Patent Application
20250235750
The present application claims priority to Chinese Applications CN 202420164850.4 filed Jan. 23, 2024 and CN 202420985830.3 filed May 8, 2024. The disclosure of each application is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference in its entirety.
The present invention generally relates to golf balls.
A number of factors affect the flight of golf balls. These factors include not only those impacted by golfers, such as the ball's initial speed, launch angle and spin rate, but also those of the golf ball itself, such as the weight, structure, and dimple configuration of the golf ball. In particular, once hit by a golfer, the ball's trajectory is controlled entirely by gravity and aerodynamics. As a result, aerodynamic optimization is a critical part of overall golf ball development.
Aerodynamic optimization of a golf ball can be achieved through dimple pattern design because dimples on a golf ball will create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This reduces the drag to the ball, gives the ball a backspin, and creates pockets of turbulence that cause an upward force and lift the ball higher. However, dimple patterns of many existing golf balls are based on some geometric shapes with less than optimal surface coverage and other disadvantageous dimple arrangements.
Given the current state of the art, there remains a need for golf balls that address the abovementioned issues.
The information disclosed in this Background section is provided for an understanding of the general background of the invention and is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this information forms part of the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.
The present disclosure addresses the abovementioned and/or other issues by providing golf balls with optimal dimple patterns that include unique dimple properties, such as dimple shape, depth, number, arrangement, surface-area coverage, ratio of depth-to-surface area, or a combination thereof, to effectively reduce the drag and increase the lift to golf balls.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf ball including a spherical outer surface and a plurality of dimple sets formed on the spherical outer surface. Each dimple set in the plurality of dimple sets includes one or more dimples disposed substantially evenly along a corresponding latitude line in a plurality of latitude lines of the spherical outer surface. Moreover, dimples in the plurality of dimple sets are substantially identical to each other in size and shape.
In some exemplary embodiments, the spherical outer surface includes a plurality of regions, and dimple patterns on the plurality of regions are symmetrical, rotated, mirrored, or any combination thereof, with respect to each other.
In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of regions is one half of the spherical outer surface.
In another exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of regions is one eighth of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the spherical outer surface includes a first hemispherical outer surface and a second hemispherical outer surface divided by an equator of the spherical outer surface. The plurality of dimple sets includes a first plurality of dimple sets disposed at a first plurality of latitude lines on the first hemispherical outer surface and a second plurality of dimple sets disposed at a second plurality of latitude lines on the second hemispherical outer surface. Dimples of the first plurality of dimple sets collectively form a first dimple pattern on the first hemispherical outer surface. Dimples of the second plurality of dimple sets collectively form a second dimple pattern on the second hemispherical outer surface. The second dimple pattern is a copy of the first dimple pattern mirrored with respect to the equator of the spherical outer surface and rotated around a rotational axis of the golf ball by an overall angle.
In some exemplary embodiments, the overall angle is substantially equal to 360 degrees divided by two times a number of the dimples of a dimple set in the first plurality of dimple sets disposed at a latitude line adjacent to the equator of the spherical outer surface.
In an exemplary embodiment, the overall angle is an angle within a range of from about 5.294° to about 5.625°.
In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first plurality of dimple sets includes a first dimple. The first dimple of a respective dimple set in the first plurality of dimple sets is disposed at a respective location relative to a first longitude line of the spherical outer surface, and the respective location depends on an index of a corresponding latitude line in the first plurality of latitude lines and a number of dimples of the respective dimple set.
In some such embodiments, the first dimples of the first plurality of dimple sets are disposed alternately at or off the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first plurality of dimple sets includes nine dimple sets. The nine dimple sets include respectively X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8 and X9 numbers of dimples disposed along nine latitude lines. A first dimple set in the nine dimple sets is disposed along a first latitude line that is adjacent to an equator of the spherical outer surface, and a ninth dimple set in the nine dimple sets is disposed at a polar point of the first hemispherical outer surface and consists of a single dimple. The respective locations of the first dimples for the nine dimple sets relative to the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface are: c1=0; c2=360°/(2*X2); c3=0; c4=360°/(2*X4); c5=0; c6=360°/(2*X6); c7=0; c8=360°/(2*X8); and c9=0.
In some exemplary embodiments, the numbers of dimples for the nine dimple sets are: X1=32, 33, or 34; X2=30, 31, or 32; X3=28, 29, or 30; X4=26 or 27; X5=22 or 23; X6=16, 17, or 18; X7=12; X8=6; and X9=1.
In some exemplary embodiments, the locations of the first dimples for the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth dimple sets relative to the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface are: c2 is a value within a range of from about 5.625° to about 6°; c4 is a value within a range of from about 6.667° to about 6.923°; c6 is a value within a range of from about 10° to about 11.25°; and c8 is a value of about 30°.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first latitude line is at an angle α with respect to the equator of the spherical outer surface. Adjacent latitude lines are spaced apart from each other at a substantially constant angle interval β. In some such embodiments, α is different than β, and β=(90°−α)/8.
In an exemplary embodiment, α is a value of about 5° and β is a value of about 10.625°.
In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of dimple sets includes a number of dimples within a range of from about 346 to about 366 dimples.
In some exemplary embodiments, each dimple in the plurality of dimple sets is shaped according to a portion of a contour sphere.
In an exemplary embodiment, the spherical outer surface has a diameter of 42.67±1.0 mm, the contour sphere has a diameter of 20±1.0 mm, and each dimple in the plurality of dimple sets has a height of 0.28±0.3 mm.
In another exemplary embodiment, the spherical outer surface has a diameter of 42.67±1.0 mm, and each dimple in the plurality of dimple sets has a base diameter of 4±0.4 mm and a height of 0.25±0.3 mm.
In some exemplary embodiments, adjacent latitude lines in the plurality of latitude lines are spaced apart from each other at a substantially constant angle interval.
In an exemplary embodiment, the constant angle interval is about 11.25 degrees.
In some exemplary embodiments, each respective dimple set in the plurality of dimple sets includes a first dimple, and first dimples of the plurality of dimple sets are disposed along a longitude line of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of dimple sets includes a first dimple set, a second dimple set, and a third dimple set. The first dimple set consists of a single dimple disposed at a first polar point of the spherical outer surface. The second dimple set consists of a single dimple disposed at a second polar point of the spherical outer surface. The third dimple set includes a plurality of dimples distributed substantially evenly along an equator of the spherical outer surface. In some such embodiments, a rotational central line of the golf ball passes the first and second polar points of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of dimple sets further includes a plurality of intermediate dimple sets disposed between the first set and the third set or between the second set and the third set.
In some exemplary embodiments, at least two intermediate sets in the plurality of intermediate sets have the same number of dimples.
In an exemplary embodiment, from the first polar point to the equator or from the second polar point to the equator, there are 9 sets with 1, 6, 12, 18, 22, 26, 30, 30, and 32 dimples respectively.
In some exemplary embodiments, for a certain set in the plurality of dimple sets, the number of dimples is determined by:
where N denotes the number of dimples for the certain set, D denotes a diameter of the golf ball or the outer spherical surface, d denotes a base diameter of a dimple, n denotes an index of the latitude line corresponding to the certain set, θ denotes a constant angle interval between adjacent latitude lines, and “[ ]” denotes a rounding function to the nearest even number.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf ball including a spherical outer surface and a plurality of dimples formed on the spherical outer surface. The plurality of dimples includes 300 or more dimples, and dimples in the plurality of dimples are substantially identical to each other in size and shape.
In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of dimples consists of 322 dimples, with 1 dimple disposed at a first polar point, 1 dimple disposed at a second polar point, and 32 dimples disposed along an equator of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of dimples includes a number of dimples within a range of from about 346 to about 366 dimples, with 1 dimple disposed at a first polar point, and 1 dimple disposed at a second polar point.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf ball including a spherical outer surface, and a plurality of dimple sets formed on the spherical outer surface. Dimples in the plurality of dimple sets are substantially identical to each other in size and shape. Each respective set in the plurality of dimple sets is disposed at a corresponding latitude line in a plurality of latitude lines of the spherical outer surface. Each respective set in the plurality of dimple sets includes a corresponding first dimple, and the corresponding first dimples of the plurality of dimple sets are disposed along a longitude line of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the corresponding first dimple of a first set in the plurality of dimple sets is disposed at a first polar point of the spherical outer surface, and the corresponding first dimple of a second set in the plurality of dimple sets is disposed at a second polar point of the spherical outer surface.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf ball including a spherical outer surface and a plurality of dimple sets. The spherical outer surface includes a first hemispherical outer surface and a second hemispherical outer surface divided by an equator of the spherical outer surface. The plurality of dimple sets includes a first plurality of dimple sets disposed at a first plurality of latitude lines on the first hemispherical outer surface and a second plurality of dimple sets disposed at a second plurality of latitude lines on the second hemispherical outer surface. Each of the first plurality of dimple sets includes a first dimple. The first dimple of a respective dimple set in the first plurality of dimple sets is disposed at a respective location relative to a first longitude line of the spherical outer surface, and the respective location depends on an index of a corresponding latitude line in the first plurality of latitude lines and a number of dimples of the respective dimple set.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first dimples of the first plurality of dimple sets are disposed alternately at or off the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, dimples of the first plurality of dimple sets collectively form a first dimple pattern on the first hemispherical outer surface. Dimples of the second plurality of dimple sets collectively form a second dimple pattern on the second hemispherical outer surface. The second dimple pattern is a copy of the first dimple pattern mirrored with respect to the equator of the spherical outer surface and rotated around a rotational axis of the golf ball by an overall angle.
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for patterning dimples on a spherical outer surface of a golf ball. The method includes: A) dividing the spherical outer surface into a first hemispherical outer surface and a second hemispherical outer surface according to an equator of the spherical outer surface; B) creating a first dimple pattern on the first hemispherical outer surface, where the first dimple pattern includes a first plurality of dimple sets, and each respective dimple set is associated with a corresponding latitude line in a first plurality of latitude lines on the first hemispherical outer surface; and C) mirroring and rotating the first dimple pattern to form a second dimple pattern on the second hemispherical outer surface, wherein the mirroring is performed with respect to the equator of the spherical outer surface, and the rotating is performed around a rotational axis of the golf ball by an overall angle.
In some exemplary embodiments, the mirroring is performed prior to, subsequent to or concurrently with the rotating.
The golf balls of the present disclosure have other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the Detailed Description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of exemplary embodiments of the invention.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the components illustrated in the figures described above are combinable in any useful number and combination. The figures are intended to be illustrative in nature and are not limiting.
Reference will now be made in detail to implementation of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having benefit of this disclosure.
In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that, in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Many modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments set forth in this disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific exemplary embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in the context of golf balls. A golf ball generally includes a spherical outer surface and dimples formed on the spherical outer surface. The dimples are configured with unique dimple properties, such as dimple shape, depth, number, arrangement, surface-area coverage, ratio of depth-to-surface area, or a combination thereof, to effectively reduce the drag and increase the lift to golf balls.
In various exemplary embodiments, the dimples are substantially identical to each other in size and shape, and distributed substantially uniformly across the spherical outer surface. For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, the dimples are distributed substantially evenly along a plurality of latitude lines of the spherical outer surface, where adjacent lines in the plurality of latitude lines are substantially evenly spaced apart from each other. In some exemplary embodiments, the spherical outer surface includes a plurality of regions, and dimple patterns on the plurality of regions are symmetrical, rotated, mirrored, or any combination thereof, with respect to each other. This reduces gap areas between dimples and provides substantially uniform surface-area coverage. This also improves the aesthetics of golf ball and makes it easy to design the dimple patterns and manufacture the golf balls.
A golf ball can include other components or attributes. For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, a golf ball includes a core, one or more inner layers and an outer layer with the spherical outer surface. An inner layer may be made of a rubber material and the outer layer may be made of a plastic material to provide desired elastic properties. A golf ball has a diameter and a mass. For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, a golf ball (e.g., its spherical outer surface) has a diameter of from about 42.6 mm to about 42.8 mm, and a mass of about 45 grams.
Referring now to
Dimples 120 are substantially identical to each other in size and shape. In some exemplary embodiments, dimple 120 is dome-shaped as illustrated in
In general, golf ball 100 includes 300 or more dimples. In some exemplary embodiments, golf ball 100 includes between 300 and 500 dimples. In an exemplary embodiment, golf ball 100 includes 322 dimples.
In some exemplary embodiments, dimples 120 are distributed on the spherical outer surface in positions that form a plurality of dimple sets, with each respective set in the plurality of dimple sets disposed at a corresponding latitude line in a plurality of latitude lines of the spherical outer surface. For example, as a non-limiting example,
Adjacent latitude lines are spaced apart from each other at an angle internal. In some exemplary embodiments, adjacent latitude lines are spaced apart from each other at a substantially constant angle internal (designated θ), e.g., the angle interval between latitude line 140-1 and latitude line 140-2 is substantially the same as the angle interval between latitude line 140-2 and latitude line 140-3. The value of the constant angle interval depends on the number of the dimple sets. In the illustrated embodiment with 8.5 dimple sets, the constant angle interval is 11.25 degrees.
In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of dimple sets includes a first set consisting of a single dimple disposed at a first polar point (e.g., a north polar point) of the spherical outer surface and a second set also consisting of a single dimple disposed at a second polar point (e.g., a south polar point) of the spherical outer surface. For instance, as a non-limiting example, set 130-J is shown to consist of a single dimple, designated 121, that is disposed at a polar point (corresponding to the latitude line 140-J) of one half of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the single dimple of the first dimple set and the single dimple of the second dimple set are aligned along a rotational central line of the golf ball. For instance, as a non-limiting example, single dimple 121 of dimple set 130-J is disposed at rotational central line 160 of the golf ball, e.g., the rotational central line 160 of the golf ball passing through the center of the single dimple of dimple set 130-J.
In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of dimple sets includes a third dimple set having a plurality of dimples distributed substantially evenly along an equator of the spherical outer surface. For instance, as a non-limiting example, dimples of dimple set 130-1 are distributed substantially evenly along an equator (corresponding to the latitude line 140-1) of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, the plurality of dimple sets includes a plurality of intermediate dimple sets disposed between the first dimple set and the third dimple set (e.g., between the first polar point and the equator) or between the second dimple set and the third dimple set (e.g., between the second polar point and the equator). For instance, as a non-limiting example, dimple set 130-2, dimple set 130-3, . . . , and dimple set 130-J−1 are shown to be disposed between dimple set 130-1 at the equator and dimple set 130-J at a polar point.
In some exemplary embodiments, the number of dimples for a respective set (e.g., set 130-1, set 130-2, . . . , or set 130-J−1) is determined by:
where N denotes the number of dimples for the respective set, D denotes the diameter of the golf ball (e.g., 42.67 mm), d denotes the base diameter of a dimple (e.g., 4 mm), n denotes an index of the corresponding latitude line, θ denotes the constant angle interval, and “[ ]” denotes a rounding function to the nearest even number. In embodiments where latitude line 140-1 is the equator of the outer spherical surface or the golf ball, the index n for latitude line 140-j is equal to j−1, wherein j=1, 2, 3, . . . , J−1. That is, n=0, 1, 2, . . . , J−2, with “0” for latitude line 140-1 (the equator).
For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, J=9, with dimple set 130-1 at the equator and dimple set 130-J at the polar point. This results in a constant angle interval θ of 11.25 degrees. For a golf ball with a diameter “D” of 42.67 mm and dimples having a base diameter “d” of 4 mm, the numbers of dimples for these nine sets are 32, 30, 30, 26, 22, 18, 12, 6 and 1 respectively as illustrated in
In some exemplary embodiments, at least two intermediate sets in the plurality of intermediate sets have the same number of dimples. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, intermediate set 130-2 and intermediate set 130-3 have the same number of dimples (e.g., each having 30 dimples).
In some exemplary embodiments, each respective set in the plurality of dimple sets includes a first dimple, generally designated 122 in
In some exemplary embodiments, the spherical outer surface includes a plurality of regions, and arrangement (e.g., pattern) of dimples on each of the plurality of regions is a symmetrical or rotated or mirrored copy of each other. For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, the spherical outer surface includes two regions, each being one half of the spherical outer surface as illustrated in
Referring now to
Dimples 220 are substantially identical to each other in size and shape. In some exemplary embodiments, each dimple 220 is dome-shaped as illustrated in
In some exemplary embodiments, diameter “D” of spherical outer surface 210 is substantially the same as a standard golf ball, e.g., about 42.67 mm. In some exemplary embodiments, the diameter of spherical outer surface 210 is greater than 42.67 mm. In some exemplary embodiments, diameter “d1” of contour sphere 270 is a value within a range from about 18 mm to about 20 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 22 mm. In some exemplary embodiments, the diameter of contour sphere 270 is about 20 mm. In some exemplary embodiments, height “h” of dimple 220 is a value within a range from about 0.2 mm to about 0.3, or from about 0.25 to about 0.35 mm. In some exemplary embodiments, the height of dimple 220 is about 0.26 mm, about 0.27 mm, about 0.28 mm, about 0.29 mm, or about 0.30 mm. Distance “L” between the center of the golf ball and the center of the center of the contour sphere equals to D/2+d1/2−h.
Like golf ball 100, golf ball 200 generally includes 300 or more dimples. In some exemplary embodiments, golf ball 200 includes between 300 and 500 dimples. In some exemplary embodiments, golf ball 200 includes from about 346 to about 366 dimples.
In some exemplary embodiments, dimples 220 are distributed on the spherical outer surface in positions that form a plurality of dimple sets, with each respective set in the plurality of dimple sets disposed at a corresponding latitude line in a plurality of latitude lines of the spherical outer surface. In some exemplary embodiments, dimples 220 are distributed on the spherical outer surface in positions that form at least 14, at least 16, at least 18, at least 20, at least 22, or at least 24 dimple sets (corresponding to at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, or at least 12 dimple sets on one half of the golf ball). As a non-limiting example,
In some exemplary embodiments, latitude line 240-1, along which dimples of dimple set 230-1 are disposed, is adjacent to equator 280 of the golf ball at an angle “α”. Adjacent latitude lines are spaced apart from each other at an angle internal. In some exemplary embodiments, adjacent latitude lines on one half of the golf ball are spaced apart from each other at a substantially constant angle internal “β”, e.g., the angle interval between latitude line 240-1 and latitude line 240-2 is substantially the same as the angle interval between latitude line 240-2 and latitude line 240-3. In the illustrated embodiment, there are nine dimple sets. In such an embodiment, β=(90°−α)/8. In some exemplary embodiments, α is different than β. In some exemplary embodiments, α is a value of about 5° and β is a value of about 10.625°.
In some exemplary embodiments, each of a first plurality of dimple sets (e.g., dimple sets 230-1, 230-2, 230-3, . . . and 230-K) includes a first dimple, such as dimple 222. The first dimple of a respective dimple set in the first plurality of dimple sets is disposed at a respective location relative to a first longitude line (e.g., first longitude line 251) of the spherical outer surface. The respective location depends on an index of a corresponding latitude line in the first plurality of latitude lines and a number of dimples of the respective dimple set. In some exemplary embodiments, the first dimples of the first plurality of dimple sets are disposed alternately at or off the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface.
For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, the first plurality of dimple sets includes nine dimple sets disposed at nine latitude lines, e.g., nine dimples sets 230-k where k=1, 2, 3, . . . , 9 disposed at nine latitude lines N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8 and N9 as illustrated in
In some exemplary embodiments, the first dimple set has 32, 33, or 34 dimples, i.e., X1=32, 33, or 34. The second dimple set has 30, 31, or 32 dimples, i.e., X2=30, 31, or 32. In some exemplary embodiments, the third dimple set has 28, 29, or 30 dimples, i.e., X3=28, 29, or 30. The fourth dimple set has 26 or 27 dimples, i.e., X4=26 or 27. The fifth dimple set has 22 or 23 dimples, i.e., X5=22 or 23. The sixth dimple set has 16, 17, or 18 dimples, i.e., X6=16, 17, or 18. The seventh dimple set has 12 dimples, i.e., X7=12. The eighth dimple set has 6 dimples, i.e., X8=6. The ninth dimple set has a single dimple, i.e., X9=1.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first dimple of the second dimple set (e.g., the dimple set disposed along latitude line N2) is offset relative to the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface at an angle of from about 5.625° to about 6°, i.e., c2 is a value within a range of from about 5.625° to about 6°. The first dimple of the fourth dimple set (e.g., the dimple set disposed along latitude line N4) is offset relative to the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface at an angle of from about 6.667° to about 6.923°, i.e., c4 is a value within a range of from about 6.667° to about 6.923°. The first dimple of the sixth dimple set (e.g., the dimple set disposed along latitude line N6) is offset relative to the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface at an angle of from about 10° to about 11.25°, i.e., c6 is a value within a range of from about 10° to about 11.25°. The first dimple of the eighth dimple set (e.g., the dimple set disposed along latitude line N8) is offset relative to the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface at an angle of about 30°, i.e., c8 is a value of about 30°.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For instance, less than 9 (e.g., 7 or 8) dimple sets or more than 9 (e.g., 10 or 11) dimple sets can be disposed on the first hemispherical outer surface. Moreover, instead of having the first dimples of the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth dimple sets aligned with the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface, the golf ball can be configured to have the first dimples of other dimple sets aligned with the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface. For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, 8 dimple sets are disposed on the first hemispherical outer surface, with the first dimples of the second, fourth, sixth and eighth dimple sets aligned with the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface and the first dimples of the first, third, fifth, and seventh dimple sets not aligned with the first longitude line of the spherical outer surface.
In some exemplary embodiments, dimples on second hemispherical outer surface 212 are arranged in accordance with the arrangement of dimples on first hemispherical outer surface 211. For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface collectively form a first dimple pattern, and dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface collectively form a second dimple pattern. In some exemplary embodiments, the second dimple pattern is a copy of the first dimple pattern mirrored with respect to the equator of the spherical outer surface and rotated around a rotational axis (e.g., rotational central line 260) of the golf ball by an overall angle, e.g., the angle between longitude line 251 and longitude line 252 in
In some exemplary embodiments, the overall angle is substantially equal to 360 degrees divided by two times a number of the dimples of a dimple set (e.g., 230-1) in the first plurality of dimple sets (e.g., 230-1, 230-2, . . . , 230-K) disposed at a latitude line adjacent to the equator of the spherical outer surface. In some exemplary embodiments, the overall angle is within a range of from about 5.294° to about 5.625°.
In some exemplary embodiments, patterns of dimples on a spherical outer surface (e.g., spherical outer surface 210) of a golf ball (e.g., golf ball 200) can be configured by first dividing the spherical outer surface into a first hemispherical outer surface and a second hemispherical outer surface according to an equator of the spherical outer surface, and then creating a first dimple pattern on the first hemispherical outer surface. The first dimple pattern includes a first plurality of dimple sets, with each respective dimple set associated with a corresponding latitude line in a first plurality of latitude lines on the first hemispherical outer surface. Once the first dimple pattern is created, mirroring and rotating the first dimple pattern to form a second dimple pattern on the second hemispherical outer surface. The mirroring is performed with respect to the equator of the spherical outer surface, and the rotating is performed around a rotational axis of the golf ball by an overall angle. The mirroring is performed prior to, subsequent to or concurrently with the rotating.
Tables I to Table IX below provide examples of specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The examples are offered for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. The values presented in the tables can be actual values as stated but also allow for approximations, inaccuracies and limits of measurement under the relevant circumstances such as a tolerance of from less than one percent to ten percent of the actual value stated.
Table I provides exemplary dimensions in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Table II provides a first exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 173 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.625° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 346 dimples.
Table III provides a second exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 174 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.625° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 348 dimples.
Table IV provides a third exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 176 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.625° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 352 dimples.
Table V provides a fourth exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 181 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.294° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 362 dimples.
Table VI provides a fifth exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 178 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.294° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 356 dimples.
Table VII provides a sixth exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 179 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.294° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 358 dimples.
Table VIII provides a seventh exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 180 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.294° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 360 dimples.
Table IX provides an eighth exemplary dimple arrangement in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the number of dimples for each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface and the circumferential offset angle (e.g., the location relative to first longitude line 251) for the first dimple of each dimple set on the first hemispherical outer surface. In this embodiment, there are 183 dimples arranged in 9 dimple sets on the first hemispherical outer surface. The dimples on the second hemispherical outer surface is a copy of the dimples on the first hemispherical outer surface mirrored with respect to the equator and rotated by an angle of about 5.294° around the rotational central line of the golf ball. The resulted golf ball has 366 dimples.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “about” is relative to the actual value stated, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art and allows for approximations, inaccuracies and limits of measurement under the relevant circumstances. In one or more aspects, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately” may provide an industry-accepted tolerance for their corresponding terms and/or relativity between items, such as a tolerance of from less than one percent to ten percent of the actual value stated, and other suitable tolerance.
It should be appreciated that all numerical values and ranges disclosed herein are approximate values and ranges, whether “about” is used in conjunction therewith. It should also be appreciated that the term “about,” as used herein, in conjunction with a numeral refers to a value that may be ±0.01% (inclusive), ±0.1% (inclusive), ±0.5% (inclusive), ±1% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±2% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±3% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±5% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±10% (inclusive) of that numeral, or ±15% (inclusive) of that numeral. It should further be appreciated that when a numerical range is disclosed herein, any numerical value falling within the range is also specifically disclosed.
It will be understood that when a reference number is given an “ith” denotation, the reference number refers to a generic component, set, or embodiment. For instance, a “dimple set i” refers to the ith dimple set in a plurality of dimple sets.
It will be understood that the terms “latitude” or “longitude”, “north” or “south”, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first hemispherical outer surface could be termed a second hemispherical outer surface, and, similarly, a second hemispherical outer surface could be termed a first hemispherical outer surface, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first hemispherical outer surface” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second hemispherical outer surface” are renamed consistently.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202420164850.4 | Jan 2024 | CN | national |
| 202420985830.3 | May 2024 | CN | national |
