U.S. patent application number 12/043419 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for golf ball and club handle.
Invention is credited to Carlton Williamson, Fredel Williamson.
Application Number | 20080220892 12/043419 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39742205 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080220892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williamson; Fredel ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
Golf ball and club handle
Abstract
A golf ball with an imbedded chip and a golf club grip that is
capable of communication with the golf ball in order to provide
certain information to the golfer, such as the height of the ball,
how hard the ball was hit, the distance traveled, the spin and
trajectory, and the angle it was hit at, along with other
factors
Inventors: |
Williamson; Fredel;
(Decatur, GA) ; Williamson; Carlton; (Decatur,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Gloria Williamson
3104 Waldrop Pl. Bldg. #3
Decatur
GA
30034
US
|
Family ID: |
39742205 |
Appl. No.: |
12/043419 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60893164 |
Mar 6, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/223 ;
473/199; 473/200; 473/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/17 20130101;
A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B 2220/13 20130101; A63B 2024/0028
20130101; A63B 37/0003 20130101; A63B 69/3658 20130101; A63B
24/0021 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 2220/12 20130101;
A63B 2024/0031 20130101; A63B 71/0619 20130101; A63B 2220/53
20130101; A63B 2220/24 20130101; A63B 2220/20 20130101; A63B
2220/51 20130101; A63B 37/0055 20130101; A63B 2024/0037 20130101;
A63B 43/00 20130101; A63B 69/36 20130101; A63B 2220/35 20130101;
A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B 2220/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/223 ;
473/199; 473/200; 473/407 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Claims
1. A golfing information system comprising: a golf ball with a
transmitting integrated circuit; a golf club with a receiving
circuit that receives a signal from the golf ball and a display for
displaying the signal from the golf ball.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional application
60/893,164, filed Mar. 6, 2007.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is related to a golf ball and a golf
club handle, and more specifically, a golf ball with an imbedded
chip capable of communication with the golf club handle.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] Golf is a very popular sport which requires an extraordinary
amount of training, skill, and precise timing gained through
substantial experience. To learn golf, a prospective golf player
typically takes a series of lessons from a professional who can
properly instruct the player on the correct swing. Generally, the
instructors teach golfers the proper form of a golf swing and
correct their subtle errors in an attempt to perfect their swing.
These lessons help the player fine tune their ability to accurately
drive the golf ball desired distances using drivers, irons or
woods.
[0006] The game of golf involves striking a one inch diameter ball
with a golf club to direct the ball towards a hole in the golf
course. Despite the singular goal, there are many variables. Golf
clubs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to produce different
results, imparting to the ball differing degrees of spin,
trajectory, loft, and distance, depending upon the force with which
the golfer swings the club. Each golf club consists of a grip, a
shaft, and a golf club head. The head of each golf club varies in
shape, face angle, and weight from other clubs, all of which affect
the flight of the ball after it is struck with the club. Likewise,
the way in which a player swings the club also affects the ball's
distance and flight path.
[0007] For any given shot, a golfer may use a "full" or a "partial"
swing. The golfer will hit the golf ball with the greatest force if
he takes a full swing. The greater force applied during the swing,
the further the ball will travel after it is struck.
[0008] A partial swing is generally reserved for shorter shots in
order to advance the ball a shorter distance or by greater loft.
For very short shots, a golfer may perform a "chip" or a "pitch"
shot. The chip occurs when the golfer partially swings a golf club
having a low club face angle. The chip produces a low trajectory
flight of the ball. Likewise, the pitch occurs when the golfer
partially swings a golf club having a high club face angle. The
pitch produces a high trajectory flight of the ball.
[0009] In addition to the above, the final effort on each hole is
putting. It is especially important for golfers to practice their
putting techniques in order to lower their overall score. However,
all shots are important, and the best golfers practice all types of
shots in order to develop a balanced game. Thus, a universal golf
swing training device should facilitate golfers in properly
executing both full and partial swings, as well as puffing, in
order to develop a better overall game.
[0010] As golf instructors understand, adjusting the amount of
force necessary to propel a golf ball a desired distance and
fine-tuning the relative arm-motions may be practiced repeatedly so
as to build a subconscious memory of the particular combinations of
each factor when putting/chipping. In golf instruction, teaching a
golfer the correct golf swing may assist a golfer in obtaining the
proper distance and speed to reach the hole. However, after
completing the swing, the golfer might not have a really good idea
of how high, how hard or how well he hit the golf ball unless the
instructor tells him.
[0011] One of the most difficult aspects of putting and chipping is
the skill of adjusting the golf swing speed and angle to account
for the slope of a green. More specifically, a golfer must visually
identify a target line which the golfer actually hits the ball
along, the breaking point where the ball deviates from the target
line due to the slope of the green, the line on which the golf ball
will actually travel, and the golf ball's point of entry into the
hole. It is through an understanding of each of these that a golfer
may successfully putt/chip a ball into a golf hole. In doing so,
the golfer must essentially approximate the slope angle, the
distance, and the speed which is necessary to hit the ball into the
hole. Extensively practicing a golf swing might improve speed and
distance control, but aiming and accommodating speed and distance
control based on the slope angle requires more visual perception
and experience than swing technique.
[0012] Therefore, if the golfer were able to know after each hit
how hard he hit the golf ball, how high he hit the golf ball, and
what angle or "slice" he hit the ball, along with other factors,
the golfer will be able to learn a lot more after each swing, and
be able to adjust his golf swing speed and angle to account for
different "greens".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention satisfies the above-mentioned need by
providing a golf ball with an imbedded chip and a golf club grip
that is capable of communication with the golf ball in order to
provide certain information to the golfer, such as the height of
the ball, how hard the ball was hit, the distance traveled, the
spin and trajectory, and the angle it was hit at, along with other
factors. The invention provides a better way for golfers of all
ages in public and private driving ranges to improve their swing by
measuring the characteristics of the golf ball once struck, and
providing this information to the golfers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better
understood with regard to the following description and
accompanying drawings where:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a golf ball in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a grip for the golf club in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a golf
ball 10 with an integrated circuit (IC) chip 12 imbedded in its
core 14. The IC chip 12 can input, output and/or store data
relating to the golf ball's flight properties such as distance,
height, spin, trajectory, angle the ball is struck and shot
history. The IC chip 12 can also store information about the
corresponding golf club, as will be further explained below.
[0018] The golf ball 10 can be manufactured similar to the golf
ball described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0164808. The
golf ball 10 can comprise a solid core 14, a cover 16, and the IC
chip 12 can be encapsulated with a protective layer 18 in the
center of the ball.
[0019] The material of which the solid core 14 is made can be a
rubber base composition which is obtained by an ordinary process
including compounding in a selected proportion and vulcanizing
under controlled conditions. The core-forming composition generally
comprises a base rubber, a crosslinking agent, a co-crosslinking
agent, an inert filler and the like. The base rubber used may be
natural rubber and/or synthetic rubber which is used in the
manufacture of conventional solid golf balls. Use may be made of
1,4-polybutadiene containing at least 40% cis-configuration, for
example. If desired, the polybutadiene may be compounded with an
appropriate amount of natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber,
styrene-butadiene rubber or the like. Exemplary crosslinking agents
used herein are organic peroxides such as dicumyl peroxide and
di-t-butyl peroxide. The co-crosslinking agent may be selected
from, for example, metal salts of unsaturated fatty acids,
especially zinc and magnesium salts of unsaturated fatty acids
having 3 to 8 carbon atoms (e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid),
but is not limited thereto. Exemplary inert fillers include zinc
oxide, barium sulfate, silica, calcium carbonate, zinc carbonate,
etc. For the solid core material, thermoplastic resins and
elastomers such as ionomer resins and polyester elastomers may also
be used in lieu of the rubber composition.
[0020] While the material of which the cover 16 is made is not
particularly limited, it is preferably selected from thermoplastic
resins and elastomers which are well known in the art. Examples
include thermoplastic urethane elastomers, ionomer resins,
polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, propylene-butadiene
copolymers, 1,2-polybutadiene, and styrene-butadiene copolymers,
alone or in admixture of any. For example, one or more ionomer
resins may be used as the base to form the cover. Titanium dioxide,
barium sulfate, magnesium stearate or the like may be added to the
ionomer resin(s) for adjusting specific gravity and hardness. If
necessary, UV absorbers, antioxidants, dispersing aids (e.g., metal
soaps) and the like may be further added. The method of enclosing
the solid core 14 with the cover 16 is not particularly limited.
Typically employed are a method of molding a pair of hemispherical
cover preforms, encasing the core 14 in the cover preforms, and
heat compression molding and a method of injection molding a
cover-forming composition around the core 14.
[0021] The IC chip 12 can be encapsulated with a protective layer
18, which can be a generally spherical component prepared by
enclosing an IC chip 12 with a protective layer 18 of a special
rubber member such as silicone rubber or butyl rubber. The IC chip
12 can be a tiny thin piece of about 0.4 mm square. The IC chip 12
is protected by encapsulating it with a special rubber which does
not interfere with the internal function of the IC chip. The
special rubber used herein is not particularly limited as long as
it has elastic and vibration-damping functions. For example,
silicone rubber and butyl rubber can be used.
[0022] The IC chip 12 encapsulated with the protective layer 18 can
be incorporated in the golf ball 10, typically by embedding the
encapsulated IC chip 12 at the center of the solid core 14 during
its manufacture prior to rubber vulcanization, then vulcanizing the
rubber so that the encapsulated IC chip 12 becomes integral with
the solid core 14. More specifically, the encapsulated IC chip 12
is forcedly inserted into an unvulcanized rod-shaped rubber
composition, known as "slug" in the art, at the center, followed by
vulcanization. In this way, the vulcanized rubber and IC chip 12
are integrally combined.
[0023] The IC chip 12 is designed to input, output and/or store
data properties of the golf ball 10, including but not limited to
the force the golf ball is hit with, the spin and trajectory, the
angle at which it is struck, the number of times it is struck, and
information about the height, distance traveled, velocity (initial,
peak, etc.) and time.
[0024] The IC chip 12 has a data storage means capable of writing
and reading the information about the above items. The data storage
element can comprise a storage section, a processor section, and a
transmitter section, wherein information bits relating to the
properties of the golf ball 10 are written in the storage
section.
[0025] Next, a golf club grip or handle 20 capable of communication
with the golf ball 10 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2.
The handle 20 can comprise a base 22 and a cap or cover 24. When
the cover 24 is opened, a surface 23 can be seen on the top of the
base 22. The surface can include an LCD monitor 26 for reading out
information about the golf ball, such as the properties described
above. These properties (distance, time, height, etc.) can be shown
together, or individually using button 30. The LCD monitor can
provide other information, such as time, battery indicator, etc.,
and can have a background light. An on/off switch 28 can be
provided, as well as a number pad 32 for entering a program code
(to read data or to access the data). A battery housing 34 can be
provided to provide a battery for the grip 20. The golf handle also
has an imbedded IC chip (not shown) in it to input, output and/or
store data. The IC chip 12 of the golf ball 10 is capable of
communication with the IC chip of the golf handle 20.
[0026] The golf handle 20 can be removable or permanently fixed to
a golf club. The handle 20 can have treads such as to screw on/off
to a handle, or some other means such as a clip or other locking
feature to cause the handle to be removable from the golf club.
[0027] In operation, when the golf handle 20 is used on a club to
strike the golf ball 10, a radio wave is transmitted from an
internal unit of the IC chip 12 of the golf ball 10 and received by
a receiving unit in the IC chip of the golf handle 20. The golf
ball 10 is activated once the club face strikes the ball. A sensor
imbedded in the IC chip 12 activates the system. The properties
described above are then transmitted by the golf ball 10 and
received by the golf handle 20. These properties can then be read
out in the LCD display 26 of the golf handle 20, and shown to the
user. The user can view the properties immediately after the swing,
or can take a number of swings at a range, and then view all of
them after as the IC chips are capable of storing the information
based on the code of each ball, as will be described below.
[0028] A code can be input into each IC chip 12 of each golf ball
10 when manufactured, and printed on the packaging. Once the code
is entered into the keypad 32 of the golf handle 20, that golf ball
10 is ready to be used with that handle 20. The handle 20 can store
information about any number of golf balls 20, and separate data on
each golf ball 10 separately according to the code.
[0029] The system of the present invention also allows for easy
retrieval of the golf balls. Because the code is stored into the
handle, if a GPS type system is used, a golf ball can be easily
identified and found within the driving range. It will then be
known how many balls were used, and the system will be imbedded
within the IC chips so that easy retrieval is possible of the golf
balls. In another embodiment, the golf ball 10 can have an
illuminated cover for night practice.
[0030] The present invention helps golfers to make adjustments to
their swing for correcting slicing and the force used. The users
can see the actual distance and height the ball traveled, along
with other properties, according to each swing, to remove
uncertainty, guessing and yardage markers from the game. The users
can use this information to improve their swings.
[0031] The IC chip in the golf ball is shown to communicate with
the golf club handle, but it is also capable of communication with
computer systems, P.C.'s, mp3 players, cellular telephones,
handheld devices, PDA's, pagers, etc., and is not limited to the
above.
[0032] While there has been shown and described what is considered
to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course,
be understood that various modifications and changes in form or
detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of
the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not
limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be
constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *