INFLATABLE BALL WITH FINGER INSERTS

Abstract

An inflatable ball includes a spherical outer skin and at least one finger insert extending inward from the spherical outer skin. Each finger insert is configured to receive a human finger therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/147,263, filed Apr. 14, 2015 and entitled "Inflatable Rubber Ball With A Plurality of Finger Receptacles" and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/119,333, filed Feb. 23, 2015 and entitled "Bowling Kickball," the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an inflatable ball with finger inserts.

[0003] Inflatable balls are used in variety of sports, including kick ball and dodge ball. In order to grip and throw the inflatable ball, an athlete needs to position the palm and the interior surface of the fingers of his/her hands on the outer surface of the ball. Oftentimes, an athlete must use two hands in order to grip and throw or roll a larger inflatable ball. Athletes, especially those with smaller hands (e.g., young children), may struggle to control the direction and speed that the inflatable ball is thrown or rolled.

SUMMARY

[0004] An inflatable ball includes a spherical outer skin and at least one finger insert extending inward from the spherical outer skin. Each finger insert is configured to receive a human finger therein.

[0005] In an embodiment, an inflatable ball includes a ball body having a spherical outer skin and an inner bladder configured to receive a gas therein. Each of the spherical outer skin and the inner bladder is formed of an elastomeric material. At least two finger inserts extend inward from the spherical outer skin. Each finger insert is configured to receive a human finger therein.

[0006] In another embodiment, an inflatable ball includes a spherical outer skin and at least two finger inserts extending inward from the spherical outer skin. Each finger insert is configured to receive a human finger therein.

[0007] This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide a brief overview of subject matter disclosed herein according to one or more illustrative embodiments, and does not serve as a guide to define or limit the scope of the invention. This brief description is provided to introduce an illustrative selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This brief description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] So that the manner in which the features of the invention can be understood, a detailed description of the invention may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the invention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed upon illustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention, reference can be made to the following detailed description, read in connection with the drawings in which:

[0009] FIGS. 1A-1C are three-dimensional renderings of views of the outer surface of a first embodiment of an inflatable ball;

[0010] FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A-3B, and 4A-4B are partial cutaway cross-sections of the first embodiment of inflatable ball of FIGS. 1A-1C, showing the cross sections of the finger inserts;

[0011] FIGS. 5A-5C are three-dimensional renderings of views of the outer surface of a second embodiment of an inflatable ball; and

[0012] FIGS. 6A-6B are partial cutaway cross-sections of the second embodiment of inflatable ball of FIGS. 6A-6B, showing the cross sections of the finger inserts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] FIGS. 1A-1C are three-dimensional renderings of views of an embodiment of an inflatable ball 100 having a ball body 102. The inflatable ball 100 is a multipurpose playground ball that can be used (e.g., rolled, thrown, kicked, caught, etc.) in a number of sports, including kick ball, bowling, or dodge ball, among others. In an embodiment, the ball body 102 has an outer shell or skin 104 and a valve (not shown) configured to admit a gas into the hollow interior of the inflatable ball 100. In another embodiment, the ball body 102 has an outer skin 104, an interior bladder (not shown), and a valve (not shown) extending through the outer skin 104 and the interior bladder. A gas, such as air, for example compressed air, is introduced to the interior bladder through the valve. The interior bladder retains the gas therein under pressure in order to inflate the inflatable ball 100.

[0014] The inflatable ball 100 can be formed of a stretchable material, such as an elastomeric material. For example, the inflatable ball 100 can be formed of a rubber or rubberlike material, including natural rubber or synthetic rubber. In another example, the inflatable ball 100 can be formed of a curable, resilient synthetic polymer. In an example, the inflatable ball 100 is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), natural rubber, artificial rubber, and latex. In an embodiment in which the inflatable ball 100 includes an outer skin 104 and an interior bladder, the outer skin 104 and the interior bladder can both be formed from the same material or the outer skin 104 and the interior bladder can each be formed of a different material. The inflatable ball 100 can be formed by any suitable method, such as molding. In one embodiment, the outer surface 106 of the inflatable ball 100 is made of a non-latex rubber using a roto-mold molding process.

[0015] In an embodiment, the outer surface 106 of the outer skin 104 can have a pattern to roughen the outer surface 106. This roughened surface can improve the grippability of the inflatable ball 100. In another embodiment, the outer surface 106 of the outer skin 104 can be smooth.

[0016] The outer surface 106 of the inflatable ball 100 has at least one finger recess or insert 110, 120 extending inward toward the center 108 of the inflatable ball 100 from the outer surface 106. FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A-3B, and 4A-4B are partial cutaway cross-sections of the first embodiment of the inflatable ball 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C, showing the cross sections of the plurality finger inserts 110, 120. In an embodiment, the inflatable ball 100 includes a plurality (i.e., two or more) of finger inserts 110, 120. Each of the plurality of finger inserts 110, 120 is formed to receive one finger (e.g., index finger, middle ringer, ring finger, pinky, or thumb) to allow an athlete to grip and throw the inflatable ball 100. For example, each finger insert 110, 120 can be sized to receive a finger. In another example, each finger insert 110, 120 can be shaped to receive a finger. For example, each finger insert 110, 120 can have a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the inflatable ball 100 includes a finger insert 120 formed to receive a thumb finger and at least one finger insert 110 formed to receive a non-thumb finger. The at least one finger insert 110 formed to receive the non-thumb finger can be positioned near the finger insert 120 formed to receive the thumb such that a human hand can comfortably span the distance 109 between the finger inserts 110, 120.

[0017] In an embodiment, illustrated by FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A-3B, and 4A-4B, the plurality of finger inserts 110, 120 integral to the outer skin 104 and are formed during the molding of the outer skin 104 of the ball 100. In other words, the finger inserts 110, 120 are not formed separately and then attached to the outer surface of the inflatable ball 100. In the embodiment of the inflatable ball 100 shown in FIGS. 2A-4B, the finger inserts 110, 120 are indentations that extend into the ball 100 a sufficient distance to receive an athlete's fingers.

[0018] In another embodiment of the inflatable ball 100, illustrated by FIGS. 5A-6B, the plurality of finger inserts 110, 120 are not integral to the outer skin 104. In this embodiment, the plurality of finger inserts 110, 120 are formed by inserts 230 that mate with the outer surface of the ball 100. In other words, the finger inserts 110, 120 are formed separately and then attached to the outer surface 106 of the inflatable ball 200. The finger inserts 230 can be attached to the outer surface 106 of the inflatable ball 100 in any suitable manner. For example, the finger inserts 230 can be attached to the outer surface 106 of the inflatable ball 100 with an adhesive. In the embodiment of the inflatable ball 100 shown in FIGS. 5A-6B, the finger inserts 110, 120 are separate inserts 230 (e.g., plastic inserts) that extend into the ball 200 a sufficient distance to receive an athlete's fingers.

[0019] The inflatable ball 100 is a multipurpose playground ball that can be used (e.g., rolled, thrown, kicked, caught, etc.) in a number of sports, including kick ball, bowling, and dodge ball, among others. It will be understood that, although the inflatable ball 100 is shown with three finger inserts 110, 120, a different number of finger inserts (e.g., (2) through (10)) could be used in different embodiments.

[0020] An advantage that may be realized in the practice of some disclosed embodiments of the inflatable ball is that, by placing his/her fingers in the finger inserts, an athlete can grip and throw or roll an inflatable ball more accurately by controlling the direction and speed of the ball. Furthermore, an athlete may be able to grip and throw a large inflatable ball with one hand during a game or competition.

[0021] To the extent that the claims recite the phrase "at least one of" in reference to a plurality of elements, this is intended to mean at least one or more of the listed elements, and is not limited to at least one of each elements. For example, "at least one of an element A, element B, and element C," is intended to indicate element A alone, or element B alone, or element C alone, or any combination thereof. "At least one of element A, element B, and element C" is not intended to be limited to at least one of an element A, at least one of an element B, and at least one of an element C.

[0022] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. An inflatable ball, comprising: a ball body comprising a spherical outer skin and an inner bladder configured to receive a gas therein, each of the spherical outer skin and the inner bladder formed of an elastomeric material; and at least two finger inserts extending inward from the spherical outer skin, wherein each finger insert is configured to receive a human finger therein.

2. The inflatable ball of claim 1, wherein each of the spherical outer skin and the inner bladder is formed of at least one of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a rubber-like material, and a curable resilient synthetic polymer.

3. The inflatable ball of claim 1, wherein the inner bladder and the spherical outer skin are formed of the same elastomeric material.

4. The inflatable ball of claim 1, wherein the inner bladder and the spherical outer skin are each formed of a different elastomeric material.

5. The inflatable ball of claim 1, wherein the ball body comprises three finger inserts.

6. The inflatable ball of claim 5, wherein a first finger insert is configured to receive a thumb finger and a second and third finger insert are configured to receive a non-thumb finger.

7. The inflatable ball of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of finger inserts is integral to the spherical outer skin.

8. The inflatable ball of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of finger inserts is attached to the spherical outer skin.

9. The inflatable ball of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of finger inserts has a cylindrical shape.

10. An inflatable ball, comprising: a ball body comprising a spherical outer skin and at least two finger inserts extending inward from the spherical outer skin, wherein each finger insert is configured to receive a human finger therein.

11. The inflatable ball of claim 10, further comprising an inner bladder configured to receive a gas therein.

12. The inflatable ball of claim 10, wherein the spherical outer skin is formed of an elastomeric material.

13. The inflatable ball of claim 12, wherein the spherical outer skin is formed of at least one of a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, a rubber-like material, and a curable resilient synthetic polymer.

14. The inflatable ball of claim 10, wherein the ball body comprises three finger inserts.

15. The inflatable ball of claim 14, wherein a first finger insert is configured to receive a thumb finger and a second and third finger insert are configured to receive a non-thumb finger.

16. The inflatable ball of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of finger inserts is integral to the spherical outer skin.

17. The inflatable ball of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of finger inserts is attached to the spherical outer skin.

18. The inflatable ball of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of finger inserts has a cylindrical shape.

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