Deformable sphere with a suction cup exterior

• US 5,066,018 A
• Filed: 10/16/1990
• Issued: 11/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dean S. Hinton
• Original Assignee: Dean S. Hinton
• Inventors: Hinton, Dean S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US07/597,038
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 273/344, 273/415, 273/58 E, 273/58 F, 273/58 K
• US Class Current: 473/572
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/02 Special cores balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball cores A63B37/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/005 with adhesive type surfaces, e.g. hook-and-loop type fastener

Abstract

Recreational devices, particularly a deformable ball or sphere having an interior filled with particulate aggregate and an exterior supporting a plurality of radially extending suction cups, such that the suction cups engage a supporting surface upon which the ball may be thrown. The deformable character of the ball enables the sphere exterior to assume a planar surface as the suction cups engage the supporting surface.

Claims

1. A deformable sphere with a suction cup exterior comprising:

a) a deformable envelope, configured as a sphere;

b) a plurality of flexible suction cups supported upon the exterior of said sphere such that said suction cups extend radially outwardly thereof, with the edges of said suction cups positioned as closely as possible upon the sphere exterior, and

c) particulate aggregate loosely supported within said sphere, such that a substantially planar surface is assumed by the exterior of said sphere as said suction cups engage a supporting surface.

2. A deformable sphere with suction cup exterior as in claim 1, said particulate aggregate substantially filling the interior of said sphere.

3. A deformable sphere with suction cup interior as in claim 2, the interior of said sphere being maintained at low pressure, so as to enhance deformability, as said suction cups contact a supporting surface.

4. A deformable sphere with suction cup exterior as in claim 3, said deformable envelope being approximately 1/8 inch thickness and said suction cups having an approximate 1/16 inch thickness.

5. A deformable sphere with suction cup exterior as in claim 4, the vertical profile of each said suction cup extending approximately 1/4 inch radially from the exterior of said sphere.

6. A deformable sphere with suction cup exterior as in claim 5, said sphere being approximately four inches in diameter and wherein said suction cups cover substantially the entire peripheral surface of said sphere.

7. A deformable sphere with suction cup exterior as in claim 2 wherein said particulate aggregate is in the form of beans.

8. A deformable sphere with suction cup exterior as in claim 1, wherein said sphere includes at least one vent defined in its surface.