Ball Apparatus Having Adaptive Rotational Inertia

Abstract

A ball with an inner core that contains movable beads sliding on rods extended radially inside. The springs attached to the beads bias them towards the core while it is at rest. When the ball spins (in flight) or rolls (on greens during putting, for example), the beads located near the axis of rotation are not affected much while those close to the equatorial plane will be spun outwards and hence in turn stress the springs. This increases the moment of inertia of the ball, which then curbs the spin rate. Furthermore, the displaced beads become distributed in a disc-like fashion during the ball□s spin. This spinning disc structure possesses gyroscopic stability that helps the ball hold its line of travel much better, compared to other existing balls, and enables it to better tolerate even strong windy conditions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This Application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60 / 481,296, filed 27 Aug. 2003. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a novel ball apparatus (ball), such as one which may be used as a golf ball. More specifically, the ball is one which advantageously exhibits gyroscopic rotational-inertia-self-tuning (GRIST) capabilities. More particularly, the ball apparatus is formed with an inner core having displaceable members, such that the ball□s rotational inertia remains adaptive to a force imparted thereto. [0004] A number of the advantages realized by a ball apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention may be more clearly illustrated with reference to such exemplary applications as that of a golf ball. In the game of golf, it is universally desired that balls struck with a club travel consistently far and, at the same time, accurately. It is true th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027] In accordance with the present invention, the ball apparatus may take the form of various game balls that are spherical, with the game balls usually spinning or rolling, such as in bowling, tennis, baseball, softball, billiard and other such applications. The ball apparatus may also take the form of various game balls that are non-spherical game, such as in applications like American football, for example, where rods extending cylindrically outward from a central axis to realize many of the advantageous effects specifically disclosed herein.

[0028] In the exemplary gyroscopic rotational-inertia-self-tuning (GRIST) golf ball embodiment disclosed, the ball apparatus is formed with an inner core and a plurality of beads. These beads enable the “self-tuning” by their radial displacement as the ball spins. The resulting golf ball structure provides numerous advantages. First, the moment of inertia of the golf ball changes with the spin rate. If the ball attempts to spin faster, the increase in moment of inertia will decrease the spin rate; when its spin slows down, the decrease in moment of inertia tends to increase and restore the spin rate. As a result, one gets a more consistent spin rate regardless of how hard or soft the ball is hit. From the tee shot to the approach shot, one will benefit from such adjustable spin rate without changing the golf ball.

[0029] Second, with the beads kept close to the center when the golf ball is at rest, the initial moment of inertia is low. This minimizes the skidding motion when struck during putting, making the putt more predictable and easier to control.

[0030] Third, as the ball spins, the beads are displaced in anisotropic fashion. The beads around the spinning axis remain close to the axial center, while those at or near the “equator” will be urged outwards the most. This results in a (spinning) disc or donut like distribution of beads. The gyroscopic nature of such a spinning object tends to retain its spinning orientation despite the presence of external forces / torques. In physics terms, this spinning disc tends to preserve its angular momentum rather well. External torques could make the rotational axis precess, rather than tip over, thus preserving its orientation. A better known example in sports may be that of a spiraling American football whose axial spin inhibits wobble; or, a fast-spinning wheel on a bicycle whose spin makes it easier to balance than when they are at rest.

[0031] Such gyroscopic effects of the GRIST golf ball enable a straighter shot even when bounced off inclined fairways. They likewise enable experienced golfers to effect draw and fade shots more precisely, even in windy situations. The straightness of travel also benefits putting, as the slopes and breaks of greens will have minimal influence on the path of putt made with GRIST golf ball, as compared to that of putts made with other standard golf balls.

Problems solved by technology

Any such liquid-derived gyro effect is necessarily weak since it relies only on friction and viscosity of the fluid inside to develop a higher effective moment of inertia.

This is far from sufficient to be of any practical significance in many applications.

In fact, such internal structure will have little predictable positive effect on a ball's travel distance, or on a ball's behavior in general.

Moreover, this device is even less useful because the tubular ring makes the golf ball highly unlikely to pass the current USGA symmetry test.

In any case, such devices with internal movable parts fail to disclose any changing moment of inertia for adaptively controlling the spin rate, nor do they produce any consistent gyroscopic effects.

While such a toroidal element may bring some gyroscopic stability to the ball's flight, it necessarily compromises any hope of the ball satisfying the USGA symmetry test.

Even if the USGA symmetry rule were disregarded, such a golf ball is in no way desirable.

As a result, if such golf ball is used, most likely it will not be properly aligned except for the tee shot or after it reaches the green.

The asymmetric weighted ball without proper alignment will result in vigorous wobbling, severely and detrimentally affecting the control of subsequent golf shots.

None of these references, however, discloses game balls with internal moving parts, or a changing, adaptive moment of inertia.

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