Novelty ball

• US 4,991,841 A
• Filed: 04/23/1990
• Issued: 02/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arlen C. Paranto
• Original Assignee: Arlen C. Paranto
• Inventors: Paranto, Arlen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US07/512,487
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 273/58 R, 273/58 A, 273/58 B, 273/58 C, 273/58 F, 273/58 J, 273/DIG. 8, 273/ DIG. 20, 273/428, 428/11, 446/490
• US Class Current: 473/609
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2043/001 Short-distance or low-velocity balls for training, or for playing on a reduced area
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements

Abstract

The invention is a hollow novelty ball having a multiplicity of extending flexible whisker-like protrusions. The whiskers are generally within the range of about 0.5 to 2.5 times the diameter of the ball. Materials of construction may vary but for a small ball sponge rubber has been found to be very satisfactory ball and very small diameter surgical rubber tubing for the whiskers. As an example, a ball about 21/2 inches in diameter may have about 14 to 20 whiskers. For a larger ball the size of a soccer ball or basket ball the whiskers may be formed on basal patches or strips that are adhesively or otherwise bonded to the surface of the ball. The balls when thrown will travel straight but roll to a stop very rapidly due to the whisker action. They are particularly useful for teaching children throwing and catching skills and for juggling since, when in the air, they appear considerably larger than their actual diameter.

Claims

1. A novelty ball useful for the development of motor skills and for other purposes which comprises:

a hollow, generally spherical resilient ball; and

a multiplicity of flexible whisker means having one end anchored to and protruding from the ball generally along radii thereof, said whiskers having at least some drape when the ball is at rest but not so much drape so that they hang limply from the ball.

2. The novelty ball of claim 1 in which the length of the whisker means falls within the range of about 0.5-2.5 times the diameter of the ball.

3. The novelty ball of claim 1 in which the whisker means have a drape in the range of about 3/4-2 inches.

4. The novelty ball of claim 1 in which the whisker means are integrally molded onto the ball.

5. The novelty ball of claim 1 in which the whisker means are formed on a basal portion which is bonded to the ball.

6. The novelty ball of claim 1 in which the whisker means are formed from flexible polymeric materials having a cross-sectional diameter of at least about 1 mm.

7. The novelty ball of claim 1 in which the whisker means are generally equidistantly spaced on the surface of the ball.