Golf Ball Aperture Kinetic Projectile Launch Distance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf balls do not provide enhanced driving distance and louder impact sounds, which are desired by recreational players for entertainment purposes, while still maintaining the integrity of the ball for U.S.G.A. regulated play.
Innovation Solution
Modified golf balls with a centerline axis and an aperture containing a kinetic projectile, such as a .22 or .27 caliber single shot load, which launches farther and produces a louder sound upon impact when struck by a golf club.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional golf balls are used, then the ball maintains integrity for U.S.G.A. regulated play, but driving distance and impact sound are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The golf ball is segmented into two functional parts: a conventional outer shell that maintains integrity for regulated play, and an inner kinetic projectile (ammunition) that provides enhanced driving distance and sound when activated. This segmentation allows the ball to serve dual purposes - compliant golf play and entertainment-enhanced performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The kinetic projectile is nested within the golf ball structure, with the ammunition housed inside a cavity or chamber within the ball. This nesting allows the ball to maintain its conventional appearance and integrity for regulated play while containing the surprise element of enhanced performance capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional golf balls are used, then the ball structure remains simple, but impact sound is muted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the golf ball with a kinetic projectile (ammunition), combining two separate functions into one integrated object. The outer shell serves as both the golf ball and the container for the ammunition, while the inner projectile provides the enhanced sound and performance when activated by club impact.
3Productivity
If kinetic projectile is added to golf ball, then driving distance increases, but ball becomes unusable after direct strike
Solution Approach 1:
The kinetic projectile is designed as a single-use, disposable element. After being activated by a direct club strike, the ammunition is consumed or damaged and cannot be reused. This is acceptable for novelty/entertainment golf balls, as the ball is replaced after the fun experience, similar to how disposable items are used once and discarded.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modified golf balls achieve increased driving distance and louder impact sounds, providing entertainment value without compromising the ball's usability for golfing, although they become unusable after a direct strike due to the kinetic projectile's detonation.
Implementation Method 1
a kinetic projectile positioned within the aperture such that the back end of the kinetic projectile is positioned to make direct contact with a driver, fairway wood, or hybrid golf club during a golfer's swing. When the driver, fairway wood, or hybrid golf club directly contacts the back end of the kinetic projectile, the kinetic projectile detonates
Data Source
AI summary
Golf balls are disclosed 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 a hammer actuated .22 caliber single shot load or .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 projectile disposed within the aperture of the golf balls.