GOLF BALL

Abstract

A golf ball has a core, a conductive paint layer coated on the surface of the core, a reflective layer formed by electroplating a bright thin surface metal layer on the conductive paint layer and a transparent layer formed on the reflective layer. When the golf ball is hit, the light projection to the golf ball is reflected by the reflective layer to look more brilliant. The reflective layer is protected by the transparent layer without damaging after the golf ball is hit. It also makes discerning of the flying distance and dropping location of the golf ball easier.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part, and claims priority, of from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/529,526 filed on Sep. 29, 2006, entitled “GOLF BALL”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a golf ball that has a core, a conductive paint layer coated on the surface of the core, a bright surface metal thin reflective layer electroplated on the conductive paint layer and an outmost protective transparent layer to facilitate discerning of flying distance and dropping location of the golf ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf became an increasingly popular sport in recent years affordable for many people. Many golf courses have been constructed and are accessible by the general public. Golf equipment such as golf clubs and golf balls are also widely available on the domestic and international markets. Competition between those products is intense. Developing products with unique features is an important factor in gaining a competitive edge in the market place.

The traditional white golf ball A (referring to FIG. 1) has a ball body A1 coated with an opaque white layer A2 on the surface to facilitate discerning the flying location of the golf ball. The white layer A2 does not provide a desirable reflective effect and is prone to damage by the striking of golf clubs and becomes darker. This makes discerning the flying distance and dropping location of the hit golf ball difficult. U.S. Pat. No. 6,949,595 B2 (referring to FIG. 2) provides a golf ball B with a core B1, a middle layer B2 with color surrounding the core B1 and a transparent layer B3 surrounding the middle layer B2. Through the transparent layer B3, the colored middle layer B2 can be seen. The middle layer B2 is colored during production to give the golf ball B a different color. However, the color variation of the golf ball B provides merely aesthetic appeal without offering much help in terms of observing its flying location after hitting. It is even less effective than the traditional white golf ball A in this respect. Although a luster-enhancing agent may be added to the middle layer B2 of the golf ball B previously discussed, it merely makes the color of the middle layer B2 more brilliant, but does not improve the reflective effect very much. Hence, it also does not help much in tracking the flying location.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,378 (referring to FIG. 3A) provides a golf ball C which has a surface layer C1 containing reflective particles C2 in a random distribution or fully distributed manner (also referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C). The reflective particles C2 can reflect light to give the flying golf ball C a stronger light reflective effect to make observing the flying location easier. However, the reflective surface C21 of the reflective particles C2 located on the surface layer C1 is not totally in parallel with the ball surface C11. Hence, the light reflective effect is not optimal. Moreover, when the ball surface C11 is damaged by heavy striking or dropping after a period of time, the reflective particles C2 located inside the surface layer C1 also suffer damage resulting from the damaged ball surface C11. Hence it still has room for improvement in terms of enhancing light reflective effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome the aforesaid problems of the conventional golf balls by providing a golf ball that has a core, a conductive paint layer coating on the surface of the core, a bright surface thin metal reflective layer electroplated on the conductive paint layer and an outmost protective transparent layer to facilitate discerning of flying distance and dropping location of the golf ball.

To achieve the foregoing object, the invention provides an improved golf ball that has a core, a conductive paint layer, a reflective layer and a transparent layer. The conductive paint layer is coated on the surface of the core. The reflective layer is a thin, bright, surface metal layer electroplated on the conductive paint layer. The transparent layer is formed on the reflective layer to protect the reflective layer.

The golf ball thus formed provides many benefits, notably:

The reflective layer is a bright thin surface metal layer electroplated on the conductive paint layer. It is parallel to the spherical surface of the outmost transparent layer to provide a more effective reflective result. Upon receiving the light projection, the reflective layer looks brighter. With the reflective layer covered by the transparent layer, the reflective layer is protected from damage while the golf ball is hit. Thus flying distance and dropping location of the golf ball can be discerned easier.

The foregoing, as well as additional features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional golf ball.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the golf ball disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,949,595 B2.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the golf ball disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,378.

FIG. 3B is a partial enlarged sectional view according to FIG. 3A showing reflective particles distributed randomly.

FIG. 3C is a partial enlarged sectional view according to FIG. 3A showing reflective particles fully distributed over the surface.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the golf ball of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the golf ball according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the core according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the core according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the golf ball according to FIG. 4 after hit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the transparent layer.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the golf ball of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of the golf ball of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the golf ball of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 5, the golf ball 10 according to the invention includes:

a core 20 usually made from rubber or plastic material;

a conductive paint layer 30 coated on the surface of the core 20;

a reflective layer 40 formed by electroplating. As the core 20 is non-conductive, the reflective layer 40 cannot be directly electroplated thereon, the conductive paint layer 30 has to be coated on the surface of the core 20 first. After the electroplating is finished, a bright thin surface metal layer is formed to become the reflective layer 40 with mirror effect. The reflective layer 40 is formed at a thin thickness between 1-30 μm. As the reflective layer 40 is a metal layer, it cannot be formed at a greater thickness; otherwise the golf ball 10 cannot return to its original shape after hit. The returning force of the core 20 cannot restore the deformed reflective layer 40 after the golf ball 10 is hit. Hence the reflective layer 40 has to be thinner to allow the golf ball 10 to return to its original spherical shape (referring to FIG. 8); and

a transparent layer 50 formed on the reflective layer 40 to protect the reflective layer 40 from damage when hit. The outmost layer of the transparent layer 50 is a spherical surface 51 parallel with the reflective layer 40. When light passes through the transparent layer 50 and reaches the reflective layer 40, the light is reflected through the transparent layer 50 to provide an optimal reflective effect to facilitate discerning of the flying distance and dropping location of the golf ball 10.

The metal used for electroplating to form the bright surface metal thin layer can be selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, tin, zinc, cadmium, lead, gold, platinum, silver, cobalt, manganese, antimony, bismuth, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, polonium, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, osmium, tungsten, lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, lanthanum and germanium; or can be an alloy selected from the group consisting of copper-tin (bronze), copper-zinc (brass), tin-lead, copper-cadmium, tin-lead-antimony, tin-lead-zinc, nickel-tin, nickel-cobalt and gold alloys.

In addition, the core 20 of the golf ball 10 may also include a traditional core as shown in FIG. 6, in which the golf ball 10a has a core 20a with a center 21a formed therein. The center 21a is surrounded by a covering layer 22a. The center 21a and the covering layer 22a may be made from rubber. The center 21 a is harder than the covering layer 22a. Referring to FIG. 7, the golf ball 10b has another core 20b including a center 21b surrounded by a wire winding layer 22b formed by winding a wire. The center 21b and the wire winding layer 22b may be made from rubber with the center 21b harder than the wire winding layer 22b.

Referring to FIG. 9, the transparent layer 50 of the golf ball 10 contains fluorescent powders 51. When the golf ball 10 is flying, the light projection makes the reflective layer 40 and the transparent layer 50 contained the fluorescent powders 51 to generate a brilliant reflection.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the golf ball 10c. It includes:

a core 20c;

a conductive paint layer 30c coated on the surface of the core 20c;

a reflective layer 40c formed by electroplating a bright thin surface metal layer on the conductive paint layer 30c at a thickness between 1-30 μm;

a colored and transparent paint layer 41c coated on the reflective layer 40c to maintain the reflective effect of the reflective layer 40c and provide different colors for the golf ball 10c; and a transparent layer 50c formed on the colored and transparent paint layer 41c. The transparent layer 50c may contain fluorescent powders (not shown in the drawings).

FIG. 11 illustrates yet another embodiment of the golf ball 10d. It includes:

a core 20d;

a conductive paint layer 30d coated on the surface of the core 20d;

a reflective layer 40d formed on the conductive paint layer 30d. The reflective layer 40d may be formed with a pattern or text. During electroplating, a desired pattern may be masked on the conductive paint layer 30d to block electroplating while the unmasked portion is electroplated to form the patterned reflective layer 40d. After the electroplating is finished, the masked pattern is removed; and

a transparent layer 50d coated on the reflective layer 40d and the conductive paint layer 30d. When the golf ball 10d is hit and turns quickly, light projects through the transparent layer 50d to the reflective layer 40d and is reflected, while the light projects to the conductive paint layer 30d is not reflected. Thus a lighted and dark blinking effect is generated. The transparent layer 50d may also contain fluorescent powders (not shown in the drawings).

FIG. 12 illustrates still another embodiment of the golf ball 10e. It includes:

a core 20e;

a conductive paint layer 30e coated on the surface of the core 20e;

a reflective layer 40e formed by electroplating locally on the conductive paint layer 30e with a desired pattern or text;

a colored and transparent paint layer 41e coated concurrently on the reflective layer 40e and the conductive paint layer 30e; and

a transparent layer 50e formed on the colored and transparent paint layer 41e. The transparent layer 50e may also contain fluorescent powders (not shown in the drawings).

Thus, the golf ball 10 of the invention, with the surface of the core 20 coated with a conductive paint layer 30 which is electroplated with a reflective layer 40 of a bright thin surface metal layer and an outmost transparent layer 40 to protect the reflective layer 40, provides an optimal light reflective effect to give the golf ball 10 a greater visual appeal. It also aids striking of the golf ball 10 and makes discerning of the flying distance and dropping location easier.

Claims

1. A golf ball, comprising:

a core; a conductive paint layer coated on the surface of the core; a reflective layer formed by electroplating a bright thin surface metal layer on the conductive paint layer; and

a transparent layer coated on the reflective layer to protect the reflective layer.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the core is made from rubber or plastic material.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer is formed at a thickness between 1 and 30 μm.

4. The golf ball of claim 3, wherein the electroplated thin metal layer to form the reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, tin, zinc, cadmium, lead, gold, platinum, silver, cobalt, manganese, antimony, bismuth, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, polonium, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, osmium, tungsten, lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, lanthanum and germanium; or is an alloy selected from the group consisting of copper-tin, copper-zinc, tin-lead, copper-cadmium, tin-lead-antimony, tin-lead-zinc, nickel-tin, nickel-cobalt and gold alloys.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the reflective layer and an outmost spherical surface of the transparent layer are parallel.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein the transparent layer contains fluorescent powders.

7. A golf ball, comprising:

a core; a conductive paint layer coated on the surface of the core; a reflective layer formed by electroplating a bright thin surface metal layer on the conductive paint layer; a colored and transparent paint layer coated on the reflective layer; and

a transparent layer coated on the colored and transparent paint layer.

8. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the core is made from rubber or plastic material.

9. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the reflective layer is formed at a thickness between 1 and 30 μm.

10. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein the electroplated thin metal layer to form the reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, tin, zinc, cadmium, lead, gold, platinum, silver, cobalt, manganese, antimony, bismuth, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, polonium, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, osmium, tungsten, lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, lanthanum and germanium; or is an alloy selected from the group consisting of copper-tin, copper-zinc, tin-lead, copper-cadmium, tin-lead-antimony, tin-lead-zinc, nickel-tin, nickel-cobalt and gold alloys.

11. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the reflective layer and an outmost spherical surface of the transparent layer are parallel.

12. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein the transparent layer contains fluorescent powders.

13. A golf ball, comprising:

a core; a conductive paint layer coated on the surface of the core; a reflective layer formed by electroplating a bright thin surface metal layer on the conductive paint layer to form a selected pattern or text; and

a transparent layer coated concurrently on the reflective layer and the conductive paint layer.

14. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the core is made from rubber or plastic material.

15. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the reflective layer is formed at a thickness between 1 and 30 μm.

16. The golf ball of claim 15, wherein the electroplated thin metal layer to form the reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, tin, zinc, cadmium, lead, gold, platinum, silver, cobalt, manganese, antimony, bismuth, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, polonium, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, osmium, tungsten, lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, lanthanum and germanium; or is an alloy selected from the group consisting of copper-tin, copper-zinc, tin-lead, copper-cadmium, tin-lead-antimony, tin-lead-zinc, nickel-tin, nickel-cobalt and gold alloys.

17. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the reflective layer and an outmost spherical surface of the transparent layer are parallel.

18. The golf ball of claim 13, wherein the transparent layer contains fluorescent powders.

19. A golf ball, comprising:

a core; a conductive paint layer coated on the surface of the core; a reflective layer formed by electroplating a bright thin surface metal layer on the conductive paint layer to form a selected pattern or text; a colored and transparent paint layer coated concurrently on the reflective layer and the conductive paint layer; and

a transparent layer coated on the colored and transparent paint layer.

20. The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the core is made from rubber or plastic material.

21. The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the reflective layer is formed at a thickness between 1 and 30 μm.

22. The golf ball of claim 21, wherein the electroplated thin metal layer to form the reflective layer is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, tin, zinc, cadmium, lead, gold, platinum, silver, cobalt, manganese, antimony, bismuth, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, polonium, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, osmium, tungsten, lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, lanthanum and germanium; or is an alloy selected from the group consisting of copper-tin, copper-zinc, tin-lead, copper-cadmium, tin-lead-antimony, tin-lead-zinc, nickel-tin, nickel-cobalt and gold alloys.

23. The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the reflective layer and an outmost spherical surface of the transparent layer are parallel.

24. The golf ball of claim 19, wherein the transparent layer contains fluorescent powders.