Golf ball dimples with a catenary curve profile

• US 7,163,472 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2004
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Dalton, Jeffrey L., Bissonnette, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden; Raeann
• Application Number:
  US10/827,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20040198537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 473378-385
• US Class Current: 473/383
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0012 Dimple profile, i.e. cross-sectional view
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0019 Specified dimple depth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/002 Specified dimple diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00215 Volume ratio
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0089 Coefficient of drag
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/009 Coefficient of lift

Abstract

A golf ball having an outside surface with a plurality of dimples formed thereon. The dimples on the ball have a cross-sectional profiles formed by a catenary curve. Shape constants in the catenary curve are used to vary the ball flight performance according to ball spin characteristics and player swing speed.

Claims

1. A golf ball having a plurality of recessed dimples on the surface thereof, wherein at least one dimple is defined by the revolution of a Catenary curve, and wherein the ball has a cover hardness of about 45 to about 55 Shore D, a compression of about 60 to 75 Atti, and a shape factor of about 65.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has lift coefficient from 0.09 to 0.27 at a Reynolds Number of 222727 and a Spin Ratio of 0.088.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has lift coefficient from 0.14 to 0.41 at a Reynolds Number of 178182 and a Spin Ratio of 0.110.

4. The golf ball of claim 1,of the plurality of recessed dimples are defined by the revolution of a Catenary curve.

21. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the golf ball has a ball speed from a driver of 140 mph to 155 mph.

5. A golf ball having a core and a cover, wherein the cover has a plurality of recessed dimples on the surface thereof, wherein at least one dimple is defined by the revolution of a Catenary curve, and wherein the golf ball has a lift coefficient from 0.09 to 0.27 at a Reynolds Number of 222727 to 0.088.

6. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the shape factor is from 80 to 100 and the cover has a hardness of 45 to 55 Shore D.

7. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the shape factor is from 70 to 90 and the cover has a hardness of 55 to 65 Shore D.

8. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the shape factor is from 50 to 70 and the cover has a hardness of 45 to 55 Shore D.

9. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the shape factor is from 40 to 60 and the cover has a hardness of 55 to 65 Shore D.

10. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein the shape factor is from 25 to 45 and the cover has a hardness of 65 to 75 Shore D.

11. The golf ball of claim 5, wherein about 30 percent or greater of the plurality of recessed dimples are defined by the revolution of a Catenary curve.

12. A golf ball having a core and a cover, wherein the cover has a plurality of recessed dimples on the surface thereof, wherein at least one dimple is defined by the revolution of a Catenary curve, and wherein the golf ball has a lift coefficient from 0.14 to 0.41 at a Reynolds Number of 178182 to 0.110.

13. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the shape factor is from 80 to 100 and the cover has a hardness of 45 to 55.

14. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the shape factor is from 70 to 90 and the cover has a hardness of 55 to 65.

15. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the shape factor is from 50 to 70 and the cover has a hardness of 45 to 55.

16. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the shape factor is from 40 to 60 and the cover has a hardness of 55 to 65.

17. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein the shape factor is from 25 to 45 and the cover has a hardness of 65 to 75.

18. The golf ball of claim 12, wherein about 30 percent or greater of the plurality of recessed dimples are defined by the revolution of a Catenary curve.

19. A golf ball having a plurality of recessed dimples on the surface thereof, wherein at least one dimple is defined by the revolution of a Catenary curve, and wherein the ball has a cover hardness of about 45 to about 55 Shore D, a compression of about 60 to 75 Atti, and a shape factor of about 80.

20. The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the golf ball has a lift coefficient from 0.09 to 0.27 at a Reynolds Number of 222727 and a Spin Ratio of 0.088 or a lift coefficient from 0.14 to 0.41 at a Reynolds Number of 178182 and a Spin Ratio of 0.110.