US4744564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Golf ball
Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1986-06-06
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Granted: 1988-05-17
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Expires: 2006-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A golf ball having dimples on its spherical surface, the dimples close to each pole being smaller in volume than those close to the parting line while maintaining total effectiveness of dimple volume substantially equal in relation to a first axis passing through the center of the ball defining a pair of poles and to a second axis passing through the center of the ball perpendicular to the first axis, so as to minimize variations in the aerodynamic characteristics of the ball despite changes of the axis of rotation. The effectiveness of dimple volume means a product obtained by multiplying the volume of a dimple by the sine value of an angle made by a radius from the center of the ball to the center of that dimple and the first or second axis of the ball.
Inventors
- 👤 Kaname Yamada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:35
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B37/00; A63B37/0003; A63B37/0004; A63B37/0006; A63B37/00065; A63B37/0016; A63B37/0017; A63B37/0018; A63B37/0019; A63B37/002; A63B37/0023; A63B37/0024; A63B37/0026; A63B37/007; A63B37/0077; A63B37/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A golf ball comprising, a spherical surface, a plurality of dimples distributed over the spherical surface of the ball, a first axis (L2) passing through the center of the ball and defining two poles (P, P) at its intersection with the spherical surface, the dimples being symmetrically arranged in relation to a parting line (S) of the ball which is formed by the intersection of a plane passing through the center of the ball, said plane being perpendicular to the first axis and equidistant between the two poles, the dimples (D2) near a pole being smaller in volume than the dimples (D1) near the parting line, a total effectiveness of dimple volume in relation to the first axis (L2) being substantially equal to a total effectiveness of dimple volume in relation to a second axis (L1) passing through the center of the ball and being perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the effectiveness of dimple volume is defined as the product obtained by multiplying the volume of a dimple by the sine value of an angle made by a radius from the center of that dimple and the first or second axis of the ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A golf ball comprising, a spherical surface, a plurality of dimples distributed over the spherical surface of the ball, a first axis (L2) passing through the center of the ball and defining two poles (P, P) at its intersection with the spherical surface, the dimples being symmetrically arranged in relation to a parting line (S) of the ball which is formed by the intersection of a plane passing through the center of the ball, said plane being perpendicular to the first axis and equidistant between the two poles, the dimples (D2) near a pole being smaller in volume than the dimples (D1) near the parting line, a total effectiveness of dimple volume in relation to the first axis (L2) being substantially equal to a total effectiveness of dimple volume in relation to a second axis (L1) passing through the center of the ball and being perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the effectiveness of dimple volume is defined as the product obtained by multiplying the volume of a dimple by the sine value of an angle made by a radius from the center of that dimple and the first or second axis of the ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 1 wherein the volume of each dimple (D2) on the ball surface over an area thereof subtending an angle of 60 degrees at the center of the ball with respect to the line through the poles is 2 to 20% smaller than the volume of each dimple (D1) on the other area of the ball surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 1 wherein the volume of the dimples decreases toward each pole, and the difference in volume between the dimple most proximate to the pole and the dimples most proximate to the parting line is 5 to 30%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 2 wherein the volume of the dimples decreases toward each pole, and the difference in volume between the dimple most proximate to the pole and the dimples most proximate to the parting line is 5 to 30%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 1 wherein each total effectiveness of dimple volume has variations falling within 0.3%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 5 which has 332 dimples in a substantially icosahedral arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 5 which has 392 dimples in a substantially icosahedral arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 5 which has 492 dimples in a substantially icosahedral arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 1 which has 332 dimples in a substantially icosahedral arrangement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 1 which has 392 dimples in a substantially icosahedral arrangement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A golf ball as defined in claim 1 which has 492 dimples in a substantially icosahedral arrangement.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-17 | 1991-11-16 | 1992-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-17 | 1995-11-16 | 1996-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-17 | 1999-11-16 | 2000-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |