Golf ball

• US 5,651,741 A
• Filed: 05/09/1996
• Issued: 07/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Tomita, Seisuke, Ihara, Keisuke, Masutani, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US08/644,981
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 473/242, 473/268, 473/200, 473/353, 40/327
• US Class Current: 473/200
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0022 Coatings, e.g. paint films; Markings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/14 Special surfaces A63B37/0004 takes precedence
• 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: A63B 45/02 Marking of balls
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0055 in advertising or decorative art
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2270/21 Curved bearing surface

Abstract

A golf ball is provided with a marking portion including a hologram implementing a color and/or pattern produced by optical interference. The marking portion is provided on the entire surface of the golf ball or only in dimples. The marking portion including a hologram reflects light and thereby glitters, and is visually recognized as a three-dimensional image, thereby improving visibility of the ball from a distance. The marking portion including a hologram allows an image to be readily reproduced by irradiating a laser beam thereto. Thus reproduced image facilitates an automated inspection for the appearance of the marking portion.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising;

a ball body having a spheric surface with dimples therein, at least one marking portion provided on said spheric surface, said marking portion comprising a thin film having a color and/or pattern produced by optical interference, and being formed by holographic recording.

2. A golf ball as defined in claim 1, wherein said marking portion is provided on the entire spheric surface.

3. A golf ball as defined in claim 1, wherein said spheric surface said marking portion is provided in at least portion of said dimples.

4. A golf ball as defined in claim 1, wherein a character is formed by said marking portion.

5. A golf ball as defined in claim 1, wherein said marking portion includes a first marking portion formed in a first semispheric surface of said spheric surface and a second marking portion formed in a second semispheric surface of said spheric surface.

6. A golf ball as defined in claim 1, wherein said marking portion is formed in a stripe region.

7. A golf ball comprising;

a ball body having a spheric cover surface with dimples therein, and at least one marking portion provided on said spheric surface, said marking portion having a color and/or pattern produced by optical interference, and said marking portion having fine depressions and protrusions formed by transfer from an inner surface of a molding die for making the cover of golf ball onto the cover surface of golf ball.

8. A golf ball as defined in claim 7, wherein said marking portion is provided on the entire spheric surface.

9. A golf ball as defined in claim 7, wherein said marking portion is provided in at least a portion of said dimples.

10. A golf ball as defined in claim 7, wherein character is formed by said marking portion.

11. A golf ball as defined in claim 7, wherein said marking portion includes a first marking portion formed in a first semispheric surface of said spheric surface and a second marking portion formed in a second semispheric surface of said spheric surface.

12. A golf ball as defined in claim 7, wherein said marking portion is formed in a stripe region.

13. A golf ball comprising;

a ball body having a spheric cover surface with dimples therein and a transparent layer on the spheric surface, at least one marking portion provided on said spheric surface, said marking portion having a color and/or pattern produced by optical interference, and being formed by irradiating the transparent layer with a laser beam.

14. A golf ball as defined in claim 13, wherein said marking portion is provided on the entire spheric surface.

15. A golf ball as defined in claim 13, wherein said marking portion is provided in at least a portion of said dimples.

16. A golf ball as defined in claim 13, wherein a character is formed by said marking portion.

17. A golf ball as defined in claim 13, wherein said marking portion includes a first marking portion formed in a first semispheric surface of said spheric surface and a second marking portion formed in a second semispheric surface of said spheric surface.

18. A golf ball as defined in claim 13, wherein said marking portion is formed in a stripe region.