Golf ball

Abstract

A dimpled configuration for a golf ball wherein each hemisphere has substantially the same dimple pattern, the dimple pattern comprising a dimple located at each pole, a hexagon formation of dimples comprising six substantially equally spaced lines of dimples radiating outwardly from the pole dimple to thereby define six triangular areas in the hexagon formation, six substantially equally spaced pentagon formations of dimples interposed between the hexagon formation of dimples and the equator of the ball, one side of each pentagon formation being substantially parallel to one side of the hexagon formation, and additional dimples located between the lines of the hexagon, pentagon, and equator.

Description

This invention relates generally to golf balls and more particularly to a specific arrangement of the dimples on a golf ball.

It is generally known that for any given selected number of dimples on a golf ball, it is desirable that the area of the surface of the golf ball covered by the dimples be a maximum in order to provide the best flight characteristics for a golf ball. In British Patent Provisional Specification Serial No. 377,354, filed May 22, 1931, in the name of John Vernon Pugh, there is disclosed the fact that by the use of an icosahedral lattice for defining dimple patterns on a golf ball it is possible to make a geometrically symmetrical ball. This icosahedral lattice is developed by the known division of a sphere or spherical surface into like areas determined by an inscribed regular polyhedron such as an icosahedron. The Pugh specification specifically details the means of plotting the icosahedron on the surface of the golf ball and, accordingly, will not be dealt with in detail here. Thus, with a selected number and size of dimples placed in this icosahedral pattern, the area of the surface of the ball covered by the dimples is fixed.

A problem arises with the Pugh icosahedron golf ball in that there is no equatorial line on the ball which does not pass through some of the dimples on the ball. Since golf balls are molded and manufactured by using two hemispherical half molds normally having straight edges, the ball as it comes from the mold has a flash line about the equatorial line created by the two hemispheres of the mold. Such molding results in a clear flash line. Even if the ball could be molded with dimples on the flash line, the ball could not be properly cleaned and finished in any efficient manner since the flash could not be cleaned from the bottom of the dimple without individual treatment of each dimple.

The Pugh ball is geometrically symmetrical. Any changes in dimple location which affect the aerodynamic symmetry under U.S.G.A. standards will render the ball illegal for sanctioned play. Many proposals have been made and balls have been constructed with a modification of the Pugh icosahedral pattern so as to provide an equatorial line which is free of dimples. Again, it is emphasized that any such modification must be aerodynamically symmetrical.

Other dimple patterns have been proposed which use various geometrical arrangements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,664 to Pocklington et al discloses a golf ball having a dimple configuration arranged in these different patterns comprising a pentagon at each pole, five trapezoid formations in each hemisphere, and five triangular formations in each hemisphere.

U.S.G.A. rules of golf require that the ball shall be designed and manufactured to perform in general as if it were aerodynamically symmetrical. A golf ball which is dimpled in some manner may be geometrically symmetrical and not aerodynamically symmetrical. A perfect example of a golf ball which is both geometrically symmetrical and aerodynamically symmetrical is a smooth sphere. As is well known, this ball is not capable of providing the necessary performance required in present-day golf. To conform, all balls must be aerodynamically symmetrical. This symmetry is determined by actual tests of the ball as it is being struck by a machine which belongs to the U.S.G.A.

It has also been found that it is desirable to cover as much of the surface as possible with the dimples. While a great deal of the surface may be covered by making the dimples quite small, it has been found that this imparts some undesirable characteristics to the ball. At the same time, when larger diameter dimples are used and all the dimples are the same size, they should be arranged so as to cover the maximum surface area of the ball.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dimpled golf ball wherein a substantially maximum area of the surface is covered by dimples.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a dimpled golf ball wherein the dimples are specifically arranged using a hexagon/pentagon arrangement.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a golf ball having a dimple configuration wherein each hemisphere has substantially the same dimple pattern, the dimple pattern comprising a dimple located at each pole, a hexagon formation of dimples comprising six substantially equally spaced lines of dimples radiating outwardly from the pole dimple to thereby define six triangular areas in the hexagon formation, six substantially equally spaced pentagon formations of dimples interposed between the hexagon formation of dimples and the equator of the ball, one side of each pentagon formation being substantially parallel to one side of the hexagon formation, with additional dimples located between the lines of the hexagon, pentagon, and equator to substantially cover the surface of the ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the ball of the present invention taken from one of the poles thereof;

FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along an offset line from the equatorial line of the ball of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view taken along the equatorial line of the ball of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, there is shown a golf ball having two poles P and an equatorial line E--E which effectively divides the ball into hemispheres. Each hemisphere has dimple patterns which are substantially identical, with the equator establishing a dimple-free line about the ball.

Each hemisphere has a dimple located at the pole P. A hexagon formation of dimples is formed by having six substantially equally spaced lines of dimples radiating outwardly from the pole P. Each of the lines of the dimples contains three dimples in addition to the polar dimple P. The last dimples comprising the radiating lines are interconnected by a plurality of dimples so as to form a hexagon having sides 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23 facing the equatorial line. In the illustration of the preferred embodiment as shown, there are two dimples between each of the dimples at the ends of the radiating lines.

The above configuration effectively forms six equal triangles and the triangles all include a further dimple within each triangle.

Six substantially equally spaced pentagon formations are interposed between the hexagon formation of dimples and the equator, with one side of each of the pentagons such as sides 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, and 34 being substantially parallel to adjacent sides 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 23 of the hexagon dimple formation.

FIG. 3 shows one of the pentagons with sides 33, 35, 37, 39, and 41, with one of the points of the pentagon being adjacent the equator E--E. As shown, this leaves a space between the lower legs of the pentagons and the equator, which space is filled with dimples (in this particular embodiment there are three dimples between each of the pentagons).

As is usually the case in forming any dimple configurations about a ball, some slight adjustments are made with the dimples after the basic pattern is arranged so as to avoid overlapping of the dimples and yet covering as much surface of the ball as possible.

In the preferred embodiment, using a standard size golf ball, there are 211 dimples in each hemispherical surface, providing a ball having a total of 422 dimples. In the preferred configuration shown, the dimples all have diameters of substantially 0.140 inch and are all of the same diameter and depth. The depth of the dimples is substantially 0.0098 inch.

With the ball being of a standard diameter and having 422 dimples of 0.140 inch in diameter, the following are the physical coordinates of each of the dimples in one hemisphere. As previously stated, the two hemispheres are substantially identical.

__________________________________________________________________________DIMPLE LATITUDE LONGITUDE DIMPLENUMBER Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds DIAMETER__________________________________________________________________________1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1402 9 53 30 0 0 0 0.1403 9 53 30 60 0 0 0.1404 9 53 30 120 0 0 0.1405 9 53 30 180 0 0 0.1406 9 53 30 240 0 0 0.1407 9 53 30 300 0 0 0.1408 17 18 0 30 0 0 0.1409 17 18 0 90 0 0 0.14010 17 18 0 150 0 0 0.14011 17 18 0 210 0 0 0.14012 17 18 0 270 0 0 0.14013 17 18 0 330 0 0 0.14014 19 46 45 0 0 0 0.14015 19 46 45 60 0 0 0.14016 19 46 45 120 0 0 0.14017 19 46 45 180 0 0 0.14018 19 46 45 240 0 0 0.14019 19 46 45 300 0 0 0.14020 26 39 45 19 18 15 0.14021 26 39 45 40 41 30 0.14022 26 39 45 79 18 15 0.14023 26 39 45 100 41 30 0.14024 26 39 45 139 18 15 0.14025 26 39 45 160 41 30 0.14026 26 39 45 199 18 15 0.14027 26 39 45 220 41 30 0.14028 26 39 45 259 18 15 0.14029 26 39 45 280 41 30 0.14030 26 39 45 319 18 15 0.14031 26 39 45 340 41 30 0.14032 29 40 15 0 0 0 0.14033 29 40 15 60 0 0 0.14034 29 40 15 120 0 0 0.14035 29 40 15 180 0 0 0.14036 29 40 15 240 0 0 0.14037 29 40 15 300 0 0 0.14038 36 35 15 20 30 45 0.14039 36 35 15 39 29 15 0.14040 36 35 15 80 30 45 0.14041 36 35 15 99 29 15 0.14042 36 35 15 140 30 45 0.14043 36 35 15 159 29 15 0.14044 36 35 15 200 30 45 0.14045 36 35 15 219 29 15 0.14046 36 35 15 260 30 45 0.14047 36 35 15 279 29 15 0.14048 36 35 15 320 30 45 0.14049 36 35 15 339 29 15 0.14050 39 28 15 0 0 0 0.14051 39 28 15 60 0 0 0.14052 39 28 15 120 0 0 0.14053 39 28 15 180 0 0 0.14054 39 28 15 240 0 0 0.14055 39 28 15 300 0 0 0.14056 44 37 15 30 0 0 0.14057 44 37 15 90 0 0 0.14058 44 37 15 150 0 0 0.14059 44 37 15 210 0 0 0.14060 44 37 15 270 0 0 0.14061 44 37 15 330 0 0 0.14062 45 27 0 12 25 15 0.14063 45 27 0 47 34 45 0.14064 45 27 0 72 25 15 0.14065 45 27 0 107 34 45 0.14066 45 27 0 132 25 15 0.14067 45 27 0 167 34 45 0.14068 45 27 0 192 25 15 0.14069 45 27 0 227 34 45 0.14070 45 27 0 252 25 15 0.14071 45 27 0 287 34 45 0.14072 45 27 0 312 25 15 0.14073 45 27 0 347 34 45 0.14074 50 43 45 0 0 0 0.14075 50 43 45 60 0 0 0.14076 50 43 45 120 0 0 0.14077 50 43 45 180 0 0 0.14078 50 43 45 240 0 0 0.14079 50 43 45 300 0 0 0.14080 53 8 45 22 45 0 0.14081 53 8 45 37 15 0 0.14082 53 8 45 82 45 0 0.14083 53 8 45 97 15 0 0.14084 53 8 45 142 45 0 0.14085 53 8 45 157 15 0 0.14086 53 8 45 202 45 0 0.14087 53 8 45 217 15 0 0.14088 53 8 45 262 45 0 0.14089 53 8 45 277 15 0 0.14090 53 8 45 322 45 0 0.14091 53 8 45 337 15 0 0.14092 55 57 45 10 46 30 0.14093 55 57 45 49 13 30 0.14094 55 57 45 70 46 30 0.14095 55 57 45 109 13 30 0.14096 55 57 45 130 46 30 0.14097 55 57 45 169 13 30 0.14098 55 57 45 190 46 30 0.14099 55 57 45 229 13 30 0.140100 55 57 45 250 46 30 0.140101 55 57 45 289 13 30 0.140102 55 57 45 310 46 30 0.140103 55 57 45 349 13 30 0.140104 61 25 45 30 0 0 0.140105 61 25 45 90 0 0 0.140106 61 25 45 150 0 0 0.140107 61 25 45 210 0 0 0.140108 61 25 45 270 0 0 0.140109 61 25 45 330 0 0 0.140110 61 59 30 0 0 0 0.140111 61 59 30 60 0 0 0.140112 61 59 30 120 0 0 0.140113 61 59 30 180 0 0 0.140114 61 59 30 240 0 0 0.140115 61 59 30 300 0 0 0.140116 64 24 45 19 34 0 0.140117 64 24 45 40 26 0 0.140118 64 24 45 79 34 0 0.140119 64 24 45 100 26 0 0.140120 64 24 45 139 34 0 0.140121 64 24 45 160 26 0 0.140122 64 24 45 199 34 0 0.140123 64 24 45 220 26 0 0.140124 64 24 45 259 34 0 0.140125 64 24 45 280 26 0 0.140126 64 24 45 319 34 0 0.140127 64 24 45 340 26 0 0.140128 65 56 45 9 25 45 0.140129 65 56 45 50 34 15 0.140130 65 56 45 69 25 45 0.140131 65 56 45 110 34 15 0.140132 65 56 45 129 25 45 0.140133 65 56 45 170 34 15 0.140134 65 56 45 189 25 45 0.140135 65 56 45 230 34 15 0.140136 65 56 45 249 25 45 0.140137 65 56 45 290 34 15 0.140138 65 56 45 309 25 45 0.140139 65 56 45 350 34 15 0.140140 71 35 45 30 0 0 0.140141 71 35 45 90 0 0 0.140142 71 35 45 150 0 0 0.140143 71 35 45 210 0 0 0.140144 71 35 45 270 0 0 0.140145 71 35 45 330 0 0 0.140146 73 15 15 0 0 0 0.140147 73 15 15 60 0 0 0.140148 73 15 15 120 0 0 0.140149 73 15 15 180 0 0 0.140150 73 15 15 240 0 0 0.140151 73 15 15 300 0 0 0.140152 74 31 0 20 7 30 0.140153 74 31 0 39 52 45 0.140154 74 31 0 80 7 30 0.140155 74 31 0 99 52 45 0.140156 74 31 0 140 7 30 0.140157 74 31 0 159 52 45 0.140158 74 31 0 200 7 30 0.140159 74 31 0 219 52 45 0.140160 74 31 0 260 7 30 0.140161 74 31 0 279 52 45 0.140162 74 31 0 320 7 30 0.140163 74 31 0 339 52 45 0.140164 75 29 45 9 59 15 0.140165 75 29 45 50 0 45 0.140166 75 29 45 69 59 15 0.140167 75 29 45 110 0 45 0.140168 75 29 45 129 59 15 0.140169 75 29 45 170 0 45 0.140170 75 29 45 189 59 15 0.140171 75 29 45 230 0 45 0.140172 75 29 45 249 59 15 0.140173 75 29 45 290 0 45 0.140174 75 29 45 309 59 15 0.140175 75 29 45 350 0 45 0.140176 81 41 45 30 0 0 0.140177 81 41 45 90 0 0 0.140178 81 41 45 150 0 0 0.140179 81 41 45 210 0 0 0.140180 81 41 45 270 0 0 0.140181 81 41 45 330 0 0 0.140182 83 48 15 0 0 0 0.140183 83 48 15 60 0 0 0.140184 83 48 15 120 0 0 0.140185 83 48 15 180 0 0 0.140186 83 48 15 240 0 0 0.140187 83 48 15 300 0 0 0.140188 84 37 30 20 26 15 0.140189 84 37 30 39 33 45 0.140190 84 37 30 80 26 15 0.140191 84 37 30 99 33 45 0.140192 84 37 30 140 26 15 0.140193 84 37 30 159 33 45 0.140194 84 37 30 200 26 15 0.140195 84 37 30 219 33 45 0.140196 84 37 30 260 26 15 0.140197 84 37 30 279 33 45 0.140198 84 37 30 320 26 15 0.140199 84 37 30 339 33 45 0.140200 85 5 45 10 13 15 0.140201 85 5 45 49 46 45 0.140202 85 5 45 70 13 15 0.140203 85 5 45 109 46 45 0.140204 85 5 45 130 13 15 0.140205 85 5 45 169 46 45 0.140206 85 5 45 190 13 15 0.140207 85 5 45 229 46 45 0.140208 85 5 45 250 13 15 0.140209 85 5 45 289 46 45 0.140210 85 5 45 310 13 15 0.140211 85 5 45 349 46 45 0.140__________________________________________________________________________

With this particular dimple configuration, and using the dimple size indicated, at least 73% of the surface of the ball is covered with dimples. The ball has the necessary symmetry and flight characteristics so as to meet U.S.G.A. requirements.

It is to be understood that the description and drawings are illustrative only since the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on the spherical surface of the golf ball, said surface defining opposite poles and an equator midway between said poles dividing the surface into two hemispheres, each of said hemispheres having substantially the same dimple pattern, said dimple pattern comprising

a dimple located at each pole;

a hexagon formation of dimples comprising six substantially equally spaced lines of dimples radiating outwardly from said pole and dimples between the outer ends of said liens to thereby define six triangular areas of dimples in said hexagon formation;

six substantially equally sized adjacent pentagon formations of dimples, each comprising five lines of dimples interposed between said hexagon formation of dimples and the equator, one side of each of said pentagon formations being substantially parallel top one side of said hexagon formation, each of said pentagon formations of dimples sharing a common line of dimples with adjacent pentagon formations of dimples; and

additional dimples located within the liens of dimples defining said hexagon formations and said pentagon formation, and between said pentagon formations and said equator.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein all dimples have substantially the same diameter.

3. The golf ball of claim 2 wherein there are 211 dimples in each hemisphere.

4. The golf ball of claim 2 wherein each dimple has a diameter of substantially 0.140 inch.

5. The golf ball of claim 2 wherein said dimples cover at least 73% of the surface of the ball.