Golf ball dimple shape
The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aesthetics and desirable aerodynamic properties due, at least in part, to the novel shape of the dimples on the surface thereof. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a shape obtained from the intersection of a toroid and a sphere. The resulting curve of intersection represents the dimple perimeter and the intersecting portion of the surface of the toroid represents the dimple surface shape.
1. A golf ball having a generally spherical surface and comprising a plurality of dimples on the spherical surface, wherein at least a portion of the dimples have a perimeter defined by a curve of intersection resulting from the intersection of a toroid with the spherical surface of the golf ball and a surface shape defined by the portion of the toroidal outer surface that intersects with the spherical surface of the golf ball, and wherein the curve of intersection is a single continuous curve.
2. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the toroid is an elliptical toroid.
3. The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the toroid is a circular toroid.