US1602725A - Practice golf ball - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 12 ,19ze.- I

R. H. TRAVERS PRACTICE GOLF BALL Filed Nov. 10. 1924 film/1115f- JFLC/ULTCL H Tmuerfi, f M 14 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD HARIG TRAVERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PRACTICE GOLF BALL.

Application filed November 10, 1924. Serial No. 748,901.

The object of this invention is to produce a ball which may be used indoors in practicing driving.

The accompanying drawing is a cross sec tional view of a practice golf ball embodying the features of my invention.

In carrying out my invention, I form a hollow ball, which is preferably of the same diameter as a regulation golf ball, namely, one and nine-sixteenths inches in diameter.

' The material preferably employed is ordinary clay moistened sufiiciently to permit of its being formed into two hollow hemispheres. The two hemispheres are united in any suitable way, as by welding them together by simple pressure or through the medium of suitable adhesive material. The ball is then thoroughly air-dried, but is not subjected to such a degree of heat as to cause vitrification.

Preferably the Walls of the ball are approximately one-sixteenth of an inch thick. The walls should be as thin and fragile as possible, giving due consideration to the-fact that the ball must endure handling and transportation.

In use, if the ball be struck squarely, it will shatter completely, producing a cloud of dust which serves as an indication to the player that the ball was properly struck. If, however, the player tops the ball, the portion of the ball struck by the club will be completely pulverized, but the remaining fragment of the ball will indicate to the player the nature and stroke.

As hereinbefore stated, the ball is preferably formed of air-dried clay, because such material will pulverize when subjected to a driving blow, and because the walls may be 40 made sufliciently strong to withstand transportation and handling.

It will be apparent that a player provided with a supply of balls embodying the present invention is enabled to practice driving indoors; that no nets or other protective devices are required to prevent injury to others, inasmuch as the ball or that portion of it struck by the club is pulverized into harmless particles; and that the nature of the stroke employed is clearly indicated by the cloud of dust, in the case of a perfect shot, and by the size of the fragment or frag-. ments in case the ball is topped.

I claim as my invention:

1. A golf ball for use in indoor driving practice, said ball being hollow and having thin fragile walls composed of material which will pulverize when the ball is struck by the club of the player.

2. A golf ball for use in indoor driving practice, said ball being formed of clay which has been thoroughly air-dried with out being vitrified, the ball being hollow and having thin fragile walls.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

RICHARD HARIG TRAVERS.

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