Abstract:
A golf ball having an improved surface pattern is disclosed. The golf ball has one or more bands on its surface. These bands may be either channels or raised beads. The bands have variable widths and/or heights/depths, either within the same band or between bands. These bands may decrease drag, or may increase lift. These bands may be linear, or may be curved, and may or may not fully circumscribe the golf ball. These channels or ridges may also be combined with traditional or non-traditional dimples.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/233,649, filed on Sep. 19, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, which is itself a continuation in part of Ser. No. 11/025,952, filed on Jan. 3, 2005 and published under U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0148591 A1 on Jul. 6, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/061,779, filed on Apr. 3, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser No. 11/141,093, filed on May 31, 2005 and published under U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0221916 A1 on Oct. 6, 2005, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/077,090 filed on Feb. 15, 2002 and patented as U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,426 B2 on Jun. 14, 2005. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/061,779 and 11/141,093 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,426 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to golf balls, and more particularly, to golf balls having improved surface patterns. More specifically, the present invention relates to golf balls having variable width/depth ridges or channels on the golf ball surface. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Golf balls generally include a spherical outer surface with a plurality of dimples formed thereon. Conventional dimples are circular depressions that reduce drag and increase lift. These dimples are formed where a dimple wall slopes away from the outer surface of the ball forming the depression. 
         [0004]    Drag is the air resistance that opposes the golf ball&#39;s flight direction. As the ball travels through the air, the air that surrounds the ball has different velocities, thus different pressures. The air exerts maximum pressure at a stagnation point on the front of the ball. The air then flows around the surface of the ball with an increased velocity and reduced pressure. At some separation point, the air separates from the surface of the ball and generates a large turbulent flow area behind the ball. This flow area, which is called the wake, has low pressure. The difference between the high pressure in front of the ball and the low pressure behind the ball slows the ball down. This is the primary source of drag for golf balls. 
         [0005]    The dimples on a traditional golf ball cause a thin boundary layer of air adjacent to the ball&#39;s outer surface to flow in a turbulent manner. Thus, the thin boundary layer is called a turbulent boundary layer. The turbulence energizes the boundary layer and helps move the separation point further backward, so that the boundary layer stays attached further along the ball&#39;s outer surface. As a result, there is a reduction in the area of the wake, an increase in the pressure behind the ball, and a substantial reduction in drag. It is the circumference of each dimple, where the dimple wall drops away from the outer surface of the ball, which allows dimples to create the turbulence in the boundary layer. 
         [0006]    Lift is an upward force on the ball that is created by a difference in pressure between the top of the ball and the bottom of the ball. This difference in pressure is created by a warp in the airflow that results from the ball&#39;s backspin. Due to the backspin, the top of the ball moves with the airflow, which delays the air separation point to a location further backward. Conversely, the bottom of the ball moves against the airflow, which moves the separation point forward. This asymmetrical separation creates an arch in the flow pattern that requires the air that flows over the top of the ball to move faster than the air that flows along the bottom of the ball. As a result, the air above the ball is at a lower pressure than the air underneath the ball. This pressure difference results in the overall force, called lift, which is exerted upwardly on the ball. The circumference of each dimple is important in optimizing this flow phenomenon, as well. 
         [0007]    By using dimples to decrease drag and increase lift, almost every golf ball manufacturer has increased their golf ball flight distances. In order to improve ball performance, it is desirable to have a large number of dimples, hence a large amount of dimple circumference. In arranging the dimples, an attempt is made to minimize the space between dimples, because such space does not improve aerodynamic performance of the ball. In practical terms, this usually translates into 300 to 500 circular dimples with a conventional sized dimple having a diameter that typically ranges from about 0.100 inches to about 0.180 inches. 
         [0008]    When compared to one conventional size dimple, theoretically, an increased number of small dimples will create greater aerodynamic performance by increasing total dimple circumference. However, in reality small dimples are not always very effective in decreasing drag and increasing lift. This results at least in part from the susceptibility of small dimples to paint flooding. Paint flooding occurs when the paint coat on the golf ball fills the small dimples, and consequently decreases the dimple&#39;s aerodynamic effectiveness. 
         [0009]    Golf ball manufacturers continue to search for more efficient methods of changing the surface of a golf ball in order to improve the aerodynamics or to impart unique aerodynamic properties to golf balls. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed to a golf ball with improved surface patterns. More specifically, the present invention relates to golf balls having a system of variable width and/or height/depth ridges or channels on the golf ball surface. Preferably, the depth of the deepest portions of the ridges or channels may be from about 0.005 inches to about 0.030 inches, more preferably from about 0.010 inches to about 0.020 inches. Preferably, the width of the widest points of the ridges or channels may be from about 0.050 inches to about 0.250 inches, more preferably from about 0.100 inches to about 0.200 inches. 
         [0011]    The present invention is further directed to a golf ball comprising a substantially spherical outer surface and a channel system comprising one or more variable width and/or depth channels formed thereon. The channels of the present invention may be straight or curved, may or may not circumscribe the golf ball. The channels may also be discontinuous. The channels may or may not intersect other channels. They may cover as much of the ball surface as desired, up to virtually 100%, but preferably the surface coverage of the channels is less than about 40%, preferably less than about 30%, or less than about 20% or less than about 10%. The lower percentages are more preferable in cases where the channels are combined with other types of surface texture such as conventional dimples. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, these channels may allow the golf ball to have orientation-specific aerodynamic properties, i.e., to fly differently depending on its orientation when hit off of a tee. In other embodiments, the channels allow the ball to have greater flight symmetry. In some embodiments, there may be both channels and dimples or other features on the surface of the golf ball. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]    Further features and advantages of the invention can be ascertained from the following detailed description that is provided in connection with the drawings described below: 
           [0014]      FIGS. 1-11  show exemplary channel patterns for golf balls of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary raised bead pattern for golf balls of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 13 to 26  show exemplary channel patterns comprising hubs for golf balls of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 27  is a diagram showing a preferred way to measure the depth of a channel of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 28  is a diagram showing a preferred way to measure the height of a raised bead of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 29  shows an exemplary channel pattern wherein the spaces between the primary channel system are filled with a secondary channel system, texture, or dimples; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 30  shows an exemplary channel pattern and dimples. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 , the present invention comprises a golf ball  10  having a system of bands, comprising one or more bands  12  to improve the ball&#39;s aerodynamics. Bands  12  are disclosed in the parent case, albeit with smooth side edges and without features to enhance the bands&#39; appearance and aerodynamic properties, as described and claimed herein. A band  12  may be a surface channel  14 , as in  FIGS. 1-11 , or a raised bead  16 , as in  FIG. 12 . Channels  14  have an elevation lower than the outer surface of ball  10 , and beads  16  have an elevation higher than the outer surface of ball  10 . Bands  12  have a variable width and/or depth/height, either within the same band (intra-band) or between bands (inter-band), and may be continuous or discontinuous. Bands  12  may have any desired shape or pattern. This may include, but is not limited to, geometric patterns, fractal patterns, irregular patterns, linear and non-linear lines, and the like. In one embodiment, it may be desirable for the pattern to be a combination of at least two of geometric patterns, fractal patterns, irregular patterns, and lines. Golf ball  10  may have a single band  12  that transcribes the ball as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12  or may comprise multiple intersecting or non-intersecting bands  12 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 13-26 . Bands  12  may have any shape, including, but not limited to linear, circular, oval, arcuate, sinusoid, irregular, or combinations thereof. Bands  12  may comprise concave or convex features thereon. Bands  12  may be intersecting, overlapping, non-intersecting, or any combination thereof. Bands may also intersect or overlap with other surface features, such as dimples, inverted dimples, or surface textures. Bands of the present invention may also have any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes, including, but not limited to, semicircular, parabolic, hyperbolic, polygonal, catenary, or irregular, and may have secondary sub-bands or sub-dimples. The cross-sectional shape of a band may also vary or change throughout the length of the band. 
         [0022]    As seen in  FIGS. 13-26 , golf ball  10  may comprise multiple bands  12 . Bands  12  may comprise channels  14 , beads  16 , or a combination thereof.  FIGS. 15-26  are disclosed in related application Ser. No. 11/025,952 and published as U.S. 2006/0148591, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Where ball  10  comprises multiple bands, ball  10  may also comprise one or more hubs  18 . Bands  12  may intersect at hubs  18 . Additional bands  12  may also begin or end at hubs  18 . Hubs  18  may have any shape, and may have an elevation lower than the surface of ball  10  or an elevation higher than the surface of ball  10 . Where all bands  12  are channels, hubs  18  preferably have an elevation lower than the surface of ball  10 . Conversely, where all bands  12  are beads, hubs  18  preferably have an elevation higher than the surface of ball  10 . 
         [0023]    Preferably, bands  12  have a depth or height which varies along their length by between about 0.002 inches and about 0.025 inches. More preferably bands  12  have a depth or height which varies along their length by between about 0.005 inches and about 0.015 inches. Preferably, bands  12  have a depth or height at their deepest or highest points of at least about 0.005 inches and less than about 0.030 inches. More preferably, bands  12  have a depth or height at their deepest or highest points of at least about 0.010 inches and less than about 0.020 inches. Preferably, bands  12  have a width which varies along their length by between about 0.005 inches and about 0.245 inches. More preferably, bands  12  have a width which varies along their length by between about 0.010 inches and 0.195 inches. Preferably, bands  12  have a width at their widest points of at least about 0.050 inches and less than about 0.250 inches. More preferably, bands  12  have a width at their widest points of at least about 0.100 inches and less than about 0.200 inches. 
         [0024]    Generally, it can be difficult to define and measure the width, depth or height, and edge angle of an irregular band due to the relative change in the depth or height due to the shape of the band as compared to the uninterrupted curvature of the ball.  FIG. 27  shows a cross-sectional profile  20  taken perpendicularly across channel  14  extending between the land surfaces to either side of the channel  14 . Due to the effects of ball curvature, the irregular shape of some channels, the depth of a channel is somewhat ambiguous. To resolve this problem, phantom ball surface  22  is constructed above channel  14  as a continuation of land surface  24 . Then, at each local minimum on the channel profile, a line  26  is constructed perpendicular to phantom ball surface  22 , wherein line  26  will pass through the center of ball  10 . Depth of each local minimum along the cross-sectional profile can be determined by measuring the length of line  26  between the channel  14  and the phantom ball surface  22 . The depth of channel  14  is the greatest of the depths of the local minima. Similarly, due to the effects of paint and/or the depression design itself, the junction between land surface  24  and channel  14  is not a sharp corner and is therefore indistinct, rendering the width and edge angle of channel  14  somewhat ambiguous. To resolve this problem, a first tangent line T 1  is constructed at a point P 1  on a sidewall of channel  14  that is spaced about 0.003 inches radially inward from phantom ball surface  22 . T 1  intersects phantom ball surface  22  at a point P 3 , which defines a first nominal edge position. Similarly, a second tangent line T 2  is constructed in a similar manner on the sidewall opposite the sidewall used to generate T 1 . T 2  intersects phantom ball surface  22  at point P 4 , which defines a second nominal edge position. The width of channel  12  is the distance between points P 3  and P 4 . To determine the edge angles, third and fourth tangent lines T 3  and T 4  are constructed at points P 3  and P 4 , respectively, on the phantom ball surface  22 . The edge angle at one side of the channel is the angle between T 1  and T 3 , and the edge angle at the other side is the angle between T 2  and T 4 .  FIG. 28  shows a cross-sectional profile  20  taken perpendicularly across a raised bead  16 , in a manner similar to  FIG. 27 . While the procedure for determining the width, height, and edge angles of raised bead  16  are similar to the procedure for determining the width, depth, and edge angles of channel  14 , there are several differences. First, local maxima on cross-sectional profile  20  are used to determine line(s)  26 , and the height of bead  16  is the greatest of the heights of the local maxima. Second, tangent lines T 1  and T 2  are constructed tangent to the sidewalls at points 0.003 inches radially outward from phantom ball surface  22 . Points P 3  and P 4  are constructed as described above, and the width of bead  16  is the distance between points P 3  and P 4 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , ball  10  has a band system comprising at least a single channel  14  that circumscribes ball  10 . In this embodiment, channel  14  has a width that varies sinusoidally between about 0.067 inches and about 0.120 inches. Channel  14  comprises about 6 percent of the surface of ball  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 13-14 , ball  10  has a band system comprising a plurality of channels  14  and hubs  18 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , the band system comprises about 54 percent of the ball surface. Thus, bands  12  may comprise a large percentage of the ball surface, but in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, they preferably comprise about 40 percent or less of the ball surface, more preferably, about 30 percent or less, about 20 percent or less, or about 10 percent or less. The combination of relatively low coverage and variable width and height/depth provides a unique aerodynamic package for golf ball  10  that cannot be achieved with conventional circular dimples alone. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates a channel  14  similar to that of  FIG. 1 , except that a wavy channel  14  has a substantially V-shaped bottom with line  15  representing the lowest portion of the channel.  FIG. 3  also illustrates a channel  14  that is similar to that of  FIG. 1 , except that the bottom of the channel is substantially flat. The junctions between the substantially flat bottom and the sidewalls of the channel produce wavy lines that are substantially in phase with their corresponding channel edges. Alternatively, the wavy lines are substantially out of phase.  FIG. 4  illustrates a channel  14  that comprises a plurality of starburst shapes  17  connected in series to each other.  FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative comprising starbursts  17  separated by round or oval shapes  19 . Channel  14  can be segmented as shown in  FIG. 6  and in  FIG. 8 , wherein the segments can be round or oval.  FIG. 7  shows that channel  14  can have segmented sidewalls and a substantially flat bottom. Channel  14  may comprise a broken line, as shown in  FIG. 9 . Starbursts  17  can also be separated or spaced apart, as shown in  FIG. 10 , as can more rounded shapes as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-12 , the edges of channel  14  or bead  16  are not straight or smooth similar to those disclosed in the parent application, but these edges are wavy, jagged, broken. As a result, the width of channels  14  and beads  16  are preferably varying or non-constant. 
         [0028]    Channels  14  may comprise a large percentage of the ball surface, but in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, they preferably comprise about 40% or less of the ball surface, more preferably about 30% or less, about 20% or less or about 10% or less. The lower percentages are more preferable in cases where the channels are combined with other types of surface texture such as conventional dimples. The combination of a relatively low coverage of the ball surface, i.e., about 40% or less, and relatively steep edge angle, i.e., about 16° or more, provides a unique aerodynamic package for golf ball  10  of the present invention that cannot be achieved with conventional circular dimples alone. 
         [0029]    Preferably, channels  14  have an edge angle that is steeper than edge angles for conventional circular dimples. In one example, channels  12  have substantially the same depth as conventional circular dimples, but have a width that is significantly less than the diameter of conventional circular dimples, causing the edge angle to be steeper than the edge angle of conventional circular dimples, which typically ranges from 12°-16°. The edge angle of channels  12  is preferably greater than about 16°, more preferably greater than about 18°, and more preferably greater than about 20°. The edge angle can range from about 16° to about 90°, preferably from about 18° to about 40°, and more preferably from about 20° to about  30 °. Referring to  FIG. 27 , the edge angles are the angles between lines T 1  and T 3  on one side of the channel, and T 2  and T 4  on the other side. The edge angles on the two sides usually, but not always, agree. 
         [0030]    One advantage of having relatively low surface coverage is that golf ball  10  behaves more like a true sphere and less like a faceted object when putting. This results in a truer direction of departure from the putter face, and a truer roll along the ground. This would be advantageous to all golfers, but especially to highly skilled golfers who will enjoy the full benefit of their putting skills because of the reduced influence of randomness. 
         [0031]    However, it may be desirable to include dimples, bumps, pimples (inverted dimples), or other surface textures on the golf ball surface in addition to the channels. The dimples may be circular, or may have non-circular perimeters such as oval, hour-glass shape, regular and irregular polygons. Accordingly, the dimples may be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or any other suitable polygonal shape or non-polygonal shapes, or may have polygonal and non-polygonal portions. Another advantage of the present invention is that bands  12  having a variable width provide more efficient demarcation lines or groupings of both traditional and non-traditional dimples. Exemplary non-traditional dimples include the surface textures and band systems shown in  FIGS. 15-26 . In one example, the surface pattern shown in  FIGS. 24 and 25  are added to a portion of ball  10 , illustrated in  FIG. 29  at grouping  30 . All surface patterns disclosed in this parent application can be used in the present invention. This pattern may be added to all the areas not covered by channels  12 , or combinations of distinct patterns can be used. Traditional circular dimples can also be used, as shown in grouping  32 . Non-traditional dimples such as figure-eight or barbell dimples can be used as well. 
         [0032]    The channels are combined with dimples to increase the percentage of golf ball surface covered in dimples and channels to a level comparable to or greater than traditional golf balls. In one example, the surface coverage of bands  12  is in between about 5% to about 40% and the dimple coverage can be from about 40% to about 90%, with a total dimple/band coverage ranging from about 60% to 100%. More preferably, the total dimple/band coverage ranges from about 70% to 90%, and most preferably from about 75% to 85%. The synergistic combination of traditional dimples and a variable width band can be seen in  FIG. 30 . In this embodiment, variable width of channel  14  allows channel  14  and dimples  28  to achieve tighter packing on surface of golf ball  10 . The waviness of the width of channel  14  can accept circular dimples at the troughs of the waves, to increase dimple packing. Channel  14  may also overlap the parting line from the molding process, thereby masking the parting line. Thus, overall surface coverage increases over either the use of non-variable width channels along with dimples or dimples alone. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 9-11 , channel  14  is dis- or non-continuous, wherein the channel takes the form of hash marks or dotted-line appearance with land area interspersed within an otherwise continuous band. This allows another unique aerodynamic package, by providing additional methods of perturbing the boundary layer flow. 
         [0034]    While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein fulfill the objectives of the present invention, it is appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Additionally, feature(s) and/or element(s) from any embodiment may be used singly or in combination with other embodiment(s) and steps or elements from methods in accordance with the present invention can be executed or performed in any suitable order. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.