U.S. patent application number 17/188541 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-17 for dimple patterns for golf balls.
This patent application is currently assigned to Acushnet Company. The applicant listed for this patent is Acushnet Company. Invention is credited to Courtney N. Engle, Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci.
Application Number | 20210178228 17/188541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005430006 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210178228 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Engle; Courtney N. ; et
al. |
June 17, 2021 |
DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
Abstract
The present invention provides a golf ball wherein each
hemisphere has a dimple pattern based on a pyramid having
dissimilar sides. The resulting overall dimple pattern is not based
on preexisting polyhedral, and is not attainable using conventional
dimple packing methods.
Inventors: |
Engle; Courtney N.; (Fall
River, MA) ; Madson; Michael R.; (Easton, MA)
; Nardacci; Nicholas M.; (Barrington, RI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Acushnet Company |
Fairhaven |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Acushnet Company
Fairhaven
MA
|
Family ID: |
1000005430006 |
Appl. No.: |
17/188541 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16558131 |
Sep 1, 2019 |
10933283 |
|
|
17188541 |
|
|
|
|
16035816 |
Jul 16, 2018 |
10398941 |
|
|
16558131 |
|
|
|
|
15431838 |
Feb 14, 2017 |
10022592 |
|
|
16035816 |
|
|
|
|
14144483 |
Dec 30, 2013 |
9566473 |
|
|
15431838 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 37/0006
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 37/00 20060101
A63B037/00 |
Claims
1. A golf ball having a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere
separated by an equator, each hemisphere comprising on the outer
surface thereof a plurality of dimples arranged in a pattern
defined by an n-sided pyramid projected on a hemisphere, the side
edges of the pyramid representing n lines of longitude from pole to
equator, wherein n.gtoreq.3, and wherein: within each hemisphere,
the dimple arrangement along each of the n longitudinal lines is
identical, and every longitudinal line having said identical dimple
arrangement thereon corresponds to one of the side edges of the
pyramid; within each hemisphere, at least two of the sides have a
different longitudinal angle; the equator intersects a portion of
the plurality of dimples; and all of the dimples that are
intersected by the equator have the same dimple diameter.
2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein n.gtoreq.4 for at least one
hemisphere.
3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein n.gtoreq.4 for each
hemisphere.
4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the value n for the first
hemisphere is different than the value n for the second
hemisphere.
5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the overall dimple pattern of
the first hemisphere is different than the overall dimple pattern
of the second hemisphere.
6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the overall dimple pattern on
each hemisphere does not have rotational symmetry about the polar
axis.
7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dimples
comprises three or more different dimple diameters, including a
minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least
one additional dimple diameter.
8. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the dimple diameter of the
dimples that are intersected by the equator is not the minimum or
maximum dimple diameter.
9. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein at least one of the dimples
located along a side edge of the pyramid has the same dimple
diameter as the dimples that are intersected by the equator.
10. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein none of the dimples located
along the side edges of the pyramid has the same dimple diameter as
the dimples that are intersected by the equator.
11. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein none of the dimples that are
intersected by the equator is also located along a side edge of the
pyramid.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 16/558,131, filed Sep. 1, 2019, which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
16/035,816, filed Jul. 16, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,398,941,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/431,838, filed Feb. 14, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,022,592,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/144,483, filed Dec. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,566,473, the
entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to golf balls having two hemispheres,
each hemisphere having a dimple pattern based on a pyramid having
dissimilar sides.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0072325 to
Madson et al. discloses a golf ball dimple pattern having an
underlying geometry based on a dipyramid.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,856 to Nardacci et al. discloses a golf
ball dimple pattern based on a hexagonal dipyramid, wherein the
dimples are arranged in six substantially similar mating dimple
sections on each hemisphere.
[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0004053 to Kim
discloses a designing method for a dimple pattern of a golf ball
including the steps of (1) dividing a surface of a phantom sphere
of the golf ball into a plurality of units by division lines
obtained by projecting edge lines of a regular polyhedron inscribed
in the phantom sphere, on the surface of the phantom sphere; (2)
obtaining a base pattern by randomly arranging a plurality of
dimples in one unit such that the dimples do not overlap each
other; and (3) developing the base pattern over other units such
that patterns of two adjacent units are not mirror-symmetrical to
each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a
golf ball having a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere
separated by an equator, each hemisphere comprising on the outer
surface thereof, a plurality of dimples arranged in a pattern
defined by an n-sided pyramid projected on a hemisphere as n lines
of longitude from pole to equator. The dimple arrangement along
each longitudinal line is identical, and the overall dimple pattern
on each hemisphere contains no rotational symmetry about the polar
axis. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, at least one
hemisphere includes at least one side with a dimple free area that
has a surface area of .gtoreq.0.06 in.sup.2.
[0007] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to
a golf ball having a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere
separated by an equator, each hemisphere comprising on the outer
surface thereof, a plurality of dimples arranged in a pattern
defined by an n-sided pyramid projected on a hemisphere, the side
edges of the pyramid representing n lines of longitude from pole to
equator, wherein n.gtoreq.3. Within each hemisphere, the dimple
arrangement along each of the n longitudinal lines is identical,
and every longitudinal line having said identical dimple
arrangement thereon corresponds to one of the side edges of the
pyramid. Within each hemisphere, at least two of the sides have a
different longitudinal angle. The equator intersects a portion of
the plurality of dimples, and all of the dimples that are
intersected by the equator have the same dimple diameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the
specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in
which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in
the various views:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a polar view of a golf ball having a dimple
pattern arranged according to a method known in the art;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a polar view of the golf ball of FIG. 1 rotated
72.degree. about the polar axis;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a polar view of a golf ball having a dimple
pattern arranged according to a method known in the art;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a polar view of the golf ball of FIG. 3 rotated
180.degree. about the polar axis;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a polar view of a golf ball having dimples
arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a polar view of a golf ball having dimples
arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a polar view of a golf ball having dimples
arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a polar view of a golf ball having dimples
arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a polar view of a golf ball having dimples
arranged according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0026] FIG. 18 illustrates a polar view of a golf ball having
dimples arranged according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 19 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0028] FIG. 20 illustrates a polar view of a golf ball having
dimples arranged according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 21 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0030] FIG. 22 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples;
[0031] FIG. 23 illustrates a side of a pyramid projected on a
hemisphere and packed with dimples; and
[0032] FIG. 24 illustrates a polar view of a golf ball having
dimples arranged according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Golf balls of the present invention 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
into a first hemisphere including the first pole and a second
hemisphere including the second pole. The outer surface of each
hemisphere includes a plurality of dimples arranged in a pattern
defined by an n-sided pyramid projected on a hemisphere as n lines
of longitude from pole to equator, wherein n.gtoreq.3. In a
particular embodiment, n.gtoreq.4 for one or both of the
hemispheres. At least two of the sides of the pyramid are
dissimilar. For purposes of the present invention, one side of the
pyramid is dissimilar to another side of the pyramid if they have a
different longitudinal angle, .PHI..sub.i, and a different
arrangement of dimples. When combined, the longitudinal angles of
each hemisphere sum to 360. For a hemisphere having m dissimilar
sides, and r repetitions of each side:
.SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.mr.sub.i.PHI..sub.i=360 (Equation 1).
The total number of distinct hemispheres that can be created,
.tau., is calculated as the number of circular permutations:
.tau. = ( n - 1 ) ! r 1 ! .times. r 2 ! .times. .times. r m ! , (
Equation 2 ) ##EQU00001##
where n, the total number of sides for a hemisphere, is:
n=.SIGMA..sub.i=1.sup.mr.sub.i (Equation 3).
[0034] In a particular embodiment, the first hemisphere and the
second hemisphere have the same number of sides. In a particular
aspect of this embodiment, the dimple arrangement of the first
hemisphere and the dimple arrangement of the second hemisphere are
the same. In another particular aspect of this embodiment, the
dimple arrangement of the first hemisphere and the dimple
arrangement of the second hemisphere are different.
[0035] In another particular embodiment, the first hemisphere and
the second hemisphere have a different number of sides.
[0036] Each dimple is either located entirely within a single side
of the pyramid or is intersected by a side edge of the pyramid such
that the center of the dimple lies on the same plane as the side
edge, i.e., a longitudinal line. In a particular embodiment, the
dimple arrangement along each longitudinal line of a hemisphere is
identical, meaning that each dimple that is located along a side
edge of the pyramid is replicated on all side edges of the pyramid.
For purposes of the present invention, a dimple on one edge is a
replicate of a dimple on another edge if the dimples have the same
latitudinal angle and diameter. By way of definition, if such a
dimple arrangement is repeated on multiple longitudinal lines, then
those lines define the edges of the segments. If more than one such
a dimple arrangement exists then the segments edges are defined by
the arrangement that produces the greatest number of segments on
the ball. If more than one such a dimple arrangement exists and
they produce the same number of segments, then any one arrangement
can be used to define the edges of the segment, but not more than
one.
[0037] In a particular embodiment, at least one side of a
hemisphere, i.e., at least one dimple segment on the ball, has a
dimple free area having a surface area of .gtoreq.0.06 in.sup.2.
For purposes of the present disclosure, the term "dimple free area"
refers to a dimple free area that has a surface area of
.gtoreq.0.06 in.sup.2. All dimple patterns inherently have a
certain amount of dimple free "fret area" between dimples. The
portion of the golf ball surface that one of ordinary skill in the
art would generally consider "fret area" is not meant to be
included in calculating the surface area of the "dimple free area"
of the present invention. Rather, for purposes of the present
invention, a dimple free area having a surface area of .gtoreq.0.06
in.sup.2, is an area on the surface of the ball onto which a
rectangle having that area can be projected without intersecting
any dimples or including any dimples within its boundaries.
[0038] In a particular aspect of this embodiment, one hemisphere
has at least one dimple segment with a dimple free area and the
other hemisphere has no dimple segments with a dimple free area. In
another particular aspect of this embodiment, one hemisphere has at
least two dimple segments with a dimple free area and the other
hemisphere has no dimple segments with a dimple free area. In
another particular aspect of this embodiment, both hemispheres have
at least one dimple segment with a dimple free area. In another
particular aspect of this embodiment, one hemisphere has at least
two dimple segments with a dimple free area and the other
hemisphere has at least one dimple segment with a dimple free area.
In another particular aspect of this embodiment, both hemispheres
have two dimple segments with a dimple free area. In embodiments of
the present invention wherein at least two dimple segments have a
dimple free area, the dimple free area of one segment may be the
same size or a different size than the dimple free area of another
segment.
[0039] Preferably, the dimple free area(s) on the ball include a
marking. Suitable markings include logos, and letters, numbers, and
shapes that are part of a nameplate, side stamp, or logo.
"Nameplate" typically, but not necessarily, refers to a marking
corresponding to the golf ball brand. "Side stamp" typically, but
not necessarily, refers to a marking corresponding to the model of
the golf ball. In embodiments of the present invention wherein at
least two dimple segments include a dimple free space with a
marking, the marking of one dimple segment may be the same as or
different from the marking of another dimple segment.
[0040] Each marking may be printed on the golf ball surface either
underneath or on top of a coating layer, or engraved into the
surface of the ball. For purposes of the present disclosure,
"engraved" refers to the final appearance of the marking as being
cut into, rather than printed on the surface of, the golf ball.
Thus, engraved markings, for purposes of the present disclosure,
includes markings that are cut directly into the golf ball using,
for example, a machining or laser etching process, and markings
that are formed by machining the marking into the master tool used
to make dimpled cavities whereby the marking is transferred to the
golf ball during the molding process.
[0041] In a particular embodiment, the overall dimple pattern on
each hemisphere does not have rotational symmetry about the polar
axis. The polar axis is defined herein as the axis connecting the
pole of the first hemisphere to the pole of the second hemisphere.
Rotational symmetry is said to exist if a hemisphere can be rotated
by any angle and result in an identical pattern, as with
conventional golf ball dimple patterns. FIG. 1 is a polar view of a
golf ball having a dimple pattern with rotational symmetry. When
rotated 72.degree. about the polar axis, the resulting pattern,
shown in FIG. 2, is identical to the original pattern. A pattern is
said to have x-fold rotational symmetry on a given hemisphere if
any rotational angle .gamma. about the polar axis exists such
that
360 .gamma. = x , ##EQU00002##
and x is a whole number .gtoreq.2. Thus, the pattern shown in FIGS.
1 and 2 has 5-fold rotational symmetry (360/42=5). FIG. 3 is a
polar view of another golf ball having a dimple pattern with
rotational symmetry. When rotated 180.degree. about the polar axis,
the resulting pattern, shown in FIG. 4, is identical to the
original pattern. Thus, the pattern shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has
2-fold rotational symmetry (360/180=2).
[0042] The two hemispheres can be positioned in any manner such
that the dimples from one hemisphere do not intersect with dimples
from the other hemisphere. In one embodiment, the two hemispheres
are mirror images of each other and the ball has a flat, i.e.,
planar, parting line. In another embodiment, the two hemispheres
have an angular rotation relative to one another and create a flat
parting line. In another embodiment, the two hemispheres have an
angular rotation relative to one another and create a staggered,
i.e., non-planar, parting line, such that the dimples near the
equator are allowed to cross over the ball equator but do not
intersect dimples from the opposing hemisphere.
[0043] While preferably having a substantially circular plan shape,
dimples of the present invention are not limited to a particular
plan or cross-sectional shape.
[0044] Dimples of the present invention may have different
properties including, but not limited to, cross-sectional shape,
plan shape, dimple diameter, and dimple depth. In a particular
embodiment, replicated dimples have the same cross-sectional shape
and plan shape.
[0045] In another particular embodiment, a portion of the dimples
are intersected by the equator, and all of the dimples that are
intersected by the equator have the same dimple diameter. In a
further aspect of this particular embodiment, the overall dimple
pattern comprises three or more different dimple diameters,
including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and
at least one additional dimple diameter, and the dimple diameter of
the dimples that are intersected by the equator is not the minimum
or maximum dimple diameter. In another further aspect of this
particular embodiment, at least one of the dimples located along a
side edge of the pyramid has the same dimple diameter as the
dimples that are intersected by the equator; alternatively, none of
the dimples located along the side edges of the pyramid has the
same dimple diameter as the dimples that are intersected by the
equator. In another further aspect of this particular embodiment,
none of the dimples that are intersected by the equator is also
located along a side edge of the pyramid.
[0046] For purposes of the present disclosure, dimples have the
same dimple diameter if their respective diameters, as measure on a
final golf ball, differ by less than 0.005 inches due to
manufacturing variances.
[0047] For purposes of the present disclosure, the centroid of a
dimple determines which hemisphere the dimple is located in.
Preferably, the centroid of each dimple intersected by the equator
does not lie on the equator.
[0048] While golf balls of the present invention are not limited to
a particular dimple count, in a particular embodiment, the golf
ball has a dimple count of 336 or 338 or 342 or 344 or 349 or 350
or 310 or 316 or 318 or 346 or 354 or 358 or 366 or 396.
EXAMPLES
[0049] The examples below are for illustrative purposes only. In no
manner is the present invention limited to the specific disclosures
therein.
Example 1
[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, a first side, S1, of a pyramid is
projected on a hemisphere and packed with dimples. The first side
has a longitudinal angle of 60.degree.. As shown in FIG. 6, a
second side, S2, of a pyramid is projected on a hemisphere and
packed with dimples in a different arrangement than S1. The second
side has a longitudinal angle of 90.degree.. Dimples that intersect
the side edges are shaded in FIGS. 5 and 6. Dissimilar sides S1 and
S2 can be combined and repeated to form an overall dimple pattern
of a golf ball hemisphere having the characteristics given in Table
1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Dissimilar Segments, Repetitions,
Longitudinal Angle, m r.sub.i .PHI..sub.i S1 3 60.degree. S2 2
90.degree.
[0051] Using Equation 3, the total number of sides for the
hemisphere, n, is 5. The total number of distinct hemispheres,
.tau., that can be created is 2, as calculated using Equation
2,
.tau. = ( 5 - 1 ) ! 2 ! .times. 3 ! = 2 . ##EQU00003##
The two distinct hemispheres that can be created are shown in FIGS.
7 and 8. FIG. 7 illustrates a hemisphere with a rotational pattern
of {S1, S2, S1, S2, S1}. FIG. 8 illustrates a hemisphere with a
rotational pattern of {S2, S2, S1, S1, S1}.
Example 2
[0052] As shown in FIG. 9, a first side, S1, of a pyramid is
projected on a hemisphere and packed with dimples. The first side
has a longitudinal angle of 45.degree.. As shown in FIG. 10, a
second side, S2, of a pyramid is projected on a hemisphere and
packed with dimples in a different arrangement than S1. The second
side has a longitudinal angle of 60.degree.. Dimples that intersect
the side edges are shaded in FIGS. 9 and 10. Dissimilar sides S1
and S2 can be combined and repeated to form an overall dimple
pattern of a golf ball hemisphere having the characteristics given
in Table 2 below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Dissimilar Segments, Repetitions,
Longitudinal Angle, m r.sub.i .PHI..sub.i S1 4 45.degree. S2 3
60.degree.
[0053] Using Equation 3, the total number of sides for the
hemisphere, n, is 7. The total number of distinct hemispheres,
.tau., that can be created is 5, as calculated using Equation
2,
.tau. = ( 7 - 1 ) ! 4 ! .times. 3 ! = 5 . ##EQU00004##
[0054] Two of the five distinct hemispheres that can be created are
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 illustrates a hemisphere with a
rotational pattern of {S1, S1, S1, S2, S2, S2, S2}. FIG. 12
illustrates a hemisphere with a rotational pattern of {S1, S1, S2,
S1, S2, S1, S2}.
Example 3
[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, a first side, S1, of a pyramid is
projected on a hemisphere and packed with dimples. The first side
has a longitudinal angle of 45.degree.. As shown in FIG. 13, a
second side, S2, of a pyramid is projected on a hemisphere and
packed with dimples in a different arrangement than S1. The second
side has a longitudinal angle of 38.degree.. As shown in FIG. 14, a
third side, S3, of a pyramid is projected on a hemisphere and
packed with dimples in a different arrangement than S1 or S2. The
third side has a longitudinal angle of 111.degree.. Dimples that
intersect the side edges are shaded in FIGS. 9, 13 and 14.
Dissimilar sides S1, S2 and S3 can be combined and repeated to form
an overall dimple pattern of a golf ball hemisphere having the
characteristics given in Table 3 below.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Dissimilar Segments, Repetitions,
Longitudinal Angle, m r.sub.i .PHI..sub.i S1 3 45.degree. S2 3
38.degree. S3 1 111.degree.
[0056] Using Equation 3, the total number of sides for the
hemisphere, n, is 7. The total number of distinct hemispheres,
.tau., that can be created is 20, as calculated using Equation
2,
.tau. = ( 7 - 1 ) ! 3 ! .times. 3 ! .times. 1 ! = 2 0 .
##EQU00005##
One of the twenty distinct hemispheres that can be created is shown
in FIG. 15, which illustrates a hemisphere with a rotational
pattern of {S2, S1, S1, S2, S1, S2, S3}.
Example 4
[0057] As shown in FIG. 16, a first side, S1, of a pyramid is
projected on a hemisphere and packed with dimples. The first side
has a longitudinal angle of 60.degree.. As shown in FIG. 17, a
second side, S2, of a pyramid is projected on a hemisphere and
packed with dimples in a different arrangement than S1, and
includes a dimple free area with a marking. The second side has a
longitudinal angle of 120.degree.. First side S1 can be repeated
and combined with second side S2 to form the overall dimple pattern
of a golf ball hemisphere shown in FIG. 18, which illustrates a
hemisphere with a rotational pattern of {S1, S1, S1, S1, S2}. In a
particular example of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16-18, a golf
ball is provided wherein both hemispheres of the ball have the
dimple pattern shown in FIG. 18.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 19, a third side, S3, of a pyramid is
projected on a hemisphere and packed with dimples in a different
arrangement than S1 or S2, and includes a dimple free area with a
marking. The third side has a longitudinal angle of 120.degree..
First side S1 of FIG. 16 can be repeated and combined with second
side S2 of FIG. 17 and third side S3 of FIG. 19 to form the overall
dimple pattern of a golf ball hemisphere shown in FIG. 20, which
illustrates a hemisphere with a rotational pattern of {S1, S2, S1,
S3}. In a particular example of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16,
17, 19 and 20, a golf ball is provided wherein both hemispheres of
the ball have the dimple pattern shown in FIG. 20.
[0059] In FIGS. 16, 17 and 19, the alphabetical labels within the
dimples designate same diameter dimples. For example, all dimples
labelled A have the same diameter; all dimples labelled B have the
same diameter; and so on. Table 4 below gives illustrative values
for dimple diameter and edge angle for a non-limiting particular
example of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16-20, wherein the
dimples are spherical dimples having a circular plan shape and a
cross-sectional profile defined by a spherical function.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Dimple Diameter Edge Angle Dimple Label (in)
(.degree.) A 0.130 14.8 B 0.150 14.8 C 0.155 14.8 D 0.160 14.8 E
0.165 14.8 F 0.170 14.8 G 0.175 14.8 H 0.180 14.8 I 0.200 14.8 J
0.205 14.8
Example 5
[0060] As shown in FIG. 21, a first side, S1, of a pyramid is
projected on a hemisphere and packed with dimples. The first side
has a longitudinal angle of 60.degree.. As shown in FIG. 22, a
second side, S2, of a pyramid is projected on a hemisphere and
packed with dimples in a different arrangement than S1. The second
side has a longitudinal angle of 72.degree.. As shown in FIG. 23, a
third side, S3, of a pyramid is projected on a hemisphere and
packed with dimples in a different arrangement than S1 or S2. The
third side has a longitudinal angle of 96.degree.. In FIGS. 21-23,
dimples that intersect the side edges are shaded black, and dimples
that intersect the equator are indicated by hatch mark shading.
[0061] First side S1 and second side S2 can be repeated and
combined with third side S3 to form the overall dimple pattern of a
golf ball hemisphere shown in FIG. 24, which illustrates a
hemisphere with a rotational pattern of {S1, S2, S1, S2, S3}.
[0062] In a particular embodiment of the dimple pattern shown in
FIGS. 21-24, all of the dimples that intersect the equator, i.e.,
all of the dimples indicated by hatch mark shading, have the same
diameter.
[0063] When numerical lower limits and numerical upper limits are
set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these
values may be used.
[0064] All patents, publications, test procedures, and other
references cited herein, including priority documents, are fully
incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is not
inconsistent with this invention and for all jurisdictions in which
such incorporation is permitted.
[0065] While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have
been described with particularity, it will be understood that
various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily
made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not
intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to
the examples and descriptions set forth herein, but rather that the
claims be construed as encompassing all of the features of
patentable novelty which reside in the present invention, including
all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof by those
of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.
* * * * *