SPORTS BALL, BAT, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

Abstract

A spherical ball is for throwing with a spin so that the ball curves and rises during flight. The spherical ball may include a body defining an internal cavity therein, and an outer surface. The outer surface may include solid planar surfaces, each and every one of the solid planar surfaces directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the solid planar surfaces. The directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the solid planar surfaces may define a repeating pattern having a pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces. Boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the solid planar surfaces may be integral and continuous with adjacent portions of the outer surface.

Claims

1. A spherical ball for throwing with a spin so that the ball curves and rises during flight, the spherical ball comprising: a body defining an internal cavity therein, and an outer surface; the outer surface comprising a plurality of solid planar surfaces, each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces, the directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces defining a repeating pattern comprising a pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces; boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces being integral and continuous with adjacent portions of the outer surface.

2. The spherical ball of claim 1 wherein the outer surface comprises a raised seam extending at the boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces, and extending across a given boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces and extending through at least one adjacent boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces.

3. The spherical ball of claim 1 wherein each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces is directly adjoined by at least another four of the plurality of solid planar surfaces.

4. The spherical ball of claim 1 wherein a number of the plurality of solid planar surfaces is more than 50.

5. The spherical ball of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a plastic material.

6. The spherical ball of claim 1 wherein the repeating pattern comprises a single pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by five hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces.

7. The spherical ball of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces defines a recess therein.

8. The spherical ball of claim 7 wherein the recess comprises a circle-shaped recess.

9. The spherical ball of claim 7 wherein the recess is centered within a respective solid planar surface.

10. A game assembly comprising: a spherical ball for throwing with a spin so that the ball curves and rises during flight, the ball comprising a body defining an internal cavity therein, and an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a plurality of solid planar surfaces, each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces, the directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces defining a repeating pattern comprising a pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces, boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces being integral and continuous with adjacent portions of the outer surface; and a bat for hitting the spherical ball.

11. The game assembly of claim 10 wherein the outer surface comprises a raised seam extending at the boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces, and extending across a given boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces and extending through at least one adjacent boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces.

12. The game assembly of claim 10 wherein each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces is directly adjoined by at least another four of the plurality of solid planar surfaces.

13. The game assembly of claim 10 wherein a number of the plurality of solid planar surfaces is more than 50.

14. The game assembly of claim 10 wherein the body comprises a plastic material.

15. The game assembly of claim 10 wherein the repeating pattern comprises a single pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by five hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces.

16. The game assembly of claim 10 wherein at least one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces defines a recess therein; wherein the recess comprises a circle-shaped recess; and wherein the recess is centered within a respective solid planar surface.

17. A method for making a spherical ball for throwing with a spin so that the ball curves and rises during flight, the method comprising: forming a body defining an internal cavity therein, and an outer surface; the outer surface comprising a plurality of solid planar surfaces, each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces, the directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces defining a repeating pattern comprising a pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces; forming boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces to be integral and continuous with adjacent portions of the outer surface.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the outer surface comprises a raised seam extending at the boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces, and extending across a given boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces and extending through at least one adjacent boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces is directly adjoined by at least another four of the plurality of solid planar surfaces.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein a number of the plurality of solid planar surfaces is more than 50.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a sports ball, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ball of FIG. 1 along line 2-2.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a bat for use with the ball of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a sports ball, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an opposite side perspective view of the sports ball of FIG. 4.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a sports ball, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a sports ball, according to an additional embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the invention are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and base 100 reference numerals are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

[0017] One aspect of the present invention is directed to a sports system that comprises a ball for use in baseball-type games. The sports ball comprises a hollow, substantially spherical ball that has a plurality of substantially planar, intersecting regions covering an outer surface thereof. Preferably the ball also has a weight that is substantially less than a weight of a regulation baseball, for enhancing safety in use.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention is directed to a sports system, which further comprises a bat for use with the ball, or with any similar ball, preferably a plastic ball. The bat comprises a hollow, elongated member that has a handle portion adjacent a bottom end and a barrel portion between the handle portion and a top end. The barrel portion has a surface having a striking sector, the striking sector having a coefficient of friction higher than a coefficient of friction of an adjacent surface sector of the barrel portion, for imparting traction to a struck ball.

[0019] A brief discussion of a possible explanation for the behavior of the sports ball of the present invention will now follow. It is to be understood that this explanation is not intended as limiting on the structure of the invention.

[0020] The sports ball of the present invention has been shown to provide increased speed and distance. It is believed that the intersecting substantially planar regions of the ball help to minimize drag when the ball is in motion by creating turbulent airflow that sticks to the baseball slightly longer than would be the case for a smooth ball. This in turn creates a smaller air separation region behind the ball (air vacuum), which minimizes drag and maximizes speed and distance. This is believed to be similar to the effect of the dimples on golf balls.

[0021] The sports ball of the present invention also provides improved curving properties. It is believed that the intersecting regions create natural ridges at each intersection line, which makes the ball effective at deflecting air to the side when the ball is spun. The fact that airflow is deflected sideways as the ball is spun and in forward motion means that there is an equal and opposite force acting on the ball that pushes the ball in the other direction (curve).

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is directed to a sports system that comprises a sports ball 10 for use in baseball-type games. The sports ball 10 comprises a hollow, substantially spherical ball. The ball 10 may comprise a plastic material, although this is not intended as a limitation.

[0023] The ball 10 has a plurality of substantially planar, intersecting regions 11 covering an outer surface 12 thereof. In some embodiments, the regions 11 may be slightly concave or convex without departing from the spirit of the invention. The regions 11 may be either regular or irregular, and do not have to conform to a specific pattern. Also preferably, the ball 10 comprises a sufficient number of planar regions 11 to remain substantially spherical, meaning that the ball 10 will still bounce and rebound in a manner similar to a spherical ball, such that the bounce and rebound are predictable upon striking subsequent contact with another surface. Essentially, any difference in the angle of bounce and rebound will be visually imperceptible, with visually imperceptible meaning visually imperceptible to the unaided vision of a human watching live in real time.

[0024] Through experimentation, it has been found that the ball 10 of the present invention travels faster and farther than similar products, and also curves more. However, the aerodynamic characteristics are closer to those of a regulation baseball than to a Wiffle ball, in that baseball spins can be imparted. Since the ball 10 is lighter, safety is enhanced, and also the ball 10 curves much more than a regulation baseball without having to be thrown as hard. In fact, with sufficient backspin, the ball 10 can rise in flight.

[0025] Another advantage is that the planar regions 11 allow for a better grip, also enhancing the amount of spin that can be imparted. Preferably the ball 10 also has a weight that is substantially less than a weight of a regulation baseball, for enhancing safety in use.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the sports system of the present invention further includes a bat 20 for use with the above-described ball 10. The bat 20 comprises an elongated, hollow, lightweight element having a standard bat shape, including a handle portion 21 and a barrel (hitting) portion 22. In a particular embodiment, at least part of the barrel portion 22 is surrounded by a striking sector comprising a sheath 23 that imparts greater traction to a ball 10 when hit than other known bat surfaces. The sheath 23 has a coefficient of friction greater than an adjacent surface sector 24. Alternately, the striking sector can be built or molded into the bat. In either case, it is preferred that the striking sector 23 have a more resilient surface than the adjacent surface sector 24. In a preferred embodiment, the sheath 23 comprises a rubber material, although this is not intended as a limitation.

[0027] The bat 20 of the present invention is usable with other balls besides that 10 of the present invention, and confers cost, safety, and usage advantages over other bats of the prior art. For example, plastic balls travel farther when struck with the bat 20, because of increased backspin created when the ball is properly struck. The hitting surface 23 of the bat 20 provides traction between the ball 10 and the bat 20 and grips the ball 10 at the point of impact to spin the ball at a higher rate than do other known plastic bats. Such backspin created from a properly hit ball creates loft, which carries a ball a greater distance. In addition, there is a synergy between the ball 10 and the bat 20 of the present invention, wherein the intersections 13 between planar regions 11 can be gripped effectively by the striking sector 23.

[0028] Even if a ball is struck in a non-ideal manner, the sheath 23 still grips the ball better, resulting in a more efficient transfer of force between the ball and bat 20. If a typical plastic baseball is not hit at its exact center, a portion of the bat's force is lost on the ball owing to slippage, particularly when a plastic ball is struck by a plastic bat surface, thereby resulting in lazy fly balls or weak ground balls. The bat 20 of the present invention, however, preserves some of the force that would otherwise have been lost, and allows the batter to hit the ball harder even if the ball is not struck at an ideal angle.

[0029] The bat 20 also delivers a longer ball because of its added weight over known plastic bats. Additionally, the bat 20 of the present invention is advantageous because the striking sector 23 serves to protect the batter's hands by acting as a shock absorber if a ball is not struck in an ideal manner.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a ball 110 has a plurality of planar regions 111 forming an outer surface 112 thereof. Preferably, the ball 110, like the ball 10, is substantially hollow. Preferably, there are 72 planar regions 111, including 60 hexagonal regions 111A and 12 pentagonal regions 111B. A raised seam 113 extends generally around a circumference of the ball 110 between borders of a portion of the planar regions 111.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 6, a ball 210 has a plurality of planar regions 211 forming an outer surface 212 thereof. Preferably, the ball 210, like the balls 10 and 110, is substantially hollow. As with the ball 110, there are preferably 72 planar regions 211, including 60 hexagonal regions 211A and 12 pentagonal regions 211B. A raised seam 213 extends generally around a circumference of the ball 210 between borders of a portion of the planar regions 211. A plurality of concave divots 214 are formed in the outer surface 212. Preferably, one divot 214 is generally centered in each of the planar regions 211. The depicted divot 214 is generally circular, although the present invention is not necessarily limited to a particular divot shape.

[0032] For instance, according to an additional embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 7, a ball 310 has a plurality of planar regions 311 forming an outer surface 312 thereof. Preferably, the ball 310, like the balls 10, 110, and 210, is substantially hollow. As with the balls 110 and 210, there are preferably 72 planar regions 311, including 60 hexagonal regions 311A and 12 pentagonal regions 311B. A raised seam 313 extends generally around a circumference of the ball 310 between borders of a portion of the planar regions 311. A plurality of concave divots 314 are formed in the outer surface 312. The shape of the divots 314 generally corresponds to the shape of the planar regions 311 in which they are formed. For example, hexagonal divots 314A are formed in the hexagonal regions 311A and pentagonal divots 314B are formed in the pentagonal regions 311B.

[0033] In the depicted embodiment, one divot 314 is generally centered in each of the planar regions 311. Alternately, divots could be selectively omitted from some planar regions 311. For example, divots could be omitted from some or all of the pentagonal regions 311B. Additionally, the divots could be made larger or smaller. For example, each divot could extend almost to the intersections with adjacent regions. Divots could also be located off center and/or extend onto more than one planar region.

[0034] Unlike the divots 214, which have a slopping transition from their respective regions 211, the divots 314 have a stepped transition from their respective regions 311, although the present invention is not necessarily limited to a particular transition type.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, a spherical ball 110 according to the present disclosure is now described. The spherical ball 110 is for throwing with a spin so that the ball curves and rises during flight. The spherical ball 110 illustratively includes a body defining an internal cavity therein, and an outer surface 112 enclosing the internal cavity. The outer surface 112 includes a plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B. Each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B directly adjoins multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces. The directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B define a repeating pattern comprising a pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces.

[0036] Boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B are integral and continuous with adjacent portions of the outer surface 112. In other words, the outer surface 112 is completely contiguous and so that the outer surface substantially or completely encapsulates the internal cavity. In some embodiments, the boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B may be slightly recessed. In other embodiments, the boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B may be rounded.

[0037] In particular, the outer surface 112 illustratively includes a raised seam 113 extending at the boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B. The raised seam 113 extends outward and away from the outer surface 112; the raised seam also extends substantially perpendicular (i.e.,) 90+10 to the outer surface 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised seam 113 has a uniform height across its linear length. In other embodiments, the raised seam 113 has a varying height across its linear length. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised seam 113 extends completely across a given boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B and extends completely through several adjacent boundary segments between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces. In other embodiments, the raised seam 113 extends partially (i.e., <60%) or substantially (i.e., 80%20%) across a given boundary segment between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B and extends partially (i.e., <60%) or substantially (i.e., 80%20%) through one or more adjacent boundary segments between two adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces. In other words, the raised seam 113 may extend across a partial radial arc of the body, and does not necessarily extend completely across the body nor any boundary segment.

[0038] Each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B is directly adjoined by at least another four of the plurality of solid planar surfaces. For example, a number of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B may be more than 50. For example, the body comprise a plastic material. The repeating pattern comprises a single pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by five hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces.

[0039] Referring additionally to FIG. 3, a game assembly comprises a spherical ball 110 for throwing with a spin so that the ball curves and rises during flight. The spherical ball 110 includes a body defining an internal cavity therein, and an outer surface 112. The outer surface 112 includes a plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B, each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces. The directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B define a repeating pattern comprising a pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces. Boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces are integral and continuous with adjacent portions of the outer surface. The game assembly also includes a bat 20 for hitting the spherical ball.

[0040] Yet another aspect is directed to a method for making a spherical ball 110 for throwing with a spin so that the ball curves and rises during flight. The method includes forming a body defining an internal cavity therein, and an outer surface 112. The outer surface 112 includes a plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B, each and every one of the plurality of solid planar surfaces directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces. The directly adjoining multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B define a repeating pattern comprising a pentagon-shaped solid planar surface surrounded by hexagon-shaped solid planar surfaces. The method also includes forming boundaries between the directly adjoining ones of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 111A-111B to be integral and continuous with adjacent portions of the outer surface 112.

[0041] Referring now additionally to FIGS. 6-7, another embodiment of the spherical ball 210 is now described. In this embodiment of the spherical ball 210, those elements already discussed above with respect to FIGS. 4-5 are incremented by 100 and most require no further discussion herein. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that this spherical ball 210 illustratively includes each of the plurality of solid planar surfaces 211A-211B defines a recess 214 therein. The recess 214 illustratively comprises a circle-shaped recess. The recess 214 is illustratively centered within a respective solid planar surface surfaces 211A-211B.

[0042] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.