US2016082322A1PendingUtilityA1

Short-Flight Ball, and Related Methods

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Assignee: GLASER FRANKPriority: Aug 28, 2014Filed: Aug 28, 2014Published: Mar 24, 2016
Est. expiryAug 28, 2034(~8.1 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Frank Glaser
A63B 37/12A63B 37/0074A63B 37/0011A63B 37/08A63B 2037/085A63B 37/0023A63B 2071/0625A63B 37/0029A63B 37/14A63B 37/0052A63B 43/005A63B 37/0019A63B 37/0018A63B 2209/10A63B 69/3655A63B 2043/001
43
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Claims

Abstract

A ball comprises a core and a surface that covers the core. The surface includes at least one groove having a depth, a length and a width, wherein the length of the groove is at least three times the width, and wherein the length of the groove extends at most fifty degrees across the surface of the ball. When the ball travels through the air, the groove trips and obstructs the flow of air across the ball's surface, increasing the air's drag on the ball. This increase in drag causes the ball to not travel as far as a regular ball when well hit, and opposes any spin imparted to the ball when hit. In addition, the surface of the ball generates a sound that mimics a whistle while air flows across the surface to warn others of the ball's flight.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A ball, comprising
 a core having a center; and   a surface that covers the core, and includes a groove having a depth, a length and a width, wherein:
 the length of the groove is at least three times the width, 
 the length of the groove extends at most fifty degrees across the surface relative to the core's center, and 
 the depth of the groove is at least two millimeters (mm). 
   
     
     
         2 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the ball is a golf ball. 
     
     
         3 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the core is solid. 
     
     
         4 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the core includes a liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the surface completely covers the core. 
     
     
         6 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the surface includes two symmetrical halves. 
     
     
         7 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the surface includes at least two grooves. 
     
     
         8 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the groove includes two parallel sides. 
     
     
         9 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the groove includes four sides that form a quadrilateral shape. 
     
     
         10 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the groove includes a floor that is curved. 
     
     
         11 . The ball of  claim 1  wherein the surface generates a sound that mimics a whistle while air flows across the surface. 
     
     
         12 . A ball, comprising:
 a core; and   a surface that covers the core, and includes a groove having a depth, a length and a width, wherein the depth of the groove is at least two millimeters (mm).   
     
     
         13 . The ball of  claim 12  wherein the ball is a golf ball. 
     
     
         14 . The ball of  claim 12  wherein the groove includes two parallel sides. 
     
     
         15 . The ball of  claim 12  wherein the surface includes at least two grooves. 
     
     
         16 . The ball of  claim 12  wherein the groove includes a floor that is curved. 
     
     
         17 . A method for limiting the flight of a ball, the method comprising:
 disrupting the flow of air across a surface of a ball with a wall of a groove disposed on the surface, the ball having a center, and the groove having a depth, a length and a width, wherein:
 the length is at least three times the width, 
 the length extends at most fifty degrees across the surface of the ball relative to the ball's center, and 
 the depth of the groove is at least two millimeters (mm). 
   
     
     
         18 . A cover for a ball, the cover comprising:
 a body configured to cover a region of a ball, the body having a center and a surface that includes a groove, the groove having a depth, a length and a width, wherein:
 the length of the groove is at least three times the width, 
 the length of the groove extends at most fifty degrees across the surface of the body relative to the body's center when the body covers a region of the ball, and 
 the depth of the groove is at least two millimeters (mm). 
   
     
     
         19 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein the body is elastic. 
     
     
         20 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein the body is configured to surround the ball. 
     
     
         21 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein the body includes an opening to permit the body to be slipped over the ball, and the body is configured to hold the ball after the ball passes through the opening. 
     
     
         22 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein the groove includes a floor. 
     
     
         23 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein the body includes at least two grooves.

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