This invention relates to a baseball, and more particularly, to an instructional baseball which is designed to curve more dramatically when thrown than that of a conventional baseball. The instructional baseball is intended to help pitchers learn the art of throwing curveballs. Generally, according to the principle behind throwing a curveball, as the ball travels through the air in a spinning motion, the side which is spinning toward the direction of travel is traveling at a greater speed than the side which is spinning away from the direction of travel and therefore, the side which is traveling at a higher speed has more drag forces applied to it, creating a Magnus force which moves the ball in a sideward, curving direction. This invention is intended to increase the drag forces on the spinning baseball creating a larger Magnus force which results in improved curving action compared to conventional baseballs. With conventional baseballs, the general surface of the baseball provides some drag forces against the ball, although, much of the drag forces are created from the stitching or seam area of the ball when it is thrown with a rotating spin. Some balls are provided having raised seams to help obtain more action on the ball for both pitching and general play. Learning the art and skill of throwing a curveball is a very difficult process. Even if the pitcher uses the proper techniques it is sometimes hard to see the results, especially when first learning. The premise of this new baseball is that it will exaggerate and highlight the curve rate so that a pitcher will know whether or not that the techniques that are being used are correct. Once the pitcher believes that the techniques are proper, he can then build upon them making the learning process simpler.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,942 B1 describes and claims a baseball that is designed for repeated use with a pitching machine. The baseball has a smooth surface upon which a plurality of dimples or indentations are provided. The said indentations serve to induce turbulent airflow over the surface of the baseball, thereby reducing the drag on the ball and serving to stabilize the flight of the ball. The ball further includes a plurality of slot-shaped depressions formed in a pattern similar to the stitch pattern of an actual baseball.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,477 relates to a baseball which includes a core and two 8-shaped cover pieces which are glued to the outer surface of the core. The outer surface also has an 8-shaped seam designed to form two 8-shaped recesses into which the two 8-shaped covers are received. The seam has a number of bulges intended to simulate the stitches of a typical baseball.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,273 relates to a construction for a baseball or softball having a raised seam for better pitching performance where the underlying hot melt adhesive has the same durometer hardness comparable to that of the core of the ball, so that the ball will perform in the same manner whether it is hit on or off of the seam.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,813 relates to an instructional baseball designed for teaching the proper manner of throwing a curveball. The instructional baseball comprises a generally spherical ball having a continuous seam, in the same manner as a typical baseball. The seam pattern creates four horseshoe shaped boundary areas on the surface of the ball, also in the same manner as a typical baseball. In the center of each of each boundary is a depression, each having substantially the same volume. The purpose of said depressions is to create a greater drag force against surface of the ball to increase the rate in which the ball will curve.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,783 relates to a practice baseball designed to curve in a controllable manner when thrown in the same manner in which a conventional ball is thrown as a straight ball. The practice baseball is mostly spherical except for one area which is flat. This ball is intended to help train batters in the skill of hitting curveballs. The pitching techniques used to curve this ball differ from that of pitching techniques used to curve a conventional baseball; therefore this ball does not make a practical pitch training aid.
An object of the current invention is to provide an instructional baseball designed to help pitchers learn how to throw curveballs.
Another object of the invention is to provide a baseball which, when pitched with a rotating spin, curves greater then conventional balls that have the same amount of spin.
It is another object of the invention to provide a baseball which has the same size and weight of a conventional baseball.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a baseball that has a similar shape and feel as a conventional baseball.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an instructional softball which has the same characteristics of the instructional baseball, except that is larger in size and weight.
Briefly, a baseball made in accordance with the present invention comprises a generally spherical body member formed with single recessed V-shaped groove, projected inward from the surface of the body member, and following a lined figure-8 path around the outer surface of the body member, basically in the same manner as that of the seam or stitching of a conventional baseball. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, inserted into the V-groove and following the
The accompanying drawings, which provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIGS. 15(a)-15(e) are broken away cross sectional views showing other variations of the profile of fin member 81, including positive and negative tapers, spaced depressions in the surface, foraminous and foam.
With reference to the drawings, and in particular to
In use, baseball 10 is thrown by the pitcher with a rotating spinning motion. This is accomplished by rolling the pitcher's wrist upon releasing baseball 10. As baseball 10 travels through the air in a spinning manner, air is forced against fin 41 of vent member sections 40, creating greater drag forces against the ball which results in a greater Magnus force, moving the ball in a side curving motion. The pitcher holds baseball 10 in a manner similar to the manner he would hold a conventional baseball. Cross braces 42 and the outer surface 43 of vent member section 40 fill in the V-notched gap around fin member 41, allowing the pitcher's fingers to remain on the outer peripheral surface of baseball 10.
The concept of increasing the drag forces on baseball 10 could also be used in the design of a softball, enabling softball pitchers to also learn the art of throwing curveballs more effectively.
A broken away portion of modified body member 60 of baseball 10′ is shown in
In another modified embodiment,
Preferably, fin 81 is made integral with body member 80 and extends outwardly from surface 82 sufficiently that the opposed face wall surfaces 81a and 81b are positioned substantially in the air stream formed upon throwing the ball. Wall surfaces 81a, 81b are generally parallel to each other however, if desired, a slight taper can be provided, either positive or negative, i.e., the thickness of the wall decreases or increases respectively as one goes from surface 82 to the free distal end of the fin. Further, the fin could be formed with a roughened surface or with selected depressions. The average thickness of the fin can range generally from 0.01 to 0.125 inches, depending on the specific material employed. The height of the fin is selected to be generally between 0.25 and 0.50 inches. Whatever material and form thereof is selected, it should have the characteristic of quickly returning to its original configuration once released from a deformed condition as well as being durable and capable of withstanding the affects of being continuously struck by bats and of itself striking objects.
Rotating a ball having a fin 81 positioned in the air stream will significantly increase the drag thereby enhance curvature in the path of the ball when it is thrown. As noted above, materials that are porous or foraminous in nature are particularly effective in increasing drag.
It will be understood that the invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the described embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/950,548, filed Sep. 28, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10950548 | Sep 2004 | US |
Child | 11446885 | Jun 2006 | US |