Having Loose Internal Element, Containing Or Adapted To Contain Liquid, Or Comprising Spherically Configured Ball Having Variable Or Eccentric Center Of Gravity Patents (Class 473/594)
  • Patent number: 11944884
    Abstract: A reinforced die for use in a throwing game and method of manufacture of same are provided. Having corners reinforced with multiple rows of machine stitched threads, multiple layers of inner lining padding the corners, and filler material within the inner lining layers helps the die maintain distinct sides and resist deformation even after being thrown extensively against a hard surface. The use of machine stitching to reinforce the die allows to impart uniform strength to all sides of the die, further increasing resistance to deformation. The material of the housing, such as duck cloth, is weather resistant, durable, and has a friction coefficient that is high enough to prevent excessive sliding of the die from a board upon which the die is thrown, but low enough to prevent damage to the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PIPFALL LLC
    Inventors: David R Baxter, Michael A McNutt, Susan E Norwood
  • Patent number: 11806635
    Abstract: A rotating spin top device for creating rotational force for a spin top includes a shell. The shell has a radius being a length between a center of the shell and an exterior surface of the shell. The shell has a cavity where a ball is nested within. The ball has a radius being a length between a center of the ball and an exterior surface of the ball. A length from the center of the ball to a center of the cavity defines a distance when the ball is positioned at an end of a pair of ends of the cavity. The radius of the ball and the radius of the shell are relative to the distance whereby defining a proportion. The proportion creates the rotational movement of the rotating spin top device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: George Bell
  • Patent number: 11771960
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a ball comprising a core and a porous structure encompassing the core. The porous structure comprises a plurality of perforations in its outer surface, which are connected with a plurality of hollow confined spaces within the porous structure allowing a liquid to be at least partly absorbed by the hollow confined spaces upon contact of the ball with the liquid. A shell with shell perforations encompasses the porous structure. The ball comprises control means for controlling the absorption of liquid by the ball and the release of absorbed liquid from the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Universiteit Gent
    Inventors: Ludwig Cardon, Mustafa Erkoc, Dagmar D'Hooge, Stijn Rambour
  • Patent number: 11484762
    Abstract: A putting training device having the same size and feel of a standard golf ball yet adapted to exaggeratedly deviate from an expected line of action when mishit relative to a predefined line of action. The putting training device may have one or more inner cavities wherein an inner spherical object rolls along a tracked, concentric first curvature when the putting training device is struck with a putter accurately along the predefined line of action, and wherein the inner spherical object moves to a side portion of the one or more cavities upon the putting training device being mishit, resulting in the exaggerated deviation that affords the user a visual feedback they can learn from and recalibrate their future putts to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Christopher Rivera
  • Patent number: 11279065
    Abstract: Closed cell foam articles, such as sports balls, and related manufacturing methods are disclosed herein. The article includes a main body made of closed-cell elastomeric resin foam having a density ranging between about 0.050 sg and about 0.800 sg after curing. Some articles are assembled by inserting a cured core into a main body so that the core is secured in the main body via an interference fit, and the core has one or more portions extending to the exterior surface of the main body such that the an exposed surface of the one or more exposed portions of the core blend substantially with the exterior surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Troy Lewis
  • Patent number: 10953295
    Abstract: A cornhole bag includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a filling. The bottom surface includes a first material and a second material with differing coefficients of friction in relation to a cornhole board. The top surface may also include a first material and a second material with differing coefficients of friction in relation to a cornhole board. Accordingly, the cornhole bag may be tossed toward a cornhole board such that the differing materials of the cornhole bag make contact with the cornhole board at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Frank Modlin
  • Patent number: 10799428
    Abstract: A transformable teething toy comprising a first hub and a second hub. Resilient flexible rods connect the first hub to the second hub such that the inner surfaces of the first and second hubs are oriented to face towards each other. The teething toy is further transformable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first and second hubs are spaced apart from each other by the resilient flexible rods to form an expanded structure. In the closed position, the resilient flexible rods are bent such that the expanded structure is collapsed and the inner surfaces of the first and second hubs are releasably engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Gastle, Patrick Joseph Murphy, Benjamin M. Cerny, Santiago Acevedo
  • Patent number: 10737193
    Abstract: A pop-up toy assembly includes a head portion having a cap portion with an interior space, a base portion, a mesh tubing having a top end portion and a bottom end portion narrower than the top end portion, and a latching mechanism, wherein the top end portion is attached to an interior surface of the interior space of the head portion and the bottom end portion is attached to the base portion, the mesh tubing is configured to invert inwards when a compress force is applied to move the assembly from an uncompressed state to a compressed state, and the latching mechanism is configured to latch the head portion and the base portion in a compressed state and, upon impact with another object, the latching mechanism is configured to unlatch from the compressed state and spring back to the uncompressed state with enough force to propel the assembly away from the another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Genie Toys plc
    Inventor: Casey W. Norman
  • Patent number: 10377231
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a magnet-assisted ball drive. The drive comprises a ball and a drive element in contact with the ball. The drive element is arranged to be rotated around its axis of rotation to drive the ball. The ball and the drive element each comprise magnetic material such that at least one of the ball and the drive element comprises a magnet to generate a magnetic pulling force to pull the ball and the drive element against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ayberk Özgür, Séverin Lemaignan, Wafa Johal, Francesco Mondada, Pierre Dillenbourg
  • Patent number: 9498065
    Abstract: The invention is a structure comprising a tensioned skin filled with shaped modules for bearing compression. In an uncompressed state, the modules are pourable like sand, salt or sugar. When compressed by tensioning of the skin, the modules lock up so that the skin filled tightly with modules comprises a load-bearing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Kunstadt
  • Patent number: 9403074
    Abstract: A ball for use in teaching proper throwing or pitching techniques in baseball or softball is disclosed. The ball provides an internal mechanism by way of a snap device or a channel having a shiftable weighted material to provide both an audible and visible indication of when a proper wrist snap release of the ball has occurred. The internal mechanisms disclosed can be incorporated into newly manufactured baseballs or softballs or placed into preexisting balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Velocity Gravity Spin Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Richard Fountain, III
  • Patent number: 9254421
    Abstract: A golf ball is provided that includes a coating. The coating is designed to allow a golfer to modify or increase the tackiness of the coating. The coating changes tackiness when exposed to a soaking material. A method of determining a desirable length of soak is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Alan
  • Patent number: 9186564
    Abstract: The invention is for a method of training and evaluating a hitter using a weighted ball where the hitter hits the weighted ball with a bat and where the weighted ball wraps around the bat and thereby the ball absorbs some of the energy from the batter and whereafter striking the weighted ball the ball leaves the bat in a substantially horizontal plane if it is hit correctly and where the weighted ball donuts substantially vertical to the ground if hit incorrectly or lifts up if hit too low or dives downward if hit to high or donuts horizontally if hit in an inside out manner with the bat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Pete Parenti
  • Patent number: 9017192
    Abstract: An athletic training device for training athletes is provided. The athletic training device comprises a training ball having an outer cover and an inner air bladder. A predetermined amount of silicon is positioned between the outer cover and the inner air bladder wherein the silicon covers a least a portion of the inner air bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Roberto Silva
  • Patent number: 9011192
    Abstract: The game device for a user including a flexible closure for receiving impacts from the user, one or more filler placed inside the flexible closure for reducing recoiling of the flexible closure from the surface on receiving impacts, a mechanical unit attached to the inner walls of the flexible closure and a gravity slowing unit attached to the mechanical unit for reducing the gravitational pull acting on the flexible closure. The mechanical unit includes an electric motor for providing torque, an impact sensor for sensing the impacts received from the user, and a power source for energizing the electric motor and the impact sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Dan Kevin Canobbio
  • Patent number: 8926458
    Abstract: A football training aid for football practice with an external battery powered activation and a variable speed setting control mechanism in communication with an internal cam driven assembly configured to create a dynamic inertia and a shaking motion of the football when activated, thereby making the football more difficult to catch. Power speed settings range from slow to fast to accommodate the skill and age of the player and increase player grip strength to enhance performance during practice to simulate the movement of a football in game situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Cody J. Wood
  • Patent number: 8920918
    Abstract: A fill material is for use within a closed interior chamber of a gelatin paintball capsule. The fill material includes a polyethylene glycol and an oil. Each one of the polyethylene glycol and the oil is present in a respective amount that is substantially less than about 90% by weight of the fill material. The fill material additionally includes at least a first additive that is selected from the group consisting of an emulsifier, a dye, a density agent, a thickener, and a surfactant. Preferably, a starch may be used as the density agent, as the emulsifier, and/or as the thickener. Suitable starches may include corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, modified starch, and combinations thereof, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: KEE Action Sports Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Aldo Perrone
  • Patent number: 8915809
    Abstract: The amusement ball for a user having an inner surface membrane filled with air, a thin puncturable unit covering the inner surface membrane and an outer membrane unit covering the thin puncturable unit. The thin puncturable unit includes one or more first chambers and a thin puncturable membrane attached to the one or more first chambers. The outer membrane unit includes one or more second chambers and a non-permeable outer membrane attached to the one or more second chambers. A user applies a pressure on a specific location of the inner surface membrane through the outer membrane unit resulting in the bursting of the thin puncturable membrane and release of the liquid from one or more first chambers to one or more second chambers. The liquid then appears on the inner surface of outer permeable membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Dan Canobbio
  • Publication number: 20140357149
    Abstract: The game device for a user including a flexible closure for receiving impacts from the user, one or more filler placed inside the flexible closure for reducing recoiling of the flexible closure from the surface on receiving impacts, a mechanical unit attached to the inner walls of the flexible closure and a gravity slowing unit attached to the mechanical unit for reducing the gravitational pull acting on the flexible closure. The mechanical unit includes an electric motor for providing torque, an impact sensor for sensing the impacts received from the user, and a power source for energizing the electric motor and the impact sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Dan Kevin Canobbio
  • Publication number: 20140342858
    Abstract: A spherical pellet marking round for gas propelled guns, such as airsoft electric guns and gas blow back guns, allows a user or military/law enforcement trainees to actually when they hit their opponent. The marking round is heavier than conventional gas propelled gun rounds, allowing for more reliable breaking on target. The marking round has a hard, brittle shell and is sized for the gun or rifle type. The marking round can include colored marking material, ultraviolet, infrared, forward looking infrared (FLIR) and luminous “glow-in-the-dark” shells for tracer versions. An oversized wedge can be used in production that allows for heavier weighted fill material to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Kerry Thaddeus Bowden
  • Patent number: 8870689
    Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is coupled to the bladder. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit being configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods, Co.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Krysiak, Douglas G. Guenther, Bradley L. Gaff, Mark W. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140135156
    Abstract: The amusement ball for a user having an inner surface membrane filled with air, a thin puncturable unit covering the inner surface membrane and an outer membrane unit covering the thin puncturable unit. The thin puncturable unit includes one or more first chambers and a thin puncturable membrane attached to the one or more first chambers. The outer membrane unit includes one or more second chambers and a non-permeable outer membrane attached to the one or more second chambers. A user applies a pressure on a specific location of the inner surface membrane through the outer membrane unit resulting in the bursting of the thin puncturable membrane and release of the liquid from one or more first chambers to one or more second chambers. The liquid then appears on the inner surface of outer permeable membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Dan Canobbio
  • Patent number: 8702542
    Abstract: The invention is for a weighted ball designed to be hit or struck where the ball has a resilient, flexible, nonburstable outer shell, a hollow inner chamber and a filler hole where a weighted filler material is inserted into the hollow inner chamber through the filler hole and where the air inside the hollow inner chamber that displaces the remaining space inside the hollow inner chamber and where the inside air pressure is equal to the outside air pressure, and where a hole plug seals the filler hole after filling the hollow inner chamber with the weighted filler material, and where a hole plug sealant is used to fill the vacant hole plug space and to reinforce and strengthen the hole plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Pete Parenti
  • Patent number: 8695979
    Abstract: A tactile and auditory puzzle is provided. The tactile and auditory puzzle includes an outer structure, an inner cavity contained within the outer structure, and an object contained within the inner cavity. A tactile and auditory puzzle set includes a plurality of tactile and auditory puzzles. A method of assaying cognitive ability is further provided, including the steps of providing to a user a tactile and auditory puzzle, instructing the user to describe properties of the puzzle, based on auditory and tactile information obtained by manipulating the puzzle, and comparing the user's description with known properties of the puzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Edward B. Seldin
  • Patent number: 8684868
    Abstract: A ball for use in teaching proper throwing or pitching techniques in baseball or softball is disclosed. The ball provides an internal mechanism by way of a snap device or a channel having a shiftable weighted material to provide both an audible and visible indication of when a proper wrist snap release of the ball has occurred. The internal mechanisms disclosed can be incorporated into newly manufactured baseballs or softballs or placed into preexisting balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Velocity Gravity Spin Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Richard Fountain, III
  • Patent number: 8579740
    Abstract: A ball amusement device including an outer shell of transparent or semi-transparent plastic or elastomer or plastomer having good bounce characteristics, and at least one liquid within the shell. The outer shell may be configured to reduce the transparency to light through the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kessler
  • Patent number: 8491425
    Abstract: A transparent polyurethane ball contains polyvinylchloride decorative shapes which cling temporarily to the interior surface of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kessler
  • Publication number: 20130157791
    Abstract: A ball amusement device including an outer shell of transparent or semi-transparent plastic or elastomer or plastomer having good bounce characteristics, and at least one liquid within the shell. The outer shell may be configured to reduce the transparency to light through the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: MAUI TOYS, INC.
    Inventor: MAUI TOYS, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130109514
    Abstract: A transparent polyurethane ball contains polyvinylchloride decorative shapes which cling temporarily to the interior surface of the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MAUI TOYS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Kessler
  • Patent number: 8388475
    Abstract: A water skipping game bag. The game bag can include a liquid-permeable cover having a hydrophobic exterior surface and enclosing an interior chamber, a liquid-permeable pouch disposed within the chamber, a filler material having fluid properties, and a liquid-absorbent core disposed within the pouch. The game bag can absorb water and deform so as to improve skipping performance, increase ease of catching and throwing the bag, and reduce the likelihood of injury from impact by the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy Leefeldt
  • Patent number: 8371970
    Abstract: A ball amusement device including an outer shell of transparent or semi-transparent plastic or elastomer or plastomer having good bounce characteristics, and at least one liquid within the shell. The outer shell may be configured to reduce the transparency to light through the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kessler
  • Patent number: 8342991
    Abstract: A play ball comprising an outer casing having two adjacent openings, a vent and a balloon is provided. The outer casing is substantially non-porous. An uninflated balloon is inserted into the outer casing through an opening. During inflation of the balloon, air from within the outer casing is vented. A handle is attached to the outer casing through the adjacent openings in the casing. The handle is stretchable and can be in the form of an elastomeric band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 8277344
    Abstract: A gaming bag including at least one outer wall defining a cavity, at least one light emitting source positioned adjacent the at least one outer wall, a filling material disposed within the cavity, and wherein the at least one light emitting source provides illumination. A method of lighting a gaming bag comprising the steps of providing a gaming bag comprising at least one outer wall defining a cavity, at least one light emitting source positioned adjacent the at least one wall, a shock sensor within the cavity, a filling material within the cavity, and wherein the at least one light emitting source provides illumination, tossing the gaming bag, measuring a force with the shock sensor upon impact with a surface, activating the light emitting source when the force is greater than the predetermined threshold, and deactivating the light emitting source after a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Maxroi, LLC
    Inventors: Todd A. Cea, Russell A. Urban, Ronald E. Kovac
  • Patent number: 8231487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bladder for an inflatable ball including structure for receiving an electronic device therein. The structure facilitates at least one of cushioning, positioning, locating, and supporting the electronic device. The structure cushions reaction forces arising from a foot strike to the bladder and/or provides a restoring force to the electronic device subsequent to a foot strike to maintain the device in its predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: adidas International Marketing B.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nurnberg, David John Drury, Timothy David Lucas, Roland G. Seydel
  • Patent number: 8172708
    Abstract: An inflatable game ball containing a noise suppression device and a method for inflating the game ball are described. More particularly, a free standing, noise suppression disk is fit snuggly within a central area of the hollow internal cavity formed by the bladder of the game ball. The diameter of the noise suppression disk is slightly larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball, while the thickness of the disk is sufficient to provide necessary rigidity to the game ball noise suppressor without adding excess weight to the ball. An exact amount of SF6 is pre-filled in the balls, when combined with subsequent air, is determined to create the ultimate SF6 to air ratio range at various altitude levels. Subsequently, the balls are only partially inflated at the time of manufacture with the SF6 gas, and no air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Tachikara USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Dann Burke
  • Publication number: 20120028742
    Abstract: A scent shooter apparatus and scent filled pellet is disclosed. The scent shooter may include a projectile launcher. A vessel may be coupled to the projectile launcher and configured to hold a pellet and release the pellet during operation of the apparatus. The apparatus may include a piercer mounted on the vessel. The piercer may be disposed to pierce the pellet during operation of the apparatus. The scent filled pellet may include a hardened shell. A control release agent may be disposed inside the pellet to control release of the scent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: JAY EDWARD VAN DER LINDEN
  • Publication number: 20110312433
    Abstract: The invention is for a weighted ball designed to be hit or struck where the ball has a resilient, flexible, nonburstable outer shell, a hollow inner chamber and a filler hole where a weighted filler material is inserted into the hollow inner chamber through the filler hole and where the air inside the hollow inner chamber that displaces the remaining space inside the hollow inner chamber and where the inside air pressure is equal to the outside air pressure, and where a hole plug seals the filler hole after filling the hollow inner chamber with the weighted filler material, and where a hole plug sealant is used to fill the vacant hole plug space and to reinforce and strengthen the hole plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Pete Parenti
  • Patent number: 8052552
    Abstract: A toy apparatus having a surface is provided. The toy apparatus may include a mesh including a plurality of loop structures having cooperative mating surfaces disposed at least partially around an outer perimeter of each loop structure. The plurality of loop structures may have curved inside perimeter surfaces, and the cooperative mating surfaces of adjacent loop structures may be configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The loop structures form the surface of the toy when the cooperative mating surfaces are coupled with each other. The toy apparatus may further include a rattle positioned in a loop structure in the mesh, the rattle having a body with a mounting structure having an outer perimeter sized to conform to the curved inside perimeter surface of the loop structure in which the rattle is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Got I, LLC
    Inventor: David E. Silverglate
  • Patent number: 8029393
    Abstract: A game ball is provided with the shape of a football with tubular symmetrically placed holes along the length of the ball. The ball is made of foam and when submerged in water the holes will fill with water. As the ball is thrown in a spiraling rotation, the centrifugal force will cause the water to be expelled through the holes producing multiple spiraling streams of water to spray away from the ball as the ball travels in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: John K. Frazier
  • Patent number: 8029394
    Abstract: An inflatable game ball containing a noise suppression device and a method for inflating the game ball are described. More particularly, a free standing, noise suppression disk is fit snuggly within a central area of the hollow internal cavity formed by the bladder of the game ball. The diameter of the noise suppression disk is slightly larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball, while the thickness of the disk is sufficient to provide necessary rigidity to the game ball noise suppressor without adding excess weight to the ball. An exact amount of SF6 is pre-filled in the balls, when combined with subsequent air, is determined to create the ultimate SF6 to air ratio range at various altitude levels. Subsequently, the balls are only partially inflated at the time of manufacture with the SF6 gas, and no air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Tachikara USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Dann Burke
  • Patent number: 8002652
    Abstract: A sporting game in which a game ball that behaves differently from a conventional soccer ball is kicked from a starting point toward an end point for the purpose of getting the game ball in the end point in as few as strikes as possible and, if this is not accomplished in one kick, then the game ball is kicked one or more additional times until it is in the end point. However, unlike the direction of travel for a conventional ball, the game ball's direction of travel is to the right when a counterclockwise spin is applied at a point of contact with the player's foot, to the left when a clockwise spin is applied at the point of contact, and straight when a top spin is applied at the point of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Jacob Y. Wong
  • Publication number: 20110165978
    Abstract: A water skipping game bag. The game bag can include a liquid-permeable cover having a hydrophobic exterior surface and enclosing an interior chamber, a liquid-permeable pouch disposed within the chamber, a filler material having fluid properties, and a liquid-absorbent core disposed within the pouch. The game bag can absorb water and deform so as to improve skipping performance, increase ease of catching and throwing the bag, and reduce the likelihood of injury from impact by the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy S. LEEFELDT
  • Patent number: 7931520
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a toy disk wheel. The disk wheel is defined to include a housing having first and second housing members, each housing member is substantially shaped as a half disk such that assembly of the first and second housing members forms a disk with a rounded outer surface to permit the housing to roll on a surface and a pair of outer sections. A transparent side portion is positioned along each outer surface of the pair of outer sections. Each transparent side portion includes a protuberance positioned about the center of the transparent side portion with a notch positioned thereon. The notch is used to accommodate an axle having ends which transverse the housing to rotatably position in the notches of both side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Funderbolt Studios Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Bryce
  • Publication number: 20110015010
    Abstract: In an inflatable ball, a substance is conveyed within its inner chamber which sticks to the inner surface subtending a small portion of the entirety of that inner surface. A rubber based catalyst is a particularly suitable substance because, when cured, it remains soft and pliable, enhancing its ability to remain adhered to the inner surface of an inflatable ball and to conform to the shape of that surface whether or not the ball is inflated. A heavy substance such as lead shot or stainless steel balls can be embedded into the liquid material prior to curing to increase the weight. Any substance embedded into the liquid material is introduced through the valve and port of the inflatable ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Charles P. Forrest, SR.
  • Publication number: 20110009218
    Abstract: A game ball as provided having a central passage capable of holding a beverage container and an elongated raised symbol gripping portion. The central passage is circular in shape and uniform in diameter and shares a longitudinal axis with the game ball. In one aspect of the invention, the game ball may be used as an insulated beverage container receptacle and is comprised of central fins that define the base for which the container may rest. The raised symbol gripping portion allows a user to impart rotational movement, or spiral action, when a ball is thrown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Allen Wallach, Andre Yanez
  • Publication number: 20110003655
    Abstract: A toy water ball assembly and its method of construction. The toy water ball has a transparent shell that defines an enclosed interior space. At least one partition is placed within the interior space. The partition divides the interior space into a plurality of isolated compartments that can be viewed through the material of the shell. Fill material is provided that is comprised primarily of liquid mixed with solid particulate matter. Each of the isolated compartments is filled with fill material, but not the same fill material. The fill material within at least two of the isolated compartments have different appearances when viewed through the transparent shell. The individual compartments may be separable from the whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Mark J. CHERNICK, Webb T. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20100261561
    Abstract: A toy ball includes a transparent skin (1) made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and comprising an internal space (11) and an opening (12) therethrough; a recessed member (2) made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and sealingly attached to an inner surface (5) of the skin (1) directly below the opening (12); and a soft sealing plug (3) made of polyurethane (PU) or silicon rubber and disposed in the recessed member (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: LI YI ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qing Hua Wang
  • Publication number: 20100227717
    Abstract: An inflatable game ball containing a noise suppression device and a method for inflating the game ball are described. More particularly, a free standing, noise suppression disk is fit snuggly within a central area of the hollow internal cavity formed by the bladder of the game ball. The diameter of the noise suppression disk is slightly larger than the diameter of the hollow internal cavity of the ball, while the thickness of the disk is sufficient to provide necessary rigidity to the game ball noise suppressor without adding excess weight to the ball. An exact amount of SF6 is pre-filled in the balls, when combined with subsequent air, is determined to create the ultimate SF6 to air ratio range at various altitude levels. Subsequently, the balls are only partially inflated at the time of manufacture with the SF6 gas, and no air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Dann Burke
  • Patent number: 7780555
    Abstract: A ball having an inflatable ball shell within which is found an inflatable inner ball partially filled with an inner ball gas and partially filled with a liquid that is held in the center of the inflatable ball shell by an inflatable support when the inflatable inner ball, the inflatable ball shell and the inflatable support are inflated. The ball exhibits an eccentric and unpredictable motion unless a concomitant spin is appropriately applied to it and the motion of the ball is primarily determined by movement of the liquid within the inflatable inner ball. The inflatable support can be a donut-shaped chamber having an inner radius which is substantially the same as, and may be attached to, an outer radius of the inflatable inner ball. Alternatively, the inflatable support can be three or more elastic spherical shells attached to the inflatable inner ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Gamelot, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Y. Wong, Chi Wai Tse
  • Publication number: 20100184541
    Abstract: A ball amusement device including an outer shell of transparent or semi-transparent plastic or elastomer or plastomer having good bounce characteristics, and at least one liquid within the shell. The outer shell may be configured to reduce the transparency to light through the ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: MAUI TOYS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. KESSLER