MULTI-BALL DEVICE FOR PITCHING TRAINING

Abstract

Described herein are ball devices that can be used for training athletes how to properly throw, and more specifically, that can be used to train softball pitchers. The ball devices described here, referred to as multi-balls, include two or more balls (e.g., softballs and/or baseballs): a primary ball, and one or more secondary balls. The secondary ball(s) can be attached to the primary ball in any number of different arrangements. The secondary ball(s) can be detachable from and re-attachable to the primary ball to allow for customization. The attachability/detachability can be achieved using any number of mechanisms, such as but not limited to a threaded connection. Multi-balls according to the present disclosure provide improvement over prior art double balls, including better customization, better weight distribution, better suitability for visual pitch analysis, and better suitability for less experienced/younger/smaller pitchers, among other improved capabilities.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field

This disclosure is directed generally toward multi-ball devices. More specifically, this disclosure is directed toward multi-ball softballs and similar devices that can be used in training users, such as pitchers, how to throw the ball in a certain way (e.g., how to throw certain types of pitches).

Description of the Related Art

A typical softball has a circumference of approximately 11-12″ and a weight of 6.25 to 7.0 oz. (177-198 g). The ball is typically made of a core of kapok, cork and/or rubber, a polyurethane mixture, or other materials known in the art. The core is typically covered in leather, and seams are included. The seams can be used by a pitcher or other thrower of the ball to provide enhanced grip, and also to provide variance in ball path when the ball is airborne.

Softball pitchers utilize many different grips and throwing techniques in order to throw different pitches in different ways. The ability of a pitcher to user their fingers to spin the ball in the desired manner is paramount to pitcher success. One device that is often used by pitchers to practice achieving the proper spin is a double ball 100, shown in FIG. 1. A typical double ball 100 includes two softballs 102 of equal size, most commonly the size used by the user in competition. The two softballs are permanently attached to one another, such as by placing an aperture in each of the balls and attaching them via a dowel and adhesive. The double ball 100 is beneficial for training because it is twice as heavy as the standard softball and thus more difficult to manipulate; and because it is easy to visibly determine the manner in which the double ball is spinning compared to a single ball, due to the double ball's double-spherical shape. The user can thus conduct a visual analysis of the effectiveness of their throwing motion and finger usage on the spin of the double ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals and characters are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the inventive embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described exemplary embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the inventive embodiments described herein as defined by the claims.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a prior art double ball;

FIG. 2 shows a multi-ball according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a multi-ball according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 shows a multi-ball according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to ball devices that can be used for training athletes how to properly throw, and more specifically, that can be used to train softball pitchers. The ball devices described here, referred to as multi-balls, include two or more balls (e.g., softballs and/or baseballs): a primary ball, and one or more secondary balls. In some embodiments, two or more secondary balls are used. The secondary balls can be attached to the primary ball in any number of different arrangements. The secondary ball(s) can be detachable from and re-attachable to the primary ball to allow for customization. The attachability/detachability can be achieved using any number of mechanisms, such as but not limited to a threaded connection. Multi-balls according to the present disclosure provide improvement over prior art double balls, including better customization, better weight distribution, better suitability for visual pitch analysis, and better suitability for less experienced/younger/smaller pitchers, among other improved capabilities.

Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples illustrated should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the term “invention,” “device,” “method,” “disclosure,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present method,” or “present disclosure” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “invention,” “device,” “method,” “disclosure,” “present invention,” “present device,” “present method,” or “present disclosure” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).

It is also understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on” or “adjacent” to another element or feature, it can be directly on or adjacent the other element or feature or intervening elements or features may also be present. It is also understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly attached, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly attached,” “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Relative terms such as “outer,” “above,” “lower,” “below,” “horizontal,” “vertical” and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one feature to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated list items.

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” and similar terms, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to different views and illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

It is understood that while the present application is written using the term “softball” and with the sport of softball generally in mind, the devices, methods, and concepts herein could be applied to fields other than softball as would be understood by one of skill in the art, including but not limited to baseball and other ball sports.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a multi-ball 200 according to the present disclosure. The multi-ball 200 includes a primary ball 202 and one or more secondary balls 204. In this specific embodiment the multi-ball 200 includes two secondary balls 204, though it is understood that any number of secondary balls 204 is possible, such as but not limited to one, three, and four secondary balls 204. The multi-ball 200 can be symmetrical and/or the secondary balls 204 can be located on opposing sides of the primary ball 202, though it is understood that other embodiments are possible, such as nonsymmetrical embodiments. Symmetric arrangements can result in a move even weight distribution for multi-balls according to the present disclosure, thus more accurately simulating real competition.

The two secondary balls 204 can be the same size as the primary ball 202, may be larger, or in the embodiment shown are smaller than the primary ball 202. The secondary balls 204 can be different sizes, or as in the embodiment shown can be the same size as one another. The ratio of circumferences between each of the secondary balls 204 to the circumferences of the primary ball 202 can be, for example, 92% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 50% or more, 60% or more, 75% or more, 80% or more, 85% or more, 90% or more, 92% or more, or combinations of these. It is understood that these ranges are exemplary in nature and many different embodiments are possible. One specific embodiment utilizes a 12″ primary ball 202 and two 10″ secondary balls 204. The use of a smaller size for the secondary ball(s) can make the multi-ball 200 easier to handle for younger and/or smaller users, can make it more feasible to attach and throw with multiple secondary balls than if full size secondary balls are used, and can aid in visual analysis since the user will easily be able to differentiate the primary ball 202 from the secondary balls 204. It should be understood that the secondary and primary ball sizes described herein can also be applied to all other embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a multi-ball 300 according to the present disclosure. The multi-ball 300 includes a primary ball 302 and four secondary balls 304. The secondary balls 304 are again shown as being equally sized and smaller than the primary ball 302 (e.g., within the ranges described above with regard to the multi-ball 200), though it is understood that other embodiments are possible. In this embodiment, the multi-ball 300 is symmetrical and the secondary balls 304 are placed substantially at quadrants in a plane.

The use of multiple secondary balls 304, and in particular three or more secondary balls 304, such as four secondary balls 304 as with the multi-ball 300, can have distinct advantages. For example, this arrangement allows for the sides of a user's fingers to abut the secondary balls 304. A user can thus learn to use the sides of their fingers in an easier, more natural way than with a traditional softball or double ball, since the user's finger sides are already abutting a surface against which they can push. Additional benefits include helping a player to achieve an efficient and/or desired spin direction, and allowing a player to manipulate their hand angle and release angle to achieve said spin direction.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of a multi-ball 400 according to the present disclosure. The multi-ball 400 includes a primary ball 402 and four secondary balls 404, though it is understood that any number, size, and arrangement of secondary balls is possible, including a traditional double ball arrangement. In this embodiment, the one or more secondary balls 404 are detachable from the primary ball 402. In this specific embodiment, the attachment/detachment is achieved using threaded connectors 406 and threaded apertures 408, though it is understood that many different attachment/detachment mechanisms are possible, including but not limited to connectors, fasteners, hook-and-loop, adhesives, and other attachment/detachment mechanisms as would be understood by one of skill in the art. The use of one or more detachable secondary balls 404 can allow for customization so that a user can use a single multi-ball 400 for numerous different arrangements, and also can substitute secondary balls of different sizes as desired, as the secondary balls of different sizes can attach using the same type/size of attachment/detachment mechanism.

Though different arrangements are possible, in one embodiment the primary ball 402 includes the apertures 408 while the secondary balls 404 include the threaded connectors 406. This allows for the primary ball 402 to be thrown and pitched like a regular ball when all secondary balls 404 are detached.

It should be understood that the detachability mechanisms and methods described with regard to FIG. 4 could also be applied to all other embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that a primary ball can include any number of connection mechanisms (e.g. apertures and/or connectors), such as one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or even more.

While the above embodiments show all secondary balls being attached to a primary ball, it should be understood that this is not required. For instance, secondary balls could be connected serially, such as a first secondary ball that is sandwiched between a primary ball and a second secondary ball. Any number of arrangements is possible.

The various exemplary inventive embodiments described herein are intended to be merely illustrative of the principles underlying the inventive concept. It is therefore contemplated that various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will without departing from the inventive spirit and scope be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. They are not intended to limit the various exemplary inventive embodiments to any precise form described. Other variations and inventive embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings, and it is not intended that the inventive scope be limited by this specification, but rather by the claims following herein.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above. Moreover, it is contemplated that combinations of features, elements, and steps from the appended claims may be combined with one another as if the claims had been written in multiple dependent form and depended from all prior claims. Combination of the various devices, components, and steps described above and in the appended claims are within the scope of this disclosure. The foregoing is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A multi-ball device, comprising: a primary ball; andfirst and second secondary balls attached to said primary ball.

2. The multi-ball device of claim 1, wherein said two secondary balls are attached on opposite sides of said primary ball.

3. The multi-ball device of claim 2, wherein said secondary balls are smaller than said primary ball.

4. The multi-ball device of claim 1, further comprising third and fourth secondary balls attached to said primary ball.

5. The multi-ball device of claim 4, wherein said secondary balls are arranged in a plane at quadrants of said primary ball.

6. The multi-ball of claim 1, wherein said secondary balls are detachable from said primary ball.

7. The multi-ball of claim 6, wherein said first and second secondary balls are replaceable on said primary ball with third and fourth secondary balls.

8. The multi-ball of claim 1, wherein said multi-ball is symmetric.

9. The multi-ball of claim 1, wherein said multi-ball is asymmetric.

10. A multi-ball device, comprising: a primary ball; andone or more secondary balls detachably attached to said primary ball.

11. The multi-ball device of claim 10, comprising a plurality of said secondary balls.

12. The multi-ball device of claim 10, wherein each of said one or more secondary balls is attached to said primary ball by a threaded connector.

13. The multi-ball device of claim 10, wherein said primary ball comprises an attachment aperture for each of said one or more secondary balls.

14. The multi-ball device of claim 13, wherein each of said attachment apertures is a threaded aperture.

15. The multi-ball device of claim 13, wherein each of said secondary balls comprises a connector for connection to a respective aperture of said primary ball.

16. The multi-ball device claim 15, wherein each of said attachment apertures is a threaded aperture, and wherein each of said connectors is a threaded connector.

17. The multi-ball device of claim 10, wherein said primary ball comprises a symmetric arrangement of apertures for connection to said one or more secondary balls.

18. A method, comprising: removing a first secondary ball from a primary ball; andconnecting a second secondary ball to said primary ball in the place of said first secondary ball;wherein said second secondary ball is a different size than said first secondary ball.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said connection is a threaded connection.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said threaded connection comprises a threaded connector of said secondary ball and an attachment aperture of said primary ball.