Split inner core of a multi-core golf ball with RFID

• US 9,498,680 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2012
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edge Technologies, Inc
• Original Assignee: Edge Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: Luciano, Robert A. Jr., White, Warren, Grieshaber, David
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNTER, ALVIN A
• Application Number:
  US13/655,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20130165261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473351-378
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/005 Cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3694 for driving only

Abstract

A multi-core golf ball having a split inner core with an RFID tag disposed thereon is described herein. The multi-core golf ball includes a split spherical inner core having a first inner core section and a second inner core section that interfaces with the first inner core section. The multi-core golf ball also includes an RFID tag, an outer core, and a dimpled cover. The RFID tag is positioned between the first inner core section and the second inner core section. The outer core encapsulates the split spherical inner core and the RFID tag. The dimpled cover encases the outer core.

Claims

1. A multi-core golf ball, comprising:

a split spherical inner core that includes,

a first inner core section, and

a second inner core section configured to interface with the first inner core section;

an RFID tag positioned within a cavity between the first inner core section and the second inner core section, wherein the RFID tag comprises;

a plurality of contact pads;

a first plurality of conductive stranded wires electrically coupled to the contact pads;

a second plurality of conductive wires electrically coupled to the first plurality of conductive stranded wires, each wire in the second plurality of conductive wires having a thickness that is greater than each wire in the first plurality of conductive stranded wires;

an outer core configured to encapsulate the split spherical inner core and the RFID tag; and

a dimpled cover configured to encase the outer core.

2. The multi-core golf ball of claim 1, wherein the first inner core section includes a molded surface configured to receive the RFID tag.

3. The multi-core golf ball of claim 1, wherein the cavity is in the first inner core.

4. The multi-core golf ball of claim 1, wherein the first inner core section includes a plurality of grooves formed on the exterior surface, wherein the plurality of grooves are configured to interface with the stranded wire.

5. The multi-core golf ball of claim 4, wherein the split spherical inner core includes a termination point for receiving a distal end of the stranded wire.

6. An inner core of a multi-core golf ball, comprising:

a split spherical inner core including,

a first inner core section, and

a second inner core section configured to interface with the first inner core section;

a plurality of grooves formed on the exterior surface of the first inner core section; and

an RFID tag positioned within a cavity between the first inner core section and the second inner core section, wherein the RFID tag comprises;

a plurality of contact pads;

a first plurality of conductive stranded wires electrically coupled to the contact pads;

a second plurality of conductive wires electrically coupled to the first plurality of conductive stranded wires, each wire in the second plurality of conductive wires having a thickness that is greater than each wire in the first plurality of conductive stranded wires;

and wherein the plurality of grooves are configured to interface with the at least one stranded wire.

7. The inner core claim 6, wherein the split spherical inner core includes a termination point for receiving a distal end of the stranded wire.

8. The inner core of claim 6, wherein the second inner core section includes a second plurality of grooves formed on the exterior surface of the second inner core section, wherein the second plurality of grooves are configured to interface with the at least one stranded wire.

9. The inner core of claim 6, wherein the cavity is in the first inner core section.

10. The inner core of claim 9, wherein the RFID tag is shaped to fit into the cavity.

11. The inner core of claim 10, wherein the RFID tag is curled to fit into the cavity.

12. The inner core of claim 10, wherein the RFID tag is folded to fit into the cavity.

13. A method for embedding an RFID tag in a multi-core golf ball, the method comprising:

placing a slug into a mold, the first mold configured to receive an inner core material that forms a spherical inner core;

melting the slug within the mold into the spherical inner core;

splitting the spherical inner core into a first inner core section and a second inner core section;

placing the RFID tag in a cavity between the first inner core section and the second inner core section, wherein the RFID tag includes;

a plurality of contact pads;

a first plurality of conductive stranded wires electrically coupled to the contact pads;

a second plurality of conductive wires electrically coupled to the first plurality of conductive stranded wires, each wire in the second plurality of conductive wires having a thickness that is greater than each wire in the first plurality of conductive stranded wires;

placing the first inner core section, the second inner core section, and the RFID tag into the mold;

melting the first inner core section, the second inner core section and the RFID tag to form an RFID spherical inner core;

wrapping the stranded wires around an exterior surface of the first inner core section;

encapsulating the RFID spherical inner core with an outer core; and

encapsulating the outer core with a dimpled cover.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising wrapping the stranded wires around an exterior surface of the first inner core section and the second inner core section.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising forming a plurality of grooves on an exterior surface of the spherical inner core.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising wrapping the at least one stranded wire along the plurality of grooves.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising forming a termination point on the exterior surface of the spherical inner core, and wrapping the at least one stranded wire so that a distal end of the at least one stranded wire is received by the termination point.