Light-activated illuminated golf ball

• US 9,630,063 B1
• Filed: 02/10/2015
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeremy Michael Thompson, Jessica Anne Thompson
• Original Assignee: Jeremy Michael Thompson, Jessica Anne Thompson
• Inventors: Thompson, Jeremy Michael, Thompson, Jessica Anne
• Primary Examiner(s): Gorden, Raeann
• Application Number:
  US14/618,930
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 473353
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0029 Physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/005 Cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0074 Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A usable golf ball including an on-demand illuminating device embedded therein that is activated by exposure to external light impulses is provided. Such an illuminating device includes a photocell securely and safely positioned within the subject golf ball core in a suitable manner to allow for uniform weight displacement therein. Additionally, the device includes a switch that operates in response to light impulses wherein an initial light impulse exposure turns the photocell on and a subsequent light impulse exposure deactivates the photocell. With a properly configured illuminatable dimpled ball surface material, the resultant ball will thus illuminate on demand to permit a distinct aesthetically pleasing and/or recognizable iridescent color therefore. Such a golf ball thus includes at least one surface window structure to permit such light impulse exposure externally by the user that leads inward directly to the device switch.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising a core and a dimpled translucent outer shell, said ball further including a photocell illumination component embedded within said core, said photocell illumination component further including a switch device, a printed circuit board, a power source, and at least one light source, wherein said switch activates and inactivates said power source, wherein said power source energizes said at least one light source, and wherein said printed circuit board controls the output provided by said light source;

wherein said dimpled translucent outer shell is constructed of material that luminesces upon activation of said photocell illumination component within said core;

wherein said switch is controlled through exposure to light impulses;

wherein said dimpled translucent outer shell includes at least one window on the surface thereof, and wherein said at least one window leads to a solid light transfer shaft that connects with said switch device within said core.

2. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said at least one window on the surface of said dimpled translucent outer shell is a single window.

3. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said at least one light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

4. The golf ball of claim 3 wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes provide more than one coloration selection upon activation.

5. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said power source includes at least one battery.

6. The golf ball of claim 1 wherein said at least one window is a plurality of windows on the skin surface.

7. The golf ball of claim 6 where said plurality of windows leads to said switch via a plurality of optical fibers.