Golf Balls and Other Game Balls Having Improved Launch Monitor or Motion Tracking Visibility

Abstract

A ball having enhanced visibility to video camera- or radar-based launch monitoring and/or tracking systems includes a core, an intermediate layer, a cover or outer surface having a reflective material incorporated therein or applied thereto. The reflective material may be retro-reflective crystals, reflective metal, a conductive polymer, or a reflective coating. The reflective material may be added to an ink used to print indicia on the ball, or incorporated into a paint or other coating applied to the ball. The reflective material may be applied during manufacture of a ball, or existing balls may be retrofitted to contain a reflective material.

Description

FIELD

Aspects of this disclosure relate to golf balls or other game balls having enhanced visibility to video camera- and/or radar-based launch monitoring and/or motion tracking systems.

BACKGROUND

Launch monitors for tracking golf ball flight have become increasingly popular. While formerly available to only elite, highly skilled golfers, e.g., professionals associated with a golf manufacturer, in more recent times the cost of such equipment has been reduced, making the technology available to an increasing number of golfers through retail outlets, golf club manufacturers, golf ball fitting businesses, and the like.

Some types of ball launch monitors track the actual flight of the ball in contrast to calculating a projected ball flight based on data obtained from a short initial portion of the ball's flight as it leaves the club and/or from the golf swing itself. Actual flight tracking systems may use radar or similar technology to track the ball's flight and obtain data relating to its flight. TrackMan® is an example of commercially available radar- and video camera-based, full flight, golf ball launch monitors. See Tuxen et al., U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2011/0286632 A1 and Tuxen, U.S. Pat. No. 8,085,188 B2, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. Some network television stations, notably NBC, currently use this type of technology during PGA broadcasts.

SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of the disclosure and various features of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way, but it simply provides a general overview and context for the more detailed description that follows.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to golf balls or other game balls having enhanced visibility to video camera- and radar-based launch or motion monitoring systems. One aspect relates to golf balls having an interior structure, a cover surrounding the golf ball interior structure and including and a plurality of dimples. A finish material may be provided over at least a portion of an exterior of the cover. A reflection system may be incorporated into a base material of at least one of the cover or the finish material. The reflection system can include at least a reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals dispersed within the base material. In an aspect, the reflection system is exposed over no more than 4.5% of an exterior surface of the golf ball. In some aspects, the golf ball reflects at least 5% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than a comparative golf ball and does not include the reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

Additional aspects of the disclosure relate to a golf ball that includes a golf ball interior structure, a cover surrounding the golf ball interior structure and including a plurality of dimples, a finish material provided over at least a portion of an exterior of the cover, and a reflection system. In an aspect, the reflection system is exposed over no more than 11% of an exterior surface of the golf ball. In an aspect, the reflection system is asymmetric and is exposed over only a localized portion of the exterior surface of the golf ball. In some aspects, the golf ball reflects at least 5% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than a comparative golf ball that does not include the reflection system but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a golf ball that has a core, at least one intermediate layer encasing the core, a cover encasing the intermediate layer, a coating encasing the cover to form an exterior surface of the coating and a reflection system comprising a base material and a reflective material asymmetrically attached to the exterior surface of one of the at least one intermediate layer. The reflection system can be exposed over no more than 11% of the exterior surface of one of the at least one intermediate layer. The golf ball can reflect at least 5% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than a comparative golf ball that does not include the reflection system but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

In some aspects, existing balls may be retrofitted to improve launch monitor visibility. For example, an ink containing a reflective material may be applied in the form of a logo, text, or other indicia; or a coating containing a reflective material may be applied to the outer surface of the ball or a portion thereof. In other aspects, a reflective material may be incorporated during manufacture of a ball to improve its launch monitor and/or motion tracking visibility. The ball may be intended for use in competitive play (e.g., for golf tournament play), at a practice facility (e.g., a driving range), at an equipment fitting facility, in a recreational environment, and so on.

A variety of techniques may be used for incorporating a reflective material into a ball to increase its visibility to launch monitoring and/or motion tracking systems. Non-limiting examples include: incorporating a reflective metal in an ink used to print a logo or other indicia on a ball; applying a reflective paint over at least a portion of a cover layer or topcoat of a ball; and incorporating retro-reflective crystals into a paint, ink, or coating applied to a ball surface or a portion thereof. Selective portion(s) or an entire surface of the ball may include reflective material(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the disclosure and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate various features of systems for monitoring and/or tracking ball launch or motion in accordance with some example aspects of this disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show various features of a golf ball construction in accordance with some example aspects of this disclosure;

FIGS. 3 through 8 show various features of some example reflection systems provided on ball structures in accordance with some aspects of this disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows an example system for applying a reflection system as a coating layer over at least a portion of a ball exterior surface in accordance with some example aspects of this disclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows an example system for applying a reflection system as printing on an exterior ball surface in accordance with some example aspects of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various example structures, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example golf ball structures and other features of this disclosure. Additionally, it is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Also, while terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “side,” “underside,” “overhead,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the disclosure, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures.

Unless otherwise clear from context, the term “visibility” as used herein refers to the ability of a golf ball to be viewed and tracked by video camera- and/or radar-based launch or motion monitoring systems. In general, a ball having higher visibility to such systems is tracked more easily, more effectively, and/or more accurately than is a ball having a lower amount of visibility to such systems. By way of example, the portion(s) of the ball containing reflective material as described herein may reflect ≧5% more visible light or other incident radiation at a selected or predetermined wavelength or wavelength range than does a comparative ball having the same construction and materials but without the reflective material incorporated into the exterior surface, outer cover, and/or finish layer(s). In some embodiments, the increase in reflectivity relative to that of a comparative ball without the reflective system incorporated into it will be at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200%, or more.

As noted above, aspects of this disclosure relate to golf balls and other game balls having enhanced visibility to video camera- and/or radar-based launch monitoring and/or motion tracking systems. Such balls can include a reflective material (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.) in the ball's core, the ball's one or more intermediate layers, the ball's cover or a coating applied with or over the cover. The reflective material may be applied to the ball structure in various ways, e.g., as an ink printed on at least a portion of the cover (e.g., as a logo, text, player stamp, side stamp or other indicia); as a paint or other coating (e.g., a clear coat) applied to at least a portion of the cover or intermediate layer; as part of the material of the cover layer or intermediate layer; etc. Reflective material that may be used without departing from this disclosure, includes, for example, one or more metals or other materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silver, copper, gold, titanium, stainless steel, glass spheres (optionally glass spheres coated with a metal material), or the like.

Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to game balls, such as golf balls, that incorporate reflective material that is exposed to incident radiation at their exterior surfaces. Such game balls may include, for example: (a) a ball including an exterior surface (such as a golf ball including a golf ball core, an intermediate layer or layers encompassing the core, a cover surrounding the golf ball intermediate layer or layers, and a finish material provided over at least a portion of an exterior of the cover); and a reflection system incorporated into a base material of at least one of: (i) the intermediate layer, (ii) the exterior surface of the ball (e.g., the golf ball cover) or (iii) a finish material (e.g., paint, clear coat, ink, etc.) applied over at least a portion of the exterior surface. (The core alone or the core and one or more intermediate layers are sometimes referred to as the interior structure.) This reflection system may include at least one member selected from the group consisting of: reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals (which includes retro-reflective spheres, such as glass spheres, metal coated glass spheres, etc.) dispersed within the base material. In at least some example game balls according to this disclosure, the reflection system will be exposed over at least 0.8% of the exterior surface of the ball. In some examples, the reflection system will be exposed over at least 1.5%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 25%, at least 98%, or even over 100% of the exterior surface of the ball. As some examples of absolute areas of the reflection systems, in some examples, the reflection systems will cover at least 25 mm², and in some examples, at least 25 mm² on opposite sides of the ball, at least 25 mm² in each ⅛ area of the ball, etc.

It can be desirable to limit the amount of the exterior surface of the game ball over which the reflection system is exposed, to limit the weight of the reflection system, for cost savings, and for other reasons. In an embodiment, the reflection system is exposed over no more than 10% of an exterior surface of the ball. In additional example embodiments, the amount of the exterior surface of the game ball over which the reflection system is exposed is no more than 11%, no more than 4.5%, no more than 1.6%, no more than 1.0% or no more than 0.18%. As some examples of absolute areas of the reflection systems, in some examples, the reflection systems will cover no more than 261 mm², no more than 90 mm², no more than 60 mm², no more than 10.5 mm², and no more than 5 mm², of the exterior surface of a game ball.

The term “exposed over,” as used herein, means that the reflection system is present at locations so that a game ball containing the reflection system is able to receive and reflect the incident launch monitor or tracking radiation from an external radiation source of a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range (e.g., radiation emitted by a radar tracking system whether visible, infrared, microwave, radio wave or other portion of the electromagnetic spectrum; visible radiation to improve tracking by a video camera; etc.). An “exposed” reflection system need not be visible to the naked eye and/or it may be covered by another material, such as a final finish or coating or cover, provided that any overlying finish or coating or cover is “transparent” or “substantially transparent” to the incident radiation wavelength(s) to be received and reflected. The term “substantially transparent,” as used herein, means that at least about 75% of the incident radiation will pass through the finish or coating layer or cover in a reflective manner. A reflection system exposed over all or a portion of the exterior surface of a golf ball may be incorporated into the final finish or coating of the golf ball or may be incorporated into the cover of the golf ball and not into the final finish or coating of the golf ball or may be incorporated in to both the cover and the final finish or coating. Where the reflection system is exposed over the exterior surface of a golf ball by being incorporated into the cover of the golf ball and not into the final finish or coating of the golf ball, the final finish or coating should be transparent or substantially transparent.

In an example, incident radiation emitted by an external radiation source can include radio wave radiation and/or microwave radiation or other radiation used by a radar. Radio wave radiation and/or microwave radiation can be beneficially used in an example due to the characteristics of such radiation to penetrate many materials. In an example, the radio wave radiation and/or microwave radiation can penetrate an outer cover of a ball and be reflected off a reflective material that is exposed over an interior surface of a ball such as an intermediate layer, an interior cover layer or the core. In an example, the incident radiation emitted by the external radiation source has a frequency in the range of about 10.514 GHz to about 10.536 GHz, or about 10.514 GHz to about 10.520 GHz or about 10.520 GHz to about 10.530 GHz.

While described in detail below with respect to golf balls, additional aspects of this disclosure relate to other types of balls having reflections systems of the types described herein incorporated into their exterior surfaces and/or into a finish material applied to their exterior surfaces, such as baseballs, softballs, cricket balls, footballs, lacrosse balls, volley balls, tennis balls, basketballs, field hockey balls, billiard balls, and soccer balls.

The reflection system may take on a variety of different shapes or configurations without departing from this disclosure. As some examples, the reflection system may be formed into a shape of one or more stripes. When plural stripes are present, the stripes optionally may cross one another, may extend all or partially around an equator of the ball, may be located on opposite sides of the ball, may take the form of range ball stripes, may take the form of a putting alignment aide, etc. The stripes may be printed onto the ball or incorporated into a material of the ball's exterior surface and/or a finish applied to the exterior surface (e.g., as an ink, a conductive polymer, etc.). When the reflection system is present at discrete locations around the ball (e.g., on opposing sides), the shape or configuration of the reflection system at the different locations (e.g., the logo, textual information, stripe pattern, or other shapes or patterns) may be the same or different at the various different locations. Visible stripes or other discrete forms of indicia may be used to provide data for determining the ball's spin characteristics, in at least some example aspects of this disclosure. In an example, the reflection system may be asymmetric and may be provided in only a localized region of one portion of a ball. An asymmetric reflection system is not symmetrically located on a ball.

When incorporated into a base material for a cover or other exterior surface of a game ball and/or in a finish material, the reflective material (e.g., the reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals) may be present in the base material in an amount of, for example, at least 0.1% by weight, at least 0.5% by weight, at least 1%, by weight, or even at least 2% by weight of the overall base material. Any desired content of reflective material may be used to provide the enhanced visibility characteristics described above.

At least some example aspects of this disclosure relate to incorporating a reflection system into a game ball, such as a golf ball, without affecting or substantially affecting the conventional color and appearance of the game ball to the human eye. In some more specific examples, aspects of this disclosure relate to game balls having improved visibility to ball launch monitors and/or other motion tracking systems without causing the ball to have an overall metallic look (e.g., a look like the entire ball has a metal or metal foil wrapping). For golf balls, the balls in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure may have an overall uniform color appearance (e.g., white, yellow, orange, pink, or other r colors) to the human eye while still providing the enhanced visibility characteristics. The term “overall uniform color appearance to the human eye,” as used herein, means that the exterior surface of the ball, when viewed in a completed golf ball product, appears to the human eye to have a uniform, single color over at least 75% of its exterior surface area. For example, for white ball products, the ball may appear to the human eye to have a uniform, white color over at least 75% of its exterior surface area.

Providing an overall uniform color appearance to the human eye may be accomplished in various ways without departing from this disclosure. For example, if desired, the reflection system may be provided over a relatively small area or over relatively small, discrete areas of the ball such that the ball looks like an ordinary ball, but it still has improved visibility. This can be accomplished, for example, by printing the reflection system onto a ball construction at a single location or at discrete, separated locations on the ball using a reflective ink material or by placing the reflection system at discrete area(s) of the cover layer. As another example, the particles of the reflection system may be dispersed into the material of the cover layer and/or a coating layer (e.g., a paint or clear coating layer) in a small enough concentration or amount that those particles do not substantially change the overall color appearance of the cover layer or coating layer material but still provide the improved visibility characteristics. As yet another example, the particles of the reflection system may be covered with a layer of paint or other visible light opaque material, provided that the covering layer of paint or other visible light opaque material is transparent to or substantially transparent to the wavelength(s) of radiation used to track the ball's motion (e.g., the incident and reflected infrared, ultraviolet, microwave, radio frequency, or other radiation wavelengths, e.g., from a radar tracking system).

Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to methods of making game balls (e.g., golf balls) of the various types described above. Such methods may include:

• • (a) forming a ball component including an exterior surface (e.g., forming a golf ball interior structure (e.g., a core made of one or more pieces and at least one intermediate (mantle) layer), forming a cover made of one or more pieces surrounding the golf ball interior structure, and applying a finish material over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the cover); and
  • (b) forming a reflection system with at least one of: (i) the intermediate layer, (ii) the exterior surface of the ball component (e.g., a golf ball cover material) or (iii) an exterior surface of the game ball (e.g., an exterior surface of a golf ball with at least one finish layer applied to it).

Forming the reflection system may include, for example, incorporating material for the reflection system into a base material of at least one of: (a) the intermediate layer, (b) the exterior surface of the ball component or (c) a finish material applied over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ball component (e.g., an ink, paint, or other coating material). The material for the reflection system may include at least one member selected from the group consisting of: reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals (including glass crystals or spheres, optionally coated with a reflective metal material (e.g., aluminum)) dispersed within the base material. The reflection system may be formed such that it is exposed over at least 0.8% of the exterior surface of the game ball.

The step of forming the reflection system may include, for example, dispersing the reflective metal or retro-reflective crystals into the base material of the intermediate layer or the exterior surface of the ball component (e.g., the cover material for a golf ball) and forming the intermediate layer or the exterior surface of the ball component using the base material. As another example, the step of forming the reflection system may include dispersing the reflective metal or retro-reflective crystals into a base material of a finish material (e.g., a paint, a clear coat, an ink, etc.) and applying the finish material to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ball component. The reflection system may take on any of the various shape and/or other characteristics described above (and those described in more detail below).

Still additional aspects of this disclosure relate to systems and methods for monitoring the flight (or other motion) of a game ball, including golf balls, of the various types described above. Such methods of monitoring the flight (or other motion) of a game ball may include, for example: (a) applying incident radiation (e.g., radar radiation, visible light, infrared light, microwave radiation, radio frequency radiation, etc.) to an airborne or otherwise moving game ball having a reflective material on a surface or portion thereof; (b) receiving reflected energy from the ball; and (c) displaying the movement of the ball based on the reflected energy received. Systems for monitoring the flight (or other motion) of such game balls may include, for example: (a) an apparatus configured for tracking the movement of a ball by receiving reflected energy from the ball during its motion; and (b) a game ball including a reflective material visible to the apparatus. The apparatus may include lenses, other optics, and/or other mechanical components that are controlled to (a) track and follow the location of the ball, (b) follow and transmit the incident radiation in a direction so as to better interact with the ball during its motion, and/or (c) follow and change the detector field of view so as to better align with and receive the reflected radiation.

When applied to golf balls, aspects of the disclosure may be practiced on balls of varied construction, e.g., one-piece balls, two-piece balls, three-piece balls, four-piece balls, five-piece balls, wound balls, solid balls, etc.

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate various features of example systems 100 for tracking motion of a ball, such as the flight of a golf ball 150. As shown in FIG. 1A, the system 100 of this example, includes a video camera 102 and a radar system 104 (e.g., a Doppler radar) for observing and tracking motion of the golf ball 150 after it is launched by a golfer G. The video camera 102 may include one or more lenses, tracking optics, and/or other mechanisms to follow the ball 150 in flight or the video camera's field of view may be wide enough (or made wide enough) to fully encompass the ball's flight path P (or the expected ball path). Output from the system (e.g., based on data collected by the camera 102 and/or the radar system 104) may be sent to an output device 106, such as a video display device on which the flight path P of the ball 150 may be shown visually (e.g., as video) and/or shown by a tracking arrow 108 representing the ball's path from the point of view of the video camera 102 or radar system 104. The output display may be based on the reflected radiation received by the system 104. The output display also may include additional information from the radar system 104 and/or other sensors or cameras utilized in viewing the golf shot, such as ball speed, club head orientation, spin characteristics, club head path, close up views of the ball strike, etc.

FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate features that may be used for the radar system 104 in monitoring and/or tracking the ball's motion and speed. This example radar system 104 includes a radiation source 110 that transmits radiation R_Transmitted toward the ball 150 while the ball 150 is in flight. The radiation source 110 may transmit electromagnetic radiation R_Transmitted of any desired wavelength or wavelength range, including infrared radiation, visible radiation, ultraviolet radiation, microwave radiation, radio frequency radiation, etc.

When the transmitted radiation R_Transmitted reaches the ball 150, a portion of it is reflected directly back toward the radar system 104 where it is detected by detector 112. If desired, the detector 112 may at least partially surround the radiation source 110 or vice versa. Because the ball 150 is moving, however, the reflected radiation R_Reflected may have a somewhat different frequency that the transmitted radiation R_Transmitted (also referred to as a “frequency shift”). Appropriate filters may be provided to filter out radiation reflected from stationary or slower moving objects (e.g., to allow radiation only from an expected frequency shifted wavelength range to pass) and/or to allow only radiation from a predetermined reflected angle or direction to pass. If necessary or desired, the radiation source 110 may be equipped with tracking lenses or other optics or mechanisms to allow the transmitted radiation to be sent out within a relatively narrowly defined direction that optionally moves with the ball 150 as the ball 150 changes its direction with respect to the radiation source 110. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the detector system 112 may be equipped with tracking lenses or other optics or mechanisms to allow the reflected radiation to be received only from a relatively narrowly defined direction that optionally moves with the ball 150 as the ball 150 changes its direction with respect to the detector's field of view.

Devices adapted for tracking the flight of a golf ball using video camera- and radar-based technology are known in the art. Reference is made to Tuxen et al., U.S. Published Appln. No. 2011/0286632 A1 and Tuxen, U.S. Pat. No. 8,085,188 B2 mentioned above. The devices may also utilize and/or collect data measured from the ball at the time of impact and/or data measured from the golfer's and/or the club head's movements.

As noted above, the system 100 of FIGS. 1A through 1C relies on detection of radiation reflected from the golf ball in a direction directly back toward the radiation source 110 and the detector 112. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to incorporating reflection systems into golf balls (or other game ball structures) to increase the amount of radiation reflected directly back from the ball's surface and thereby improve the ball's “visibility” to the detectors involved in tracking the ball's motion (e.g., detector system 112). Various ways of increasing a ball's visibility to radar or other radiation detection systems will be described in more detail below.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one example golf ball 200 in accordance with this disclosure. As shown, this example golf ball has a core 202, an intermediate layer 204 encasing the core, a cover 206 encasing the intermediate layer and having a plurality of dimples 208 formed therein, and a topcoat 210 applied over the exterior surface of the cover 206 of the ball 200 and encasing the exterior surface of the cover 206. The golf ball 200 alternatively may be only one piece such that the core 202 represents the entirety of the golf ball 200 structure, and the plurality of dimples 218 are formed on the core 202. The ball 200 also may have any other desired construction, including the various example constructions described above (e.g., two-piece solid construction, four-piece solid construction, five-piece solid construction, a wound construction, etc.). The thickness of the topcoat 210 typically is significantly less than that of the cover 206 or the intermediate layer 204, and by way of example may range from about 5 to about 25 μm. The topcoat 210 preferably will have a minimal effect on the depth and volume of the dimples 208. Golf balls 200 according to this disclosure may include one or more pieces for the core 202 (e.g., also called an “inner core,” an “outer core,” etc.), one or more intermediate layers 204 (e.g., also called “mantle layers” or “barrier layers,” etc.), and one or more cover layers 208 (e.g., also called an “inner cover,” an “outer cover,” etc.). The exterior surfaces of a golf ball includes the exterior surface of each aspect of each layer of the golf ball, including for example, the exterior surface of the core, the exterior surface of the intermediate layer, the exterior surface of the cover, and the exterior surface of the topcoat.

The golf ball 200 and the various components thereof may be made from any desired materials without departing from this disclosure, including, for example, materials that are conventionally known and used in the art. As some more specific examples, the cover 206 of the golf ball 200 may be made of any number of materials such as ionomeric, thermoplastic, elastomeric, urethane, TPU, balata (natural or synthetic), polybutadiene materials, or combinations thereof. An optional primer or basecoat may be applied to the exterior surface of the cover 206 of the golf ball 200 prior to application of the coating layer 210. As some more specific examples, the cover layer 206 may be formed of SURLYN® based ionomer resins, thermoplastic polyurethane materials, and thermoset urethane materials, as are conventionally known and used in the art.

As will be described in more detail below, reflection systems (e.g., including reflective materials) may be provided in the cover materials (e.g., at least for an outermost layer or surface of a cover material) in some example structures in accordance with this disclosure. The reflection systems may constitute reflective metal particles, retro-reflective crystals (including retro-reflective spheres) that are dispersed in the material of the cover layer 206 and applied to a golf ball interior along with the cover layer 206. The reflective particles or crystals may be present in the cover layer 206 material in a sufficient amount to increase the cover material's reflectivity by at least 5% (as compared to the same cover material on a ball without the reflective material present). In some examples, the reflective particles or crystals will be present in the cover layer material in an about of at least 0.1% by weight, and in some examples in an amount of at least 0.5%, at least 1%, at least 2%, or even at least 4% by weight, based on the overall weight of the cover layer material.

Additionally or alternatively, the reflection system (e.g., the reflective metal particles, retro-reflective crystals (including retro-reflective spheres)) may be included in a finish material applied to the golf ball over the dimpled cover layer 206, and in an embodiment encasing the cover layer. Such finish materials may include, for example, a coating layer 208 over the cover layer 206. A variety of coating materials may be used to form a coating over the golf ball 100, non-limiting examples of which include thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers (such as polyurethanes, polyesters, acrylics, low acid thermoplastic ionomers, e.g., containing up to about 15% acid, and UV curable systems), including coating layer materials as are conventionally known or used in the art. The coating layer 208 may constitute a paint layer, a clear coat layer, or other desired material. The thickness of the coating layer 208 will typically range from of about 5 to about 25 μm, and in some examples from about 10 to about 15 μm. When present in the coating layer 208, the reflective particles or crystals may be present in the coating layer 208 material in a sufficient amount to increase the coating layer material's reflectivity by at least 5% (as compared to the same coating layer as applied to a golf ball surface without the reflective material present). In some examples, the reflective particles or crystals will be present in the coating layer material in an about of at least 0.1% by weight, and in some examples in an amount of at least 0.5%, at least 1%, at least 2%, or even at least 4% by weight, based on the overall weight of the coating layer material.

The coating layer may include additional additives, if desired, such as flow additives, mar/slip additives, adhesion promoters, thickeners, gloss reducers, flexibilizers, cross-linking additives, isocyanates or other agents for toughening or creating scratch resistance, optical brighteners, UV absorbers, and the like. The amount of such additives usually ranges from 0 to about 5 wt %, often from 0 to about 1.5 wt %. Such additive materials may be present in coating layers having reflection systems incorporated therein without departing from this disclosure.

With reference again to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a reflective material may be applied to an entire surface of the golf ball 200, such as within the cover 206 or a coating layer 208 applied thereto. For example, aluminum flakes may be combined with a polyurethane composition at a concentration of 0.1% w/w and used to form the cover layer 206. Optionally, a clear topcoat may be applied over this aluminum flake containing cover layer 206.

In other embodiments, a reflective material may be applied to less than an entire surface of the golf ball or other ball, such as in the form of indicia or another pattern. A reflective system, such as an ink containing a reflective material, may be applied in the form of a logo 302 or a player number or a side stamp or other pattern or textual information. In an example, the reflective system can be applied in a logo that is exposed over no more than 90 mm² of an exterior surface of a game ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 1.6% of a ball exterior surface. In an example, the reflective system can be applied in a player number that is exposed over no more than 10.5 mm² of an exterior surface of a game ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 0.18% of a ball exterior surface. In an example, the reflective system can be applied in a side stamp that is exposed over no more than 60 mm² of the exterior surface of a game ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 1.0% of a ball exterior surface. A reflection system can be exposed over different locations of an exterior surface of a game ball and can be applied in one or more of the logos, player numbers, side stamps, geometric shapes or other indicia on a game ball. A reflection system can be included in all inks that are applied to an exterior surface of a ball. In an example, a reflection system can be included in an ink that is applied in two logos, two player numbers and one side stamp on an exterior surface of a game ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 261 mm² of an exterior surface of a game ball, and which can be equivalent to no more than 4.5% of a ball exterior surface. In another example, a reflection system can be exposed over no more than 11% of a ball exterior surface. In examples, a reflection system can be included in only a portion of the inks that are applied to an exterior surface of a game ball. In examples, a reflection system can be included in no more than 50% of the ink applied to an exterior surface of a game ball, no more than 30% of the ink applied to an exterior surface of a game ball, or no more than 20% of the ink applied to an exterior surface of a game ball.

In an aspect, as depicted in FIG. 3, an ink containing a reflective material may be applied to an intermediate layer, a cover layer or a topcoat layer of a ball 300 in the form of a logo 302 (and/or other indicia, such as the numeric identifier “4” shown in FIG. 3 or a player number or side stamp). As some more specific examples, silver particles of 50 μm average particle size may be combined with a black or colored ink at a concentration of 0.1% w/w and applied as indicia to the cover layer or topcoat of a golf ball 300. As another example, a logo 302 and/or other indicia (such as the numeric identifier “4”, a player number or side stamp) may be applied to a manufactured golf ball 300 using a commercially available circuit pen that dispenses a conductive polymer (e.g., a silver containing polymer, such as the silver-containing conductive polymer found in CircuitWriter™ pens available from Caig Laboratories). As yet another example, if desired, the logo itself could be made of a reflective metallic material (e.g., a thin, reflective, metallic foil) that is applied to the ball, e.g., by adhesives or cements.

Some types of launch monitoring systems are adapted to measure ball spin. Performance of these types of systems may be most effectively improved by applying a reflective material to less than the entire surface of the golf ball, such as in the form of a stripe, linearly aligned text, or another pattern. For example, the reflective material may be applied in a line extending around the circumference of the golf ball or a portion thereof. Because the axis of rotation depends on the position of the ball when a shot is taken, it may be desirable to include a pattern containing more than one circumferential line, such as two lines 402a and 402b extending around the circumference of golf ball 400 as shown in FIG. 4. The lines 402a and 402b may intersect each other at a 90° angle, as illustrated in FIG. 4, at another desired angle, or they need not intersect. Also, as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the reflective system containing lines 502a and 502b in a ball 500 may be discontinuous, if desired. The line(s) 402a, 402b, 502a, and 502b also may be made visible for spin detection systems that utilize movement of stripes over a known and defined distance to determine spin characteristics. The logo and/or numeric indicator 404 in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5 may or may not include reflective material therein. In an example, the reflective material can be applied in an asymmetric manner, such as on only one side of the ball or on only one localized region of the ball. It has been found that asymmetric application of the reflective material can assist with determining spin characteristics of the ball.

As another example, FIG. 6 shows a golf ball 600 having the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal particles, retro-reflective crystals (including retro-reflective spheres)) incorporated into its structure (e.g., ink, coating layer, cover layer, intermediate layer) and formed as an alignment aide 602 used for putting. FIGS. 7 and 8 show yet additional golf ball examples 700 and 800 in which the reflection systems 702 and 802 take on different shapes, styles, and looks (e.g., as multiple co-centric circles, lines formed of spaced shapes such as circles, etc.).

In the illustrated examples of FIGS. 3 through 8, the reflection systems are shown as being highly visible on the ball structures. This is not a requirement. For example, if desired, the reflection systems could be colored to blend into the color of the ball (e.g., the same or similar to the cover layer color), provided the reflective material present in the reflection system still adequately reflects the desired incident radiation. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the reflection system may be covered by one or more other layers, provided that the covering layer(s) is (are) sufficiently transparent to radiation of the incident and reflected wavelengths so that the desired reflective properties and increased visibility properties of the reflection system are not overly masked by the covering layer(s).

The reflective material of the reflection system may be provided in any desired manner without departing from this disclosure. As noted above, the reflective material may be applied to or incorporated in a golf ball (or other ball) surface or a portion thereof to increase the ball's visibility to video camera- and/or radar-based launch monitoring or motion tracking systems. Reflectivity, as described herein, refers to a material's ability to reflect incident radiation, e.g., in the visible light-, infrared- (IR), ultraviolet- (UV), microwave, or radio frequency (RF) spectra. The portion(s) of the ball containing the reflective material typically will reflect ≧5% or more of this incident radiation (optionally at a predetermined wavelength or within a predetermined wavelength range) compared to a ball made of the same surface, cover, and/or finish materials but not including the reflection system materials (e.g., also called a “control ball” or “comparative ball” herein). By way of example, the amount of increased reflection relative to a similar control ball may range from about 5 to 400%, from about 10 to 200%, from about 25 to 100%, or from about 15 to 75%, for one or more of the above-mentioned wavelengths or wavelength ranges. In an embodiment, a golf ball containing the reflective material will reflect at least 5% more incident radiation at a chosen wavelength or wavelength range during flight from a golf club than a comparative ball that has an overall uniform color appearance to the human eye and does not contain the reflective material but is otherwise the same as the golf ball with the reflective material. The chosen wavelength or wavelength range in an embodiment is the wavelength range used by a radar system. In other example embodiments, the amount of increased reflection relative to a similar comparative ball is at least 10%, at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200% or at least 400%. The term “during flight from a golf club” as used herein means the time period during which a ball is airborne after being struck by a golf club, such as for example being stuck by a golf club managed by a mechanical golfer calibrated pursuant to the specifications of USGA TPX 3006 revision 2.0.0 titled “Actual Launch Conditions Overall Distance and Symmetry Test Procedure (Phase II)”, which in incorporated herein in its entirety.

The amount of incident radiation reflected from a game ball may be measured by any known means, including those described herein. The amount of incident radiation reflected by two different game balls can be compared. In performing a comparison of the amount of incident radiation reflected by two different game balls, any known measurement technique for the reflected incident radiation can be used, as long as the same measurement technique is used for both balls. In performing a comparison of the amount of incident radiation reflected by two different golf balls “during flight from a golf club” (a) any flight or launch conditions can be used, as long as the same flight and launch conditions are used for both balls and (b) measurements of the radiation reflected can be taken at any single or multiple points during flight of the golf ball, as long as the measurements are taken at the same points for both balls. If multiple measurements are taken of reflected radiation, the incident radiation reflected is an average of all of the measurements of the incident radiation reflected. A first golf ball is said to reflect a certain percentage more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than a comparative golf ball if the first golf ball reflects this increase in incident radiation at any radiation frequency or frequency range using any test, equipment or conditions, as long as the same test, equipment and conditions are used to measure the reflected incident radiation for both balls.

As some examples, as described above, the reflection system (e.g., a reflective material) may be added to an ink used to print logos, player numbers, side stamps, text, or other indicia on a ball in a symmetric or asymmetric manner. Alternatively, the reflection system may be incorporated into a layer of the ball (e.g., a cover or topcoat layer of a golf ball) or applied as a coating to a surface or portion thereof. The reflection system may be applied during the manufacture of a ball or, in at least some examples, may be applied to the ball subsequent to manufacture (e.g., retro-fitted on to an existing ball structure). The reflective material may be present in an outermost layer of the ball or, in some cases, in a layer that is not an outermost layer of the golf ball, such as the case where a clear top coating is applied over the reflective material (at least a top coating transparent or substantially transparent to the incident and reflected radiation).

In many aspects of this disclosure, the reflective material used to increase visibility should be incorporated into the ball structure so as not to adversely affect ball flight or other motion. If the reflective material has any significant effect on ball flight or motion, the benefit of tracking may be outweighed by the adverse effect on ball performance. On the other hand, some degree of impact on ball flight or motion may be tolerable in practice, fitting, or entertainment-type environments.

A variety of reflective materials may be used, and these materials generally (but not necessarily) fall into the categories of reflective metals, reflective paints, conductive polymers, high reflection coatings, and retro-reflective crystals, each of which will be described in more detail below. Such reflective materials, including radar “chaff” materials, are encompassed within the generic term “reflection system” as used herein. In at least some examples of this disclosure, the reflection systems will be located either over the entire ball surface or at sufficient discrete locations such that at least some portion of the reflection system will always (or substantially always) face the detector's field of view, irrespective of the ball's spin or orientation with respect to the detector. In examples, the reflective system will be asymmetric and will be applied at one localized region or several localized regions in which the reflection system will not always face the detector's field of view depending on the ball's spin or orientation with respect to the detector

In general, the reflectivity of metals varies with the wavelength of the incident radiation. Aluminum and silver have good reflectivity over a broad range of wavelengths. Examples of other reflective metals that exhibit good reflectivity at the wavelengths typically associated with video camera- and radar-based launch monitoring systems (e.g., visible light and radio frequency ranges) may include: copper, gold, titanium, iron, stainless steels, chromes, etc. The reflective metals may be polished, ground into fine powders, and/or dispersed in a carrier medium, such as a polymer material of a ball cover and/or a ball coating layer (e.g., as described above).

Typically, a relatively small amount of reflective metal is needed to enhance the ball's visibility to launch monitoring systems (e.g., at least 0.1% by weight or more). In other examples the amount of reflective material is no more than 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.01% by weight of the golf ball. As other examples, the amount of reflective metal used may range from 0.1 mg to 1 g per golf ball.

Commercially available reflective paints also may be used to provide reflection systems in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure. An example of such paint is Ames reflective safety paint, which utilizes elastomeric materials to provide elastic properties and light-refractive lenses and/or glass beads to provide reflective properties upon drying. Another example of a commercial product is a glass bead sphere and mica water-based acrylic elastomeric reflective paint system available from Liquidreflector. The glass bead spheres are designed to float to the surface of the paint as it dries to provide increased reflectivity at the surface. As with the other types of reflective materials, reflective paints may be applied either to an entire surface of the ball or to a portion thereof (e.g., indicia, pattern, stripes, asymmetric location etc.).

High-reflection (HR) coatings generally utilize a periodic layer system composed of two materials, one with a high index, such as zinc sulfide (n=2.32) or titanium dioxide (n=2.4) and one with a low index, such as magnesium fluoride (n=1.38) or silicon dioxide (n=1.49). This periodic system significantly enhances the reflectivity of the surface in the certain wavelength range called “band-stop,” whose width is determined by the ratio of the two used indices only (for quarter-wave system), while the maximum reflectivity is increasing nearly up to 100% with a number of layers in the stack. The thicknesses of the layers are generally quarter-wave, so that they yield to the broadest high reflection band in compare to the non-quarter-wave systems composed from the same materials. Some commercially available HR coatings can achieve extremely high (e.g., 99.9%) reflectivity over a broad wavelength range. As with the other types of reflective materials, high-reflective coatings may be applied either to an entire surface of the ball or a portion thereof (e.g., indicia, pattern, etc.).

Electrically conductive polymers may also exhibit a high level of reflectivity over a range of wavelengths. Conductive polymers (or the reflective material contained therein) may be incorporated into ink or other coatings applied to a ball or portion thereof, or may be applied to a ball surface using a circuit pen. An example of a commercially available circuit pen is CircuitWriter™ available from Caig Laboratories. In some examples of retro-fitting existing golf balls with a reflection system, a conductive polymer can be at least partially filled into one or more dimples of a golf ball (e.g., on dimples dispersed around the ball's surface or on a single dimple or a few dimples next to each other, or on one or more deep dimples.), for example, and/or a circuit pen can be used to write indicia, such as a golfer's initials, insignia, or the like, onto the golf ball that also serves to provide increased reflectivity and visibility. In an embodiment, a golfer can manually apply the indicia or other reflective material to a golf ball after purchasing a golf ball using a circuit pen or other device for applying the indicia or other reflective material.

Retro-reflective crystals also may be used as reflective materials in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure. One example of retro-reflective crystals currently used in sports apparel is Nike's Vapor Flash® technology. This technology generally involves positioning glass spheres in a substrate to reflect light back along the same path as the oncoming beam, rather than scattering it. Visibility of objects can be increased by as much as 400%. The glass spheres (or other retro-reflective crystals) may be incorporated, for example, into a cover layer, an ink applied to the golf ball surface or portion thereof, or a topcoat. The size of the glass spheres (optionally coated with aluminum or other reflective material) normally ranges from about 10 to about 150 μm in diameter, and in some examples, from about 30 to about 100 μm in diameter. The amount of glass spheres may vary over a wide range depending on such factors as whether they are used in a complete coating or partial coating/indicia. Often, the amount of glass spheres ranges from about 0.1 mg to about 1 g per golf ball.

Golf balls or other types of balls in accordance with this disclosure may be produced in any desired manner without departing from this disclosure, including in generally conventional manners as are known and used in the art (with the exception of the additional feature of incorporating the reflection system into the ball construction, as will be explained in more detail below).

As an initial step in a golf ball manufacturing process, a golf ball central core is made, e.g., by a molding operation, such as compression molding, hot press molding, injection molding, or other procedures as are known and used in the art. Such cores may be made of rubber materials, elastomeric resin materials (such as highly neutralized acid polymer compositions including HPF resins (e.g., HPF1000, HPF2000, HPF AD1027, HPF AD1035, HPF AD1040 and mixtures thereof, all produced by E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company) and the like. The cores may have any desired physical properties (e.g., COR, density, sizes, hardnesses, etc.) and/or additives, including properties and additives that are conventionally known and used in the golf ball art. A reflective system can be incorporated into the core. A reflective material can be uniformly mixed with the other core materials described above. The other core materials and the reflective system can then be made into the core through the molding operations or other procedures described herein.

If desired, one or more intermediate layers may be formed over the core in golf ball constructions in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure. Such intermediate layers may be formed by molding or lamination procedures, such as injection molding. The intermediate layers, when present, may be made from any desired material including materials that are conventionally known and used in the art, such as ionomer resins (e.g., SURLYN®'s, as described above), polyurethanes, TPUs, rubbers, and the like. The intermediate layers may have any desired physical properties (e.g., COR, density, thicknesses, hardnesses, etc.) and/or additives, including properties and additives that are conventionally known and used in the art.

In an example, a reflective system can be incorporated into an intermediate layer. A reflective material can be uniformly mixed with a resin prior to formation of the intermediate layer. The resin and reflective material can then be formed by molding or lamination process into an intermediate layer.

In an example, the reflective system can be incorporated into the core by applying it to the exterior surface of the core after the core has been formed. In an example, the reflective system can be incorporated in an intermediate layer by applying it to the exterior surface of the intermediate layer after the intermediate layer has been formed. The reflective system can be incorporated into the entirety or to only a portion of the exterior surface of the core and/or an intermediate layer. In examples, the reflective system can be incorporated into and exposed over no more than 11%, no more than 4.5%, no more than 1.6%, no more than 1.0% and no more than 0.18% of the exterior surface of the core and/or intermediate layer. A reflective system can be incorporated into the core and/or an intermediate layer through a printing procedure. Any desired type of printing technique may be used without departing from this disclosure, including printing techniques that are conventionally known and used in the art. In some examples in accordance with this disclosure, a printing material may include a base material that carries a reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.). Ink or other printing material can be applied to a pad member that includes a raised structure corresponding to an indicia to be printed. This ink, in at least some examples, may include a base material for carrying the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.) of the various types described in this disclosure. When the core or the core encompassed by one or more intermediate layers is moved to an appropriate printing location, an inked pad member can be pressed against the core or an intermediate layer encompassing the core, which thereby forms the indicia (e.g., a logo, player number, side stamp, geometric shape, lines, stripes or other indicia) on the core or the intermediate layer. The pad 1004 is then removed, and the core or the core encompassed by one or more intermediate layers can move onward for further processing. As another alternative, laser jet printing and/or other conventional printing techniques may be used, and the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.) may be applied to the core or the intermediate layer encompassing the core using these printing techniques. In another example, a reflective system can be manually applied to the core or the intermediate layer encompassing the core through application of an ink including a reflective material such as through application of ink using a CircuitWriter pen as described herein.

The next step in this example golf ball production process involves forming a cover layer around the golf ball core. The cover material may be an ionomeric resin (e.g., a SURLYN® material), a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a thermosetting polyurethane material, a rubber material, or the like, e.g., as described above. The core, including the center and any present intermediate layers, may be supported within a pair of cover mold-halves by a plurality of retractable pins. The retractable pins may be actuated by conventional means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. After the mold halves are closed together with the pins supporting the core, the cover material is injected into the mold in a liquid state through a plurality of injection ports or gates, such as edge gates or sub-gates. The mold halves will include structures that result in formation of dimples in the cover layer. In some example structures in accordance with this disclosure, the cover material may form a base material for carrying the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.). The reflection system may be included in all areas of the cover material or in separated and discrete, localized targeted areas of the cover material. In an example, the reflection system can be incorporated into the cover material by being printed onto the cover material through processes described herein.

The retractable pins may be retracted after a predetermined amount of cover material has been injected into the mold halves to substantially surround the core. The liquid cover material is allowed to flow and substantially fill the cavity between the core and the mold halves, while maintaining concentricity between the core and the mold halves. The cover material is then allowed to solidify around the core, and the golf balls are ejected from the mold halves. As another option, the golf ball cover may be formed by casting procedures, e.g., as conventionally known and used in this art, although the reflection system may be incorporated into the material used for the casting, if desired.

Golf balls can be created with a single cover layer or multiple cover layers. Where multiple cover layers are incorporated into a golf ball, each cover layer may fully encompass the layer underneath it (e.g., an intermediate layer or an interior cover layer). In an example, dimples formed in the cover layer through the manufacturing process exist in the cover layer and do not extend beyond the cover layer to layers encompassed by the cover layer, such as an intermediate layer or an interior cover layer that is encompassed by the cover layer.

In an example, the manufacturing process for a golf ball can result in deep dimples that extend beyond the cover layer and into an interior cover layer encompassed by the cover layer or an intermediate layer encompassed by the cover layer. Examples of manufacturing process that create production of golf balls with deep dimples and examples of such golf balls are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,044 which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Golf balls can be created in which dimples are formed on an outer cover layer. The majority of these dimples do not extend below the outer cover layer. A plurality of these dimples, known as deep dimples, do extend below the outer cover layer and into an inner cover layer or into an intermediate layer.

In an example, a reflection system can be incorporated into the deep dimples of a golf ball. The reflection system can include a base material and a reflective material. The reflection system can be incorporated in one or more of a plurality of deep dimples such that the reflection system “fills” one or more of the deep dimples. In such a scenario, the reflection system fills a portion of a deep dimple that extends into a layer beneath the outermost layer of the dimple. In an example where one or more of a plurality of deep dimples extend below an outer cover layer and into an inner cover layer, the reflection system can be incorporated into one or more of the plurality of deep dimples such that the reflection system exists solely in the inner cover layer and not in the outer cover layer. In an embodiment, the reflection system exists in both the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer. In an example where one or more deep dimples extend into an intermediate layer, the reflection system can be incorporated into one or more of the plurality of deep dimples such that the reflection system exists solely in the intermediate layer and not in the cover layer. In an embodiment, the reflection system exists in both the intermediate layer and the cover layer.

As a next step, if desired, a finish material, such as paint and/or one or more other coating layer(s), may be applied to the golf ball cover surface. In some example structures in accordance with this disclosure, the paint and/or other coating material may form a base material for carrying the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.). FIG. 9 illustrates an example apparatus 900 for applying a coating to a golf ball 902. The golf ball 902 is supported on a holder 904 (optionally a rotatable holder). The paint and/or other coating layer may be applied by one or more spray heads 906 (optionally spray heads 906 mounted on articulating arms). Relative motion between the golf ball 902 on holder 904 and the spray heads 906 can help apply the paint and/or other coating layers in a more even, substantially uniformly thick, manner. The paint and/or other coating material may include other ingredients as well, such as flow additives, mar/slip additives, adhesion promoters, thickeners, gloss reducers, flexibilizers, cross-linking additives, isocyanates or other agents for toughening or creating scratch resistance, optical brighteners, UV absorbers, and the like.

The reflection system may be applied in all areas of the paint and/or coating material or in separated and discrete targeted areas of the paint and/or other coating layer (e.g., by supplying less than all of the available spray heads 906 with reflection system-containing coating material). In an example, paint and/or coating material that includes the reflection system can be supplied to a single spray head. The single spray head can be used to apply the paint or coating in a stripe or other pattern on the ball 902 or in a discrete, localized region. In an embodiment, the spray head can be oriented horizontally to form a horizontal stripe (visible or not visible) to the ball 902 as the ball spins around an axis. Other spray heads can contain paint and/or coating material that does not include the reflection system. In some examples, if desired, the paint and/or other coating material may be applied in selective areas of the ball 902 by applying a removable mask to the ball 902 so that certain areas of the ball 902 are covered when the reflection system-containing coating material is applied to the ball 902. When coating is completed, the mask elements may be removed (and optionally additional coating or other finishing may take place).

As another finishing step (which may take place before or after one of the coating steps as described above), printing may be applied to a golf ball (or other ball). Any desired type of printing technique may be used without departing from this disclosure, including printing techniques that are conventionally known and used in the art. In some examples in accordance with this disclosure, the printing ink may form a base material for carrying the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.). As one more specific example, FIG. 10 illustrates an example procedure in which a logo 1002 is applied to a golf ball 1000 in a pad printing type system. In such systems and methods, ink is applied to a pad member 1004 that includes a raised structure corresponding to the indicia to be printed. This ink, in at least some examples of this disclosure, may constitute a base material for carrying the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.) of the various types described above. When the ball 1000 is moved to an appropriate printing location as shown in the middle of FIG. 10, the inked pad member 1004 is pressed against the ball 1000, which thereby forms the logo 1002 (or other desired indicia, such as lines, stripes, player number, side stamp, etc.) on the ball 1000. The pad 1004 is then removed, and the ball 1000 can move onward for further processing (e.g., application of another coating layer, drying, heating, curing, buffing, boxing, etc.). As another alternative, laser jet printing and/or other conventional printing techniques may be used, and the reflection system (e.g., reflective metal, retro-reflective crystals, etc.) may be applied to the ball using these printing techniques without departing from this disclosure. In examples, the reflective system included in the printing material can be exposed over no more than 11%, no more than 4.5%, no more than 1.6%, no more than 1.0%, and no more than 0.18% of the exterior surface of the golf ball. In an example, the reflective system can be applied in a logo that is exposed over no more than 90 mm² of an exterior surface of a game ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 1.6% of a ball exterior surface. In an example, the reflective system can be applied in a player number that is exposed over no more than 10.5 mm² of an exterior surface of a game ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 0.18% of a ball exterior surface. In an example, the reflective system can be applied in a side stamp that is exposed over no more than 60 mm² of the exterior surface of a game ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 1.0% of a ball exterior surface. A reflection system can be included in all inks that are applied to an exterior surface of a ball. In an example, a reflection system can be included in an ink that is applied in two logos, two player numbers and one side stamp on an exterior surface of a ball, which can be equivalent to no more than 261 mm² of an exterior surface of a game ball, and which can be equivalent to no more than 4.5% of a ball exterior surface. In another example, a reflection system can be exposed over no more than 11% of a ball exterior surface. In examples, a reflection system can be included in only a portion of the inks that are applied to an exterior surface of a ball, and can be included in only one or more logos, one or more player numbers, a side stamp, one or more geometric shapes or one or more other indicia. In examples, a reflection system can be included in no more than 50% of the ink applied to an exterior surface of a game ball, no more than 30% of the ink applied to an exterior surface of a game ball, or no more than 20% of the ink applied to an exterior surface of a game ball. The reflective system can be incorporated into a localized portion of a surface of a ball and not spread throughout a surface of a ball. Adding the reflective system to a localized portion of a ball can assist in capturing spin characteristics of the ball in flight.

In an example, a reflection system in accordance with this disclosure can be applied to a single dimple or a plurality of dimples in a localized region of the exterior of the golf ball. The reflection system can be applied using the printing procedures described herein. The reflection system can be applied by application of ink using a Circuit Writer pen as described herein. In an embodiment, the reflection system (whether applied to one or more dimples, or applied as a logo, side stamp, player number, or other indicia (visible or not visible)), can be applied to the cover of the ball and a coating can be applied over the entire cover and the reflection system. In an embodiment the reflection system can be applied over a coating and can be the final surface of the ball or an additional coating can be applied over the entire ball or over just the region containing the reflection system. In an example, a reflection system can be applied to a ball in an asymmetric manner. The reflection system can be applied in an asymmetric manner by applying it to a localized region that involves only one dimple or a few dimples that are next to each other. The reflection also can be applied in an asymmetric manner by applying it to a localized region that involves a logo, a player number or a side stamp or other indicia in only one area of a ball. The presence of an asymmetric reflection system in a localized region on a ball can assist in measuring the spin characteristics of a ball in flight.

In examples, a reflection system can be incorporated into more than one aspect of a ball. A reflection system can be incorporated into the core and an intermediate layer; a reflection system can be incorporated into a coating and an intermediate layer and/or the core; a reflection system can be incorporated into more than one other aspect of a ball. A reflection system can be aligned in more than one aspect of a ball. For example, the portion of the coating containing the reflection system can be over and aligned with the portion of the intermediate layer containing the reflection system and/or the portion of the intermediate layer containing the reflection system can be over and aligned with the portion of the core containing the reflection system.

In an example, a golf ball comprises a core, an intermediate layer encasing the core, a cover encasing the intermediate layer, and a substantially transparent finish material encasing the cover and comprising a reflective material. In aspects, such a golf ball, during flight from a golf club, reflects at least 50% more incident radiation emitted from a golf ball tracking source than a comparative golf ball that does not include the reflective material but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

In an example, a game ball comprises an exterior surface and a reflection system incorporated into a base material of at least one of the exterior surface of the ball or a finish material applied over at least a portion of the exterior surface. In an aspect, the reflection system includes at least a reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals dispersed within the base material. In some aspects the reflection system is exposed over at least 0.8% of the exterior surface of the ball or the finish material. The game ball can be a ball such as a baseball, a softball, a cricket ball, a football, a lacrosse ball, a volley ball, a tennis ball, a basketball, a field hockey ball, a golf ball or a soccer ball.

An example concerns a method of monitoring the flight of a golf ball. This method, in some aspects, can involve applying incident radiation to an airborne golf ball, wherein the golf ball has an overall uniform color appearance to the human eye, receiving reflected radiation from the golf ball, and displaying the flight of the golf ball based on the reflected radiation received. In aspects, the golf ball can have a core, an intermediate layer, a cover encasing the intermediate layer, a substantially transparent coating encasing the cover, and a reflection system. The reflection system can include a reflective metal material, retro-reflective crystals or a conductive polymer. In aspects, the golf ball can reflect at least 5% more energy than a comparative golf ball that has an overall uniform color appearance to the human eye that does not include the reflection system but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

An example concerns methods of making game balls. In an aspect, a method of making a game ball can include forming a ball component including an exterior surface and forming a reflection system with at least one of: (a) the exterior surface of the ball component or (b) an exterior surface of the game ball. The method can include incorporating material for the reflection system into a base material of at least one of the exterior surface of the ball component or a finish material applied over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ball component. The material for the reflection system can include a reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals dispersed within the base material. In an aspect, the reflection system can be exposed over at least 0.8% of the exterior surface of at least one of the ball component or the game ball. The game ball can be a baseball, a softball, a cricket ball, a football, a lacrosse ball, a volley ball, a tennis ball, a basketball, a field hockey ball, a golf ball or a soccer ball.

An example relates to methods of forming golf balls, including forming a golf ball interior structure, forming a cover surrounding the golf ball interior structure, applying a finish material over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the cover, and forming a reflection system with at least one of: (a) the exterior surface of the cover or (b) an exterior surface of the golf ball, including incorporating a material for the reflection system into a base material of at least one of the cover or the finish material. The reflection system can include a reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals dispersed within the base material. In an aspect, the reflection system can be exposed over at least 0.8% of at least one of the exterior surface of the golf ball or the exterior surface of the cover. In some aspects, the golf ball can have an overall white appearance to the human eye, and the reflection system can be substantially transparent.

Reflection systems in accordance with this disclosure may be applied to a single part of the ball construction (e.g., one of the core, intermediate layer, cover layer, the coating layer, printing ink, or other finishing material). Alternatively, if desired, reflection systems may be incorporated into more than one of these portions of the ball construction, in any desired combination, without departing from this disclosure. Thus, reflection systems may be incorporated into the cover and coating, but not the core, intermediate layer, ink or paint; into the intermediate layer, cover and ink, but not the core, paint or other coating; into the paint and/or other coating and the ink; into all of the core, intermediate layer, cover, paint, clear coatings, and ink, etc.

The reflection system in accordance with at least some examples of this disclosure further may favorably impact the aerodynamics of the ball, e.g., a golf ball. For example, the reflective metal particles and/or retroreflective crystal particles described above may be incorporated into a cover or coating composition and provide enhanced aerodynamic properties as described in U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2011/0077106 (filed Sep. 30, 2009 and entitled “Golf Ball Having an Aerodynamic Coating” in the name of Derek Fitchett) and U.S. Patent Appln. No. 13/184,254 (filed Jul. 15, 2011 and entitled “Golf Ball Having an Aerodynamic Coating Including Microsurface Roughness), each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. The reflective metal particles and/or retroreflective crystal particles described above may be incorporated into a cover or coating composition and improve the ball's launch conditions, as evidenced by the effects shown from roughened golf ball coatings or covers on coefficient of lift and/or drag properties as described in the applications above.

While the disclosure has been described above in detail in terms of application to and production of golf balls, those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, will recognize that aspects of this disclosure may be applied to other types of balls as well, such as baseballs, softballs, cricket balls, footballs, lacrosse balls, volley balls, tennis balls, basketballs, field hockey balls, billiard balls, and soccer balls. Such balls may include an exterior surface and a reflection system incorporated into a base material of at least one of the exterior surface of the ball or a finish material applied over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the ball. As some more specific examples, the reflection system may be incorporated into a waterproof (or other) covering or coating or other finishes for balls (e.g., balls with natural or synthetic leather covers). Reflection system materials also may be incorporated into the thread material used in baseballs and softballs and/or threads making up seams on other types of balls (such as footballs or soccer balls). Reflection system materials also may be incorporated into paints applied to any types of balls.

The enhanced visibility aspects of at least some examples of this disclosure are not limited to enhanced visibility to launch monitors or other tracking equipment. Rather, for reflection systems that reflect visible light wavelengths, the reflection systems also may make the balls more visible to the human eye by better reflecting incident light. These features can help players better track the balls in flight or other motion and/or locate balls after they come to rest.

The present disclosure is described above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of example structures, features, elements, and combinations of structures, features, and elements. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. For example, the various features and concepts described above in conjunction with the figures may be used individually and/or in any combination or subcombination without departing from this disclosure.

Claims

1. A golf ball, comprising:

a golf ball interior structure;

a cover surrounding the golf ball interior structure and including a plurality of dimples;

a finish material provided over at least a portion of an exterior of the cover; and

a reflection system incorporated into a base material of at least one of the cover or the finish material, wherein the reflection system includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals dispersed within the base material, wherein the reflection system is exposed over no more than 4.5% of an exterior surface of the golf ball;

wherein the golf ball reflects at least 5% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than a comparative golf ball and does not include the reflective metal material or retro-reflective crystals but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

2. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the incident radiation is radio wave radiation.

3. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the incident radiation is incident radiation emitted from a system tracking the flight of the golf ball.

4. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the incident radiation is radiation with a frequency in the range of about 10.514 GHz to about 10.536 GHz.

5. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the reflective metal material comprises silver particles with an average particle size of at least 50 μm.

6. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball reflects at least 25% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than the comparative golf ball.

7. The golf ball according to claim 6, wherein the golf ball reflects at least 50% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than the comparative golf ball.

8. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the reflection system is asymmetrically exposed over only a localized portion of the exterior surface of the golf ball.

9. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the finish material is an ink.

10. A golf ball, comprising:

a golf ball interior structure;

a cover surrounding the golf ball interior structure and including a plurality of dimples;

a finish material provided over at least a portion of an exterior of the cover; and

a reflection system;

wherein the reflection system is exposed over no more than 11%% of an exterior surface of the golf ball;

wherein the reflection system is asymmetric and is exposed over only a localized portion of the exterior surface of the golf ball; and

wherein the golf ball reflects at least 5% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than a comparative golf ball that does not include the reflection system but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

11. The golf ball according to claim 10, wherein the reflection system comprises glass spheres with a diameter between about 10 and about 150 μm.

12. The golf ball according to claim 10, wherein the reflection system is exposed over no more than 1.6% of the exterior surface of the golf ball.

13. The golf ball according to claim 10, wherein the reflection system is exposed over no more than 0.18% of the exterior surface of the golf ball.

14. The golf ball according to claim 10, wherein the reflection system is incorporated into a base material of at least one of the cover or the finish material.

15. The golf ball according to claim 10, wherein the reflection system is provided over the finish material, and

wherein the golf ball further comprises a second finish material provided over the reflection system.

16. A golf ball comprising:

a core;

at least one intermediate layer encasing the core;

a cover encasing one of the at least one intermediate layer;

a coating encasing the cover to form an exterior surface of the coating;

a reflection system comprising a base material and a reflective material asymmetrically attached to the exterior surface of one of the at least one intermediate layer;

wherein the reflection system is exposed over no more than 11% of the exterior surface of the one of the at least one intermediate layer to which the reflection system is attached; and

wherein the golf ball reflects at least 5% more incident radiation during flight from a golf club than a comparative golf ball that does not include the reflection system but is otherwise the same as the golf ball.

17. The golf ball according to claim 16, wherein the reflection system comprises an ink.

18. The golf ball according to claim 16, wherein the reflective material comprises at least one reflective metal.

19. The golf ball according to claim 16, wherein the incident radiation is one or more of radio wave radiation or microwave radiation.

20. The golf ball according to claim 16, wherein the reflection system is exposed over no more than 4.5% of the exterior surface of the one of the at least one intermediate layer to which the reflection system is attached.