Golf ball having a radar detectable mark
Golf balls including one or more layers having at least one radar detectable mark disposed on the surface thereof are provided.
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.
2 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the mark is opaque.
3 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the mark is transparent.
4 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the mark has dimensions such that every 0.025 inch wide great circle path on the golf ball layer surface on which the mark is disposed intersects the mark.
5 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the mark has a width of 0.03 inches-0.20 inches.
6 . The golf ball of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the intermediate layer on which the mark is applied consists of a uniform, spherical profile.
7 . A golf ball comprising a layer with a mark disposed on a surface thereof, wherein the mark is radar reflective and 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, wherein:
the mark has a continuous shape and is formed from a radar detectable material comprised of an electrically conductive ink, 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; and
the mark has dimensions such that every 0.025 inch wide great circle path on the golf ball layer surface on which the mark is disposed intersects the mark; and
the mark has a film thickness of 0.5 μm-5.0 μm.
8 . The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein every 0.015 inch wide great circle path on the golf ball layer surface on which the mark is disposed intersects the mark.
9 . The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein every 0.005 inch wide great circle path on the golf ball layer surface on which the mark is disposed intersects the mark.
10 . The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein every great circle path on the golf ball layer surface on which the mark is disposed intersects the mark.
11 . The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the mark consists of a stripe.
12 . The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the mark consists of two stripes intersecting at two locations.
13 . The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the mark consists of four stripes forming a closed loop.
14 . The golf ball of claim 13 , wherein the closed loop forms a spherical rectangle.
15 . The golf ball of claim 7 , wherein the mark consists of a single curvilinear stripe creating a closed loop.