Dimple patterns for golf balls

Abstract

Golf balls having a low surface coverage dimple pattern arranged in a tetrahedral layout are disclosed. The dimple pattern has four substantially identical dimple sections. The dimples in each of the four dimple sections have at least three different dimple diameters, including a minimum dimple diameter, a maximum dimple diameter, and an additional (third) dimple diameter, where the additional dimple diameter substantially contributes to the overall surface coverage of the dimple pattern. The resulting dimple pattern has a low dimple surface coverage and high diameter disparities among the dimples, which helps to reduce the flight of the golf ball while providing improved aerodynamic consistency.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball having a substantially spherical surface, comprising:
 a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in a pattern comprising four substantially identical dimple sections,   wherein the dimples in each of the four substantially identical dimple sections comprise a first plurality of dimples having a minimum dimple diameter and a first coverage contribution, a second plurality of dimples having a maximum dimple diameter and a second coverage contribution, and a third plurality of dimples having an additional dimple diameter and a third coverage contribution, wherein the difference between each of the minimum dimple diameter, the maximum dimple diameter, and the additional dimple diameter is at least about 0.030 inches,   wherein the third coverage contribution is at least about 40 percent,   wherein the dimples cover about 75 percent or less of the substantially spherical surface, and the pattern results in no dimple-free great circles on the golf ball.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the difference between each of the minimum dimple diameter, the maximum dimple diameter, and the additional dimple diameter is at least about 0.040 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the difference between each of the minimum dimple diameter, the maximum dimple diameter, and the additional dimple diameter is at least about 0.050 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the difference between the maximum dimple diameter and the minimum dimple diameter is at least about 0.100 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the first coverage contribution is at least about 10 percent and the first coverage contribution is less than the third coverage contribution. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the total number of dimples having the minimum dimple diameter is greater than the total number of dimples having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         7 . A golf ball having a substantially spherical surface, comprising:
 a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in a pattern comprising four substantially identical dimple sections,   wherein the dimples in each of the four substantially identical dimple sections comprise a first plurality of dimples having a minimum dimple diameter and a first coverage contribution, a second plurality of dimples having a maximum dimple diameter and a second coverage contribution, and a third plurality of dimples having an additional dimple diameter and a third coverage contribution, wherein the difference between each of the minimum dimple diameter, the maximum dimple diameter, and the additional dimple diameter is at least about 0.040 inches,   wherein the third coverage contribution is at least about 40 percent and the third coverage contribution is greater than the first coverage contribution and the second coverage contribution, and   wherein the dimples cover about 75 percent or less of the substantially spherical surface, and the pattern results in no dimple-free great circles on the golf ball.   
     
     
         8 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the difference between each of the minimum dimple diameter, the maximum dimple diameter, and the additional dimple diameter is at least about 0.050 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the difference between the maximum dimple diameter and the minimum dimple diameter is at least about 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the third coverage contribution is at least about 45 percent. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the first coverage contribution is at least about 15 percent. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the total number of dimples having the minimum dimple diameter is greater than the total number of dimples having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the total number of dimples having the additional dimple diameter is greater than the total number of dimples having the maximum dimple diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the total number of dimples having the minimum dimple diameter is greater than the total number of dimples having the additional dimple diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The golf ball of  claim 7 , wherein the dimples in each of the four substantially identical dimple sections consist of the first plurality of dimples, the second plurality of dimples, and the third plurality of dimples. 
     
     
         16 . A golf ball having a substantially spherical surface, comprising:
 a plurality of dimples disposed thereon, wherein the dimples are arranged in a pattern comprising four substantially identical dimple sections,   wherein the dimples in each of the four substantially identical dimple sections comprise a first plurality of dimples having a minimum dimple diameter and a first coverage contribution, a second plurality of dimples having a maximum dimple diameter and a second coverage contribution, and a third plurality of dimples having an additional dimple diameter and a third coverage contribution, wherein the difference between each of the minimum dimple diameter, the maximum dimple diameter, and the additional dimple diameter is at least about 0.040 inches,   wherein the third coverage contribution is greater than the first coverage contribution and the second coverage contribution, and   wherein the dimples cover about 70 percent or less of the substantially spherical surface.   
     
     
         17 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the pattern results in no dimple-free great circles on the golf ball. 
     
     
         18 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the pattern is rotationally symmetric about the center of each substantially identical dimple section. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the difference between the maximum dimple diameter and the minimum dimple diameter is at least about 0.075 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball of  claim 16 , wherein the third coverage contribution is at least about 40 percent.