Game ball

A ball structure utilizing a plurality of annular elements or disk-like members placed in side-by-side disposition with one another. Each of the members are constructed of soft, flexible, foam material. The side-by-side members are bound together at one place to cause compression of the foam material. The side-by-side members are bound at a second place along each of the annular members substantially opposite to the first binding place. Such dual binding causes compression of the soft flexible foam material forming the annular members into a ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a novel structure for a toroidal ball. 
Many games enjoyed by men and women employ playing games with objects such 
as balls. Many of these balls are hard, requiring protective mitts and 
open space to prevent damage to structures and objects, as well as persons 
in the vicinity the ball game. 
Foam plastic material has been used the construction of balls which may be 
employed in such games as baseball, football, basketball, and the like. 
Such foam constructed balls have found great acceptance in indoor in 
confined spaces. Likewise, children may safely play with such balls 
without the possibility of injuring one another. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,959 describes a ball which may be formed of flexible 
material and is formed by using a pair of intertwined helices which are 
fastened to one another. U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,276 and German patent No. 
963,098 describe a ball-like object which is formed by binding the foam 
members in a central region on a retaining rod. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 115,252 and 513,560 describe ball-like structures which are 
form by fastening semi-circular rings or hoops together. 
A spheroidal object such as a ball which is form by foam material in an 
integral format would be a notable advance in the field of games and 
athletics. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful ball of 
spheroidal shape is provided. 
The ball of the present invention employs a plurality of annular or 
disk-like members in side-by-side disposition. The members may possess a 
circular, rectangular, ring, triangular, polygonal or other 
cross-sectional configurations. The surfaces of the members may be flat or 
bulging, as desired, each producing a ball of particular form and shape 
for a particular use. 
The plurality of members and side-by-side disposition are all constructed 
of soft, flexible material such as plastic foam. First means is employed 
for binding the side-by-side members together to cause compression of the 
soft flexible material at one point. The second means is also employed for 
binding the side-by-side members together at a place substantially 
opposite to the first binding means. Again, the second binding means 
causes compression of the soft flexible foam-like material to determine 
the shape of the ball. The ball may be spherical, oval, or any spheroidal 
shape, oblate, prolate, or otherwise. For example, the ball may take the 
shape of a football employed in that game. 
It may be apparent that a novel and useful ball of spheroidal shape has 
been described. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ball of 
spheroidal shape which is constructed of soft foam-like material and is 
safe for use in confined spaces and safe for employment by children. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball constructed of 
soft foam-like material which is simple to grip when playing the ball 
game. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ball of soft 
foam-like material which is relatively simple to manufacture. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ball of soft 
foam-like material which is composed of a plurality of elements bound 
together, yet possessing the attributes of a ball formed of a unitary 
piece of foam-like material. 
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns 
particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent 
as the specification continues.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following 
detailed description of the preferred embodiments which should be taken in 
conjunction with the prior described drawings. 
The invention as a whole is shown in the drawings by reference character 
10. The ball or spheroidal object 10 is constructed of a plurality of soft 
foam-like elements 12. Such material may be polyurethane foam, natural or 
synthetic rubber, vinyl, or similar material. 
Elements 12 may take the form of a plurality plastic foam annular members 
14, such as those shown on FIGS. 3, 5-12, or plurality of disk-like 
members 16 illustrated in FIGS. 13-17. For example FIG. 3 describes an 
annular member 18 having a ring structure 20 formed about a central 
opening 22. The outer edge surface 24 of annular member 18 is relatively 
flat, although this is not deemed to be a restriction on the present 
invention. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it may be seen that annular 
member 26 is depicted therein having a scalloped or removed portion 28 
near the central cavity 30. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate annular members 32 
and 34 which may include a large central opening 36 and a relatively small 
central opening 38, respectively. It should be noted that annular member 
34 is shown with a partial central opening 38 which will be discussed 
hereinafter. FIGS. 9-12 picture, in section, annular members 40, 42, 44, 
and 46 which may also be employed in the ball 10 of the present invention. 
Annular member 44, FIG. 11, may be air-filled and sealed. 
A plurality of foam elements 12 may also take the form of a plurality of 
disk-like members 16 such as those shown in FIGS. 13-17. FIGS. 13-15 
depicts a disk-like element 48 having an outer surface 50 which bulges 
between ends 52 and 54. With reference to FIG. 13, disk-like member 48 
appears to be ovoid in shape, however a crease 56 marks the slope 
downwardly of side portions 58 and 60 from the bulges on surface 50. 
Another crease 62 is found on the side opposite that illustrated in FIG. 
13. It should be realized, that crease 56 may be nonexistence such that 
surfaces 58 and 60, and comparable surfaces on the other side of disk-like 
member 48, merge smoothly. Again, a central opening 64 may be formed in 
member 48. With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, a disk-like member 66 is 
depicted having a pair of oval surfaces 68 and 70 between a flat 
rectangular edge surface 72. It should be observed that FIG. 8 depicts a 
circular annular member which may take the form of a circular disk-like 
member by the removal of central opening 38. 
The invention also includes first binding means 74 which may in the form of 
a cord 75 which is wrapped or sewn through plurality of foam elements 12 
which are initially placed in side-by-side deposition relative to one 
another Means 74 may also take the form of gluing, welding or the like not 
utilizing a cord. Annular member 18, FIG. 3, has been used as an example 
in FIGS. 1 and 2 for forming ball 10, however any of the plurality of 
annular members 14 or disk-like members 16 may be employed in this regard. 
Second binding means 76 is employed to cause compression of the soft 
flexible foam material of plurality of foam elements 12 at a place along 
the annular member substantially opposite to first means 74 for binding 
plurality of foam elements 12. Again, second binding means 76 may be in 
the form of a cord or line 77 which has been tightened or sewn through the 
foam elements 12. It should be noted that slight depressions 78 and 80 are 
formed by this process, not detracting appreciably from the generally 
spheroidal shape of the formed ball 10. The remaining plurality of annular 
members 14 and disk-like elements 16 may also be formed into balls or 
spheroidal objects using first and second binding means 74 and 76. As an 
example, the ovoid and oval disk-like elements depicted in 13-17 would be 
formed into a prolate or oblate spheroids similar to a football. 
Turning to FIG. 4, it may be observed that a cover element 82 may be formed 
over ball 10 to protect the same from moisture, dust, and general wear. In 
such a format, ball 10 would serve as a core within cover element 82. 
Any of the balls or spheroidal elements 10 formed in this invention have 
been observed to be safe for indoor or confined space usage and are 
particularly easily manipulated by children, since each of the plurality 
of the bound annular or disk-like members 14, 16, presents a gripping 
surface for small hands. 
While in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been set 
forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete 
disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the 
art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing 
from the spirit and principles of the invention.