Special sports training ball device as a solution filled product called a HydroPro

Abstract

An inflatable sports training ball made as an inflatable exterior surface formed of an air tight flexible outer casing which, when inflated, defines an exterior surface; an interior air pocket surrounded by an interior liner defining a bladder, the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight rubber; an inflation and fill valve; and a variable amount of solution filling a portion of the bladder, the solution being substantially heavier than air and occupying an amount of said interior volume wherein a pre-determined amount of the solution is forced into the interior air chamber of the sports ball with a pump and the resulting partially solution filled sports ball provides a variable inertia system used in training sports enthusiasts a better ball control technique and other drills.

Claims

1. An inflatable sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system called a HydroPro comprising: (a) an inflatable exterior surface formed of an air tight flexible outer casing which, when inflated, defines an exterior surface; (b) an interior chamber/bladder/air pocket surrounded by an interior liner defining a bladder, the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight material; (c) an inflation and fill valve with a backflow prevention mechanism; (d) a predetermined amount of a solution filling a portion of the bladder, the solution being substantially heavier than air and occupying an amount of said interior volume; and (e) a straight filler pump with a connection valve/nozzle for inserting a liquid, flow able solid, and flow able gel wherein the pre-determined amount of the solution is forced into the interior air chamber of the sports ball with the filler pump through the connection valve/nozzle, the backflow preventer permits the solution to stay in the sports ball until the valve of the sports ball closes, and the resulting partially solution filled sports ball provides an amount of solution that has inertia which is imparted to the sports ball and creates an imbalance which is used for training drills by an a novice, amateur or professional sports player.

2. An inflatable sports training ball of regulation size and system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer surface when inflated is a spherical ball.

3. An inflatable sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the spherical ball is selected from a group of regulation sized basketballs, a specific regulation sized volley balls, and a specific regulation sized soccer ball.

4. The inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of claim 2 wherein the fill valve of the inflatable chamber is further comprised of a backflow prevention mechanism.

5. An inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the outer casing material is selected from a group of composite material, elastic fabric, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber.

6. An inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight material is selected from a group of a group of composite material, elastic fabric, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber.

7. An inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the solution filling a portion of the bladder is selected from a group of liquid, solid, and gel.

8. An inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the liquid filling a portion of the bladder is selected from a group of water, oil, and alcohol.

9. An inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the solid filling a portion of the bladder is selected from a group of flow able solids, metal spherical steel or metal BBs, and sand.

10. An inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the solution filling a portion of the bladder is a combination liquid and solid.

11. An inflatable sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer surface when inflated is elongated and having a generally ellipsoidal shaped ball.

12. The inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the elongated and having a generally ellipsoidal shaped ball is selected from a group of a specific regulation sized football and a regulation sized rugby ball.

13. The inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of claim 11 wherein the fill valve of the inflatable chamber is further comprised of a backflow prevention mechanism.

14. The inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the outer casing material is selected from a group of composite material, elastic fabric, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber.

15. An inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight material is selected from a group of a group of composite material, elastic fabric, natural rubber, and synthetic rubber.

16. An inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the solution filling a portion of the bladder is selected from a group of liquid, solid, and gel.

17. An inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the liquid filling a portion of the bladder is selected from a group of water, oil, and alcohol.

18. An inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the solid filling a portion of the bladder is selected from a group of flow able solids, metal spherical steel or metal BBs, and sand.

19. An inflatable spherical shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system comprising: (a) an inflatable exterior surface formed of an air tight flexible outer casing which, when inflated, defines an exterior surface; (b) an interior chamber/bladder/air pocket surrounded by an interior liner defining a bladder, the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight rubber; (c) an inflation and fill valve, the fill valve further comprised of a backflow prevention mechanism; and (d) a solution filling a portion of the bladder, the solution being substantially heavier than air and occupying an amount of said interior volume wherein the pre-determined amount of the solution is forced into the interior air chamber of the sports ball with the filler pump through the connection valve/nozzle, the backflow preventer permits the solution to stay in the sports ball until the valve of the sports ball closes, and the resulting partially solution filled sports ball provides an amount of solution that has inertia which is imparted to the sports ball and creates an imbalance which is used for training drills by an a novice, amateur or professional sports player.

20. An inflatable ellipsoidal shaped sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system called a HydroPro comprising: (a) an inflatable exterior surface formed of an air tight flexible outer casing which, when inflated, defines an exterior surface; (b) an interior chamber/bladder/air pocket surrounded by an interior liner defining a bladder, the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight material; (c) an inflation and fill valve, the fill valve further comprised of a backflow prevention mechanism; (d) a solution filling a portion of the bladder, the solution being substantially heavier than air and occupying an amount of said interior volume; and (e) a straight filler pump with a connection valve/nozzle for inserting a liquid, flow able solid, and flow able gel wherein the pre-determined amount of the solution is forced into the interior air chamber of the sports ball with the filler pump through the connection valve/nozzle, the backflow preventer permits the solution to stay in the sports ball until the valve of the sports ball closes, and the resulting partially solution filled sports ball provides an amount of solution that has inertia which is imparted to the sports ball and creates an imbalance which is used for training drills by an a novice, amateur or professional sports player.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0019] FIGS. 1 A through 1 F are the general parts and uses of the Special sports training ball device as a solution filled product called a HydroPro.

[0020] FIGS. 2 A through 2 D are sketches showing specific components of the HydroPro training ball device.

[0021] FIGS. 3 A and 3 B are Tables showing official ball sizes and weights for typical inflatable sports balls.

[0022] FIGS. 4 A through 4 C are sketches showing the reaction of a typical inflatable sport ball to the movement of the internally held solution when the ball is in use.

[0023] FIGS. 5A through 5 C are the devices and manner used to place the solution into the chamber of the inflatable sports balls.

[0024] FIGS. 6 A through 6 J are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in soccer drills.

[0025] FIGS. 7 A through 7 I are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in football drills.

[0026] FIGS. 8 A through 8 G are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in basketball drills.

[0027] FIGS. 9 A through 9 F are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in volleyball drills.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSREFERENCE NUMERALS

[0028] The following numbers refer to the drawings:

TABLE-US-00002 Ref. No. Description 31 general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solution 32 general football ball cross-section 32 partially filled with a solution 34 solution fill line 34 35 solution 35 to fill sports ball 31, the solution being substantially heavier than air 35A various liquids 35A such as water, oil, alcohol alone 35B various flow able solids 35B such as metal spherical BBs, sand, or other heavy solid that moves easily 35C flow able gel 35C 35D combined 35D as a solid 35B with the liquid solution 35A or gel 35C 36 interior chamber/bladder/air pocket 36 of general sports ball 31, the bladder made of an air tight and water tight composite material, elastic fabric, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like 37 exterior surface 37 of general sports ball 31, the surface being air and water tight and made of an outer casing made of composite material, elastic fabric, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like 38 interior surface 38 of ball shell general sports ball 31 39 inflation and fill valve 39 - may be one way or two way flow with an optional backflow prevention mechanism 39A 40 filler pump 40 with flexible hose 41 40A base 40A for filler pump 40 41 flexible hose 41 42 connection valve or nozzle 42 44 solution container 44 45 straight filler pump 45 45A plunger handle A 45B plunger shaft and disk 45B 47 support base 47 for filler pump 40, 45 49 general practice ball 49 with solution 50 football 50 51 volleyball 51 52 soccer ball 52 53 basketball 53 54 set of surface strings or lacings 54 55 ball specifications chart 55 56 ball spin left 56 56A solution spin right 56A 56B resisting force right 56B 57 ball spin right 57 57A solution spin left 57A 57B resisting force left 57B 58 ball spin forward 58 58A solution spin reverse 58A 58B resisting force reverse 58B 60 practicing keeper throw 60 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 61 practicing overhead throw 61 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 62 practicing sit-ups 62 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 63 practicing goal kicks 63 into rebound net 64 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 64 soccer goal/net 64 65 practicing keeper punting 65 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 66 practicing seated juggling 66 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 67 practicing standing juggling 67 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 68 practicing trapping or controlling 68 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 69 practicing pass drill 69 with weighted soccer ball 31, 52 70 practicing passing 70 with weighted football 31, 50 71 practicing catching (pass) 71 with weighted football 31, 50 72 practicing open field running 72 with weighted football 31, 50 73 practicing straight through (dive) running 73 with weighted football 31, 50 74 practicing end around running 74 with weighted football 31, 50 75 practicing punting 75 with weighted football 31, 50 76 practicing hiking 76 with weighted football 31, 50 77 practicing kicks or punts 77 with weighted football 31, 50 80 general practicing player 80 81 football player 81 82 basketball player 82 83 soccer player 83 84 volleyball player 84 85 coach or preparer 85 of the solution filled balls 31 88 ball specifications chart 88 showing weights and size by specific regulation sizes - 1, 2, . . . 9, etc. 90 practicing shot 90 with weighted basketball 31, 53 91 practicing chest pass 91 with weighted basketball 31, 53 92 practicing foul shot 92 with weighted basketball 31, 53 93 practicing jump shot 93 with weighted basketball 31, 53 94 practicing fundamentals of chest pass 94 with weighted basketball 31, 53 95 practicing strengthening of wrists 95 with weighted basketball 31, 53 99 volleyball net 99 100 practicing set-ups 100 with weighted volleyball 31, 51 101 practicing spike 101 with weighted volleyball 31, 51 102 practicing net blocks 102 with weighted volleyball 31, 51 103 practicing fundamental underhand serve 103 with weighted volleyball 31, 51 104 practicing fundamental overhand serve 104 with weighted volleyball 31, 51

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The special sports training ball device as a solution filled product called a HydroPro generally relate to a sports ball for training that has a solution inside the air chamber that affects, distresses and disturbs the sport ball movement. This movement and inertia of the filling solution imparted to the ball provides the challenge to the athlete and creates a training device unlike anything on the market today. This all air filled sport balls such as basketballs, volley balls, footballs, soccer balls, medicine balls, rugby balls and the like. It relates more particularly, to a sport ball especially designed and constructed so as to train the user to kick, pass, shoot, catch better or to fumble less or eliminate fumbling when the ball is used in training football players. This invention consists of a typical sport ball constructed of material so as to prevent any of the solution, water, or any other fluid used, from leaking out when the sport ball is in play during training. Aspects of this relate to a sport ball with a free moving solution. The device is a training aid which features an internal solution designed to create dynamic inertia or a resisting motion that is activated during practice. The device relates to ball handling training devices, apparatus, systems and methods to enhance ball handling skills for various sports and reduce and eliminate fumbling of balls, from football players, basketball players, rugby players and the like. As to soccer, the device relates to a soccer practice ball and, more particularly, to a kick-strengthening soccer practice ball and a juggling, ball control skill development ball. Finally, the present invention generally relates to a special kind of sporting or game ball of the hybrid air type and, more particularly, to a ball with an added solution that exhibits eccentric rolling and flight characteristics unless it is kicked or handled with care. The new inertia ball device may be used for training by amateur and professional players to enhance their individual skills.

[0030] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0031] The advantages for the Special sports training ball device as a solution filled product called a HydroPro 31 are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device: [0032] A. Activates reaction time [0033] B. Antagonizes muscles that are directly used for the catching, throwing, shooting, etc. [0034] C. Provides the Central Nervous System (CNS) quick reaction and muscle memory [0035] D. Counteracts unexpected ball movements [0036] E. Provides Kinetic Energy in the practice/training ball [0037] F. Follows the SAID PrincipleSpecific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (SAID) [0038] G. Is a Catalyst to muscle improvement [0039] H. Provides inertia in the training ball [0040] I. Other features that are unique: [0041] 1. Dynamic energy [0042] 2. Extreme movement [0043] 3. Flow of solution in the sports ball [0044] 4. Hydro power of the solution [0045] 5. Motion and Movement in the ball [0046] 6. Unstable/unpredictable/wobble of the training ball

[0047] Accordingly, what is needed is a device which provides for activation of the sport ball during practice to employ a level of dynamic inertia or shaking to make the sports ball difficult to grasp and hold and that can be manufactured in a variety of sizes to accommodate youth, scholastic, and professional players. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 9, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures as shown for the preferred embodiments.

[0048] FIGS. 1 A through 1 F are the general parts and uses of the Special sports training ball device 31 as a solution filled product called a HydroPro. Shown in these sketches are a general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solution; a general practice ball 49 with solution; a straight filler pump 45; a solution container 44; a football player 81; a basketball player 82; a soccer player 83; and a volleyball player 84. HydroPro sports ball 31 products include, for example and not as a limitation a Football 50, a Basketball 53, a Volleyball 51, a Soccer ball 52, a Rugby ball, and a Medicine ball (Rehabilitation, Fitness).

[0049] FIGS. 2 A through 2 D are sketches showing specific components of the HydroPro training ball device 31. HydroPro sports ball 31 products include, for example and not as a limitation a Football 50, a Basketball 53, a Volleyball 51, a Soccer ball 52, a Rugby ball, and a Medicine ball (Rehabilitation, Fitness). Features and components shown are: a general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solution; a general football ball cross-section 32 partially filled with a solution; a solution fill line 34; solution 35 to fill sports ball 31, the solution being substantially heavier than air; an interior chamber/bladder/air pocket 36 of general sports ball 31, the bladder made of an air tight and water tight elastic fabric or rubber like material; an exterior surface 37 of general sports ball 31, the surface being air and water tight and made of an outer casing made of a composite material, elastic fabric, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like; an interior chamber/bladder/air pocket 36 of general sports ball 31, the bladder made of an air tight and water tight elastic fabric or rubber like material; and an inflation and fill valve 39may be one way or two way flow. FIGS. 2 B and 2 C add a football 50 and a set of surface strings or lacings 54. Also, FIG. 2 D shows a solution 35 to fill sports ball 31; various liquids 35A such as water, oil, alcohol alone; various flow able solids 35B such as metal (steel or equal) spherical BBs, sand, or other heavy solid that moves easily; a flow able gel 35C; a combined 35D as a solid 35B with the liquid solution 35A or gel 35C; an interior chamber/air pocket 36 of general sports ball 31; and an exterior surface 37 of ball shell general sports ball 31. One notes that the bladder/inner chamber 36 and carcass/inner lining 38 aside, there is typically at least one other component:i.e., something that serves to constrain expansion of the bladder from expansion beyond a given measured, circumferential limitwhich is the exterior surface 37.

[0050] FIGS. 3 A and 3 B are Tables 55, 88 showing official ball sizes and weights for typical inflatable sports balls. FIG. 3 A is a table 55 showing the ball specifications for typical HydroPro inflatable sports ball 31. FIG. 3 B shows table/chart 88 which are the ball specifications showing weights and size by specific regulation sizes1, 2, . . . 0.9, etc. This also specifies the products that include different official regulation sizes (numbered in Column B). These numbers, as one skilled in official and regulation sized balls can readily understand and recognize, correlate to Junior, High School, College, and Professional regulation balls (as well as some Intra-Mural and Travel-League teams). For example, and not as a limitation, a Football 50, a Basketball 53, a Volleyball 51, a Soccer ball 52, a Rugby ball, and a Medicine ball (Rehabilitation, Fitness). As shown, these are not inflatable or foam filled toys but rather sizes to correlate to official sports under strict size and weight controls. The table compares the weight and volumes of the typical inflatable sports balls and then gives options to fill with water a certain amounts. Shown are one-quarter fill of the solution, one-half filled and three quarters fill. One sees the solution as ordinary water weighs much as a one-half or three quarter filled ball. Empirical data reveals the half-filled solution 35 sports balls 31 appear to give promising results. However, this ratio of one-quarter, half or three-quarter fill is not limiting to the scope and spirit of the HydroPro device. The inertia from the moving solution creates the imbalance and irregularity in the movement of the ball, which in turn creates a circumstance that the athlete must overcome. Hence, better ball control results as the athlete is trained with the inertia filled ball.

[0051] FIGS. 4 A through 4 C are sketches showing the reaction (inertia shift) of a typical inflatable sport ball 31 to the movement of the internally held solution 35 when the ball is in use. Elements and features demonstrated are: a general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solution; a general football ball cross-section 32 partially filled with a solution; a ball spinning left 56; a solution spinning right 56A; a resisting force right 56B; a ball spinning right 57; a solution spinning left 57A; a resisting force left 57B; a ball spinning forward 58; a solution spinning reverse 58A; and a resisting force reverse 58B. One can see that the direction of travel/resistance force 56B of the ball 31 will be to the right when a counterclockwise spin 56 is applied to the ball 31 at the point of contact and the liquid 35 spins clockwise 56A, the direction of travel/resistance 57B of the ball 31 will be to the left when it a clockwise spin 57 is applied to the ball 31 at the point of contact, and the direction of travel of the ball will be straight/resistance 58B when a top spin 58 is applied to ball at the point of contact. The weight ratio of the solution/fluid to the ball 31 without the fluid 35 is shown in the Table of Ball Specifications 55 FIG. 3. Empirical data shows the half-filled solution 35 sports balls 31 appear to give promising results. One notes that these resistances are unlike the direction of travel for a conventional ball, the game ball's direction of travel is to the right when a counterclockwise spin is applied at a point of contact with the player's foot, to the left when a clockwise spin is applied at the point of contact, and straight when a top spin is applied at the point of contact.

[0052] FIGS. 5A through 5 C are the devices and manner used to place the solution into the chamber 36 of the inflatable sports balls 31. These features and components are: a solution 35 to fill sports ball 31; a filler pump 40 with flexible hose 41; a base 40A for filler pump 40; a flexible hose 41; a connection valve or nozzle 42 which controls and prevents the backflow of a gas and/or liquid; a solution container 44; a straight filler pump 45; a plunger handle 45A; a plunger shaft and disk 45B; a support base 47 for filler pump 40,45; a general practice ball 49 with solution; a football 50; a volleyball 51; a soccer ball 52; and a basketball 53.

[0053] FIGS. 6 A through 6 J are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in soccer drills; FIGS. 7 A through 7 I are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in football drills; FIGS. 8 A through 8 G are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in basketball drills; and FIGS. 9 A through 9 F are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in volleyball drills. They are discussed in the operations section.

[0054] The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a Special sports training ball device as a solution filled product called a HydroPro 31 may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of air filled sport training ball devices and their uses. Future product enhancements in the spirit and scope of this disclosure include: a Bigger Ball than used in each sport to force grip and control; a smooth surface and no Laces to force grip and control; different densities of internal content from gel to sand as shown in FIG. 2 D; a composite material exterior 37; a leather exterior 37; and a colored exterior 37 which is hard to see and blends with the sky or overhead.

Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

[0055] The Special sports training ball device as a solution filled product called a HydroPro 31 has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the assembly operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the HydroPro training ball device 31. The preferred embodiment is as follows: an inflatable sports training ball of a specific regulation size and system called a HydroPro comprising (a) an inflatable exterior surface formed of an air tight flexible outer casing which, when inflated, defines an exterior surface; (b) an interior chamber/bladder/air pocket surrounded by an interior liner defining a bladder, the interior liner made of an air tight and water tight material; (c) an inflation and fill valve with an optional backflow prevention mechanism 39A; (d) a predetermined amount of a solution filling a portion of the bladder, the solution being substantially heavier than air and occupying an amount of said interior volume; and (e) a straight filler pump with a connection valve/nozzle for inserting a liquid, flow able solid, and flow able gel wherein the pre-determined amount of the solution is forced into the interior air chamber of the sports ball with the filler pump through the connection valve/nozzle, the backflow preventer permits the solution to stay in the sports ball until the valve of the sports ball closes, and the resulting partially solution filled sports ball provides an amount of solution that has inertia which is imparted to the sports ball and creates an imbalance which is used for training drills by an a novice, amateur or professional sports player.

[0056] To understand how to fill a inflatable sports ball 31 with a solution 35, one may refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 3. FIG. 3 addresses the weights obtained. FIG. 5 A through 5 C shows the devices. The solution 35which can be selected from various liquids 35A such as water, oil, alcohol alone; various flow able solids 35B such as metal (steel or equal) spherical BBs, sand, or other heavy solid that moves easily; a flow able gel 35C; a combined 35D as a solid 35B with the liquid solution 35A or gel 35Cis placed into an interior chamber/air pocket 36 of general sports ball 31. This includes all the sport balls such as basketballs 53, volleyballs 51, footballs 50, soccer balls 50, medicine balls, rugby balls and the like. The straight filler pump 45 or a filler pump 40 with flexible hose 41 is placed on a support base 47. The solution 35 is drawn from the solution container 44 by pulling the handles 45A away from the pump 40, 45. A connection valve or nozzle 42 is placed into one of the inflatable sports balls 31, 50-53 at their port valve 39. The solution 35 is forced into the sports ball 31 by forcing the solution 35 into the port 39 by pushing the handle 45A toward the pump 40, 45. Repeat until the placement of the desired volume is achieved.

[0057] The purpose of the solution 35, fluid or water as shown in FIGS. 4 A through 4 C is to make the ball difficult to handle because of the second-to-second shifting of the fluid or water to different parts of the ball 31. The ball, and the shifting weight, become hard to control. The principal object of this invention is to provide an anti-fumble trainer football of the character herein-described that will always change its weight second-to-second according to the flush of the water or fluid to different parts of the ball as it is passed or handled. Efficiency in handling a regular air-filled ball is rendered simpler because of the training with a heavier, difficult to handle, water or fluid contained ball. The player learns to grip the ball more firmly with his fingers. This grasping or seizing act is called prehension. The difficult, wobbly, fluid ball trains the fingers and hands to grasp tightly, and thus the player fumbles less. It is this involuntary and voluntary grasping or prehensive faculty of the hands and fingers which is transferred to the air-filled ball during practice sessions or a regular football game. The player fumbles less because he has learned to grip the ball more firmly because the ball he trained with is so much heavier and has a variable, gravitational pull according to the second-to-second location of the shifting fluid or water. Fumble and ball carrying skills are used mostly for backfield men, ends and centers, punt receivers, the players who handle the ball during a game. The HydroPro training ball device 31 provides the best tool in existence for training players to secure the football 50.

[0058] The general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solution can provide various improvements to the players. Improvements in the effects of the training have included: improved balance and ball skills; better concentration, control, coordination, and core dexterity; strength to finish long games; focus on the plays and worry less about the ball; increased grip strength; better hand-eye coordination; intensifies effort at the game with the standard sport ball; able to make play, react and be more mobile; can catch with soft hands; has better stability and over technique. In a sentence: One accomplishes more because less mistakes with ball handling.

[0059] FIGS. 6 A through 6 J are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device 52 being used in soccer drills. These drill sketches show: a general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solutionspecifically a soccer ball 52 and a soccer player 83 practicing a keeper throw 60 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; practicing an overhead throw 61 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; practicing sit-ups 62 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; practicing goal kicks 63 into rebound net 64 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; a soccer goal/net 64; practicing keeper punting 65 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; practicing seated juggling 66 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; practicing standing juggling 67 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; practicing trapping or controlling 68 with weighted soccer ball 31,52; and practicing pass drill 69 with weighted soccer ball 31,52.

[0060] FIGS. 7 A through 7 I are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in football 50 drills. These drill sketches show: a general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solutionspecifically a football 50 and a football player 81 practicing passing 70 with weighted football 31,50; practicing catching (pass) 71 with weighted football 31,50; practicing open field running 72 with weighted football 31,50; practicing straight through (dive) running 73 with weighted football 31,50; practicing end around running 74 with weighted football 31,50; practicing punting 75 with weighted football 31,50; practicing hiking 76 with weighted football 31,50; and practicing kicks or punts 77 with weighted football 31,50.

[0061] FIGS. 8 A through 8 G are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in basketball 53 drills. These drill sketches show: a general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solutionspecifically a basketball 53 and a basketball player 82 practicing shot 90 with weighted basketball 31,53; practicing chest pass 91 with weighted basketball 31,53; practicing foul shot 92 with weighted basketball 31,53; practicing jump shot 93 with weighted basketball 31,53; practicing fundamentals of chest pass 94 with weighted basketball 31,53; and practicing strengthening of wrists 95 with weighted basketball 31,53.

[0062] FIGS. 9 A through 9 F are sketches of the HydroPro training ball device being used in volleyball 54 drills. These drill sketches show: a general sports ball 31 partially filled with a solutionspecifically a volleyball 54, a volleyball player 84; and a volleyball net 99 practicing set-ups 100 with weighted volleyball 31, 51; practicing spike 101 with weighted volleyball 31, 51; practicing net blocks 102 with weighted volleyball 31, 51; practicing fundamental underhand serve 103 with weighted volleyball 31, 51; and practicing fundamental overhand serve 104 with weighted volleyball 31, 51.

[0063] With this description it is to be understood that the special sports training ball device 31 as a solution filled product called a HydroPro is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the HydroPro training ball device 31 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.

[0064] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

[0065] Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

[0066] Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless explicitly so stated, but rather one or more. All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.

[0067] The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of plane as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term plane when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase as used herein shall mean or similar language (e.g., herein this term means, as defined herein, for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean, etc.). References to specific examples, use of i.e., use of the word invention, etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.

[0068] As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as left, right, front, back, and the like, relate to the subject matter as it is shown in the drawing FIGS. However, it is to be understood that the subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. Furthermore, as used herein (i.e., in the claims and the specification), articles such as the, a, and an can connote the singular or plural. Also, as used herein, the word or when used without a preceding either (or other similar language indicating that or is unequivocally meant to be exclusivee.g., only one of x or y, etc.) shall be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., x or y means one or both x or y). Likewise, as used herein, the term and/or shall also be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., x and/or y means one or both x or y). In situations where and/or or or are used as a conjunction for a group of three or more items, the group should be interpreted to include one item alone, all of the items together, or any combination or number of the items. Moreover, terms used in the specification and claims such as have, having, include, and including should be construed to be synonymous with the terms comprise and comprising.

[0069] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term approximately. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term approximately should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.