Portable golf ball warming device

A portable, solar powered golf ball warming device includes a hollow black tube as a warming chamber for golf balls. The black tube has separate elastomer loading and dispensing apertures disposed at opposite ends thereof. The black tube is disposed within a transparent housing which also supports a parabolic reflector shield. The parabolic reflector shield reflects solar energy to thereby warm the black tube. During sunny weather conditions, the device provides continuous heat to modern golf balls including those of two piece construction. The golf balls serially move within the warming device such that ambient air does not breach the warming chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to the art of warming devices for warming 
golf balls. More particularly, the present invention relates to the art of 
portable warming devices for warming modern golf balls to improve 
performance characteristics during play. 
The modern golf ball has undergone significant changes from its humble 
beginnings in the sixteenth century. In 1550, golf balls were made from 
wood and could travel a distance of up to 150 yards when struck. In the 
1750s golf balls were made from leather, such as bull or horse hide, and 
stuffed with feathers. However, by 1850, golf balls were made in a 
one-piece construction from a rubbery substance known as "gutta percha." 
By 1898, Coburn Haskell invented a "wound" golf ball which included a 
plurality of rubber strands wrapped around an interior core. By this time, 
golf balls were routinely being hit upwards of 200 yards. In 1921, the 
USGA (United States Golf Association) set a number of manufacturing 
criteria for golf balls including the requirement that no ball can weigh 
more than 1.62 ounces or be smaller than 1.62 inches in diameter. 
Throughout the earlier part of this century, the USGA has frequently 
changed their criteria for golf ball construction and in 1942 adopted the 
initial velocity test to constrain the "liveliness" of golf balls to 250 
feet per second, with a two percent tolerance. Since 1951, the USGA and 
the R&A (the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland) have 
agreed upon golf standards including golf ball and golf club dimensions. 
In the 1950s most golf balls were made from a "three-piece" construction 
including an inner core (first piece), a plurality of windings (second 
piece), and a rubbery outer layer (third piece). 
By the 1960s, "two-piece" golf balls became increasingly popular due to 
increased distance from 5-iron club lofts. However, the two-piece golf 
balls still met the USGA criteria for traveling a set distance at driver 
lofts. 
Today, the USGA has adopted an indoor test for golf balls which simulates 
outdoor performance by propelling golf balls into a screen which is 70 
feet from a launch position. Ball construction has likewise changed, and 
today golf balls are manufactured in the two-piece and three-piece, i.e. 
"wound" variety. 
Three-piece golf balls, generally considered as superior by better golfers, 
have a liquid center or a solid center made from an elastic material such 
as polybutadiene. Three-piece golf balls are usually wound with a rubbery 
thread and covered with a form of rubber, i.e. polyisoprene. The most 
popular form of rubber for the outer coating of three-piece golf balls is 
"balata," which denotes the trans isomer form of polyisoprene. The cover 
material for golf balls generally has a hardness of 50 to 75 Shore D, and 
an icosahedron or modified cuboctahedron dimple pattern which generally 
covers upwards of 80% of the outer surface area. Often a plurality of 
different dimple types are simultaneously disposed on a golf ball surface 
to form the dimple pattern. 
Modern two-piece golf balls generally have a tough outer coating of 
"surlyn" or a "surlyn/lithium" composite. This composite is more resistant 
to cutting and deformation than a balata cover and exhibits improved 
performance when heated to well above normal ambient temperatures. 
The heating of golf balls improves performance without harmful effects or 
deterioration of the ball. When sufficiently heated, a modern golf ball 
will generally travel farther and feel "softer" when hit with a golf club. 
This farther travel and more comfortable feel allows for more enjoyable 
play, especially during cool weather. 
The generally accepted rules of golf, i.e. the "Rules," are promulgated by 
the United States Golf Association and are incorporated herein by 
reference. The Rules specifically disallow the use of artificial equipment 
during specified play. More particularly, Rule 14-3 provides in pertinent 
part that " . . . during a stipulated round the player shall not use any 
artificial device or unusual equipment . . . which might assist him or 
her! in making a stroke or . . . play." 
Ever since golf balls have been manufactured from elastomer materials, a 
number of heat sources have been employed to warm golf balls and thereby 
enhance play. In fact, Walter Darden Hampton recognized that a portable 
golf ball heater may increase drive distance as early as 1942. Hampton, in 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,272,340, sets forth a chemically active heat pack which 
transmits heat to four golf balls disposed within a heat chamber. Hampton 
allows unidirectional upward movement of four golf balls within the heat 
chamber by way of insertion through cross-slit flaps. The cross-slit flaps 
are stiff and do not open under weight of the golf balls. However, 
undesirable ambient air enters the heat chamber during insertion and 
removal of the golf balls, and while the balls are at rest. Moreover, the 
chemical heating element only partially surrounds the heat chamber and a 
non-heated side of the heat chamber is not insulated against heat loss. 
Thus, golf balls stored within the heat chamber become heated unevenly. 
Cohen, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,144,002, 4,967,062 and 5,057,670 sets forth a 
golf ball heating device which generates heat by electrical resistance 
from an external source. Cohen includes a divider which restricts movement 
of ambient air into the ball chamber during removal of a golf ball. 
However, the electrical resistance elements are an artificial means of 
heating golf balls and require a source of power. Cohen requires 
connection to an inconvenient electrical outlet or the use of batteries 
which must continually be replaced. Thus, Cohen does not meet the need for 
a portable golf ball warming device which does not require a source of 
power. 
A number of prior disclosures suggest the use of chemically reactive 
heating composites as an alternative to electrical heat. For example, 
Roth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,011 and Parrott, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,160 each 
use chemically reactive, disposable heating composites to supply 
continuous heat for approximately 4 to 6 hours. However, an inherent 
drawback of such devices is a constant need to replace the chemical heat 
pack. Hendricks, U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,362 includes a non-disposable, 
chemically reactive heat pack. However, the chemical heat pack of 
Hendricks is still considered artificial heat. Moreover, chemically 
reactive heat packs afford a maximum temperature of 127.degree. Fahrenheit 
or less. 
Many prior art devices require golf ball insertion and dispensing 
arrangements which are detrimental to the conservation of heat within a 
warming compartment. Such devices often sacrifice the economy of hand 
movement as well. For example, Parrott '011 discloses a staged warming 
pathway through which golf balls are unidirectionally moved from top to 
bottom, with a bottom ball captured in an insulated cap. The insulated cap 
is then removed to release a warmed golf ball. However, this configuration 
does not allow heated air to rise through the warming compartment and 
therefore subjects only the topmost, i.e. last inserted, ball to receive 
the highest temperatures within the device. 
Furthermore, many prior devices set forth inconvenient means of ball 
insertion and removal. Often times, two separate removable end caps are 
provided which require the use of two hands for the separate actions of: 
top cap removal, ball insertion, top cap replacement, bottom cap removal, 
ball retrieval, and bottom cap replacement. Many prior devices also 
require a complex arrangement of different components which increase 
manufacturing and assembly costs. 
Gravatt, U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,676 sets forth a golf ball warmer using a 
combination of solar energy and battery power. Gravatt provides a small 
and portable arrangement. However, when a cover/absorption plate assembly 
is opened to remove a golf ball, all of remaining balls are subjected to 
ambient air, thereby permitting considerable heat loss from the ball 
compartment. Moreover, additional ball compartments are necessary for 
storing multiple balls during an extended round of golf. 
Schroth, U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,197 sets forth another solar design for a golf 
ball warmer. An absorber plate conducts solar heat energy to a golf ball 
compartment, but opens through a hinge which allows heated air to escape. 
While Schroth provides a D.C. battery backup system, the maximum 
temperature of the applied heat is limited to approximately 134.degree. 
Fahrenheit. Moreover, clam-shell type absorption plates as used by Schroth 
necessitate that only one side of the golf balls receive the maximum 
generated heat. Consequently, the clam-shell type of solar golf ball 
warmers fail to warm golf balls in a symmetrical manner so as to ensure 
even heating throughout. 
In view of the above, a need exists for a golf ball warming device which is 
self-contained, and provides a sufficient quantity of warmed golf balls 
throughout an extended round of play without dependence upon any 
artificial source of heat energy. 
A further need exists for a golf ball warming device which facilitates 
simple and economic hand movement when loading and dispensing golf balls, 
and maintains heat within a golf ball warming chamber while denying 
exposure of the warmed golf balls to ambient air until required. 
An additional need exists for a golf ball warming device which is simple in 
design, portable, and provides for higher temperatures as required to 
impart greater benefits to a modern golf ball having a two-piece 
construction. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a golf ball 
warming device which is self-contained, provides a sufficient quantity of 
warmed golf balls for an extended round of golf, and requires only 
naturally occurring sunlight as a source of heat energy. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf ball 
warming device which allows for simple and convenient insertion and 
removal of golf balls while maintaining heat within a ball warming chamber 
and while preventing the exposure of warmed golf balls to ambient air 
until required for use. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf ball 
warming device which is simple in design, portable in weight and size, and 
capable of providing a measure of heat which is proportionate for and 
tolerated by modern golf balls of two-piece construction. 
The present invention achieves these objects as well as other objects and 
advantages by providing a solar golf ball warmer having a substantially 
cylindrical body, of which approximately one half is a convex and 
transparent cover. Within the body is a circular thin walled tube having 
an exterior which is substantially a flat black color and which serves as 
a solar collector. Each end of the thin walled tube supports separate 
loading and dispensing apertures. When bonded together, these components 
form a hermetically sealed greenhouse-like structure, with a black 
collector tube providing for a linear, staged, warming pathway for heating 
a plurality of standard size golf balls. Solar rays penetrate the 
transparent cover and are received with a black collector tube. The black 
tube converts the solar rays to heat energy which is then absorbed by the 
golf balls. 
Fixed within the body and adjacent and parallel to the collector tube, is a 
convex reflector forming a parabolic trough of equal length to the 
collector. The convex reflector serves to redirect any solar rays not 
immediately impacting upon the collector, and to reflect any radiant heat 
emanating from the collector tube toward the back and sides of the 
collector tube itself, thereby increasing thermal efficiency. Further 
reduction in heat loss is provided by an insulating material which is 
placed between the reflector and a base housing. Preferably, the device 
will operate at maximum efficiency when fully loaded with golf balls. 
Moreover, the present invention should be used in maximum sunlight to mild 
overcast conditions to achieve an optimum warming effect. 
Overall heat absorption efficiency of the device is a function of the 
cross-sectional width of the transparent cover and reflector shield. 
Exposure of the internal golf balls to available solar rays increases in 
proportion to the cross-sectional width. As the distance between the outer 
radius of the collector tube and a point where the cover and reflector 
converge increases, so does the capacity for the reflector to redirect 
non-incident solar energy toward the back and sides of the collector tube. 
An important object of the present invention is to warm golf balls well 
above ambient temperatures to enhance drive distance and to provide a 
softer feel when struck. It is a further object of the invention to 
significantly warm golf balls above 150.degree. Fahrenheit and up to 
180.degree. Fahrenheit. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base of 
the device is affixed to a pull-type or motorized golf cart. When in 
normal use, its longitudinal axis is oriented toward the sky approximately 
45 to 60 degrees from a vertical position. This provides optimal exposure 
to available solar radiation. Attachment to a cart may be permanent or 
with some other means such as VELCRO hook-and-loop type material. Maximum 
exposure to direct sunlight is easily maintained during play due to the 
curved shape of the transparent cover, which allows for the uninterrupted 
passage of solar rays from a wide angle without requiring that the player 
constantly aim the device at the sun. 
The loading aperture is similar to a rubber washer and is placed at a 
bottom end of the device. The loading aperture is preferably constructed 
of a thin elastomer sheet material and forms a disc having a centered hole 
of a diameter somewhat less than a standard size golf ball. When a golf 
ball is inserted through the hole in an upward fashion, equal force is 
placed on the inner radius of the elastomer material, which is then 
stretched to allow for passage of the golf ball. The frictional and 
intimate contact between ball and elastomer affords a means by which the 
balls may travel freely through the aperture while simultaneously denying 
entry of cooler ambient air. In effect, the bottom golf ball cooperates 
with the device, acting as a plug to support the balls above and 
preventing the entry of ambient air. This also precludes the need for a 
bottom cap or similar device. 
The dispensing aperture is located at a top end of the device and includes 
an elastomer material working in concert with a return-spring loaded 
insulated cap. The conveyance of golf balls is then allowed to proceed in 
an unobstructed and serial manner throughout an extended round of golf, 
while affording a maximum retention of heat within the collector tube and 
economy of hand movement. This arrangement also provides for the a 
constrained retention of golf balls within a collector tube. Only a small 
portion of the lowest, last entered golf ball is exposed to ambient air 
while the other balls, in serial fashion, ascend through an increasingly 
heated pathway. 
Due to the nature of heated air to rise through convection current, any 
heat energy converted by the collector will tend to stratify within the 
warming pathway. The result of this configuration is that the topmost ball 
within the collector, which is the ball to be next and instantly required 
during play, is subject to the maximum temperature afforded by the device 
and thus supports the objective of thermal efficiency. Moreover, when golf 
balls are at rest within the collector, their combined weight exerts 
sufficient downward force upon the bottom elastomer aperture, so as to 
create an air tight seal between the bottom aperture and the lowermost 
golf ball, thereby denying entry of ambient air into the collector tube 
during all stages of golf ball movement through the device. 
The aforementioned and other objects, features, and advantages of the 
present invention will become readily apparent from the following 
description of the preferred embodiment(s), as well as from the associated 
drawings, all of which merely illustrate the inventive concept, and are 
not in any way intended, nor should they be construed, to limit the scope 
of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a 
portable golf ball warming device 20 is illustrated and described. Golf 
ball warming device 20 is configured and arranged for attachment to a 
carrying member such as golf bag 22. Golf ball warming device 20 is 
preferably disposed in a longitudinal direction with respect to golf bag 
22 and may be permanently or removably affixed thereto. As illustrated, 
golf ball warming device 20 is affixed to golf bag 22 by a plurality of 
fastener tabs 24. Fastener tabs 24 are preferably hook and loop type 
fasteners such as those sold under the trademark VELCRO. As illustrated by 
the direction arrows of FIG. 1, golf balls are inserted into the bottom of 
warming device 20 and removed from the top thereof. Preferably, warming 
device 20 is attached to golf bag 22 or a golf cart (not shown) at an 
appropriate angle of approximately 45 to 60 degrees from vertical to allow 
for maximum exposure to available solar energy from a wide angle of 
incidence, such as would naturally occur when golf bag 22 is rested on a 
pull type golf cart (not shown). 
Turning now to FIG. 2, an exploded perspective view of golf ball warming 
device 20 is illustrated and described. Warming device 20 includes base 30 
which is preferably made from polycarbonate plastic and is opaque in 
color. Base 30 supports parabolic trough reflector 32, collector tube 34, 
and transparent cover 36. Base 30 also provides support for a number of 
golf ball containment members including top aperture 38 and bottom 
aperture 40 through which the golf balls pass. Top end cap 42 is slidably 
received within base 30 and forms an airtight barrier therewith. Top end 
cap 42 is urged into a closed position with respect to base 30 by way of 
resilient compression members 44. 
Base 30 includes a pair of guide holes 46 which are recessed from the top 
side thereof. Guide holes 46 are preferably cylindrical, however any 
tubular shape will suffice. Guide holes 46 each include an enlarged 
portion which is configured and arranged to received a corresponding 
compression member 44 from top end cap 42. Compression members 44 are 
respectively connected to a corresponding guide rod 48 which extends 
downwardly from top end cap 42. Compression members 44 urge top end cap 42 
into a closed position to seal collector tube 34 from ambient air. 
Transparent cover 36 is preferably made from polycarbonate plastic or 
acrylic. Cover 36 is permanently bonded to base 30 to thereby form a 
roughly open tubular container and collectively define a main body. Base 
30 supports top dispensing aperture 38 and bottom dispensing aperture 40 
which are preferably made from an elastomer material which stretches under 
pressure. Collector tube 34 is also supported by base 30 and is preferably 
a hollow, cylindrical, aluminum tube. Collector tube 34 preferably has a 
light absorbing color such as black. 
Parabolic trough reflector 32 is preferably a convex mirror shield made 
from a reflective material such as polished metal, or a reflective plastic 
film. The orientation of reflector 32 reflects solar radiation toward 
collector tube 34 and also redirects radiant heat emanating from collector 
tube 34 back toward collector tube 34. Reflector 32 is preferably 
described by a line approximately 4.5 to 5.5 inches in radius. Turning now 
to FIGS. 4A and 4B, reflector 32 is preferably capable of forming the 
above shape when forced into the allotted space between contact points 54 
and 56. Contact points 54 and 56 are also bonding points for base 30 and 
cover 36. This preferred method of friction fitting eliminates the 
requirement for any mechanical means of adhering base 30 to reflector 32 
and also reduces the need for costly pre-forming of parts. Thus, reflector 
32 may be cut to size from available material in the marketplace. 
Together, base 30, reflector 32, top dispensing aperture 38, bottom 
dispensing aperture 40, collector tube 34 and transparent cover 36 are 
bonded with an adhesive to thereby define a hermetically sealed and hollow 
structure. An unobstructed pathway is formed along an internal 
longitudinal axis of collector tube 34 to receive a plurality of standard 
sized golf balls. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3A, top end cap 42 includes an insulation section 50 
which is compressibly received within the top end of collector tube 34 to 
form an air tight barrier. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, insulation barrier 
52 (optional) may be disposed within a space between base 30 and reflector 
32. According to another embodiment of the present invention, insulation 
barrier 52 extends lengthwise within a space between base 30 and reflector 
32 to retain heated air within warming device 20. The space between 
collector tube 34 and transparent cover 36 is preferably filled with air. 
The air is preferably sealed within warming device 20 and separate from 
the air within collector tube 34. Thus, the air between collector tube 34 
and cover 36 retains the heat output from collector tube 34 during use. 
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate operation of the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention. FIG. 3A illustrates a configuration of the invention in 
which four golf balls are being warmed by solar radiation. In FIGS. 3B-3C, 
golf ball 5 is inserted into the bottom of warming device 20 and golf ball 
1 is ejected therefrom. As golf ball 5 is inserted into collector tube 34, 
the spring loaded top end cap 42 is urged upwardly against the force of 
compression members 44. After golf ball 1 is removed from warming device 
20, compression members 44 urge top end cap 42 into the closed position. 
Top dispensing aperture 38 and bottom dispensing aperture 40 are preferably 
made from an elastomer compound such as inner tube rubber. The material 
may be either pre-formed or cut from sheet shock. The apertures take on 
the appearance of common rubber and have a material thickness suitable for 
repetitive use. The apertures are respectively bonded to the upper and 
lower sides of base 30 by a suitable adhesive. The apertures are each 
formed with a centered circular hole having a diameter which is less than 
a standard sized golf ball. The diameter resists the passage of a golf 
ball such that the elastomer material is stretched evenly around the golf 
ball without tearing or deforming. The actual diameter of the hole size 
will vary depending upon material thickness and constitution. 
During operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, golf 
balls may be serially loaded into golf ball warming device 20 without 
allowing the passage of cooler ambient air. As illustrated particularly in 
FIG. 3C, the golf balls exert enough downward force on the bottom ball to 
create an air tight seal with bottom dispensing aperture 40. Through this 
arrangement, the lowermost golf ball cooperates with the golf ball warming 
device to eliminate the costly need for a further apparatus at the loading 
end to retain warm air within the device. As an additional feature, this 
arrangement facilitates manual operation of the device with a single hand, 
thus freeing the golfer's other hand for other tasks. 
Through experimental testing of an embodiment of the present invention, 
golf balls have been warmed significantly above 150.degree. Fahrenheit. In 
fact, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, golf 
balls are warmed to a temperature exceeding 180.degree. Fahrenheit. 
According to a second embodiment (not shown), the invention includes 
multiple collector tubes, convex reflectors, and an appropriate 
association of attaching components, so as to provide for a solar golf 
ball warmer of larger proportion and golf ball capacity for use on 
occasion where mobility is not of primary concern, such as on a golf 
course practice tee or for demonstration purposes. Collectively, such an 
embodiment would not substantially deviate from the basic configuration of 
components described herein, and their interactive relationship with 
respect to the efficient collection, reflection, absorption, and 
conservation of solar energy for the purpose of warming golf balls. Such 
an embodiment also allows for economic and efficient serial movement of 
golf balls through the device. 
Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, sectional views taken along respective 
lines of FIG. 3A are illustrated. FIG. 4A illustrates a cross section 
through a modern two-piece golf ball 60. Golf ball 60 includes a solid 
inner core 64 which is preferably made from an elastomeric material. Golf 
ball 60 also has a cover material 62 made from a rubber material such as 
surlyn. FIG. 4B illustrates golf ball 66 which is a lowermost ball within 
golf ball warming device 20. 
FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. As 
illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, golf ball warming device 70 is similar to the 
preferred embodiment of FIG. 1. Golf ball warming device 70 includes a 
base 72, parabolic reflector 74, collector tube 76, transparent cover 78 
and bottom dispensing aperture 80. Golf ball warming device 70 is 
preferably affixed to a golf bag or a golf cart by way of fastener tabs 
82. However, according to this embodiment, the top of warming device 70 is 
secured with top end cap 84. Top end cap 84 is more particularly 
illustrated in FIG. 8 and is preferably in the form of a plastic hollow 
cup. Top end cap 84 is configured to be received within the top end of 
collector tube 76. Top end cap 84 includes a felt band 86 which encircles 
an outer periphery thereof. Felt band 86 forms an air tight barrier with 
the interior perimeter of collector tube 76 to retain warm air therein. 
Felt band 86 may be made from another suitable material which has a low 
coefficient of friction and retards the passage of air. Top end cap 84 
includes insulation (not shown) which helps to maintain the warm air 
within the device. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention, and since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur 
to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to 
the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, 
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling 
within the scope of the following claims.