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  Chemiluminescent golf ballUSPTO Application #: 20070087862Title: Chemiluminescent golf ball Abstract: An illuminated golf ball comprised of an outer translucent layer and cover, and a spherical inner core of translucent plastic, filled with chemiluminescent liquid, such as Cyalume.™. The two components of the chemiluminescent liquid are held separate by a membrane or partition within the inner core. The chemiluminescent liquids are activated by being mixed with each other by the pulling of a cord, or the pulling or pushing of metal pin, or by impact from a golf club, which breaks or tears the membrane or partition. In a preferred form the golf ball will be made to comply with USGA guidelines. Thus, the golf ball will provide improved visibility in low light conditions and be of near equal weight distribution to provide performance and flight characteristics similar to standard, non-luminescent, golf balls. (end of abstract) Agent: Virtual Legal, P.C. Michael A. Kerr - Carson City, NV, US Inventors: Christopher Redwine, Matthew Schoenfeld USPTO Applicaton #: 20070087862 - Class: 473353000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Golf, Ball, Having Locator Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070087862. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] This invention is not in any way involved with Federally sponsored research or development. FIELD OF INVENTION [0003] This invention pertains to a luminescent or illuminated golf balls, having a self contained lighting device, for evening and nighttime use, and to be made more visible in low light conditions. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND PRIOR ART [0004] As any golfer knows, it is typical for golf courses to remain open and for play to continue as long as there is sufficient daylight. Most courses also have special rates for twilight play, as it is understood that the golfer must try to finish a round as daylight is running out, and may not be able to finish at all as it can become too dark to play before the round can be finished. Under such conditions, a golf ball, which is slightly more than one and one half inches across, can be very difficult to see at a distance and the possibility of losing a ball in the course of play is greatly increased ball, requiring the use of a flashlight or similar device to first charge the photostorage material before use. Thus the light source utilized is not self powered. [0005] Thus, there remains a need for a luminescent golf ball with a self-contained and self-powered lighting device to be made more visible in low light conditions, which complies with the United States Golf Association ("USGA") rules and regulations for golf ball size and weight, and having with general performance characteristics similar to standard, non-luminescent, golf balls. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] The present invention utilizes a chemiluminescent liquid mixture, such as Cyalume..TM., contained within a spherical inner core of a golf ball, enclosed within outer translucent layers of materials common to standard, non-luminescent, golf ball construction. A means of activation is also provided such that the chemiluminescent liquid mixture can be activated when ready for use, and will provide adequate light to be seen at a distance in low light conditions for a matter of hours, allowing for continued play in twilight or at night. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES [0007] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the chemiluminescent golf ball described above, other objects and advantages of the present invention are: [0008] a) to provide a golf ball which has a self-contained and self-powered light source, providing greater visibility in low light conditions, making it easier for golfers to find their ball, and to continue play in such conditions; [0009] b) to incorporate a light source without necessity of outside charging devices or separate components; [0010] c) to incorporate the lighting source itself as a structural component inside a solid golf ball, in the shape of a sphere, providing for substantially even weight distribution, and thereby providing performance characteristics similar to standard, non-luminescent, golf balls; [0011] d) to provide a golf ball which conforms to standard golf ball size, weight, and performance requirements as set by the USGA, and/or other golf organizations worldwide. [0012] Further, objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. DRAWING FIGURES [0013] FIG. 1 shows a cut-away view of an example of the preferred embodiment, utilizing a pull cord connected to a separating membrane as a means of activation and a ball plug and socket as a sealing mechanism. [0014] FIGS. 2a and 2b shows a cut-away view of an example of an additional embodiment in which the means of activation is by impact as from a golf club. FIG. 2a shows the ball before use, and FIG. 2b shows the ball under compression of impact. REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS [0015] 3 Outer translucent later(s) [0016] 4 inner core shell [0017] 5 chemiluminescent component 1 [0018] 6 membrane or partition [0019] 7 chemiluminescent component 2 [0020] 8 pull cord ring [0021] 9 pull cord [0022] 10 ball socket [0023] 11 cord weak point [0024] 12 ball plug [0025] 13 membrane to pull cord connection [0026] 14 dimpled surface [0027] 15 chemiluminescent component 1 [0028] 16 breakable membrane or partition [0029] 17 chemiluminescent component 2 [0030] 18 inner core shell [0031] 19 outer translucent layer(s) [0032] 20 dimpled surface [0033] 21 inner core shell [0034] 22 broken membrane or partition Description--FIG. 1--Preferred Embodiment [0035] A preferred embodiment of the golf ball of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 (cut-away view). The golf ball is comprised of an outer layer or layers (3) of translucent polymers or other materials commonly used in standard golf ball construction such as Surlyn..TM., which allows for the transmission of light. The outer layers enclose an inner core shell (4) also of translucent polymer material, filled with two components of a chemiluminescent liquid mixture (5 and 7), held separate by a membrane or partition (6) within the inner core shell . Activation of the chemiluminescent liquid mixture is achieved when ready for use by breaking of the membrane (10), thereby mixing the two components (5 and 7) together. The membrane is broken by pulling on a cord (9) made of wire, or polymer material, attached to the membrane (13), and extending out through a hole in the shell of the inner core and outer layers and cover of the golf ball. Pressure is applied by pulling on the cord ring (8), the force of which tears the membrane (6), mixing the components (5 and 7) of the chemiluminescent liquid mixture, and thus activating its luminescent property. As more pressure is applied by pulling on the cord ring (8), a plug or ball (12) is pulled into a seat or socket (10) in the shell of the inner core, thereby sealing in the chemiluminescent liquid mixture. As still more pressure is applied, the cord is made to break above the ball or plug at a weak point (11) and be removed completely, leaving the components mixed, the inner core sealed, the cord removed from the ball, and light from the chemiluminescent liquid mixture visible through the translucent outer layers (3). The outer surface (14) is also dimpled for better ball performance in the course of play. Description--FIGS. 2A and 2B--Additional Embodiments [0036] An example of an additional embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, in which the components (15 and 17) of the chemiluminescent liquid mixture are held separate by a membrane or partition (16) of brittle plastic or glass. The components are caused to mix by breakage of the membrane (22) as caused by compression under severe impact as by a golf club (FIG. 2b). As in the previous example in FIG. 1, the outer layer (19) and inner core shell (18 and 21) are also of translucent polymer material and the outer surface (20) is dimpled. Alternative Embodiments [0037] There are various possibilities with regard to the means of activation by mixing of the components of the chemiluminescent liquid mixture. Examples include the pushing or pulling of a metal or plastic pin, releasing a valve inside the inner core, as well as various shapes and designs for the separating membrane or partition and sealing mechanisms, including an inner core that remains sealed without a need for any sealing mechanism. There are also various possibilities for the shape and design of the breakable membrane or partition such as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b so as to affect the fluid dynamics of the liquid mixture as may affect spin rate, and thus characteristics, and ball performance. Another area in which there is nearly endless possibility for design variation is in dimple design which also may be used to alter flight characteristics. There is also the possibility of a design in which the inner core shell comprises the bulk of the outer layers and/or cover, such that the outer translucent layer itself comprises the inner core shell. Continue reading... Full patent description for Chemiluminescent golf ball Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Chemiluminescent golf ball patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Chemiluminescent golf ball or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Club head having enhanced striking power Next Patent Application: Golf ball with light-emitting control mechanism Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Chemiluminescent golf ball patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.83331 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. 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