Low trajectory long distance golf ball

• US 4,858,923 A
• Filed: 06/14/1988
• Issued: 08/22/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Brown, Robert A., Gobush, William, Berard, Raymond A., Jepson, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/207,017
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 273/62, 273/232, 273/235 R, 273/235 A, 273/235 B, 273/214-231
• US Class Current: 473/365
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0004 Surface depressions or protrusions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0012 Dimple profile, i.e. cross-sectional view
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0018 Specified number of dimples
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0019 Specified dimple depth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/002 Specified dimple diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0024 Materials other than ionomers or polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0052 Liquid cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0053 Thread wound
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0064 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0083 Weight; Mass
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0096 Spin rate

Abstract

A golf ball with improved distance is disclosed. The golf ball has a relatively low spin velocity coupled with a particular dimple number, diameter, depth and arrangement. The ball is characterized by a lower flight trajectory and longer total distance. The golf ball has 384 dimples ±3% and the dimples preferably have an average diameter of 0.145-0.155 inches and an average depth of 0.0103-0.0123 inches. The golf ball core can be either thread wound or solid. The cover can be transpolyisoprene or an ionomer.

The materials of the core and cover are selected so that the golf ball has a spin velocity below 2900 rpm when hit at 230 feet per second by an implement having a face angle of 13° with respect to the vertical. The dimples are substantially evenly spaced over the surface of the golf ball, and the dimple depth, diameter and number are interrelated according to the following formula:

[554.3(d-x)-37(D-y].sup.2 +[138.6(D-y)+926(d-x)].sup.2=S

wherein:

d=average dimple depth

D=average dimple diameter

x=0.275-0.0041667N

y=0.2790-0.033N

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100 S≧O≦1.

Claims

1. A golf ball having a core and a cover, said golf ball being characterized by:

(a) the materials of said core and said cover being selected so that said golf ball has a spin velocity below 2900 rpm when hit at 230 feet per second by an implement having a face angle of 13°

with respect to the vertical;

(b) 384 dimples±

3% substantially evenly spaced over the surface of the golf ball, the dimple depth, diameter and number being interrelated according to the following formula;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">[554.3(d-x)-37(D-y)].sup.2 +[138.6(d-y)+926(d-x)].sup.2 =S

wherein;

d=average dimple depth

D=average dimple diameter

x=0.275-0.0041667N

y=0.2790-0.033N

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100

S≧

0≦

1; and

(c) the dimples being substantially evenly spaced over the surface of the golf ball except for there being no dimples located immediately adjacent the equator of the ball, which equator corresponds to the parting line of the two hemispherical molds used in forming said cover.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein the core comprises a center covered with elastic thread.

7. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein the resin of the cover comprises an ionomer resin.

3. The golf ball of claim 14 wherein the resin of the cover is at least 95% transpolyisoprene.

4. The golf ball of claim 3 wherein the resin of the cover is 100% transpolyisoprene.

5. The golf of claim 4 wherein the diameter of the center is at least 11/8 inch±

0.003 inch.

6. The golf ball of claim 3 wherein the diameter of the center is at least 11/8 inch±

0.003 inch.

8. The golf ball of claim 19 wherein the core is of unitary construction.

9. The golf ball of claim 13 wherein there are 376-392 dimples and the dimples have an average diameter of between 0.145 inch and 0.155 inch and an average depth of between 0.0103 inch and 0.0123 inch.

10. A golf ball having a core and a cover, said golf ball being characterized by:

(a) the materials of said core and said cover being selected so that said golf ball has a spin velocity below 2900 rpm when hit at 230 feet per second by an implement having a face angle of 13°

with respect to the vertical;

(b) dimples, the dimples having an average diameter of between 0.145 inch and 0.155 inch and an average depth of between 0.0103 inch and 0.0123 inch;

(c) the dimples being substantially evenly spaced over the surface of the golf ball except for there being no dimples at the equator of the ball.

11. A golf ball having a core and a cover the core being of thread wound construction and being 11/8 inch 0.003 inch in diameter and the cover being of at least transpolyisoprene, the said core and the said cover being selected so that said golf ball has a spin velocity below 2900 rpm when hit at 230 feet per second by an implement having a face angle of 13°

with respect to the vertical, the golf ball having 392 dimples on the surface thereof, the dimples having an average diameter of between 0.145 inch and 0.155 inch and an average depth of between 0.0103 inch and 0.0123 inch.

12. A golf ball having a core and a cover, said golf ball being characterized by:

(a) the materials of said core and said cover being selected so that said golf ball has a spin velocity below 2900 rpm when hit at 230 feet per second by an implement having a face angle of 13°

with respect to the vertical;

(b) 384 dimples±

3% substantially evenly spaced over the surface of the golf ball, the dimple depth, diameter and number being interrelated according to the following formula;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">[554.3(d-x)-37(D-y)].sup.2 +[138.6(D-y)+926(d-x)].sup.2 =S

wherein;

d=average dimple depth

D=average dimple diameter

x=0.275-0.0041667N

y=0.2790-0.033N

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100

S≧

0≦

1.