Compound safety ball

• US 6,012,997 A
• Filed: 03/17/1998
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David W. Mason
• Original Assignee: David W. Mason
• Inventors: Mason, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US09/040,150
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 473/594, 473/595, 473/596, 473/604, 473/605, 473/606, 473/612, 473/613, 473/280, 473/281, 473/165, 273/DIG. 20
• US Class Current: 473/594
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/20 Weighted balls

Abstract

A compound ball simulates the performance of a regulation size baseball, softball, and golf ball. It is formed of spherical outer and inner shells dimensioned to abut one another or to provide a spacing between them. The outer shell is formed of molded polymeric material with circular apertures spaced over its surface. The inner shell is gas filled and resiliently rebounds in response to being compressed by the outer shell upon deformation of the outer shell in response to being hit, as by a bat or club. The apertures in the outer shell permit air to pass trough the apertures when the compound ball is in flight. The inner shell provides mass and impact rebound within the outer shell for simulating the action of a regulation ball when thrown, caught, hit or impacts an object. The outer shell may also contain raised dimpling to impart greater aerodynamic drag on the compound ball, further limiting its flight and range, or altering its performance.

Claims

1. A compound ball for simulating the performance of a regulation size ball for the playing of a sport, comprising an outer shell and an inner shell dimensioned to provide a spacing between the outer and inner shells, the outer shell being spherical and formed of molded polymeric material and defining circular apertures spaced over the surface of the outer shell, the inner shell being gas filled and comprised of a material capable of resiliently rebounding in response to being compressed by the outer shell upon deformation of the outer shell in response to being hit, the apertures in the outer shell permitting air to pass through the apertures when the compound ball is in flight, the inner shell providing mass and impact rebound within the outer shell for simulating the action of a regulation ball when thrown, caught, hit or impacts an object.

2. A compound ball according to claim 1 wherein the outer shell is formed of two hemispherical halves which are joined together about the inner shell.

3. A compound ball according to claim 1 wherein the inner shell is movable within the outer shell when the compound ball is thrown, caught, hit or impacts an object.

4. A compound ball according to claim 3 wherein the outer shell can be resiliently deformed when hit or upon impact for compressing and resiliently deforming the inner shell in turn, the inner shell resiliently resisting such impact with spring-like characteristic.

5. A compound ball according to claim 1 wherein the outer shell when first contacted when hit by a club or bat provides an audibly recognizable sound of hitting a regulation ball.

6. A compound ball according to claim 1 wherein the inner shell includes a cover of filamentatious material providing filaments which at least partly fill the spacing between the inner and outer shells.

7. A compound ball according to claim 6 wherein the inner shell floats within the outer shell and said filaments tend to support the inner shell within the outer shell.

8. A compound ball according to claim 1 wherein the inner shell approaches or abuts the outer shell over the entirety of its inner surface.

9. A compound ball according to claim 8 wherein the outer shell can be resiliently deformed when hit or upon impact for compressing and resiliently deforming the inner shell in turn, the inner shell resiliently resisting such impact with spring-like characteristic.

10. A compound ball according to claim 1 wherein the outer shell contains raised dimpling across its periphery.