Golf ball alignment device

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for placing alignment marks, such as arrows or lines, on golf balls. An alignment mark composed of dry transfer ink is provided on a clear transfer medium having a backing material. Once the position of the alignment mark is chosen, the clear transfer medium containing the alignment mark is removed from the backing. Warm air provided by the user's breath is applied to the transfer medium to aid in its adhesion to the golf ball surface. The transfer medium is then placed on the desired position on the ball and rubbed in the center and then front and back of the transfer medium to transfer the dry ink alignment mark from the clear transfer medium to the ball surface. Once the alignment mark has transferred to the ball surface, the clear transfer medium can be peeled away, leaving only the alignment mark on the ball surface. The alignment mark is then rubbed with the fingers to finalize the adhesion of the alignment mark with the bail surface. The result is a cleaner and more durable alignment mark that provides greater performance. The present invention avoids the mess and inaccuracy caused by the conventional use of an ink marker to manually draw alignment marks on golf balls.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf ball marker device configured to apply an ink pattern to a golf ball surface comprising:
 a transparent transfer medium;   an ink pattern affixed to an outer surface of the transparent transfer medium; and   a backing film on which an inner surface of the transparent transfer medium is adhered.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball marker of  claim 1  wherein the transparent transfer medium has an oval shape. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball marker of  claim 1  wherein the transparent transfer medium has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball marker of  claim 1  wherein the transparent transfer medium is peeled from the backing film. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball marker of  claim 1  wherein the ink pattern does not smear after application to the golf ball surface. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball marker of  claim 1  wherein the ink pattern comprises a dry transfer ink. 
     
     
         7 . A golf ball marker device that provides for the application an ink pattern to a golf ball, wherein the application comprises the steps of:
 removing a transfer medium containing an ink pattern from a backing, material;   placing the ink pattern over a desired location on the golf ball;   applying pressure the ink pattern on the golf ball to cause transfer of the ink pattern to the golf ball surface; and   peeling the transfer medium away from the golf ball to leave behind the ink pattern on the golf ball.   
     
     
         8 . The golf ball marker device of  claim 7  wherein the transfer of the ink pattern to the golf ball surface further comprises warming, the ink pattern portion of the transfer medium prior to placing the transfer medium on the golf ball. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball marker device of  claim 7  wherein the transfer of the ink pattern to the golf bail surface further comprises applying pressure to the ink pattern on the bail after the transfer medium has been removed.