US 2002/0173378 A1 · Kinetically rechargeable sound-emitting golf ball

Abstract

A sound-producing golf ball includes an outer shell with a shock-absorbent inner housing having a rechargeable micro-battery positioned therein. A micro-generator coupled to a rotatably mounted shaft is positioned in the housing. A pendulum depending from the shaft is urged downwardly by gravity for rotating the shaft as the golf ball rolls while in play, thus generating electricity for recharging the micro-battery. A sound chip having a memory for storing audible messages is positioned in the housing along with a sound generator for audibilizing the messages when energized. The housing may include a receiver for receiving a signal from a transmitter for selectively energizing operation of the sound chip and sound generator. The housing presents a geodesic configuration and includes a plurality of interconnected tetrahedral structures for absorbing impact forces.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A sound-emitting golf ball, comprising:

a shock absorbent housing defining an interior chamber;
a rechargeable micro-battery positioned in said chamber;
a sound generator positioned in said chamber and electrically connected to said micro-battery, said sound generator adapted to emit audible sounds into the ambient air for hearing by a person when energized by said micro-battery;
a shaft rotatably mounted in said chamber;
a mass depending from said shaft and adapted to cause said shaft to rotate as said mass is urged toward the ground by gravity upon rotation of said housing;
and
a micro-generator positioned in said chamber and axially coupled to said shaft for producing electrical energy upon rotation of said shaft, said micro-generator being electrically connected to said micro-battery for recharging said micro-battery upon production of said electrical energy.

4 more elements

A sound-emitting golf ball, comprising:

an outer shell having a generally spherical configuration;
a housing positioned in said outer shell having a geodesic configuration and defining an interior chamber;
a plurality of interconnected tetrahedral structures positioned in said chamber and adapted to absorb a portion of an impact force imparted upon said outer shell by a golf club head;
a micro-battery positioned in said chamber;
a digital sound chip positioned in said chamber and having a memory adapted to store a plurality of audio messages, said digital sound chip being electrically connected to said micro-battery;
a sound generator positioned in said chamber and electrically connected to said digital sound chip, said digital sound chip adapted to deliver a respective audio message to said sound generator and said sound generator adapted to audibilize said respective audio message into the ambient air for hearing by a person when said digital sound chip is energized by said micro-battery.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Kinetically rechargeable sound-emitting golf ball

Life of this patent

Kinetically rechargeable sound-emitting golf ball

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19