PICKLEBALL BALL

Abstract

A ball for playing pickleball includes a spherical shell. The spherical shell includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The spherical shell includes a plurality of holes spaced about the shell that extend from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The plurality of holes includes more than forty holes. The ball defines a first half and a second half that are structurally identical.

Claims

1. A ball for playing pickleball comprising: a spherical shell including an interior surface and an exterior surface, the spherical shell including a plurality of holes spaced about the shell and extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface, the plurality of holes including more than forty holes, the ball defining a first half and a second half that are structurally identical.

2. The ball of claim 1, wherein the first half is rotated by 15 degrees relative to the second half about an axis normal to a seam defining a division between the first half and the second half.

3. The ball of claim 1, wherein the number of holes in the plurality of holes is forty-eight holes.

4. The ball of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second halves includes a patterned spacing of twenty-four holes of the forty-eight holes, wherein a first group of four holes forms a square shape such that each of the four holes is positioned at a corner of the square shape, wherein each of the four holes is equally spaced from the neighboring holes, wherein each of the four holes is equally spaced from a seam defining a division between the first half and the second half.

5. The ball of claim 4, wherein a second group of eight holes is positioned between the first group and the seam, wherein the second group defines four pairs of holes each positioned along a side of the square shape and aligned with the holes defining the side of the square shape, and wherein the holes of each pair are equally spaced from each other and from the neighboring holes of the first group.

6. The ball of claim 5, wherein a third group of twelve holes is positioned between the second group and the seam, wherein the third group of holes forms a circular pattern, wherein each of the holes in the circular pattern is equally spaced from the seam and each neighboring hole, and wherein every third hole of the third group is aligned with a center point of a line extending between neighboring holes of the first group.

7. The ball of claim 1, wherein each hole of the plurality of holes includes a chamfered exterior edge.

8. The ball of claim 7, wherein the chamfered exterior edge has a chamfer angle of about 45 degrees.

9. The ball of claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes is sized such that the ball has a solid surface area between about 65% and 75%.

10. The ball of claim 1, wherein the hole diameter is about three times greater than a thickness of the shell.

11. The ball of claim 1, wherein each hole of the plurality of holes is spaced equidistant apart from neighboring holes about the exterior surface.

12. A hollow ball for playing pickleball comprising: a wall with more than forty same-sized holes extending through the wall, the holes including chamfered exterior edges.

13. The ball of claim 12, wherein the ball defines a first half and a second half that are structurally identical.

14. The ball of claim 13, wherein the first half is rotated by 15 degrees relative to the second half about an axis normal to a seam defining a division between the first half and the second half.

15. The ball of claim 12, wherein the number of holes is at least forty-eight holes.

16. The ball of claim 12, wherein the holes each have a hole diameter that is between about 1/20 and 1/10 the size of an outer diameter of the ball.

17. The ball of claim 16, wherein the hole diameter is around 2/25 the size of the outer diameter of the ball.

18. The ball of claim 12, wherein the holes each have a hole diameter that is between about two and four times a thickness of the wall.

19. The ball of claim 12, wherein the holes are spaced equidistant apart from neighboring holes about an exterior surface of the ball.

20. A ball for playing pickleball comprising: a spherical exterior forming a hollow shell, the ball having an outer diameter between about 2.87 and 2.92 inches, the ball defining first and second halves, wherein the first and second halves are adjacent each other at a seam, the first and second halves being structurally identical and each including twenty-four holes, the first half and the second half being axially rotated about a joining axis relative to each other by an angle of about 15 degrees, each hole being circular and same sized, the holes sized such that a surface area of the exterior is between about 65% and 75% solid, the holes each having a hole diameter that is between about 1/20 and 1/10 the size of the outer diameter of the ball, the hole diameter being between about two and three times a thickness of the shell, each hole including an exterior chamfer, the exterior chamfer extending between an outer edge on the exterior surface to an inner edge defining a hole circumference, the exterior chamfer extending at a chamfer angle between about 30 and 60 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example ball in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of the ball of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the ball of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a first side view of the ball of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a second side view of the ball of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a top view of the ball of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the ball of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example half shell defining a portion of the ball in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating a close-up of one of the holes on an example ball in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a focused cross-sectional view taken along a line bisecting one of the holes on an example ball in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a graph of a pickleball durability test comparing an example ball in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure with two other competitor balls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

[0018] In general terms, the present disclosure relates to a hollow ball for playing the sport of pickleball. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a ball that includes more than forty holes spaced around the ball. In certain examples, the present disclosure also relates to a hole design that includes an exterior chamfer around a circumference of each hole.

[0019] FIGS. 1-10 show an example ball 100 for playing pickleball. In certain examples, the ball 100 is defined by a hollow shell formed by a wall 114. The wall 114 is defined by an exterior surface 110 and an interior surface 112 (shown in FIG. 10). The ball 100 includes a plurality of holes 120. The holes 120 are spaced around the exterior surface 110 and extend through the wall 114 of the ball 100 into the interior surface 112. The wall 114 includes a thickness T (shown in FIG. 10).

[0020] In certain examples, the ball 100 defines a first half 102 and a second half 104. In certain examples, the first half 102 is structurally identical to the second half 104. In certain examples, the first half 102 and the second half 104 are joined together at a seam 106. A joining axis 108 extends through a center of the ball 100 normal to a plane that defines the seam 106. In certain examples, the seam 106 is a literal seam between halves 102 and 104. In other examples, the seam 106 can be a virtual seam that is merely defined by a reference plane bisecting the ball 100 for describing the two structural halves of the ball 100. Thus, in certain examples, the ball 100 can be said to be seamless, such that there is no clear distinction or division between the first half 102 and the second half 104.

[0021] In certain examples, the ball 100 has an outer diameter D that is between about 2.85 and 2.99 inches. In certain examples, the outer diameter D is between about 2.87 and 2.97 inches. In certain examples, the outer diameter D is between about 2.87 and 2.92 inches. In certain examples, the outer diameter D is about 2.90 inches.

[0022] In certain examples, the ball 100 includes more than forty holes 120. In certain examples, the ball 100 includes between forty and one hundred holes 120. In certain examples, the ball 100 includes between forty and sixty holes 120. In certain examples, the ball includes between forty-five and fifty holes 120. In certain examples, the ball 100 includes exactly forty-eight holes 120. In certain examples, each of the first and second halves 102, 104 defining the overall ball includes twenty-four holes 120.

[0023] In certain examples, the holes 120 occupy less than about 50% of an exterior surface area of the ball 100. In certain examples, the holes 120 occupy less than about 40% of the exterior surface area of the ball 100. In certain examples, the holes 120 occupy less than about 35% of the exterior surface area of the ball 100. In certain examples, the holes 120 occupy between about 30 and 35% of the exterior surface area of the ball 100. In certain examples, forty-eight holes 120 occupy about 30.7% of the exterior surface area of the ball 100, such that about 69.3% of the exterior surface area is solid.

[0024] In certain examples, the holes 120 are all the same size. In certain examples, the holes are small enough that the ball 100 is able to roll over a hole without affecting the dynamic movement of the ball 100. In certain examples, the holes 120 are sized such that the ball 100 cannot be balanced on a surface by an edge of one of the holes 120. The holes 120 are sized to provide consistent play and ground reaction. In certain examples, the holes 120 are circular with a hole diameter X between about 0.22 and 0.25 inches. In certain examples, the hole diameter X is about 0.23 inches. In certain examples, the hole diameter X is between about 1/20 and 1/10 of the outer diameter D. In certain examples, the hole diameter X is about 2/25 of the outer diameter D.

[0025] Typical pickleball designs include forty or fewer holes. By simultaneously increasing the number of holes above forty and decreasing the size of each hole, the ball 100 is able to move through the air more consistently, with greater velocity, and play off the ground more consistently.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the hole diameter X is defined by an inner edge 124. In certain examples, each of the holes 120 includes a chamfer 122 defined between the inner edge 124 and an outer edge 126. As shown, the inner edge 124 may be an intermediate edge formed partially through the wall of the ball 100. The outer edge 126 defines an outer circumference and corresponds to an outer diameter Y of the hole. The inner edge 124 corresponds to an inner circumference of the hole 120. The outer edge is on the exterior 110. The outer edge 126 and inner edge 124 are connected by the chamfer 122.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a hole 120 that illustrates the chamfer 122. A difference between the outer diameter Y and the hole diameter X defines a portion of the chamfer 122. A chamfer angle 123 defines the slope of the chamfer 122 extending from the outer edge 126 to the inner edge 124. In certain examples, the chamfer angle is between about 30 and 60 degrees. In certain examples, the chamfer angle is about 45 degrees. The chamfer 122 provides a number of different benefits. In certain examples, the chamfer 122 improves the aerodynamics of the ball 100 by improving air flow through and around the holes. In certain examples, the chamfer 122 also reduces stress concentration at the holes 120 and thereby improves the structural lifespan of the ball 100. In certain examples, the chamfer 122 and size of the hole 120 reduce stress concentration and reduce the likelihood of cracking.

[0028] In certain examples, the hole placement about the exterior surface 110 of the ball 100 is patterned. In certain examples, as shown on the front view of the ball 100 in FIG. 2, the holes 120 are divided into three distinct groups 120a, 120b, and 120c. As shown, the first half 102 of the ball 100 includes four holes 120a that are oriented to form a square shape 121 with one of the holes 120a centered at each of the corners of the square shape 121. The square shape 121 defined by the holes 120a is centered on the exterior surface such that each of the holes 120a is equally spaced away from the seam 106.

[0029] In certain examples, a second group of eight holes 120b are spaced between the holes 120a and the seam 106. As shown, the second group of holes 120b is spaced in line with the holes 120a such that each hole 120a has two holes 120b that neighbor it. The holes 120b are spaced apart from the holes 120a the same distance as neighboring holes 120a are spaced from each other. The second group of holes 120b is positioned between the first group and the seam 106. The second group 120b defines four pairs of holes each positioned along a side of the square shape 121 and aligned with the first group of holes 120a defining the side of the square shape 121. The holes 120b of each pair are equally spaced from each other and from the neighboring holes of the first group 120a.

[0030] In certain examples, a third group of holes 120c is positioned between the second group 120b and the seam 106. When viewed from the front, as in FIG. 2, the third group 120c includes twelve holes that are evenly spaced in a circular pattern near the seam 106. When viewed from the front, as in FIG. 2, every third hole is centered between the two holes 120b making up each pair of holes 120b (and also centered between the holes 120a making up one side of the square shape 121). In total, the pattern shown in FIG. 2 of the first half 102 includes twenty-four holes.

[0031] In certain examples, the holes 120 may be patterned such that each hole is equidistant apart from neighboring holes. In certain examples, the holes 120 are equidistant apart from neighboring holes 120 on the first half 102 and in other examples, the holes 120 are equidistant apart from neighboring holes 120 on the entire exterior surface 110 of the ball 100.

[0032] In certain examples, the first half 102 and the second half 104 are rotated relative to each other about the joining axis 108. As shown in FIG. 7, the third group of holes 120c defined on the first half 102 is shifted by 15 degrees from the third group of holes 120c defined on the second half 104 about the joining axis 108. The 15-degree shift provides more uniform flight of the ball 100.

[0033] In certain examples, the thickness T of the wall making up the ball 100 is between about and the hole diameter X. In certain examples the thickness T is between about and of the hole diameter X. In certain examples, the thickness T is between about 0.05 and 0.1 inches. In certain examples, the thickness T is about 0.075 inches.

[0034] In certain examples, the ball 100 is made from a polymeric material. In certain examples the ball 100 includes polypropylene. In certain examples, the ball 100 includes polyethylene. In certain examples, high density polyethylene is used. In certain examples, the ball 100 is a polymeric blend designed to balance hardness and durability. Other polymers are also contemplated.

[0035] In certain examples, the ball 100 can be made from an injection molded process such that a mold forms one of the halves (e.g., 102 or 104) of the ball 100, including the holes 120. Injection molding involves heating the material until it becomes molten, then injecting it under high pressure into a mold where it cools and solidifies into the desired shape. Two molded halves are then joined together by a welding process. Various welding processes may be used. For example, ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding, friction welding, or vibration welding, etc. can be used to weld the two halves together.

[0036] In certain examples, the ball 100 can be made by a rotational molding process such that there is no discernable seam 106 between the first and second halves 102, 104. Rotational molding is a manufacturing process used to create hollow, seamless products with uniform wall thickness. It involves placing plastic material in a mold, which is then heated and rotated simultaneously on two axes, causing the material to melt and coat the interior of the mold, forming the desired shape. In certain examples, the holes 120 are added after the rotational molding is completed. In other examples, the holes 120 may be formed by inserts provided within the mold during the rotational molding process.

[0037] In certain examples, the ball 100 receives a surface finish to remove any flashing, debris, or other surface inconsistencies that could cause deviations in the performance of the ball 100. In certain examples, the ball 100 receives a SPI A3 finish.

[0038] Testing was completed on the ball 100 to validate certain performance aspects of the above described design. First, lateral displacement drop tests were performed where lateral displacement was measured between first and second bounces. The test was performed by dropping the ball 100, along with six other competitor balls from a height of 27 inches onto a granite table and measuring displacement between the landing position of the first bounce and the landing position of the second bounce. The ball 100 had a lower average lateral displacement than an overwhelming majority (greater than 85%) of the competitor balls tested.

[0039] Next, a speed test was conducted to measure the speed of the ball 100 during regular playing conditions. The ball 100 was tested against two other competitors. Speed was measured using a radar gun during controlled hits of the pickleball. Each ball was hit 40 times. Due to the potential variation inherent in the test method, potential outliers were ignored by looking at the middle 50% of test results. For the ball 100, the middle 50% of hits ranged between 39 MPH and 41 MPH. For competitor 1, the middle 50% of hits ranged between 39 MPH and 40.25 MPH. For competitor 2, the middle 50% of hits ranged between 38.5 MPH and 39 MPH. The ball 100 had a greater middle 50% speed range than the other two competitors.

[0040] Finally, the ball 100 was tested for durability by measuring compression resistance at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 controlled hits. The ball 100 was tested against two other competitors (shown as 1 and 2 in FIG. 11). The Newton force was measured at a ball compression of 0.35 inches. Three balls of each type were tested at each number of controlled hits and the average was recorded. To avoid carryover effects of the compression test, a different set of three balls were used for each test number of controlled hits. As shown in FIG. 11, the ball 100 maintained its compression resistance throughout the test. The ball 100 had a higher average compression resistance than the competitors at 0 hits. The ball 100 had a higher average compression resistance at 250 hits than the competitors at 0 hits. The competitor balls 1 and 2 showed decreasing compression resistance as the number of controlled hits increased. Competitors 1 and 2 were the same brand as the competitors tested in the speed test. This test suggests that the ball 100 should have improved durability, remedying a common issue in the sport.

[0041] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the full scope of the following claims.