Method and apparatus for smoke emitting golf ball

• US 8,556,747 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2011
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Hung, Chun-Te, Liu, Chen-Tai, Liao, Cheng-Hao
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US13/086,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20120264540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 473/353
• US Class Current: 473/353
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0602 Non-electronic means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0052 Liquid cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0056 Hollow; Gas-filled
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/007 Characteristics of the ball as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for causing smoke to emit from a golf ball. In one embodiment, when a partition is removed and a threshold pressure has been met, a chemical reaction may occur between solid compositions. In another embodiment, when a threshold pressure is met to allow a liquid composition to be released from a check valve, a reaction may occur between the liquid composition and a separate solid or liquid composition. In either case, the chemical reaction may result in smoke being emitted from the golf ball, thereby helping a golfer find the ball. The golf ball may be capable of multiple emissions of smoke intermittently.

Claims

1. A golf ball capable of emitting smoke, the golf ball comprising:

a cover;

a core;

a chamber, wherein a first portion of the chamber comprises a first composition and a second portion of the chamber comprises a second composition;

one or more check valves, wherein the one or more check valves may release a portion of the first composition from the first portion of the chamber into an area where the portion of the first composition is combined with at least a portion of the second composition;

wherein the combination of the first composition and the second composition causes an emission of smoke;

wherein the golf ball is configured to emit smoke after each of multiple strikes.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the second composition comprises a liquid composition.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the second composition comprises a solid composition.

4. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the at least one check valve does not open unless an internal golf ball pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the area comprises a mixing chamber.

6. A golf ball comprising:

a cover;

a core;

a chamber, wherein the chamber comprises a plurality of solid compositions;

one or more removable partitions elements;

one or more other partition elements;

wherein a striking of the golf ball causes a chemical reaction that generates smoke;

wherein at least one of the removable partition elements is configured to be removed prior to striking the golf ball to cause the chemical reaction;

wherein the golf ball is capable of emitting smoke after multiple strikes.

7. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the chemical reaction removes one or more of the other partition elements.

8. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the chemical reaction occurs when the striking of the golf ball causes a predetermined threshold pressure to be met.

9. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the removable partition element is configured to be removed by being dissolved in a solution.

10. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the removable partition element may be removed by a user manually.

11. The golf ball of claim 6, wherein the removable partition element is configured to be removed by being pulled out of the ball or by using a tool.