Golf balls with impact resistant identification device

• US 7,059,974 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2000
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Topgolf Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: World Golf Systems Limited (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Golliffe, Steven P., Jolliffe, David V., Emmerson, Geoffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): HOTALING, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US10/019,767
• Time in Patent Office: 2,177 Days
• Field of Search: 473/351, 473/353, 473/367
• US Class Current: 473/351
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 37/0055 with non-spherical insert(s)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/106 using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing

Abstract

A golf ball having an identification device (10) embedded in it comprises an aerial (14) and a coded chip (12), which are associated with a resilient member (16) arranged to dampen shock form impact. The resilient members is in the form of a diaphragm (16), to which the chip (12) and aerial (14) are separately connected. The above components, mounted on an insulating plate (11), are moulded in a capsule (20) which is then placed at the center of a golf ball core.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising a core with an identification device located in a capsule embedded in the core, the identification device comprising a coded element and an aerial wherein the identification device further comprises a diaphragm having a resilient mounting, and the coded element being mounted on the diaphragm, and wherein the capsule surrounds the diaphragm with space for relative movement therebetween.

2. A golf ball according to claim 1 further comprising a plate located within said capsule and having first and second major surfaces facing in opposite directions, wherein said diaphragm has a resilient mounting on said first major surface and said aerial is mounted on said second major surface.

3. A golf ball according to claim 2, wherein said diaphragm comprises a tongue and said coded element is mounted on said tongue.

4. A golf ball according to claim 3, wherein a hole is provided in said plate, and said coded element mounted on said tongue extends through said hole.

5. A golf ball according to claim 2 wherein the diaphragm is conductive, and said aerial is connected to said diaphragm by a connection passing through said plate.

6. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the identification device is a radio frequency identification device.

7. A golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is heat conductive.

8. A golf ball according to claim 7, wherein the diaphragm is steel.

9. A golf ball according to claim 1 wherein the resilient mounting is a spring part.

10. A method of manufacturing a golf ball incorporating an identification device comprising a coded element and an aerial, the method comprising:

molding a capsule identification device in a capsule member with space for relative movement between the identification device and material of the capsule member, wherein means for protecting the identification device from the effects of impacts are molded in the capsule member;

adhering parts of a ball core to each other around the capsule member to form an encapsulated capsule member; and

,

providing the encapsulated capsule member with a covering to form a golfball incorporating an identification device comprising a coded element and an aerial.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the parts of a ball core form a cuboid shape and are subsequently processed to have a spherical shape.

12. A method of manufacturing a golf ball incorporating an identification device, the method comprising:

providing an identification device comprising a coded element and an aerial, and a diaphragm, said coded element being mounted on the diaphragm and said diaphragm having a resilient mounting,

molding the identification device in a capsule member with space for relative movement between the identification device and material of the capsule member, wherein means for protecting the identification device from the effects of impacts are molded in the capsule member,

adhering the ball core parts to each other around the capsule member, and

providing the thus-formed core with a covering, wherein means for protecting the identification device from the effects of impacts are molded in the capsule member.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the resilient mounting is a spring part.