Golf ball with temperature indicator

• US 6,986,719 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2004
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Kennedy, Thomas J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIMIEW, RAEANN
• Application Number:
  US10/920,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20050020387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 473/378
• US Class Current: 473/378
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0022 Coatings, e.g. paint films; Markings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0052 Liquid cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0147 based on thermo-optic effects G02F1/132 takes precedence

Abstract

A golf ball having an integral means for sensing temperature whereby a golfer can readily determine if a golf ball is at the optimum temperature for play. For purposes of indicating temperature, the ball incorporates a thermochromic section and/or coating that will change color or become transparent or translucent at a predetermined temperature. The golf ball preferably comprises a liquid, gel or fluid filled core and/or core layer.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover wherein said cover on its surface incorporates a section comprising a thermochromic material, wherein the thermochromic material is capable of visually indicating whether the golf ball is above or below a predetermined temperature, further wherein a first section comprising an ink material is first created on the surface of said golf ball, the thermochromic section is applied over the first section, and wherein the color of the ink material is different from the color of the thermochromic section, wherein the visible indication is in two parts, wherein the first part is permanently displayed, and the second part is displayed after activation by a temperature change.

2. The golf of claim 1 wherein the thermochromic material is a member selected from the group consisting of cholesteric liquid crystals and leuco dye systems.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises at least one inner cover layer and at least one outer cover layer.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core comprises a liquid, gel or fluid filled core or core layer.

5. A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the cover comprising at least one inner cover layer and at least one outer cover layer, wherein said cover incorporates on its surface an indicia, wherein the indicia is covered with a thermochromic section, and wherein the thermochromic section becomes clear or translucent at a predetermined temperature, thereby allowing the observation of the indicia, wherein the indicia is a color, a readable word or a logo.

6. The golf ball of claim 5 wherein the core comprises a liquid, gel or fluid filled core or core layer.

7. The golf ball of claim 5, further comprising a temperature indicating mark printed on the cover.