Games using tangible projectile – Projectile – per se; part thereof or accessory therefor – Having loose internal element – containing or adapted to...
Reexamination Certificate
1996-07-11
2001-07-03
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Projectile, per se; part thereof or accessory therefor
Having loose internal element, containing or adapted to...
C473S595000, C473S567000, C473S519000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254502
ABSTRACT:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/678,664 filed Jun. 11, 1996.
The present invention relates to a ball hitting sports implement or sports ball and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to baseball or cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, tennis racquets and similar products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In view of the expensive nature of ball hitting sports implements or balls it is common practice to provide cheaper alternatives when training. Such implements are usually made of a plastics material, for example, foamed or flexible or rigid polyurethane, polyethylene, neoprene or similar materials. Traditionally, such implements or balls have lacked the necessary weight and/or weight distribution of regulation equipment and thus do not provide a realistic and specific training effect of regulation equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball hitting sports implement or sports ball made from a plastics material which has the necessary weight and weight distribution to provide a more accurate simulation of the regulation implement or ball.
With this object in view the present invention may provide in a preferred aspect a ball hitting sports implement or sports ball having an outer body of rubber or plastics material and an internal cavity for reception of a weighting device for said implement or ball.
In one preferred embodiment said cavity includes at least one shock absorber abutting said weighting device. Preferably said at least one shock absorber comprises a shock absorber abutting opposite ends of said weighting device. In a further preferred embodiment a pair of shock absorbers are provided at opposite ends of said weighting device. In a practical embodiment said weighting device is in granular form.
In yet a further preferred embodiment said weighting device is formed of a solid or hollow shock absorbing material, e.g. a resilient high density solid rubber.
In one embodiment of the invention, closure members are provided at the opposite ends of a hollow casing. Shock absorbers are confined within the casing by the closure members. A weight is disposed within the casing between the shock absorbers. The weight may be defined by a plurality of granules confined within an enclosure in the casing between the shock absorbers. Alternatively, the weight may be defined by a solid member. The casing may be in the shape of a baseball bat. Alternatively, a tube may be disposed within the casing and may be closed by the end caps. The shock absorbers and the weight may be confined within the tube by the end caps.
The arrangement described above may also be provided in different types of balls. For example, end caps may be provided at the opposite ends of a hollow main body shaped to define the central portion of a football. Shock absorbers may be disposed with the hollow main body at positions interior to the end caps. A weight may be disposed within the hollow main body between the shock absorbers. The weight may be solid or formed from granules. Stoppers may be disposed in the hollow main body between the shock absorbers and the end caps. The stoppers may be glued at first ends to the shock absorbers and at second ends to the end caps.
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Fulwider Patton et al.
Graham Mark S.
Roston Ellsworth R.
Sport Fun, Inc.
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