Golf Ball With Piezoelectric Material

• US 20110224007A1
• Filed: 03/12/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Molinari, Arthur
• Application Number:
  US12/722,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20110224007A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/199
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0039 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0055 with non-spherical insert(s)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers

Abstract

A golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion allows golf ball data to be obtained when a golfer hits the golf ball with a golf club. An output from the piezoelectric material generated in response to the impact force of the golf club hitting the golf ball is measured. Based on the measured output, golf ball data can be obtained. The obtained golf ball data may be used by golf club fitting systems, golf ball fitting systems, and golfer profile databases.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

a cover;

a core; and

a piezoelectric material layer.

2. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material layer comprises polyvinylidene fluoride material.

3. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric material layer is disposed proximate an underside of the cover.

4. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball further comprises an internal sensor for detecting an output generated by the piezoelectric material layer.

5. The golf ball according to claim 4, wherein the internal sensor includes a transmitter and an antenna.

6. The golf ball according to claim 5, wherein the internal sensor further includes a data storage device.

7. The golf ball according to claim 4, wherein the internal sensor is disposed inside the core, the piezoelectric material layer is disposed between the core and the cover, and a lead connects the internal sensor to the piezoelectric material layer.

8. A system for obtaining hit golf ball data, comprising:

a golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion;

a sensor for measuring an output associated with the piezoelectric material portion; and

a detector in communication with the sensor for receiving the output measured by the sensor, wherein the detector uses the output to obtain hit golf ball data.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is an internal sensor disposed within the golf ball.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the internal sensor further includes a transmitter and an antenna.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the detector is a receiver including an antenna that receives a signal transmitted by the transmitter within the golf ball.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the golf ball comprises:

a cover;

a core; and

wherein the piezoelectric material portion comprises a layer disposed between the core and the cover.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric material layer comprises polyvinylidene fluoride material.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein the detector sends the hit golf ball data to at least a golf ball fitting system, a golf club fitting system, or a golfer profile database.

15. A method of obtaining hit golf ball data, comprising:

providing a golf ball with a piezoelectric material portion;

measuring an output associated with the piezoelectric material portion when the golf ball is hit by a golf club;

correlating the measured output associated with the piezoelectric material portion to known golf ball data to obtain hit golf ball data; and

recording the hit golf ball data.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein measuring the output associated with the piezoelectric material portion when the golf ball is hit by a golf club comprises:

sensing the output associated with the piezoelectric material portion from within the golf ball; and

transmitting the sensed output from a transmitter within the golf ball to a receiver outside the golf ball.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric material portion comprises a layer disposed between a cover and a core of the golf ball.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein providing the golf ball with the piezoelectric material portion comprises injecting a layer of piezoelectric material into the golf ball.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the piezoelectric material portion comprises polyvinylidene fluoride material.

20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising outputting the recorded hit golf ball data to at least a golf ball fitting system, a golf club fitting system, or a golfer profile database.