US 12,472,404 B2
Golf ball having a radar detectable mark
Matthew F. Hogge, Plymouth, MA (US); Brian Comeau, Berkley, MA (US); Michael R. Madson, Easton, MA (US); Richard Daprato, Acushnet, MA (US); Nicholas M. Nardacci, Barrington, RI (US); and Peter L. Serdahl, New Bedford, MA (US)
Assigned to Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed by Acushnet Company, Fairhaven, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 1, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/515,922.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/212,225, filed on Jun. 18, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/116,803, filed on Nov. 20, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/116,535, filed on Nov. 20, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0161103 A1, May 26, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A63B 37/06 (2006.01); A63B 37/00 (2006.01)
CPC A63B 37/00221 (2020.08) [A63B 37/0039 (2013.01); A63B 37/0076 (2013.01); A63B 37/0073 (2013.01); A63B 37/0074 (2013.01); A63B 37/0075 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A golf ball comprising a layer with a mark disposed on a surface thereof, wherein the mark has a continuous non-circular shape and is formed from an electrically conductive ink, wherein the mark enables detection of spin of the golf ball via a radar tracking system that is configured for use in an indoor golf ball hitting bay, the electrically conductive ink comprising:
a base resin selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, urethane polymers, acrylic polymers, epoxy polymers, and combinations of two or more thereof; and
an electrically conductive material selected from the group consisting of silver, conductive carbon, aluminum, graphene, nanotubes, nanometals, and combinations of two or more thereof,
wherein the mark has a resistivity of 0.1 Ohms to 2,500 Ohms, and a film thickness of 0.5 μm-5.0 μm;
wherein the golf ball comprises an inner core layer, an outer cover layer, and one or more intermediate layers disposed between the inner core layer and the outer cover layer; and the surface on which the mark is disposed is an outer surface of the intermediate layer positioned adjacent to the outer cover layer.