Particular Dimple Detail Patents (Class 473/383)
  • Patent number: 11819738
    Abstract: Golf balls having a dimple pattern arranged in a tetrahedral layout are disclosed. The dimple pattern has four substantially identical dimple sections, where each dimple section is defined by a spherical triangle. The dimples in each of the four dimple sections have at least three different dimple diameters including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter. The resulting dimple pattern has a surface coverage of about 70 percent or less. The reduced surface coverage helps to reduce the flight of the golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Madson, Nicholas Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11794077
    Abstract: Golf balls according to the present invention achieve flight symmetry and overall satisfactory flight performance due to a dimple surface volume ratio that is equivalent between opposing hemispheres despite the use of different dimple geometries, different dimple arrangements, and/or different dimple counts on the opposing hemispheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11697047
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Courtney N. Engle, Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11655326
    Abstract: Provided is a molded body including a polycarbonate-polyorganosiloxane copolymer which contains a polycarbonate block (A-1) formed of a repeating unit having a specific structure and a polyorganosiloxane block (A-2) containing a repeating unit having a specific structure, and in which the content of the polyorganosiloxane block (A-2) is from 20 mass % or more to 70 mass % or less, wherein the molded body has a durometer hardness of from 25 or more to 72 or less measured with a type D durometer in conformity with JIS K 6253-3:2012.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: IDEMITSU KOSAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazushige Ideta, Hirotoshi Ishii, Yasuhiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11654334
    Abstract: In a golf ball having a core, envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover, the (core diameter)/(ball diameter) value falls within a particular range, the core has a specific hardness profile, and the Shore C hardness relationships among the core center and surface hardnesses and the surface hardnesses of the envelope layer-encased sphere, intermediate layer-encased sphere and ball satisfy the following conditions: core surface hardness<surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere<surface hardness of intermediate layer-encased sphere>ball surface hardness,??(1) (surface hardness of envelope layer-encased sphere)?(core center hardness)?28.??(2) Also, the envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover have respective thicknesses which satisfy the condition: cover thickness<intermediate layer thickness??(3) cover thickness<envelope layer thickness??(4) envelope layer thickness?0.8 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11617923
    Abstract: Golf ball having a generally spherical surface and comprising a plurality of dimples separated by a land area formed on the ball surface, wherein the plurality of dimples includes at least one non-spherical dimple having a non-axially symmetric plan shape and a defined point of maximum dimple depth, wherein: (i) each dimple cross-section of the non-spherical dimple consists of two arcs, each arc extending from the defined point of maximum dimple depth to a point at the land area of the golf ball; and (ii) every point on the perimeter of the non-spherical dimple is located at a radial angle, ?, about a unit circle, where 0<?<2?, and the edge angle value of the non-spherical dimple at any given point on the perimeter is defined by the solution of an edge angle function f(?), wherein f(?) is a non-periodic, continuous, differentiable function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11602673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Courtney N. Engle, Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11554294
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Courtney N. Engle, Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11547906
    Abstract: Golf balls having a dimple pattern arranged in a tetrahedral layout are disclosed. The dimple pattern has four substantially identical dimple sections, where each dimple section is defined by a spherical triangle. The dimples in each of the four dimple sections have at least three different dimple diameters including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least one additional dimple diameter. The resulting dimple pattern has a surface coverage of about 70 percent or less. The reduced surface coverage helps to reduce the flight of the golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael Madson, Nicholas Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11207568
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11207570
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 11173346
    Abstract: A golf ball dimple pattern based on a square dipyramid, i.e., two square pyramids connected base-to-base, is disclosed. The dimples are arranged within four substantially identical triangular sections on each of two substantially identical hemispheres of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 11104822
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes for In-Mold coating of a substrate. The processes include: introducing a curable composition to a mixhead at a first elevated pressure, the curable composition comprising a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component, the introducing of the curable composition to the mixhead comprising mixing the first and second polymeric components by impingement to form an intermediate composition; introducing the intermediate composition to a secondary mixer, the introducing of the intermediate composition to the secondary mixer comprising mixing the intermediate composition to form a coating composition; and introducing the coating composition into a mold containing a substrate to form a curable coating on a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Covestro LLC
    Inventors: Jessee McCanna, Kurt E. Best, Robert Wade, Timothy Bish
  • Patent number: 10967228
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the intermediate layer is formed into two layers—an inner layer and an outer layer. The surface hardness of the envelope layer-encased sphere, the surface hardness of the inner intermediate layer-encased sphere, the surface hardness of the outer intermediate layer-encased sphere and the surface hardness of the ball together satisfy a specific relationship. This ball has an excellent flight when struck by golfers whose head speeds are not that fast and has a soft yet good feel at impact, thus making it highly suitable for amateur golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10953288
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover, the envelope layer is formed into two layers—an inner envelope layer and an outer envelope layer. The inner envelope layer-encased sphere, outer envelope layer-encased sphere, intermediate layer-encased sphere and ball have respective surface hardnesses that satisfy a specific relationship. The inner envelope layer or outer envelope layer is formed primarily of one or more thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group consisting of polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, polyurethane elastomers, olefin elastomers and styrene elastomers. This ball has an excellent flight when struck by golfers whose head speeds are not that fast and has a good, soft feel at impact, thus making it highly suitable for amateur golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10850166
    Abstract: This invention provides sports ball having asymmetrical traction and/or asymmetrical surface structure. The asymmetrical traction is useful for differentially controlling ball spin and trajectory height as the ball is projected from a pitching machine. The asymmetrical surface structure is useful for differentially controlling the lateral component of the ball's trajectory. Optionally, the ball is a pitching machine ball. The method also provides a method of projecting the ball from a pitching machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventor: Jazmine Zamora
  • Patent number: 10814179
    Abstract: A golf ball dimple pattern based on a square dipyramid, i.e., two square pyramids connected base-to-base, is disclosed. The dimples are arranged within four substantially identical triangular sections on each of two substantially identical hemispheres of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 10709936
    Abstract: Golf balls including at least one modified dimple group are disclosed. The modified dimple group comprises one or more modified dimples forming an axially symmetric pattern about a Correction Area Centroid located on an axis of symmetry at a latitude greater than 0°, where 0° represents the hemispherical pole and 90° represents the equator. The modified dimples can be altered, for example, by changing dimple coverage, dimple diameter, dimple depth, dimple edge angle, dimple volume, dimple cross-sectional shape, and/or dimple plan shape. Optionally, the dimples have a catenary cross-sectional shape and the modified dimples are altered by changing the shape factor and/or chord depth. Such modifications preferably produce a golf ball that flies more consistently regardless of orientation when struck than a corresponding golf ball without such modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 10610739
    Abstract: A golf ball (20) approaching zero land area is disclosed herein with a plurality of multi-faceted polygons and each of the plurality of multi-faceted polygons has a protrusion extending outward from a surface of the multi-faceted polygon. The golf ball (20) has an innersphere with a plurality of lattice members (40). Each of the plurality of lattice members (40) has an apex and the golf ball (20) of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA-approved golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Grady C. Crahan, David Bartels
  • Patent number: 10532250
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having surface textures with unique appearances and improved aerodynamic characteristics due, at least in part, to the use of curvilinear dimple plan shapes. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by a number of convex or concave arcs that are derived from the vertices of a regular n-sided polygon, for example, an equilateral triangle or square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 10463918
    Abstract: Golf balls including at least one modified dimple group are disclosed. The modified dimple group comprises one or more modified dimples forming an axially symmetric pattern about a Correction Area Centroid located on an axis of symmetry at a latitude greater than 0°, where 0° represents the hemispherical pole and 90° represents the equator. The modified dimples can be altered, for example, by changing dimple coverage, dimple diameter, dimple depth, dimple edge angle, dimple volume, dimple cross-sectional shape, and/or dimple plan shape. Optionally, the dimples have a catenary cross-sectional shape and the modified dimples are altered by changing the shape factor and/or chord depth. Such modifications preferably produce a golf ball that flies more consistently regardless of orientation when struck than a corresponding golf ball without such modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 10369417
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an aerodynamic subsurface for packing dimples. More particularly, the invention relates to a golf ball having an exterior surface and at least a first subsurface containing at least two dimples located solely on the subsurface and lying below the exterior surface of the golf ball. A transition zone between the exterior surface and the subsurface is disclosed having an angle of transition and a top radius and a bottom radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Patent number: 10363457
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an aerodynamic subsurface for packing dimples. More particularly, the invention relates to a golf ball having an exterior surface and at least a first subsurface containing at least two dimples located solely on the subsurface and lying below the exterior surface of the golf ball. The present invention also describes a method for creating the dimple pattern including providing a spherical section having an exterior surface and at least a first subsurface, arranging at least two dimples located solely on the first subsurface and then tessellating the spherical surfaces around the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Patent number: 10245468
    Abstract: In a golf ball, dimples are arranged on a spherical polyhedron formed by dividing a surface of a sphere using small circles and great circles only on the equator, without arranging the dimples on a spherical polyhedron formed by dividing a surface of a sphere using great circles. The formed spherical polyhedron includes two spherical regular hexagons centered on a pole, twelve near-pole spherical isosceles triangles, twelve near-equator spherical pentagons, and twelve near-equator spherical isosceles triangles, in which the dimples are arranged. Thus, a dimple area ratio may be improved by 2 to 4%, compared to the prior art in which dimples are arranged in spherical polygons of a cubeoctahedron (or an octahedron) divided by great circles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: VOLVIK INC.
    Inventors: In Hong Hwang, Kyung Ahn Moon
  • Patent number: 10241967
    Abstract: The present invention is a golf ball which comprises dimples having a cross-sectional shape defined by the superposition of a weighted profile and one or more additional profiles, and a method of making such dimples. The dimples preferably have a circular boundary and maintain an axis coincident with the center of the circular boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 10166440
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical top portion and a non-conical bottom portion. More particularly, the profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (?EDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr). 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 10155136
    Abstract: A golf ball having dimples with cross-sectional profile shapes defined by the product of a base profile and one or more weighting functions, where at least two dimples are modified with a continuous weighting function having different base profiles is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 10150005
    Abstract: Golf balls including at least one modified dimple group are disclosed. The modified dimple group comprises one or more modified dimples forming an axially symmetric pattern about a Correction Area Centroid located on an axis of symmetry at a latitude greater than 0°, where 0° represents the hemispherical pole and 90° represents the equator. The modified dimples can be altered, for example, by changing dimple coverage, dimple diameter, dimple depth, dimple edge angle, dimple volume, dimple cross-sectional shape, and/or dimple plan shape. Optionally, the dimples have a catenary cross-sectional shape and the modified dimples are altered by changing the shape factor and/or chord depth. Such modifications preferably produce a golf ball that flies more consistently regardless of orientation when struck than a corresponding golf ball without such modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 10046203
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical top portion and a non-conical bottom portion. More particularly, the profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (?EDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr). 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 10039958
    Abstract: A golf ball includes plural dimples formed on a surface thereof and plural depressed or protruded portions spaced apart from each other and arranged along an outer periphery of at least one of the plural dimples. The plural depressed or protruded portions each has, as a part of a contour thereof, a shape substantially similar to a part of a contour of the dimple surrounded with the plural depressed or protruded portions. The plural depressed or protruded portions each has a length of more than 1/10 and less than ½ of an outer peripheral length of the dimple surrounded with the plural depressed or protruded portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Sato
  • Patent number: 9950215
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a non-planar parting line about non-circular dimples on its spherical surface. The parting line comprises non-concentric arcs having straight connecting line segments between the arcs. Each arc maintains a tangency with its connecting lines and a relief distance greater than or equal to 0.003 inches when measured from an average non-circular dimple diameter to one of the non-concentric arcs and an absolute relief distance of at least 0.001 inches when measured from all points on the non-circular dimple perimeter to one of the non-concentric arcs. The sum of the lengths of the non-concentric arcs relates to the sum of the straight connecting line segments according to the equation: (0.15)?LARCS??LLINES?(0.50)?LARCS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, David P. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9868031
    Abstract: Golf ball dimples having a cross-sectional profile shape defined by the product of a base profile and one or more weighting functions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 9868032
    Abstract: Golf ball dimples having a cross-sectional profile shape defined by the product of a base profile and one or more weighting functions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 9861859
    Abstract: Golf ball dimples having a cross-sectional profile shape defined by the product of a base profile and one or more weighting functions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Patent number: 9849340
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 has a large number of dimples 10 on a surface thereof. The contours of the dimples 10 are non-circular. A standard deviation of areas of the dimples 10 is equal to or less than 1.7 mm2. A ratio of a total area of the dimples 10 relative to a surface area of a phantom sphere of the golf ball 2 is equal to or greater than 80%. By comparting lines CS obtained by projecting sides of a regular dodecahedron, which is inscribed in the phantom sphere, onto the phantom sphere, a surface of the phantom sphere can be divided into 12 units Ut each of which meets the following mathematical formula (I): ?2?(Nt/12)?Nu?2??(I), where Nt represents the total number of the dimples 10 and Nu represents the number of the dimples 10 on one unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Mimura, Takahiro Sajima, Hyoungchol Kim
  • Patent number: 9844701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples covering greater than 70 percent of the outer surface, wherein at least 20 percent of the dimples incorporate directional surface texturing therein. The directional surface texturing preferably comprises substantially parallel channels or protrusions formed within the dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Patent number: 9789363
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical top portion and a non-conical bottom portion. More particularly, the profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (?EDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr). 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 9776044
    Abstract: In a golf ball including dimples having coma shapes, the dimples are arranged such that one comma shaped dimple replaces a circular dimple, two or more comma shaped dimples of different sizes replace one circular dimple, comma shaped dimples having different shapes are arranged in a mixed type arrangement, circular dimples and comma shaped dimples are arranged in a mixed type arrangement, or a discontinuous annular dimple is added to the comma shaped dimples. Thus, a disadvantage of a large circular dimple may be removed and simultaneously a golf ball with stable flight capability and a long flight distance may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVIK, INC.
    Inventors: In Hong Hwang, Kyung Ahn Moon
  • Patent number: 9764193
    Abstract: Golf balls including at least one modified dimple group are disclosed. The modified dimple group comprises one or more modified dimples forming an axially symmetric pattern about a Correction Area Centroid located on an axis of symmetry at a latitude greater than 0°, where 0° represents the hemispherical pole and 90° represents the equator. The modified dimples can be altered, for example, by changing dimple coverage, dimple diameter, dimple depth, dimple edge angle, dimple volume, dimple cross-sectional shape, and/or dimple plan shape. Optionally, the dimples have a catenary cross-sectional shape and the modified dimples are altered by changing the shape factor and/or chord depth. Such modifications preferably produce a golf ball that flies more consistently regardless of orientation when struck than a corresponding golf ball without such modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 9744405
    Abstract: In a golf ball including dimples having comma shapes, the dimples are arranged such that one comma shaped dimple replaces a circular dimple, two or more comma shaped dimples of different sizes replace one circular dimple, comma shaped dimples having different shapes are arranged in a mixed type arrangement, circular dimples and comma shaped dimples are arranged in a mixed type arrangement, or a discontinuous annular dimple is added to the comma shaped dimples. Thus, a disadvantage of a large circular dimple may be removed and simultaneously a golf ball with stable flight capability and a long flight distance may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVIK INC.
    Inventors: In Hong Hwang, Kyung Ahn Moon
  • Patent number: 9707451
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the alteration of the dimple surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having circular perimeters and dimple profiles having a concentric groove on the surface of the dimple. The golf ball dimples of the present invention provide golf ball surfaces having unique appearances, while maintaining ideal aerodynamic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Patent number: 9656125
    Abstract: A golf ball 2 has, on a surface thereof, a plurality of types of dimples 8 having different diameters from each other. A standard deviation V? of the volumes of all the dimples 8 is equal to or less than 0.095 mm3. The ratio (V?/D?) of the standard deviation V? to a standard deviation D? of the diameters of all the dimples 8 is equal to or less than 0.35. Preferably, the shape of each dimple 8 is a portion of a spherical surface. The standard deviation V? is preferably equal to or less than 0.087 mm3. The ratio (V?/D?) is preferably equal to or less than 0.29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotaka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9649536
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising of non-concentric arcs defining a non-planar parting line on its spherical surface resulting in having a large size disparity between non-circular dimples in one hemisphere and adjacent non-circular dimples from the opposing hemisphere. The parting line is produced by a pair of adjacent non-circular dimples, wherein ?d indicates the average non-circular dimple diameter and N indicates dimples from the Northern hemisphere and those from the Southern hemisphere are indicated by S. A large disparity may be created, if the following condition is satisfied: ? d ? ( N ) ? d ? ( S ) > 1.25 ? ? or ? ? ? d ? ( N ) ? d ? ( S ) < 0.80 .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, David P. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9421423
    Abstract: Non-circular dimples such as oval form dimples are provided on the spherical surface of a ball body. A golf ball includes a spherical land surface of the ball body and a dimple pattern of a plurality of dimples formed on the spherical land surface, the spherical surface of the ball body being divided into a plurality of spherical surface parts (land surfaces) with each polygon faces of polyhedron which is virtually inscribed in said spherical surface of ball body, by a projection method from each polygon faces of the inscribed polyhedron, on each spherical surface parts some or all of the dimples being formed as non-circular dimple having a width of more than 1.5 mm and a length of more than 2 times of the width and the dimple pattern is disposed so as to make vortices generated in the non-circular dimples flow out in at least two different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: HANABI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunao Umemura, Mitsuhiro Saso
  • Patent number: 9403063
    Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls, specifically to a golf ball comprising an aerodynamic pattern having novel shaped dimple structures which reduce the variation in airflow turning angle thereby improving the golf ball's flight performance. The dimple structures have a conical shaped base with a dimple in the center and reduced or no flat land areas between the dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Steven Aoyama, Traci L. Olson
  • Patent number: 9259623
    Abstract: Golf balls include: (a) a golf ball having a first set of construction specifications; (b) a coating of the golf ball having an exterior surface and (c) the exterior surface having an enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nike International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
  • Patent number: 9248345
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf balls and methods to manufacture golf balls are generally described herein. In one example, a golf ball may include a plurality of round dimples and a plurality of non-round dimples. Each round dimple may have a dimple diameter, and each non-round dimple may have a dimple diagonal. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Slick Golf, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Patent number: 9199133
    Abstract: Golf balls having an exterior surface with a predetermined area which is smaller than the entire surface area of the exterior surface and includes enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughness affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
  • Patent number: 9186558
    Abstract: Golf balls having an exterior surface with a predetermined area which is smaller than the entire surface area of the exterior surface, includes enhanced micro surface roughness, and is in the form of an asymmetrical pattern on the exterior surface of the golf ball. The enhanced micro surface roughness affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
  • Patent number: 9108085
    Abstract: Golf balls include: (a) a golf ball having a first set of construction specifications; (b) a coating of the golf ball having an exterior surface and (c) the exterior surface having an enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl