Dimple patterns for golf balls

Abstract

The present disclosure is generally directed to a dimple pattern for a golf ball. In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a specific arrangement of first and second domains each consisting of perimeter dimples and interior dimples. The dimples have at least six different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least four additional dimple diameters. In a specific aspect, the perimeter dimples of the first domain have at least three dimple diameters, the perimeter dimples of the second domain have at least three dimple diameters, the interior dimples of the first domain have exactly three dimple diameters, and the interior dimples of the second domain have exactly three dimple diameters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in a first domain having a first dimple pattern and a second domain having a second dimple pattern that is different from the first dimple pattern, the first and second domain each being defined by three irregular segments connected to each other via three respective vertices, the first and second domains each consisting of perimeter dimples and interior dimples, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no dimple-free great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains, each of the first and second domains having three-way rotational symmetry,
 wherein the plurality of dimples comprises dimples having six or more different dimple diameters including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least four additional dimple diameters;   the perimeter dimples of the first domain have at least three dimple diameters;   the perimeter dimples of the second domain have at least three dimple diameters;   the interior dimples of the first domain have exactly three dimple diameters;   the interior dimples of the second domain have exactly three dimple diameters; and   the total number of dimples is no greater than four hundred.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the dimples of the first domain and the dimples of the second domain each include at least one dimple having the same dimple diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the interior dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain do not include a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the interior dimples in the first domain and the interior dimples in the second domain each do not include a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the interior dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain include at least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the interior dimples in the first domain and the interior dimples in the second domain each include at least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain do not include a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain do not include a dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the dimple or pair of dimples that is nearest to each vertex of the first domain does not have the minimum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the dimple or pair of dimples that is nearest to each vertex of the first domain does not have the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the dimple or pair of dimples that is nearest to each vertex of the second domain does not have the minimum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the dimple or pair of dimples that is nearest to each vertex of the second domain does not have the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         13 . A golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in a first domain having a first dimple pattern and a second domain having a second dimple pattern that is different from the first dimple pattern, the first and second domains each consisting of perimeter dimples and interior dimples, the first domain and the second domain being tessellated to cover the outer surface of the golf ball in a uniform pattern having no dimple-free great circles and consisting of four first domains and four second domains, each of the first and second domains having three-way rotational symmetry,
 wherein the plurality of dimples comprises dimples having six or more different dimple diameters including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and at least four additional dimple diameters;   the perimeter dimples of the first domain have at least three or more dimple diameters;   the perimeter dimples of the second domain have at least three or more dimple diameters;   wherein the first and second domain are each defined by three irregular segments connected to each other via three respective vertices,
 wherein the dimple or pair of dimples that is nearest to each vertex of the first domain does not have the maximum dimple diameter or the minimum dimple diameter; and 
 wherein the dimple or pair of dimples that is nearest to each vertex of the second domain does not have the maximum dimple diameter or the minimum dimple diameter. 
   
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the dimples of the first domain and the dimples of the second domain each have at least one dimple having the same diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the interior dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain do not include a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         16 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the interior dimples in the first domain and the interior dimples in the second domain do not include a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the interior dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain include at least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the interior dimples in the first domain and the interior dimples in the second domain each include at least one dimple having the minimum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the perimeter dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain do not include a dimple having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 13 , wherein the perimeter dimples in at least one of the first domain or the second domain do not include a dimple having the minimum dimple diameter.