Ball for throwing in patterns in which a baseball can be thrown

• US 5,700,211 A
• Filed: 04/26/1996
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mackie, Christopher Jon
• Original Assignee: Mackie, Christopher Jon
• Inventors: Mackie, Christopher Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Steven B.
• Application Number:
  US08/639,126
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 273/60 R, 273/60 A, 273/60 B, 273/58 A, 273/58 B, 273/58 BA, 273/58 D, 273/58 K, 273/58 F, 473/569, 473/595, 473/596, 473/598, 473/600, 473/609, 473/612, 473/613
• US Class Current: 473/613
• 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 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements

Abstract

A ball is provided for throwing or hitting under circumstances unpractical or undesirable for a baseball and for throwing or hitting in patterns in which a baseball can be thrown or hit. The ball comprises a hollow, round sphere defining substantially equally spaced apart, circular holes therethrough. The outer surface of this sphere defines a series of separated ridges thereon which are structured, raised from and form a curved loop on the outer surface substantially similar to stitches on an actual baseball. In the preferred embodiment, the ball is constructed of high density polyethylene.

Claims

1. A ball for throwing in patterns in which a baseball can be thrown, said ball comprising:

(A) a hollow, round sphere defining a plurality of holes therethrough; and

(B) said sphere having an outer surface with a series of ridges thereon wherein said series of ridges is structured, raised from and forms a curved loop on said outer surface substantially similar to stitches on a baseball, said curved loop having a path which is substantially uninterrupted by said holes;

whereby said sphere can be thrown in patterns similar to patterns in which a baseball can be thrown.

2. The ball of claim 1 wherein said holes are spaced substantially equally apart from one another.

3. The ball of claim 2 wherein said holes are circular.

4. The ball of claim 1 wherein said series of ridges is defined by said outer surface of said sphere.

5. The ball of claim 1 wherein said sphere is constructed of high density polyethylene.

6. The ball of claim 1 wherein said sphere is constructed of low density polyethylene.

7. The ball of claim 1 wherein said sphere is formed by blow molding.

8. The ball of claim 1 wherein said sphere is formed by injection molding.

9. The ball of claim 1 wherein said sphere is from approximately one and one-half (1.5) inches to three and one-half (3.5) inches in diameter.

10. The ball of claim 9 wherein said sphere is approximately two (2) inches in diameter.

11. The ball of claim 10 wherein said holes are each approximately three-eighths (3/8) of an inch in diameter.

12. The ball of claim 9 wherein said sphere defines ten (10) holes therethrough.

13. The ball of claim 1 wherein said sphere weighs between approximately 6.0 grams and 1.0 ounce.

14. The ball of claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said sphere further comprises a single, ridge thereon which is raised from said outer surface and forms a curved loop in a pattern substantially similar to a seam on a baseball, said single ridge substantially bisecting each ridge of said series of ridges.

15. A ball for throwing in patterns in which a baseball can be thrown, said ball comprising:

(A) a hollow, round polyethylene sphere defining a plurality of identical circular holes therethrough wherein said holes are spaced substantially equally apart from one another; and

(B) said sphere having an outer surface defining a series of separated ridges thereon wherein said series of ridges is structured, raised from and forms a curved loop on said outer surface substantially similar to stitches on a baseball, said curved loop having a path which is substantially uninterrupted by said holes;

whereby said sphere can be thrown in patterns identical to patterns in which a baseball can be thrown.