U.S. patent application number 13/716094 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for golf ball alignment device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Flynn. Invention is credited to Michael Flynn.
Application Number | 20140166196 13/716094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50929567 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140166196 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flynn; Michael |
June 19, 2014 |
GOLF BALL ALIGNMENT DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus
for placing alignment marks, such as arrows or lines, on golf
balls. An alignment mark composed of dry transfer ink is provided
on a clear transfer medium having a backing material. Once the
position of the alignment mark is chosen, the clear transfer medium
containing the alignment mark is removed from the backing. Warm air
provided by the user's breath is applied to the transfer medium to
aid in its adhesion to the golf ball surface. The transfer medium
is then placed on the desired position on the ball and rubbed in
the center and then front and back of the transfer medium to
transfer the dry ink alignment mark from the clear transfer medium
to the ball surface. Once the alignment mark has transferred to the
ball surface, the clear transfer medium can be peeled away, leaving
only the alignment mark on the ball surface. The alignment mark is
then rubbed with the fingers to finalize the adhesion of the
alignment mark with the bail surface. The result is a cleaner and
more durable alignment mark that provides greater performance. The
present invention avoids the mess and inaccuracy caused by the
conventional use of an ink marker to manually draw alignment marks
on golf balls.
Inventors: |
Flynn; Michael; (Rancho
Santa Fe, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Flynn; Michael |
Rancho Santa Fe |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50929567 |
Appl. No.: |
13/716094 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/230 ;
428/195.1; 428/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/24802 20150115;
A63B 43/008 20130101; A63B 45/02 20130101; A63B 2071/0694 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 37/0022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/230 ;
428/195.1; 428/80 |
International
Class: |
A63B 45/02 20060101
A63B045/02 |
Claims
1. A golf ball marker device configured to apply an ink pattern to
a golf ball surface comprising: a transparent transfer medium; an
ink pattern affixed to an outer surface of the transparent transfer
medium; and a backing film on which an inner surface of the
transparent transfer medium is adhered.
2. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the transparent transfer
medium has an oval shape.
3. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the transparent transfer
medium has a rectangular shape.
4. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the transparent transfer
medium is peeled from the backing film.
5. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the ink pattern does not
smear after application to the golf ball surface.
6. The golf ball marker of claim 1 wherein the ink pattern
comprises a dry transfer ink.
7. A golf ball marker device that provides for the application an
ink pattern to a golf ball, wherein the application comprises the
steps of: removing a transfer medium containing an ink pattern from
a backing, material; placing the ink pattern over a desired
location on the golf ball; applying pressure the ink pattern on the
golf ball to cause transfer of the ink pattern to the golf ball
surface; and peeling the transfer medium away from the golf ball to
leave behind the ink pattern on the golf ball.
8. The golf ball marker device of claim 7 wherein the transfer of
the ink pattern to the golf ball surface further comprises warming,
the ink pattern portion of the transfer medium prior to placing the
transfer medium on the golf ball.
9. The golf ball marker device of claim 7 wherein the transfer of
the ink pattern to the golf bail surface further comprises applying
pressure to the ink pattern on the bail after the transfer medium
has been removed.
Description
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional application
No. 61/576,960, filed Dec. 16, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to golf training and
performance aids, and in particular, devices for visual alignment
of golf balls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Golf is a sport in which it is extremely difficult to
advance one's skills, and one in which a seemingly minor adjustment
in technique or precision can result in dramatic differences in
performance. Accordingly, golfers are constantly searching for ways
to gain an edge and improve their game and equipment makers are
constantly engineering new products to purportedly provide enhanced
game play. Putting is recognized as a particularly critical part of
the game and an improvement in putting, as opposed to driving or
approach strokes for example, can have the greatest relative impact
on a golfer's handicap. When it comes to putting, the golfer must
gauge both the strength and direction of the put. Markers placed on
a ball can often improve a putter's stroke by providing visual
alignment that guides the path of the player's stroke and the
contact of the putter face with the ball. The same concept holds
with respect to tee shots, where the angle of contact with the ball
is critical and a minor enhancement in visual alignment could
result in significant improvements in performance. Some golfers
mark their balls with a line or arrow using an ink marker. However,
this method had numerous drawbacks. First, the marks made on the
ball are often crooked or misaligned with the ball due to human
error and the curve and dimples on the ball surface. Additionally,
the marker ink smears under wet conditions and can be transferred
to the golfer's hands or clothing. Some golf balls feature
permanent alignment marks, but this requires a user to obtain
specialized balls and does not allow for modification of the
alignment mark. There is a need for a simple and fast method of
applying markers to gold balls for visual alignment, especially one
that is resistant to ultraviolet light and water exposure and does
not smear.
[0004] The present invention provides an improved method and
apparatus for placing alignment marks, such as arrows or lines, on
golf balls using a dry transfer ink which is both UV and solvent
resistant. The present invention avoids the mess and inaccuracy
caused by the conventional use of an ink marker. The result is a
cleaner and more durable ball marker that provides greater
performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Provided is an improved method and apparatus for placing
alignment patterns, i.e. arrows on golf balls using a dry transfer
ink which is both UV and solvent resistant. The use of a dry ink
transfer for placing a directional guide marking also protects the
golfer's hands and clothing from smearing by ink that is
conventionally used by golfers that mark their balls using an ink
pen. Smearing of marks made by ink pens of the ink pens is
increased during wet conditions. The concept is a number of designs
for marking a golf ball with a directional line, arrow or other
mark to assist the golfer in lining up putts and tee shots. The
product is designed to be placed on the golf ball using a dry
transfer method in which the user places the dry transfer ink with
its medium onto the golf ball at the desired location and then with
applied pressure the line, arrow or mark adheres to the golf ball
and is dry instantly. The current method utilizes a template and
marker pen, which has to be drawn on the golf ball and needs curing
time before it can be used. The current method also has design
limitations, which include line, arrow or mark thickness, multiple
lines and such. The current method has simple lines, arrows or
marks and more complex designs which can include the directional
arrow for lining up the shot, put and a horizontal line
perpendicular to the line, arrow or mark for then lining up the
club, putter edge as well.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary alignment mark designs in
accordance with the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates the device of the present invention and
its application to a golf ball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, various types of exemplary alignment
patterns or marks are shown. The alignment marks can consist of
various configurations of lines and arrows or other patterns that
aid in visual alignment. For example, an arrow extending from a
perpendicular line allows the user to line up the golf club face
with the golf ball and to align their stroke with their desired
ball path.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention and its application to a golf ball. FIG. 2A shows a top
view of the gall ball alignment device, including the alignment
pattern or mark 220, transparent transfer medium 240 and backing
260. The alignment mark 220 can take different forms, such as those
depicted in FIG. 1. The alignment pattern 220 is made of a
transferable ink and resides on the underside of the transparent
transfer medium 240. The transfer medium 240 is attached to the
backing 260 via an adhesive, similar to a peel away sticker. The
backing 260 is made of a suitable paper or plastic material. To
apply the alignment mark, the transfer medium 240 is first peeled
from the backing 260 as shown in FIG. 2b. After separation from the
backing, the user can breathe onto the transfer medium 240 in order
to enhance transfer of the mark due to the warming of the alignment
mark 220.
[0010] Once the alignment mark is positioned on the ball as
desired, it is pressed onto the ball with the fingers as shown in
FIG. 2C: Pressure should first be applied to the alignment mark
itself (center of the transfer medium), followed by the surrounding
areas. Applying pressure, i.e. rubbing, the alignment mark along
the length of the transfer medium (horizontally in FIG. 2C) will
provide for better transfer of the alignment mark to the golf ball.
Transfer medium 240 should preferably be in a rectangular shape as
shown in FIG. 2, or alternatively; oval-shaped. Due to the
spherical shape of the golf ball, a rectangular or oval transfer
medium allows for optimal contact with the surface of the ball and
transfer of the ink pattern. Once the alignment mark is transferred
to the ball, the transfer medium 240 is peeled off, leaving behind
the dry transfer ink of alignment mark 220 on the surface of the
ball. Immediately after the transfer medium 240 is peeled away, the
alignment mark on the ball surface should be rubbed to provide
complete adhesion of the transfer ink to the ball. The ink is dry,
not wet, and will not smear or stick to the user's fingers.
[0011] The present invention thus provides a simple and effective
means for applying an alignment pattern or mark to a golf ball. The
resulting mark does not smear onto the user's clothing or hands,
and does not affect the play of the ball. Moreover, it is far more
accurate than marks that are manually drawn.
[0012] While there have been described herein what are considered
to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the teachings herein. It is therefore
desired to be secured, in the appended claims all such
modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *