Golf ball dimple profile
AssigneeAcushnet Company
InventorsMichael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention concerns a golf ball with dimples having a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical base shape and a spherical cap with a prescribed point of tangency to the cone sidewall. More particularly, the conical profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (ΦEDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr) which is a measure of the relative curvature of the dimple bottom. These parameters fully define the dimple shape and allow for greater flexibility in constructing a dimple profile versus conventional spherical dimples. Further, conical dimples provide a unique dimple cross-section which is visually distinct.
Claims20
A golf ball dimple consisting of a top conical edge and a bottom spherical cap, and having a defined point of tangency at an intersection between the top conical edge and the bottom spherical cap, wherein a difference between a slope of the conical edge and a slope of the spherical cap at the point of tangency is less than about 2°,
- wherein said dimple has a shape defined by at least a saucer ratio (Sr) and edge angle (ΦEDGE),
- wherein Sr is defined as a ratio of dimple diameter (DD) to spherical cap diameter (DS) and the value of said ratio is between about 0.05 and about 0.75, and
- wherein ΦEDGE is defined as an angle between a first line T1 tangent to the conical edge and a second line T2 tangent to a phantom spherical surface.
A golf ball comprising:
- a generally spherical surface;
- a plurality of dimples separated by a land area formed on the surface, wherein at least one of the dimples consists of a top conical edge and a bottom spherical cap, and having a defined point of tangency at an intersection between the top conical edge and the bottom spherical cap, wherein a difference between a slope of the conical edge and a slope of the spherical cap at the point of tangency is less than about 2°,
- wherein said dimple has a shape defined by at least a saucer ratio (Sr) and edge angle (ΦEDGE),
- wherein Sr is defined as a ratio of dimple diameter (DD) to spherical cap diameter (DS) and the value of said ratio is between about 0.05 and about 0.75, and
- wherein ΦEDGE is defined as an angle between a first line T1 tangent to the conical edge and a second line T2 tangent to a phantom spherical surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.