Variable weight playball

• US 5,462,273 A
• Filed: 07/28/1994
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/281,937
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 273/58 R, 273/58 B, 273/58 BA, 273/58 H, 273/58 J, 273/58 A, 273/DIG. 8, 273/DIG. 20, 273/26 B, 273/72 R, 273/67 R
• US Class Current: 473/594
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2041/005 with counterweight for adjusting the centre of gravity
• 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 2243/0066 Rugby; American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/08 Urethane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/20 Weighted balls

Abstract

A variable-weight playball whose outer casing is formed of liquid-impervious, flexible material, having a closable port therein. Confined within the casing is a compressible body having the same configuration which depends on whether the ball is spherical or in some other shape. The body is formed of low-density, open-cell, flexible foam plastic material having sponge-like properties. To impart heft to the ball, water is introduced through the port into the body and absorbed thereby, the port then being closed to retain the water. To thereafter lighten the ball, the port is opened and the ball is squeezed to discharge water through the port until the ball has the desired reduced weight, after which the port is closed. The casing may be contoured, printed or otherwise arranged so that the ball simulates the head of a humanoid or animal-like character having a mouth. The port of the casing is integrated with the mouth of the character so that when water is added to the ball, it is seemingly introduced through the mouth.

Claims

1. A variable weight, squeezable playball whose heft is determined by the player, the ball comprising:

A. an outer casing formed of liquid-impervious, flexible material, the casing having a configuration that depends on the game for which the playball is intended;

B. a low-density compressible body confined within the casing and conforming thereto, said body being formed of sponge-like material capable of absorbing water; and

C. a port formed in the casing to provide access to the body encased therein and a removable stopper for said port whereby water may be introduced through the port when the stopper is removed therefrom and the playball is then squeezed by the player, the water being absorbed by the body as the body resumes its normal configuration after which the port is closed by the stopper to retain the water and the playball is then in condition for play.

2. A playball as set forth in claim 1, in which said body is formed of open-cell, flexible-foam, synthetic plastic material.

3. A playball as set forth in claim 1, wherein said configuration has a spherical form.

4. A playball as set forth in claim 1, in which the outer casing is formed to simulate a head of a fanciful humanoid or animal-like character having eyes and a mouth, said port in the casing and the stopper therefor being integrated with the mouth.

5. A playball as set forth in claim 4, in which the head of the character is printed on the outer surface of the casing.

6. A playball as set forth in claim 4, in which the character head is created by a bas-relief molded on the outer surface of the casing.

7. A playball as set forth in claim 1, wherein said configuration has an elliptical form.

8. A playball as set forth in claim 2, wherein said foam material is polyurethane.

9. A playball as set forth in claim 1, wherein said port is formed in a disc sealed to said casing, and the stopper therefor is a plug received in said port.