A method and apparatus for causing smoke to emit from a golf ball. In one embodiment, when a partition is removed and a threshold pressure has been met, a chemical reaction may occur between solid compositions. In another embodiment, when a threshold pressure is met to allow a liquid composition to be released from a check valve, a reaction may occur between the liquid composition and a separate solid or liquid composition. In either case, the chemical reaction may result in smoke being emitted from the golf ball, thereby helping a golfer find the ball. The golf ball may be capable of multiple emissions of smoke intermittently.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for emitting smoke from a golf ball.

[0002] It is common for a golfer to spend some time looking for his or her ball on the golf course. Some methods have tried to make golf balls easier to find using sight, sound, or smell. However, many of these methods fail to make the ball substantially easier to find. Other methods fail to be useful after a single use.

SUMMARY

[0003] The invention generally provides a method and apparatus for emitting smoke from a golf ball on an intermittent basis. The golf ball contains multiple sources of smoke-producing materials and/or sources of the smoke-producing materials which may be accessed or mixed together multiple times. The release of the smoke may be triggered by the impact of a club with the ball or by a user manually manipulating the smoke-producing device in the ball, such as by removing a tab, inserting the ball in water, or otherwise allowing the smoke-producing device in the ball to emit smoke.

[0004] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of increasing the visibility of a golf ball, the method comprising the steps of: providing a golf ball configured to emit smoke produced by the reaction of a chemical composition contained within the golf ball, wherein the smoke is emitted after each of several club strikes; directing a user to cause a reaction with a first portion of the chemical composition to produce the smoke for a first strike; and directing a user to cause a reaction with a second portion of the chemical composition to produce the smoke for a second strike.

[0005] Another aspect of the invention provides a golf ball including a cover, a core, and a chamber configured to produce smoke. A first portion of the chamber comprises a first composition and a second portion of the chamber comprises a second composition. The chamber includes one or more check valves, wherein the one or more check valves may release a portion of the first composition from the first portion of the chamber into an area where the portion of the first composition is combined with at least a portion of the second composition, wherein the combination of the first composition and the second composition causes an emission of smoke, and wherein the golf ball is configured to emit smoke after each of multiple strikes.

[0006] Another aspect of the invention provides a golf ball having a cover, a core, and a chamber, wherein the chamber is configured to produce smoke. The chamber comprises a plurality of solid compositions, one or more removable partitions elements, one or more other partition elements, wherein striking the golf ball causes a chemical reaction that generates smoke, wherein at least one of the removable partition elements is configured to be removed prior to striking the golf ball to cause the chemical reaction, wherein the golf ball is capable of emitting smoke after multiple strikes.

[0007] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.
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[0033] In step 260, smoke 160 is emitted. Any type or amount of smoke may be emitted. Smoke 160 may be visible in any color. In some cases, smoke 160 may also create a sound or include a detectable smell.
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[0071] FIG. 19 shows a schematic view of a golfer using a golf ball capable of emitting smoke intermittently. The illustration includes three panels: panel 1970, panel 1980, and panel 1990. Panel 1970 shows a golfer 1950 hitting a golf ball 1900. Golf ball 1900 emits smoke 1960 subsequent to the hit. In some embodiments, the emission of smoke 1960 may result from a combination of solid or liquid compositions.

[0072] Panel 1980 shows a golfer 1950 using a tool 1970 to remove a removable partition in golf ball 1980. It may be appreciated that in some cases a tool 1970 may not be necessary to remove a removable partition. In some embodiments, other techniques shown in FIGS. 12-14 may be used to manually remove the removable partition. The manual removal of the removable partition may be an optional step. In other cases, the chemical reaction resulting from the strike in panel 1970 may have automatically removed one or more other partitions.

[0073] Panel 1990 shows a golfer 1950 hitting a golf ball 1900 a second time. Golf ball 1900 may again emit smoke 1960 subsequent to the hit. Again, in some embodiments, the emission of smoke 1960 may result from a combination of solid or liquid compositions. While only two hits and emissions of smoke are shown, it will be appreciated that golf ball 1900 may be capable of further emissions of smoke on subsequent strikes.