Agility training ball

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. With the center of gravity of the ball permanently altered, the ball has a tendency to rest in a position with the weighted material therewithin facing the ground surface on which the ball sits, and the ball has a tendency to stay in that position or to return to that position when an attempt is made to roll it in any direction away from that position. If a user succeeds in rolling the ball to a position where the portion of the inner surface engaging the weighted material rises to the top of the ball as it is rolled, when the ball is let go, it will move in an erratic way.

Description

This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 61/270,650, filed Jul. 13, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an agility training ball. In the prior art, a variety of spherical objects have been used in training athletes. In the game of football, it is important to teach linemen agility skills so that they are able to perform the techniques necessary to effectively block for running and passing plays. During a football game, the unforeseen always occurs, and an offensive lineman must be able to instantaneously adapt to changing circumstances, such as when a defender is not in the predicted position or when a pass rusher makes a move that requires an adjustment to stance, angulation, body position and other aspects.

In the prior art, there are examples of balls that include objects contained therewithin that alter the center of gravity, moving it from the center of the spherical ball. The following prior art is known to Applicant:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,737 to Farmer discloses an erratically rollable game device consisting of a ball 14 having a second ball 24 contained within and which includes magnets 31 that occasionally engage inserts 19 formed of a magnetic material on the inner surface of the outer ball 14. As the hollow body is rolled, the magnetic elements occasionally come into contact with one another to momentarily secure the weight to the inner surface and thereby alter the rolling characteristics of the body. The present invention differs from the teachings of Farmer as contemplating a hollow inflatable ball in which a substance is permanently affixed at one location about the inner surface of the inner chamber to cause the ball to have its center of gravity permanently altered to a specific singular location.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,418 to McNeill discloses a surface projectile and target game in which a hollow ball 10 has an inner chamber in which is located a quantity of lead shot or other fluent material such as mercury. One embodiment shown in FIG. 2 of McNeill contemplates the combination of a moving substance 11 and a fixed weight 14. The present invention differs from the teachings of McNeill as solely contemplating a fixed weight mounted at a particular location in the inner surface of the chamber of a hollow ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,540 to Leslie discloses an erratically movable inflated game ball having an inner chamber in which a movable bladder 20 is provided which is filled with a liquid. The present invention differs from the teachings of Leslie as contemplating a weighted substance permanently affixed at a single location on the inner surface of a chamber of an inflated ball. U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,610 to Leslie arose from a divisional of the application from which U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,540 arose. As such, the disclosures are the same.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,622 to Chung discloses a ball with unpredictable bounce. The Chung ball has a solid interior into which a cavity is created with a second ball disposed therein to move the center of gravity a distance “X.” The present invention differs from the teachings of Chung as contemplating a substance affixed to the inner wall of a hollow inflated ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an agility training ball. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features:

(1) In a first aspect of the present invention, what is contemplated is a large inflated ball, perhaps up to 48 inches in diameter. The inflated ball is filled with air to inflate it.

(2) Either before or after inflation, a substance is conveyed within the inner chamber of the inflatable or inflated ball. One example of such a substance is a rubber based catalyst. The substance when inserted sticks to the inner surface of the ball at one location about the inner surface thereof that subtends a small portion of the entirety of that inner surface. The 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.

(3) While a rubber based catalyst is identified as one desired substance, any substance that will stick to the inner surface of the inner chamber of an inflated or inflatable ball and will conform to that inner surface under a variety of conditions is suitable for use in association with the present invention. As well, such a rubber based catalyst or other substance can be introduced in liquid form into the inner chamber via the valve and port thereof, whereupon it cures or otherwise solidifies stuck to the inner wall of the inner chamber of the ball. If desired, 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. Preferably, any substance embedded into the liquid material is introduced through the valve and port of the inflatable ball.

(4) Once the material inserted within the inner chamber of the ball has solidified, cured or otherwise hardened, the inflated ball is ready for use. With the weight distribution and center of gravity of the ball permanently altered in one particular manner, the ball has a tendency to rest in a position with the weighted material therewithin facing the ground surface on which the ball sits. Given the alteration of the center of gravity, the ball has a tendency to stay in that position or to return to that position when an attempt is made to roll it in any direction away from that position. If a user succeeds in rolling the ball to a position where the portion of the inner surface engaging the weighted material rises to the top of the ball as it is rolled, when the ball is let go, it will move in an erratic way.

(5) An offensive lineman using the inventive ball for training purposes will find it difficult to roll the ball to a position where the weighted substance is at the top and will learn agility skills while trying to manipulate the ball on the ground.

As such, it is a first object of the present invention to provide an agility training ball.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a ball partially filled with a weighted substance to move the center of gravity away from its center.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a ball which is inflatable.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a ball useful as a trainer for offensive football linemen.

These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a ball in accordance with the teachings of the present invention including schematically depicting alternate surface textures.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the ball along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a ball or sphere suitable for use in association with the present invention. The ball 1 has an outer surface 2 that may be non-smooth, including ribbing 3 on the surface or any other textured surface such as corrugations, ribbing, a roughened surface 9 and the like to enhance the grip on the surface by a lineman.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ball 1 includes the port 6 connected to the standard inflation valve 5 that facilitates admission of air into the chamber 4.

As also seen in FIG. 2, a substance 7 is located in one location on the inner wall 8 of the chamber 4. The substance 7 subtends a small fraction of the entirety of the surface 8 and adheres at that location and is immovable. The substance 7 may comprise any desired material that can be made to adhere at one location on the inner surface 8 of the chamber 4 of the ball 1 and is soft enough when cured to conform to the inner surface 8 whether or not the ball is inflated. One example of such a substance is a rubber based catalyst that may be conveyed into the chamber 4 via the valve 5 and the port 6. By gravity, the substance 7, in its uncured state, collects at one location where it hardens and sticks to the wall 8. Any desired such substance is suitable for the purposes of the present invention. It is, however, preferred that the substance 7 be a substance that can be inserted into the chamber 4 via the valve 5 and port 6. This makes it easier to create the present invention since the ball can be assembled as it normally is assembled and then the substance 7 can be subsequently inserted. Otherwise, the substance would have to be inserted prior to installation of the valve 5 and port 6.

Any suitable substance 7 may be employed for the purposes of the present invention. The sole requirements are that the substance be permanently affixed at one location on the surface 8 of the ball, that the substance easily conform to the surface 8 of the ball, and that the substance 7 alter the center of gravity of the ball 1 so that it rolls irregularly and resists rolling from a position with the substance 7 facing a ground surface on which the ball 1 rests.

The ball 1 may be made of any suitable size allowing it to be moved by an offensive lineman of a football team so that the lineman can learn agility skills and enhance them. Preferably, the ball is not less than 12 inches in diameter and may be up to 48 inches or more in diameter.

The present invention also contemplates the method of manufacturing the inventive ball. That method includes the steps of obtaining an inflatable ball having an inflated diameter of up to or exceeding 48 inches, the ball including an inflation valve and a port, selecting a substance to be introduced into the inner chamber of the ball via the valve and port, which substance will conform to a portion of the inner surface of the ball, the portion consisting of a fraction of the entirety of the inner surface, introducing the substance into the inner chamber of the ball via the valve and port, allowing the substance to cure and harden, inflating the ball, and using it for the purposes described hereinabove.

Materials from which the substance 7 may be made include plastic, rubber, synthetic rubber, and may include such materials with heavy materials embedded therein such as, for example, grains of sand, small BBs, or other materials. Whatever material or combination of materials is/are used, they fall within the teachings of the present invention so long as once cured, hardened, or otherwise permanently stabilized, they remain in a fixed location on the inner surface 8 of the chamber 4 of the ball 1 subtending only a small fraction of the surface 8 thereof, and remain pliable so that (1) they remain adhered to the surface 8, and (2) they reduce the possibility of injury to a player using the ball to train.

As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof which fulfills each and every one of the objects of the invention as set forth hereinabove, and provides a new and useful agility training ball of great novelty and utility.

Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof.

As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved training ball, comprising:

a) an inflatable sphere having an internal chamber defined by an inner surface, and an outer surface;

b) a substance adhered to a portion of said inner surface and being non-movable with respect to said inner surface;

c) said substance moving a center of gravity of said ball from an original central location thereof without said substance adhered therein, to a location offset from said central location.

2. The ball of claim 1, further including an inflation valve mounted on said sphere and permitting inflation of said ball through introduction of gas into said internal chamber via said valve.

3. The ball of claim 1, wherein said outer surface is non-smooth.

4. The ball of claim 3, wherein said outer surface is ribbed.

5. The ball of claim 3, wherein said outer surface is roughened.

6. The ball of claim 1, wherein said substance is chosen from the group consisting of a rubber-based catalyst, plastic, rubber and synthetic rubber.

7. The ball of claim 6, wherein said substance has embedded therein a weighted material.

8. The ball of claim 7, wherein said weighted material is chosen from the group consisting of grains of sand and BBs.

9. The ball of claim 6, wherein said substance is flexible.

10. The ball of claim 9, wherein said portion comprises less than half said inner surface.

11. The ball of claim 9, wherein said outer surface is non-smooth.

12. The ball of claim 2, wherein said substance is chosen from the group consisting of a rubber-based catalyst, plastic, rubber and synthetic rubber.

13. The ball of claim 12, wherein said substance is flexible.

14. A method of making a training ball including the steps of:

a) providing an inflatable sphere having an internal chamber defined by an inner surface, and an outer surface;

b) providing said sphere with an inflation valve;

c) inflating said sphere by introducing gas into said internal chamber through said valve;

d) introducing a liquid into said internal chamber through said inflation valve;

e) hardening said liquid into a hardened substance within said chamber, said hardened substance adhering to said inner surface.

15. The method of claim 14, said substance being chosen from the group consisting of a rubber-based catalyst, plastic, rubber and synthetic rubber.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said hardened substance adheres to a portion of said inner surface.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said portion comprises less than half said inner surface.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein, prior to said liquid hardening, embedding a weighted material therein.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said weighted material is chosen from the group consisting of grains of sand and BBs.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein said substance is flexible.