Ball with removable bladder

A ball kit comprising at least one shell and at least one removable bladder operative to be insertable into the at least one shell. A ball kit comprising at least one shell having at least one aperture and a plurality of removable bladders. A ball comprising a shell and a removable bladder positioned within the shell. A method of using a ball, comprising placing a removable bladder within a shell and inflating the removable bladder within the shell.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sports and game apparatuses, and more particularly, to apparatuses and systems related to balls.

BACKGROUND

Balls have been used throughout the ages for many purposes, but perhaps no purpose has been more popular than recreation, such as sports. Many sports include the use of balls, such as, but not limited to, football, soccer, volleyball, water polo, golf, baseball, basketball, pool, tennis, racquetball, rugby, and the like.

The balls that are used in these sports, especially at the professional level, must conform to strict specifications, which include size, weight, shape, texture, and durability. In most cases, however, players, especially novices, do not benefit by training with balls that adhere to professional level specifications, since their skills are usually not honed enough to manipulate the balls effectively. Accordingly, many players use training balls to train for various sports, including soccer.

Traditionally, training balls have had specifications that differ from actual game balls, such as different weights, sizes, shapes, surface textures, and the like. In some instances, such as soccer, external equipment, such as a leash, has been included to make training easier. In soccer, for example, a desirable skill a player often trains to obtain is the ability to dribble the ball well. Learning to dribble a soccer ball well can be difficult to learn, since controlling a soccer ball with one's feet can be difficult, especially when the weight of a soccer ball is either too heavy or too light for a user, or the surface texture is too slippery.

Traditionally, soccer balls used for training have included only a leash connected to the ball, which can be worn by the user, and which allows the user to practice dribbling the ball while maintaining control of the ball via the leash. Furthermore, traditional training balls have been non-configurable, thus denying the player the ability to incrementally increase or decrease the difficulty of the training by changing certain characteristics of the training ball. Therefore most training balls can be cumbersome to use, such as in the case of a soccer ball leash, and do not effectively develop a player's skills since they do not allow the player to practice without equipment such as a leash, and they do not offer the player the ability to customize the specification of the training ball, which would provide incremental stages of difficulty to help the player develop his or her skills.

SUMMARY

The various kits, balls, devices, systems, methods, and other disclosures described herein result from the realization that training for a sport can be made more effective by providing and using a kit or a ball that comprises at least one shell, such as a ball shell, and at least one removable bladder operative to be insertable into the at least one shell.

Accordingly, the various embodiments and disclosures described herein solve the limitations of the prior art in a new and novel manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIG. 1A, an embodiment of a ball kit100is shown, wherein ball kit100comprises of at least one shell102, and at least one removable bladder104operative to be insertable into at least one shell104.

In some embodiments, at least one shell102may include at least one aperture106and may be operative to receive at least one removable bladder104through at least one aperture106. In another embodiment, at least one shell102may include a plurality of apertures.

In some embodiments, at least one shell102may be made of any material, such as a rigid material, such as, but not limited to plastic, wood, straw, wicker, metal, Kevlar, polycarbonate, thermoplastics, and the like, or a flexible material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, latex, and the like.

In another embodiment, at least one shell102may be any kind of shell or may be in any kind of shape or size. In yet another embodiment, at least one shell102may be at type of shell selected from the group consisting essentially of a soccer ball shell, a football shell, a rugby ball shell, a basketball shell, a baseball shell, a volleyball shell, and a water polo ball shell. In yet another embodiment, at least one shell102may be a ball frame, such as, but not limited to, an external frame, a wireframe, and the like.

In some embodiments, at least one removable bladder104may be an inflatable bladder. In one embodiment, at least one removable bladder104may be formed of a non-stretch material, such as, but not limited to, plastic, Kevlar, and the like. In yet another embodiment, at least one removable bladder104may be formed of stretchable material, such as, but not limited to, rubber and the like. In yet a further embodiment, at least one removable bladder104may be of any shape or size, such as in the shape or size of a soccer ball, football, rugby ball, basketball, baseball, volleyball, golf ball, water polo ball, and the like. In yet another embodiment, at least one removable bladder104may be of a similar shape and/or size as at least one shell102.

In one embodiment, at least one removable bladder104may include surface elevations and/or depressions (shown as108shown inFIG. 1B) that may be of a similar shape and size of at least one aperture106or at least one shell102, and, upon inflation, may fill in at least one aperture106or a plurality of apertures in at least one shell102. In some embodiments, when at least one removable bladder104fills in at least one aperture106, an even surface may be formed along the interface between at least one shell102and at least one removable bladder104.

In yet another embodiment, at least one removable bladder104may comprise a surface texture, wherein the surface texture may be any kind of surface texture, such as, but not limited to, a smooth surface texture, a sticky surface texture, a rough surface texture, a grippy surface texture (i.e. a surface texture that tends to grip well), and the like.

In another embodiment, ball kit100comprises a plurality of removable bladders, wherein at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders comprises a different weight and is operative to be insertable into at least one shell102. In one embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders may be formed of a different material, wherein said materials may have different densities. In another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders may have different bladder thicknesses. In yet another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders may have different surface textures, such as surface textures that differ in degrees of grip, roughness, smoothness, and the like.

In another embodiment, ball kit100further comprises at least one means110for inflating at least one removable bladder104. In some embodiments, at least one means110may comprise a valve, such as, but not limited to, a Schrader valve, a presta valve, a standard sports balls inflation valves, and the like. In yet another embodiment, at least one means110may comprise a pump, such as a man-powered pump, which may include, but is not limited to, a hand pump, a foot pump and the like, or an electric pump. In yet another embodiment, at least one means110may be connected or integrated with at least one removable bladder104.

In yet another embodiment, ball kit100further comprises at least one means112for securing at least one removable bladder104to at least one shell102. In some embodiments, at least one means112may comprise a rigid object, such as a plate or cap, which may removably interlock with at least one aperture106in at least one shell102. In such embodiments, at least one means112may be screwed into, clipped into, or pressed into at least one aperture106. In some embodiments, at least one means112may comprise a magnet, a screw in cap or plate, a clip, a zipper, a button, or any other means for securing at least one removable bladder104to at least one shell102. In yet another embodiment, at least one means112for securing at least one removable bladder104to at least one shell112may be connected to and/or integrated with at least one means110for inflating at least one removable bladder104.

In yet another embodiment, when at least one removable bladder104is inflated within at least one shell102, it secures itself to at least one shell102(as shown inFIG. 1C). In some embodiments, this may be due to the tight fit between at least one removable bladder104and at least one shell102.

In a further embodiment, ball kit100comprises a plurality of shells, wherein at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells comprises a different weight and is operative to receive at least one removable bladder104. In one embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells may be formed of a different material, wherein said materials may have different densities. In another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells may have different shell thicknesses. In yet another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells may have different surface textures, such as surface textures that differ in degrees of grip, roughness, smoothness, and the like.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a ball kit200is shown in accordance with one embodiment, wherein ball kit200comprises at least one shell202, and a plurality of removable bladders204. In some embodiments, at least one shell202may include at least one aperture206and may be operative to receive at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204through at least one aperture206. In another embodiment, at least one shell202may include a plurality of apertures.

In some embodiments, at least one shell202may be made of any material, such as a rigid material, such as, but not limited to plastic, metal, wicker, wood, straw, Kevlar, polycarbonate, thermoplastics, and the like, or a flexible material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, latex, and the like.

In another embodiment, at least one shell202may be any kind of shell or may be in any kind of shape or size. In yet another embodiment, at least one shell202may be at type of shell selected from the group consisting essentially of a soccer ball shell, a football shell, a rugby ball shell, a basketball shell, a baseball shell, a volleyball shell, and a water polo ball shell. In yet another embodiment, at least one shell202may be a ball frame, such as, but not limited to, an external frame, a wireframe, and the like.

In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204may be an inflatable bladder. In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204may be formed of a non-stretch material, such as, but not limited to, plastic, Kevlar, and the like. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204may be formed of stretchable material, such as, but not limited to, rubber and the like. In yet a further embodiment, at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204may be of any shape or size, such as in the shape or size of a soccer ball, football, rugby ball, basketball, baseball, volleyball, golf ball, water polo ball, and the like. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204may be of a similar shape and/or size as at least one shell102.

In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204may include surface elevations and/or depressions (of which an example is shown as108shown inFIG. 1B) that may be of a similar shape and size of at least one aperture206or at least one shell202, and, upon inflation, may fill in at least one aperture206or a plurality of apertures in at least one shell202. In some embodiments, when at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204fills in at least one aperture206, an even surface may be formed along the interface between at least one shell202and at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204.

In yet another embodiment, at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204may comprise a surface texture, wherein the surface texture may be any kind of surface texture, such as, but not limited to, a smooth surface texture, a sticky surface texture, a rough surface texture, a grippy surface texture (i.e. a surface texture that tends to grip well), and the like.

In another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders204comprises a different weight and is operative to be insertable into at least one shell202. In one embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders204may be formed of a different material, wherein said materials may have different densities. In another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders204may have different bladder thicknesses. In yet another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of removable bladders204may have different surface textures, such as surface textures that differ in degrees of grip, roughness, smoothness, and the like.

In another embodiment, ball kit200further comprises at least one means210for inflating at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204. In some embodiments, at least one means210may comprise a valve, such as, but not limited to, a Schrader valve, a presta valve, a standard sports balls inflation valves, and the like. In yet another embodiment, at least one means210may comprise a pump, such as a man-powered pump, which may include, but is not limited to, a hand pump, a foot pump and the like, or an electric pump. In yet another embodiment, at least one means210may be connected or integrated with at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204.

In yet another embodiment, ball kit200further comprises at least one means212for securing at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204to at least one shell202. In some embodiments, at least one means212may comprise a rigid object, such as a plate or cap, which may removably interlock with at least one aperture206in at least one shell202. In such embodiments, at least one means212may be screwed into, clipped into, or pressed into at least one aperture206. In some embodiments, at least one means212may comprise a magnet, a screw in cap or plate, a clip, a zipper, a button, or any other means for securing at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204to at least one shell202. In yet another embodiment, at least one means212for securing at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204to at least one shell202may be connected to and/or integrated with at least one means210for inflating at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204.

In yet another embodiment, when at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204is inflated within at least one shell202, it secures itself to at least one shell202(as shown, for example, inFIG. 1C). In some embodiments, this may be due to the tight fit between at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204and at least one shell202.

In a further embodiment, ball kit200comprises a plurality of shells, wherein at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells comprises a different weight and is operative to receive at least one of the plurality of removable bladders204. In one embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells may be formed of a different material, wherein said materials may have different densities. In another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells may have different shell thicknesses. In yet another embodiment, at least one of and/or each of the plurality of shells may have different surface textures, such as surface textures that differ in degrees of grip, roughness, smoothness, and the like.

Referring now toFIG. 3, an embodiment of a ball300is shown, wherein ball300comprises a shell302and a removable bladder304positioned within shell302.

In some embodiments, shell302may include at least one aperture306and may be operative to receive removable bladder304through at least one aperture306. In another embodiment, shell302may include a plurality of apertures.

In some embodiments, shell302may be made of any material, such as a rigid material, such as, but not limited to plastic, metal, wood, wicker, straw, Kevlar, polycarbonate, thermoplastics, and the like, or a flexible material, such as, but not limited to, rubber, latex, and the like.

In another embodiment, shell302may be any kind of shell or may be in any kind of shape or size. In yet another embodiment, shell302may be at type of shell selected from the group consisting essentially of a soccer ball shell, a football shell, a rugby ball shell, a basketball shell, a baseball shell, a volleyball shell, and a water polo ball shell. In yet another embodiment, shell302may be a ball frame, such as, but not limited to, an external frame, a wireframe, and the like.

In some embodiments, removable bladder304may be an inflatable bladder. In one embodiment, removable bladder304may be formed of a non-stretch material, such as, but not limited to, plastic, Kevlar, and the like. In yet another embodiment, removable bladder304may be formed of stretchable material, such as, but not limited to, rubber and the like. In yet a further embodiment, removable bladder304may be of any shape or size, such as in the shape or size of a soccer ball, football, rugby ball, basketball, baseball, volleyball, golf ball, water polo ball, and the like. In yet another embodiment, removable bladder304may be of a similar shape and/or size as302.

In one embodiment, removable bladder304may include surface elevations and/or depressions (of which an example is shown as108shown inFIG. 1B) that may be of a similar shape and size of at least one aperture306or shell302, and, upon inflation, may fill in at least one aperture306or a plurality of apertures in shell302. In some embodiments, when removable bladder304fills in at least one aperture306, an even surface may be formed along the interface between shell302and removable bladder304.

In yet another embodiment, removable bladder304may comprise a surface texture, wherein the surface texture may be any kind of surface texture, such as, but not limited to, a smooth surface texture, a sticky surface texture, a rough surface texture, a grippy surface texture (i.e. a surface texture that tends to grip well), and the like.

In another embodiment, ball300further comprises at least one means310for inflating removable bladder304. In some embodiments, at least one means310may comprise a valve, such as, but not limited to, a Schrader valve, a presta valve, a standard sports balls inflation valves, and the like. In yet another embodiment, at least one means310may comprise a pump, such as a man-powered pump, which may include, but is not limited to, a hand pump, a foot pump and the like, or an electric pump. In yet another embodiment, at least one means310may be connected or integrated with removable bladder304.

In yet another embodiment, ball300further comprises at least one means312for securing removable bladder304to shell302. In some embodiments, at least one means312may comprise a rigid object, such as a plate or cap, which may removably interlock with at least one aperture306in shell302. In such embodiments, at least one means312may be screwed into, clipped into, or pressed into at least one aperture306. In some embodiments, at least one means312may comprise a magnet, a screw in cap or plate, a clip, a zipper, a button, or any other means for securing removable bladder304to shell302. In yet another embodiment, at least one means312for securing removable bladder304to shell302may be connected to and/or integrated with at least one means310for inflating removable bladder304.

In yet another embodiment, when removable bladder304is inflated within shell302, it secures itself to shell302(as shown, for example, inFIG. 3). In some embodiments, this may be due to the tight fit between removable bladder304and shell302.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a method of using a ball400is shown, wherein method400comprises placing a removable bladder within a shell (step402), and inflating the removable bladder within the shell404.

In some embodiments, the shell and removable bladder may be any of those embodiments of shells and removable bladders and kits relating thereto described throughout the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, method400may further comprise removing the removable bladder from the shell, and placing a second removable bladder within the shell. In some embodiments, the second removable bladder may have a different weight than the removable bladder that was previously within the shell.

In some embodiments, placing a removable bladder within the shell comprises placing the removable bladder within the shell through at least one aperture.

In a further embodiment, method400comprises using at least one means of securing a removable bladder to the shell to secure the removable bladder to the shell.

In yet another embodiment, method400may comprise inflating the removable bladder within the shell to secure the removable bladder to the shell.