Game ball for urban use

• US 5,647,590 A
• Filed: 11/21/1994
• Issued: 07/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Russell Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lisco Incorporated
• Inventors: Walker, Alan D., LaLiberty, Ron
• Primary Examiner(s): HOWELL, KYLE
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOWELL, KYLE
• Application Number:
  US08/342,565
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 273/58 C, 273/58 A, 273/DIG. 5, 273/DIG. 8, 273/DIG. 20, 273/60 R, 273/60 A, 273/60 B
• US Class Current: 473/601
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00 Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles heavy throwing balls A63B65/06

Abstract

A game ball having a softer core and abrasion resistant cover is particularly well suited for play on hard pavements and cement in inner city areas. The ball has a polyurethane foam core formed from a mixture of 100 parts polyol and 33-40 parts isocyanate. The core has a compression of 0.06-0.07 inches when subjected to a force of 10 lbs. and a coefficient of restitution at 88 feet per second of less than 0.45, and preferably 0.30-0.40. A molded polyvinyl chloride plastisol cover is formed over the core, resulting in a game ball for which the ratio of the coefficient of restitution of the ball to the coefficient of restitution of the core is in the range of about 0.90-0.99. The cover preferably is a durable molded cover having a Shore A hardness of about 60-70 and a tensile strength of about 1,400-1,800 psi. The ball of the invention has restricted flight characteristics and is particularly well suited for use on smaller ball fields.

Claims

1. A game ball having sufficient durability to withstand prolonged use on hard pavement, comprising:

a foam core formed from a mixture of a polyol and an isocyanate, the core having a compression of 0.06-0.07 inch when subjected to a force of 10 lbs. and a coefficient of restitution at 88 feet per second of less than 0.45, and

a molded cover formed over the core, said cover including simulated stitching and having an average abrasion weight loss of less than 0.1% when subject to the Laboratory Test Procedure for Abrasion Resistance

the ratio of the coefficient of restitution of the ball to the coefficient of restitution of the core being in the range of 0.90-0.99.

2. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the cover is molded directly over the core.

3. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the cover is made of polyvinyl chloride.

4. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the cover has a thickness of about 0.025-0.075 inch.

5. The game ball of claim 4, wherein the core has a coefficient of restitution at 88 feet per second within the range of 0.30-0.40.

6. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the core contains 33-40 parts of isocyanate per 100 parts of polyol.

7. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the cover has a Shore A hardness of about 60-70.

8. The game ball of claim 7, wherein the cover has a thickness of about 0.025-0.075 inch.

9. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the cover has a tensile strength of about 1,400-1,800 psi.

10. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the cover has an ion weight loss of less than 0.05% when subject to the Laboratory Test Procedure for Abrasion Resistance.

11. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the coefficient of restitution of the ball to the coefficient of the restitution of the core is in the range of about 0.95-0.99.

12. The game ball of claim 11, wherein the cover has a thickness of about 0.025-0.075 inch.

13. The game ball of claim 1, further comprising a thin polyurethane film coating formed over the cover.

14. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the core has a coefficient of restitution at 88 feet per second within the range of 0.30-0.40.

15. The game ball of claim 1, wherein the cover is formed directly over the foam core and is secured thereto.

16. A game ball according to claim 1, wherein the game ball is a softball.

17. The game ball of claim 16, wherein the cover has a thickness of about 0.025-0.075 inch.

18. A game ball according to claim 16, wherein the game ball has a circumference of 117/8-121/2 inches.

19. A game ball according to claim 16, wherein the cover has a Shore A hardness of 60-70.

20. A game ball according to claim 19, wherein the cover has a tensile strength of 1,400-1,800 p.s.i.