Patent Grant
11207569
This invention relates to golf balls, particularly to golf balls possessing uniquely packed dimple patterns. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of arranging dimples on a golf ball by generating irregular domains based on polyhedrons, packing the irregular domains with dimples, and tessellating the domains onto the surface of the golf ball.
Historically, dimple patterns for golf balls have had a variety of geometric shapes, patterns, and configurations. Primarily, patterns are laid out in order to provide desired performance characteristics based on the particular ball construction, material attributes, and player characteristics influencing the ball's initial launch angle and spin conditions. Therefore, pattern development is a secondary design step that is used to achieve the appropriate aerodynamic behavior, thereby tailoring ball flight characteristics and performance.
Aerodynamic forces generated by a ball in flight are a result of its velocity and spin. These forces can be represented by a lift force and a drag force. Lift force is perpendicular to the direction of flight and is a result of air velocity differences above and below the rotating ball. This phenomenon is attributed to Magnus, who described it in 1853 after studying the aerodynamic forces on spinning spheres and cylinders, and is described by Bernoulli's Equation, a simplification of the first law of thermodynamics. Bernoulli's equation relates pressure and velocity where pressure is inversely proportional to the square of velocity. The velocity differential, due to faster moving air on top and slower moving air on the bottom, results in lower air pressure on top and an upward directed force on the ball.
Drag is opposite in sense to the direction of flight and orthogonal to lift. The drag force on a ball is attributed to parasitic drag forces, which consist of pressure drag and viscous or skin friction drag. A sphere is a bluff body, which is an inefficient aerodynamic shape. As a result, the accelerating flow field around the ball causes a large pressure differential with high-pressure forward and low-pressure behind the ball. The low pressure area behind the ball is also known as the wake. In order to minimize pressure drag, dimples provide a means to energize the flow field and delay the separation of flow, or reduce the wake region behind the ball. Skin friction is a viscous effect residing close to the surface of the ball within the boundary layer.
The industry has seen many efforts to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency of golf balls, through dimple disturbance and other methods, though they are closely controlled by golf's national governing body, the United States Golf Association (U.S.G.A.). One U.S.G.A. requirement is that golf balls have aerodynamic symmetry. Aerodynamic symmetry allows the ball to fly with a very small amount of variation no matter how the golf ball is placed on the tee or ground. Preferably, dimples cover the maximum surface area of the golf ball without detrimentally affecting the aerodynamic symmetry of the golf ball.
In attempts to improve aerodynamic symmetry, many dimple patterns are based on geometric shapes. These may include circles, hexagons, triangles, and the like. Other dimple patterns are based in general on the five Platonic Solids including icosahedron, dodecahedron, octahedron, cube, or tetrahedron. Yet other dimple patterns are based on the thirteen Archimedian Solids, such as the small icosidodecahedron, rhomicosidodecahedron, small rhombicuboctahedron, snub cube, snub dodecahedron, or truncated icosahedron. Furthermore, other dimple patterns are based on hexagonal dipyramids. Because the number of symmetric solid plane systems is limited, it is difficult to devise new symmetric patterns. Moreover, dimple patterns based some of these geometric shapes result in less than optimal surface coverage and other disadvantageous dimple arrangements. Therefore, dimple properties such as number, shape, size, volume, and arrangement are often manipulated in an attempt to generate a golf ball that has improved aerodynamic properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,552 to Thurman discloses a golf ball with an icosahedral dimple pattern, wherein each triangular face of the icosahedron is split by a three straight lines which each bisect a corner of the face to form 3 triangular faces for each icosahedral face, wherein the dimples are arranged consistently on the icosahedral faces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,742 to Mackey discloses a golf ball with dimples packed into a 32-sided polyhedron composed of hexagons and pentagons, wherein the dimple packing is the same in each hexagon and in each pentagon.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,733 to Lee discloses a golf ball formed of ten “spherical” hexagons each split into six equilateral triangles, wherein each triangle is split by a bisecting line extending between a vertex of the triangle and the midpoint of the side opposite the vertex, and the bisecting lines are oriented to achieve improved symmetry.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,442 to Winfield discloses the use of polygons as packing elements for dimples to introduce predictable variance into the dimple pattern. The polygons extend from the poles of the ball to a parting line. Any space not filled with dimples from the polygons is filled with other dimples.
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a parting line and a plurality of dimples. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of one or more irregular domain(s) covering the outer surface in a uniform pattern. The irregular domain(s) are defined by non-straight segments, and one of the non-straight segments of each of the multiple copies of the irregular domain(s) forms a portion of the parting line.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for arranging a plurality of dimples on a golf ball surface. The method comprises generating a first and a second irregular domain based on a tetrahedron using a midpoint to midpoint method, mapping the first and second irregular domains onto a sphere, packing the first and second irregular domains with dimples, and tessellating the first and second domains to cover the sphere in a uniform pattern. The midpoint to midpoint method comprises providing a single face of the tetrahedron, the face comprising a first edge connected to a second edge at a vertex; connecting the midpoint of the first edge with the midpoint of the second edge with a non-straight segment; rotating copies of the segment about the center of the face such that the segment and the copies fully surround the center and form the first irregular domain bounded by the segment and the copies; and rotating subsequent copies of the segment about the vertex such that the segment and the subsequent copies fully surround the vertex and form the second irregular domain bounded by the segment and the subsequent copies.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples, wherein the dimples are arranged by a method comprising generating a first and a second irregular domain based on a tetrahedron using a midpoint to midpoint method, mapping the first and second irregular domains onto a sphere, packing the first and second irregular domains with dimples, and tessellating the first and second domains to cover the sphere in a uniform pattern.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having three or more different diameters, including a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, and a second additional dimple diameter. Each dimple on the outer surface of the ball that is nearest neighbors with a maximum diameter dimple has a dimple diameter selected from the maximum dimple diameter and the first additional dimple diameter.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having three or more different diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, and a second additional dimple diameter. Each dimple on the outer surface of the ball that is nearest neighbors with a minimum diameter dimple has a dimple diameter selected from the minimum dimple diameter and the first additional dimple diameter.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having three or more different diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, and a second additional dimple diameter. Each dimple that is in the same domain as and is nearest neighbors with a minimum diameter dimple has a dimple diameter selected from the minimum dimple diameter and the first additional dimple diameter.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having six or more different diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, a second additional dimple diameter, a third additional dimple diameter, and a fourth additional dimple diameter. Neither the first domain nor the second domain includes more than six dimples having the maximum dimple diameter. At least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. At least one dimple having the first additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. At least one dimple having the second additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. At least one dimple having the third additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. At least one dimple having the fourth additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having four or more different diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, a second additional dimple diameter. Every dimple having the maximum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. Every dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having four or more different diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, a second additional dimple diameter. At least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least two dimples having the maximum dimple diameter, including a maximum diameter dimple located in the first domain and a maximum diameter dimple located in the second domain.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having four or more different diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, a second additional dimple diameter. Every dimple having the maximum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least two dimples having the minimum dimple diameter.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. The plurality of dimples comprises dimples having three or more different diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and one or more additional dimple diameters. Each dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with another dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. No dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter.
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:
The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, connecting the control points with a non-straight sketch line, patterning the sketch line in a first manner to generate an irregular domain, optionally patterning the sketch line in a second manner to create an additional irregular domain, packing the irregular domain(s) with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain(s) to cover the surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron, and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines from the molding process.
In a particular embodiment, illustrated in
For purposes of the present invention, the term “irregular domains” refers to domains wherein at least one, and preferably all, of the segments defining the borders of the domain is not a straight line.
The irregular domains can be defined through the use of any one of the exemplary methods described herein. Each method produces one or more unique domains based on circumscribing a sphere with the vertices of a regular polyhedron. The vertices of the circumscribed sphere based on the vertices of the corresponding polyhedron with origin (0,0,0) are defined below in Table 1.
Each method has a unique set of rules which are followed for the domain to be symmetrically patterned on the surface of the golf ball. Each method is defined by the combination of at least two control points. These control points, which are taken from one or more faces of a regular or non-regular polyhedron, consist of at least three different types: the center C of a polyhedron face; a vertex V of a face of a regular polyhedron; and the midpoint M of an edge of a face of the polyhedron.
1. Center to midpoint (C→M);
2. Center to center (C→C);
3. Center to vertex (C→V);
4. Midpoint to midpoint (M→M);
5. Midpoint to Vertex (M→V); and
6. Vertex to Vertex (V→V).
While each method differs in its particulars, they all follow the same basic scheme. First, a non-linear sketch line is drawn connecting the two control points. This sketch line may have any shape, including, but not limited, to an arc, a spline, two or more straight or arcuate lines or curves, or a combination thereof. Second, the sketch line is patterned in a method specific manner to create a domain, as discussed below. Third, when necessary, the sketch line is patterned in a second fashion to create a second domain.
While the basic scheme is consistent for each of the six methods, each method preferably follows different steps in order to generate the domains from a sketch line between the two control points, as described below with reference to each of the methods individually.
The Center to Vertex Method
Referring again to
When domain 14 is tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
The Center to Midpoint Method
Referring to
When domain 14 is tessellated around a golf ball 10 to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
The Center to Center Method
Referring to
When first domain 14a and second domain 14b are tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
The Midpoint to Midpoint Method
Referring to
When first domain 14a and second domain 14b are tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
In a particular aspect of the embodiment shown in
The Midpoint to Vertex Method
Referring to
When domain 14 is tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
The Vertex to Vertex Method
Referring to
When first domain 14a and second domain 14b are tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
While the six methods previously described each make use of two control points, it is possible to create irregular domains based on more than two control points. For example, three, or even more, control points may be used. The use of additional control points allows for potentially different shapes for irregular domains. An exemplary method using a midpoint M, a center C and a vertex V as three control points for creating one irregular domain is described below.
The Midpoint to Center to Vertex Method
Referring to
When domain 14 is tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
While the methods described previously provide a framework for the use of center C, vertex V, and midpoint M as the only control points, other control points are useable. For example, a control point may be any point P on an edge E of the chosen polyhedron face. When this type of control point is used, additional types of domains may be generated, though the mechanism for creating the irregular domain(s) may be different. An exemplary method, using a center C and a point P on an edge, for creating one such irregular domain is described below.
The Center to Edge Method
Referring to
When domain 14 is tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
Though each of the above described methods has been explained with reference to regular polyhedrons, they may also be used with certain non-regular polyhedrons, such as Archimedean Solids, Catalan Solids, or others. The methods used to derive the irregular domains will generally require some modification in order to account for the non-regular face shapes of the non-regular solids. An exemplary method for use with a Catalan Solid, specifically a rhombic dodecahedron, is described below.
A Vertex to Vertex Method for a Rhombic Dodecahedron
Referring to
When domain 14 is tessellated to cover the surface of golf ball 10, as shown in
After the irregular domain(s) are created using any of the above methods, the domain(s) may be packed with dimples in order to be usable in creating golf ball 10.
In
In a particular embodiment, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, there are no limitations on how the dimples are packed. In another embodiment, the dimples are packed such that no dimple intersects a line segment. In the embodiments shown in
In a particular embodiment, the dimples are packed such that all nearest neighbor dimples are separated by substantially the same distance, δ, wherein the average of all δ values is from 0.002 inches to 0.020 inches, and wherein any individual δ value can vary from the mean by ±0.005 inches. For purposes of the present invention, nearest neighbor dimples are determined according to the following method. A reference dimple and a potential nearest neighbor dimple are selected such that the reference dimple has substantially the same diameter or a smaller diameter than the potential nearest neighbor dimple. Two tangency lines are drawn from the center of the reference dimple to the potential nearest neighbor dimple. A line segment is then drawn connecting the center of the reference dimple to the center of the potential nearest neighbor dimple. If the two tangency lines and the line segment do not intersect any other dimple edges, then those dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors. For example, as shown in
Each dimple typically has a diameter within a range having a lower limit of 0.050 or 0.100 inches and an upper limit of 0.205 or 0.250 inches. The diameter of a dimple having a non-circular plan shape is defined by its equivalent diameter, de, which calculated as:
where A is the plan shape area of the dimple. Diameter measurements are determined on finished golf balls according to
In a particular embodiment, all of the dimples on the outer surface of the ball have the same diameter. It should be understood that “same diameter” dimples includes dimples on a finished ball having respective diameters that differ by less than 0.005 inches due to manufacturing variances.
In another particular embodiment, there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a maximum dimple diameter and one or more additional dimple diameters.
In another particular embodiment, there are three or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, and a second additional dimple diameter. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the midpoint to midpoint method based on a tetrahedron wherein the first domain and the second domain are tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, each dimple on the outer surface of the ball that is nearest neighbors with a maximum diameter dimple has a dimple diameter selected from the maximum dimple diameter and the first additional dimple diameter. In other words, all of the dimples on the outer surface of the ball that are nearest neighbors with respect to a maximum diameter dimple, but are not themselves a maximum diameter dimple, are same diameter dimples with respect to each other. Whether dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors is determined according to the method disclosed above. The dimple pattern optionally has one or more of the following additional characteristics:
For example, in
In
In another particular embodiment, there are three or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a minimum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, and a second additional dimple diameter. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the midpoint to midpoint method based on a tetrahedron wherein the first domain and the second domain are tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, each dimple that is in the same domain as and is nearest neighbors with a minimum diameter dimple has a dimple diameter selected from the minimum dimple diameter and the first additional dimple diameter. In other words, all of the dimples within a domain that are nearest neighbors with respect to a minimum diameter dimple, but are not themselves a minimum diameter dimple, are same diameter dimples with respect to each other. In another particular aspect of this embodiment, each dimple on the outer surface of the ball that is nearest neighbors with a minimum diameter dimple has a dimple diameter selected from the minimum dimple diameter and the first additional dimple diameter. In other words, all of the dimples on the outer surface of the ball that are nearest neighbors with respect to a minimum diameter dimple, but are not themselves a minimum diameter dimple, are same diameter dimples with respect to each other. Whether dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors is determined according to the method disclosed above. The dimple pattern optionally has one or more of the following additional characteristics:
For example, in
In
In another particular embodiment, there are four or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a minimum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, a second additional dimple diameter, and a maximum dimple diameter. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the midpoint to midpoint method based on a tetrahedron wherein the first domain and the second domain are tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. At least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter, at least one dimple having the first additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter, and at least one dimple having the second additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. Optionally, at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one other dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the outer surface of the ball additionally includes a third additional dimple diameter and a fourth additional dimple diameter, at least one dimple having the third additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter, and at least one dimple having the fourth additional dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. Whether dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors is determined according to the method disclosed above. The dimple pattern optionally has one or more of the following additional characteristics:
For example, in
In
In another particular embodiment, there are four or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a minimum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, a second additional dimple diameter, and a maximum dimple diameter. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the midpoint to midpoint method based on a tetrahedron wherein the first domain and the second domain are tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. Every dimple having the maximum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter, and every dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least one dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. Whether dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors is determined according to the method disclosed above. The dimple pattern optionally has one or more of the following additional characteristics:
For example, in
In
In another particular embodiment, there are four or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, and a second additional dimple diameter. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the midpoint to midpoint method based on a tetrahedron wherein the first domain and the second domain are tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. At least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least two dimples having the maximum dimple diameter, including one or more maximum diameter dimples located in the first domain and one or more maximum diameter dimples located in the second domain. Whether dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors is determined according to the method disclosed above. The dimple pattern optionally has one or more of the following additional characteristics:
For example, in
In
In another particular embodiment, there are four or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, a first additional dimple diameter, and a second additional dimple diameter. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the midpoint to midpoint method based on a tetrahedron wherein the first domain and the second domain are tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. Every dimple having the maximum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with at least two dimples having the minimum dimple diameter. Whether dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors is determined according to the method disclosed above. The dimple pattern optionally has one or more of the following additional characteristics:
For example, in
In
In a particular aspect of the embodiment illustrated in
In another particular embodiment, there are three or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and one or more additional dimple diameters. The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the midpoint to midpoint method based on a tetrahedron wherein the first domain and the second domain are tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern within the first domain is different from the dimple pattern within the second domain. Every dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with another dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. No dimple having the minimum dimple diameter is nearest neighbors with a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. Whether dimples are considered to be nearest neighbors is determined according to the method disclosed above. The dimple pattern optionally has one or more of the following additional characteristics:
For example, in
In
In a particular aspect of the embodiment illustrated in
In a particular aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number of different dimple diameters, D, on the outer surface is related to the total number of dimples, N, on the outer surface, such that if:
In the embodiment shown in
In another particular aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number of different dimple diameters, D, on the outer surface is related to the total number of dimples, N, on the outer surface, such that if:
In another particular aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number of different dimple diameters, D, on the outer surface is related to the total number of dimples, N, on the outer surface, such that if:
In another particular aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number of different dimple diameters, D, on the outer surface is related to the total number of dimples, N, on the outer surface, such that if:
In a further particular aspect of the above embodiments wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of dimples on the outer surface is less than 320, the number of different dimple diameters is less than or equal to 4, and the sample standard deviation is less than 0.0175. In another further particular aspect of the above embodiments wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of dimples on the outer surface is greater than or equal to 320 but less than 350, the number of different dimple diameters is less than or equal to 6, and the sample standard deviation is less than 0.0200. In another further particular aspect of the above embodiments wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of dimples on the outer surface is greater than or equal to 350 but less than 360, the number of different dimple diameters is less than or equal to 4, and the sample standard deviation is less than 0.0155. In another further particular aspect of the above embodiments wherein there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of dimples on the outer surface is greater than or equal to 360, the number of different dimple diameters is less than or equal to 7, and the sample standard deviation is less than 0.0200. Sample standard deviation, s, is defined by the equation:
where xi is the diameter of any given dimple on the outer surface of the ball,
It should be understood that manufacturing variances are to be taken into account when determining the number of different dimple diameters. The placement of the dimple in the overall pattern should also be taken into account. Specifically, dimples located in the same location within the multiple copies of the domain(s) that are tessellated to form the dimple pattern are assumed to be same diameter dimples, unless they have a difference in diameter of 0.005 inches or greater.
There are no limitations to the dimple shapes or profiles selected to pack the domains. Though the present invention includes substantially circular dimples in one embodiment, dimples or protrusions (brambles) having any desired characteristics and/or properties may be used. For example, in one embodiment the dimples may have a variety of shapes and sizes including different depths and perimeters. In particular, the dimples may be concave hemispheres, or they may be triangular, square, hexagonal, catenary, polygonal or any other shape known to those skilled in the art. They may also have straight, curved, or sloped edges or sides. To summarize, any type of dimple or protrusion (bramble) known to those skilled in the art may be used with the present invention. The dimples may all fit within each domain, as seen in
In other embodiments, the domains may not be packed with dimples, and the borders of the irregular domains may instead comprise ridges or channels. In golf balls having this type of irregular domain, the one or more domains or sets of domains preferably overlap to increase surface coverage of the channels. Alternatively, the borders of the irregular domains may comprise ridges or channels and the domains are packed with dimples.
When the domain(s) is patterned onto the surface of a golf ball, the arrangement of the domains dictated by their shape and the underlying polyhedron ensures that the resulting golf ball has a high order of symmetry, equaling or exceeding 12. The order of symmetry of a golf ball produced using the method of the current invention will depend on the regular or non-regular polygon on which the irregular domain is based. The order and type of symmetry for golf balls produced based on the five regular polyhedra are listed below in Table 10.
These high orders of symmetry have several benefits, including more even dimple distribution, the potential for higher packing efficiency, and improved means to mask the ball parting line. Further, dimple patterns generated in this manner may have improved flight stability and symmetry as a result of the higher degrees of symmetry.
In other embodiments, the irregular domains do not completely cover the surface of the ball, and there are open spaces between domains that may or may not be filled with dimples. This allows dissymmetry to be incorporated into the ball.
Dimple patterns of the present invention are particularly suitable for packing dimples on seamless golf balls. Seamless golf balls and methods of producing such are further disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,849,007 and 7,422,529, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In a particular aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein, golf balls of the present invention have a total number of dimples, N, on the outer surface thereof, wherein N is an integer that is divisible by 4 and within a range of from 260 to 424. In a further particular aspect, golf balls of the present invention have a total number of dimples, N, on the outer surface thereof, of 300 or 312 or 328 or 344 or 348 or 352 or 376 or 388. In another particular aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein, golf balls of the present invention have a total number of dimples, N, on the outer surface thereof of 500 or greater, or 600 or greater.
Aerodynamic characteristics of golf balls of the present invention can be described by aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle. Based on a dimple pattern generated according to the present invention, in one embodiment, the golf ball achieves an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude of from 0.25 to 0.32 and an aerodynamic force angle of from 30° to 38° at a Reynolds Number of 230000 and a spin ratio of 0.085. Based on a dimple pattern generated according to the present invention, in another embodiment, the golf ball achieves an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude of from 0.26 to 0.33 and an aerodynamic force angle of from 32° to 40° at a Reynolds Number of 180000 and a spin ratio of 0.101. Based on a dimple pattern generated according to the present invention, in another embodiment, the golf ball achieves an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude of from 0.27 to 0.37 and an aerodynamic force angle of from 35° to 44° at a Reynolds Number of 133000 and a spin ratio of 0.133. Based on a dimple pattern generated according to the present invention, in another embodiment, the golf ball achieves an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude of from 0.32 to 0.45 and an aerodynamic force angle of from 39° to 45° at a Reynolds Number of 89000 and a spin ratio of 0.183. For purposes of the present disclosure, aerodynamic coefficient magnitude (Cmag) is defined by Cmag=(CL2+CD2)1/2 and aerodynamic force angle (Cangle) is defined by Cangle=tan−1(CL/CD), where CL is a lift coefficient and CD is a drag coefficient. Aerodynamic characteristics of a golf ball, including aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle, are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,976 to Bissonnette et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle values are calculated using the average lift and drag values obtained when 30 balls are tested in a random orientation. Reynolds number is an average value for the test and can vary by plus or minus 3%. Spin ratio is an average value for the test and can vary by plus or minus 5%.
When numerical lower limits and numerical upper limits are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values may be used.
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.
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.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/785,625, filed Feb. 9, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/417,553, filed May 20, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,556,152, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/935,587, filed Mar. 26, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,293,212, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/242,401, filed Aug. 19, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,925,419, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/973,237, filed Aug. 22, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,810, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,827, filed Sep. 30, 2010, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/262,464, filed Oct. 31, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,029,388, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country |
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| Entry |
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| English Translation of Japanese Patent JP4102986. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210052947 A1 | Feb 2021 | US |
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