The ball is a thin-walled hollow sphere that includes an array of apertures with dimples in a pattern that are concentric to the aperture array. Dimples are provided on the exterior surface of the ball between the apertures with the pattern and dimensions of the dimples varying based on proximity to the apertures. Internal protuberances are provided on the interior surface of the hollow ball such that the interior surface also manages aerodynamic airflow through the ball. Channels are also provided around each of the apertures within the ball which may intersect proximate dimples or be spaced therefrom. The ball also includes apertures having converging and diverging sidewalls that form a venturi shape to increase inflow air into the apertures and outflow air out of the apertures. Finally, the ball also maintains a weight:diameter ratio within a fixed range.

A ball may include a spherical shell, and apertures defined in the spherical shell. The apertures may be formed in the spherical shell based at least in part on a N-frequency tessellation of the spherical shell. A method of forming a ball may include molding a first hemisphere, molding a second hemisphere, and coupling the first hemisphere to the second hemisphere to form a spherical shell. The spherical shell may include apertures defined in the spherical shell based at least in part on a N-frequency tessellation of the spherical shell.

A ball may include a spherical shell, and apertures defined in the spherical shell. The apertures may be formed in the spherical shell based at least in part on a N-frequency tessellation of the spherical shell. A method of forming a ball may include molding a first hemisphere, molding a second hemisphere, and coupling the first hemisphere to the second hemisphere to form a spherical shell. The spherical shell may include apertures defined in the spherical shell based at least in part on a N-frequency tessellation of the spherical shell.

A spherical structure having a raised texture includes a sphere and a plurality of protruding bumps. The plurality of protruding bumps are formed in pairs and in a curved arrangement on a surface of the sphere. A protruding strip that is curved is formed on the surface of the sphere, and the plurality of protruding bumps are arranged in pairs on the protruding strip on the surface of the sphere.

Through the use of an internal support system integrated with the interior shell of a hollow ball, the concentration of impact stress to the ball's shell during game play is reduced through better dispersion and resistance of applied force, while also reinforcing the ball's shell at its weakest points, which are the holes, thus making it more resilient and thereby less susceptible to breakage. Enhanced fortification against impact stress applied during gameplay serves to increase the usable life of the ball.

A ball may include a spherical shell, and apertures defined in the spherical shell. The apertures may be formed in the spherical shell based at least in part on a N-frequency tessellation of the spherical shell. A method of forming a ball may include molding a first hemisphere, molding a second hemisphere, and coupling the first hemisphere to the second hemisphere to form a spherical shell. The spherical shell may include apertures defined in the spherical shell based at least in part on a N-frequency tessellation of the spherical shell.

The present invention relates to sports balls. A sports ball comprises a surface layer comprising a plurality of panels. The sports ball further comprises a lattice structure extending below the surface layer, wherein the lattice structure comprises a plurality of lattice cells comprising radially extending elements. The lattice cells which are adjacent to the surface layer have at least one dimension which is smaller than an average diameter of the panels.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a quiet pickleball. The quiet pickleball includes a spherical body comprising a sound dampening layer surrounding an inner plastic layer. Holes extend through the spherical body into a hollow interior. The sound dampening layer reduces the noise exhibited when the pickleball is hit with a paddle. The sound dampening layer can be attached to the exterior of a plastic pickleball or can be co-molded or injection molded during forming the pickleball. In one embodiment, the sound dampening layer is a felt pad adhesively attached to the exterior of the pickleball. A die enables cutting the felt pad to a shape that enables covering the exterior of the pickleball. An indexing jig enables attaching the felt pad to the pickleball such that holes in the felt pad are aligned with holes in the pickleball.

A ball used for certain practice and sporting events for the game of pickleball where the ball comprises a plastic outer shell having at least one opening where the openings or coatings may include dampening properties that reduce the noise when the ball impacts a paddle, or the court surface/ground. The ball may be spherical, hollow shell ball with at least one opening. The ball may have at least one opening where the shape of the opening comprises a hole with a slot intersecting the hole. Also, the openings in the ball may have tapered edges, rounded and/or stair stepped edges. Also, the exterior of the ball may have a dampening tape or coating applied to the interior or exterior of the ball.

A pickleball training paddle and method may include a paddle having a playing surface with a reduced area and a training ball made from a rubber-like material.