US20030008727A1

US20030008727A1 - Novelty golf ball with auditory response

Info

Publication number: US20030008727A1
Application number: US10/133,561
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-06-22
Filing date: 2001-06-15
Publication date: 2003-01-09

Abstract

A golf ball (10) which creates a surprising sound effect as it flies through the air after being struck by a golf club swing. The sound effect is created by airflow over holes (11) in the golf ball (10).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/213,712, filed June 22, 200.[0001]

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to novelty golf balls. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novelty golf ball with auditory response created by airflow during flight.

2. Description of Prior Art

Novelty golf balls have been around for many years such as a smoke emitting golf ball, U.S. Pat. No. 1,583,721, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,340. and the exploding golf ball, U.S. Pat. No. 1,8429,44: U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,544; U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,807. No prior art has been found for a novelty golf ball able to generate sound created by airflow.

Known prior art for golf balls able to emit sound include U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,730; U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,873; U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,653; U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,549; U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,314. These patents all require an electrical component and are unable to create an auditory response using airflow.

While the aforementioned patents fulfill their respective particular objectives and requirements, they are substantially different from the Novelty Golf Ball With Auditory Response.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a golf ball which creates a surprising sound effect during flight after being struck by a golf club swing. This auditory response is created by airflow over holes in ball during flight which is unlike any prior art.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the golf ball with auditory response described in my above patent, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

(a) to provide a golf ball with the novel feature of an auditory response;

(b) to provide a golf ball with auditory response whose sound is created by airflow;

(e) to provide a golf ball with auditory response which does not require electical means for generating sound;

(d) to provide a golf ball with auditory response whose volume and tone can easily be changed by simple manufacturing alterations;

(e) to provide a golf ball with auditory which can be struck repeatedly without affecting the auditory response;

(f) to provide a golf ball with auditory response that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture;

The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages therof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows: [0017]
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the golf ball; [0018]
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line [0019] 2-2 of FIG 1;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a further ball embodiment; [0020]
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing an additional ball embodiment;[0021]

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0022]

10 golf ball 11 hole

12 cover portion 13 core portion

20 sound generating element 30 hole

31 hole

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2—Preferred Embodiment [0023]
A preferred embodiment of the novelty golf ball with auditory response is illustrated in FIG. 1 (top view) and FIG. 2 (cross section). FIG. 1 shows a [0024] golf ball 10 and holes 11. The preferred embodiment in FIG. 2 shows the golf ball 10 composed of an outer portion 12 and an inner portion 13. This is typical two-piece golf ball construction but is not required for the function of the auditory response. All golf balls will work but the pitch and volume will be effected by balls of various compositions.
In the [0025] preferred embodiment holes 11 are shown in a symmetrical pattern of equal sizes. The holes 11 are formed by drilling perpendicularly into an existing ball, but may also be molded into a new ball or created by any other obvious means.
FIG. 3—Additional Embodiment [0026]
An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. A [0027] sound generating element 20 could be placed in the holes thus giving a wider variety of sound volumes and types. The sound generating elements are able to create an auditory response by airflow over or through their structure requiring no electronic means for producing said sound.
FIG. 4—Further Embodiment [0028]
A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. The ball may contain a plurality of [0029] holes 30, 31 of various depths, sizes, and angles to create an infinite number of auditory responses.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0030]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0031]
Operation—FIGS. [0032] 1-4
The manner of using the novelty golf ball with auditory response is identical to that for golf balls in present use. Upon being struck the [0033] golf ball 10 will emit a noise due to the airflow over the holes 11 or sound generating elements 20 thus creating a surprising sound effect. The volume and sound types will vary according to the method of production.
Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope [0034]
Accordingly, the reader will see that the golf ball with auditory response is a unique and novel invention. The present invention provides a ball which creates a surprising sound effect as it flies through the air after being struck. In addition, the golf ball with auditory response is able to create this sound effect by airflow over the ball during flight. Furthermore, the golf ball with auditory response has the additional advantages in that [0035]
it generates sound without the use of electrical devices [0036]
it can be struck repeatedly without loss of sound [0037]
it can produce different sounds by simple modifications in manufacturing [0038]
it is simple and inexpensive to manufacture [0039]
it is simple to use [0040]
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example the ball may be a different size or color. The holes may be of different depths, shapes, and diameters. Elements which use airflow to generate sound may be inserted into the holes to create a wider variety of sound volumes and types. [0041]
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. [0042]

Claims

I claim:

1. A ball having an auditory response during flight created by airflow after being struck by a golf club swing comprising:

(a) a golf ball

(b) said golf ball contains a plurality of holes penetrating outer portion through to inner portion

2. A ball according to claim 1 wherein said holes are of equal diameter and penetrate said golf ball perpendicularly at equal depths

3. A ball according to claim 1 wherein said holes are of unequal diameters penetrating said golf ball at angles other than perpendicular and having unequal depths

4. A ball according to claim 1 wherein said holes contain means for generating sound from air-flow over or through said holes