Golf ball with non-circular dimples

Abstract

A golf ball has a substantially spherical outer surface comprised of a plurality of non-circular dimples. The dimples are formed by a plurality of lobes extending from a central hub, wherein each lobe is defined by a curved outer segment. The curved outer segments form at least a portion of the perimeter of the dimple. The dimples are comprised of at least four lobes. The dimples can also be comprised of a plurality of radiating arms emanating from a location proximate the hub of the dimple.

Description

CROSS REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 789,288, filed Feb. 27, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 338,379, filed Jan. 8, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,349, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 847,764, filed May 2, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,038 which are incorporated by reference herein their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to golf balls, and more particularly, to a golf ball having improved dimples. 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's flight direction. As...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a golf ball with improved dimples. The dimples have a plurality of sub-dimples that help to improve the airflow over the ball. This design helps to prevent premature wear and tear on the ball. The sub-dimples can have different shapes and sizes, and they can be distributed in different patterns and concentrations. The dimples may also have radiating arms that help to improve the airflow over the ball's land surface. Overall, this design helps to make the golf ball more effective and reliable.

Problems solved by technology

This is the primary source of drag for golf balls.

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.

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 aerodynamic effectiveness of the dimples.

On the other hand, a smaller number of large dimples also begin to lose effectiveness.

The rough surface on the land surface of the ball may decrease the aesthetic appearance of the ball.

Furthermore, these small craters may be covered by paint flooding.

These smooth irregular dimple surfaces, however, could not efficiently energize the boundary layer flow over the dimples.

Since as the land surface decreases, the susceptibility of the ball to premature wear and tear by impacts with the golf club increases.

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