Data Display On Golf Ball Outer Surface

• US 20120270671A1
• Filed: 04/19/2011
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Ko, Chin-Shun, Liu, Chen-Tai
• Granted Patent: US 8,690,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/199
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0051 Materials other than polybutadienes; Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/007 Characteristics of the ball as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0076 Multi-piece balls, i.e. having two or more intermediate layers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3658 Means associated with the ball for indicating or measuring, e.g. speed, direction

Abstract

A plurality of layers and elements are incorporated into a golf ball to display values for various swing characteristics on a display layer of a ball. A calculator is incorporated to calculate a value of at least one swing characteristic. A weighted light source is incorporated to display the value on a display layer. The display layer is a substantially opaque layer.

Claims

1. A golf ball capable of displaying at least one swing characteristic, comprising:

a calculator capable of calculating a value for at least one swing characteristic;

a cushion layer surrounding the calculator;

at least one intermediate layer surrounding the cushion layer;

a display positioned relative to the light source in a manner such that the display is capable of displaying the calculated value; and

a light source capable of transmitting light to the display and thereby displaying the calculated value on the display.

2. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the calculator and the light source are attached to one another.

3. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the calculator and the light source are capable of rotating independently of a rotation of the golf ball.

4. The golf ball according to claim 2, further comprising a weight attached to the light source.

5. The golf ball according to claim 4, wherein the weight is capable of orienting the light source in a generally upward direction.

6. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the cushion layer comprises a liquid.

7. The golf ball according to claim 6, wherein the cushion layer comprises a liquid having adequate viscosity to suspend the calculator therein.

8. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the cushion layer comprises a first hemispherical bladder filled with liquid and having a first abutting face and a second hemispherical bladder filled with liquid and having a second abutting face, the first abutting face and the second abutting face being placed in abutting relationship to one another, the first bladder and the second bladder thereby surrounding the calculator and the light source.

9. The golf ball according to claim 8, wherein the calculator, the light source, and a weight are placed in a spherical capsule.

10. A golf ball incorporating a display device for displaying data on a golf ball layer, comprising:

a light source having three degrees of rotational freedom positioned in a central region of a golf ball;

a weight attached to the light source for orienting the light source in a generally upward direction; and

a continuous display layer configured to display light emitted from the light source when the light source is positioned in any rotational position.

11. The golf ball according to claim 10, wherein the continuous display layer is substantially opaque.

12. The golf ball according to claim 10, further comprising a calculator capable of calculating a value for a swing characteristic electrically connected to the light source.

13. The golf ball according to claim 10, further comprising at least one substantially transparent additional layer surrounding the light source.

14. A device for displaying a value for at least one swing characteristic on a layer of a ball, comprising:

a calculator, a light source, and a weight attached to one another and encapsulated in a sphere in a center area of the ball, the calculator being capable of calculating at least one swing characteristic;

a cushion layer surrounding the encapsulated sphere, the cushion layer being designed to permit movement of the encapsulated sphere independent of movement of the ball;

at least one intermediate layer surrounding the cushion layer; and

a display layer encapsulating the intermediate layer, the light source and the display layer being configured to permit the light source to display a value for the at least one swing characteristic at any location on the display layer.

15. The ball according to claim 14, wherein the display layer is substantially opaque.

16. The ball according to claim 14, wherein the calculator comprises a microprocessor and a battery.

17. The ball according to claim 14, wherein the light source is selected from LED and laser.

18. The ball according to claim 14, wherein the weight, the calculator, and the light source are attached to one another in a manner such that the weight is capable of orienting the light source to project light to display on the display layer in a generally upward direction.

19. The ball according to claim 14, wherein the display layer is white.

20. The ball according to claim 14, further comprising a cover layer surrounding the display layer.