U.S. patent application number 11/610462 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for curving ball.
This patent application is currently assigned to Diggin Active, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nathan Keker.
Application Number | 20070155549 11/610462 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38225231 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070155549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keker; Nathan |
July 5, 2007 |
Curving Ball
Abstract
An apparatus that is adapted for enhanced curving when thrown
specifically designed to aid in throwing to produce a curve effect
and a method for throwing that enhances a curved trajectory. The
object includes a solid generally spherical structure having a
diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, the
structure including an outer surface defining a generally
equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing the
structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the
outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first
hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first
hemisphere.
Inventors: |
Keker; Nathan; (Oakland,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL E. WOODS
3433 WHEELING DRIVE
SANTA CLARA
CA
95051
US
|
Assignee: |
Diggin Active, Inc.
Emeryville
CA
|
Family ID: |
38225231 |
Appl. No.: |
11/610462 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60756176 |
Jan 5, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/613 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2069/0006 20130101;
A63B 69/0002 20130101; A63B 37/14 20130101; A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 43/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/613 |
International
Class: |
A63B 43/00 20060101
A63B043/00 |
Claims
1. An object, comprising: a solid generally spherical structure
having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six
inches, said structure including an outer surface defining a
generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing
said structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere,
said outer surface including a plurality of slots in said first
hemisphere extending from said groove to a pole of said first
hemisphere.
2. The object of claim 1 wherein said structure consists
essentially of a low-density foam.
3. The object of claim 2 wherein said foam is selected from the
group consisting of one or more of polyurethane (PU), polyethylene
(LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene vinyl acetate
copolymer (EV, VA, EM), polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene
(EPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethacrylimide (PMI),
polymeric, viscoelastic, reconstituted chip (Recon), low-density
closed cell polymer, and combinations thereof.
4. The object of claim 1 wherein said groove has a depth in a range
of about two millimeters to about two inches.
5. The object of claim 1 wherein said groove has a width in a range
of about two millimeters to about two inches.
6. The object of claim 1 wherein said plurality of slots are
generally perpendicular to said groove as they extend from said
groove to said pole.
7. The object of claim 1 wherein said slots have a generally
triangular periphery defined over said surface.
8. The object of claim 1 wherein said groove is continuous around a
great circle equatorial circumference.
9. The object of claim 1 wherein said groove is visually distinct
from said hemispheres when said structure is airborne and
spinning.
10. A ball, comprising: a solid generally spherical structure
having a diameter in a range of about two inches to about six
inches, said structure including an outer surface defining a
generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove, continuous
around a great circle equator, dividing said structure into a first
hemisphere and a second hemisphere, said outer surface including a
plurality of longitudinally-extending slots in said first
hemisphere extending from said groove to a pole of said first
hemisphere; wherein said structure consists essentially of a
low-density material; and wherein said groove has a depth in a
range of about two millimeters to about two inches and a width in a
range of about two millimeters to about two inches.
11. The ball of claim 10 wherein said groove is visually distinct
from said hemispheres when said structure is airborne and
spinning.
12. The ball of claim 11 wherein said material is selected from the
group consisting of one or more of polyurethane (PU), polyethylene
(LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene vinyl acetate
copolymer (EV, VA, EM), polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene
(EPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethacrylimide (PMI),
polymeric, viscoelastic, reconstituted chip (Recon), low-density
closed cell polymer, and combinations thereof.
13. A method, comprising: a) throwing an object, said object
including a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter
with a range of about two inches to about six inches, said
structure including an outer surface defining a generally
equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing said
structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, said
outer surface including a plurality of slots in said first
hemisphere extending from said groove to a pole of said first
hemisphere; and b) imparting a spin to said object while throwing
to rotate said object about said pole wherein said groove does not
significantly precess and appears to a thrower as a generally
straight line perpendicular to an axis of rotation wherein said
object curves generally in a direction of said first hemisphere.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/756,176 filed on Jan. 13, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to thrown balls,
particularly to soft balls specifically designed for young children
to easily curve when thrown.
[0003] Baseball is a popular sport in the United States and people
of all ages enjoy varying degrees of participation. Many children
enjoy learning various elements of baseball, including throwing,
pitching, hitting, and fielding. Of particular interest in pitching
and hitting is experience in pitching and hitting a curveball.
[0004] The curveball is a type of breaking ball in baseball thrown
with a grip and hand motion that imparts forward spin to the ball.
This causes it to "break," that is, to fly in a more exaggerated
curve than would be expected. The pitch is slower than a fastball,
and this difference in speed also tends to disrupt the hitter's
timing. A good curveball drops sharply as it reaches the plate,
causing the batter to swing above it.
[0005] It is a common misconception that throwing a curveball
requires a wrist snapping motion during the release of the ball. To
properly throw a curveball, the pitcher cocks the wrist inward so
that upon release the ball rolls forward over his index finger,
creating the desired spin. The Magnus effect then produces a
downward force on the ball; this combines with the force of gravity
to make the ball curve down.
[0006] Mastering the techniques and variations of throwing a proper
curveball and its variations are hard, especially for young
children. Without experience throwing curveballs, there is an often
limited opportunity for children to learn to recognize and hit
curveballs.
[0007] Further, balls for very young children, particularly when
throwing a curve, are harder to throw and field accurately. Having
a ball made of soft material is important to reducing risk of
injury and damage. Another way that children, particularly young
children, are at risk when learning about a curveball is that they
may apply torques to their arms, shoulders, and connecting tissue
that is inappropriate and potentially damaging in an effort to
throw a "bigger curve" particularly with many conventional
balls.
[0008] The Wiffle ball was invented by David N. Mullany of Shelton,
Conn. in 1953 when he designed a ball that curved easily for his
12-year old son. It was named when his son and his friends would
refer to a strikeout as a "wiff" (actually whiff). A classic Wiffle
ball is about the same size as a regulation baseball and is hollow
plastic no more than 1/8th of an inch thick. One hemisphere is
perforated with eight 3/4'' inch oblong holes, with a solid second
hemisphere. This construction allows pitchers to throw a tremendous
variety and size of curveballs. Wiffle balls are typically packaged
with a hollow, hard plastic, yellow bat that measures 30 inches in
length and about 1.25 inches in diameter. The bat is manufactured
for The Wiffle Ball, Inc., by another company.
[0009] Also, Easton has a foam training baseball that uses a spiral
pattern to create a curveball. It is not user-friendly, and
particularly not user friendly for young children wanting to learn
to throw, control, hit, and/or catch a curveball. The Easton
devices include a ball having a hemisphere provided with a series
of concentric circular slots.
[0010] What is needed is a ball adapted for children wanting to
learn to throw, control, hit, and/or catch a curveball.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Disclosed is an apparatus that is adapted for enhanced
curving when thrown specifically designed to aid in throwing to
produce a curve effect and a method for throwing that enhances a
curved trajectory. The object includes a solid generally spherical
structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to
about six inches, the structure including an outer surface defining
a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing
the structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the
outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first
hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first
hemisphere.
[0012] More specifically, the apparatus includes a ball, having a
solid generally spherical structure having a diameter in a range of
about two inches to about six inches, the structure including an
outer surface defining a generally
equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove, continuous around a
great circle equator, dividing the structure into a first
hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the outer surface including a
plurality of longitudinally-extending slots in the first hemisphere
extending from the groove to a pole of the first hemisphere;
wherein the structure consists essentially of a low-density
material; and wherein the groove has a depth in a range of about
two millimeters to about two inches and a width in a range of about
two millimeters to about two inches.
[0013] A method includes a) throwing an object, the object
including a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter
with a range of about two inches to about six inches, the structure
including an outer surface defining a generally
equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing the
structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the
outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first
hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first
hemisphere; and b) imparting a spin to the object while throwing to
rotate the object about the pole wherein the groove does not
significantly precess and appears to a thrower as a generally
straight line perpendicular to an axis of rotation wherein the
object curves generally in a direction of the first hemisphere.
[0014] A preferred embodiment of the unique invention embodied here
includes a combination of a center groove with a pattern of
hemisphere grooves. A ball having hemisphere grooves only without
the center groove generally curves, but only slightly. Similarly,
embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced curve action
by use of the longitudinally extending slots (and further enhanced
by the center groove) offer improvements over concentric slots and
waffle-type slots. The novel addition of the center groove, among
other structures as disclosed herein, creates a performance
increase, providing significant additional curve. Further, the use
of the center groove to define and reinforce a (with the feedback
system) more natural, less-stressful throwing action is safer for
the user, particularly children and young children and is an
advantage, particularly when compared to conventional systems
lacking this feedback system (e.g., Easton and Wiffle).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a first hemisphere view of a curveball;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a second hemisphere view of the curveball of FIG.
1 illustrating a plurality of slots; and
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the ball of FIG. 1
illustrating a center equatorial circumferential groove separating
the first hemisphere from the second hemisphere.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The following description is presented to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is
provided in the context of a patent application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and
the generic principles and features described herein will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present
invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but
is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features described herein.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a first hemisphere view of a curveball 100
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Curveball 100 includes a first hemisphere 105 that optionally
includes patterning 110, such as for example stitching (real or
simulated). Curveball 100 is preferably adapted to be safely and
efficiently thrown by all users, particularly adapted to children,
and most particularly adapted for use by very young children.
Curveball 100 is thus desirably not too large and made to be
light-weight and soft. Preferably, curveball 100 is solid and
generally spherical having a diameter about in the range of two
inches to six inches though other sizes may be used for particular
implementations. Curveball 100 is preferably made of low-density
closed cell foams, such as polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (LDPE),
ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EV,
VA, EM), polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene (EPS), polyvinyl
chloride (PVC), polymethacrylimide (PMI), polymeric, viscoelastic,
reconstituted chip (Recon), low-density closed cell polymer, and
combinations and the like. Harder materials may optionally be used
in some instances.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a second hemisphere 205 view of curveball 100 of
FIG. 1 illustrating a plurality of slots 210. Slots 210 are
preferably disposed in a surface of curveball 100, having a range
of different shapes such as the generally triangular shape shown,
as well as other appropriate and/or desirable slot shapes including
dimples, vanes, and other depressions or in some cases protrusions
or surface extensions making them not true slots but airflow
altering structures in a more generic description. Each slot
extends generally longitudinally from an equator 215 to a pole 220.
In the preferred embodiment, slots 210 extend generally
perpendicular to the equator and pole, however in some embodiments
slots may extend is a sloped, angled, spiral-wrapped, or other
direction or combination of directions when progressing from
equator 215 to pole 220.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the ball of FIG. 1
illustrating a center equatorial circumferential groove 305
separating first hemisphere 105 from second hemisphere 205. Groove
305 has a width and depth partially dependent upon a diameter of
curveball 100. Groove 305 is preferably a continuous
equatorially-circumferential (great circle) groove with a depth
from about two millimeters to about two inches. Groove 305
similarly has a width of about two millimeters to about two inches.
In some cases, groove 305 may be substituted with a surface pattern
or for an intermittent groove.
[0022] Groove 305, in addition to the performance enhancement,
provides a visual indicator/feedback system to a user throwing
curveball 100. A preferred way to throw curveball 100 is to impart
an axial spin about pole 220 when thrown so that groove 305 is seen
as a solid line as it advances away from the user. When the user is
able to throw curveball 100 with this spin and to provide for
minimal precession of groove 305 while curveball 100 is airborne
and spinning, curveball 100 will curve towards second hemisphere
205/pole 220.
[0023] To enhance this feedback system, it is an aspect of the
preferred embodiment that groove 305 be visually
distinct/contrasting to the hemispheres so that the user is able to
easily detect correct spin/throwing technique. For example, the
hemispheres may be a dark (e.g., black or white) color and groove
305 may be a contrasting color (e.g., bright/fluorescing green (in
the case of black), red (in the case of white) or other color).
This groove 305 in this form not only improves aesthetics, but
helps to improve use and technique.
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention include a foam/soft
baseball or softball size ball that can be thrown with a regular
arm motion so that anyone can throw a curveball. The ball has a
plurality of grooves cut into one hemisphere and a groove cut
through the circumference of the ball perpendicular to the
hemisphere grooves. The combination of these unique patterns
creates a soft baseball that is able to achieve great curve with a
regular arm motion. When embodiments of the invention are thrown so
that the center groove is perpendicular to the ground and the ball
is spinning then these embodiments will curve in the direction of
the hemisphere grooves.
[0025] In the description herein, numerous specific details are
provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide
a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an
embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of
the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies,
methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
[0026] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment",
"an embodiment", or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus,
respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an
embodiment", or "in a specific embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the
same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present
invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more
other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and
modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described
and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings
herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0027] Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures
should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless
otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term "or" as used
herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise
indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be
considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as
rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.
[0028] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims
that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0029] The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the
present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and
examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative
purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within
the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in
the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these
modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the
foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present
invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0030] Thus, while the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of
modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the
foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some
instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be
employed without a corresponding use of other features without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth.
Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the
present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of
the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be
determined solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *