Tennis ball

• US 6,508,732 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mildred Kinghorn Romberger, Penny Rose Abrams
• Original Assignee: Mildred Kinghorn Romberger, Penny Rose Abrams
• Inventors: Romberger, Mildred Kinghorn, Abrams, Penny Rose
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Steven
• Application Number:
  US09/896,483
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 473/606, 473/604, 473/600, 473/598, 473/607, 473/570, 273/DIG.24
• US Class Current: 473/606
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/76 with means enabling use in the dark, other than powered illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/06 Special coverings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/24 Luminescent, phosphorescent

Abstract

The present invention is a tennis ball that includes an outer fabric cover that has a phosphorescent component.

Claims

1. A ball, comprising:

a shell of elastic material enclosing an interior space; and

a layer of substantially felt-like material applied to the outer surface of the shell, wherein the layer glows in the dark, wherein the felt-like material is a woven material that comprises a polymeric material that has a phosphorescent component that glows in the dark impregnated in the polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises yarn made of polymeric fibers.

2. A ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymeric material comprises one of nylon and polypropylene.

3. A ball as claimed in claim 2, wherein the felt-like material comprises a blend of yarn made of wool and said polymeric yarn.

4. A ball as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ball is a tennis ball.

5. A game comprising:

(a) a tennis court having tennis court lines;

(b) a racquet;

(c) a tennis net; and

(d) a tennis ball that includes a shell of elastic material enclosing an interior space and a layer of substantially felt-like material applied to the outer surface of the shell, wherein the layer glows in the dark, wherein the felt-like material is a woven material that comprises a polymeric material that has a phosphorescent component that glows in the dark impregnated in the polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises yarn made of polymeric fibers, and wherein at least the one of the tennis court, the racquet, and the tennis net comprises a phosphorescent material that glows in the dark.

6. A game as claimed in claim 5, wherein the polymeric material comprises one of nylon and polypropylene.

7. A game as claimed in claim 6, wherein the felt-like material comprises a blend of yarn made of wool and said polymeric yarn.

8. A method for playing a game of tennis, comprising the steps of:

providing a tennis court having tennis court lines, a racquet, a tennis net wherein at least one of said tennis court lines, tennis racquet, and tennis net comprises phosphorescent material that glows in the dark; and

a tennis ball that includes a shell of elastic material enclosing an interior space and a layer of substantially felt-like material applied to the outer surface of the shell, wherein the layer glows in the dark, wherein the felt-like material is a woven material that comprises a polymeric material that has a phosphorescent component that glows in the dark impregnated in the polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises yarn made of fibers,

providing light to supply light energy to be stored in the phosphorescent compound in the court lines, tennis racquet, net, and tennis ball;

providing two players positioned on opposite sides of the net;

hitting the ball from one player to the other over the net;

providing a low light condition to the court lines, net, tennis racquet, and tennis ball; and

emitting light from a phosphorescent compound in at least one of the tennis court lines, the tennis net, and the racquet, and the tennis ball whereby the players can continue to play tennis in a low light condition without the aid of additional artificial lighting on the court.