GB2259257A

GB2259257A - Playball

Info

Publication number: GB2259257A
Application number: GB9218869A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick John Goodman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-09-05
Filing date: 1992-09-07
Publication date: 1993-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2012-09-07
Also published as: GB2259257B; GB9218869D0

Abstract

A play ball 1 has a surface in which an arrangement of ribs or projections 2 which stand proud of the rest of the surface of the ball so that the ball will bounce in an irregular way. Alternatively the surface may be have channels and may have eccentric weighting. <IMAGE>

Description

PLAY BALL This invention relates to balls for games. Usually such balls are of spherical shape so that the balls bounce substantially in a regular or predictable way.

Examples of spherical play balls are cricket balls, soccer balls, hockey balls, golf balls, tennis balls, woods for the game of bowls and so on. Play balls for children are also almost always spherical. An exception to the general rule is the ball for playing rugby football which is egg shaped, but although balls for rugby football are not spherical they have a substantially smooth exterior surface.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a play ball that will bounce in an unpredictable or irregular way.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a play ball the surface of which has an arrangement of ribs or projections which stand proud of the rest of the surface of the ball so that the ball will bounce in an irregular way. Alternatively a play ball according to the invention may have an arrangement of indentations or channels in the surface adapted to give the ball an irregular bouncing capability.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a play ball that will bounce in an irregular way is provided with a regular or irregular outer surface and provided, inside the ball, with materials or sections of differing weight, e.g. weights of rubber, sponge, sponge like material or other suitable filling. The ball may be partly hollow with sections of different weight inside the ball and either loose or attached to the inside of the casing in random fashion, or the ball may be filled with materials of different weights.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawing in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a substantially ellipsoidal ball in accordance with the invention and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a substantially spherical ball in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a ball 1 is provided with a number of ridges or projections 2 extending around the surface of the ball in a regular or irregular manner so that the ball bounces in an irregular way. A ball in accordance with this invention may be made of an elastomer or any other suitable material and may be relatively soft like e.g. a tennis ball or may be relatively hard like e.g. a cricket ball. If desired, the ball itself may be of irregular shape, for example egg shaped. Essentially, it will be understood that the ball must be of a size suitable for handling. The ridges or projections or the channels may be moulded or otherwise provided as an integral part of the ball or may be applied to the external surface of the ball.

Instead of having continuous ridges as shown in the drawing, spaced apart projections may be provided.

Additionally, the ball may include materials or sections of differing weight, e.g. weights of rubber, sponge, sponge like material or other suitable filling. The ball may be partly hollow with sections of different weight inside the ball and either loose or attached to the inside of the casing in random fashion, or the ball may be filled with materials of different weight.

Claims

1. A play ball the surface of which has an arrangement of ribs or projections which stand proud of the rest of the surface of the ball so that the ball will bounce in an irregular way.

2. A play ball which has an arrangement of materials or sections of differing weight so that the ball will bounce in an irregular way.

3. A play ball according to claim 1, wherein the ball has an arrangement of indentations or channels in the surface instead of the ribs or projections.

4. A play ball which has an arrangement of ribs, projections, indentations or channels on the surface of the ball and which has an arrangement of materials or sections of differing weight so that the ball will bounce in an irregular way.

5. A play ball according to claim 2 or 4 wherein the ball has sections of rubber, sponge, sponge like material, plastics material or other suitable filling, which may be loose or may be attached to the inside of the ball in random fashion or wherein the ball includes a hollow space or spaces within the ball.