CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference, U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63/270,597 filed on October 22, 2021 .

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The field of the present invention relates generally to novelty golf balls and, more particularly, to golf balls fortified with kinetic projectiles that are configured to launch farther (and/or produce a louder sound upon impact) than conventional golf balls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] It is well-known that golfers strive to achieve maximum distance with most golf swings, whether using a driver on a tee box or an approach shot from a fairway. Indeed, driving distance is a key metric that all golfers are keen to improve. While the appetite for increased driving and launch distance have been continuously addressed over the years through improved golf club and golf ball technology, less attention has been devoted to so-called novelty golf balls that recreational players may enjoy using, e.g., modified golf balls that are fun to use among friends and provide substantially enhanced driving distance and/or louder impact sounds, albeit not appropriate for U.S.G.A. regulated play.

[004] As the following will demonstrate, the modified golf balls described herein address such needs (and others) in the industry. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] According to certain aspects of the invention, modified golf balls are provided that comprise a kinetic projectile. More particularly, golf balls are provided that include a centerline axis; an aperture located within the centerline axis; and a kinetic projectile located within the aperture. The kinetic projectile may consist of, for example, a hammer actuated 0.22 caliber single shot load (or, in other embodiments, a 0.27 caliber single shot load). The aperture may, optionally, further include an amount of black powder disposed therein. The golf balls are configured to launch farther, and/or produce a striking sound greater, than conventional golf balls - - when the balls are struck on the backside of the kinetic projectiles, while disposed within the apertures of the golf balls.

[006] The above-mentioned and additional features of the present invention are further illustrated in the Detailed Description contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[007] FIGURE 1 is a diagram of a golf ball, showing the center line axis thereof, and a kinetic projectile.

[008] FIGURE 2 is a diagram of a golf ball, showing the location of an aperture drilled into the center line axis thereof, along with a diagram of a kinetic projectile

[009] FIGURE 3 is a diagram of a golf ball with a kinetic projectile positioned within an aperture that has been drilled into the center line axis of the golf ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following will describe, in detail, several preferred embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are provided by way of explanation only, and thus, should not unduly restrict the scope of the invention. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that the invention teaches many variations and modifications, and that numerous variations of the invention may be employed, used, and made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0011] Referring now to Figures 1 - 3, according to certain preferred embodiments, the present invention includes modified golf balls that comprise a kinetic projectile. More particularly, golf balls are provided that include a centerline axis 10 - - which is a linear area of a circumference of a golf ball located between two rows of dimples (Figure 1). The modified golf balls further include an aperture 12 located within the centerline axis 10 and a kinetic projectile 14 located within the aperture 12.

[0012] As mentioned above, as used herein, the term “centerline axis” 10 refers to a continguous and somewhat linear area of the exterior (cover) of the golf ball that does not include any dimples (i.e., it exists between two rows of dimples) - - an area that also represents a circumference of the golf ball (Figure 1). In certain embodiments, the circular aperture 12 is preferably drilled to be centered over the centerline axis 10. The invention provides that the circular aperture 12 will extend beyond both sides of the centerline axis 10; however, in such embodiments, the middle or center of the circular aperture 12 will preferably be centered over the centerline axis 10. This way, the golf ball will remain symmetrical and balanced. In other alternative embodiments, the circular aperture 12 may be drilled to be adjacent to (or offset from) the centerline axis 10, such as directly next to a side of the centerline axis 10 (or offset from the centerline axis 10 by 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, or more from the centerline axis 10). In such alternative embodiments, the slightly offset circular aperture 12 will encourage a different spin, and ball flight trajectory, compared to balls having the circular aperture 12 drilled into and centered over the centerline axis 10.

[0013] In certain preferred embodiments, the invention provides that the aperture 12 may be drilled to have a depth of about 0.800 inches to 1.650 inches. The invention provides that the aperture 12 may be drilled to have a diameter of about 0.203 to 0.220 inches (to accommodate 22 caliber kinetic projectiles). In other embodiments, the invention provides that the aperture 12 may be drilled to have a diameter of about 0.250 to 0.265 inches (to accommodate 27 caliber kinetic projectiles). The invention provides that the dimensions of the aperture 12 will preferably be configured to receive, and fittingly hold without adhesives, the kinetic projectile 14 described herein. In other embodiments, adhesives can be added to the aperture 12 to assist in retaining the kinetic projectile 14 therein.

[0014] The invention provides that the kinetic projectile 14 may consist of a hammer actuated single shot load, such as the hammer actuated single shot loads commonly used in single nail shot hand tools / guns, e.g., the single shot loads commonly used with Red Head style nail guns. In certain non-limiting examples, the invention provides that the kinetic projectile 14 may consist of, for example, a hammer actuated 0.22 caliber single shot load or 27 caliber single shot load. The invention provides that a front end 16 of the kinetic projectile 14 is inserted into the aperture 12, with the kinetic projectile 14 then being pressed into the aperture 12 until the back end 18 of the kinetic projectile 14 is flush, or substantially flush, with the exterior surface of the golf ball. Accordingly, the invention provides that the diameter of the aperture 12 will be tailored and configured to fittingly hold the kinetic projectile 14 (i.e., the diameter of the aperture 12 drilled into the golf ball will take into account the diameter of the kinetic projectile 14). [0015] The invention provides that the aperture 12 may, optionally, further include an amount of black powder disposed therein (with such black powder being deposited within the aperture 12 before the kinetic projectile 14 is disposed therein). As used herein, the term “black powder” refers to traditional gunpowder, which generally consists of a mixture of sulfur, carbon, and potassium nitrate - - or such black powder is also generally known to include fuel (charcoal), an oxidizer (saltpeter or niter), and a stabilizer (sulfur).

[0016] During use, the golf balls of the present invention should be placed on a conventional golf tee and oriented such that the back end 18 of the kinetic projectile 14 will make contact with a driver, fairway wood, or hybrid golf club during a golfer’s swing. The invention provides that when a driver, fairway wood, or hybrid golf club strikes the golf ball, and thereby strikes the back end 18 of the kinetic projectile 14, the golf ball will launch farther than conventional golf balls - - and/or it will produce a striking sound that is much greater and different than traditional golf balls (e.g., a loud gunshot type of sound is produced). This provides a type of entertainment among golfers that is not achievable with traditional golf balls.

[0017] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those described, and that various other changes or modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

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