Abstract:
An apparatus that is adapted for enhanced curving when thrown specifically designed to aid in throwing to produce a curve effect and a method for throwing that enhances a curved trajectory. The object includes a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, the structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing the structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first hemisphere.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/756,176 filed on Jan. 13, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to thrown balls, particularly to soft balls specifically designed for young children to easily curve when thrown. 
         [0003]    Baseball is a popular sport in the United States and people of all ages enjoy varying degrees of participation. Many children enjoy learning various elements of baseball, including throwing, pitching, hitting, and fielding. Of particular interest in pitching and hitting is experience in pitching and hitting a curveball. 
         [0004]    The curveball is a type of breaking ball in baseball thrown with a grip and hand motion that imparts forward spin to the ball. This causes it to “break,” that is, to fly in a more exaggerated curve than would be expected. The pitch is slower than a fastball, and this difference in speed also tends to disrupt the hitter&#39;s timing. A good curveball drops sharply as it reaches the plate, causing the batter to swing above it. 
         [0005]    It is a common misconception that throwing a curveball requires a wrist snapping motion during the release of the ball. To properly throw a curveball, the pitcher cocks the wrist inward so that upon release the ball rolls forward over his index finger, creating the desired spin. The Magnus effect then produces a downward force on the ball; this combines with the force of gravity to make the ball curve down. 
         [0006]    Mastering the techniques and variations of throwing a proper curveball and its variations are hard, especially for young children. Without experience throwing curveballs, there is an often limited opportunity for children to learn to recognize and hit curveballs. 
         [0007]    Further, balls for very young children, particularly when throwing a curve, are harder to throw and field accurately. Having a ball made of soft material is important to reducing risk of injury and damage. Another way that children, particularly young children, are at risk when learning about a curveball is that they may apply torques to their arms, shoulders, and connecting tissue that is inappropriate and potentially damaging in an effort to throw a “bigger curve” particularly with many conventional balls. 
         [0008]    The Wiffle ball was invented by David N. Mullany of Shelton, Conn. in 1953 when he designed a ball that curved easily for his 12-year old son. It was named when his son and his friends would refer to a strikeout as a “wiff” (actually whiff). A classic Wiffle ball is about the same size as a regulation baseball and is hollow plastic no more than ⅛th of an inch thick. One hemisphere is perforated with eight ¾″ inch oblong holes, with a solid second hemisphere. This construction allows pitchers to throw a tremendous variety and size of curveballs. Wiffle balls are typically packaged with a hollow, hard plastic, yellow bat that measures 30 inches in length and about 1.25 inches in diameter. The bat is manufactured for The Wiffle Ball, Inc., by another company. 
         [0009]    Also, Easton has a foam training baseball that uses a spiral pattern to create a curveball. It is not user-friendly, and particularly not user friendly for young children wanting to learn to throw, control, hit, and/or catch a curveball. The Easton devices include a ball having a hemisphere provided with a series of concentric circular slots. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a ball adapted for children wanting to learn to throw, control, hit, and/or catch a curveball. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Disclosed is an apparatus that is adapted for enhanced curving when thrown specifically designed to aid in throwing to produce a curve effect and a method for throwing that enhances a curved trajectory. The object includes a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, the structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing the structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first hemisphere. 
         [0012]    More specifically, the apparatus includes a ball, having a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter in a range of about two inches to about six inches, the structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove, continuous around a great circle equator, dividing the structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the outer surface including a plurality of longitudinally-extending slots in the first hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first hemisphere; wherein the structure consists essentially of a low-density material; and wherein the groove has a depth in a range of about two millimeters to about two inches and a width in a range of about two millimeters to about two inches. 
         [0013]    A method includes a) throwing an object, the object including a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, the structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing the structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first hemisphere; and b) imparting a spin to the object while throwing to rotate the object about the pole wherein the groove does not significantly precess and appears to a thrower as a generally straight line perpendicular to an axis of rotation wherein the object curves generally in a direction of the first hemisphere. 
         [0014]    A preferred embodiment of the unique invention embodied here includes a combination of a center groove with a pattern of hemisphere grooves. A ball having hemisphere grooves only without the center groove generally curves, but only slightly. Similarly, embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced curve action by use of the longitudinally extending slots (and further enhanced by the center groove) offer improvements over concentric slots and waffle-type slots. The novel addition of the center groove, among other structures as disclosed herein, creates a performance increase, providing significant additional curve. Further, the use of the center groove to define and reinforce a (with the feedback system) more natural, less-stressful throwing action is safer for the user, particularly children and young children and is an advantage, particularly when compared to conventional systems lacking this feedback system (e.g., Easton and Wiffle). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a first hemisphere view of a curveball; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a second hemisphere view of the curveball of  FIG. 1  illustrating a plurality of slots; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the ball of  FIG. 1  illustrating a center equatorial circumferential groove separating the first hemisphere from the second hemisphere. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a first hemisphere view of a curveball  100  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Curveball  100  includes a first hemisphere  105  that optionally includes patterning  110 , such as for example stitching (real or simulated). Curveball  100  is preferably adapted to be safely and efficiently thrown by all users, particularly adapted to children, and most particularly adapted for use by very young children. Curveball  100  is thus desirably not too large and made to be light-weight and soft. Preferably, curveball  100  is solid and generally spherical having a diameter about in the range of two inches to six inches though other sizes may be used for particular implementations. Curveball  100  is preferably made of low-density closed cell foams, such as polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EV, VA, EM), polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene (EPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethacrylimide (PMI), polymeric, viscoelastic, reconstituted chip (Recon), low-density closed cell polymer, and combinations and the like. Harder materials may optionally be used in some instances. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a second hemisphere  205  view of curveball  100  of  FIG. 1  illustrating a plurality of slots  210 . Slots  210  are preferably disposed in a surface of curveball  100 , having a range of different shapes such as the generally triangular shape shown, as well as other appropriate and/or desirable slot shapes including dimples, vanes, and other depressions or in some cases protrusions or surface extensions making them not true slots but airflow altering structures in a more generic description. Each slot extends generally longitudinally from an equator  215  to a pole  220 . In the preferred embodiment, slots  210  extend generally perpendicular to the equator and pole, however in some embodiments slots may extend is a sloped, angled, spiral-wrapped, or other direction or combination of directions when progressing from equator  215  to pole  220 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the ball of  FIG. 1  illustrating a center equatorial circumferential groove  305  separating first hemisphere  105  from second hemisphere  205 . Groove  305  has a width and depth partially dependent upon a diameter of curveball  100 . Groove  305  is preferably a continuous equatorially-circumferential (great circle) groove with a depth from about two millimeters to about two inches. Groove  305  similarly has a width of about two millimeters to about two inches. In some cases, groove  305  may be substituted with a surface pattern or for an intermittent groove. 
         [0022]    Groove  305 , in addition to the performance enhancement, provides a visual indicator/feedback system to a user throwing curveball  100 . A preferred way to throw curveball  100  is to impart an axial spin about pole  220  when thrown so that groove  305  is seen as a solid line as it advances away from the user. When the user is able to throw curveball  100  with this spin and to provide for minimal precession of groove  305  while curveball  100  is airborne and spinning, curveball  100  will curve towards second hemisphere  205 /pole  220 . 
         [0023]    To enhance this feedback system, it is an aspect of the preferred embodiment that groove  305  be visually distinct/contrasting to the hemispheres so that the user is able to easily detect correct spin/throwing technique. For example, the hemispheres may be a dark (e.g., black or white) color and groove  305  may be a contrasting color (e.g., bright/fluorescing green (in the case of black), red (in the case of white) or other color). This groove  305  in this form not only improves aesthetics, but helps to improve use and technique. 
         [0024]    Embodiments of the present invention include a foam/soft baseball or softball size ball that can be thrown with a regular arm motion so that anyone can throw a curveball. The ball has a plurality of grooves cut into one hemisphere and a groove cut through the circumference of the ball perpendicular to the hemisphere grooves. The combination of these unique patterns creates a soft baseball that is able to achieve great curve with a regular arm motion. When embodiments of the invention are thrown so that the center groove is perpendicular to the ground and the ball is spinning then these embodiments will curve in the direction of the hemisphere grooves. 
         [0025]    In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0027]    Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear. 
         [0028]    As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0029]    The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0030]    Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.