Foam sports ball

Abstract

A foam basketball having a size and weight comparable to a traditional inflated regulation basketball. The foam basketball is formed from a dense polymeric foam, such as polyurethane. In some embodiments, the foam has a density of between 80 and 90 kg / m3. The foam basketball may have a weight between about 350 grams and about 650 grams, inclusive, and a circumference between about 20 inches and about 30 inches, inclusive.

Description

1 FOAM SPORTS BALL CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 771,936, filed March 14, 2025, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to foam sports balls, and more particularly to foam balls having a size and weight comparable to the same type of inflated balls. BACKGROUND

[0003] Foam balls, such as basketballs, are popular for indoor play and training purposes due to their softer material, which reduces noise and the risk of damage to property. However, traditional foam basketballs are significantly lighter and offer less bounce than their regulation inflated counterparts. This discrepancy in weight and bounce can hinder a player's ability to develop proper shooting and dribbling mechanics, as the muscle memory developed with a lightweight ball does not translate effectively to a regulation weight ball.

[0004] This lack of realistic weight and density in conventional foam balls means that players, particularly those training to use traditional inflated basketballs, cannot accurately simulate game conditions indoors while reducing undesirable noise. The ball's handling characteristics are all affected by the foam ball’s lower mass and density. Therefore, there is a need for a foam ball, such as a basketball, that more closely mimics the physical properties of a traditional regulation basketball, providing a more realistic and effective training tool for players. CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 2 SUMMARY

[0005] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to foam basketballs having the size and weight of inflated regulation basketballs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foam basketball according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the foam basketball of FIG. 1 without the grooves. CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 3

[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken at inset circle A of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Throughout this description for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the many aspects and embodiments disclosed herein. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the many aspects and embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown in diagram or schematic form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the described aspects and embodiments.

[0012] The present invention relates to a foam ball that is engineered to address the shortcomings of conventional foam balls. While disclosed embodiments are described in relation to foam basketballs, embodiments of the invention are not so limited. Rather, other types of foam balls, including but not limited to, soccer balls, volleyballs, etc. are contemplated.

[0013] Conventional regulation basketballs are generally formed of an air-filled inner bladder surrounded by an exterior cover made from leather (including genuine or composite leather) or rubber. Nylon or polyester threads may be interposed between the bladder and cover to provide structure and support to the ball.

[0014] Embodiments of the invention are directed to a foam basketball that is designed to have a heavier weight than what is generally found in traditional foam basketballs. One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a foam basketball with a size and weight that are comparable to those of traditional regulation inflated basketballs, thereby offering a more realistic and effective training tool for players. CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 4

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a foam basketball 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the foam basketball 100 is formed from a polymeric foam. An example of a suitable material includes, but is not limited to, polyurethane foam, or in some embodiments, a high-density polyurethane foam. The polymeric foam of the present invention is of a higher density than the foam used in conventional foam basketballs, resulting in a foam basketball 100 with higher weight and bounce than conventional foam basketballs. In some non-limiting embodiments, the foam density used in the foam basketball 100 is between 80 and 90 kg / m3, inclusive, or between 82 and 86 kg / m3, inclusive. While the foam may be open or closed cell, in some embodiments the foam basketball 100 is formed of an open cell foam.

[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the foam basketball 100 comprises a spherical body 102 that consists of a monolithic piece of the polymeric foam (i.e., the basketball 100 is of a consistent foam composition and density throughout the basketball). In this way, the foam basketball 100 is a single, solid piece of foam such that the exterior surface 104 and the interior 108 of the basketball 100 are formed from the same foam material and the foam is exposed on the exterior surface 104.

[0017] In some embodiments, pigments or other dyes may be provided in the foam mixture prior to ball formation. In this way, the color of the foam basketball 100 is the same both within the interior 108 of the ball and on its exterior surface 104. In other embodiments, the exterior surface 104 may be painted with the desired ball color. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the exterior surface 104 of the basketball 100 may be formed with surface features, such as grooves 106, that correspond to those found on a regulation basketball. Alternatively, or additionally, CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 5 lines may be painted on the exterior surface 104 of the basketball 100 to simulate grooves 106 or other desired aesthetic features.

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the foam basketball 100 may include grooves 106 of any height or depth recessed into the exterior surface 104 to better allow a user to handle the foam basketball 100 and simulate a regulation basketball. In certain embodiments, the grooves may have a groove height 302 between 0.1 or 0.15 or 0.20 or 0.25 inches and 0.3 or 0.35 or 0.4 inches, inclusive. The grooves 106 may also have a groove depth 304 between 0.01 or 0.02 or 0.03 or 0.04 or 0.05 inches and 0.06 or 0.07 or 0.08 or 0.09 or 0.10 inches, inclusive.

[0019] In some embodiments, the foam basketball 100 is designed to be of generally the same size and weight as a traditional inflated regulation basketball, such as those shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 Size Circumference (inches) Weight (grams) Size 7 29.5” ~624 (22 oz) Size 6 28.5” ~567 (20 oz) Size 5 27.5” ~482 (17 oz) Size 4 25.5” ~397 (14 oz) Size 3 22” ~283 (10 oz)

[0020] More specifically, certain embodiments are configured to be generally the same size and weight as a size 7 regulation basketball, which is the standard size used in men’s professional and college basketball. In some embodiments, the foam basketball 100 has a weight CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 6 of at least 350 grams. In other embodiments, the foam basketball has a weight of at least 400 grams. Further embodiments may have a weight of at least 450 grams, at least 500 grams, at least 550 grams, at least 600 grams, and / or at least 625 grams.

[0021] The weight of the foam basketball 100 may be defined with specific ranges corresponding to different sized regulation basketballs. For example, a foam basketball 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention may correspond to a range of weights corresponding to a size 3, size 4, size 5, size 6, or size 7 regulation basketball. In some embodiments, the foam basketball 100 may have a weight between 350-650 grams, inclusive; between 400-650 grams, inclusive; between 450-650 grams, inclusive; between 500-650 grams, inclusive; between 550-650 grams, inclusive; or between 600-650 grams, inclusive.

[0022] Further embodiments may be defined by a combination of both circumference and weight. For example, embodiments of the foam basketball 100 may have a circumference of 20 to 30 inches and a weight between 350 to 650 grams, inclusive; a circumference of 22 to 30 inches and a weight between 350 to 650 grams, inclusive; a circumference of 25 to 30 inches and a weight between 350 to 650 grams, inclusive; a circumference of 25 to 30 inches and a weight between 400 to 650 grams, inclusive; a circumference of 27 to 30 inches and a weight between 450 to 650 grams, inclusive; a circumference of 28 to 30 inches and a weight between 500 to 650 grams; a circumference of 28 to 30 inches and a weight between 550 to 650 grams; or a circumference of 29 to 30 inches and a weight between 600 to 650 grams, inclusive.

[0023] Because the spherical body 102 of the foam basketball 100 is 100% foam, it will not deflate. The lack of seams, exterior materials (e.g., leather, rubber, etc.), etc. on the exterior surface 104 of the basketball 100 improves the uniformity of the basketball’s bounce. Moreover, CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 7 the foam is softer than materials found on the exterior surface of traditional inflated basketballs such that both the risk of property damage and the noise upon ball impact is reduced.

[0024] The impact noise or sound level of a foam basketball 100 according to embodiments of the invention was compared to that of a size 7 regulation inflated basketball. The foam and inflated basketballs tested were of the same (or substantially the same) size and weight. The sound level was measured by placing a microphone 1 meter about the ground. Each ball was dropped from 1.75 meters above the ground and at the same distance from the microphone. No force (e.g., dribbling force) was exerted upon the balls – rather, they were simply released at the prescribed height. The sound level was measured upon impact with the ground. This process was repeated three times for each ball and the three readings were averaged. The average measured sound level of the size 7 inflated basketball was 88.3 decibels (dB) whereas the average measured sound level of the foam basketball was 64.9 dB. In some embodiments, the measured sound level of embodiments of the foam basketball 100 are at least 15% less, at least 20% less, at least 25% less, at least 30% less, and / or at least 35% less than traditional inflated basketballs of the same size and / or weight. In some embodiments, the measured sound level of embodiments of the foam basketball 100 (when tested in accordance with the methodology described above) are 10-40% less; 15-35% less, and / or 20-30% less than the measured sound level of traditional inflated basketballs of the same size and / or weight.

[0025] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 8 be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, or gradients thereof, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0026] As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained.

[0027] Different arrangements of the components described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 9 restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16

Claims

10 CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A foam basketball comprising a spherical body consisting of a monolithic piece of polymeric foam, wherein the spherical body has a weight between about 350 grams and about 650 grams, inclusive, and a circumference between about 20 inches and about 30 inches, inclusive.

2. The foam basketball of claim 1, wherein the polymeric foam comprises a density of between 80 and 90 kg / m3.

3. The foam basketball of claim 1, wherein the monolithic piece of polymeric foam forms an exterior surface and an interior of the foam basketball.

4. The foam basketball of claim 3, wherein the exterior surface and the interior are the same color.

5. The foam basketball of claim 3, wherein the exterior surface is painted a color.

6. The foam basketball of claim 3, wherein the monolithic piece of polymeric foam is exposed on the exterior surface of the foam basketball.

7. The foam basketball of claim 3, wherein at least one groove is provided on the exterior surface of the foam basketball.

8. The foam basketball of claim 7, wherein the at least one groove is painted on the exterior surface of the foam basketball.

9. The foam basketball of claim 7, wherein the at least one groove is formed integrally within the monolithic piece of polymeric foam. CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 11 10. The foam basketball of claim 7, wherein the at least one groove comprises a groove height between 0.1 inches and 0.4 inches, inclusive, and a groove depth between 0.01 inches and 0.10 inches, inclusive.

11. The foam basketball of claim 1, wherein the foam basketball has a weight between about 550 grams and about 650 grams, inclusive.

12. The foam basketball of claim 1, wherein the foam basketball has a circumference between about 28 inches and about 30 inches, inclusive.

13. The foam basketball of claim 1, wherein the foam basketball is not adapted to inflate or deflate.

14. The foam basketball of claim 1, wherein the foam basketball has a weight and wherein a sound level of the foam basketball is at least 10% less than a comparative inflated basketball of the same weight.

15. A foam basketball comprising a spherical body having an interior and an exterior surface, wherein the spherical body is formed entirely of a polymeric foam such that the polymeric foam extends continuously from the interior to the exterior surface of the spherical body, wherein the foam basketball has a weight between about 350 grams and about 650 grams and a circumference between about 20 inches and about 30 inches.

16. The foam basketball of claim 15, wherein the interior and the exterior surface of the spherical body are the same color.

17. The foam basketball of claim 15, wherein the foam basketball is not adapted to inflate or deflate. CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16 12 18. The foam basketball of claim 15, wherein the polymeric foam comprises a density of between 80 and 90 kg / m3.

19. The foam basketball of claim 18, wherein the polymeric foam comprises polyurethane.

20. The foam basketball of claim 15, wherein at least one groove is formed integrally within the exterior surface of the spherical body. CA 3305070 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-16