Golf ball with improved flight performance

• US 6,729,976 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Dalton, Jeffrey L., Aoyama, Steven, Bissonnette, Laurent C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US10/096,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20030045378A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 473/378-384
• US Class Current: 473/383
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00065 located around the pole or the equator
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0012 Dimple profile, i.e. cross-sectional view
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/002 Specified dimple diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00215 Volume ratio
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0026 Balata
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0077 Physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/008 Diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0083 Weight; Mass
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0089 Coefficient of drag
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/009 Coefficient of lift
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0096 Spin rate

Abstract

A golf ball with aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle, resulting in improved flight performance, such as increased carry and flight consistency regardless of ball orientation. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having increased flight distance as defined by a set of aerodynamic requirements, at particular spin ratios and Reynolds Numbers. The invention is also directed toward golf balls with dimple diameters of greater than 6.5 percent of the ball diameter and dimples with a profile defined by a catenary curve.

Claims

1. A golf ball with a plurality of dimples having an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude defined by C_mag=(C_L²+C_D²) and an aerodynamic force angle defined by Angle=tan⁻

1(C_L/C_D), wherein C_L is a lift coefficient and C_D is a drag coefficient, wherein the golf ball comprises;

a first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.24 to about 0.27 and a first aerodynamic force angle of about 31 degrees to about 35 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 230000 and a spin ratio of about 0.085; and

a second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.25 to about 0.28 and a second aerodynamic force angle of about 34 degrees to about 38 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 207000 and a spin ratio of about 0.095.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, further comprising:

a third aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.26 to about 0.29 and a third aerodynamic force angle of about 35 degrees to about 39 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 184000 and a spin ratio of about 0.106; and

a fourth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.27 to about 0.30 and a fourth aerodynamic force angle of about 37 degrees to about 42 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 161000 and a spin ratio of about 0.122.

3. The golf ball of claim 2, further comprising:

a fifth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.29 to about 0.32 and a fifth aerodynamic force angle of about 39 degrees to about 43 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 138000 and a spin ratio of about 0.142; and

a sixth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.32 to about 0.35 and a sixth aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 44 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 115000 and a spin ratio of about 0.170.

4. The golf ball of claim 3, further comprising:

a seventh aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.36 to about 0.40 and a seventh aerodynamic force angle of about 41 degrees to about 45 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 92000 and a spin ratio of about 0.213; and

an eighth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.40 to about 0.45 and an eighth aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 44 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 69000 and a spin ratio of about 0.284.

5. The golf ball of claim 2, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 6 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

6. The golf ball of claim 3, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 3 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

7. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the plurality of dimples cover about 80 percent or greater of the ball surface.

8. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein at least 80 percent of the dimples have a diameter greater than about 6.5 percent of the ball diameter, and wherein the dimples are arranged in an icosahedron or an octahedron pattern.

9. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein the dimples have at least three different dimple diameters.

10. The golf ball of claim 4, wherein at least 10 percent of the dimples have a shape defined by catenary curve.

11. The golf ball of claim 10, wherein at least a first portion of the dimples have a shape factor of less than 60 and a second portion of the dimples have a shape factor of greater than 60.

12. The golf ball of claim 4, comprising at least one core and at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the layers comprises urethane, ionomer, balata, polyurethane, and mixtures thereof.

13. A golf ball with a plurality of dimples having an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude defined by C_mag=(C_L²+C_D²) and an aerodynamic force angle defined by Angle=tan⁻

1(C_L/C_D), wherein C_L is a lift coefficient and C_D is a drag coefficient, wherein the golf ball comprises;

a first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.40 to about 0.45 and a first aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 44 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 69000 and a spin ratio of about 0.284; and

a second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.36 to about 0.40 and a second aerodynamic force angle of about 41 degrees to about 45 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 92000 and a spin ratio of about 0.213.

14. The golf ball of claim 13, further comprising:

a third aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.32 to about 0.35 and a third aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 44 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 115000 and a spin ratio of about 0.170; and

a fourth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.29 to about 0.32 and a fourth aerodynamic force angle of about 39 degrees to about 43 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 138000 and a spin ratio of about 0.142.

15. The golf ball of claim 14, further comprising:

a fifth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.27 to about 0.30 and a fifth aerodynamic force angle of about 37 degrees to about 42 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 161000 and a spin ratio of about 0.122; and

a sixth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.26 to about 0.29 and a sixth aerodynamic force angle of about 35 degrees to about 39 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 184000 and a spin ratio of about 0.106.

16. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 6 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

17. The golf ball of claim 16, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 3 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

18. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the plurality of dimples cover about 80 percent or greater of the ball surface.

19. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein at least 80 percent of the dimples have a diameter greater than about 6.5 percent of the ball diameter, and wherein the dimples are arranged in an icosahedron or an octahedron pattern.

20. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the dimples have at least three different dimple diameters.

21. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein at least 10 percent of the dimples have a shape defined by catenary curve.

22. The golf ball of claim 21, wherein at least a first portion of the dimples have a shape factor of less than 60 and a second portion of the dimples have a shape factor of greater than 60.

23. The golf ball of claim 13, comprising at least one core and at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the layers comprises urethane, ionomer, balata, polyurethane, and mixtures thereof.

24. A golf ball with a plurality of dimples having an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude defined by C_mag=(C_L²+C_D²) and an aerodynamic force angle defined by Angle=tan⁻

1(C_L/C_D), wherein C_L is a lift coefficient and C_D is a drag coefficient, wherein the golf ball comprises;

a first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.40 to about 0.45 and a first aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 44 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 69000 and a spin ratio of about 0.284 for a ball weight W of 1.62 ounces and a diameter D of 1.68 inches; and

a second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.36 to about 0.40 and a second aerodynamic force angle of about 41 degrees to about 45 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 92000 and a spin ratio of about 0.213 for a ball weight of 1.62 ounces and a diameter of 1.68 inches,

wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes and force angles are adjusted for ball weight and diameter in the following manner;

25. The golf ball of claim 24, further comprising:

a third aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.32 to about 0.35 and a third aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 44 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 115000 and a spin ratio of about 0.170; and

a fourth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.29 to about 0.32 and a fourth aerodynamic force angle of about 39 degrees to about 43 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 138000 and a spin ratio of about 0.142.

26. The golf ball of claim 25, further comprising:

a fifth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.27 to about 0.30 and a fifth aerodynamic force angle of about 37 degrees to about 42 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 161000 and a spin ratio of about 0.122; and

a sixth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.26 to about 0.29 and a sixth aerodynamic force angle of about 35 degrees to about 39 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 184000 and a spin ratio of about 0.106.

27. The golf ball of claim 26, further comprising:

a seventh aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.25 to about 0.28 and a seventh aerodynamic force angle of about 34 degrees to about 38 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 207000 and a spin ratio of about 0.095; and

an eighth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.24 to about 0.27 and an eighth aerodynamic force angle of about 31 degrees to about 35 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 230000 and a spin ratio of about 0.085.

28. The golf ball of claim 24, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 6 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

29. The golf ball of claim 28, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 3 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

30. The golf ball of claim 24, wherein the plurality of dimples cover about 80 percent or greater of the ball surface.

31. The golf ball of claim 24, wherein at least 80 percent of the dimples have a diameter greater than about 6.5 percent of the ball diameter, and wherein the dimples are arranged in an icosahedron or an octahedron pattern.

32. The golf ball of claim 24, wherein the dimples have at least three different dimple diameters.

33. The golf ball of claim 24, wherein at least 10 percent of the dimples have a shape defined by catenary curve.

34. The golf ball of claim 33, wherein at least a first portion of the dimples have a shape factor of less than 60 and a second portion of the dimples have a shape factor of greater than 60.

35. The golf ball of claim 24, comprising at least one core and at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the layers comprises urethane, ionomer, balata, polyurethane, and mixtures thereof.

36. A golf ball with a plurality of dimples having an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude defined by C_mag=(C_L²+C_D²) and an aerodynamic force angle defined by Angle=tan⁻

1(C_L/C_D), wherein C_L is a lift coefficient and C_D is a drag coefficient, wherein the golf ball comprises;

a first aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.40 to about 0.44 and a first aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 42 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 69000 and a spin ratio of about 0.284; and

a second aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.36 to about 0.39 and a second aerodynamic force angle of about 41 degrees to about 43 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 92000 and a spin ratio of about 0.213.

37. The golf ball of claim 36, further comprising:

a third aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.32 to about 0.344 and a third aerodynamic force angle of about 40 degrees to about 42 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 115000 and a spin ratio of about 0.170; and

a fourth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.29 to about 0.311 and a fourth aerodynamic force angle of about 39 degrees to about 41 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 138000 and a spin ratio of about 0.142.

38. The golf ball of claim 37, further comprising:

a fifth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.27 to about 0.291 and a fifth aerodynamic force angle of about 37 degrees to about 40 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 161000 and a spin ratio of about 0.122; and

a sixth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.26 to about 0.28 and a sixth aerodynamic force angle of about 35 degrees to about 38 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 184000 and a spin ratio of about 0.106.

39. The golf ball of claim 38, further comprising:

a seventh aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.25 to about 0.271 and a seventh aerodynamic force angle of about 34 degrees to about 36 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 207000 and a spin ratio of about 0.095; and

an eighth aerodynamic coefficient magnitude from about 0.24 to about 0.265 and an eighth aerodynamic force angle of about 31 degrees to about 33 degrees at a Reynolds Number of about 230000 and a spin ratio of about 0.085.

40. The golf ball of claim 36, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 6 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

41. The golf ball of claim 40, wherein the aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes vary from each other by about 3 percent or less at any two axes of ball rotation.

42. The golf ball of claim 36, wherein the plurality of dimples cover about 80 percent or greater of the ball surface.

43. The golf ball of claim 36, wherein at least 80 percent of the dimples have a diameter greater than about 6.5 percent of the ball diameter, and wherein the dimples are arranged in an icosahedron or an octahedron pattern.

44. The golf ball of claim 36, wherein the dimples have at least three different dimple diameters.

45. The golf ball of claim 36, wherein at least 10 percent of the dimples have a shape defined by catenary curve.

46. The golf ball of claim 45, wherein at least a first portion of the dimples have a shape factor of less than 60 and a second portion of the dimples have a shape factor of greater than 60.

47. The golf ball of claim 36, comprising at least one core and at least one cover layer, wherein at least one of the layers comprises urethane, ionomer, balata, polyurethane, and mixtures thereof.