Foam Game Ball with Core

a foam ball and core technology, applied in the field of foam game balls, can solve the problems of too heavy to allow easy throwing, and achieve the effect of reducing the total weight of the ball and lowering the average specific weigh

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-05-12
FRAZIER JOHN K
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The current invention is a foam ball that has tubular holes to allow for water spray when the ball is soaked with water and thrown. Uniquely, for foam balls, it includes a non-absorbent core that has a lower average specific weight than that of the fully soak

Problems solved by technology

However, larger balls intended for water play, once fully soaked, became too heavy to allow for easy throwing.

Method used

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  • Foam Game Ball with Core
  • Foam Game Ball with Core
  • Foam Game Ball with Core

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0016]FIGS. 1A and 1B show alternative perspective views of a spherical game ball implementing the invention. The design of the ball 8 provides for a soccer ball pattern 12 on one-half of the ball as shown in FIG. 1A and a volleyball pattern 10 on the other half of the ball as shown in FIG. 1B. However, any exterior design could be implemented without affecting the function of the current invention.

[0017]The ball 8 includes a form portion 18 that forms at least one and preferably a plurality of holes 14 that penetrate into the foam 18. Preferably, the holes 14 include at least one tubular section. The holes 14 can be directed toward a likely central point of rotation of the ball 8, for example, the center point of a spherical ball, thus providing a better release of water 16 when the foam 18 is soaked with water and the ball 8 is subsequently thrown or kicked. It will be noted that an additional cover (not shown) could be placed on the ball provided that the cover included holes ali...

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Abstract

A foam game ball is provided which is adapted to absorb water and includes holes along the length of the ball so as to allow centrifugal force to cause the water to be expelled through the holes when the ball is saturated with water and thrown or kicked. The ball further includes a core, such as a hollow bladder with a non-absorbent outer surface, with an average specific weight less than the specific weight of the foam when fully saturated with water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to foam game balls, in particular foam game balls designed to absorb water and release water through holes when thrown.[0002]Foam balls for play are known in the art. Foam balls designed for safe play have been sold under the NERF trademark for many years. The NERF balls are generally made from polyurethane, which allows for the production of a relatively soft ball.[0003]A foam ball designed for water play is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 683,384. The foam ball of that invention has tubular holes which allow water to spray from the ball when the ball is soaked in water and subsequently thrown or kicked.[0004]Generally, foam balls are constructed of solid foam, primarily for simplicity of manufacture. For non-water play or for smaller balls such construction is acceptable, and there is little to be gained from an alternative, more complicated construction. However, larger balls intended for water play, once fu...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A63B43/00
CPCA63B39/06A63B2225/60A63B43/002
InventorFRAZIER, JOHN K.
OwnerFRAZIER JOHN K