GOLF BALL WITH THREE DIMPLE TYPES

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball (5) having a plurality of polygonal configurations (10, 12, 14) around the outer surface of a spherical golf ball for locating dimples on the golf ball (5). The polygonal configurations of this invention include a combination of regular pentagons (10), squares (12), and triangles (14) to cover the outer surface. The preferred golf ball (5) has its outer surface divided into twelve pentagons, thirty squares and twenty triangles. These polygonal configurations can be further divided by fifteen parting lines along great circle paths to define smaller triangles and squares for locating respective dimples. Dimples (60, 61, 62) are preferably circular in shape but can have a non-circular shape within the scope of this invention. An equatorial great circle path is provided to form a mold line for forming a cover of the golf ball in two parts.

Description: GOLF BALL WITH THREE DIMPLE TYPES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golf balls and more particularly to a surface configuration of a golf ball. The golf ball of this invention has a plurality of polygonal configurations projected on the surface of the golf ball for locating dimples which are evenly and uniformly distributed. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART For many years golf balls have been made with surface indentations or depressions, called dimples, to improve their aerodynamic properties in flight. Many efforts have been made to select the optimum number, size and shape of dimples as well as their disposition around the outer surface of a generally spherically shaped golf ball. It is well known in the industry to use a plurality of triangular shaped polygons to divide the outer surface of a golf ball to define curved surface areas for locating dimples on the golf ball. The use of triangles is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,560,168; 4,844,472; 4,880,241; 4,925,193; 4,936,587; and 5,009,427. When twenty curvilinear triangles of equal size are used to cover the surface of a golf ball, the regular polygons form a polyhedron called an icosahedron. Benefits of the icosahedron for dividing the outer surface of the golf ball are well known for providing a golf ball with good aerodynamic features. The use of pentagons is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4, 142,727 and 4,722,529. When twelve curvilinear pentagons of equal size are used to cover the surface of a golf ball, the regular polygons form a polyhedron called a dodecahedron. Benefits of the dodecahedron are also well known for dividing the outer surface of a golf ball. The use of great circle paths around the golf ball is also known in the industry for dividing the outer surface of a golf ball. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,472 discloses fifteen (15) great circle paths defined on the outer surface of a ball for locating dimples. The great circle paths divide each triangle of the icosahedron for a more uniform placement of the dimples. The dimples are made to have a size and shape to fit the polygonal configurations defined on the outer surface of the golf ball. Spherically shaped dimples having circular areas defined on the golf ball are well known in the industry for enabling the golf ball to travel further. The need remains to produce a golf ball with superior aerodynamic symmetry by providing multi-polygonal subdivisions or configurations for locating dimples on the ball's outer surface by using regular polygons of different types. The use of multiple polygons to divide the spherical outer surface of the golf ball should be such that the polygons are distributed symmetrically about the outer surface of the ball. An object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having superior distance, trajectory and flight stability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf ball having a surface divided into a plurality of polygonal configurations or shapes for the location of dimples for enhancing the aerodynamic properties of the golf ball. Another object of the present invention is to locate dimples on the outer surface of the golf ball in such a way that the dimples intersect only some of the great circle paths on the outer surface of the golf ball. Yet another object of the present invention is to locate an equatorial great circle path on the outer surface of a golf ball that can be located for providing a mold line used during the manufacture of the golf ball. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objectives of the present invention are accomplished according to the present invention by dividing the outer spherical surface of a golf ball into a plurality of polygonal configurations, including pentagons, squares and triangles for locating a plurality of dimples on the outer surface of the golf ball. The polygonal configurations of this invention are preferably a combination of regular pentagons, squares and triangles to cover the outer surface. This first plurality of polygonal configurations is generally referred to herein as a "rhombicosadodecahedron". The rhombicosadodecahedron is further characterized by a uniform pattern of pentagons formed over the outer surface each bounded by triangles and squares. A pair of first polygonal configurations, each located on opposite sides of the outer surface, include one of the two poles symmetrically arranged within its boundaries. The outer surface has a plurality of dimples of different sizes. In one embodiment, the dimples are of first, second and third sizes and are generally located to have a first pattern associated with the pentagons, a second pattern associated with the squares, and a third pattern associated with the triangles. Dimples are preferably circular in shape, but can have a non-circular shape within the scope of this invention. In another embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the golf ball includes a plurahty of parting lines along great circle paths of the ball for further dividing the first plurahty of polygonal configurations into a second plurahty of polygonal configurations, each of which are smaller than the polygonal configurations of the first polygonal configurations. The dimples are arranged over the outer surface by being associated with both the first and the second plurality of polygonal configurations. Description of the Drawings The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation view of the outer surface of a golf ball being divided into a plurahty of polygonal configurations according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation view of the golf ball of this invention showing the relative locations of pentagons, squares and triangles formed on the outer surface with a pole at the center of a pentagon; Figure 3 is an elevation view of the golf ball of this invention showing the relative locations of pentagons, squares and triangles formed on the outer surface with a pole at the center of a square; Fig. 4 is an equatorial view of the ball of preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a polar view of the ball shown in Fig. 4 Fig. 6 is an equatorial view of the ball shown in Fig. 4, and includes the polygons projected thereon. Fig. 7 is a polar view of the ball shown in Fig. 5 and include polygons projected thereon. Figure 8 is an elevation view of the golf ball showing circular dimples of three sizes being located on the outer surface of the golf ball to correspond with the polygonal configurations of Fig. 2; Figure 9 is an elevation view of the golf ball of Fig. 4 rotated to show an equatorial great circle path defining a mold line; Figure 10 is an elevation view of the outer surface of the golf ball being further divided by a plurahty of parting lines of the polygonal configurations to form another embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is an elevation view of the golf ball showing dimples located on the outer surface of the golf ball to correspond with the polygonal configurations and parting lines of Fig. 10; Figure 12 is an elevation view of the golf ball showing dimples associated with five parting lines on the outer surface of the golf ball to correspond with the polygonal configurations and parting lines of Fig. 2; Figure 13 is an elevation view of the golf ball of Fig.12 rotated to show an equatorial great circle path defining a mold line; Figure 14 is an elevation view of the golf ball showing non-circular dimples, being triangles and squares, located on the outer surface of the golf ball to correspond with the polygonal configurations of Fig. 2; Figure 15 is an elevation view of the golf ball of Fig. 14 rotated to show an equatorial great circle path defining a mold line; and Figure 16 is a cross sectional view cut through one of the dimples on the outer surface of the ball. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. The golf ball 5 may have a unit construction in a single piece, molded from a suitable rubber or plastic composition; it may be of a two-piece ball construction having a separately apphed cover applied around a core; it may be of a three piece wound ball with a liquid or solid center; or it may be a multipiece sohd golf ball. The cover is molded from a material suitable for golf balls. It may be molded as two separate hemispherical half-shells which are then compression molded around the core. Preferably, the cover is injected molded around the core in a single operation. The dimple configuration will normally be apphed to the ball during the molding of the cover around the core by using appropriately shaped negative molds containing the dimple pattern in reverse. The molded golf ball having the desired dimple configuration may be then painted. Alternately, painting may be unnecessary for one piece golf balls using a cover having a suitable compounding of the composition used. Accordingly, the scope of this invention provides a golf ball mold whose molding surface contains a uniform pattern to give the golf ball a dimple configuration superior to those of the art. The invention is preferably described in terms of the golf ball that results from the mold, but could be described within the scope of this invention in terms of the mold structure that produces a golf ball. To assist in locating the dimples on the golf ball, the golf ball of this invention has its outer spherical surface partitioned by the projection of a plurahty of polygonal configurations onto the outer surface. That is, the formation or division that results from a particular arrangement of different polygons on the outer surface of a golf ball is referred to herein as a "plurahty of polygonal configurations." A view of one side of a golf ball 5 showing a preferred division of the golf ball's outer surface 7 is illustrated in Fig. 1. In the preferred embodiment, a polygonal configuration known as a rhombicosadodecahedron is projected onto the surface of a sphere. A rhombicosadodecahedron is a type of polyhedron which contains thirty (30) squares, twenty (20) polyhedra of one type, and twelve (12) polyhedra of another type. The term "rhombicosadodecahedron" is derived from "dodecahedron," meaning a twelve (12) sided polyhedron; "icosahedron," meaning a twenty (20) sided polyhedron, and "rhombus" meaning a four sided polyhedron. The rhombicosadodecahedron of the preferred embodiment is comprised of thirty (30) squares 12, twelve (12) pentagons 10, and twenty (20) triangles 14. It has a uniform pattern of pentagons with each pentagon bounded by triangles and squares. The uniform pattern is achieved when each regular pentagon 10 has only regular squares 12 adjacent to its five boundary lines, and when a regular triangle 14 extends from each of the five vertices of the pentagon. Five (5) squares 12 and five (5) triangles 14 form a set of polygons around each pentagon. Two boundary lines of each square are common with two pentagon boundary lines, and each triangle has its vertices common with three pentagon vertices. The outer surface of the ball is further defined by a pair of poles and an equatorial great circle path around the surface. A great circle path is defined by the intersection between the spherical surface and a plane which passes through the center of the sphere. (An infinite number of great circle paths may be drawn on any sphere.) The equatorial great circle path in the preferred embodiment corresponds to a mold parting line which separates the golf ball into two hemispheres. The mold parting line is located from the poles in substantially the same manner as the equator of the earth is located from the north and south poles. Referring to Fig. 2, the poles 70 are located at the center of a pentagon 10 on the top and bottom sides of the ball, as illustrated in this view of one such side. The mold parting line 30 is at the outer edge of the circle in this planar view of the golf ball. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the poles 72 are both located at the center of the square on the top and bottom of the golf ball, as illustrated in this view of one such side. (The top and bottom views are identical.) The mold parting line 40 is at the outer edge of the circle in this planar view of the golf ball. Dimples are placed on the outer surface of the golf ball based on segments of the plurahty of polygonal configurations described above. In the preferred embodiment, three (3) dimples are associated with each triangle, five (5) dimples are associated with each square, and sixteen (16) dimples are associated with each pentagon. The term "associated" as used herein in relation to the dimples and the polyhedra means that the polyhedra are used as a guide for placing the dimples. The dimple configuration of the preferred embodiment is shown in Figs. 4 - 7. It is based on the projection of the rhombicosadodecahedron shown in Fig. 2. The ball has a total of 402 dimples. The plurahty of dimples on the surface of the ball are selected from three sets of dimples, with each set having different sized dimples. Dimples 200 are in the first set, dimples 202 are in the second set, and dimples 204 are in the third set. Dimples are selected from all three sets to form a first pattern associated with the pentagon 10. All sides 206 of each pentagon are intersected by two dimples 200 from the first set of dimples and one dimple 202 from the second set of dimples. All pentagons 10 have the same general first pattern arrangement of dimples. Dimples 200, 202 and 204 (from all three sets of dimples) are also used to form a second pattern associated with the squares 12. All sides 208 of each square 12 are intersected by dimples 202 from the second set of dimples, and all squares have the same general second pattern arrangement of dimples. Dimples 202 from the second set of dimples form a third pattern associated with the triangles 14. All sides 210 of each triangle are intersected by a dimple 202 from this second set of dimples. All triangles have this same general third pattern arrangement of dimples. The mold parting line 30 is the only dimple free great circle path on this ball. A major radius (Radius 1) describes the bottom of the dimple (i.e it governs the shape of the dimple toward the bottom of the dimple). A minor radius (Radius 2) governs the shape of the dimple about its circumference. As noted below, in some embodiments, these radii may be equal. Dimple size is measured by a diameter and depth generally according to the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 4,936,587 (the '587 patent), which is included herein by reference thereto. An exception to the teaching of the '587 patent is the measurement of the depth, which is discussed below. A cross- sectional view through a typical dimple 6 is illustrated in Fig. 16. The diameter Dd used herein is defined as the distance from edge E to edge F of the dimple. Edges are constructed in this cross-sectional view of the dimple by having a periphery 50 and a continuation thereof 51 of the dimple 6. The periphery and its continuation are substantially a smooth surface of a sphere. An arc 52 is inset about 0.003 inches below curve 50-51-50 and intersects the dimple at point E' and F\ Tangents 53 and 53' are tangent to the dimple 6 at points E' and F' respectively and intersect periphery continuation 51 at edges E and F respectively. The exception to the teaching of '587 noted above is that the depth d is defined herein to be the distance from the chord 55 between edges E an F of the dimple 6 to the deepest part of the dimple cross sectional surface 6 (a), rather than a continuation of the periphery 51 of an outer surface 50 of the golf ball. In the preferred embodiment, dimples 200 from the first set have a diameter of 0.156 inches; dimples 202 from the second set have a diameter of 0.145 inches, and dimples 204 from the third set have a diameter of 0.140 inches. All dimples, 200, 202 and 204 have a depth of .0061 inches, and they are dual radius in cross section, which means that there is a major radius (radius 1) describing the bottom of the dimple, and a minor radius (radius 2) describing the side radius of the dimple. The major radius (radius 1) for all of the dimples in the preferred embodiment is .7874 inches, and the minor radius (radius 2) for all of the dimples is .1181 inches. However, it is understood that the following dimple size ranges are within the scope of this invention: dimples 200 from the first set may have a diameter in the range of 0.154 inches to 0.158 inches; dimples 202 from the second set may have a diameter in the range of 0.145 to 0.148 inches; dimples 204 from the third set may have a diameter in the range of 0.13 to 0.14 inches; all dimples, 200, 202 and 204 may have a depth in the range of 0.0054 inches to 0.0064 inches; the major radius may be in the range of 0.75 to 0.80 inches; and the minor radius may be in the range of 0.10 inches to 0.12 inches. In some cases, the major radius may be equal to the minor radius. Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the present invention. The dimples are arranged on the surface of the ball based on the projection of the rhombicosadodecahedron as shown in Fig. 2. The poles are located at the center of the pentagons on the top and bottom of the balls (Fig. 8). The mold parting (30) line is the only great circle path on the ball that is not intersected by a dimple. A rotated view of the ball shown in Fig. 8 is shown in Fig. 9. A mold parting surface 80 adjacent the mold parting line 30 is formed by defining a great circle path void of dimples. The mold parting line 30 runs through certain of the squares 12a and triangles 14a projected onto the surface. The dimples adjacent the mold line 30 help to form boundaries of the mold parting surface. The plurahty of dimples on the surface of the ball shown in Fig. 8 are selected from three sets of dimple of three different sizes. Dimples 60 are from a first set of dimples, dimples 61 are from a second set, and dimples are 62 from a third set. Dimples 60 and 62 form a first pattern associated with the pentagons 10. All sides 11 of each pentagon 10 are intersected by dimples 61 from the second set and all pentagons 10 have the same general first pattern of dimples. All sides 13 of each square 12 are intersected by third dimples 62, and all squares 12 have the same general second pattern arrangement of dimples. The first dimples 60 form a third pattern associated with the triangles 14. All sides 15 of each triangle 14 are intersected by first dimples 60 and all triangles have the same general third pattern arrangement of dimples. In this embodiment, the dimples 60 are larger than the dimples 61, which in turn, are larger than the dimples 62. The dimples sizes for the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 may be such that a diameter Dd value is in the range of about 0.13 inches to about 0.15 inches and the depth d has a value in the range of about 0.0055 inches to about 0.0075 inches. A secondary partitioning of the outer surface of the golf ball is superimposed on the rhombicosadodecahedron previously described, as illustrated in Fig. 10. For this embodiment the two poles 72 are located at the center of squares and the mold line 40 is formed as illustrated in Fig. 3. This second partitioning is realized by forming parting lines or bisectors 20 along great circle paths that essentially divide each pentagon 10 into ten (10) smaller triangles 36 of equal size. These parting lines 20 also divide each square into four (4) smaller squares 32 and each triangle 14 into six smaller triangles 34. This further division of the outer surface of the golf ball allows the location of dimples over a greatly expanded number of polygonal configurations. It further allows a mold line 40 to be selected to correspond with any one of the parting lines 20 to create a true mold line and fourteen false mold lines. A possible dimple pattern for the polygonal configuration of Fig. 10 is illustrated in Fig. 11. For this embodiment the dimples are located within all fifteen of the parting lines 70. That is, none of the parting lines are intersected by any dimple. Three different dimple sizes are shown in Fig. 11; with the largest sized dimples located within the squares. This arrangement of dimples is illustrative of having no dimples intersect parting lines. The number of dimples in each of the smaller triangles and squares can be substantially different from the number shown, within the scope of this invention. Dimples are, once again, formed and measured as illustrated in Fig. 16. Another embodiment of the polygonal configurations including certain parting lines is illustrated in Fig. 12. This embodiment uses only five parting lines 70a and 70b of the fifteen parting lines 20 illustrated in Fig. 10 These certain parting lines are not intersected by any dimples. The mold parting line corresponds to one great circle path 70b, as illustrated in the rotated view of the golf ball of Fig. 13. The dimple layout in parts of the outer surface adjacent the five great circle paths may be substantially different than the dimple layout in parts of the outer surface not adjacent the five great circle paths. One example of a dimple layout having dimples approximately equal in size is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. Dimple configurations are again defined as illustrated in Fig. 16. The previous embodiments illustrate dimples which are formed as generally circular in a plan view of each dimple. Other embodiments of the present invention include dimples which are non-circular in form, as illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15. These illustrations show the use of the polygonal configurations of Fig. 2; where the pentagons 10 have twenty (20) triangular shaped dimples, the squares 12 have four square shaped dimples and the triangles 14 have four triangular shaped dimples. The triangular shaped dimples have a height in the range of 0.037 inches to 0.149 inches, and a base in the range of 0.037 inches to 0.149 inches. The squared shaped dimples have a height in the range of 0.037 inches to 0.224 inches and a width in the range of 0.037 inches to 0.224 inches. Dimples at the equatorial great circle path defining a mold parting line 30 are divided into two parts, as illustrated in Fig. 9. Each one of the parts appears in a single one of the polygonal configurations. For the embodiment illustrated, the mold line divides certain square shaped dimples 100 within the squares 12 into two parts 102 and 104. A mold parting surface 30a is formed by partially ehminating the depression of the certain square shaped dimples adjacent to the mold parting line without changing the general shape or location of these dimples. For example, the two parts 102 and 104 of a parted square dimple are essentially the same size and shape as the square dimple 100. The mold parting surface becomes bounded by parted dimples. The irregular shaped dimples are measured on the basis of spherical shaped dimples having equivalent surface areas and cross sectional areas as set forth above. The dimples may be placed on the outer surface of the golf ball to intersect all of the parting lines constructed on the outer surface, none of the parting lines, or only some of the parting lines on the outer surface. When great circle paths are not intersected by dimples they become true parting lines for defining the dimple pattern. Fig. 8 shows all of the parting lines intersected by dimples; Fig. 11 shows none of the parting hnes intersected by dimples; and Fig. 12 shows ten of the parting lines intersected by dimples. The dimples sizes for the embodiments shown in Figs. 11 and 12 may be such that a diameter Dd value is in the range of about 0.13 inches to about 0.15 inches and the depth d has a value in the range of about 0.0055 inches to about 0.0075 inches. While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A golf ball comprising: an outer surface divided into a plurahty of polygonal configurations which include pentagons, squares and triangles; a plurahty of dimples arranged on the outer surface, with a first pattern of dimples associated with each triangle, a second pattern of dimples associated with each pentagon, and a third pattern of dimples associated with each square. 2. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising a first set of dimples, with each dimple in the first set having a first size; a second set of dimples, with each dimple in the second set having a second size; and a third set of dimples, with each dimple in the third set having a third size, wherein the plurahty of dimples are selected from the first set of dimples, the second set of dimples, and the third set of dimples. 3. The golf ball of claim 2 wherein sides of each pentagon are intersected by two dimples from the first set of dimples and one dimple from the second set of dimples. 4. The golf ball of claim 2 wherein sides of each square are intersected by at least one dimple from the second set of dimples. 5. The golf ball of claim 2 wherein sides of each triangle are intersected by a dimple from the second set of dimples. 6. The golf ball of claim 1 further comprising: two poles, an equatorial great circle path defining a mold line symmetrically positioned with respect to said two poles on said outer surface; and a pair of first polygonal configurations each being located on opposite sides of said outer surface to include one of said two poles symmetrically arranged within its boundaries. 7. The golf ball of claim 6 wherein said first polygonal configurations are pentagons. 8. The golf ball of claim 6 wherein said first polygonal configurations are squares. 9. The golf ball of claim 6 wherein the equatorial great circle path is not intersected by any dimples. 14. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said dimples are essentially circular with each one of said dimples having a size defined by a diameter in the range of about 0.13 inches to about 0.14 inches, and a depth in the range of about 0.0054 inches to about 0.0064 inches. 15. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said outer surface is divided into a polyhedron defined as a rhombicosadodecahedron. 16. The golf ball of claim 15 further comprising fifteen parting lines along great circle paths for further dividing said outer surface, said parting lines combining to essentially divide each pentagon into ten smaller triangles of equal size, each triangle into six triangles of equal size and each square into four smaller squares of equal size to obtain an outer surface consisting of smaller triangles and squares. 17. The golf ball of claim 16 wherein none of the parting lines are intersected by dimples. 18. The golf ball of claim 17 wherein ten of the parting lines are intersected by dimples.

Inventors: LEMONS LANE D, STANCZAK MATTHEW B, LEMONS, LANE, D., STANCZAK, MATTHEW, B.
Applicants: DUNLOP MAXFLI SPORTS CORP, LEMONS LANE D, STANCZAK MATTHEW B, DUNLOP MAXFLI SPORTS CORPORATION, LEMONS, LANE, D., STANCZAK, MATTHEW, B.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A63B37
IPC codes: A63B37