, shapes, cross sectional profiles, etc.), most
conventional dimples on conventional golf balls have a generally
round perimeter or edge shape (e.g., a round appearance for the
dimple edge or perimeter when viewed from above).
[0004] Also, conventional round dimples of the types described
above also typically have a cross sectional profile such that the
majority of the surface of the dimple (i.e., the areas of the
dimple surface away from the very edge) corresponds to the arc of a
circle. In other words, a conventional dimple will have the
majority of its surface corresponding to a portion of a sphere.
FIGS. 1A and 1B help illustrate this conventional design. As shown
in FIG. 1A, in a conventional golf ball 10 design, all of the
dimples 12 on the ball 10 (only a portion of which are shown) are
arranged such that radial lines R running from the center C of the
overall ball structure 10 will also intersect the center C.sub.d of
each dimple. In other words, a radius R through the center C of the
golf ball 100 will align with a radius Rd of the spherical shape
from which the majority of the dimple surface S.sub.d is
formed.
[0005] FIG. 1B illustrates an individual conventional dimple 12 in
greater detail (e.g., like the dimple 12 in the upper right portion
of FIG. 1A). As shown in this figure, the center C.sub.d of the
dimple surface S.sub.d (as shown by the location of the dimple
tangent line T.sub.d) and the ball tangent line T.sub.b centered
over that dimple (assuming that the ball surface S is a perfect
sphere without dimples) are aligned such that a single line passes
through both the ball center C (shown in FIG. 1A and not in FIG.
1B) and the dimple center C.sub.d at the ball and dimple tangent
points. In other words, in this conventional ball design 10, the
dimple(s) 12 are symmetrically oriented such that the dimple radius
Rd (through its center point C.sub.d) extends in the same direction
as a radial axis R from the dimple center C.sub.d and through the
ball center point C. Notably, in this illustrated arrangement, the
dimple tangent line T.sub.d is parallel to the ball tangent line
T.sub.b. This highly symmetrical and aligned type of dimple
structure, as used herein, may be referred to as a "tangential
dimple" or a "conventional dimple." Often, all dimples on a given
golf ball structure will have this tangential or conventional
dimple orientation.
[0006] While these conventional dimple structures provide known
aerodynamic effects on golf ball structures, there is room for
improvement in the art. For example, by providing non-uniform
dimple designs, dimple profiles, and dimple patterns on a golf
ball, the lift, drag, and other aerodynamic properties of a golf
ball structure can be altered and controlled.
SUMMARY
[0007] The following presents a general summary of aspects of this
invention in order to provide a basic understanding of at least
some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended as an
extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify
key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope
of the invention. The following summary merely presents some
concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the
more detailed description provided below.
[0008] Aspects of this invention relate generally to golf ball
structures that include: a golf ball body including a cover having
a plurality of dimples arranged on an exterior surface thereof,
wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a non-uniform dimple
profile. In such structures, at least a majority of the dimples
having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body may be
arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior surface
of the ball. In some examples of this invention, the exterior
surface of the ball will include from 4-18 repeating dimple
clusters, from 4-12 repeating dimple clusters, or even from 6-10
repeating dimple clusters.
[0009] Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of
producing golf balls of the types described above. Such methods may
include: (a) forming a golf ball interior; and (b) forming a cover
to enclose the golf ball interior, wherein the cover is formed to
include a plurality of dimples arranged on an exterior surface
thereof, wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a non-uniform
dimple profile, and wherein at least a majority of the dimples
having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body are
arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
following description in consideration with the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features,
and wherein:
[0011] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate features of conventional or
"uniform" dimple structures as are known and used in the art;
[0012] FIGS. 2A through 2D illustrate example features of
non-uniform dimples in accordance with at least some examples of
this invention;
[0013] FIGS. 3A through 3D illustrate one example of a generally
triangular dimple cluster arrangement in accordance with this
invention;
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another example of a generally
triangular dimple cluster arrangement on a golf ball in accordance
with this invention;
[0015] FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate examples of generally hexagonal
dimple cluster arrangements in accordance with this invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of a generally hexagonal
dimple cluster arrangement in accordance with this invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a generally pentagonal
dimple cluster arrangement in accordance with this invention;
[0018] FIGS. 10A through 13B illustrate various examples of
non-uniform dimple cluster arrangements on golf ball structures in
accordance with this invention; and
[0019] FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate additional potential features
that may be included in non-uniform dimple structures in accordance
with at least some examples of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In the following description of various examples of the
invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration
various example systems and environments in which aspects of the
invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other
specific arrangements of parts, example systems, components, and
environments may be utilized and structural and functional
modifications may be made to the described arrangements and systems
without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also,
while the terms "top," "bottom," "side," "front," "back," "above,"
"below," "under," "over," and the like may be used in this
specification to describe various example features and elements of
the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of
convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the
figures and/or a typical orientation during a typical use. Nothing
in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific
three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within
the scope of this invention.
[0021] In this specification, various golf ball structures are
described in which "non-uniform dimples" are arranged in a
plurality of "clusters" on the golf ball surface. A "non-uniform
dimple," as that term is used herein, unless otherwise noted or
clear from the context, means dimples having a cross sectional
shape (when cut through the center of the dimple in the radial
direction of the ball) that is not symmetric about the center point
of the dimple. Some "non-uniform dimples" will be shaped so as to
have: (a) a deeper and/or steeper half and (b) a shallower and/or
more gently sloped half. The deeper and/or steeper half may be
visually discernible on at least some dimple structures in
accordance with examples of this invention. Other "non-uniform
dimples" may have internal bumps or other structures within the
dimple.
[0022] To be include in a "cluster," a non-uniform dimple must be
located immediately adjacent at least one other non-uniform dimple
of the same or of a different structure. To be considered
"immediately adjacent," a first non-uniform dimple must be located
with respect to a second non-uniform dimple such that a straight
line or arc along the surface of the ball between the first dimple
and the second dimple can be drawn that does not intersect another
dimple. The "cluster" corresponds to all of the non-uniform dimples
located within an unbroken chain of "immediately adjacent"
non-uniform dimples. If desired, the "cluster" may be repeated at
various locations on a ball structure.
A. General Description of Example Golf Ball Structures and Example
Methods of Making Golf Balls According to the Invention
[0023] Golf ball structures in accordance with at least some
examples of this invention may include: a golf ball body including
a cover having a plurality of dimples arranged on an exterior
surface thereof, wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a
non-uniform dimple profile. In such structures, at least a majority
of the dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball
body may be arranged in 2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the
exterior surface of the ball. In some examples of this invention,
the exterior surface of the ball will include from 4-18 repeating
dimple clusters, from 4-12 repeating dimple clusters, or even from
6-10 repeating dimple clusters.
[0024] In at least some golf ball structures in accordance with
examples of this invention, the golf ball body will include a first
pole, a second pole opposite the first pole, and an equator evenly
spaced between the first and second poles so as to divide the golf
ball body into a first hemisphere including the first pole and a
second hemisphere including the second pole. In such structures,
one half (or some other proportion) of the repeating dimple
clusters may be located on the first hemisphere and the other half
(or some other proportion) of the repeating dimple clusters may be
located on the second hemisphere. If desired, the repeating dimple
clusters in each hemisphere will be symmetrically arranged with
respect to the pole of that hemisphere, and the clusters in one
hemisphere may align with or be staggered from the clusters in the
other hemisphere (e.g., such that the centers of the dimple
clusters in the first hemisphere do not align with the centers of
the dimple clusters in the second hemisphere along any great circle
extending between the first and second poles). If desired, each
hemisphere may include from 2-9 repeating dimple clusters, from 2-6
repeating dimple clusters, or even from 3-5 repeating dimple
clusters. Also, if desired, a single hemisphere may include two or
more different dimple cluster arrangements that optionally may be
repeated around that hemisphere of the golf ball surface.
[0025] In some golf ball structures in accordance with examples of
this invention, the golf ball surface will include: (a) a first
hemisphere with N dimple clusters having their centers arranged
360/N degrees apart with respect to a circumferential direction
around a first pole of the ball, and (b) a second hemisphere with M
dimple clusters having their centers arranged 360/M degrees apart
with respect to a circumferential direction around a second pole of
the ball, wherein N=M and wherein N and M are integers between 2
and 20. If desired, the centers of the dimple clusters in the first
hemisphere may be arranged 360/2N degrees apart from the centers of
the dimple clusters in the second hemisphere with respect to the
circumferential direction of the ball. In some structures, N and M
may be integers between 2 and 12, or even integers between 2 and
8.
[0026] A golf ball structure may have two or more clusters of
dimples having different non-uniform dimple patterns or
arrangements. The various dimple clusters on a given golf ball
structure may have the same number of dimples having a non-uniform
dimple profile or different numbers of dimples having a non-uniform
dimple profile. Each dimple cluster may include, for example, from
2 to 36 dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile, and in some
examples, from 4 to 30 dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile,
from 6 to 24 dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile, or even
from 8 to 20 dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile. In some
more specific example structures according to this aspect of the
invention, wherein the golf ball body includes a first pole, a
second pole opposite the first pole, and an equator evenly spaced
between the first and second poles so as to divide the golf ball
body into a first hemisphere including the first pole and a second
hemisphere including the second pole, the first hemisphere may
include a first dimple cluster having a first dimple cluster
pattern arrangement and a second dimple cluster having a second
dimple cluster pattern arrangement that differs from the first
dimple cluster pattern arrangement, and the second hemisphere may
include a third dimple cluster having the first dimple cluster
pattern arrangement and a fourth dimple cluster having the second
dimple cluster pattern arrangement. Additional dimple cluster
pattern arrangements also may be provided in such structures, if
desired.
[0027] A variety of arrangements of the dimple clusters are
possible without departing from this invention. For example, in a
golf ball structure that includes a first pole, a second pole
opposite the first pole, and an equator evenly spaced between the
first and second poles so as to divide the golf ball body into a
first hemisphere including the first pole and a second hemisphere
including the second pole, the dimple clusters may be arranged such
that none of the clusters containing dimples having a non-uniform
dimple profile extends across the equator. Alternatively, if
desired, the dimple clusters may be arranged such that at least two
of the clusters containing dimples having a non-uniform dimple
profile extend across the equator. In some structures, at least
four clusters or even at least six clusters containing dimples
having a non-uniform dimple profile will extend across the
equator.
[0028] As noted above (and as will be described in more detail
below), the non-uniform dimples may be structured such that the
dimple profile or cross section includes a deep and/or steep side
and a shallow and/or more gently sloped side. In such structures,
the dimple profiles may be arranged on the ball in a variety of
different manners. For example, if desired, the non-uniform dimples
in a cluster may be arranged such that the dimple profiles are
aligned with one another (e.g., with the steep sides of adjacent
non-uniform dimples pointing the same direction) or the non-uniform
dimples in a cluster may be arranged such that the dimple profiles
are oriented facing opposite directions (e.g., with the steep sides
of adjacent non-uniform dimples pointing in opposing directions).
As additional examples, if desired, the non-uniform dimples in a
cluster may be arranged such that: (a) the shallow side of each
dimple having a non-uniform dimple profile is arranged so as to be
closest to a geometric center of the dimple cluster in which it is
contained or (b) the deep side of each dimple having a non-uniform
dimple profile is arranged so as to be closest to a geometric
center of the dimple cluster in which it is contained. As another
example, if desired, for each dimple cluster, one half (or some
other portion) of the dimples having a non-uniform dimple profile
in the dimple cluster may be arranged to have their shallow side
closest to a geometric center of the dimple cluster and the other
half (or the remaining portion) of the dimples having a non-uniform
dimple profile in the dimple cluster may be arranged to have their
deep side closest to the geometric center of the dimple
cluster.
[0029] Any desired dimple cluster arrangements may be provided
without departing from this invention. As some more specific
examples, the dimple clusters including non-uniform dimples may be
arranged in a polygonal configuration having from 3-20 sides, such
as in a generally overall triangular configuration, a generally
overall square or rectangular configuration, a generally pentagonal
configuration, a generally hexagonal configuration, and a generally
octagonal configuration, etc. In other cluster arrangements, a
continuous chain of three to ten immediately adjacent non-uniform
dimples will surround one or more dimples having a uniform or
conventional dimple profile. In some more specific example
structures of this type, a continuous chain of five dimples having
a non-uniform dimple profile surround one or two conventional
dimples, or a continuous chain of six dimples having a non-uniform
dimple profile surround one or two conventional dimples.
[0030] An individual cluster may contain both non-uniform and
uniform (or conventional) dimples. While a cluster may contain any
numbers of non-uniform and uniform dimples, in at least some
example structures in accordance with this invention, at least 30%
of the dimples within an individual cluster will be non-uniform
dimples, and in some examples, at least 50%, at least 75%, or even
at least 90% of the dimples may be non-uniform. If desired, 100% of
the dimples within a cluster may be non-uniform dimples.
[0031] A golf ball in accordance with examples of this invention
may include any desired number of overall dimples (uniform and
non-uniform), such as from 200 to 800 total dimples. The percentage
of non-uniform dimples on the ball (with respect to the total
number of dimples on the ball), may range from 10% to 90%, from 20%
to 80%, or even from 30% to 70%. In absolute numbers, the number of
non-uniform dimples on the ball structure may range from 20 to 720,
and in some example structures, from 24 to 432, from 48 to 384, or
even from 72 to 336. For dimples that have a surface portion
following the arc of a circle (both uniform and non-uniform
dimples), the dimple radius may be in the range from 3 mm to 26 mm,
and in some examples from 4 mm to 24 mm, from 4 mm to 20 mm, or
even from 5 mm to 16 mm. Overall dimple diameters (both uniform and
non-uniform dimples) may vary broadly, for example, from 1 mm to 8
mm, and in some examples, from 1.5 mm to 6 mm, or even from 2 mm to
5 mm. Overall dimple depths at the deepest location on the dimple
also may vary broadly, such as from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm, and in some
examples, from 0.075 mm to 0.4 mm, or even from 0.1 mm to 0.3
mm.
[0032] As some more specific examples, aspects of this invention
relate to golf balls including: (a) a core having one or more
individual parts; and (b) a cover member enclosing the core,
wherein the golf ball includes a first pole, a second pole opposite
the first pole, and an equator evenly spaced between the first and
second poles so as to divide the golf ball body into a first
hemisphere including the first pole and a second hemisphere
including the second pole. In the first hemisphere, the cover
member includes 3-5 repeating non-uniform dimple clusters arranged
around the first pole; wherein each non-uniform dimple cluster in
the first hemisphere includes from 2 to 36 non-uniform dimples
arranged such that each non-uniform dimple in the cluster is
located immediately adjacent at least one other non-uniform dimple
in the cluster; wherein a majority of the non-uniform dimples in
each cluster have an axis of symmetry, a first end centered on the
axis of symmetry, and a second end centered on the axis of
symmetry; and wherein the first end is deeper than or has a steeper
entry angle than the second end. In the second hemisphere, the
cover member includes 3-5 repeating non-uniform dimple clusters
arranged around the second pole, wherein each non-uniform dimple
cluster in the second hemisphere includes from 2 to 36 non-uniform
dimples arranged such that each non-uniform dimple in the cluster
is located immediately adjacent at least one other non-uniform
dimple in the cluster; wherein a majority of the non-uniform
dimples in each cluster have an axis of symmetry, a first end
centered on the axis of symmetry, and a second end centered on the
axis of symmetry; and wherein the first end is deeper than or has a
steeper entry angle than the second end. At least one of the 3-5
non-uniform dimple clusters in the first hemisphere is arranged in
a first pattern and at least one of the 3-5 non-uniform dimple
clusters in the second hemisphere is arranged in the first pattern.
The non-uniform dimple clusters may have any of the arrangements
and/or orientations described above (and those described in more
detail below).
[0033] Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of
producing golf balls of any of the various types described above.
Such methods may include, for example: (a) forming a golf ball
interior (e.g., including a solid core having one or more
independent layers, a thread wound core, a liquid-containing or
gel-containing core, etc.); and (b) forming a cover to enclose the
golf ball interior, wherein the cover is formed to include a
plurality of dimples arranged on an exterior surface thereof,
wherein from 5 to 95% of the dimples have a non-uniform dimple
profile, and wherein at least a majority of the dimples having a
non-uniform dimple profile on the golf ball body are arranged in
2-24 repeating dimple clusters on the exterior surface. The cover
may include any one or more of the various features or
characteristics described in more detail above (and/or features or
characteristics described in more detail below).
[0034] As some more specific examples, additional aspects of this
invention include methods of forming golf balls that include: (a)
forming a core including one or more individual parts; and (b)
forming a cover member enclosing the core, wherein the golf ball
includes a first pole, a second pole opposite the first pole, and
an equator evenly spaced between the first and second poles so as
to divide the golf ball body into a first hemisphere including the
first pole and a second hemisphere including the second pole. In
the first hemisphere, the cover member is formed to include 3-5
repeating non-uniform dimple clusters arranged around the first
pole; wherein each non-uniform dimple cluster in the first
hemisphere is formed to include from 2 to 36 non-uniform dimples
arranged such that each non-uniform dimple in the cluster is
located immediately adjacent at least one other non-uniform dimple
in the cluster; wherein a majority of the non-uniform dimples in
each cluster have an axis of symmetry, a first end centered on the
axis of symmetry, and a second end centered on the axis of
symmetry; and wherein the first end is deeper than or has a steeper
entry angle than the second end. In the second hemisphere, the
cover member is formed to include 3-5 repeating non-uniform dimple
clusters arranged around the second pole, wherein each non-uniform
dimple cluster in the second hemisphere is formed to include from 2
to 36 non-uniform dimples arranged such that each non-uniform
dimple in the cluster is located immediately adjacent at least one
other non-uniform dimple in the cluster; wherein a majority of the
non-uniform dimples in each cluster have an axis of symmetry, a
first end centered on the axis of symmetry, and a second end
centered on the axis of symmetry; and wherein the first end is
deeper than or has a steeper entry angle than the second end. At
least one of the 3-5 non-uniform dimple clusters in the first
hemisphere is arranged in a first pattern and at least one of the
3-5 non-uniform dimple clusters in the second hemisphere is
arranged in the first pattern. The non-uniform dimple clusters may
be formed to include any of the arrangements and/or orientations
described above (and those described in more detail below).
[0035] The ball interiors and/or covers may be formed in any
desired manner without departing from this invention, including in
conventional manners that are known and used in the art, such as by
casting the layers, by molding the various layers (e.g., injection
molding), etc. The molds or other structures for forming the cover
layers to include the non-uniform dimples may be produced in any
desired manner without departing from this invention, including
through the use of molding, casting, machining, grinding, or other
techniques, including through the use of precision grinding
equipment for producing golf ball cover cavities, as are known and
used in the art. Such grinding equipment may be computer controlled
and programmed to cut the various desired dimple pattern
arrangements into the interior cavity of the mold structure, in a
manner that is known and conventionally used in the art.
B. Specific Examples of the Invention
[0036] The various figures in this application illustrate examples
of various golf ball structures and methods of making such golf
ball structures according to examples of this invention. When the
same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that
reference number is used consistently in this specification and the
drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
[0037] As noted above, aspects of this invention relate to golf
ball structures having clusters of non-uniform dimples. FIGS. 2A
through 2D illustrate one example of a non-uniform dimple structure
100 that may be used in accordance with at least some examples of
this invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a cross-section profile
of this non-uniform dimple example 100 to show various features
(taken along axis 102 in FIG. 2C), FIG. 2C illustrates an overhead
view of this non-uniform dimple example 100 (e.g., when viewed
looking at the ball exterior), and FIG. 2D illustrates how the edge
or perimeter P.sub.d this example non-uniform dimple structure 100
differs from the edge or perimeter P a conventional round dimple
structure (shown in broken lines in FIG. 2D). As shown in these
figures, the dimple surface S.sub.d is formed in the ball structure
such that the dimple 100 is symmetric across one axis 102 (e.g., a
mirror image) and asymmetric across the perpendicular axis 104
thereto.
[0038] Moreover, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the
non-uniform dimple 100 defines a surface structure S.sub.d in which
one half 100a of the dimple 100 (i.e., the left half in FIGS. 2A
and 2B and the upper half 100a above axis 104 in FIG. 2C) includes
a relatively deep and/or steeply sloped edge entry angle or surface
106 and the other half 100b (i.e., the right half in FIGS. 2A and
2B and the lower half 100b below axis 104 in FIG. 2C) includes a
relatively shallow and/or gently sloped edge entry angle or surface
108. As shown in FIG. 2B, the entry angles .alpha..sub.steep and
.alpha..sub.shallow may be measured as the angle between: (a) a
tangent T.sub.b to the golf ball surface at the dimple edge P.sub.d
location (assuming the ball is a perfect sphere without dimples)
and (b) a tangent T.sub.d to the actual dimple surface S.sub.d at
the dimple edge location P.sub.d. In making these measurements, the
edge locations P.sub.d should be located adjacent to the steepest
and shallowest slopes on the dimple structure (e.g., at the
intersections of axis 102 and the dimple perimeter P.sub.d in the
example structure illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 2D). In some
example structures in accordance with this invention, the entry
angle .alpha..sub.steep will be greater than the entry angle
.alpha..sub.shallow and may be within the range of 20.degree. to
120.degree. (and in some examples, within the range of 30.degree.
to 90.degree. or even within the range of 40.degree. to
60.degree.), and the entry angle .alpha..sub.shallow will be less
than the entry angle .alpha..sub.steep and may be within the range
of 10.degree. to 80.degree. (and in some examples, within the range
of 15.degree. to 75.degree. or even within the range of 20.degree.
to 50.degree.). Also, in this dimple structure 100, as shown in
FIG. 2A, the deepest dimple depth DD is located away from the
dimple's geometric center C and in dimple half 100a.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the dimple perimeter edge
P.sub.d of this example structure may be somewhat out of round.
More specifically, in this example structure, using axes 102 and
104 as the geometric center lines for the dimple, the upper half
100a of the dimple structure 100 is somewhat larger than a circle
structure (as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 2D) oriented at the
geometric center of the dimple 100 and having a diameter D
corresponding to the length of axes 102 and 104 (which have the
same length in this example structure 100), and the lower half 100b
of the dimple structure 100 is somewhat smaller than this same
circle structure.
[0040] Example non-uniform dimple clusters in accordance with this
invention will be described beginning with FIGS. 3A through 3D.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of individual non-uniform
dimple clusters 300 and 350, respectively, while FIGS. 3C and 3D
illustrate an example of an arrangement of a plurality of at least
one of these non-uniform dimple clusters 300, 350 on a golf ball
320. As shown in FIG. 3A, this non-uniform dimple "cluster"
includes plural non-uniform dimples 302 located immediately
adjacent at least one other non-uniform dimple 302. Notably, in the
cluster shown in FIG. 3A, each non-uniform dimple 302 is located
such that it may be connected with at least one other non-uniform
dimple 302 by a straight line or arc 304 along the surface of the
ball without intersecting a uniform or conventional dimple. The
"cluster" 300 in this illustrated example corresponds to all of the
non-uniform dimples 302 located within an unbroken chain of
"immediately adjacent" non-uniform dimples 302, which generally
forms a triangular arrangement of dimples. In this illustrated
example, all dimples of the "cluster" are non-uniform dimples 302
(in the drawings included herewith, the non-uniform dimples are
distinguished from uniform or conventional dimples by an arrow
element (e.g., extending along axis 102 shown in FIG. 2C, in this
example), wherein the arrowhead points to the shallow half of the
dimple 302 (toward shallow half 100b shown in FIG. 2C)), and each
dimple cluster 300 includes 15 total non-uniform dimples 300.
Notably, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 3A, the non-uniform
dimples 302 are arranged so that their axes 102 and their shallow
halves 100b are oriented to point toward the geometric center C of
the dimple cluster 300. Optionally, if desired, the center C may be
defined by a dimple, either a uniform, conventional dimple or a
non-uniform dimple that may be included within the overall cluster
arrangement 300.
[0041] FIG. 3B shows another dimple cluster arrangement 350 that is
similar to the arrangement 300 shown in FIG. 3A. In the arrangement
350 shown in FIG. 3B, however, the non-uniform dimples 302 are
arranged so that their axes 102 and their shallow halves 100b are
oriented to point directly away from the geometric center C of the
dimple cluster 350. Optionally, if desired, the center C may be
defined by a dimple, either a uniform, conventional dimple or a
non-uniform dimple.
[0042] FIGS. 3C and 3D illustrate an example arrangement of the
dimple clusters 300 and/or 350 on a golf ball 320. Golf balls 320
may be considered as having two opposite poles P, one at the top of
the ball 320 and one at the bottom of the ball 320, and an equator
E corresponding to a great circle situated midway between the poles
P that divides the ball 320 into an upper hemisphere 322 and a
lower hemisphere 324. While not a requirement, the poles P may
correspond to the uppermost and lowermost tangents of a mold
structure used to create the balls 320 (and particularly to the
molds for forming the ball cover), and the equator E may correspond
to the parting line between the two mold halves. In other
structures, the poles P and equator E may be located at other
locations on the ball vis-a-vis the ball producing mold structures
(e.g., the equator E need not correspond to the mold parting line,
particularly for molds used in making "seamless" balls). As shown
in the top view of FIG. 3C, the dimple clusters 300, 350 may be
arranged such that they are symmetrically or evenly spaced around
the pole P. The bottom view (not shown) will look similar to the
top view. Furthermore, as shown in the front view of FIG. 3D, the
dimple clusters 300, 350 may be arranged such that the dimple
clusters 300, 350 in the top hemisphere 322 (e.g., the geometric
centers of the dimple clusters 300, 350) do not align with the
dimple clusters 300, 350 in the bottom hemisphere 324 (e.g., the
geometric centers of the dimple clusters 300, 350). Rather, as
shown in FIG. 3D, the dimple clusters 300, 350 in the bottom
hemisphere 324 may be staggered with respect to the dimple clusters
300, 350 in the top hemisphere 322 such that the overall dimple
cluster arrangements 300, 350 are symmetrically arranged about the
center of the golf ball 320.
[0043] All of the dimple clusters on a given ball may have the same
overall non-uniform dimple count, structure, and orientation, or
any one or more of these features may differ without departing from
this invention. In at least some example ball structures in
accordance with this invention, the various non-uniform dimple
clusters will be arranged in an overall symmetrical manner over the
entirety of the ball surface with respect to the ball's center
point. The non-uniform dimple clusters 300, 350 may be arranged
such that the exterior-most non-uniform dimples are surrounded
outside the clusters 300, 350 by only uniform or conventional
dimples. For purposes of clarity and to better illustrate the
dimple cluster arrangements on the ball 320, the individual dimples
are not shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D.
[0044] Also, golf ball structures in accordance with examples of
this invention may have any desired number of non-uniform dimple
clusters arranged around the ball's poles P without departing from
this invention. As a more specific example, if desired, each
hemisphere may include from 2-9 repeating dimple clusters, and in
some examples, from 2-6 repeating dimple clusters, or even from 3-5
repeating dimple clusters. A single hemisphere may include two or
more different dimple cluster arrangements that optionally may be
repeated around that hemisphere of the golf ball surface.
[0045] In some golf ball structures in accordance with examples of
this invention, the top hemisphere 322 will include N dimple
clusters 300, 350 having their centers arranged 360/N degrees apart
with respect to a circumferential direction around the top pole P
of the ball 320, and the bottom hemisphere 324 will include M
dimple clusters 300, 350 having their centers arranged 360/M
degrees apart with respect to a circumferential direction around
the bottom pole P of the ball 320, wherein N=M and wherein N and M
are integers between 2 and 20. If desired, the centers of the
dimple clusters 300, 350 in the top hemisphere 322 may be arranged
360/2N degrees apart from the centers of the dimple clusters 300,
350 in the bottom hemisphere 324 with respect to the
circumferential direction around the ball. In some structures, N
and M may be integers between 2 and 12, or even integers between 2
and 8.
[0046] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a top view and a front view,
respectively, of an alternative dimple cluster arrangement on a
golf ball structure 400 that may be used in accordance with at
least some examples of this invention. In this example ball
structure 400, the centers C of at least two of the dimple clusters
300, 350 are aligned along a great circle GC extending between the
top pole P and the bottom pole P. Each dimple cluster 300, 350 pair
(i.e., one in the top hemisphere 322 and one in the bottom
hemisphere 324) will be aligned in the manner shown. In this ball
structure 400, the various dimple clusters 300, 350 will be
arranged symmetric about the ball's center point.
[0047] As noted above, in the specific dimple cluster arrangements
of FIGS. 3A through 4B, all of the dimples in a given cluster may
be non-uniform dimples. This is not a requirement. Rather, if
desired, at least some of the dimples within a cluster may be
conventional or uniform dimples. FIGS. 5 through 9 illustrate some
examples of such dimple cluster arrangements, and these dimple
cluster arrangements will be described in more detail below.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, these dimple cluster
arrangements 500, 600, and 700 have a series of six non-uniform
dimples 502 arranged immediately adjacent one another and
surrounding a central dimple 504 (e.g., a uniform or conventional
dimple). Each of the interior-most non-uniform dimples 502 in the
example structure 500 of FIG. 5 has its shallow end (as designated
by the arrowhead in the dimple 502 (and which may correspond to the
axis direction 102 shown in FIG. 2C)) arranged closest to the
geometric center of the cluster (and closest to the geometric
center of the central uniform dimple 504). Additionally, each of
the interior-most non-uniform dimples 502 in the example structure
500 of FIG. 5 has an immediately adjacent non-uniform dimple 506
that has its symmetric axis 102 aligned with the symmetric axis 102
of its corresponding interior-most non-uniform dimple 502. In the
example structure shown in FIG. 5, the shallow ends of the exterior
non-uniform dimples 506 are positioned in the opposite direction
from the shallow ends of the corresponding interior-most dimples
502 (i.e., with the shallow ends pointing away from the geometric
center C of the dimple cluster in this example).
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the dimple cluster 500 is arranged in a
substantially hexagonal pattern (shown by the broken line). The
areas between the immediately adjacent dimple sets 502 and 506 in
this example cluster 500 are occupied by one or more additional
dimples 508, shown grayed in FIG. 5. The dimples 508 may be
non-uniform dimples, uniform dimples, or some may be uniform and
some non-uniform, without departing from this invention. Thus, this
overall dimple cluster 500 contains at least 12 non-uniform dimples
502 and 506 and at least 19 total dimples (although other dimple
counts are possible without departing from this invention).
[0050] Optionally, if desired, one or more of the pairs of aligned
non-uniform dimples 502 and 506 may be flip-flopped such that the
shallow end of each non-uniform dimple 502 is located immediately
adjacent the shallow end of its corresponding non-uniform dimple
506 (e.g., dimples 502 in FIG. 5 could have the structures and
orientations of dimples 506 and dimples 506 in FIG. 5 could have
the structures and orientations of dimples 502).
[0051] FIG. 6 shows a similar hexagonal dimple cluster arrangement
600 to that shown in FIG. 5, except in the arrangement 600 of FIG.
6, the shallow ends of all the illustrated non-uniform dimples 502
and 506 (shown by the arrowheads) are arranged closest to the
geometric center C of the dimple cluster arrangement 600. Likewise,
FIG. 7 shows a similar hexagonal dimple cluster arrangement 700 to
those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, except in the arrangement 700 of FIG.
7, the shallow ends of all the illustrated non-uniform dimples 502
and 506 (shown by the arrowheads) are arranged furthest away from
the geometric center C of the dimple cluster arrangement 700. The
"grayed out" dimples in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be non-uniform dimples,
uniform dimples, or some may be uniform and some non-uniform,
without departing from this invention. Thus, these overall dimple
clusters 600 and 700 contain at least 12 non-uniform dimples 502
and 506 and at least 19 total dimples (although other dimple counts
are possible without departing from this invention).
[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates another, somewhat larger hexagonal dimple
cluster arrangement 800. Like the arrangements shown in FIGS. 5
through 7, the dimple cluster arrangement 800 of FIG. 8 has a
series of six non-uniform dimples 802 arranged immediately adjacent
one another and surrounding a central dimple 804 (e.g., a uniform
or conventional dimple). Each of the interior-most non-uniform
dimples 802 in this example structure 800 has its shallow end (as
designated by the arrowhead in the dimple 802 (and which may
correspond to the axis direction 102 shown in FIG. 2C)) arranged
closest to the geometric center of the cluster (and closest to the
geometric center of the central uniform dimple 804). Additionally,
each of the interior-most non-uniform dimples 802 in the example
structure 800 of FIG. 8 has an immediately adjacent non-uniform
dimple 806 that has its symmetric axis 102 aligned with the
symmetric axis 102 of its corresponding interior-most non-uniform
dimple 802. In the example structure shown in FIG. 8, the shallow
ends of the non-uniform dimples 806 are aligned in the same
direction with the shallow ends of the corresponding interior-most
dimples 802 (i.e., with the shallow ends pointing toward the
geometric center C of the dimple cluster 800). Additionally, each
of the non-uniform dimples 806 in the example structure 800 of FIG.
8 has an immediately adjacent non-uniform dimple 808 that has its
symmetric axis 102 aligned with the symmetric axis 102 of its
corresponding non-uniform dimples 802 and 806 to make an aligned
set of non-uniform dimples 802, 806, and 808. In the example
structure shown in FIG. 8, the shallow ends of the exterior
non-uniform dimples 808 are aligned in the same direction with the
shallow ends of the corresponding non-uniform dimples 802 and 806
within the same line (i.e., with the shallow ends pointing toward
the geometric center C of the dimple cluster 800).
[0053] If desired, the shallow and deep ends of the various
non-uniform dimples 802, 806, and 808 may be aligned and/or
oriented in different manners without departing from this
invention. As one more specific example, if desired, the aligned
dimples 802, 806, and 808 may have their shallow ends located as
far as possible from the geometric center C of the dimple cluster
800. As another example, if desired, some sets of the aligned
dimples 802, 806, and 808 may have their shallow ends located as
far as possible from the geometric center C of the dimple cluster
800 while other sets of aligned dimples 802, 806, and 808 may have
their shallow ends located as close as possible to the geometric
center C of the dimple cluster 800 (e.g., with one set of shallow
ends aligned close and one set of shallow ends align away from the
geometric center C in an alternating manner as one moves around the
perimeter of the center dimple 804). As yet another example, one or
more shallow ends within a set of aligned dimples 802, 806, and 808
may be located close to the geometric center C while one or more of
the shallow ends of the other non-uniform dimples within the set
may be located away from the geometric center C. Other arrangements
of the shallow and deep ends of the non-uniform dimples are
possible without departing from this invention.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the dimple cluster 800 is arranged in a
substantially hexagonal pattern (shown by the broken line). The
areas between the immediately adjacent dimple sets 802, 806, and
808 may be occupied by one or more other dimples 810, shown grayed
in FIG. 8. The dimples 810 may be non-uniform dimples, uniform
dimples, or some may be some combination of uniform and non-uniform
dimples, without departing from this invention. Moreover, the
dimples 810 on a given ball may have different features (e.g.,
depth, radius, diameter, profile, etc.) without departing from this
invention. Thus, this overall dimple cluster 800 contains at least
18 non-uniform dimples 802, 806, and 808 and at least 24 total
dimples (although other dimple counts are possible without
departing from this invention).
[0055] Dimple clusters in accordance with examples of this
invention may be arranged in any desired general polygon shape
without departing from this invention, including, for example,
polygons having from 3 to 12 sides, and in some examples, polygons
having from 3 to 10 sides or even from 3 to 8 sides. FIG. 9
illustrates another example dimple cluster arrangement 900 in which
a series of five non-uniform dimples 902 are arranged immediately
adjacent one another and surrounding a central dimple 904 (e.g., a
uniform or conventional dimple). Each of the interior-most
non-uniform dimples 902 in this example structure 900 has its
shallow end (as designated by the arrowhead in the dimple 902 (and
which may correspond to the axis direction 102 shown in FIG. 2C))
arranged closest to the geometric center of the cluster 900 (and
closest to the geometric center of the central uniform dimple 904).
Additionally, each of the interior-most non-uniform dimples 902 in
the example structure 900 of FIG. 9 has an immediately adjacent
non-uniform dimple 906 that has its symmetric axis 102 aligned with
the symmetric axis 102 of its corresponding interior-most
non-uniform dimple 902. In the example structure shown in FIG. 9,
the shallow ends of the non-uniform dimples 906 are aligned in the
same direction with the shallow ends of the corresponding
interior-most dimples 902 (i.e., with the shallow ends pointing
toward the geometric center C of the dimple cluster 900). Other
alignments and/or arrangements of the shallow and deep ends of the
individual dimples 902 and/or 906, including arrangements similar
to those shown and described above in conjunction with FIGS. 5-7,
may be provided without departing from this invention.
[0056] Additionally, if desired, the dimple structure 900 could be
expanded to include a third non-uniform dimple aligned with the
dimples 902 and 906 shown in FIG. 9 (e.g., akin to the three
aligned non-uniform dimple structures 802, 806, and 808 shown in
FIG. 8). The shallow and deep ends of these aligned dimples may be
arranged in any desired manner (e.g., as described above with
respect to FIG. 8) without departing from this invention.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, the dimple cluster 900 is arranged in a
substantially pentagonal pattern (shown by the broken line). The
areas between the immediately adjacent dimple sets 902 and 906 may
be occupied by one or more other dimples 908, shown grayed in FIG.
9 (three dimples 908 are shown between each immediately adjacent
dimple set 902 and 906 in this specific dimple arrangement 900).
The dimples 908 may be non-uniform dimples, uniform dimples, or
some may be some combination of uniform and non-uniform dimples,
without departing from this invention. Thus, this overall dimple
cluster 900 contains at least 10 non-uniform dimples 902 and 906
and at least 16 total dimples (although other dimple counts are
possible without departing from this invention).
[0058] A wide variety of dimple cluster arrangements may be
provided on golf ball surfaces without departing from this
invention, and each dimple cluster on a given ball structure need
not have the same arrangement. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate top and
front views, respectively, of a golf ball structure 1000 in which
two different types of dimple clusters are provided on the ball
structure 1000. More specifically, in this illustrated example, the
ball includes four generally triangular arrangements 1002 of
non-uniform dimples (e.g., like those described above in
conjunction with FIGS. 3A through 4B) and four generally pentagonal
arrangements 1004 of non-uniform dimples (e.g., like those
described above in conjunction with FIG. 9). For purposes of
clarity, only the outlines of the dimple clusters 1002 and 1004 are
shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and the individual dimples, both inside
and outside the clusters 1002 and 1004, are not shown. If desired,
more or fewer dimple clusters (including additional clusters of
different types) may be included on each hemisphere of the ball.
Also, while the dimple clusters 1002 and 1004 may be staggered from
one another in the two hemispheres (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3D), in
this illustrated example ball structure 1000, the two different
types of dimple clusters 1002 and 1004 provided around the ball are
aligned with one another over the two hemispheres and have their
geometric centers C aligned along great circles GC that extend
between the two poles P.
[0059] FIGS. 11A and 11B provide top and front views, respectively,
of another example arrangement of non-uniform dimple clusters on a
golf ball structure 1100. In the structure 1100 shown in FIGS. 11A
and 11B, each hemisphere 1102 and 1104 of the ball 1100 has a
single (but relatively large) non-uniform dimple cluster. In this
example, the cluster includes eight immediately adjacent
non-uniform dimples 1106 arranged around the pole P, and each
interior-most non-uniform dimple 1106 has four non-uniform dimples
1108 aligned with it and aligned with the pole P. More or fewer
non-uniform dimples 1108 may be provided in each linear set of
non-uniform dimples 1106 and 1108 without departing from this
invention. For purposes of clarity and to better illustrate the
non-uniform dimple clusters, other dimples are not shown on the
ball structure 1100, although those skilled in the art will
recognize that additional dimples (uniform or non-uniform) may be
provided in the surface areas between the illustrated non-uniform
dimples 1106 and 1108 and over the pole area P. Also, while the
dimple clusters are aligned between the two hemispheres 1102 and
1104 in the example structure 1100 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B
(e.g., aligned along a great circle GC extending between the poles
P), this is not a requirement. Rather, if desired, the dimple
clusters may be staggered such that no great circle connects the
dimple clusters in an aligned set in the top hemisphere 1102 with
those in the bottom hemisphere 1104.
[0060] Relatively large and two (or three) dimensional non-uniform
dimple clusters are illustrated and described above in conjunction
with FIGS. 2A through 11B, but this also is not a requirement.
Rather, if desired, the dimple clusters may be relatively small and
linear, e.g., including 2 to 10 aligned non-uniform dimples. FIGS.
12A and 12B illustrate top and front views of a golf ball structure
1200, respectively, including such clusters. In the structure 1200
of FIGS. 12A and 12B, each hemisphere 1202 and 1204 contains two
different types of non-uniform dimple clusters 1206 and 1208, one
cluster type 1206 having three aligned non-uniform dimples and the
other cluster type 1208 having two aligned non-uniform dimples.
More specifically, in this illustrated example, each hemisphere
1202 and 1204 includes eight 3-non-uniform dimple clusters 1206 and
eight 2-non-uniform dimple clusters 1208 (for a total of 40
non-uniform dimples in each hemisphere). For purposes of clarity
and to better illustrate the non-uniform dimple clusters, other
dimples are not shown on the ball structure 1200, although those
skilled in the art will recognize that any desired number and
arrangement of additional dimples (uniform or non-uniform) may be
provided in the surface areas between the illustrated non-uniform
dimple clusters 1206 and 1208. Also, while the dimple clusters 1206
and 1208 are aligned between the two hemispheres 1202 and 1204 in
the example structure 1200 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B (e.g.,
aligned along a great circle GC extending between the poles P),
this is not a requirement. Rather, if desired, the dimple clusters
1206 and 1208 may be staggered between the two hemispheres 1202 and
1204 such that no great circle connects the dimple clusters in the
top hemisphere 1202 with those in the bottom hemisphere 1204.
[0061] In the various example structures disclosed above, the
dimple clusters are arranged on the hemispheres of the ball such
that they do not cross the ball's equator (which may correspond to
the mold parting line, although the mold parting line need not
correspond to the ball's equator, particularly if the ball is of a
"seamless" design). This type of arrangement is not a requirement.
FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate top and front views, respectively, of
a golf ball structure 1300 in which plural non-uniform dimple
clusters 1302 extend across the equator E. While any desired
non-uniform dimple cluster pattern(s) may be used without departing
from this invention (including plural different patterns on a
single ball structure), in this illustrated example structure 1300,
the clusters 1302 have a triangular arrangement of non-uniform
dimples, e.g., like those described above in conjunction with FIGS.
3A through 4B.
[0062] Also, if desired, the pole areas P (shown as the north pole
NP and the south pole SP) also may include non-uniform dimple
clusters 1304. While the pole oriented non-uniform dimple clusters
1304 may have the same pattern as the equator crossing non-uniform
dimple clusters 1302, in the example structure 1300 shown in FIGS.
13A and 13B, the pole oriented non-uniform dimple clusters 1304
differ in pattern from the equator crossing non-uniform dimple
clusters 1302. The south pole non-uniform dimple cluster 1304 is
shown in broken lines in FIG. 13A, to show the difference in
arrangement of the pole oriented dimple clusters 1304 in this
example ball 1300. If desired, the north and sole pole patterns may
differ from one another.
[0063] A variety of non-uniform dimple clusters are described
above. The individual non-uniform dimples within a given cluster
may all have the same structure and characteristics, but this is
not a requirement. Rather, if desired, non-uniform dimples within
an individual cluster may have different perimeter sizes (e.g.,
diameters or other dimensions), different perimeter edge shapes,
different depths, different profiles, etc., without departing from
this invention.
[0064] Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of
producing golf balls of any of the various types described above.
Such methods may include, for example: (a) forming a golf ball
interior (e.g., including a solid core having one or more
independent layers, a thread wound core, a liquid-containing or
gel-containing core, etc.); and (b) forming a cover to enclose the
golf ball interior, wherein the cover may include, for example,
non-uniform dimple clusters, e.g., of the various types described
above. The balls may be formed by forming the interior, e.g., by
injection molding, other molding techniques, casting, machining
and/or otherwise forming one or more layers of a solid core (e.g.,
for use in making a two, three, four, five, or more piece golf ball
construction). The interior of the golf ball may be made of rubber
(natural or synthetic), elastomeric resins, or other desired
materials (e.g., ionomer resins, thermoplastic materials (such as
thermoplastic polyurethanes, etc.) and the like). The ball interior
also may be made by casting the various layers of a solid ball,
winding a rubber or elastomeric thread around a solid, liquid, or
gel containing core, etc. These methods and materials used in
making the core or other interior layers of the ball may be
conventional and known in the art. Also, the various layers of the
solid core or other interior ball constructions may have sizes,
properties, constructions, thicknesses, and the like as are
conventionally used and known in the art.
[0065] The cover layer for the golf ball (including the non-uniform
dimple clusters) may be formed in any desired manner without
departing from this invention, including in conventional manners
that are known and used in the art, such as by casting the cover,
by molding the cover (e.g., injection molding), etc. The molds or
other structures for forming the cover layer to include the
non-uniform dimples may be produced in any desired manner without
departing from this invention, including through the use of
molding, casting, machining, grinding, or other techniques,
including through the use of precision grinding equipment for
producing golf ball cover cavities, as are known and used in the
art. Such grinding equipment may be computer controlled and
programmed to cut the various desired dimple pattern arrangements
into the interior cavity of the mold structure, in a manner that is
known and conventionally used in the art.
[0066] The cover may be made from any desired materials without
departing from this invention, such as from thermoplastic
polyurethanes, ionomer resins, balata, etc., including materials
that are conventionally known and used in the golf ball art. In
addition to the non-uniform dimple clusters, such as those
described above, the cover layer may have sizes, properties,
constructions, thicknesses, and the like, as well as uniform or
conventional dimples, as are conventionally used and known in the
art.
[0067] Non-uniform dimples may have a wide variety of specific
cross sectional profiles without departing from this invention. For
example, if desired, the cross sectional profile may take on the
general shape of a portion of a surface of an ellipse, parabola,
hyperbola, etc. As additional examples, the shape delineated by the
surface of the dimple at the central cross section thereof (e.g., a
section taken along the dimple's central symmetric axis 102 as
shown in FIG. 2C), or at least over the central part of the dimple
away from the dimple perimeter (which may be somewhat rounded, if
desired), may correspond to a graphical representation of a
mathematical equation, such as a polynomial equation or a
polynomial function (e.g., a second order or fourth order
polynomial equation or function). FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate some
example cross sectional profiles. For example, as shown in FIG.
14A, the dimple profile 1400 includes a singe local extrema (i.e.,
the maximum depth point, corresponding to the overall dimple depth
DD), and the surface of the cross sectional profile 1400 of the
dimple (at least at locations somewhat removed from the immediate
dimple perimeter P.sub.d, such as areas of the dimple profile below
10% of the overall dimple depth) may correspond to a specific
second order mathematical equation or function. The example dimple
profile 1420 illustrated in FIG. 14B, on the other hand, includes
three local extrema E, and the surface of the cross sectional
profile 1420 of the dimple (at least at locations somewhat removed
from the immediate dimple perimeter P.sub.d, such as areas of the
dimple profile below 10% of the overall dimple depth) may
correspond to a specific fourth order mathematical equation or
function. Above 10% of the overall dimple depth, the dimple may be
constructed so that the dimple surface flows smoothly into the
cover and outer curvature of the ball, and this smoothing out or
curving near the dimple edges may alter the dimple surface at the
edges away from the mathematical equation or function described
above. The inclusion of more than one local extrema E in a
non-uniform dimple profile provides internal surface changes and
structure within the dimple pattern and can be used to produce
interesting visual and aesthetically pleasing dimple constructions,
as well as surfaces to affect the lift, drag, and/or other
aerodynamic characteristics of the ball.
CONCLUSION
[0068] Many modifications to the specifically described structures,
systems, and methods may take place without departing from this
invention. For example, while the invention has been described with
respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of
carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that there are numerous variations, combinations, and
permutations of the above described structures and methods.
Moreover, various specific structural features included in the
examples merely represent examples of structural features that may
be included in some examples of structures according to the
invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various
specific structural features may be omitted and/or modified in a
golf ball product without departing from the invention. Thus, the
reader should understand that the spirit and scope of the invention
should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *