Abstract: System and methods for therapy involving the use of three-dimensional articles of manufacture having printed media at predetermined locations thereon to overcome a therapeutic issue, such as (but not necessarily limited to) fear, phobias, trauma, addiction, grief, depression, feelings of loss, physical pain and diabetic neuropathy. By using the system and methods of the present invention while focusing on emotional and/or physical pain associated with a therapeutic issue, both hemispheres of the brain are activated and random stimulation via place or grid cells and their associated complex circuits occur, which collectively causes or creates new neural connections in the brain of the patient to thereby diminish or even resolve the emotional and/or physical pain associated with the therapeutic issue.

Abstract: A practice ball can comprise a coating on a plastic substantially spherical core having a solid continuous outer surface and a hollow interior. Raised laces features can extend from the outer surface of the core. The coating can also disposed on the raised laces features, and a portion of the coating on the raised laces features can extend from an outer surface of the coating on the outer surface of the core.

Abstract: There is provided a baseball including an inner core, and an outer core covering an outer circumferential surface of the inner core, the inner core being formed to have a dimension of 20% or more and 80% or less of an outer diameter of the inner core and the outer core of the baseball, and having a dynamic viscoelasticity loss coefficient (tan ?) of 0.3 or less, the outer core being formed to have a thickness of 10% or more and 40% or less of the outer diameter of the inner core and the outer core of the baseball, and having an elastic modulus of 1.5 MPa or less. As a result, there can be obtained a baseball that achieves a high level of safety when the baseball hits against a human body and achieves a hit distance equal to and longer than that of a ball for hardball.

Abstract: A baseball capable of being tested under ASTM F1887-09 wherein the baseball is projected at a strike plate at a speed of approximately 60 mph to measure the COR of the baseball. The baseball includes a core formed of a diene-based rubber composition, at least one layer of yarn surrounding the core, and a cover assembly surrounding the one layer of yarn. The core has a diameter of less than 2.0 inches and a weight less than 1.5 ounces. The baseball has a circumference of less than 9.5 inches and a weight of less than 5.5 ounces. The baseball has an initial COR value when tested in accordance with ASTM F1887-09 and a second COR value measured after the baseball has undergone at least 60 impacts of approximately 60 mph against the strike plate. The second COR value is greater than 95 percent of the initial COR value.

Abstract: A baseball includes an inner core, and an outer layer covering the outer circumferential surface of the inner core. The inner core has a surface hardness of not less than 60 and not more than 80 in Asker C hardness, and has an elastic modulus of not less than 0.6 MPa and not more than 1.0 MPa. In this way, a baseball can be obtained which can achieve a trajectory comparable to that of a ball for hardball after hitting and which can achieve an impact force comparable to a ball for rubber-ball baseball.

Abstract: New designs for a sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels and having an improved performance and uniformity. Each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels, in an imagined flattened state, have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. The ball also has a possible shape-induced spin due to the panel design and the overall rotational symmetry of the design.

Abstract: A baseball, softball or the like includes a ball core and a plurality of carcass panels attaching on the outer surface of the ball core. Each of the carcass panels, which is cut into a predetermined shape, has a main portion and an edge portion formed along a peripheral edge of the main portion, wherein each of the carcass panels is attached on the outer surface of the ball core without stitching with other the carcass panels at a position that the carcass panels are attached in an edge-to-edge manner, such that the carcass panels form an outer shell at the ball core in a thread-less manner.

Abstract: An improved softball that resists the softening effects on the core that ultraviolet light impinging upon the ball and warm ambient air cause. The softball has a coating on the core that blocks most or all of the ultraviolet light impinging upon the ball from penetrating to the core. Also, the ball's core can have a modified chemistry that causes the core to resist softening even if the core gets warmer from ambient air (i.e., without any light impinging upon the ball).

Abstract: New designs for a sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels and having an improved performance and uniformity. Each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels, in an imagined flattened state, have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. The ball also has a possible shape-induced spin due to the panel design and the overall rotational symmetry of the design.

Abstract: New designs for a sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels and having an improved performance and uniformity. Each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels, in an imagined flattened state, have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. The ball also has a possible shape-induced spin due to the panel design and the overall rotational symmetry of the design.

Abstract: A game ball is disclosed that includes a polymer foam layer processed with an inert fluid blowing agent, such as nitrogen. The polymer foam may be a polyolefin material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylvinylacetate, and the inert fluid blowing agent may have a relatively high-purity. The polymer foam may be manufactured with a process that includes impregnating a polymer with the inert fluid blowing agent and expanding the polymer by heating the polymer above a softening temperature of the polymer, reducing a fluid pressure surrounding the polymer, and cooling the polymer. The game ball may be a soccerball, football, or volleyball, for example, that includes the polymer foam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to softballs that have very low compression, but maintain the traditional COR values of standard urethane core softballs. The present invention comprises a softball having a center core and at least one core or mantle layer to produce a softball having the performance of a traditional ball.

Abstract: A game ball having improved resistance to liquid moisture, wherein the game ball includes a water resistant lining and a leather cover with water resistance properties. The water resistance properties of the cover are imparted by the tanning process and the lining is coated with a water resistant polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to softballs that have very low compression, but maintain the traditional COR values of standard urethane core softballs. The present invention comprises a softball having a center core and at least one core or mantle layer to produce a softball having the performance of a traditional ball.

Abstract: A polyurethane ball for games and sports includes a core portion made of relatively heavy and low-cost materials and in the shape of a regular spherical body, and an outer portion made of a polyurethane material and having a predetermined thickness to enclose the entire core portion. The ball is manufactured by way of centering a pre-molded core portion in a mold and filling the mold with the polyurethane material to produce an integral ball. The materials for the core portion include rubber or foamed rubber, plastics or foamed plastics, or recycled wood materials. A heavy-weight filler, such as powdered calcium carbonate, may be blended into the materials for the core portion, so as to effectively control an overall weight of the polyurethane ball.

Abstract: A therapeutic hand exerciser includes a resilient core and a fabric exterior lining. The core is soft, pliable and smooth when squeezed. The soft smooth feel of a segmented polyurethane fabric, such as LYCRA®, also provides a more pleasurable feel than a rubber cover. The addition of the thermo plastic urethane (TPU) lining prevents the core material from passing through the fabric cover.

Abstract: In a golf ball comprising a solid core, an intermediate layer, and a cover, the solid core or the cover is provided with a plurality of protrusions penetrating into the intermediate layer. Provided the protrusions are spaced apart a distance X (mm) and have a length L (mm), those protrusions satisfying L≦X≦5L account for at least 60% of the entire protrusions. The protrusions penetrating into the intermediate layer optimizes the buckling phenomenon whereby the ball is improved in flight performance, control and feel.

Abstract: A game ball having a cover formed from a crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane is disclosed. Various types of game balls are described including golf balls and softballs. By selective exposure to radiation, the thermoplastic polyurethane cover is crosslinked and its hardness is increased. Typically, increases in hardness values of at least 2 units on the Shore D scale are realized upon exposure to 3.5 Mrads of gamma radiation.

Abstract: An American football includes a ball cover including four elliptical cover pieces sewn edge to edge together, wherein each cover piece comprises an outer elliptical cover skins, an elliptical inner lining for supporting between the outer cover skin, and an air layer having an predetermined elliptical shape disposed between the outer cover skin and the inner lining, and an inflatable bladder disposed within said ball cover for propping up said ball cover after inflation. So, a predetermined volume of air is provided in the air layer for increasing the elasticity of the outer cover skin, so as to increase the softness of the American football with lower manufacturing cost.

Abstract: The invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover consists of an outer layer and an inner layer having a lower hardness than the outer layer. The cover inner layer is formed with a plurality of recesses in its outer surface and the cover outer layer is formed over the cover inner layer in such a manner that the cover outer layer penetrates into the recesses in the cover inner layer to form protrusions. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the protrusions at their base accounts for 2-45% of the surface area of an imaginary smooth cover inner layer. The protrusions have a height corresponding to 30-100% of the thickness of the cover inner layer where no recesses are formed. The ball receives a reduced spin and travel a distance upon driver shots, but receives an increased spin and is easy to control upon iron or sand wedge shots.

Abstract: A therapeutic hand exerciser includes a resilient core and a fabric exterior lining. The core is soft, pliable and smooth when squeezed. The soft smooth feel of a segmented polyurethane fabric, such as LYCRA®, also provides a more pleasurable feel than a rubber cover. The addition of the thermo plastic urethane (TPU) lining prevents the core material from passing through the fabric cover.

Abstract: A ball for baseball is proposed which has properties similar to those of ordinary balls and superior in waterproofness. The ball for baseball has a layer of woolen yarn provided around a rubber core having a baked cork inside, and an outermost layer provided around the layer of woolen yarn through a layer of cotton yarn. The outermost layer is formed from a water-impermeable resin and the total weight is 142 to 148 g.

Abstract: A durable, composite safety baseball or softball for practice or training purposes having a dual layer core comprised of an inner core of closed cell urethane and an outer core layer of relatively open cell urethane and covered with an outer cover of real or simulated leather which is softer than a conventional game ball and is thus less injurious to players and spectators. The ball is harder than prior practice balls and has payability characteristics substantially the same as conventional game balls when hit, thrown or caught.

Abstract: A baseball includes a spherical core of foamable material and three layers of foamable material engaged on the spherical core and a cover layer engaged on the three layers. The intermediate layer of the three layers includes a hardness and a density greater than that of the other two layers and less than that of the spherical core, for allowing the other two layers to form a cushioning device and for preventing the players from being hurt by the baseball.

Abstract: A game ball having a softer core and abrasion resistant cover is particularly well suited for play on hard pavements and cement in inner city areas. The ball has a polyurethane foam core formed from a mixture of 100 parts polyol and 33-40 parts isocyanate. The core has a compression of 0.06-0.07 inches when subjected to a force of 10 lbs. and a coefficient of restitution at 88 feet per second of less than 0.45, and preferably 0.30-0.40. A molded polyvinyl chloride plastisol cover is formed over the core, resulting in a game ball for which the ratio of the coefficient of restitution of the ball to the coefficient of restitution of the core is in the range of about 0.90-0.99. The cover preferably is a durable molded cover having a Shore A hardness of about 60-70 and a tensile strength of about 1,400-1,800 psi. The ball of the invention has restricted flight characteristics and is particularly well suited for use on smaller ball fields.

Abstract: A golf putting aid comprising first and second golf balls connected together in an abutting relationship by a threaded connector that extends into holes formed in the first and second golf balls. The first golf ball includes a center formed by a thin wall, an elastic cover wound around the thin wall, a hard cover enclosing the center and elastic cover, wherein the hole formed in the ball extends through the hard cover and terminates adjacent the center. The second golf ball also comprises a center formed by a thin wall, an elastic cover wound around the thin wall, a hard cover enclosing the center and elastic cover, wherein the hole formed in the ball extends through the hard cover and terminates adjacent the center. The threaded connector has first and second threaded ends extending into the holes and urges the first ball to abut the second ball, such that centers of the first and second golf balls are spaced apart a distance less than the length of the face of the putter.