Golf ball having dimples with constant dimple profile radius

Abstract

Golf balls having outer surfaces with improved dimple patterns are provided. At least a portion of the dimples are spherical, and the spherical dimples have at least two different dimple diameters. Each spherical dimple has a radius of curvature that is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of every other spherical dimple on the outer surface of the ball. In another embodiment, the spherical dimples have at least three different dimple diameters. The spherical dimples having different dimple diameters also can have different edge angles, dimple depths, and/or dimple volumes. In one preferred embodiment, the maximum difference in radius of curvature between any two spherical dimples is less than or equal to 0.015 inches.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising an outer surface having dimples disposed thereon, wherein at least a portion of the dimples are spherical dimples and wherein the spherical dimples have at least three different dimple diameters; each spherical dimple having a radius of curvature that is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of every other spherical dimple on the golf ball. 
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum difference in radius of curvature between any two spherical dimples is less than or equal to 0.015 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein a majority of dimples disposed on the outer surface of the golf ball are spherical dimples. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 3 , wherein the spherical dimples comprise at least 66% of the total dimples on the outer surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 3 , wherein the spherical dimples cover at least 78% of the outer surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein all of the dimples disposed on the outer surface of the golf ball are spherical dimples. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the golf ball comprises spherical and non-spherical dimples. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical dimples having different dimple diameters also have different edge angles. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical dimples having different dimple diameters also have different dimple depths. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical dimples having different dimple diameters also have different dimple volumes. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum difference in radius of curvature between any two spherical dimples is less than or equal to 0.010 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 11 , wherein the maximum difference in radius of curvature between any two spherical dimples is less than or equal to 0.005 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the average radius of curvature (GPR) of all of the spherical dimples on the outer surface of the golf ball is within a range defined by the equation:
   3.5116×10 −6   n   2 −3.5024×10 −3   n+ 1.2568≤GPR≤8.4691×10 −6   n   2 −8.0284×10 −3   n+ 2.5213
   where n is the total number of dimples on the surface of the golf ball.   
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical dimples on the outer surface of the golf ball have at least four different dimple diameters. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 14 , wherein the spherical dimples on the outer surface of the golf ball have at least five different dimple diameters. 
     
     
         16 . A golf ball, comprising an outer surface having dimples disposed thereon, wherein at least a portion of the dimples are spherical dimples and wherein the spherical dimples have at least two different dimple diameters; each spherical dimple having a radius of curvature that is substantially equal to the radius of curvature of every other spherical dimple on the golf ball, and wherein the spherical dimples cover at least 74% of the outer surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein a maximum difference in radius of curvature between any two spherical dimples is less than or equal to 0.015 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the spherical dimples having different dimple diameters also have different edge angles. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the spherical dimples having different dimple diameters also have different dimple depths. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the spherical dimples having different dimple diameters also different dimple volumes. 
     
     
         21 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein a maximum difference in radius of curvature between any two spherical dimples is less than or equal to 0.010 inches. 
     
     
         22 . The golf ball of  claim 21 , wherein the maximum difference in radius of curvature between any two spherical dimples is less than or equal to 0.005 inches.