An improved anchor fitting (10) for anchoring a tether cord (22) to a hollow ball (12). The anchor fitting (10) includes an anchor body (16) comprising a shank portion (18) and a head (20) at one end of the shank portion. The anchor body is received in a hole (14) in the wall of the ball and defines an axial passage through which the tether cord extends. The anchor fitting includes two rigid shoulder-defining bodies (26) and (28) which are located within the ball and which extend perpendicularly relative to one another when assembled. The shoulder-defining bodies define holes in which the shank portion of the anchor body is received, with the head (20) abutting an inner side of the shoulder-defining body (28). A flexible resilient rubber washer (34) is located between the shoulder-defining bodies and an interior side of the wall for absorption of impact forces acting on the wall of the ball when the ball is struck by a bat.

An improved anchor fitting (10) for anchoring a tether cord (22) to a hollow ball (12). The anchor fitting (10) includes an anchor body (16) comprising a shank portion (18) and a head (20) at one end of the shank portion. The anchor body is received in a hole (14) in the wall of the ball and defines an axial passage through which the tether cord extends. The anchor fitting includes two rigid shoulder-defining bodies (26) and (28) which are located within the ball and which extend perpendicularly relative to one another when assembled. The shoulder-defining bodies define holes in which the shank portion of the anchor body is received, with the head (20) abutting an inner side of the shoulder-defining body (28). A flexible resilient rubber washer (34) is located between the shoulder-defining bodies and an interior side of the wall for absorption of impact forces acting on the wall of the ball when the ball is struck by a bat.

A tennis practice assembly for enhancing hand eye coordination during tennis practice includes a practice tennis ball that has a diameter which is less than a traditional tennis ball. In this way the practice tennis ball can enhance hand-eye coordination of a tennis player during tennis practice. The practice tennis ball has a diameter ranging between approximately 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches. In this way the practice tennis ball is large enough to be used for practicing tennis while being smaller than a traditional tennis ball. The practice tennis ball has ornamental indicia printed thereon for enhancing the ornamental appearance of the practice tennis ball.

A puck includes a main body having a first portion and a second portion securely attached to form a generally cylindrical shape with an internal cavity. One or more energy absorbing components are positioned within the internal cavity. A weight component is positioned adjacent to the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity. The weight component is sized to move in a vertical direction and deform the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity in response to movement of the puck.

A puck includes a main body having a first portion and a second portion securely attached to form a generally cylindrical shape with an internal cavity. One or more energy absorbing components are positioned within the internal cavity. A weight component is positioned adjacent to the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity. The weight component is sized to move in a vertical direction and deform the one or more energy absorbing components within the internal cavity in response to movement of the puck.

A tennis ball may include a non-foamed thermoplastic core defining an internal volume, the core having an outer meltable surface. The core may include a thermoplastic material having a specific gravity of 0.86 to 1.38, a flexural modulus of 2.0 to 50.0 MPa, and a Shore D hardness of 10 to 70. The thickness of the thermoplastic material may be between 3.0 and 8.0 mm and configured to maintain dimensional stability at internal pressures of between zero and 15 psi. The tennis ball may further include a felt cover at least partially covering the core, wherein the tennis ball conforms to ITF and USTA size, weight, deformation and rebound requirements.

A tennis ball may include a non-foamed thermoplastic core defining an internal volume, the core having an outer meltable surface. The core may include a thermoplastic material having a specific gravity of 0.86 to 1.38, a flexural modulus of 2.0 to 50.0 MPa, and a Shore D hardness of 10 to 70. The thickness of the thermoplastic material may be between 3.0 and 8.0 mm and configured to maintain dimensional stability at internal pressures of between zero and 15 psi. The tennis ball may further include a felt cover at least partially covering the core, wherein the tennis ball conforms to ITF and USTA size, weight, deformation and rebound requirements.

A ball useful for basketball practice and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The ball includes an inflatable bladder covered with one or more flexible elongate elements wound around the surface of the bladder. The ball also includes an outer covering with at least two outer panels separated by at least one strip of elastomeric material. The outer panels and the strip(s) are placed directly onto the wound flexible elongate element(s). The manufacture-method particularly involves covering the inflatable bladder with the flexible elongate element(s) wound on the surface of the bladder, and placing the outer covering, including the outer panels separated by the strip(s) of elastomeric material, directly onto the wound flexible elongate element(s).

A device (10) including a deformable shell (12) delimiting an inner space (14), and: a resilient band (18, 30, 32) suspended in the inner space (14) and including two ends secured to the deformable shell (12), said band (18, 30, 32) including a piezoelectric material (30, 32) to generate an electric voltage under the effect of the deformation of the shell (12) and two electrodes for collecting the voltage; and an electronic circuit (34) for processing the voltage, arranged on the resilient band (18, 30, 32) and connected to the electrodes of the resilient band (18, 30, 32).

A device (10) including a deformable shell (12) delimiting an inner space (14), and: a resilient band (18, 30, 32) suspended in the inner space (14) and including two ends secured to the deformable shell (12), said band (18, 30, 32) including a piezoelectric material (30, 32) to generate an electric voltage under the effect of the deformation of the shell (12) and two electrodes for collecting the voltage; and an electronic circuit (34) for processing the voltage, arranged on the resilient band (18, 30, 32) and connected to the electrodes of the resilient band (18, 30, 32).