US20140309054A1

US20140309054A1 - Novelty Square Golf Ball

Info

Publication number: US20140309054A1
Application number: US13/863,171
Authority: US
Inventors: James Phillip Ellison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-15
Filing date: 2013-04-15
Publication date: 2014-10-16

Abstract

The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is intended as a novelty item, having the same weight and approximate proportional dimensions with a plurality of dimples on the outer covering, resembling an ordinary spherical golf ball. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will be a cube in physical nature. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will resemble an ordinary golf ball in all aspects except for its unique cube shape, and unlike an ordinary golf ball, the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” solid core materials will not be of consequence to the final product or its performance. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is not intended for use in a game of golf, or any other challenge. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will appear white in overall color, but may be produced in a variety of colors. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” may have one or more graphics, logos and/or text messages imprinted on the outer cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is a novelty item having the same outward appearance, texture, size and weight as an ordinary, traditional golf ball with dimples, with the distinctive difference being the physical cube shape instead of a spherical body.
2. Description of the Related Art
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will have an outer cover that resembles virtually all traditional, ordinary golf balls, having a Surlyn Resin type coating with multiple, evenly spaced dimple indentations uniform and resembling a traditional, ordinary golf ball. Dimple count will be determined by available physical area, and is expected to be between 350 and 500 dimples total.
The dimple pattern of one side is repeated and duplicated on all six sides. Because the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is not intended for use in any sporting or game fashion, the exact positioning, depth and spacing of dimples is not critical to the product performance. The dimples are intended to present a realistic resemblance to a traditional golf ball in numbers of dimples, spacing of dimples and depth of dimples.
Generally, a traditional golf ball is formed with a mold having upper and lower mold halves. The mold has a parting line. A traditional golf ball obtained with this mold has a seam at a position along the parting line. Through this forming, spew occurs along the seam. The spew is removed by means of cutting. By cutting the spew, the dimples near the seam may be deformed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,564 represents a traditional golf ball in which the dimples near the seam are greater in volume than the dimples near the poles. This volume difference contributes to eliminating the uniqueness of the region near the equator. Because the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is not to be used in a game, challenge or sport, the exact spacing of dimples is inconsequential, other than for cosmetic purposes. Flight distance is not an element for consideration or comparison.
The objective of this invention is to provide a novelty item which looks, feels and can be immediately associated with a traditional golf ball, except that the shape is a cube and not spherical.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is an object for novelty purposes only.
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will resemble a traditional, ordinary golf ball in appearance and weight, however will have a cube appearance instead of a spherical shape.
The outer covering material of the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is inconsequential, except to provide for a solid feel and create the same appearance, feel and texture as a traditional golf ball.
The inner core material of the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is inconsequential, except to provide for a solid feel and create the same weight (1.620 ounces) as a traditional golf ball.
Dimples on the outer covering have no bearing on product performance, as the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is not intended to be struck or used in any game or sporting event. Surface hardness or resistance is inconsequential, other than to have the same overall feel and texture of a traditional golf ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood and apparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a straight on view, one dimensional, showing a cube or square object having numerous small, uniformly deep and uniformly spread concave dimples as found on a traditional golf ball. This object has no front, back, left, right, top or bottom. Each and/or any face may be considered front, back, left, right, top or bottom at any given time time.

FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of FIG. 1, showing that the object is a true cube, with equal sides, and each side having a uniform dimple pattern.

FIG. 3 is the same as FIG. 1, with embodiments removed.

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 2, with embodiments removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawing labeled FIG. 1, the pointer identified as number 1-1 indicates small, uniformly shallow, uniformly placed concave dimples in identical manner as a traditional golf ball cover would exhibit.
Referring to the drawing labeled FIG. 2, the pointers identified as number 2-1 and 2-2 indicate small, uniformly shallow, uniformly placed concave dimples in the same manner as a traditional golf ball cover would exhibit. These uniformly placed dimples cover and are found on all 6 faces of the cube.
As the inventor, I recommend FIG. 4 be used as the official patent drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be manufactured in the same manner as a traditional golf ball, typically having two outer covering halves molded then glued together surrounding a solid core material.
The outer covering will consist of materials consistent with those of a traditional golf ball, using a variety of resin(s) and plastics to create the cover material.
The mold will include the concave dimples, as found on a traditional golf ball. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will comprise of an outer surface including a plurality of dimples that are about 0.08 to 0.2 inches in height and the deepest parts of the plurality of dimples is about 0.005 to 0.01 inches below a phantom surface of the cube, as with conventional shaped dimples on an ordinary golf ball.
The outer covering will be between 1 mm and 3 mm in thickness. The cover composition is heated and melted at the temperature of 150 degree C. to 230 degree C. This mixture is charged into a mold held under the pressure for approximately 1 second. After cooling for 15 to 60 seconds, the mold is opened and the molded cover is taken out from the mold. By performing the molding under the above conditions, the cover will be more uniform in thickness.
When molding a cover, the concave portions called “dimples” are usually formed on the surface. After the cover is molded, the mold is opened and the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is taken out from the mold, and as necessary, the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is subjected to surface treatment such as deburring, cleaning, and sandblast.
Unlike a traditional golf ball, the solid core material is inconsequential to the performance of the “Novelty Square Golf Ball”, other than to be a solid, non-toxic material which when combined with the outer covering totals a weight of 1.620 ounces, the same weight as a traditional golf ball.
Unlike a traditional golf ball, the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will be cubed, will not roll or bounce.
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will present six identical faces with no one side designated as top, bottom, left, right, front or back.
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will sit on any one of the six identical faces, and be viewed as a novelty item, resembling a traditional golf ball in every sense except for the shape being cubed instead of spherical.
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will measure 1⅝ inches wide by 1⅝ inches high by 1⅝ inched deep, with each side or face being identical.
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will be white in color, however may be produced in any color or colors as desired by the inventor.
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will allow for the imprint of graphics, logos and/or text on one or more sides or faces of the product. The imprint, if any, will occur after the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is physically produced.
The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” may have sharp defined corners, or slightly rounded corners for both safety and aesthetic concerns. The finished product will have all corners identical, and will not combine sharp corners and rounded corners on the same item.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” is a 1⅝ inch cubed item having six identical shaped, sized and textured faces.

2. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will have an outer covering resembling the texture and feel as with a traditional spherical golf ball, except that the item shape will be a cube and not round.

3. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will have multiple, evenly spaced identical concave dimples, exactly as found on a traditional spherical golf ball.

4. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will have an outer cover 1 mm to 3 mm in thickness like a traditional spherical golf ball, and made from the same resins and materials as used in the production of a traditional spherical golf ball outer covering.

5. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will weigh 1.620 ounces which is the same weight as a traditional spherical golf ball.

6. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will have an inner core consisting of a solid, non-toxic material as is used in the production of traditional spherical golf balls, except that the inner core material for the “Novelty Square Golf Ball” will not have any consequence on the performance or intended use of the final product, therefore has no exacting standards or criteria to be satisfied other than to be solid.

7. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will be physically manufactured using the same assembly and manufacturing processes as used in production of a traditional spherical golf ball, by creating two outer covering half molds, then gluing these two halves together with a solid inner core in place.

8. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will have six identical faces with no one side or face deemed as top, bottom, left, right, front or back.

9. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will not bounce or roll.

10. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 is not intended for use in any sport, game, challenge or skill, rather is intended solely as a novelty item having the same outward appearance, texture, weight and overall appearance of a traditional spherical golf ball, except for its unique cubed shape.

11. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will not have moving or removable parts.

12. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will not require any power source to operate as intended.

13. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will not require maintenance.

14. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will be waterproof provided the outer covering is intact and not damaged.

15. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will require no special instructions in order to operate as intended.

16. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 is large enough so as to not present a choking hazard to children.

17. The “Novelty Square Golf Ball” of claim #1 will not be biased as to owner/user age, gender, creed, color, religion, spoke language or any other nationality or demographic classification.