GB2429926A

GB2429926A - Light-emitting golf ball

Info

Publication number: GB2429926A
Application number: GB0518445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chin-Wei Liao; Yi-Feng Fang; Mao-Hsien Lin
Original assignee: Foremost Sporting Goods Mfg Ltd
Current assignee: Foremost Sporting Goods Mfg Ltd
Priority date: 2005-09-09
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-09
Also published as: GB2429926B; GB0518445D0

Abstract

A golf ball with a light-emitting module and a control mechanism is proposed in the present invention. The golf ball has a light-permeable inner shelf 1 for packaging a light-emitting module. The light-emitting module 2 includes a timer 23, a battery set 25, and a vibration-sensing switch 24. The timer keeps the light-emitting component emitting light constantly until the period set by the timer expires. The battery set includes a first battery and a second battery. The vibration-sensing switch makes the first battery provide battery power for the timer after sensing vibration. After the timer obtains battery power, the timer makes the first battery and the second battery provide battery power constantly for the light-emitting component until the period set by the timer expires.

Description

LIGHT-EMITTING GOLF BALL

The present invention relates to a light-emitting golf ball with a control mechanism, and more particularly, to a golf ball that is capable of emitting light under timer control.

In recent years, golf has become a popular sport and is an excellent choice especially for people who are not able to exercise strenuously. However, when a golf ball is hit and flies away, the golfer has to observe the path of the golf ball. Otherwise, it is difficult to find the golf ball. In order to deal with this problem, various techniques have been tried over the years to make golf balls emit light, for example, adding a fluorescent material into the shell of the ball or installing internal light-emitting components.

However, due to limitations in use, the fluorescence in the shell of a golf ball gradually fades over time.

Furthermore, owing to the inherent properties of the fluorescent materials, fluorescent golf balls can only emit light after absorbing sunlight. Furthermore, the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent golf balls is usually insufficient for observing the golf ball when it is hit a significant distance. Hence, the trajectory of a fluorescent golf ball is still difficult to track except when it is extremely dark. Tracking is even more difficult when a golf ball is hit a very long distance or is mishit and flies off in an unexpected direction.

Although golf balls having light-emitting components inside have higher brightness, their battery power is easily exhausted because of poorly designed power supplying circuits. Hence their lifetime is generally very short.

After being hit, this kind of golf ball emits light constantly until the battery power of built-in battery is exhausted. Even though increasing the number of batteries can prolong the lifetime of this kind of golf ball, the battery power of the battery is still not sufficient because the design of the circuit between the batteries is not good.

Accordingly, as discussed above, the prior art still has some drawbacks. The present invention aims to ameliorate or overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

The invention is defined in the independent claims.

By providing the golf ball with a light-emitting control mechanism which uses a timer to control the length of time the light-emitting components operate, the battery power of the irreplaceable batteries will not be used constantly and the lifetime of the batteries can thus be prolonged.

In one embodiment the light-emitting control mechanism, only uses one battery of a battery set to provide battery power for the timer that controls the light-emitting components. In this way, the electric consumption of the battery set is reduced considerably and the lifetime of the battery set is thus prolonged.

In another embodiment the light-emitting control mechanism uses a control chip to make the light-emitting components emit light according to various different (e.g. selectable) light-emitting modes. In this way, different users can each track or observe the trajectory of their respective golf balls.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a golf ball with a light-emitting control mechanism. The golf ball has a light-permeable inner shell for packaging a light-emitting module. The golf ball further has a light-permeable middle shell for packaging the light-permeable inner shell and a light-permeable outer shell for covering the light- permeable middle shell. The light-emitting module controls at least a light-emitting component and includes a timer, a battery set, and a vibration-sensing switch.

The timer keeps the light-emitting component emitting light constantly until the light-emitting timer expires.

The battery set includes a first battery and a second battery. The first battery provides battery power for both the timer and the first battery and the second battery provides battery power for the light-emitting component.

The vibration-sensing switch makes the first battery provide battery power for the timer after sensing vibration. After the timer obtains battery power, the timer makes the first battery and the second battery provide battery power constantly for the light-emitting component until the timer generates a timing signal to switch off the light-emitting component.

Numerous additional features, benefits and details of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a light-permeable inner shell in one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the above light- permeable inner shell containing the light-emitting module; Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded diagram of the golf ball with a light-emitting control mechanism in accordance with the above embodiment; Figs. 4A-C are schematic circuit diagrams of lightemitting control mechanisms which can be utilised in the above embodiment; and Figs. 5A-D are schematic circuit diagrams of further light-emitting control mechanisms which can be used in the above embodiment.

Reference is made to Fig. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a lightpermeable inner shell in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the golf ball with a light-emitting control mechanism has a light- permeable inner shell 1, which contains a light-emitting module 2 and has a mounting hole 11 for mounting the control mechanism.

The light-emitting module 2 is used mainly for controlling at least one light-emitting component, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) 22 as shown in Fig. 1 or a LED 26 as shown in Fig. 2. It controls the LEDs 22 and 26 by a timer 23, a vibration-sensing switch 24, and a battery set of a circuit board 21.

In brief, when the golf ball is hit, the timer 23 is used to control the light-emitting timer of the LEDs 22 and 26 according to a preset parameter. In this way, the LEDs 22 and 26 will not constantly consume the battery power of the irreplaceable battery set 25 and the lifetime of the battery set 25 is thus prolonged. In the following description, the positioning of the light-permeable inner shell 1 into a golf ball and use of the timer 23 or other components to prolong the lifetime of the golf ball are described in detail.

Reference is made to Fig. 2, which is a cross- sectional view of the light-permeable inner shell containing the light- emitting module. As shown in Fig. 2, the light-emitting module 2 includes the circuit board 21, the LED 22, the timer 23, the vibration-sensing switch 24, and the battery set 25. Furthermore, the battery set 25 includes a first battery 251, a second battery 253, an isolating board 252 sandwiched between the first battery 251 and the second battery 253, and an isolating board 254 sandwiched between the second battery 253 and the LED 26.

The LED 26 is disposed on the isolating board 254.

For packaging, after the light-emitting module 2 is placed into the lightpermeable inner shell 1, glue is introduced into the light-permeable inner shell 1 via its opening to fix the light-emitting module 2.

Reference is made to Fig. 3, which is a schematic diagram of the golf ball with its light-emitting control mechanism. As shown in Fig. 3, a spherical light-permeable middle shell 3 is first provided to package the lightpermeable inner shell 1. Then, a light-permeable outer shell 4 is provided to package the spherical light- permeable middle shell 3 to form a golf ball.

Reference is made to Figs. 4A-C, which are schematic circuit diagrams. As shown in Fig. 4A, the light-emitting module 2 includes the timer 23, the battery set 25 (the first battery 251 and the second battery 253), the vibration-sensing switch 24, the LED5 22 and 26 that connect to each other in series and a switch component 27 that is used to protect the timer 23. In the battery set 25, the first battery 251 provides battery power for the timer 23 and both the first battery 251 and the second battery 253 provide battery power for the light-emitting components. In practice, the switch 27 is dispensable and the circuit of the light-emitting module 2 can be simplified as shown in Fig. 4B.

When the golf ball is hit, the vibration sensing switch 24 senses the vibration and is switched on to make the first battery 251 provide battery power to the timer 23 and turn it on. After the timer 23 is activated, it measures time according to a preset light-emitting timer.

If both the first battery 251 and the second battery 253 are mercury batteries, each of which provides direct current (DC) battery power with a 3V, a loop that has a voltage of 6V and passes through the timer 23 is formed and the first battery 251 and the second battery 253 provide battery power for the light-emitting components. The LED5 22 and 26 will then emit light. When the illumination period let by the preset light-emitting timer expires, the timer 23 stops the first battery 251 and the second battery 253 from providing battery power to the light-emitting components. Hence, the LEDs 22 and 26 turn off.

It should be noted that the vibration-sensing switch 24 is a conventional component and hence not described in detail. In addition, if the number of the light-emitting components, i.e. LEDs 22 and 26, is equal to or larger than two, the light-emitting components can be connected in series as shown in Fig. 4A or in parallel as shown in Fig. 4C.

As for the length of the illumination period set by the light-emitting timer, it can be set according to practical requirements. This means that the length of the illumination period can be set according to the length of necessary time consumed in flying, falling, and searching for the golf ball after it is hit. For example the duration of this period, set by the timer is preferably set to about ten minutes.

To sum up, in the above embodiment, if the batteries of the battery set 25 are connected in series, only one battery, i.e. the first battery 251, provides battery power to the timer 23 that controls the light-emitting timer of the light-emitting components. Hence, electric consumption of the battery set 25 is reduced and the lifetime of the battery set 25 is prolonged. Moreover, since a very bright light is emitted from the LED5 22 and 26, the amount of light does not decrease with time. Hence, when the golf ball is hit and flies a long distance, the trajectory of the golf ball is easily tracked due to the light emitted from the golf ball.

Reference is made to Figs. 5A-C, which are schematic circuit diagrams of other light-emitting control mechanisms which can be utilised in golf balls of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 5A, the light-emitting module also includes the timer 23, the vibration-sensing switch 24, the LED5 22 and 26 (light-emitting components) that connect to each other in parallel, and a switch component 27. In addition, the light-emitting module 5 includes a battery set 51. The connection of the circuit of the light-emitting module 5 to the light- emitting module 2 is a little different. The difference is that the two batteries of the battery set 51 are connected in parallel and can provide battery power for the time 23 and the light- emitting components simultaneously.

As shown in Fig. SB, in order to provide more light- emitting modes to allow users to easily track the trajectory of the golf ball, the light-emitting module 5 of this embodiment further includes a control chip 52. The control chip 52 electrically connects to the LED5 22 and 26. The light-emitting module 5 not only provides battery power for the LED5 22 and 26 but also for the control chip 52. Thereby, the control chip 52 is activated.

After the control chip 2 is activated, it can provide two light-emitting modes. The control chip 2 can output signals with different waveforms to the light-emitting components, e.g. the LEDs 22 and 26. Thus, the lightemitting components can twinkle or flicker (flash) in various ways. Moreover, the control chip 2 can output signals with different frequencies to the light emitting components to make them produce various colors.

IS In order to lower costs, the control chip 52 shown in Fig. 5B can be integrated with the timer 23 as shown in Fig. SC. In Fig. SC, although the control chip 52 is integrated with the timer 23, it also connects to the corresponding components. Moreover, the control chip 52 can control and connect with more light-emitting components, such as the LEDs 54a-c (54A-C), as shown in Fig. SD.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In particular the timer can be activated by any sensor responsive to the golf ball being hit, not just a vibration sensor.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A golf ball with a light-emitting control mechanism, the golf

ball having a light-permeable inner shell for packaging a light-emitting module, the light- emitting module controlling at least a light- emitting component, the golf ball further having a light-permeable middle shell for packaging the light-permeable inner shell and a light-permeable outer shell for covering the light-permeable middle shell, the light- emitting module comprising: a timer for keeping the light-emitting component IS emitting light constantly until a period set by the timer expires; a battery set including a first battery and a second battery, the first battery providing battery power for the timer, both the first battery and the second battery providing battery power for the light- emitting component; and a vibration-sensing switch, which makes the first battery provide battery power for the timer after sensing vibration; wherein, after the timer receives battery power, the timer makes the first battery and the second battery provide battery power constantly to the light-emitting component until said period expires.
2. The golf ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein the golf ball has at least two light-emitting components and the light-emitting components are connected in series or in parallel.
3. The golf ball as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the light emitting module further comprises: a switch component disposed between the timer and the second battery and connected to both the timer and the second battery.
4. A golf ball with a light-emitting control mechanism, the golf ball having a light-permeable inner shell for packaging a light-emitting module, the light-emitting module controlling at least a light-emitting component, the golf ball further having a light-permeable middle shell for packaging the light-permeable inner shell and a light- permeable outer shell for covering the light- permeable middle shell the light-emitting module comprising: a timer for keeping the light-emitting component emitting light constantly until a period set by the timer expires; a battery set including a first battery and a second battery, both the first battery and the second battery providing battery power for the timer and the light-emitting component; and a vibration-sensing switch, which makes the first battery provide battery power for the timer after sensing vibration; wherein, after the timer receives battery power, the timer makes the first battery and the second battery provide battery power constantly for the light-emitting component until said period expires.
5. A light-emitting golf ball substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 in conjunction with any of Figures 4A to 4C of the accompanying drawings. * *e * I * I... *S.. * * SI. * S. S. * SI, I * S. S S **

5. The golf ball as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the lightemitting module further comprises: a control chip outputting signals with different waveforms to the light-emitting components to make the lightemitting component twinkle or flicker in different ways.

6. The golf ball as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the lightemitting module further comprises: a control chip outputting signals with different frequencies to the light-emitting component to make the lightemitting component produce light with different colors.

7. The golf ball as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6 wherein the golf ball has at least two light- emitting components and the light-emitting components are connected in series or in parallel.

8. A light-emitting ball comprising a light source coupled to a power source and controlled by a timer, the timer being arranged to activate the light source in response to the golf ball being hit and to generate a timing signal to de- activate the light source subsequently.

9. A light-emitting golf ball substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 in conjunction with any of Figures 4A to 40 or 5A to 5D of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A golf ball with a light-emitting control mechanism, the golf ball having a light-emitting module which controls at least a light-emitting component, the light-emitting module comprising: a timer for keeping the light-emitting component emitting light constantly until a period set by the timer expires; a battery set including a first battery and a second battery, the first battery providing battery power for the timer, both the first battery and the second battery providing battery power for the light-emitting component; and a vibration-sensing switch, which makes the first battery provide battery power for the timer after sensing vibration; wherein, after the timer receives battery power, the timer makes the first battery and the second * ** battery provide battery power constantly to the * * * **** light- emitting component until said period expires.

2. A golf ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein the golf ball has at least two light-emitting components and *I 0.

the light-emitting components are connected in series or in parallel.

3. A golf ball as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the light emitting module further comprises: a switch component disposed between the timer and the second battery and connected to both the timer and the second battery.

4. A golf ball as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a light-permeable inner shell for packaging the light module, a lightpermeable middle shell for packaging the inner shell and a lightpermeable outer shell for covering the middle shell.