Energy absorbing ball

• US 4,872,676 A
• Filed: 03/22/1988
• Issued: 10/10/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles P. Townsend
• Original Assignee: Charles P. Townsend
• Inventors: Townsend, Charles P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/171,845
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 273/58 F, 273/128 A, 273/56, 273/57, 273/58 B, 273/58 BA, 273/58 R, 273/58 H
• US Class Current: 473/413
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/08 Liquid cores; Plastic cores

Abstract

An energy absorbing ball comprising a resilient structural outer casing and an energy absorbent core, characterized in that the core is formed of a non-resilient deformable material adapted on rolling to move relative to the casing. The core may comprise, in part, a low viscosity liquid and a surface active agent. The inner surface of the casing is smooth and the deformable material consists by volume of from 40-70% of the core volume, thereby to provide an average deviation on striking of less than 0.21 meters per meter run.

Claims

1. A low-deviation croquet ball comprising a resilient structural outer casing and an energy absorbent core, said core being formed of a non-resilient deformable material adapted on rolling to move relative to the casing, said deformable material consisting by volume of from 40-70% of the core volume, characterized in that the inner face of the outer casing is smooth and in that the deformable material includes a low viscosity liquid and a small amount of surface active agent, thereby to provide an average deviation on striking of less than 0.21 meters per meter run.

2. A ball according to claim 1 having a total weight of approximately 453 gms.

3. A ball according to claim 2 wherein the material comprises 155 gms glass beads, 100 gms water, and 1 drop of surface active agent.

4. A ball according to claim 1 characterized in that the low viscosity liquid is water and includes no more than two drops of surface active agent per 100 grams of water.