JP2019088816A - Dimple patterns for golf balls - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf ball having symmetry and improved flight characteristics is provided. A method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface that arranges dimples in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or irregular polyhedron. This method involves selecting polyhedral control points, generating irregular domains based on these control points, packing irregular domains with dimples, and golfing irregular domains. Covering the surface of the ball. Control points include the center of the polyhedron face, the vertex of the polyhedron, the midpoint or other point on one edge of the polyhedron, and the like. This method preserves the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron while ensuring that large circles resulting from the separation line are minimized or eliminated. [Selection] Figure 11M

Description

  FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golf balls, and more particularly to golf balls which carry a specially packed dimple pattern. More specifically, the present invention forms irregular domains based on polyhedra, packs the irregular domains with dimples, and scatters these domains on the surface of the golf ball, thereby providing dimples on the golf ball surface. On how to arrange

  Historically, dimple patterns have involved a great variety of geometries, appearances and structures. Basically, the layout of the pattern achieves the desired performance characteristics, based on the individual ball structures, material properties and player characteristics that affect the initial launch conditions of the ball. Thus, pattern development is a secondary design process that is used to match the desired aerodynamic behavior to finish the ball's flight characteristics and performance.

  The aerodynamic forces generated when the ball flies are the product of its speed and spin. These forces can be expressed as lift and drag. The lift is perpendicular to the flight direction and is the product of the difference in upper and lower air velocities caused by the rotation of the ball. This phenomenon is largely attributable to Magnus, which studied the aerodynamic forces on rotating balls and cylinders and then explained it in 1853 which explains the Bernoulli's law, the first of aerodynamics. It is described by a simplification of the law. Bernoulli's law shows the relationship between pressure and velocity where the pressure is proportional to the square of the velocity. The difference in speed, i.e., the faster air movement on the upper side and the slower air movement on the lower side, reduces the air pressure on the upper side of the ball and creates an upward force on the upper side of the ball.

  The drag on one side is opposite to the flight direction and orthogonal to the lift. The drag on the ball is due to parasitic drag, which includes shape or pressure drag and viscosity or skin friction drag. A sphere is an object that forms a wall and is itself an aerodynamically inefficient shape. As a result, the accelerated flow field around the ball causes a large pressure difference between the high pressure on the front of the ball and the low pressure on the back of the ball. The low pressure on the back of the ball is also known as wake. In order to reduce pressure drag, the dimples provide a means to activate the flow field behind the ball to delay flow separation or to reduce the wake area. Epidermal friction is a viscous effect that exists close to the surface of the ball in the boundary region.

  Although the industry has continued to make many efforts to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency of golf balls through the turbulent flow of dimples, the industry is the national governing body for golf, namely the United States Golf Association (U.S. It is closely managed by S.G.A.). One of the USGA regulations is that golf balls have aerodynamic symmetry. Aerodynamic symmetry allows the golf ball to fly with little or no change no matter how the golf ball is placed on the tee or on the ground. Preferably, the dimples cover the largest surface area of the golf ball without adversely affecting the aerodynamic symmetry of the golf ball.

  In order to improve aerodynamic symmetry, many dimple patterns are based on geometry. These would include circles, hexagons, triangles, etc. Other dimple patterns are generally based on five platonic solids, which include icosahedrons, dodecahedrons, octahedrons, cubes, or tetrahedrons. Still other dimple patterns are 13 Archimedean solids, for example, a small twenty-two dodecahedron, an orthorhombic twenty-two dodecahedron, a small orthocubic octahedron, a twisted cube, a twisted dodecahedron, or a truncated two Based on decahedron. Furthermore, other dimple patterns are based on hexagonal dipyramids. As the number of symmetrical solid planes is limited, it is difficult to devise new symmetrical patterns. In addition, dimple patterns based on some of these geometries do not provide ideal surface coverage and lead to other detrimental dimple arrangements. Accordingly, attempts have been made to produce golf balls in which dimple properties, such as number, shape, size, volume, and alignment, are often manipulated to improve aerodynamic properties.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,552 (Thurman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,015) discloses a golf ball with an icosahedral dimple pattern, wherein each triangular face of the icosahedron is the corner of the face. Divided by three straight lines bisecting each to form three triangular faces for each icosahedral face, the dimples being consistently arranged in an icosahedral face.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,742 (Mackey) discloses a golf ball in which dimples are packed in a hexagonal and pentagonal 32-sided polyhedron, wherein each hexagon and each pentagon are here The dimple pack is the same in.

  U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,733 (Lee) discloses a golf ball consisting of ten "spherical" hexagons, wherein each hexagon is divided into six equilateral triangles, where each The triangle is divided by a bisector extending between the vertex and the midpoint of the side facing the vertex, the bisector being oriented to improve the symmetry.

  U.S. Patent No. 6,682,442 (Winfield, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,015) uses polygons as pack elements for the dimples to introduce predictable dispersion into the dimple pattern. The polygon extends from the pole of the ball to the separation line. Any space not filled with dimples in the polygon will be filled with other dimples.

U.S. Patent No. 5,562,552 U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,742 U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,733 U.S. Patent No. 6,682,442

  In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface having a separation line and a plurality of dimples. The dimples are arranged into multiple copies of one or more non-regular domains covering the outer surface in a uniform pattern. The non-regular domain is defined by non-linear segments, and one non-linear segment of each of the multiple copies of the non-regular domain forms a separation line.

  In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of arranging a plurality of dimples on a golf ball surface. This method uses the midpoint-midpoint approach to generate the first and second non-regular domains based on tetrahedrons, and the first and second non-regular domains to be mapped spherically, And D. packing the first and second non-regular domains with dimples and scattering the first and second domains to cover the spheres in a uniform pattern. The midpoint-midpoint approach provides a single face of the tetrahedron with a first edge connected at a vertex to the second edge, with the midpoint of the first edge being the midpoint of the second edge And rotate the copy of the segment around the face's communication by connecting the non-straight segment to the segment and the copy sufficiently surround the center, and the first non-regular domain surrounded by the segment and the copy Forming and rotating subsequent copies of the segment about the vertices such that the segments and copies fully enclose the vertices and form a second non-regular domain surrounded by the segments and the subsequent copies.

  In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having an outer surface having a plurality of dimples, wherein the dimples are arranged in the following manner. That is, this method generates the first and second non-regular domains based on tetrahedrons using the midpoint / midpoint method, and maps the first and second non-regular domains to a sphere. , Packing the first and second non-regular domains with dimples, and scattering the first and second domains to cover the spheres in a uniform pattern.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a golf ball having an outer surface including a plurality of dimples disposed thereon. The dimples are arranged in a plurality of copies of the first domain and the second domain, the first domain and the second domain having no large circle consisting of the four first domains and the four second domains It is tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern. The dimple pattern in the first domain is different from the dimple pattern in the second domain. The plurality of dimples includes dimples having at least two different diameters, including a maximum dimple diameter and at least one additional dimple diameter. Each of the two or more different dimple diameters on the ball has a first domain diameter ratio and a second domain diameter ratio defined below.
First domain diameter ratio = SD1 / (SD1 + SD2)
Second domain diameter ratio = SD2 / (SD1 + SD2)
Where SD1 is the number of identical diameter dimples located in the first domain having that diameter, and SD2 is the number of identical diameter dimples located in the second domain having that diameter is there. In specific aspects of this embodiment, SD1 ≦ (SD2) / 2, or SD112 (SD2), for each of the given diameters on the ball. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, SD1 = SD2 for maximum dimple diameter, and SD1 ≦ (SD2) / 2, or SD122 (SD2) for each additional dimple diameter.

  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings form part of and are to be understood in connection with the specification, and in the drawings in which like reference numbers are used to indicate similar parts in the various figures.

1 shows a golf ball having dimples arranged by the method of the present invention. Show polyhedron face. Fig. 2 shows an element of the invention in the polyhedron mace of Fig. 1B. Fig. 1C shows a domain produced by the method of the present invention, packed by dimples, and formed from the two elements of Fig. 1C. 1 shows a single face of a polyhedron with control points. Show polyhedron face. Figure 2 shows the elements of the invention packed with dimples. The dimples generated from the elements of FIG. 3B are packed to show the domain of the invention. FIG. 3C shows a golf ball formed by the method of the present invention generated from the domain of FIG. 3C. 2 shows two polyhedron faces. FIG. 4B shows a first domain of the invention in the two polyhedral faces of FIG. 4A. Fig. 6 shows the first and second domains of the invention in three polyhedral faces. FIG. 5 shows a golf ball formed by the method of the present invention generated from the domain of FIG. 4C. Show polyhedron face. Fig. 2 shows a first domain of the invention in a polyhedral face. Fig. 6 shows the first and second domains of the invention in a polyhedral face. FIG. 5C shows a golf ball formed by the method of the present invention generated from the domain of FIG. 5C. Show polyhedron face. Fig. 6 shows a part of the domain of the invention in a polyhedral face. Fig. 2 shows a domain generated by the method of the invention. FIG. 7 shows a golf ball formed by the method of the present invention generated from the domain of FIG. 6C. Show polyhedron face. FIG. 7B shows a domain of the invention in the polyhedral face of FIG. 7A. 1 shows a golf ball formed by this smiling method. Fig. 2 shows a first element of the invention in a polyhedral face; FIG. 8B shows the first and second elements of the invention in the polyhedral face of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8D shows two domains of the invention, comprised of the first and second elements of FIG. 8B. FIG. 8C shows a single domain of the invention based on the two domains of FIG. 8C. FIG. 9 shows a golf ball formed by the method of the present invention generated from the domain of FIG. 8D. Show polyhedron face. Fig. 8B shows an element of the invention in the polyhedral face of Fig. 8A. FIG. 9B shows the two elements of FIG. 9B in combination forming one domain of the invention. Fig. 10 shows a domain generated by the method of the invention based on the elements of Fig. 9C. FIG. 10 shows a golf ball formed by the method of the present invention generated from the domain of FIG. 9D. The face of a rhombohedral is shown. Fig. 10B shows a segment of the invention in the face of Fig. 10A. FIG. 10B shows the segment of FIG. 10B and its copy that generates the domain of the invention. Fig. 10C shows a domain generated by the method of the present invention based on the segment of Fig. 10C. FIG. 11 shows a golf ball formed by the method of the present invention generated from the domain of FIG. 10D. Show a tetrahedron projected onto a sphere. FIG. 11B shows a first domain of the invention in the tetrahedral face of FIG. 11A. Figure 2 shows the first and second domains of the invention projected onto a sphere. FIG. 11C shows the domain of FIG. 11C scattered to cover the surface of the sphere. 1 illustrates a portion of a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. 5 illustrates another portion of a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. 1 shows a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a portion of a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. FIG. 6 is another portion of a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a portion of a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. FIG. 6 is another portion of a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another portion of a golf ball formed using the method of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method of determining the nearest dimple. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method of determining the nearest dimple. It is the schematic which shows the method of measuring the diameter of a dimple.

  The present invention provides a method of arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in a pattern derived from at least one non-regular domain generated from regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method selects control points of the polyhedron, connects the control points to non-straight sketch lines, patterns the sketch lines in a first manner to generate non-regular domains, and optionally, a second Pattern sketch lines in an aspect to create additional non-regular domains, pack non-regular domains with dimples, intersperse non-regular domains, and cover the surface of the golf ball with a uniform pattern including. Control points include the center of the polyhedron face, the vertices of the polyhedron, midpoints or other points on the edges of the polyhedron, and others. According to this method, the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron can be maintained, and large circles due to separation lines derived from the molding process can be reliably minimized or eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, in a specific embodiment, the present invention involves a golf ball 10 having dimples 12. The dimples 12 are arranged by packing the non-regular domains 14 with dimples, as best shown in FIG. 1D. The non-regular domains 14 are generated in such a manner as to impart more symmetry than conventional balls when they are sprinkled on the surface of the golf ball 10. The non-regular shape of the domain 14 minimizes the appearance and effect of the golf ball separation line from the molding process, giving more flexibility to the dimple arrangement than available in regular shaped domains. .

  For the purposes of this invention, "non-regular domain" refers to a domain that is not at least one, and preferably not all straight with the surface of the ship defining the boundaries of the domain.

Non-regular domains can be defined using any one of the exemplary methods described herein. Each method produces one or more unique domains based on surrounding spheres with regular polyhedra. The vertices of the enclosed sphere based on the vertices of the corresponding polyhedron at the origin (0, 0, 0) are defined in Table 1 as follows.

Each method involves the following unique rules for domains to be symmetrically patterned on the surface of a golf ball. Each method is defined by a combination of at least two control points. These control points are taken from one or more faces of a regular or irregular polyhedron and consist of at least three types, which are the center C of the polyhedron face; the vertices V of the regular polyhedron, It is the midpoint M of the edge of the face of the polyhedron. FIG. 2 shows an example face 16 of a polyhedron (regular dodecahedron in this example), one of each center C, a midpoint M, a vertex V, and an edge E of the face 16. The two control points C, M or V may be of the same or different type. Thus, six methods for use with regular polyhedra are defined as follows.
1. Center to mid point (C → M)
2. Center to Center (C → C)
3. Center to vertex (C → V)
4. Mid point to mid point (M → M)
5. Midpoint to Vertex (M → V)
6. Vertex to Vertex (V → V)

  Although each method differs in detail, all follow the same basic scheme. First, a non-linear sketch line is drawn to connect the two control points. The sketch lines may be of any shape, including but not limited to arcs, splines, two or more straight lines, arcs or curves, or combinations thereof. Second, sketch lines are patterned in a manner specific to the method of forming the domain, which is discussed below. Third, if necessary, the sketch lines are patterned in a second manner to generate a second domain.

Here, referring to FIGS. 5A-5D and FIGS. 11A-11M, the midpoint-to-midpoint method produces two domains that are interspersed to cover the surface of the golf ball 10. This domain is defined as follows.
1. Regular polyhedrons are selected (FIGS. 5A-5D use dodecahedra, FIGS. 11A-11M use tetrahedra);
2. One single face 16 of a regular polyhedron is projected onto the sphere, which is shown in FIGS. 5A and 11A;
3. The middle point M ₁ of the first edge E ₁ of the face 16 and the middle point M 2 of the second edge E ₂ adjacent to the _first edge E ₁ are connected by the segment 18, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 11A. Show;
4. The segments 18 to produce a first domain 14a is rotated at equal rotational angle and rotation at 360 / _{P E} of the center C of the face 16, which is shown in FIGS. 5A and 11A;
5. The segment 18 defines an element 22 with a portion of the first edge E ₁ and the second edge E ₂ between the midpoints M ₁ and M ₂ , which is shown in FIGS. 5B and 11B;
6. Around the vertex V connecting the edges _{E 1} and _{E 2,} the element 22 generates a second domain 14b is patterned, which is shown in FIGS. 5C and 11C. The number of segments in the pattern that generates the second domain is equal to P _F × P _E / P _V.

And the first domain 14a and the second domain 14b is sprinkled as shown in FIG. 5D and 11D when covering the surface of the golf ball 10, full domain 14a and 14b of different numbers of control points _{M 1} and depending on the selected regular polyhedron M ₂ as a basis, provided. The number of first and second domains 14a and 14b which are employed to cover the surface of the golf ball 10, the first domain 14a is _{P F,} the second domain 14b is an _{P V} This is as shown in Table 5 below.

In the specific aspects of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A-11M, the segments 18 form part of the separation line of the golf ball 10. Thus, as the domain is sprinkled to cover the ball face, segment 18 forms with each of its copies produced by steps 4 and 6 above, the ball's truth and two false separation lines.

  After the irregular domains have been generated using any of the methods described above, the domains may be dimple packed so that they can be used to make the golf ball 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 11E-11M, a tetrahedral-based midpoint-to-midpoint method is used to create a first domain and a second domain. FIG. 11E shows the first domain 14a and a portion of the second domain 14b filled with dimples, the dimples of the first domain 14a being indicated by the letter a. FIG. 11F shows the second domain 14b and a portion of the first domain 14a filled with dimples, the dimples of the second domain 14b being indicated by the letter b. 11G shows the first domain 14a and the second domain 14b filled with dimples and scattered so as to cover the surface of the golf ball 10. FIG.

  FIG. 11H shows the first domain 14a filled with dimples and a portion of the second domain 14b filled with dimples, but the dimples are in the domains in a pattern different from that shown in FIG. 11E. Be packed. In FIG. 11H, the first domain 14a is shown by shading. FIG. 11I shows the second domain 14 b and a portion of the first domain 14 a with the dimples filled in the domain in the same pattern as shown in FIG. 11H. In FIG. 11I, the second domain 14b is shown by shading. FIG. 11J shows the first and second domains filled with dimples in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11H and 11I, which are scattered to cover the surface of the golf ball 10.

  FIG. 11K shows the first domain 14a filled with dimples and part of the second domain 14b. FIG. 11L shows a part of the first domain 14a and the second domain 14b filled with dimples. FIG. 11M shows the first and second domains filled with dimples according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11K and 11L.

  In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11E-11M, the dimple pattern of the first domain has three-way rotational symmetry around the center point of the first domain and the dimple pattern of the second domain is , Has three-way rotational symmetry around the center point of the second domain.

  In one embodiment, there is no limitation on how dimples are packed. In another implementation, the dimples are packed so that they do not intersect the line segments. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11E-11M, the dimples are filled in the first domain in a pattern different from the pattern of the second domain.

  In a specific embodiment, the dimples are packed such that all nearest adjacent dimples are separated by substantially the same distance δ, with an average of all δ values between 0.002 inches and 0.020 inches. The individual δ values vary by ± 0.005 inches from the mean value. In the present invention, the nearest adjacent dimple is determined according to the following method. Two tangents are drawn from the center of the first dimple to the potential nearest neighbor dimple. Next, a line connecting the center of the first dimple and the center of the potential nearest neighbor dimple is drawn. If two tangents and a line segment do not intersect another dimple edge, those dimples are considered closest. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, two tangents 3A and 3B from the center of the first dimple 1 are drawn to the next closest dimple 2 that is potentially closest. Then, a line segment 4 is drawn to connect the center of the first dimple 1 and the center of the dimple 2 which is potentially closest to the next. Because lines 3A and 3B and line segment 4 do not intersect the edges of other dimples, dimple 1 and dimple 2 are considered closest. As shown in FIG. 12B, two tangents 3A and 3B are drawn from the center of the first dimple 1 to the next closest dimple 2 that is potentially closest. The line segment 4 is drawn connecting the center of the first dimple 1 and the center of the potentially nearest neighboring dimple 2. Because lines 3A and 3B intersect alternating dimples, Dimple 1 and Dimple 2 are not considered closest. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in practice it is not necessary to draw line segments on the golf ball. Rather, computer modeling programs are preferably used that can perform this operation automatically.

ここで、Ａはディンプルの平面形状面積である。直径測定値は、図１３に従う完成したゴルフボールについて決定される。一般に、ボールの乱れのないランド表面からディンプルを分割する境界の不明瞭な性質のために、ディンプルの直径を測定することは困難であろう。塗料および／またはディンプルの設計自体の影響により、ランド表面とディンプルとの間の接合部は、鋭角ではない場合があり、そのため不明瞭である。これは、ディンプルの直径の測定を幾分曖昧にする。この問題を解決するために、完成したゴルフボールのディンプル直径を、図１３に示す方法に従って測定する。図１３は、ディンプル中心線３１からディンプル３３の外側のランド表面まで延びるディンプルの半分のプロファイル３４を示している。ボール仮想表面３２は、ディンプルの上にランド面３３から連続するものとして構成されている。第１の接線Ｔ１は仮想表面３２から半径方向内側に０．００３インチ離間したディンプル側壁上の点に構築される．Ｔ１は公称ディンプルエッジ位置を定める点Ｐ１で仮想表面３２と交差する。つぎに、第２の接線Ｔ２が、Ｐ１において仮想表面３２に接して構成されている。エッジ角はＴ１とＴ２の間の角度です。ディンプル直径は、Ｐ１とディンプル周囲に沿って直径方向に対向する等価点との間の距離である。あるいは、中心線３１に垂直な方向に測定された、Ｐ１とディンプル中心線３１との間の距離の２倍である。ディンプル深さは、ボールの仮想表面からディンプル上の最も深い点までのボール半径に沿って測定される距離である。ディンプル容積は、仮想表面３２とディンプル表面３４（ファントム表面と交差するまでＴ１に沿って延在する）との間に囲まれた空間である。 Each dimple typically has a diameter within the range having a lower limit of 0.050 or 0.100 inches and an upper limit of 0.205 or 0.250 inches. The diameter of a dimple having a non-circular planar shape is defined by the equivalent diameter d _e , which is calculated as follows:

Here, A is the planar shape area of the dimple. Diameter measurements are determined for the finished golf ball according to FIG. In general, it may be difficult to measure the diameter of the dimples because of the obscure nature of the boundaries that divide the dimples from the undisturbed land surface of the ball. Due to the effect of the paint and / or dimple design itself, the interface between the land surface and the dimple may not be acute and is therefore unclear. This somewhat obscures the measurement of the dimple diameter. In order to solve this problem, the dimple diameter of the finished golf ball is measured according to the method shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows a half dimple profile 34 extending from the dimple center line 31 to the land surface outside the dimple 33. The ball virtual surface 32 is configured to be continuous with the land surface 33 above the dimples. A first tangent T1 is constructed at a point on the dimple sidewall spaced 0.003 inches radially inward from the imaginary surface 32. T1 intersects the imaginary surface 32 at point P1 which defines the nominal dimple edge position. Next, a second tangent line T2 is configured to be in contact with the virtual surface 32 at P1. The edge angle is the angle between T1 and T2. The dimple diameter is the distance between P1 and a diametrically opposite equivalent point along the dimple perimeter. Alternatively, it is twice the distance between P 1 and the dimple centerline 31 measured in the direction perpendicular to the centerline 31. Dimple depth is the distance measured along the ball radius from the virtual surface of the ball to the deepest point on the dimple. The dimple volume is the space enclosed between the phantom surface 32 and the dimple surface 34 (extending along T1 until it intersects the phantom surface).

  In a specific embodiment, all dimples on the outer surface of the ball have the same diameter. It should be understood that "same diameter" dimples include dimples on the finished ball which have a diameter which differs by less than 0.005 inches due to manufacturing variations.

In another specific embodiment, two or more different dimple diameters are on the outer surface of the ball, including the largest diameter and one or more additional dimple diameters. In an exemplary aspect of this embodiment, the dimples are disposed in a plurality of copies of a first domain and a second domain formed according to the tetrahedron-based midpoint-to-midpoint method, the first domain being And the second domain cover the surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern without great circles. The overall dimple pattern consists of four first domains and four second domains. The dimple pattern in the first domain is different from the dimple pattern in the second domain. Each of the one or more different dimple diameters on the golf ball has a first domain diameter ratio and a second domain diameter ratio defined below.
First domain diameter ratio = SD1 / (SD1 + SD2)
Second domain diameter ratio = SD2 / (SD1 + SD2)
Where SD1 is the number of identical diameter dimples located in the first domain having that diameter, and SD2 is the number of identical diameter dimples located in the second domain having that diameter is there. In a specific aspect of this embodiment, SD1 ≦ (SD2) / 2 or SD1 ≧ (SD2) for each of the given diameters on the ball. In another specific aspect of this embodiment, SD1 = SD2 for maximum dimple diameter, and SD1 ≦ (SD2) / 2, or SD122 (SD2) for each additional dimple diameter. The dimples optionally have one or more of the following additional characteristics.
a) The first domain is three-way rotational symmetry around the middle point of the first domain, and the second domain is three-rotation rotational symmetry around the middle point of the second domain .
b) The number of different dimple diameters in the first domain is the same as the number of different dimple diameters in the second domain.
c) The number of different dimple diameters in the first domain is different from the number of different dimple diameters in the second domain.
d) SD1 = 0 or SD2 = 0 for at least one dimple diameter.
e) SD1 = 0 or SD2 = 0 for maximum dimple diameter.
f) SD1 ≧ 1 and SD2 ≧ 1 for all of the given diameters on the ball.

したがって、図１１Ｋ〜１１Ｍで示す実施例において、最大ディンプル直径ＥについてＳＤ１＝ＳＤ２であり、付加的なディンプル直径Ａ、Ｂ、およびＣについてＳＤ１≦（ＳＤ２）／２であり、付加的なディンプル直径ＤについてＳＤ１≧２（ＳＤ２）である。 For example, in FIGS. 11K-11M, the alphabetic labels in the dimples indicate dimples of the same diameter, ie, all the dimples in the label of A have the same diameter and all the dimples in the label of B have the same diameter. And so on. In specific aspects of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11K-11M, the dimples indicated by A have a diameter of about 0.125 inches, and the dimples labeled by B have a diameter of about 0.148 inches. And the dimple labeled C has a diameter of about 0.166 inches, the dimple designated D has a diameter of 0.176 inches, and the dimple labeled E has a diameter of about 0.. It has a diameter of 198 inches. Thus, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11M, when the first domain 14a and the second domain 14b are cut around the outer surface of the golf ball, the overall dimple pattern obtained is a total of 328 dimples And have five different dimple diameters, including a maximum dimple diameter of 0.198 inches, and four additional dimple diameters. The SD1, SD2, first domain diameter ratio, and second domain diameter ratio are given by Table 3 below for each of the five dimple diameters.

Thus, in the example shown in FIGS. 11K-11M, SD1 = SD2 for maximum dimple diameter E and SD1 ≦ (SD2) / 2 for additional dimple diameters A, B, and C, with additional dimple diameter For D, SD122 (SD2).

In particular aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein having two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number D of different dimple diameters on the outer surface is related to the total number N of dimples on the outer surface. And
If N <312, then D ≦ 5,
If N = 312 then D ≦ 4,
If 312 <N <328, then D ≦ 5,
If N = 328, then D ≦ 6,
If 328 <N <352, then D ≦ 5,
If N = 352 then D ≦ 4,
If 352 <N <376, then D ≦ 5,
If N = 376, then D ≦ 7, and
If N> 376, then D ≦ 5.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11J, the total number of dimples on the outer surface of the ball is 300 and the number of different dimple diameters is four. In Figures 11H and 11I, label numbers within the dimples indicate dimples of the same diameter. For example, all dimples labeled 1 have the same diameter, all dimples labeled 2 have the same diameter, and so on. In particular aspects of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11H and 11I, the dimples labeled 1 have a diameter of about 0.170 inches and the dimples labeled 2 have a diameter of about 0.180 inches. And dimples labeled 3 have a diameter of about 0.150 inches and dimples labeled 4 have a diameter of 0.190 inches.

In another specific aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment in which there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number D of different dimple diameters on the outer surface is the total number of dimples on the outer surface. Related to N,
If N <320, then D ≦ 4,
If 320 ≦ N <350, then D ≦ 6,
If 350 ≦ N <360, then D ≦ 4, and
If N ≧ 360, then D ≦ 7.

In another specific aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment in which there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number D of different dimple diameters on the outer surface is the total number of dimples on the outer surface. Related to N,
If N <328, then D> 5,
If N = 328, then D> 7,
If 328 <N <376 then D> 5,
If N = 376, then D> 8, and
If N> 376, then D> 5.

In another specific aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment in which there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the number D of different dimple diameters on the outer surface is the total number of dimples on the outer surface. Related to N,
If N <320, then D ≧ 6,
If 320 ≦ N <350, then D ≧ 7,
If 350 ≦ N <360, then D ≧ 6, and
If N ≧ 360, then D ≧ 9.

ここで、ｘ_ｉはボールの外面上の任意のディンプルの直径であり、ｘは平均ディンプル直径であり、Ｎはボールの外面上のディンプルの総数である。 In a further specific aspect of the above embodiment in which there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of dimples on the outer surface is less than 320 and the number of different dimple diameters is equal to four The standard deviation is less than 0.0175. In another more specific aspect of the above embodiment where there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of dimples on the outer surface is 320 or more and less than 350, and the different dimple diameter is 6 or less, The sample standard deviation is less than 0.0200. In another more specific aspect of the above embodiment where there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of outer surface dimples is 350 or more and less than 360, and the different dimple diameters are 4 or less, The sample standard deviation is less than 0.0155. In another more specific aspect of the above embodiment where there are two or more different dimple diameters on the outer surface of the ball, the total number of dimples on the outer surface is 360 or more and the number of different dimple diameters is 7 or less , Sample standard deviation is less than 0.0200. The sample standard deviation s is defined by the following equation.

Here, x _i is the diameter of any dimple on the outer surface of the ball, x is the average dimple diameter, and N is the total number of dimples on the outer surface of the ball.

  It should be understood that manufacturing variations should be taken into account when determining the number of different dimple diameters. It is also necessary to consider the placement of the entire dimple in the pattern. Specifically, it is assumed that dimples located at the same position in multiple copies of domains joined together to form a dimple pattern are dimples of the same diameter except when they differ by at least 0.005 inches in diameter. Be done.

  There is no restriction on the shape or profile of the dimples selected to pack the domains. Although the invention includes dimples that are substantially circular in one embodiment, dimples or protrusions (brambles) may be employed with any desired properties and / or features. For example, in one embodiment, the dimples may be of various shapes and sizes, including the depth and perimeter of the sy tree. Specifically, the dimples may be concave hemispheres, and may be triangles, squares, hexagons, hanging curves, polygons, or any other shape known to one skilled in the art. These may be straight, curved, with beveled edges or sides. In summary, any type of dimple or protrusion (bramble) known to those skilled in the art may be employed with the present invention. As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1D, and 11E-11M, as long as the dimple arrangement in each of the independent domains is consistent across all copies of the domain on the surface of the particular golf ball. In addition, the dimples may all fit in each domain, or, as can be seen in FIGS. 3C-3D, the dimples may be shared by one or more domains. Alternatively, the studs form a pattern that covers more than about 60%, preferably more than about 70%, more preferably more than about 80% of the golf ball direction, without employing dimples. it can.

  In other embodiments, the domains may not be packed with dimples, and irregular domain boundaries may instead have ridges or grooves. In golf balls with non-regular domains of this type, one or more domains or sets of domains overlap to increase the surface coverage of the grooves. Alternatively, the boundaries of non-regular domains may have ridges or grooves and these domains are packed with dimples.

The alignment of the domains, as defined by the shape of the domains and the underlying polyhedron, when the domains are patterned into golf ball facets, results in a golf ball with a high degree of symmetry, which is 12 Equal to or more than that The order of symmetry of golf balls manufactured using the method of the present invention depends on regular or irregular polygons on which irregular domains are based. The order and types of symmetry of golf balls manufactured based on five polyhedra are listed in Table 10 below.

  The large dimension of symmetry has several advantages, which include, but are not limited to, equal dimple distribution, greater pack efficiency possibilities, and improved means of masking ball separation lines. In addition, dimple patterns generated in this manner will result in improved flight stability and symmetry as a result of the proposed positive large order.

  In another embodiment, the non-regular domain does not completely cover the surface of the ball, and there is open space in the domain of the domain filled with dimples or not filled. This allows asymmetry to be introduced into the ball.

  The dimple pattern of the present invention is particularly suitable for packing dimples on a seamless golf ball. Seamless golf balls and methods of making the same are further disclosed, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 6,849,007 and 7,422,529, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  In a specific aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein, the golf ball of the present invention has the total number N of dimples on its outer surface, where N is an integer divisible by 4 and ranging from 260 to 424. It is inside. In another specific aspect, the golf balls of the present invention have a total number N of dimples on the outer surface of 300 or 312 or 328 or 348 or 352 or 376 or 388.

The aerodynamic characteristics of the golf ball of the present invention can be described by the magnitude of the aerodynamic coefficient and the angle of the aerodynamic force. In one embodiment, based on the dimple pattern generated in accordance with the present invention, the golf ball has a Reynolds number of 230,000, an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.25 to 0.32, and an aerodynamic force angle of 30 °. The spin ratio is 0.085 at 38 °. In another embodiment, based on the dimple pattern generated in accordance with the present invention, the golf ball has a Reynolds number of 180000, aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes of 0.26 to 0.33, and aerodynamic force angles of The spin ratio is 0.101 from 32 ° to 40 °. In another embodiment, based on the dimple pattern generated in accordance with the present invention, the golf ball has a Reynolds number of 133000, an aerodynamic coefficient magnitude of 0.27 to 0.37, and an aerodynamic force angle of The ratio is 0.133 from 35 ° to 44 °. Based on the dimple pattern generated in accordance with the present invention, in many embodiments, the golf ball has a Reynolds number of 89000, aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes of 0.32 to 0.45, and an aerodynamic force angle of It is 39 to 45 °, and the spin ratio is 0.183. In the present disclosure, the magnitude (C _mag ) of the aerodynamic coefficient is defined by C _mag = (C _L ² + C _D ² ) ^1/2 , and the angle of the aerodynamic force (C _angle ) is C _angle = tan ^-1 (C _L / C _D ), where C _L is the lift coefficient and C _D is the drag coefficient. The aerodynamic properties of a golf ball, including the magnitude of the aerodynamic coefficient and the aerodynamic force angle, are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,729,976 to Bissonnette et al., The entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Is incorporated herein by reference. Aerodynamic coefficient magnitudes and aerodynamic force angle values are calculated using the average lift and drag values obtained when testing 30 balls in random orientations. The Reynolds number is the mean of the test and can vary by plus or minus 3%. The spin ratio is the mean value of the test and can vary by plus or minus 5%.

  It is to be understood that when numerical lower and upper limits are indicated herein, any combination of these numbers can be employed.

  All patents, publications, test procedures and other reference materials cited here, including the prior documents, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the present invention.

  Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described, various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will readily occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is understood that you can. Accordingly, the scope of the appended claims is not limited to the examples and descriptions set forth above, but rather the claims are constructed to encompass all of the patentable novel features inherent in the present invention. It is intended to be included and includes all features that one of ordinary skill in the art would treat as equivalent.

10 golf ball 12 dimple 14 domain 16 face 18 segment 20 copy 22 element

Claims (7)

In a golf ball comprising an outer surface and having a plurality of dimples disposed on the outer surface,
The dimples are arranged in multiple copies of a first domain and a second domain, and the first domain and the second domain do not comprise a great circle, and four such first domains and Are joined together to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a unified pattern having four of the second domains;
The dimple pattern inside the first domain is different from the dimple pattern inside the second domain,
The plurality of dimples have dimples having at least two different diameters, including a maximum dimple diameter and one or more additional dimple diameters,
For each of the maximum dimple diameter and the one or more additional dimple diameters:
Either SD1 ≦ (SD2) / 2, or SD1 (2 (SD2),
Where SD1 is the number of dimples located in the first domain having the diameter, and SD2 is the number of dimples located in the second domain having the diameter ball.   The first domain is three-fold rotational symmetric about the central point of the first domain, and the second domain is three-fold rotational symmetric about the central point of the second domain. The golf ball of description.   The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the number of different dimple diameters in the first domain is the same as the number of different dimple diameters in the second domain.   The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the number of different dimple diameters in the first domain is different than the number of different dimple diameters in the second domain.   The golf ball of claim 1, wherein SD1 = 0 or SD2 = 0 for at least one dimple diameter.   2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein SD1 = 0 or SD2 = 0 for the maximum dimple diameter.   The golf ball of claim 1, wherein SDSD1 and SD2 ≧ for all of the given diameters on the ball.

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