BALL

• US 20100137081A1
• Filed: 04/10/2008
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molten
• Original Assignee: Molten
• Inventors: Ito, Shinichiro, Asai, Takeshi, Yuki, Morihiro, Seo, Kazuya
• Granted Patent: US 8,684,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/613
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10

Abstract

A ball includes a ball body having a spherical surface, and at least one projection extending from the surface of the ball body. The projection extends in such a manner that the projection forcibly separates a laminar boundary layer generated on the surface of the ball body, and transitions the laminar boundary layer to a turbulent boundary layer.

Claims

1. A ball comprising:

a ball body having a spherical surface; and

at least one projection extending from the surface of the ball body.

2. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the projection extends in such a manner that the projection forcibly separates a laminar boundary layer generated on the surface of the ball body, and transitions the laminar boundary layer to a turbulent boundary layer.

3. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the projection is arranged upstream of a position at which the laminar boundary layer separates from the ball body in a direction of a uniform flow applied to the ball body.

4. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the projection is arranged in axial symmetry with a predetermined virtual axis passing a center of the ball body.

5. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the projection extends in such a manner that the projection stabilizes a path of the ball body traveling through the air to a predetermined path.

6. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the projection extends in such a manner that the projection stabilizes the path of the ball body by reducing fluid force exerted on the ball body traveling through the air substantially without spin.

7. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the projection is arranged in a stripe pattern.

8. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the projection is arranged in a stripe pattern in two directions different from each other, thereby forming a lattice pattern.

9. The ball of claim 1, wherein

the surface of the ball body is formed of a plurality of panels.