Patent Application
20070202962
This invention relates to the field of sport games, and more particularly, to a golf like game having multiple projectiles.
Golf is a very popular sport. Traditionally, the game of golf consists of playing 18 holes using a predefined set of golf clubs and a golf ball. Generally, all golf balls are designed aerodynamically to facilitate the ball's flight down each fairway. Moreover, because the same golf ball must be used from the tee shot to the putt, traditional golf balls are designed round to facilitate travel over the ground for putting.
Because regulations require the using the same ball from the tee to the hole, golf clubs are designed to provide particular loft, spin, and the like to a golf ball to cause the golf ball to travel towards the golf hole. The lower clubs, both irons and woods, are designed with flatter strike surfaces to cause the golf ball to travel further in the air and reduced backspin, which allows the ball to roll more after striking the ground. The higher clubs are designed with more pitch at the strike surface to cause the ball to travel shorter distances and with increased backspin. Drivers and woods tend to propel a golf ball several hundred yards in distance, which similarly long fades and draws whether desired or not. Longer irons also tend to provide long distance and roll after the golf ball strikes the ground. Shorter irons and some woods tend to provide more loft and backspin causing the golf ball to travel a shorter distance. Moreover, the backspin tends to cause the ball to have less roll.
Gold clubs and balls today are consistently being designed so hitting a golf ball with a golf club causes the golf ball to travel further and further. However, the length of a golf course is becoming an increasingly inhibiting feature. Moreover, owning multiple clubs is expensive and carrying multiple clubs over the increasingly long distances associated with golf courses has become more and more of a burden. Additionally, the sheer length of today's golf courses adds to the amount of time required to play a round of golf.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a golf like game that would reduce the distance required for a golf course, reduce the amount of clubs required to play a round of golf, and the like.
The present application provides an improved golf game comprising multiple projectiles. The improved golf game includes a golf equipment set to play golf. The set comprising includes at least one golf club and a plurality of different golf balls, each of the plurality of different golf balls designed to travel a predetermined range, wherein at least one of the different golf balls is designed to travel a distance less than the other golf balls. The one golf ball comprises at least one linear through hole. The golf balls have a strike surface on the plurality of different golf balls, wherein the for the at least one golf ball having at least one linear through hole, the at least one strike surface is substantially parallel the axis of the through hole and perpendicular an axis of rotation, such that striking the strike surface induces the at least one golf ball to rotate when struck through a more aerodynamic phase and a less aerodynamic phase, wherein at least two of the plurality of different golf balls are used from a golf tee to a golf hole
Various features, utilities and advantages of a golf like game, in accordance with the invention, will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
The present invention will be apparent upon considering the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
The following description relates to non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in
Side surfaces having other shapes will satisfy the spirit and scope of the invention, for example elliptical shapes, hour-glass shapes, etc. Further, while the above embodiments are shown having circular-cylinder through holes, other shapes for through holes are possible, such as square, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, etc.
Also, while three dimensional polymeric bodies such as shown in FIGS. 1 and
The body of a non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, is formed of a material that is strong enough to absorb the propelling force that is applied thereto when the non-standard sports projectile is stuck, such that the non-standard sports projectile does not break or shatter as a result of this striking force. Moreover, the modulus of elasticity should be chosen depending on the characteristics of flight desired. For example, spongy matter may be used for non-standard golf balls designed to travel less distance and more resilient materials may be used for more distance. In other words, a low modulus of elasticity or rebound characteristic polymer may be used for short distance travel balls, a medium modulus of elasticity or rebound characteristic polymer may be used for medium travel balls, and a high modulus of elasticity or rebound characteristic polymer or rebound characteristic polymer for long travel balls. For example, depending on the polymer, the flexural or tensile modules could be for the following distances: low of 50,000-150,000, medium of 150,000-300,000, and high of 300,000-600,000.
Table 1 shows some sample materials, but others are possible.
As described above, non-standard sport projectiles, in accordance with the invention, include an annular (or ring shape) void or through hole that penetrates completely through the non-standard sport projectile. This annular void creates a surface-opening at two opposite surfaces of the non-standard sport projectile, for example an opening at both the “top” and an opening at the “bottom” of the non-standard sport projectile. While shown above as generally equal size opening in the top and bottom of the non-standard sport projectile, the openings can have different sizes.
As shown in
The most non-aerodynamic flight of a non-standard golf ball 30 that is constructed and arranged, in accordance with the invention, is shown in
As will be appreciated, due to the continuous spinning of non-standard golf ball 30, the two conditions that are shown in
A narrowing of the non-standard sport projectile's through hole 28 as shown in
Further, any of the through holes 26 shown in
Moreover, instead of providing only one through hole, a non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, can include several such through holes whose axes are arranged in parallel. In addition, these several through holes can have different cross sectional shapes, and/or these several through holes can have axes are that placed at an angle to each other, depending upon the flight characteristic that is desired of a particular non-standard sport projectile.
The above-described through hole or through holes allow air to flow through the non-standard sport projectile after the sport projectile is hit, after it begins its flight, and as it spins. This spinning movement generally creates a lifting force as the sport projectile moves through the air. The amount of air that flows through the sport projectile's through hole or through holes, along with the non-standard sport projectile's speed of spin, influences the flight behavior of the non-standard sport projectile.
As shown in
However, because through hole 25 is moving away from club head 31 at a high rate of speed, rotation 31 of non-standard sport projectile 30 also creates a braking effect, as the outer surface of non-standard sport projectile 30 and the sides of through hole 25 create a resistance-to-flight force, thereby reducing the distance that non-standard sport projectile 30 will travel as a result of club head 31 striking non-standard sport projectile 30.
More simply stated, as a spinning non-standard sport projectile constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention flies away from a point of impact with the club's head, movement of the non-standard sport projectile is slowed during the less-aerodynamic portion of the sport projectile's rotation shown in
As mentioned above, the body of a non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, is sufficiently strong to prevent breakage of the non-standard sport projectile upon impact, and the body of the non-standard sport projectile has sufficient elasticity to provide hoop strength and rebound after striking. Thus, for a non-standard golf ball in accordance with the invention, the body is typically formed of a high strength polymer material, non-limiting examples of which are high density polyethylene, polyester elastomers, urethane, acetyls, and thermoplastic elastomers. Further, the inner core of non-standard sport projectiles, in accordance with the invention, can be formed of thin gauge tubular spring steel or high modulus polymer, with the non-standard sport projectile having a soft polymer outer coating.
The size of a non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, can be similar to the size of a corresponding standard sport projectile, but this size relationship is not required. That is, non-standard sport projectiles, of the invention, are usually of a size that is similar to a standard golf ball. However, larger or smaller non-standard sport projectile sizes can be provided, in accordance with the invention.
In particular, and when considering different types of golf club swings, larger size non-standard golf balls that satisfactorily mate with conventional golf club heads may be appropriate for use by beginning golfers, whereas smaller size non-standard golf balls that are more difficult to strike properly may be appropriate for use by expert golfers.
During use, as is shown in
As shown in FIGS. 3A-D, a golf club head having a positive loft produces a reverse or counterclockwise spin of non-standard golf ball 40 when the head of the golf club strikes non-standard golf ball 40, and when non-standard golf ball 40 subsequently leaves club head 31. This spin is created by the positive loft of the head, by friction that exists at impact with non-standard golf ball 40, and by deformation of non-standard golf ball 40 as is shown in
When a non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, is in this through hole axis upright position, the leading surface of the sport projectile, whether it be an aerodynamic surface or a flattened surface, facilitates a spin of the non-standard sport projectile, and the rate of spin of the non-standard sport projectile is reduced as the non-standard sport projectile becomes less aerodynamic as its through hole begins to take-in air.
As rotation of the non-standard sport projectile continues, air no longer flows through the through hole, and air now hits the outside surface of the non-standard sport projectile, thus creating a braking or slowing force to the non-standard projectile's flight or horizontal motion.
Airflow into the non-standard projectile's through hole first acts as a brake, and when air no longer flow through the though-hole air flowing over the non-standard sport projectile acts as an aerodynamic lift or boost. Thus airflow through the through hole creates a slowing/braking force for the non-standard sport projectile. Therefore, the non-standard sport projectile is alternately aerodynamic and then non-aerodynamic during its rotation and its flight. Thus causing a whirring sound, somewhat like a turbine reversing, when the non-standard sport projectile is struck by an object such as golf club and then flies through the air.
As a result, flight of the non-standard sport projectile is shortened, but the nonstandard sport projectile mimics the feel and flight path of a standard sport projectile. That is, using a non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, such a non-standard golf ball, is satisfying to the golfer. The flight that is provided by non-standard sport projectiles, in accordance with the invention, are perfect for practicing the art of golf ball hitting, or the art of striking any standard sport projectile whose use requires a large geographic area, such as, for example, kicking a football to practice field goals, or hitting a baseball. A non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, can be struck without requiring the use of a net or the like within neighborhoods and parks. Further, similar to a standard golf ball, a non-standard golf ball, in accordance with the invention, will slice when the club's head is open at impact, and it will draw when the club's head is closed at impact. However, because a non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, provides a reduce flight distance, retrieval time is reduced and retrieval is less tedious. On reading this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the non-standard golf ball can be designed to increase or decrease the ability to fade or draw. In particular, if one or more ribs or ridges, similar to a gear shape cross-section, are place in the through hole or on the external surface, the non-standard golf ball can be designed to fade or draw. Further, altering the shape of the non-standard ball such that the shape is more oval instead of cylindrical may also alter the fade or draw of the non-standard ball.
Referring specifically to non-standard sport projectiles of the golf ball type, for simplicity, the weight of a non-standard golf ball, in accordance with the invention, is usually only a fraction of the weight of a standard golf ball. The weight of a nonstandard golf ball in accordance with the invention is a function of the physical size of the non-standard golf ball and is a function of the type of material that is used in its construction. In general, the heavier the non-standard sport projectile, the greater the inertia of the non-standard sport projectile that must be overcome on impact. However, the configuration of the non-standard sport projectile's through hole, and the proportion of the through hole relative to the overall height and diameter of the non-standard sport projectile, is also important when enhancing or restricting flight of the non-standard sport projectile. Because a non-standard golf ball, in accordance with the invention, is intended for use in practicing various golf swings, such a nonstandard golf ball is effective through a wide range of projectile weights.
A USGA conforming standard golf ball weighs 1.6 ounces. A non-standard golf ball of the present invention can also have a weight of 1.6 ounces. However, the weight of a non-standard golf ball of the invention is usually less due to the presence of the above-described through hole. Thus, a non-standard golf ball, in accordance with the invention, may be significantly lighter than a standard golf ball. However, in some instances, longer distances are desired with the non-standard golf ball (although still typically reduced from a standard golf ball). In these instances, a metal ring MR may be molded into the non-standard golf ball (as shown in phantom in
Because the golf club's “feel” at impact is important when learning to hit a golf ball properly, a weight of at least 0.3 ounces adequately simulates the feel of a standard golf ball, however lower weights are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, generally, the flight distance of a standard sport projectile is dependent not only on the striking force, but it is also dependent upon a spring-back of the materials or materials that make up the standard sport projectile, as well as the weight of the standard sport projectile, with lower weight standard sport projectiles generally traveling a shorter distance. Non-standard sport projectiles, in accordance with the invention, are non-aerodynamic for about one-half of the non-standard sport projectile's travel or flight time, and as a result the non-standard sport projectile travels a fraction of the distance that a standard sport projectile, such as a golf ball, travels. However, because a rotating non-standard sport projectile, in accordance with the invention, acts as an air foil for about one-half of its flight time, the non-standard sport projectile has an aerodynamic lift, and it replicates the trajectory of a standard sport projectile such as a golf ball, although the non-standard sport projectile's trajectory is significantly shortened by the braking action that occurs during the non-aerodynamic portion of the non-standard projectile's rotation. Therefore, non-standard sport projectiles, in accordance with the invention, can be struck in backyards, neighborhoods and parks without requiring a net. Once again referring to a non-standard golf ball, in accordance with the invention, it has been found that a proportion or ratio of the solid outer surface of the non-standard golf ball to the open through hole surface can be as high as about 12 to 1 or a low as about 4 to 1.
A surface ratio that is more than 4 to 1 does not function as well for most materials because such a larger ratio creates a smaller size through hole that provides less airflow. The ratio of the area of the through hole to the height or length of the through hole can vary. However it has been found that when a non-standard golf ball of the invention is in its upright or striking position, with the central axis of the through hole extending generally vertical, a through hole area that is about the equal to the height of the through hole works satisfactorily. However, this through hole diameter to through hole height ratio can be much lower, for example to up to 12 times or more. As will be appreciated, the flight and distance of a non-standard golf ball, in accordance with the invention, is a function of the loft that is provided by the golf club head and the speed at which the golf club head strikes the non-standard golf ball.
The polymeric material from which the non-standard golf ball is made, if it is high in flexural modulus, will rebound off of the golf club's face much like a standard golf ball. This polymeric material should have sufficient strength to provide hoop strength and spring back. This spring back effect is important because the resulting rebound action is required as the non-standard sport golf ball leaves the club's head.
As mentioned above, a novel and unobvious hitting surface can be constructed for the non-standard golf ball type projectile.
As can now be appreciated, the travel distance of the non-standard golf ball can be controlled in part on the ball shape. Thus, while a conventional golf equipment set typically has a standard, homogenous, or substantially homogenous golf ball and a plurality of golf clubs, typically including a driver, 1-3 wood, 2-9 iron, pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a putter. A golf equipment set using may be replaced with a single club and potentially a putter, where the travel distance of the golf ball is derived from a plurality of different balls. For example, you may have a driver ball, a fairway ball, a short game ball, and a putting ball. Each ball is specifically designed to travel a particular set distance or range of distances by either altering the material the ball is comprised of, altering the airflow through the through hole, providing an obstruction or the like. While predetermined range typically means, for example, 50 yards to 60 yards, predetermined range or ranges in this case should be considered broader in a first range may simply be predetermined to be longer than the second range. Moreover, for dog leg holes, non-standard golf balls could be pre-configured to fade or draw as desired to facilitate play. For example, as shown by the flow chart in
To increase complexity, a combination of a plurality of different balls designed to travel different distances by providing relatively more or less aerodynamic flight along with a plurality of different clubs designed to provide more or less loft and backspin. Thus, for a particular range of 40 yards, a player may select a low loft club with a short distance ball or a high loft club with a long distance ball.
Depending upon of the non-standard sport projectile's ratio of through hole diameter to through hole length, as well as on how well the non-standard sport projectile is struck, the non-standard sport projection may spin until it lands, or until it stalls and then floats to the ground.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/359,331, filed Feb. 5, 2003, titled PRACTICE SPORT PROJECTILE HAVING A THROUGH HOLE, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/359,415 filed Feb. 23, 2002 entitled AERODYNAMIC PROJECTILE WITH THROUGH HOLE, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60359415 | Feb 2002 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10359331 | Feb 2003 | US |
| Child | 11737636 | Apr 2007 | US |
