Golf ball

• US 4,936,587 A
• Filed: 12/04/1980
• Issued: 06/26/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Brown, Robert A., Jepson, John W., Lynch, Francis deS.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US06/213,056
• Time in Patent Office: 3,491 Days
• Field of Search: 273/232
• US Class Current: 473/384
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0004 Surface depressions or protrusions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0006 Arrangement or layout of dimples
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0008 Elliptical
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0012 Dimple profile, i.e. cross-sectional view
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0015 with sub-dimples formed within main dimples
• 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

Abstract

Dimples on a golf ball are interrelated by dimple number, dimple diameter and dimple depth and are arranged on the surface of the golf ball in a manner which enables the golf ball to travel further. At least about 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples are less than about 0.065 inches and at least about 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples are greater than about 0.001 inches.

Dimple number, dimple diameter and dimple depth are also interrelated in a specific manner according to the formula: ##EQU1## wherein: d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

S=computed unknown (1.0 or less for present invention)

x, y, a and b are dependent on the number of dimples.

Claims

1. A finished golf ball which has from 182 to 392 dimples in the outer periphery thereof, the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches, and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation, and wherein combinations of the diameter D and depth d of all dimples formed on the ball are defined by the relationship:

##EQU3## in which;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

and wherein;

a value N is obtained by dividing the exact number of dimples by 100, and x, y, a and b are defined by the following relations as functions of N;

when the number of dimples is between 182 and 332;

y=0.323-0.0896N+0.0122N²

x=0.0186-0.00406N+0.000550N²

a=6.30-3.30N+0.693N²

b=3.11-1.03N+0.155N²

and when the number of dimples is between 333 and 392;

y=0.287-0.0383N

x=0.0162-0.00150N

a=4.66-0.500N

b=5.00-1.08N.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

4. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

5. A finished golf ball having from 182 to 332 dimples, the depth, diameter and number of dimples being defined by the relationship:

##EQU4## wherein;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

y=0.323-0.0896N+0.0122N²

x=0.0186-0.00406N+0.000550N²

a=6.30-3.30N+0.693N²

b=3.11-1.03N+0.155N²

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100 and the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation.

6. The golf ball of claim 5 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

7. The golf ball of claim 5 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

8. The golf ball of claim 5 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

9. A finished golf ball having from 182 to 332 dimples, the depth, diameter and number of dimples being defined by the relationship:

##EQU5## wherein;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

y=0.323-0.0896N+0.0122N²

x=0.0186-0.00406N+0.000550N²

a=4.54-2.78N+0.674N²

b=3.09-1.97N+0.412N²

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100 and the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation.

10. The golf ball of claim 9 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

11. The golf ball of claim 9 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of the adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

12. The golf ball of claim 9 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

13. A finished golf ball having from 315 to 340 dimples, the depth and diameter of the dimples being defined by the relationship:

##EQU6## wherein;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

y=0.156

x=0.0117

a=1.1

b=0.55

and the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation.

14. The golf ball of claim 13 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

15. The golf ball of claim 13 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

16. The golf ball of claim 13 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

17. A finished golf ball having on the surface thereof from 315 to 340 dimples, each said dimple being a section of a sphere, each said dimple having a diameter of 0.150 inches and a depth of 0.0125 inches, the dimples being arranged on the surface of the golf ball in the pattern of an icosahedron and the placement of the dimples being such that 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches and less than 0.065 inches.

18. A finished golf ball having from 333 to 392 dimples, the depth, diameter and number of dimples being defined by the relationship:

##EQU7## wherein;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

y=0.287-0.0383N

x=0.0162-0.00150N

a=4.66-0.500N

b=5.00-1.08N

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100 and the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation.

19. The golf ball of claim 18 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

20. The golf ball of claim 18 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

21. The golf ball of claim 18 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

22. A finished golf ball having from 333 to 392 dimples, the depth, diameter and number of dimples being defined by the relationship:

##EQU8## wherein;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

y=0.240-0.0242N

x=0.0225-0.00340N

a=13.6-3.28N

b=5.25-1.25N

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100

and the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation.

23. The golf ball of claim 22 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

24. The golf ball of claim 22 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

25. The golf ball of claim 22 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

26. A finished golf ball which has from 182 to 392 dimples in the outer periphery thereof, the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches, and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation, and wherein combinations of the diameter D and depth d of all dimples formed on the ball are defined by the relationship:

##EQU9## in which;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches and wherein;

a value N is obtained by dividing the exact number of dimples by 100, and x, y, a and b are defined by the following relations as functions of N;

when the number of dimples is between 182 and 332;

y=0.323-0.0896N+0.0122N²

x=0.0186-0.00406N+0.000550N²

a=6.30-3.30N+0.693N²

b=3.11-1.03N+0.155N²

and when the number of dimples is between 333 and 392;

y=0.287-0.0383N

x=0.0162-0.00150N

a=4.66-0.500N

b=5.00-1.08N and wherein the average diameter of all dimples in inches is greater than 0.150 inches.

27. The golf ball of claim 26 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

28. The golf ball of claim 26 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

29. The golf ball of claim 26 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

30. A finished golf ball having from 182 to 332 dimples, the depth, diameter and number of dimples being defined by the relationship:

##EQU10## wherein;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

y=0.323-0.0896N+0.0122N²

x=0.0186-0.00406N+0.000550N²

a=6.30-3.30N+0.693N²

b=3.11-1.03N+0.155N²

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100

the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation; and

wherein the average diameter of all dimples in inches is greater than 0.150 inches.

31. The golf ball of claim 30 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

32. The golf ball of claim 30 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

33. The golf ball of claim 30 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.

34. A finished golf ball having from 182 to 332 dimples, the depth, diameter and number of dimples being defined by the relationship:

##EQU11## wherein;

S=a value of 0 to 1.0

d=average depth of all dimples in inches

D=average diameter of all dimples in inches

y=0.323-0.0896N+0.0122N²

x=0.0186-0.00406N+0.000550N²

a=4.54-2.78N+0.674N²

b=3.09-1.97N+0.412N²

N=the exact number of dimples divided by 100

the placement of the dimples being such that at least 80% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches and at least 55% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches, the edge of the dimple being defined as the point of intersection of the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation and a tangent to the sidewall of the dimple at a point 0.003 inches below the periphery of the golf ball or its continuation; and

wherein the average diameter of all dimples in inches is greater than 0.150 inches.

35. The golf ball of claim 34 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is less than 0.065 inches.

36. The golf ball of claim 34 wherein 100% of the distances between the closest points of the edges of adjacent dimples is greater than 0.001 inches.

37. The golf ball of claim 34 wherein the perimeter of each dimple is circular.