Training basketball

• US 9,149,701 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robin Bramlette
• Original Assignee: Robin Bramlette
• Inventors: Bramlette, Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US13/834,981
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 473/447, 473/595, 473/596, 473/597, 473/598, 473603-605, 473/615, 473/570, 473/571, D21/712, D21/713
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor
• 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 69/0071 for basketball

Abstract

A basketball is disclosed that includes a plurality of indentations formed in the outer surface of the basketball, indicating where the hands of a shooter should be positioned. The indentations are formed with a material having a higher density that the surrounding material to keep the basketball balanced.

Claims

1. A training basketball comprising:

a hollow inflatable body having an outer surface, the outer surface being made from a first material having a first density;

a plurality of indentations having a tiered depth formed in the outer surface, the location of each of the plurality of indentations corresponding to a desired placement of a user'"'"'s finger, wherein the indentations further comprise a plurality of indentation layers each having a different depth relative to the outer surface;

wherein the plurality of indentations are formed from a second material having a second density, and wherein the second density is greater than the first density.

2. The training basketball of claim 1, wherein the deepest portion of each indentation correspond to a desired finger location.

3. The training basketball of claim 1, wherein the first and second materials are rubber materials.

4. The training basketball of claim 3, wherein the first and second materials are synthetic rubber.

5. The training basketball of claim 1, wherein the first material is leather.

6. The training basketball of claim 1, wherein the second material is rubber.

7. A method of balancing a sports ball having a plurality of tactile position indicators formed on the outer surface of the sports ball, the method comprising:

forming the tactile position indicators from a first material having a first density, wherein the tactile position indicators have a tiered depth, and wherein the tactile position indicators further comprise a plurality of indentation layers each having a different depth relative to the outer surface of the sports ball; and

forming the remaining outer surface of the sports ball from a second material having a second density.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first density is greater than the second density.