Spherical Specimen Patents (Class 73/65.02)
  • Patent number: 11668560
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the concentricity of golf balls using filter pairs to gather and analyze data on concentricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Paul Furze
  • Patent number: 9010177
    Abstract: On the basis of a surface shape appearing at a predetermined point moment by moment during rotation of a golf ball having numerous dimples on its surface, a data constellation regarding a parameter dependent on a surface shape of the golf ball is calculated. A preferable parameter is a distance between an axis of the rotation and the surface of the golf ball. Another preferable parameter is a volume of space between a surface of a phantom sphere and the surface of the golf ball. Fourier transformation is performed on the data constellation to obtain a transformed data constellation. On the basis of a peak value and an order of a maximum peak of the transformed data constellation, an aerodynamic characteristic of the golf ball is determined. The peak value and the order of the maximum peak are calculated for each of PH rotation and POP rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Hyoungchol Kim, Kaname Yamada, Masahide Onuki
  • Patent number: 8943874
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a construction machine having an undercarriage; a superstructure rotatably supported relative to the undercarriage by a revolving roller connection; and a control system, wherein measuring devices are arranged in the revolving roller connection for the force measurement in the directions of pulling and compression, and the control system determines the force in the axis direction of the axis of rotation as well as the torque which is caused by the eccentricity of the force with respect to the axis of rotation from the detected measured values of the measuring devices. From this, improved monitoring of the operational safety and stability of such a construction machine is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lerner, Roland Bohnacker
  • Publication number: 20090191982
    Abstract: Based on a surface shape appearing at a predetermined point moment by moment during rotation of a golf ball having numerous dimples on its surface, a data constellation regarding a parameter dependent on a surface shape of the golf ball is calculated. Preferably, the parameter is a distance between an axis of the rotation and the surface of the golf ball. Another preferable parameter is a volume of space between a surface of a phantom sphere and the surface of the golf ball. Based on a maximum value and a minimum value of the data constellation, a fluctuation range is calculated. By dividing the fluctuation range by a total volume of the dimples, an evaluation value is calculated. This value is calculated for each of PH rotation and POP rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Hyoungchol Kim, Takahiro Sajima, Kaname Yamada
  • Patent number: 7299685
    Abstract: An apparatus for locating and marking an equator of a golf ball is provided and includes a rotation plate shaped to support a golf ball is provided in a housing. The housing encloses a motor and the motor is attached to the rotation plate and is capable of imparting spin on the rotation plate. A guard has a ring and a cross-beam with a marking opening defined therein extending from the ring. The bottom portion of the housing includes a cavity shaped to accommodate the golf ball such that any markings made to the ball may be darkened and better defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Technasonic Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Burnett
  • Patent number: 7111492
    Abstract: A ball testing device having a compact housing with a microphone for receiving the sound generated when a ball strikes a surface and generating output signals. An electrical circuit in said housing is configured to receive the output signals and process the signals to determine the time lapse between the first and second and the second and third successive bounces of the ball and provide the ratio of time lapse between the second and third bounces to that of the time lapse between the first and the second bounce to provide the coefficient of restitution of the ball. Said housing including a display for displaying the coefficient of restitution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald M. Paitich
  • Patent number: 6971263
    Abstract: A compact, portable, and expedient system for precisely testing the balance of balls used in sports and competitive games, which includes a test container slightly larger than the ball being tested. Preferably, the test container has several spaced-apart ball-centering guides, a fluid fill line, a removable cap, a sleeve attached to the cap and adapted for positioning a permanent ink marker relative to the golf ball being tested for consistent ball marking, and at least one associated packet of pre-measured ingredients for raising the specific gravity of the fluid used in the test container for balance testing. Optionally, a ball lifter can be used for removing a ball from the test container subsequent to balance testing. It is contemplated that an operator will be able to test multiple balls with a single packet of pre-mixed and pre-measured specific gravity increasing chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Ingalls Colman
  • Patent number: 6862984
    Abstract: A method and device for marking golf balls that allows for the placement of a putting directional indicator (PDI) along the dynamic axis of a ball. While golfers could use the device to mark individual balls after they have been purchased (i.e. after they already have marks on them from the manufacturer), in preferred embodiments, the PDI is applied at the manufacturing stage and/or before the ball has other markings placed upon it. While the PDI could simply consist of one or more lines, in a preferred embodiment, the putting directional indicator may serve as an identifying mark for a manufacturer, distributor or consumer and may be designed to incorporate letters, words, symbols, short sentences, names, initials, numbers, images and photographs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Howard Sosin
  • Patent number: 6742449
    Abstract: A method and device for marking golf balls that allows for the placement of a putting directional indicator (PDI) along the dynamic axis of a ball. While golfers could use the device to mark individual balls after they have been purchased (i.e. after they already have marks on them from the manufacturer), in preferred embodiments, the PDI is applied at the manufacturing stage and/or before the ball has other markings placed upon it. While the PDI could simply consist of one or more lines, in a preferred embodiment, the putting directional indicator may serve as an identifying mark for a manufacturer, distributor or consumer and may be designed to incorporate letters, words, symbols, short sentences, names, initials, numbers, images and photographs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Howard Sosin
  • Publication number: 20030213289
    Abstract: An apparatus for locating and marking the equator of a golf ball. A rotation plate shaped to support a golf ball is provided in a housing. The housing encloses a motor and the motor is attached to the rotation plate and is capable of imparting spin on the rotation plate. A guard has a ring and a cross-beam with a marking opening defined therein extending from the ring. A means for supplying power to the motor and controlling the motor are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth Burnett