Cricket Training Ball

Abstract

A cricket training ball generally includes an outer layer, an interior body, and at least two or three grip rings, which are designed to mimic the location and feel of circumferential stitching of a standard cricket ball. The outer layer, the interior body, and the at least two grip rings together having a combined weight of approximately 2.0 to 2.5 times the maximum weight of a standard cricket ball in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique.

Claims

1. A cricket training ball for spin bowling training comprising: an outer layer; an interior body being disposed within said outer layer; at least two grip rings being disposed parallel and adjacent to one another and to encircle said outer layer; said at least two grip rings being configured to mimic the location and feel of circumferential stitching of a standard cricket ball; and said outer layer, said interior body, and said at least two grip rings together having a combined weight of approximately 2.0 to 2.5 times the maximum weight of a standard cricket ball according to British Standard 5993:1994 in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique.

2. The cricket training ball of claim 1, wherein the cricket training ball has a diameter approximately 10% to 40% greater than the maximum diameter of a standard cricket ball according to British Standard 5993:1994 in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique.

3. The cricket training ball of claim 2, wherein interior body comprises silicone.

4. The cricket training ball of claim 3, wherein said outer layer comprises rubber.

5. The cricket training ball of claim 4, wherein said at least two grip rings comprise rubber ridges that project above the surface of said outer layer by about one to two millimeters.

6. The cricket training ball of claim 5, wherein said at least two grip rings comprise three grip rings.

7. The cricket training ball of claim 6, wherein the cricket training ball has a diameter in the range of 80 to 100 millimeters.

8. The cricket training ball of claim 7, wherein the cricket training ball has a weight in the range of 380 to 420 grams.

9. The cricket training ball of claim 1, wherein interior body comprises silicone.

10. The cricket training ball of claim 1, wherein said outer layer comprises rubber.

11. The cricket training ball of claim 1, wherein said at least two grip rings comprise rubber ridges that project above the surface of said outer layer by about one to two millimeters.

12. The cricket training ball of claim 1, wherein said at least two grip rings comprise three grip rings.

13. The cricket training ball of claim 1, wherein the cricket training ball has a diameter in the range of 80 to 100 millimeters.

14. The cricket training ball of claim 1, wherein the cricket training ball has a weight in the range of 380 to 420 grams.

15. A training method for cricket spin bowling using the cricket training ball of claim 1, said method comprising the steps of: throwing or bowling the cricket training ball repeatedly; strengthening muscles relating to cricket spin bowling; and throwing or bowling a standard, lighter, cricket ball with increased control and improved spin bowling technique.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0014] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cricket training ball according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a close-up, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new cricket training ball embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0022] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the cricket training ball 10 generally comprises A cricket training ball 10 for spin bowling training includes an outer layer 12, an interior body 14, and at least two grip rings 16. The interior body 14 is positioned within the outer layer 12. The at least two grip rings 16 are positioned parallel and adjacent to one another and to encircle the outer layer 12. The at least two grip rings 16 are designed to mimic the location and feel of circumferential stitching of a standard cricket ball. The outer layer 12, the interior body 14, and the at least two grip rings 16 together having a combined weight of approximately 2.0 to 2.5 times the maximum weight of a standard cricket ball according to British Standard 5993:1994 in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique.

[0023] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the cricket training ball 10 has a diameter approximately 10% to 40% greater than the maximum diameter of a standard cricket ball according to British Standard 5993:1994 in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique.

[0024] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the interior body 14 includes silicone.

[0025] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the outer layer 12 includes rubber.

[0026] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the at least two grip rings 16 comprise rubber ridges that project above the surface of the outer layer 12 by about one to two millimeters.

[0027] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the at least two grip rings 16 comprise three grip rings 16.

[0028] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the cricket training ball 10 has a diameter in the range of 80 to 100 millimeters, or possibly in the range of 70 to 90 millimeters, or possibly in the range of 90 to 110 millimeters, or possibly in the range of 70 to 110 millimeters, including any whole number values or ranges of whole number values therein.

[0029] In accordance with at least one possible embodiment, the cricket training ball 10 has a weight in the range of 380 to 420 grams, or possibly in the range of 360 to 400 grams, or possibly in the range of 400 to 440 grams, or possibly in the range of 360 to 440 grams, including any whole number values or ranges of whole number values therein.

[0030] In use, a user 20 throws or bowls the cricket training ball 10 in a normal manner. The increased weight strengthens the muscles of the user 20 such that, when the user uses a standard cricket ball of lesser weight, the user 20 has much easier control over the standard cricket ball. The increased diameter also serves to strengthen the muscles of the user 20. Similarly, when the user 20 uses a smaller standard cricket ball, the user 20 has the feeling that the standard cricket ball is lighter and easier to handle and control, especially for spin bowling.

[0031] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.