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The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with 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 par

The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with 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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A golf ball comprising: a generally spherical surface;a plurality of dimples separated by a land area formed on the surface, wherein the dimples consists of a top conical sidewall and a bottom spherical cap, and having a defined point of intersection between the top conical sidewall and the botto

1. A golf ball comprising: a generally spherical surface;a plurality of dimples separated by a land area formed on the surface, wherein the dimples consists of a top conical sidewall and a bottom spherical cap, and having a defined point of intersection between the top conical sidewall and the bottom spherical cap,wherein a difference between a slope of the conical sidewall and a slope of the spherical cap at the point of intersection 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 0.15 and about 0.65, andwherein ΦEDGE is defined as an angle between a first line T1 tangent to the conical sidewall and a second line T2 tangent to a phantom spherical surface. 2. The golf ball dimple according to claim 1, wherein the slope of the conical sidewall and the slope of the spherical cap at the point of intersection is about equal. 3. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein ΦEDGE is calculated by the mathematical equation ΦEDGE=ΦCAP+ΦCHORD, wherein ΦCAP is defined by the equation sin−1(DD/DB), wherein DD represents the dimple diameter and DB represents the ball diameterwherein ΦCHORD is defined by the equation tan−1{(dCHORD−dSAUCER)÷(RD−RS)}, wherein dCHORD represents chord depth, dSAUCER represents saucer depth, RD represents dimple radius, and RS represents saucer radius, andwherein dSAUCER is defined by the equation dSAUCER=rAPEX−√{square root over ((rAPEX2−RS2))} and rAPEX is defined by the equation rAPEX=RS/sin(ΦCHORD). 4. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said dimples have a volume ratio (VR) defined by the ratio of dimple volume (VD) to theoretical cylindrical volume (VC) and the value of said ratio is in the range of about ⅓≦VR≦½, wherein VD is defined by the equation VD=[⅓πRD2(dCHORD)]−[⅓RS2(dSAUCER)]+[π(dSAUCER) (3RS2+dSAUCER2)÷6], wherein dCHORD represents chord depth, dSAUCER represents saucer depth, RD represents dimple radius, and RS represents saucer radius, andwherein VC is defined by the equation πRD2(dCHORD). 5. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said dimples have a saucer ratio Sr of about 0.20≦Sr≦0.60. 6. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said dimples have a saucer ratio Sr of about 0.25≦Sr≦0.55. 7. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said dimples have a saucer ratio Sr of about 0.30≦Sr≦0.50. 8. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said dimples have a saucer ratio Sr of about 0.35≦Sr≦0.45.