Football having tail fins

Abstract

A football having tail fins includes a football body and at least two rear tail fins which extend outward from a rear of the football body. Each of the tail fins are not parallel relative to the longitudinal axis of the football body. The tail fins may have a straight or curved length. In a second embodiment, a longitudinal pole member extends from a rear of the football body. At least two rear fins extend outward from the longitudinal pole member. Each of the rear fins are not parallel relative to the longitudinal axis of the football body. The rear fins preferably spiral around the perimeter of the pole. A hole may be formed in a rear of the football body which is sized to receive a weighted device or a light emitting device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 09/490,571 filed on Jan. 25, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to toy footballs and more specifically to a toy football having tail fins which cause thereof to have better loft and to rotate with a spiral when thrown.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0005] Currently there are several toy footballs which have rear fins. The toy footballs with rear fins include U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 346,001 to Stillinger, et al., Des. 361,811 to Brimm et al., and 5,785,571 to Camp. These toy footballs have one thing in common, they all disclose rear fins which are parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. Straight fins cannot force a ball to spiral when thrown.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a football having tail fins which force thereof to spiral when thrown and having the unexpected result of having increased loft compared to that of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a football having tail fins which spirals when thrown. According to the present invention, a football having tail fins includes a football body and at least two rear tail fins which extend outward from a rear of the football body. Each of the tail fins are not parallel relative to the longitudinal axis of the football body. The tail fins may have a straight or curved length. In a second embodiment, a longitudinal pole member extends from a rear of the football body. At least two rear fins extend outward from the longitudinal member. Each of the rear fins are not parallel relative to the longitudinal axis of the football body. The rear fins spiral around the outer diameter of the pole.

[0008] Additionally, an opening may be formed in a rear of the football body which is sized to receive a weighted rod or a light emitting device. The weighted rod may be inserted into the opening in the rear of the football body to increase the distance which thereof may be thrown. The device which emits light may be inserted into the opening to illuminate the football body in the dark.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a football having tail fins that are not parallel to the longitude thereof.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a football having tail fins which has the unexpected result of giving the football loft similar to wings on an airplane.

[0011] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a football having rear fins which has a longitudinal pole member with rear fins that are not parallel to the longitude thereof.

[0012] Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a football having tail fins which has pole tail fins which have the unexpected result of giving the football loft similar to wings on an airplane.

[0013] These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a football having tail fins with a straight length in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of a football having tail fins with a straight length in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2a is a side view of a football having tail fins with a straight length standing on the tail fins thereof in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a straight length tail fin inserted in a slot in a football body in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a rear view of a football body with a plurality of slots formed in a rear thereof for receiving a plurality of straight length tail fins in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a football having tail fins with a curved length in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of a football having tail fins with a curved length in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a straight length tail fin inserted in a slot in a football body in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a rear view of a football body with a plurality of slots formed in a rear thereof for receiving a plurality of curved length tail fins in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a football having rear fins in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a side view of a football having rear fins in accordance with the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a rear view of a football having rear fins in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a longitudinal pole member inserted into a football body in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 13 is a partially exploded perspective view of a football having rear fins with an opening that is sized to receive a weighted rod in accordance with the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a weighted rod in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 15 is a partially exploded perspective view of a football having rear fins with an opening that is sized to receive a light emitting rod in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a football having tail fins with a straight length 1. With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the football having tail fins with a straight length 1 includes a football body 10 and at least two straight length tail fins 12 which extend outward from a rear of the football body 10. However, four straight length tail fins 12 are shown in the FIGS. 1-4. The straight length tail fins 12 are preferably spaced equidistance from each other around the outer diameter of the football body 10 at a rear thereof. A longitudinal axis 14 acts as the center of the football body 10. Each of the straight length tail fins 12 are located at an angle “A” relative to the longitudinal axis 14. A front of each straight length tail fins 12 are preferably disposed before the longitudinal axis 14 at a distance “B.”

[0031] A bevel 20 is preferably formed on a back edge of each straight length tail fin 12. A front perimeter 16 of each straight length tail fin 12 preferably has a convex curvature and a rear perimeter 18 preferably has a concave curvature to facilitate better air flow and less drag. The angled tail fins 12 cause the football having tail fins 1 to rotate when thrown with the unexpected result of loft. The following dimensions are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. Angle “A” is preferably between 0-14.9 degrees. Dimension “B” is preferably 0.06-0.25 inches for a football body 10 having a 3.5 inch outer diameter. Dimension B will increase or decrease depending upon the size of the football body 10.

[0032] The football body 10 and the straight length tail fins 12 may be molded as a single assembly or the straight length tail fins 12 may be separate pieces which are attached to the football body 10. If separate pieces, it is preferable that a slot 22 be formed in a rear of the football body 10 for each tail fin 12. Each slot 22 is sized to firmly receive a single tail fin 12. The tail fins 12 may also be additionally secured in the slots with some type of adhesive. Other methods of attaching the tail fins 12 to the football body 10 are also possible, such as gluing the tail fins 12 to the outer perimeter of the football body 10 (without the slots 22). With reference to FIG. 2a, the football having tail fins with a straight length 1 may be placed in a “standing” position by placing thereof on its tail fins 12. The “standing” position is convenient for kicking the football having tail fins 1.

[0033] FIGS. 5-8 show a football having tail fins with a curved length 2. The football having tail fins with a curved length 2 includes a football body 24 and at least two curved length tail fins 26 which extend outward from a rear of the football body 24. The curved length tail fin 26 is an improvement over the straight length tail fin 12. The curvature of the length decreases the amount of the fin's drag while traveling through the air. The rotation of the football having tail fins 2 is also improved compared with the straight length tail fins 12. Four curved length tail fins 26 are shown in the FIGS. 5-8. The curved length tail fins 26 are preferably spaced equidistance from each other around the outer diameter of the football body 10. A longitudinal axis 28 acts as the center of the football body 24. Each of the curved length tail fins 26 are located at an angle “C” relative to the longitudinal axis 28. A front of each curved length tail fin 26 is preferably disposed before the longitudinal axis 28 at a distance “D.”

[0034] A bevel 30 is preferably formed on a back edge of each curved length tail fin 26. A front perimeter 32 of each curved length tail fin 26 preferably has a convex curvature and a rear perimeter 18 thereof preferably has a concave curvature to facilitate better air flow and less drag. The curved length tail fins 26 cause the football having tail fins 2 to rotate when thrown with the unexpected result of loft. The following dimensions are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. Angle “C” is preferably between 0-14.9 degrees. Dimension D is preferably 0.50-1.00 inches for a football body having a 3.5 inch outer diameter.

[0035] The football body 24 and the curved length tail fins 26 may be molded as a single assembly or the curved length tail fins 26 may be separate pieces which are attached to the football body 24. If separate pieces, it is preferable that a curved slot 36 be formed in a rear of the football body 24 for each tail fin 26. Each slot 36 is sized to firmly receive a single tail fin 26. The tail fins 26 may also be additionally secured in the curved slots 36 with some type of adhesive. Other methods of attaching the tail fins 26 to the football body 24 are also possible, such as gluing the tail fins 26 to the outer perimeter surface of the football body 24 (without a slot 36). The football having tail fins with a curved length 2 may be placed in a “standing” position by placing thereof on its tail fins 26 similar to that shown in FIG. 2a for the football having tail fins 1.

[0036] FIGS. 9-12 show a second embodiment of a football having tail fins. A football having rear fins 3 includes a football body 38, a longitudinal pole member 40, and at least two rear fins 42. However, three straight length tail fins 12 are shown in the FIGS. 9-12. The longitudinal pole member 40 extends from a rear of the football body 38. The rear fins 42 are attached to the longitudinal pole member 40. The rear fins 12 are preferably spaced equidistance from each other around the outer diameter of the football body 38. A longitudinal axis 44 acts as the center of the football body 38 and the longitudinal pole member 40. Each of the rear fins 42 are not parallel relative to the longitudinal axis of the football body. Each of the rear fins 42 preferably spiral around the longitudinal pole member 40. Each of the rear fins 42 gradually increase in height from the football body 38 to an end of the longitudinal pole member 40.

[0037] The spiral orientation of the tail fins 12 cause the football having rear fins 3 to rotate when thrown. The longitudinal pole member 40 and the rear fins 42 may be molded as a single assembly or the straight length tail fins 42 may be separate pieces attached to the football body 38. If separate pieces, it is preferable that a spiral groove 46 be formed in the longitudinal pole member 40 for each rear fin 42. Each spiral groove 46 is sized to receive a single rear fin 42. The rear fins 42 may also be additionally secured in the spiral grooves 46 to the football body 10 with some type of adhesive. Other methods of attaching the rear fins 42 to the football body 38 are also possible, such as gluing the rear fins 42 to the an outer perimeter of the longitudinal pole member 40 (without a spiral groove 46).

[0038] FIG. 13 shows a football having tail fins with a straight length 4 and weighted rod with insertable weights 48. The football having tail fins 4 has an opening 56 formed in a rear thereof. The opening 56 continues through substantially the length of the football having tail fins with a straight length 4, but does not break through a front thereof. The weighted rod with insertable weights 48 includes a rod body 50 and a plurality of weights 52. A plurality of cavities 54 are formed in the rod body 50 which are sized to firmly receive the plurality of weights 52. Once the rod body 50 is filled with the desired number of weights 52, the weighted rod with insertable weights 48 are inserted into the opening 56 formed in the rear of the football having tail fins 4. The opening 56 is deep enough to allow the full length of the weighted rod with insertable weights 48 to be inserted into the rear of the football having tail fins 4. The weighted rod with insertable weights 48 is disclosed with a round shape, but could be square, triangular or any other suitable shape. The tail fins could also have a curved length instead of a straight length.

[0039] FIG. 14 discloses a filled weighted rod 58. The filled weighted rod 58 includes a hollow body 60 filled with a dense material 62. The dense material 62 is preferably a fine sand. Two types of weighted rods have been disclosed, but the football having tail fins 4 should not be limited to using these types of weighted rods, but should include any type of weight device which may be easily inserted into the opening 56.

[0040] FIG. 15 shows a football having tail fins with a straight length 4 and a light emitting device 64. The light emitting device 64 includes a body 66, a plurality of lamps 68, and at least one battery 70. Each lamp 68 could be an LED or an incandescent light bulb. The at least one battery 70 is inserted into the body 66. The at least one battery 70 supplies the plurality of lamps 68 with electrical power. The light emitting device 64 is inserted into the opening 56 formed in the rear of the football having tail fins 4. The opening 56 is deep enough to allow the full length of the light emitting device 64 to be inserted into the rear of the football having tail fins 4. The light emitting device 64 is disclosed with a round shape, but could be square, triangular, or any other suitable shape. The tail fins could also have a curved length instead of a straight length. One type of light emitting device has been disclosed, the football having tail fins 4 should not be limited to using only the light emitting device 64, but could use any type of light emitting device such as a light stick. A light stick is broken to cause light to be emitted. Other objects may be inserted into the opening 56 besides the weighted rods and the light emitting devices. The opening 56 may be used for the insertion of messages written on paper or for any other appropriate use.

[0041] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A football having tail fins comprising:

a football body having a longitudinal axis; and

at least two fins extending outward from a rear of said football body, a length of each said fin not being parallel with said longitudinal axis.

2. The football having tail fins of

claim 1 wherein:

a front of each said fin being disposed before said longitudinal axis.

3. The football having tail fins of

claim 1 wherein:

a bevel being formed on a back edge of each said fin.

4. The football having tail fins of

claim 1 wherein:

said at least two fins being spaced equidistance from each other.

5. The football having tail fins of

claim 1 wherein:

each said fin having a length which is straight.

6. The football having tail fins of

claim 5 wherein:

a front perimeter of each of said fins having a a convex curvature and a rear perimeter thereof having a concave curvature to facilitate better air flow and less drag.

7. The football having tail fins of

claim 1 wherein:

each said fin having a length which is curved.

8. The football having tail fins of

claim 7 wherein:

a front perimeter of each of said fins having a a convex curvature and a rear perimeter thereof having a concave curvature to facilitate better air flow and less drag.

9. The football having tail fins of

claim 1 wherein:

said football body and said at least two fins being fabricated from a single piece of material.

10. The football having tail fins of

claim 1 wherein:

at least two slots being formed in a rear of said football body, said slots being sized to receive said at least two fins.

11. The football having tail fins of

claim 1, further comprising:

a weighted device; and

said football having an opening formed in a rear thereof, said opening being sized to receive said weighted device.

12. The football having tail fins of

claim 11, further comprising:

said weighted device including a rod body having a plurality of cavities formed along a length thereof and a plurality of weights being sized to be firmly received by said plurality of cavities.

13. The football having tail fins of

claim 11, further comprising:

said weighted device including a hollow body filled with a dense material.

14. The football having tail fins of

claim 1, further comprising:

a light emitting device; and

said football having an opening formed in a rear thereof, said opening being sized to receive said light emitting device.

15. The football having tail fins of

claim 14, further comprising:

said light emitting device including a body, a plurality of lamps, and at least one battery, said at least one battery providing power to said plurality of lamps.

16. A football having rear fins comprising:

a football body having a longitudinal axis;

a pole extending from a rear of said football body; and

at least two fins extending outward from said pole, a length of each said fin not being parallel with said longitudinal axis.

17. The football having tail fins of

claim 16 wherein:

each said fin having a height which gradually increases from said football body to an end of said pole.

18. The football having tail fins of

claim 16 wherein:

each said fin being disposed in a spiral around said pole.

19. The football having tail fins of

claim 16 wherein:

said football body, said pole, and said at least two fins being fabricated from a single piece of material.

20. The football having tail fins of

claim 16 wherein:

at least two spiral grooves being formed in an outer perimeter of said pole, said at least two spiral grooves being sized to receive said at least two fins, a cavity being formed in a rear of said football body which is sized to receive said pole, said pole being inserted into said cavity, said at least two fins being inserted into said at least two spiral grooves.