ARTICLES OF PLAY FOR USE IN THE GAME OF CATCH

Abstract: Articles of play for use with the game of catch including a ball (20) covered with VELCRO like material (21) and a multi-layer catcher's mitt (10) with a front layer also covered in mating VELCRO (60) like material. The multi-layer mitt (10) includes a rigid concave rear layer (50), a first intermediate flexible layer (70), a second intermediate flexible layer (90), and said front layer (60) of VELCRO like material.

Description: This invention relates to a bat or mitt for use by adult players or particularly by young children for playing the game of catch. The game of catch has been played since antiquity, both as a form of play and, in more recent times, as part of a sport such as baseball, etc. As is well known, the game is played by tossing a ball (or any similar article) back and forth between two or more players, which players may catch the ball with their bare hands, or with the aid of a baseball glove, or the like. Although throwing and catching an object, such as a ball, is enjoyable and quite easy for older children or adults, a surprising amount of coordination is required to successfully play the game, which coordination is sometimes lacking in younger children still in the early stages of physical development. Therefore, although younger children are generally quite eager to attempt playing the game of catch or related sports activities, they may soon become frustrated in their efforts due to their inability to successfully catch the ball. Prior art patents exist in which mating section of VELCRO registered trademark of The Velcro Manufacturing Co.) or VELCRO like material, are used to facilitate adherence of an object to the front surface of a play article. One of the earliest of said patents is U.S. Patent No. 3,032,345, issued on May 1, 1962 to Jerome H. Lemelson. The ′345 Lemelson patent was directed to a dart game in which the front surface of the dart, and the front surface of the target, were covered with VELCRO material. Therefore, when the dart was thrown at the target, the dart would attach to the target, simulating play as with an actual game of darts, but without the danger of using steel tipped darts. A second Lemelson patent, U.S. Patent No. 3,857,566, was issued on December 31, 1974, and is directed to solving the problem of the dart disengaging from the target area due to the inherent bounce of the dart upon impact on the target. The "bounce problem" was addressed in the ′566 patent by stretching VELCRO material over a frame, which frame maintained a predetermined distance between the VELCRO material and the wall on which the frame was to be hung. Therefore, during the initial impact stage of the head of the dart against the flexible VELCRO material, the dart decelerates, without bounce, thereby preventing disengagement between the dart and the target. Although the ′566 patent addressed the "bounce problem", it did so by providing a frame structure over which the VELCRO material was stretched. Such a solution is clearly unsatisfactory for play articles to be used in the game of catch . A similar patent directed specifically to the game of catch is U.S. Patent No, 3,999,748, issued to William A. Clarke on December 28, 1976. This reference is directed to play articles useful in the game of catch, comprising a ball coated with VELCRO like material, and a mitt or glove having an outer face also covered with a VELCRO like material. The mitt or glove is a multi-layer device, consisting of a facing layer of VELCRO material, a flexible textile backing layer, and an intermediate plastic foam layer sandwiched between the backing layer and the facing layer. The entire multi-layer device is flexible in nature, without rigid parts, which construction, although not mentioned in the ′748 patent, might tend to somewhat reduce the "bounce problem". However, it is clear that the flimsy construction of the mitt described in the ′748 patent would prohibit any "hard thrown" balls due to inadequate padding and, moreover, the flexible nature of the entire glove would result in constant movement on the hand, which would make the glove very difficult for use with young children. US Patent No 4017076 discloses a target game in which each player has a disk-shaped mitt or glove across which is stretched a fabric target which enables a ball covered with strips of Velcro material to be caught. However, there is no disclosure in this patent of the need to reduce the likelihood of the ball bouncing off the mitt or glove without becoming adhered to it. It is, therefore, an object of the instant invention to provide articles of play for use with the game of catch, which articles are somewhat rigid and, thus, easily used with young children, while at the same time significantly reducing the "bounce problem". It is a further object of the instant invention to provide articles of play for use in the game of catch, which articles of play can be used with young children, but also capable of absorbing the high energy of hard thrown balls without bounce or injury to the hand and, therefore, is useful with adults as well as children. Lastly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide articles of play for use with a game of catch which are simple and economical to manufacture. In one aspect of the invention provides a bat or mitt for use by a participant in a game of catching a missile, the bat or mitt having a front layer having substantially all of its front surface defined by a multitude of irregular filamentary formations, which in use can co-operate with the formations of the missile to adhere the missile to the bat or mitt characterised in that the bat or mitt is a multi-layer bat or mitt including a rigid concave rear layer a first intermediate flexible foam layer, a second intermediate flexible foam layer and the front layer, the first intermediate flexible layer occupying a surface area less than the surface area of said rear layer and the second intermediate flexible layer occupying a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of said rear layer, said first and second intermediate layers being designed to substantially absorb any impact of the missile during the game of catch, and said front layer being retained in place by a retaining ring with an inner edge of the retaining ring extending over a portion of the front layer whereby the front layer is prevented from separating from the second intermediate flexible layer. Preferably a multi-layer mitt is provided for each participant in the game of catch, the mitt having a structure as aforesaid. The bat or mitt is for use in association with a missile having substantially all of its surface defined by a multiplicity of irregular filamentary formations that allow for adhesion of the missile to the front surface of the bat or mitt, in which case the adhesive qualities of the Velcron or similar material present both on the ball and the multi-layer mitt permit the game of catch to be readily played by very young individuals lacking advanced physical coordination. The use of said first and second intermediate flexible layers for practical purposes eliminate "bounce" when the ball strikes the mitt and also provides, in conjunction with the rigid rear layer, extensive hand protection, thereby allowing adults to play the game of catch wherein the ball can be thrown with great force and easily caught. In another aspect the invention provides a bat or mitt, for catching a missile comprises: (a) rigid means defining a shape for the bat or mitt, said rigid means having the form of a shallow generally circular dish which has a convex rear face and a concave front face bounded by an upstanding rim flange; (b) a hand grip defined by a strap on the rear face of the rigid means to permit the user to insert his fingers between the strap and the rigid means so that in use the fingers and palm of the hand are held spread against the rear face of the rigid means (Figure 1); (c) mechanical adhererent means spanning across the front face of the rigid means and forming a surface of the bat or mitt engageable in use with complementary adherent means on the surface of the missile so that the missile can attach itself releasably to the bat or mitt on impact therewith, the mechanical adherent means being a layer having its front surface defined by a multitude of irregular filamentary formations; (d) energy absorbent means comprising a layer of foam located between the mechanical adherent means and the rigid means in a multi-layer arrangement arranged so that impact of the ball on the mechanical adherent means is transmitted through the energy absorbent means to the rigid means and designed so that any impact by the missile on the bat or mitt during the game of catch is substantially absorbed and disengagement between the bat or mitt and the missile is prevented, layer of foam occupying a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of said rigid means; (e) a retaining ring that fits onto the rim flange of the rigid means with an inner edge of the retaining ring extending over and restraining a portion of the layer defining the mechanical adherent means thereby retaining the said layer of foam. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates use of the instant invention while being utilized by children for playing the game of catch; FIG. 2A is a rear view of a mitt used with the instant invention showing a non-adjustable handle; FIG. 2B is a rear view of a mitt used with the instant invention showing an adjustable handle; FIG. 3A is a front view of a mitt used with the instant invention; FIG. 3B is an alternative front view of a mitt used with the instant invention; FIG. 4A is a front view of a ball used with instant invention; FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along line A-A′ of a ball used with the subject invention showing a weighted center surrounded by a layer of foam; FIG. 4C is a cut-away view along line B-B′ of a ball used with the subject invention wherein a semi-hemisphere has been removed while the weighted center has been left intact; FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the mitt used with the instant invention; FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of an second embodiment of the mitt used with the instant invention; FIG. 6 is a top view of a mitt used with the instant invention wherein the layers of VELCRO, foam, cloth, and foam have been exposed; FIG. 7A is a side view of an embodiment of the mitt of the instant invention showing the retaining ring removed; FIG. 7B is a side view of a second embodiment of the mitt of the instant invention showing the retaining ring removed; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the top portion of a retaining ring; and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bottom of a retaining ring. Detailed Description of the Invention Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown two young children engaging in a game of catch, while using articles of play in accordance with the instant invention. Each child has on his left hand the "catcher's mitt" 10 which, as described above, has a front surface covered with a multitude of irregular filamentary formations such as VELCRO material. Ball 20 is also covered with a mating surface of irregular filamentary formations, such as VELCRO strips or, preferably, an entire VELCRO covering so that the ball will adhere to the catcher's mitt when thrown by each child. FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B illustrate a front and back view of the catcher's mitt. FIGS 2A, 3A, 5A, and 7A refer to a first embodiment of the subject mitt and FIGS 2B, 3B, 5B, 6, 7B, 8 and 9 refer to a second embodiment of the subject mitt. The rear layer 50 of the mitt is preferably made of a polyethylene material, which is very strong and makes the mitt nearly impossible to break under strong impacts. It is to be understood that the polyethylene material may be formed in the surface thereof the shape of an actual catcher's mitt. The player engages the mitt by inserting his, or her, hand under the handle 40. Preferably, the handle is adjustable to fit hands of various sizes. In a preferred embodiment, the handle comprises a strap which passes through the rigid rear layer and attaches to the cotton fabric layer 80 to further secure the VELCRO-cotton fabric layer in its center. The handle is typically adjusted by a VELCRO or other type closure. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the front surface of the mitt which, as described above, has a covering of VELCRO at area 35 covering the entire surface of the mitt. The VELCRO covering is retained in place in a manner described below, with the edges of the VELCRO being restrained by retaining ring 30. FiG. 4A illustrates a preferred embodiment of ball 20 having an outer surface 21 substantially covered with irregular filamentary formations, such as a nappy VELCRO surface. It is to be understood, however, that almost any type of ball having a surface covered with irregular filamentary formations may be utilized. This VELCRO type surface allows for adhesion of the ball to the front surface of the mitt. As illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the ball may contain a weighted center to provide ballast for increasing the distance that the ball can be thrown and for minimizing the effect of wind upon the ball. The weighted center 23 may be surrounded by any suitable material. However, it is preferred that the weighted center layer be surround by a foam layer 22. FIG. 5A and 5B illustrate cross-sectional side view of the mitt. As described, ball 20 is completely covered with a VELCRO layer for adhesion to the VELCRO front surface of the catcher's mitt. The VELCRO front surface consists of a layer of VELCRO material 60 behind which is inserted a foam layer 70, preferably of a thickness approximating 0.8 cm (one-third inch), which foam layer is backed by a cotton fabric layer 80. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable fabric may be employed. For example, fabrics such as nylon, polyester or silk may be utilized instead of cotton. Beneath the cotton fabric layer 80 is a second flexible foam layer 90, which preferably occupies an area approximately 16 cms square (3.5 inches square), and is arranged to lie within the approximate center of the catcher's mitt. The foam material utilized for both layer 90 and layer 70 is preferably a polyurethane foam. It is, of course, understood that layers 70 and 90 could be combined into a single foam layer. The total distance between layer 60 and the rear layer 50 of the mitt, is typically in the range of between about one-fourth and about two inches. Similarly, if the mitt is circular, its diameter is typically between about 15 and 30 cms (six and about twelve inches). The second embodiment of the subject invention (depicted in FIGS. 2B, 3B, 5B, 6, 7B, 8 and 9) shows the preferred manufacture of the subject invention. In this embodiment, the mitt 10 is constructed so as to eliminate the use of glue to adhere the layers both to each other and to the rigid rear layer 50. This improvement results in a substantial savings in both time and material over the construction described in the parent patent application, U.S. Serial No. 490,301, filed March 8, 1990, now US Patent 4995617. In the second embodiment, foam layer 90, fabric layer 80, foam layer 70 and VELCRO layer 60 are stacked in the rigid rear layer 50 of mitt 10. The layers may optionally be sewn to handle 40 to support them in place. Most preferably, the handle is an adjustable strap which loops above foam layer 90 thereby holding it in place. Fabric layer 80, foam layer 70 and VELCRO layer 60 are then sewn to the handle. The layers of mitt 10 are held in place by retaining ring 30. Preferably, retaining ring 30 has a plurality of teeth 31 which grip VELCRO layer 60 securely. To further assist the retaining ring in securing the layers in place, rigid rear layer 50 has a plurality of raised protrusions 51 that are preferably arranged in a pattern conforming to that of the inner edge of retaining ring 30, but defining a slightly larger perimeter. For example, if the inner edge of retaining ring 30 is circular and has a radius of 8.25 cms (three and one-quarter inches), then the arrangement of raised protrusions 51 is also circular with the inner edge of the raised protrusions 51 defining a radius of 8.6 cms (three and three-eights inches). By having this configuration, the layers are further secured between the inner edges of retaining ring 30 and the raised protrusions 51. To further aid in securing the layers, nappy VELCRO strips 61 may be attached to the perimeter of VELCRO layer 60. Preferably, these nappy VELCRO strips 61 are of a width that fits between the inner edge of the retaining ring and the edge of the rigid rear layer 50. Accordingly, the preferred method of manufacture comprises the steps of: (a) placing foam layer 90 into the concave portion of rigid rear layer 50; (b) attaching handle 40 through the openings in rigid rear layer 50 so that the handle passes over foam layer 90; (c) placing fabric layer 80 on top of handle 40 and foam layer 90; (d) placing foam layer 70 on top of fabric layer 80; (e) placing VELCRO layer 60 on top of foam layer 70; (f) sewing layers 80, 70, and 60 to handle 40; (g) attaching nappy VELCRO strips 61 to the periphery of VELCRO layer 60; and (h) snapping retaining ring 30 upon the top of VELCRO layer 60 and onto the rigid rear layer 50 so as to secure all the layers to the rigid rear layer 50 thereby forming mitt 10. It should be noted that the above method of manufacture is only a guideline and that various steps may be combined or carried out in a different order. For example, steps c, d, e and f may be combined i.e., fabric layer 80, foam layer 70 VELCRO strip 61 may be combined and attached as a single unit after step b. Also as an example, step g may occur before step f. FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a mitt in which the layers of VELCRO 60, foam 70, cloth 80 and foam 90 have been exposed. Around the inner circumference of the rigid rear layer 50 is a series of raised protrusions 51 which aid in holding the upper cloth, foam and VELCRO layers in place. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate side views of the catcher's mitt illustrating handle 40, mitt 10 and retaining ring 30. The purpose of retaining ring 30 is to ensure that the VELCRO layer does not separate when ball 20 is removed from mitt 10. The preferred retaining ring 30 (See FIGS. 7B, 8 and 9) has a plurality of teeth 31 which are on the portion of the ring that contacts the VELCRO layer. These teeth function to further secure the VELCRO layer. In the preferred embodiment a series of nappy VELCRO strips 61 are affixed to the perimeter of the VELCRO layer 60 to augment the holding ability of the retaining ring 30. It should also be understood that various portions of the mitt or ball may be made of various colors, and/or made of phosphorescent material for exciting night-time play. The advantage of the instant invention is the use of foam layers 70 and 90, which layers, are designed to substantially absorb any impact by the ball during the game of catch, and thus prevent disengagement between the ball and the mitt. They are arranged so that impact of the ball on the mechanical adherent means defined by layer 60 is transmitted through the energy absorbent layers 70, 90 to the rigid means 50. Due to the fact that the foam layers absorb approximately 60% of the impact of the ball, the ball will consistently adhere to the VELCRO front layer of the catcher's mitt, thereby ensuring a successful game of catch for young children and other relatively uncoordinated individuals. In addition, the foam layer(s) completely eliminate any "bounce problem", as well as providing adequate hand protection so that the inventive articles of play can accommodate hard thrown balls fielded by adult players.

Claims: A bat or mitt (10) for use by a participant in a game of catching a missile (20), the bat or mitt having a front layer (60) having substantially all of its front surface defined by a multitude of irregular filamentary formations, which in use can co-operate with the formations of the missile to adhere the missile (20) to the bat or mitt (10) characterised in that the bat or mitt (10) is a multi-layer bat or mitt including a rigid concave rear layer (50) a first intermediate flexible foam layer (90), a second intermediate flexible foam layer (70) and the front layer (60), the first intermediate flexible layer (90) occupying a surface area less than the surface area of said rear layer (50) and the second intermediate flexible layer (70) occupying a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of said rear layer (50), said first and second intermediate layers being designed to substantially absorb any impact of the missile during the game of catch and said front layer (60) being retained in place by a retaining ring (30) with an inner edge of the retaining ring (30) extending over a portion (61) of the front layer so that the front layer (60) is prevented from separating from the second intermediate flexible layer (70). A mitt according to claim 1, wherein means (40) is incorporated into the concave rear layer (50) for enabling each participant in the game of catch to grab the mitt in one of the participant's hands. A mitt according to claim 2, wherein the means for enabling each participant to grab the mitt (50) comprises a strap (40). A mitt according to claim 3, wherein the strap (40) is adjustable (Figures 5B, 7B). A mitt according to claim 4, wherein the strap (40) is adjustable using a multitude of interlocking filamentary formations. A mitt according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the strap (40) is attached to the mitt by passing through a void in the rigid concave rear layer (50). A mitt according to claim 6, wherein the strap passes through a void in the rigid concave rear layer (50) and is further attached to the front layer (60). A bat or mitt according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second intermediate layers (70, 90) are comprised of polyurethane foam. A bat or mitt according to any preceding claim, wherein the distance between the rear layer (50) and the front layer is between about 0.6 and 5 cms (about 1/4 to about 2 inches) and wherein the mitt (10) is circular with a radius of between about 15 and 30 cms (about 6 and 12 inches). A bat or mitt according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner edge of the retaining ring (30) comprises a plurality of teeth (31). A bat or mitt according to claim 11, wherein the teeth (31) contact a portion of the front layer (60). A bat or mitt according to any preceding claim, wherein selected portions of the mitt (10) are phosphorescent. A bat or mitt according to any preceding claim, further comprising a strip of material (61) having a multitude of irregular filamentary formations attached to an area at the perimeter of the front layer (60). A bat or mitt according to any preceding claim, wherein the rigid concave rear layer (50) comprises a plurality of raised protrusions (51). A bat or mitt according to claim 14, wherein the raised protrusions (51) are arranged in a pattern conforming to the inner edge of the retaining ring (30), but defining a slightly larger perimeter. A bat or mitt (10) for catching a missile (20), comprising: (a) rigid means (50) defining a shape for the bat or mitt, said rigid means having the form of a shallow generally circular dish which has a convex rear face (53) and a concave front face (55) bounded by an upstanding rim flange (51); (b) a hand grip defined by a strap (40) on the rear face (53) of the rigid means (50) to permit the user to insert his fingers between the strap and the rigid means so that in use the fingers and palm of the hand are held spread against the rear face of the rigid means (Figure 1); (c) mechanical adhererent means (60) spanning across the front face (55) of the rigid means (50) and forming a surface of the bat or mitt engageable in use with complementary adherent means on the surface of the missile (20) so that the missile can attach itself releasably to the bat or mitt on impact therewith, the mechanical adherent means (60) being a layer having its front surface defined by a multitude of irregular filamentary formations; (d) energy absorbent means (70, 90) comprising a layer of foam located between the mechanical adherent means (60) and the rigid means (50) in a multi-layer arrangement arranged so that impact of the ball on the mechanical adherent means (60) is transmitted through the energy absorbent means (70, 90) to the rigid means (50) and designed so that any impact by the missile (20) on the bat or mitt during the game of catch is substantially absorbed and disengagement between the bat or mitt (10) and the missile (20) is prevented, said layer of foam occupying a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of said rigid means (50); (e) a retaining ring (30) that fits onto the rim flange (51) of the rigid means with an inner edge of the retaining ring extending over and restraining a portion of the layer defining the mechanical adherent means (60) and thereby retaining the said layer of foam. A bat or mitt according to claim 16, wherein the retaining ring (30) is a snap fit onto the rigid means (50) and is arranged to hold the mechanical adherent means (60) and the energy absorbent means (70, 90) in place without adhesive.

Inventors: LEE, MIRYOUNG
Applicants: MANY AMAZING IDEAS, INC.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A63B59
IPC codes: A63B67, A63B71, A63B43, A63B59, A63B37