Golf ball parting line configuration and mold

Abstract

A golf ball comprises two generally hemispherical portions joined together at a parting line and comprising dimples on respective outer surfaces thereof. The parting line comprises a repeating pattern of curved segments alternating with straight segments. The parting line crosses a geometric equator of the golf ball, and wherein the parting line intersects at least one dimple bordering the equator. A mold for producing a golf ball is also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball, comprising:
 two generally hemispherical portions joined together at a parting line and comprising dimples on respective outer surfaces thereof;   the parting line comprising a repeating pattern of curved segments alternating with straight segments, wherein the parting line crosses the geometric equator of the golf ball;   wherein the parting line intersects at least one dimple bordering the equator.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the straight segments of the parting line are spaced apart from the equator. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the curved segments of the parting line have their respective inflection points on a first side of the equator and the straight segments of the parting line are on a second side of the equator opposite the first side. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the repeating pattern is repeated approximately every 72 degrees about each hemispherical portion. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the curved segments and the straight segments are joined together at junctions each having a fillet radius. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the parting line intersects exactly one dimple. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the parting line extends between dimples except at the point where the parting line intersects the at least one dimple. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein each of the curved segments crosses the geometric equator of the golf ball. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein none of the straight segments crosses the geometric equator of the golf ball. 
     
     
         10 . A golf ball, comprising:
 two generally hemispherical portions joined together at a parting line and comprising dimples on respective outer surfaces thereof;   the parting line being defined by a first function comprising a sine-like wave superposed with a second function to yield a repeating pattern of curved segments alternating with straight segments;   wherein the parting line extends about the golf ball, intersecting a bordering dimple and remaining spaced apart from other bordering dimples.   
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the parting line has a maximum peak-to-peak amplitude of 3°. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the parting line has a maximum peak-to-peak amplitude of 1.5°. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the two generally hemispherical portions are slightly asymmetrical relative to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein
 the golf ball has a geometric equator, and wherein the geometric equator extends around the golf ball and the parting line oscillates about the equator as the parting line extends around the golf ball.   
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the curved segments of the parting line have their respective inflection points on a first side of the equator and the straight segments of the parting line are on a second side of the equator opposite the first side. 
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the repeating pattern is repeated approximately every 72 degrees about each hemispherical portion. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the curved segments and the straight segments are joined together at junctions each having a fillet radius. 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the parting line is bordered by about 30 dimples on each side. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 10 , wherein the parting line is bounded by 1.5 degree latitude lines on either side of the equator. 
     
     
         20 . A golf ball mold, comprising:
 upper and lower sections each having projections for forming dimples in an outer surface of a golf ball;   mating surfaces on the upper and lower sections comprising curved segment forming surfaces alternating with straight segment forming surfaces;   wherein one of the mating surfaces intersects with one of the projections so that a resulting segment of the parting line on the golf ball will intersect a dimple on the golf ball;   wherein all other mating surfaces are spaced from the projections such that the remaining curved segments and remaining straight segments of the parting line to be formed on the golf ball do not intersect any of the dimples.