Abstract:
A toy ball is disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the toy balls comprise a ball with a hollow interior wherein the ball has a minimum diameter of fifteen inches or greater; and a pocket coupled to the ball wherein the pocket includes an opening sized to accept a human hand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/319,744, filed on Apr. 7, 2016 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present patent document relates to large balls with pockets. Preferably, the balls are inflated and include a pocket designed to allow a human hand to be received. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In recent times, oversized decals of sports figures have been popular with fans. In general, oversized objects may take numerous forms and may be used for numerous types of play patterns and not just as decals for decorative purposes. 
         [0004]    One example of an oversized product that could provide a number of different play patterns is an oversized ball. However, large balls are difficult for the human hand to grasp, manipulate and/or throw. The difficulty in handling the large balls reduces the utility of the toy. What is needed are large balls that may be more easily handled by a human. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0005]    Large balls that include a pocket sized to accept a human hand are provided. The purpose of the pocket is to allow a human to hold the oversized ball with a single hand. Accordingly, various embodiments of oversized balls are provided. In some embodiments, the oversized ball comprises: an outer surface formed around an inner volume of gas wherein the outer surface has a minimum diameter of fifteen inches or greater; and a second piece of material including an opening and an outer edge that traverses three-hundred and sixty degrees around the opening, wherein the second piece of material is coupled to the outer surface around all three-hundred and sixty degrees of the outer edge and forms a pocket between the outer surface and the second piece of material wherein the pocket is large enough to insert a human hand through the opening. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the outer surface and the second piece of material are both made from the same material. In some of those embodiments, the outer surface and second piece of material are both made from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic, rubber and vinyl. 
         [0007]    The second piece of material that forms the pocket and the oversized ball may be coupled in a number of ways. In preferred embodiments, the outer surface and second piece of material are coupled by heat sealing. In other embodiments, the outer surface and second piece of material are coupled by pressure sealing. 
         [0008]    The ball may be made in various large sizes. In some embodiments, the outer surface has a minimum diameter of twenty inches or greater. In other embodiments, the minimum diameter may be as much as 30 inches, 40 inches or even 50 inches. 
         [0009]    The pocket may be designed in various different ways. In some embodiments, the outer edge is generally round in shape and the opening is centered within the outer edge. In other embodiments, the outer edge is generally rectangular and the opening is centered about both a short and long axis of the rectangle. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, an oversized ball and pocket are provided. In some embodiments, the oversized ball and pocket comprise: a ball with a hollow interior wherein the ball has a minimum diameter of fifteen inches or greater; a skin made from a second material different from the ball wherein skin encases the ball; and a pocket formed in the outside of the skin wherein the pocket is sized to receive a human hand. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the skin and pocket are made from cloth. In yet other embodiments, an interface between the skin and the pocket surrounds the opening in all  360  degrees. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the ball is inflated. In yet other embodiments, the hollow interior is filled with a light material. The light weight material may be feathers, foam, stuffing material or some other light material. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the present invention, a toy ball is provided. In some embodiments, a toy ball comprises a ball with a hollow interior wherein the ball has a minimum diameter of fifteen inches or greater; and a pocket coupled to the ball and including an opening sized to accept a human hand. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a ball with a pocket accordingly to one aspect of the present patent document. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates an e view of the embodiment of a ball with a pocket of  FIG. 1  with a human hand inserted in the pocket. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of a ball with a pocket accordingly to another embodiment of the present patent document. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of a ball with a pocket of  FIG. 3  with a human hand inserted in the pocket. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a pocket design for use with oversized balls. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a pocket design for use with oversized balls. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of an oversized football with a team logo. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of an oversized baseball with a team logo. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of an oversized soccer ball with a team logo. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of an oversized basketball with a team logo. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  illustrates a plurality of play patterns for an oversized ball with a pocket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a ball  10  with a pocket  12  accordingly to one aspect of the present patent document. Preferably, the ball  10  is some type of sports ball like a baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer ball, football, golf ball, rugby ball, tennis ball or any other type of ball associated with a sport or athletic event. However, the ball does not have, to be associated with a sport and may just be a regular ball. 
         [0026]    The ball shown in  FIG. 1  is round. However, other embodiments may use other shapes such as oval, oblong, hexagonal, square or any other shape. Specifically, the term ball is not limited to round ball. As mentioned above, preferably the ball is imitating a sports ball and therefore, takes the shape of that particular ball. For example, the ball could be shaped like a football or rugby ball. Accordingly, the term “ball” as used herein is not limited to round. 
         [0027]    Embodiments of the balls in the present patent document differ from normal balls in that they are oversized or larger than normal. In preferred embodiments, the balls have a diameter that is so large that a human hand cannot grasp the object with one hand. Unlike the normal size of sports balls like baseballs, footballs, tennis balls, soccer balls and even volleyballs and basketballs, which may all be held with one hand, the balls described herein may not be easily grasped with one hand. 
         [0028]    A men&#39;s basketball has a diameter of 9.55 inches and is about the largest ball a human can grasp in one hand. For many people, even a basketball has a diameter that makes it too large to grasp in one hand. The embodiments herein, have a diameter larger than the diameter of a basketball. Preferably,the diameter of the balls described herein are at least 1.5× the diameter of a basketball. In other embodiments, the diameter of the embodiments described herein are larger than 20 inches, 30 inches, 40 inches or even 50 inches. More preferably, the largest diameter of the balls described herein is between 20 inches and 40 inches. 
         [0029]    As may be seen in  FIG. 1 , the embodiments described herein include a pocket  12 . The pocket is constructed of a layer of material  16  that is coupled along an interface  18  to the surface of the ball  10 . The pocket forms an opening  14  to allow the insertion of a human hand.  FIG. 2  shows the ball  10  of  FIG. 1  with a human hand inserted in the pocket  12  via the opening  14 . As may be seen, the human hand slides between the additional layer of material  16  and the surface of the hall  10 . 
         [0030]    The purpose of the pocket  12  is to allow a human to hold the oversized ball  10  with a single hand. To this end, the pocket may be sealed at interface  18  to form a snug fit such that a hut a hand will not easily slip out of the pocket  12 . 
         [0031]    In preferred embodiments, the hall  10  is an inflatable ball which is primarily filled with gas to acquire its oversized shape. However, other types of balls  10  may be used including balls that are not inflated but may be hollow, balls that are made of foam or other light materials such as feathers, stuffed balls, or even solid or partially solid balls. 
         [0032]    The balls  10  described herein may be made of various different materials. In preferred embodiments, the balls are made of rubber, plastic, nylon, vinyl or some derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the pocket  12  and the ball are formed of the same material and in other embodiments, they may be formed of different materials. 
         [0033]    The interface  18  between the additional layer of material  16  and the surface of the ball  10  may also be formed in a number of different ways. As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , where the ball and additional layer of made of a plastic, rubber, vinyl or other such material, the interface  18  may be formed by heat sealing or pressure sealing the additional layer  16  to the surface of the ball. In other embodiments, the interface  18  may be formed using glue, stitching, Velcro or any other type of fastener. 
         [0034]    In preferred embodiment, the interface  18  forms a complete circle, oval or similar form around the opening  14 . By creating an interface  18  that is formed in all 360 degrees around the opening  14 , the pocket  12  is held more securely on the ball  10 . In other embodiments, the interface  18  may not be formed completely around the opening  14  and may have a half circle, horseshoe, or other shape. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of a ball  10  with a pocket  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the ball  10  is placed inside a skin  15  that encases the ball  10 . The pocket  12  is then integrated into the skin  15  instead of directly onto the surface of the ball  10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the skin  15  completely encases the ball  10 . However, in other embodiments, the skin  15  may be a mesh or strap system. In yet other embodiments other methods of indirectly coupling the pocket  12  to the ball  10  may be used. As may be seen in  FIG. 3 , the pocket  12  is formed by an additional layer  16  that is coupled to the skin  15  via the interface  18 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the skin and pocket are made of material such as cloth and the additional layer  16  is stitched to the skin  15  to form the pocket  12 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 3  with a human hand inserted into the pocket  12 . In preferred embodiments, the pocket  12  is designed such that a human hand may be easily inserted and removed to facilitate manipulation of the ball  10  with a single human hand. Ideally, the pocket  12  provides a human many of the same capabilities with the oversized ball  10  that may be experienced with a smaller ball including but not limited to, grasping and manipulating with one hand and even throwing with one hand. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates a hole  14  centered version of a pocket  12 . As may be seen in  FIG. 5 , the interface  18  is generally round as is the hole  14 . The hole  14  is centered in the middle of the additional layer of material  16 . Accordingly, a pocket is formed in which a hand may be entered in any orientation. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a pocket  12 . As may be seen in  FIG. 6 , the additional layer  16  is generally rectangular and the hole  14  is centered about both the short and long axis of the rectangle. The embodiment of a pocket  12  shown in  FIG. 6  is designed to allow a human hand to be entered in two orientations. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a football  10  with a team logo  20 . For promotional purposes and in order to make the oversized balls into fan memorabilia, a logo  20  may be added to the oversized balls  10 . The logo is preferably of a sports team related to the specific sport the ball is modelled after. To this end, balls  10  may be colored or decorated in order to represent any team or sport including adding stripes or stitching for basketball or baseball and/or logos  20  and/or using colors specifically associated with a specific team. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of a baseball  10  with a team logo  20 . The ball  10  is further decorated with stitching to make the ball appear like a baseball.  FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of a soccer ball  10  with a team logo  211 .  FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a basketball  10  with a team logo  20 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 11  illustrates a number of play patterns that may be used with the embodiments described herein. For example, the oversized balls may be used at stadiums to entertain fans the stands. The oversized balls may he used for play in a modified version of the original game. The oversized balls may be used as decoration in a fans house. The oversized balls may be used to show team spirit. Many other play patterns are possible. 
         [0042]    In some uses, the pocket may have additional advantages including making it easier to hang the ball for display or storage. For instance, the pocket may engage a hook or other flat accessory to suspend or secure the ball. 
         [0043]    Although the embodiments have been described with reference to preferred configurations and specific examples, it will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and adaptations of the oversized balls with a pocket are possible without departure from the spirit and scope of the inventions. Thus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the embodiments.