A cricket ball and a method of making the same

Abstract

A cricket ball is disclosed. The cricket ball includes an at least substantially spherical body and multiple spaced apart bumps about a great circle of the spherical body. Each bump has a height in a range of 1.0mm – 3.0mm. A method for making the cricket ball is also disclosed.

Description

A CRICKET BALL AND A METHOD OF MAKING THE SAMETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a cricket ball and a method of making the cricket ball. More particularly, this invention relates to a cricket ball that is more suitable for wet weather play and a method of making it.BACKGROUND

[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the invention.

[0003] Cricket is a sport that has been played for more than 150 years. It is a game mostly played in summer when the weather is typically hot and dry. The material used for a cricket ball is therefore based on a typical summer climate. The cricket ball is made of a rubber and cork inner core and a leather cover over the inner core. Such a cricket ball is however not suitable for play in wet weather. When it rains or the ground is wet, water tends to seep into the leather cover and the ball becomes greasy making it very difficult for a bowler to have a firm grip on the ball even with the stitching near the seam of the ball. When the ball is slipping through the fingers, one can’t have control over the length. One can set the field for a particular ball but the execution will be difficult. Furthermore, the cricket ball skids off the pitch, making it a little easier for the batsman to strike the ball. It becomes a lot harder to consistently bowl the balls one desires with a wet ball. Many liken holding a wet cricket ball to holding a bar of soap.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a cricket ball which can be used for playing in wet weather.SUMMARY

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cricket ball. The cricket ball includes an at least substantially spherical body and multiplespaced apart bumps about a great circle of the spherical body. Each bump has a height in a range of 1 Omm - 3.0mm.

[0006] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the bumps are arranged over the great circle of the spherical body.

[0007] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the bumps are arranged over one or more small circles on either side of the great circle of the spherical body.

[0008] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the bumps are arranged over at least two small circles on either side of the great circle of the spherical body.

[0009] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the number of bumps over the great circle or each of the small circles is in a range of 5-50.

[0010] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, each bump is a pyramid, a prism or a frustum in shape.

[0011] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, each bump is at least substantially a semi cylinder.

[0012] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, an end of each semi cylinder distal from the great circle is rounded.

[0013] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the number of bumps over the great circle or each small circle is in a range of 16-18. Each bump is at least substantially a semi cylinder having a rectangular base with a width in the range of 4-8mm and a length in the range of 4-10mm.

[0014] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the cricket ball further includes multiple ribs over a surface of the spherical body that is not covered by the bumps.

[0015] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, each rib has a substantially semicircular cross section perpendicular to a base thereof on the surface of the spherical body.

[0016] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the ribs are at least substantially parallel to one another.

[0017] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the spherical body includes an inner core and a cover over the inner core.

[0018] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the spherical body further includes a midsole layer between the cover and the inner core.

[0019] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the inner core is of rubber and cork and the cover is of polyurethane.

[0020] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the spherical body and the bumps are integrally formed of polyurethane.

[0021] In some embodiments of the cricket ball, the polyurethane is of a Shore A hardness range of 50-90.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of making a cricket ball. The method includes gluing a pair of at least substantially semi-spherical polyurethane cover to an at least substantially spherical inner core of rubber and cork to cover it. Each of the semi-spherical polyurethane cover has multiple spaced apart bumps over at least one small circle thereof. Each bump has a height in a range of 1.0mm - 3.0mm.

[0023] In some embodiments of the method, gluing the pair of substantially semi-spherical polyurethane cover to the at least substantially spherical inner core includes using an epoxy glue for gluing.

[0024] In some embodiments of the method, the number of bumps over the small circle is in a range of 5-50.

[0025] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which:Figure 1A is an exploded isometric drawing of a cricket ball according to an embodiment of the invention, the cricket ball having an inner core and two cover halves;Figure 1B is an isometric drawing of the cricket ball in Figure 1A shown assembled when the inner core is received within the cavities of the two cover halves;Figure 1C is an isometric drawing of a cricket ball according to another embodiment of the invention, the cricket ball having bumps of a different shape from those in the cricket ball in Figures 1A and 1B;Figure 2A is an isometric drawing of one cover half in Figure 1A according to an embodiment of the invention;Figure 2B is a side view of the cover half in Figure 2A as seen in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2A;Figure 2C is a front view of the cover half in Figure 2A as seen in the direction of arrow B in Figure 2A;Figure 2D is a sectional drawing of the cover half in Figure 2C along the line C-C;Figure 3A is an isometric drawing of a cover half according to another embodiment of the invention, the cover half having ribs in addition to the bumps;Figure 3B is a side view of the cover half in Figure 3A as seen in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3A;Figure 3C is a front view of the cover half in Figure 3A as seen in the direction of arrow B in Figure 3A;Figure 3D is a sectional drawing of the cover half in Figure 3C along the line C-C;Figure 4A is an isometric drawing of a cover half according to yet another embodiment of the invention, the cover half having another ring of bumps;Figure 4B is a side view of the cover half in Figure 4A as seen in the direction of arrow A in Figure 4A;Figure 4C is a front view of the cover half in Figure 4A as seen in the direction of arrow B in Figure 4A; andFigure 4D is a sectional drawing of the cover half in Figure 4C along the line C-C.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms “comprising”, “consisting of”, “having” and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning “including, but not limited to.”

[0028] Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “include” or variations such as “includes” or “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0029] In addition, certain terminology may also be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, the terms “first”, “second”, and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.

[0030] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by a skilled person to which the subject matter herein belongs.

[0031] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention may be embodied in a cricket ball that can be played in both wet and dry weather. Existing cricket balls, whether made of leather or synthetic materials, tend to be slippery to the grip and not suitable for play in wet weather. Referring to Figures 1 A and 1 B, a cricket ball according to an embodiment of the invention includes an at least substantially spherical body and multiple spaced apart bumps about a great circle of the spherical body. Each of the bumps has a height in a range of 1.0mm - 3.0mm.

[0032] Specifically, Figure 1A is an exploded isometric drawing of a cricket ball 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The cricket ball 2 includes an at least substantially spherical inner core 4. The inner core 4 may be of any suitable material that includes, but not limited to, cork, rubber, cork and rubber, plastic, wood, etc. The inner core 4 has a diameter, D, of about 66mm although it can have other diameters. The cricket ball 2 further includes a cover 6A, 6B, made up of a first cover half 6A and a second cover half 6B, over the entire surface of the inner core 4. Figures 2A-2D show different views of the second cover half 6B. The cover halves 6A, 6B may be molded from any suitable material that includes, but not limited to, polyurethane, plastic, rubber, etc. The cover has a thickness, T, of about 3mm although other thicknesses are also possible. In one embodiment, the inner core is of cork and rubber and the cover is of polyurethane. The polyurethane has a Shore A hardness in the range of 50-90. When the cover 6A, 6B is applied to the inner core 4, the cover 6A, 6B and the inner core 4 define an at least substantially spherical body 8 of the cricket ball 2. The spherical body 8 has a great circle 10. On either side of the great circle 10 is a small circle 12A, 12B. Each small circle 12A, 12B is spaced apart from the great circle 10 by a distance, D1, of about 4.5mm.

[0033] Projecting from each small circle 12A, 12B of the spherical body 8 are spaced apart bumps 16. Each bump 16 has a height, H, of about 3mm and stands proud of the spherical body 8. In this first embodiment, there are eighteen bumps 16 on each small circle 12A, 12B of the spherical body 8. Each bump 16 is at least substantially a semi cylinder, although it may be of any other shapes. The semi-cylindrical bump 16 has a rectangular base having a width, W, of about 6mm and a length, L, of about 8mm, although bases of other dimensions are also possible.

[0034] Each cover half 6A, 6B has a semi-spherical cavity 17 for receiving half the inner core 4 therein. During assembly, glue, such as but not limited to epoxy glue, may be applied to the inner core 4, the surface of the cavity 17 in the cover halves 6A, 6B or both. The cover halves 6A, 6B and the inner core 4 are then brought together to glue the cover halves 6A, 6B to the inner core 4 such that the inner core 4 is completely covered by the two cover halves 6A, 6B to result in the cricket ball 2 shown in Figure 1B. Excess glue, if any, oozing out at the seam 10 between the two cover halves 6A, 6B, defining the great circle 10, may be wiped away. When assembled, the spherical body 8 thus has a diameter of about 72mm which falls within the range of 71.3-72.9mm specified in the British Standard BS 5993:1994. As mentioned above, the inner core 4 may be of other diameters and the cover may be of other thicknesses. The cricket ball 2 may therefore be of other diameters. Also, the cricket ball may be of a smaller size for the junior cricket game. The cricket ball has a mass in the range of 100-170g, depending on its size.

[0035] Figures 3A-3B show another cover half 6C that may be used for wrapping the inner core 4 to result in a cricket ball 2 according to another embodiment. This cover half 6C is like the cover halves 6A, 6B in that it includes a ring of bumps 16 over a small circle 12A of the spherical body 8. The shape and size of the bumps 16 may be the same as or different from those of the bumps 16 of the cover halves 6A, 6B. However, this cover half 6C further includes additional ribs 18A-18C protruding from the outer surface of the cover half 6C not covered by the bumps 16. In one embodiment, the ribs 18A-18C are at least substantially parallel to each other to define parallel curves. The ribs 18A-18C are of different lengths. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B, there are a total of five ribs 18A-18C in the cover half 6C. The five ribs 18A-18C include a first rib 18A, a pair of second ribs 18B flanking the first rib 18A and a pair of third ribs 18C flanking the pair of second ribs 18B. The first rib 18A is the longest in length, followed by the second rib 18B and the third rib 18C. The width of each rib 18A-18C is about 6mm, which is the same as that of the bumps 16. The height of each rib is about 3mm, which is the same as that of the bumps 16. However, the ribs 18A-18C may be of different widths and heights from those of the bumps 16. The ribs 18A-18C may also be of different widths and heights from oneanother. Each rib 18A-18C has a substantially semi-circular cross section. In the cricket ball that is assembled with two such cover halves 6C, each rib 18A-18C on a first cover half 6C may be on a same plane, i.e. same small circle, as a corresponding rib 18A-18C on a second cover half 60. However, the ribs on a cover half 60 may also be oriented differently, for example to be orthogonal to, the ribs 18A-18C on the second cover half 60. In other embodiments of the cricket ball with ribs, the ribs may lie on lines of longitude instead of being parallel to one another.

[0036] Figures 4A-4D show yet another cover half 6D that may be used for wrapping the inner core 4 to result in a cricket ball 2 according to yet another embodiment. This cover half 6D is similar to the cover half 6C described above. However, this cover half 6D further includes additional bumps 16 on a second smaller circle 12C of the spherical body 8. Instead of having one single ring of bumps 16 on a cover half 6A-6C, this cover half 6D has two rings of bumps 16 that are at least substantially parallel to each other. The bumps 16 of this cover half 6D has the same width, W, of about 6mm but has a shorter length, L, of about 5mm. Corresponding bumps 16 of the two rings are located along lines of longtitude of the spherical body 8, with the two bumps 16 being spaced about 4mm apart. In other words, the first smaller circle 12A is spaced about 9mm apart from second smaller circle 120. The number of ribs 18A-18C and the placement of the ribs 18A-18C are similar to those in the cover half 6C described above.

[0037] During play, the cricket ball may be bowled like a regular cricket ball. For example for a vertical seam, the cricket ball may be held with the index and middle fingers close together along the seam 10 over the bumps 16, with the thumb resting lightly on the side of the ball 2. Adjusting the grip slightly can help achieve different types of seam positions and movements.

[0038] Advantageously, the cricket ball 2 is durable, water-tight and, more importantly, provides for a better grip even in wet weather conditions. The ball 2 can curve or swing, spin and seam (i.e., changes direction when it lands on the bumps and / or ribs).

[0039] Although the present invention is described as implemented in the abovedescribed embodiments, it is not to be construed to be limited as such. It is to be appreciated that modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0040] For example, although the cricket ball 2 is described as having at least two rings of bumps 16, one on each side of the great circle 10, the bumps 16 may also be arranged over the great circle 10 of the spherical body. In other words, there is only a single ring of bumps (not shown) projecting from the great circle 10 of the spherical body 8. Each elongated bump, measuring approximately 20mm in length, laterally straddles both halves of the spherical body 8 on either side of the great circle 10. The bumps 16 of the cricket ball 2 can therefore be over the great circle 10 or in earlier described embodiments, off but close to, the great circle 10. In other words, the spaced apart bumps 16 may be about the great circle of the spherical body 8.

[0041] As another example, the height, H, of each bump 16 is described to be about 3mm in the embodiments. However, the height may be in the range of 1-4mm.

[0042] As yet another example, each bump may have a width, W, in the range of 4-8mm and a length, L, in the range of 4-10mm.

[0043] As yet another example, the bumps 16 are described to be semi-cylindrical in shape. However, they may be pyramid, prism or frustum in shape. In some embodiments, the end of each bump 16 distal from the great circle 10 may be chamfered, beveled, tapered or rounded. Figure 1C shows a cricket ball 2 with each bump 16 having a rounded end 19.

[0044] As yet a further example, the number of bumps 16 on the great circle 10 or each small circle 12A, 12C may be anywhere between five to fifty bumps instead of the eighteen bumps that are in the embodiments described above.

[0045] As yet another example, the cricket ball according to the above-described embodiments each includes a cover 6A, 6B over an inner core 4. However, this is not to be construed to be limited as such. The cricket ball 2 may further include a midsole layer (not shown) between the inner core 4 and the cover 6A, 6B. The midsole layer may include layers of yarn or other suitable material. In other embodiments, the entire cricket ball 2, including the spherical body 8 and bumps 16 may be integrally molded out of polyurethane.

[0046] As another example, the cricket ball 2 according to the different embodiments are described as being made by glueing an outer cover 6A, 6B to an inner core 4. The cover may however be molded over the inner core 4. The inner core may be suspended within a mold cavity (not shown) to define a space between theouter surface of the inner core 4 and the cavity wall. Polyurethane may be filled in the space to cover the entire inner core 4.

[0047] As another example, although the cover is described in the above-described embodiments as molded out of polyurethane, the cover may, however, be of leather with thread stitching as the bumps. Each bump formed from the thread may be shaped and sized like the bumps 16 in the above-described embodiments. The thread may be a waxed linen thread or other suitable threads. The ball may be hand-stitched or machine-stitched.

[0048] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that one or more of the above modifications or improvements, not being mutually exclusive, may be further combined to form yet further embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cricket ball comprising:an at least substantially spherical body; anda plurality of spaced apart bumps about a great circle of the spherical body, each bump having a height in a range of 1 Omm - 3.0mm.

2. The cricket ball according to Claim 1, wherein the plurality of bumps are arranged over the great circle of the spherical body.

3. The cricket ball according to Claim 1, wherein the plurality of bumps are arranged over at least one small circle on either side of the great circle of the spherical body.

4. The cricket ball according to Claim 3, wherein the plurality of bumps are arranged over at least two small circles on either side of the great circle of the spherical body.

5. The cricket ball according to Claims 3 or 4, wherein the number of bumps over each small circle is in a range of 5-50.

6. The cricket ball according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of bumps is one of a pyramid, a prism and a frustum in shape.

7. The cricket ball according to Claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of bumps is at least substantially a semi cylinder.

8. The cricket ball according to Claim 7, wherein an end of each semi cylinder distal from the great circle is rounded.

9. The cricket ball according to Claim 7, wherein the number of bumps over each of the great circle and the small circles is in a range of 16-18, and each semi cylinder hasa rectangular base having a width in the range of 4-8mm and a length in the range of 4-10mm.

10. The cricket ball according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of ribs over a surface of the spherical body that is not covered by the plurality of bumps.

11. The cricket ball according to Claim 10, wherein each rib has a substantially semicircular cross section perpendicular to a base thereof on the surface of the spherical body.

12. The cricket ball according to Claims 10 or 11, wherein the ribs are at least substantially parallel to one another.

13. The cricket ball according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spherical body comprises an inner core and a cover over the inner core.

14. The cricket ball according to Claim 13, wherein the spherical body further includes a midsole layer between the cover and the inner core.

15. The cricket ball according to Claims 13 or 14, wherein the inner core is of rubber and cork and the cover is of one of polyurethane and leather.

16. The cricket ball according to any one of Claims 1-12, wherein the spherical body and the bumps are integrally formed of polyurethane.

17. The cricket ball according to Claims 15 or 16, wherein the polyurethane is of a Shore A hardness in the range of 50-90.

18. A method for making a cricket ball, the method comprising:gluing a pair of substantially semi-spherical polyurethane cover to an at least substantially spherical body of rubber and cork to cover it;wherein each of the semi-spherical polyurethane cover has a plurality of spaced apart bumps over at least one small circle thereof, each bump having a height in a range of 1 ,0mm - 3.0mm.

19. The method according to Claim 18, wherein gluing the pair of substantially semi-spherical polyurethane cover to the at least substantially spherical body comprises using an epoxy glue for gluing.

20. The method according to Claim 18, wherein the number of bumps over the small circle is in a range of 5-50.

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