Two interesting golf ball patents issued this week (January 16, 2007), one assigned to Acushnet and the other to Taylor Made Golf.

Acushnet’s new patent is USPN 7,163,472 titled “Golf Ball Dimples With A Catenary Curve Profile.” The ‘472 patent is directed to a ball with dimples defined by the revolution of a catenary curve about its symmetrical axis. The ‘472 patent is well written and deserves reading, not to mention it will refresh your memory regarding hyperbolic sine and cosine functions. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this patent is the prosecution history. The application was initially filed with one single claim (something that I have never seen). The balance of the claims were added after a first office action 103 rejection. Interesting strategy.

Taylor Made’s new patent is USPN 7,163,471 titled “Golf Balls Having Sound-Altered Layers and Methods for Making Them.” The ‘471 patent is also interesting in its own right. The ‘471 patent is directed to a ball incorporating a “sound-altering material for selectively enhancing or dampening the acoustic output of a golf ball when it is struck.” The ‘471 patent would be a good read for those with a love for materials. How long will it be before golf ball purchasing decisions are influenced by the “click” of the ball?