PICKLEBALL APPARATUS

Abstract

A pickleball apparatus is disclosed, wherein the pickleball apparatus comprises a spherical body and a plurality of holes defined therethrough. The plurality of holes may be defined through the spherical body from an exterior surface of the spherical body to an interior surface of the spherical body. Each of the plurality of holes may be countersunk to the exterior surface to form an outer ring and an inner ring. Each of the plurality of holes may taper from the outer ring to the inner ring such that the inner ring has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the outer ring, the outer ring is coterminous with the exterior surface of the spherical body, and the inner ring has an inset depth relative to the exterior surface of the spherical body.

Description

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to pickleball apparatus, and in particular, a ball (or spherical body) to be used in connection with the sport of pickleball and that otherwise is suitable for use in sanctioned and unsanctioned events.

BACKGROUND

Originating in 1965, the sport of pickleball is a hybrid among tennis, table tennis, and badminton. According to an article published by Forbes, titled “What is Pickleball?” and authored by Kimberly Dawn Neumann (available at https://www.forbes.com/health/body/what-is-pickleball/), the sport (or game) of pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and beyond. According to sources cited in the article, the sport of pickleball has experienced nearly a forty percent (40%) growth rate in the U.S. over the past two years, leading to widespread adoption of the game. But, as the sport of pickleball has become a fixture in the sporting industry, so too has it incurred criticism, particularly as with respect to the ball used in gameplay.

Pickleball is played on a court that is 20 feet (6.10 meters) wide by 44 feet (13.41 meters) long. A net is affixed to the court, positioned perpendicular to a length of the court, for the purpose of dividing each competing player (or set of competing players). The equipment for pickleball is minimal: a paddle for each player and a pickleball ball. Unlike rackets in the games of tennis and badminton, a paddle is not stringed or wired-rather, it is merely flat. In addition to the paddle, the game of pickleball features a pickleball ball. The pickleball ball is similar to plastic baseballs, commonly referred to as whiffle balls. Whiffle balls are often comprised of plastic (or another elastomeric material) and are perforated with any number of holes.

In the years since the inception of pickleball, unique pickleball rules have been implemented, and standards have been adopted, for pickleball ball and paddle construction. Per the current national governing body of pickleball, USA Pickleball (formerly known as the USA Pickleball Association), equipment standards have been established, such that gameplay does not change significantly, unfairly, or prejudicially as a result of variance in the manufacture of pickleball balls and paddles. Paddles are generally comprised of a material including graphite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or wood, or combinations thereof. Paddles comprise a handle and a flat surface attached thereto, the flat surface having various thicknesses. While there are other standards set for paddles, USA Pickleball prescribes specific structural limitations and specifications for the pickleball ball. Each of these rules, identified under Section 2.D of USA Pickleball's 2021 Equipment Standards Manual, are provided as follows.

Construction. The ball is comprised of a durable material molded with a smooth surface and free of texturing. The ball must comprise one uniform color, except for identification markings on an exterior surface of the ball. The ball may have a slight ridge at the seam, so as long as it does not significantly impact the ball's flight characteristics.

Size. A diameter of the ball, measured from a radius of the sphere to an exterior surface of the sphere, ranges from 2.87 inches (7.29 cm) to 2.97 inches (7.54 cm). The maximum out-of-round diameter variance is no greater than plus (+) or minus (−) 0.020 inch (0.51 mm) from the diameter of the ball.

Weight. The ball weighs between 0.78 ounces (22.1 grams) and 0.935 ounces (26.5 grams).

Bounce. The ball bounces between 30 inches (76.2 cm) to 34 inches (86.4 cm), as measured from the topmost point of the ball, when dropped from a height of 78 inches (198.1 cm) onto a granite-surface plate. The granite-surface plate has minimum dimensions as follows: 12 inches (30.5 cm) by 12 inches (30.5 cm) by 4 inches (10.2 cm). When performing the “bounce” test, such test must be carried out at an ambient temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, plus (+) or minus (−) 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Compression. To determine compression, the ball must undergo a test performed in accordance with (IAW) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1888-09, referred to as “Standard Test Method for Compression-Displacement of Baseballs and Softballs.” When undergoing this compression test, the ball shall yield an average compression test result of less than 43 pound-force (LBF)—the pound-force being a measurement as with respect to gravitational force applied on a mass of one pound on a surface of the Earth. In the compression test, each ball is tested two (2) times, once with the load applied perpendicular to the ball seam (if applicable) and once with the load applied parallel to the ball seam (if applicable). If there are no seams, then the ball is tested once in a random location, with the second location being located approximately 90 degrees from the first (random) location.

Design. The ball must have a plurality of holes defined therethrough, from the exterior surface to the interior surface, such the ball appears “perforated.” The plurality of holes must comprise a minimum of twenty-fix (26) circular holes to a maximum of forty (40) circular holes, with spacing of the holes and overall design of the ball conforming to flight characteristics.

Multiple methods exist to manufacture pickleball balls, though nearly all pickleball balls in the current marketplace are made, manufactured, or otherwise formed via rotomolding and/or injection molding processes. There are a number of disadvantages associated with rotomolding and injection molding processes, though not all drawbacks are set forth herein. By way of example, the rotomolding process is not only generally slow with respect to time of fabrication, but also rotomolding results in a ball having a generally non-uniform internal surface and generally non-uniform mass density. Moreover, rotomolding also requires the then-molded pickleball balls to undergo a secondary process, wherein the prescribed minimum (or maximum) number of holes are provided (e.g., drilled) in and through the ball. The injection molding process, on the other hand, is considerably quicker with respect to fabrication; plus, injection molding generally produces balls having both uniform surfaces and material densities. In addition, injection molding does not require a secondary process, with the injection molding processes incorporating the prescribed plurality of minimum (or maximum) holes. The downside to injection molding, however, is that it requires the pickleball balls to be fabricated in two parts, often equal halves of a hollowed sphere, thereby requiring these two parts to be joined together.

Given the prescribed parameters and standards for pickleball ball fabrication and design, nearly all pickleball balls in the current marketplace are comprised of a material constituting a low-density polyethylene polymer. There are a number of disadvantages associated with low-density polyethylene. Pickleball balls comprised of low-density polyethylene generally have the following characteristics: they are generally less stiff than the maximum allowable limit for pickleball balls; they are highly dependent on temperature; and, they are prone to cracking, degradation, or deformation with extended use, including customary wear and tear. In addition to the disadvantages associated with pickleball balls comprised of low-density polyethylene, pickleball ball standards often result in the fabrication of pickleball balls having poor aerodynamic characteristics, such that a flight of the pickleball is unpredictable, erratic, or inconsistently responsive to environmental air conditions. Furthermore, pickleball standards have led to inconsistent results in material composition. For example, when manufacturing a harder ball with a higher durometer material grade, the resulting ball is compromised in other performance attributes, such as lower stiffness.

Ultimately, pickleball ball standards have led to indistinguishable performance in manufacture; consequently, when companies have sought to improve one aspect of performance, it has resulted in unacceptably negative performance in other aspects of performance. Given the number of drawbacks associated with current models of pickleball balls, along with shortcomings in the manufacture or fabrication thereof, there is a need to provide a pickleball ball that overcomes the foregoing limitations.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses the problems identified above, amongst others. Implementations consistent with the present disclosure provide a pickleball apparatus having a spherical body with a plurality of holes defined therethrough. One or more of the plurality of holes may be countersunk, as with respect to an exterior surface of the spherical body, such that the one or more of the plurality of holes are tapered. By tapering one or more of the plurality of circularly shaped holes, the spherical body of the pickleball apparatus experiences improved aerodynamics in flight and an increase in stiffness, and the spherical body is less likely to crack, degrade, or otherwise diminish due to standard wear and tear (i.e., usage) in the sport of pickleball.

In the context of a pickleball apparatus, optional embodiments of a pickleball apparatus having a spherical body and a plurality of holes are provided herein. The spherical body may have an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface may define a hollowed space within the spherical body. The exterior surface may be exposed to environmental conditions external to the spherical body. The plurality of holes may be defined through the spherical body from the exterior surface to the interior surface. Each of the plurality of holes may be countersunk to the exterior surface of the spherical body to form an outer ring and an inner ring. Each of the plurality of holes may taper from the outer ring to the inner ring such that the inner ring has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the outer ring, the outer ring is coterminous with the exterior surface, and the inner ring has an inset depth relative to the exterior surface.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the plurality of holes may comprise from 26 circularly shaped holes to 40 circularly shaped holes.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, further comprising one or more support ribs disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the one or more support ribs may be disposed about a perimeter of the inner ring of each of the plurality of holes.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the one or more support ribs may comprise at least one enclosed shape on the interior surface of the spherical body.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the at least one enclosed shape may include two or more enclosed shapes disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body, the one or more support ribs comprising elongate ribs connecting the two or more enclosed shapes.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the at least one enclosed shape may include a first enclosed shape located at a first pole of the interior surface and a second enclosed shape located at a second pole of the interior surface. The second pole may be located opposite the first pole.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the one or more support ribs may comprise a plurality of elongate ribs extending from the first enclosed shape to the second enclosed shape.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the one or more support ribs may be arranged in a lattice framework on the interior surface of the spherical body.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the one or more support ribs of the lattice framework may be arbitrarily disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the one or more support ribs of the lattice framework may be interconnected at one or more nodes. Each of the one or more nodes may be defined by an intersection of the one or more ribs.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, each of the one or more nodes may be located at a one of the plurality of holes.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, a transition between the outer ring and the inner ring of each of the plurality of holes may be substantially linear.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, a transition between the outer ring and the inner ring of each of the plurality of holes may be substantially curved.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, a transition between the outer ring and the inner ring of each of the plurality of holes may be stepped.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the spherical body may comprise two hemispheres coupled together at a seam.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the two hemispheres may include a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere. The plurality of holes defined through the spherical body of each of the first and second hemispheres may be arranged in a hole pattern. The hole pattern of the first hemisphere may mirror the hole pattern of the second hemisphere.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the two hemispheres may include a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere. The plurality of holes defined through the spherical body of each of the first and second hemispheres may be arranged in a hole pattern. The hole pattern of the first hemisphere may be offset relative to the hole pattern of the second hemisphere.

Another optional embodiment of a pickleball apparatus having a spherical body and a plurality of holes is provided herein. The spherical body may have a plurality of holes defined through an exterior surface of the spherical body to an interior surface of the spherical body. The one or more plurality of holes may be countersunk to the exterior surface of the spherical body to form an outer ring on the exterior surface and an inner ring inset with respect to the exterior surface such that the plurality of holes taper from the outer ring to the inner ring. The inner ring may have a diameter that is less than a diameter of the outer ring.

In one aspect according to the above-referenced embodiments, the pickleball apparatus may further comprise an interior surface defining a hollowed space within the spherical body and one or more support ribs disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the embodiments of the disclosure be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized in the description are for convenience only and no legal or limiting effect. Numerous objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments set forth herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Figure (FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior of a prior-art embodiment of a pickleball ball, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interior of a prior-art embodiment of a pickleball ball, wherein the pickleball ball was manufactured by means of rotomolding, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior of a prior-art embodiment of a pickleball ball, wherein the pickleball ball was manufactured by means of injection molding, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a manufacturing setup configured to hold a spherical body of the pickleball ball and to provide a plurality of holes into a prior-art embodiment of a pickleball ball, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 5 is a table showing measured stiffness, as compared to weight, for prior-art embodiments of a pickleball ball, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exterior of an embodiment of a pickleball ball, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 7 is a side-elevation view of the exterior of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 6, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 8 is a top-plan view of the exterior of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 6, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 9 is a bottom-plan view of the exterior of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 6, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 10 is an exploded cross-section of a top, front-right perspective view of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 6, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 11 is an exploded cross-section of a bottom, front-left perspective view of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 6, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exterior of another embodiment of a pickleball ball, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 13 is a side-elevation view of the exterior of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 14 is a top-plan view of the exterior of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 15 is a bottom-plan view of the exterior of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 16 is an exploded cross-section of a top, front-right perspective view of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 17 is an exploded cross-section of a bottom, front-left perspective view of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 18 is a cross-section of a top, front-left perspective view of yet another embodiment of a pickleball ball, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 19A is a cross-section view of a one of a plurality of holes of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 19B is a cross-section view of a one of a plurality of holes of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure (FIG. 19C is a cross-section view of a one of a plurality of holes of the embodiment of the pickleball ball of FIG. 12, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth herein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the disclosure.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure. Referring generally to FIGS. 1-19C, various exemplary embodiments of a prior-art pickleball ball 10, and a pickleball ball 100 of the present disclosure, may be described in detail. Where the various figures may describe embodiments sharing various common elements and features with other embodiments, similar elements and features are given the same reference numerals and redundant description thereof may be omitted below.

Hereinafter, when referring to the prior-art pickleball ball 10, or the pickleball ball 100 of the present disclosure, such pickleball ball may be referred to as either the “pickleball ball” or the “pickleball.” The pickleball 100 of the present disclosure may be formed of various materials, some of which may include certain polymeric compounds, such as polyethylene and other thermoplastic polymers or synthetic resins known to those having ordinary skill in the art of manufacturing or fabrication.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, provided is an exemplary embodiment of the prior-art pickleball 10. As in FIG. 1, the prior-art pickleball 10 may comprise a spherical body 11 having an exterior surface 12, opposite to an interior surface 14 (as shown in FIGS. 2-3). The exterior surface 12 may be exposed to environmental conditions external to the spherical body 11, and, as shown in FIGS. 2-3, the interior surface 14 may define a hollowed space within the spherical body 11 of the pickleball 10. FIG. 2 shows the hollowed space of spherical body 11 of the pickleball 10, wherein the pickleball 10 is manufactured by means of rotomolding. FIG. 3 shows the hollowed space of a spherical body 11 of the pickleball 10, wherein the pickleball 10 is manufactured by means of injection molding. Still referring to FIG. 3, in embodiments where the pickleball 10 is manufactured by means of injection molding, the interior surface 14 may have a seam 30 disposed across the interior surface 14. The seam 30 may function as a connecting member, where two parts, whether as equal halves (not depicted) or otherwise, of the spherical body 11 of the pickleball 10 may be joined or connected. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a plurality of holes 20 may be defined through the spherical body 11 from the exterior surface 12 to the interior surface 14. The pickleball 10 may otherwise have those attributes, characteristics, and limitations prescribed in Section 2.D of USA Pickleball's 2021 Equipment Standards Manual, and as elaborated upon in the “Background” section of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a manufacturing setup 40, which is configured to hold, and provide a plurality of holes 20 into, the spherical body 11 of the pickleball 10, is provided. The manufacturing setup 40 depicts a customary setup for introducing holes into a rotomolded pickleball 10. As shown here, the manufacturing setup 40 comprises a positioner 42, which holds the spherical body 11 of the pickleball 10, and a plurality of drill bits 44, which are configured to drill the holes 20 through the spherical body 11 of the pickleball 10. Although not depicted, other manufacturing setups may include injection molding for the pickleball 10, as articulated upon in the “Background” section of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, a table showing measured stiffness, as compared to weight, for the pickleball 10, is provided. As is evident in the table, as the pickleball 10 increases in weight (ounces), the stiffness of the pickleball 10 varies, the stiffness measured as compression in accordance with ASTM F1888-09. For example, stiffness measurements in Ball Models A, L, O, and P exhibit a difference of at least three (3) pound-forces (LBF) in various trials, thereby leading to inconsistency in stiffness. Given the measurements shown in the table set forth in FIG. 5, the prior-art pickleball 10 is proven to lack consistency of stiffness and durability, and, consequently, the pickleball 10 suffers from inconsistent flight due to poor aerodynamic functionality.

Referring to FIGS. 6-17, provided are exemplary embodiments of the pickleball 100 of the present disclosure. Performance of pickleball 100 may be optimized, or otherwise improved, as explained herein.

As in FIGS. 6-9 and 12-15, the pickleball 100 may comprise a spherical body 102 having an exterior surface 104, opposite to an interior surface 106 (as shown in FIGS. 10-11 and 16-17). The exterior surface 104 may be exposed to environmental conditions external to the spherical body 102, and, as shown in FIGS. 10-11 and 16-17, the interior surface 106 may be substantially smooth and define a hollowed space within the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100. The spherical body 102 may comprise two hemispheres 108 coupled together at a seam 110. The two hemispheres may include a first hemisphere 108A and a second hemisphere 108B. In certain optional embodiments, the first and second hemispheres 108A, 108B may be substantially similar in dimensions and/or shape. In other optional embodiments, the first and second hemispheres 108A, 108B may differ in dimensions and/or shape. The seam 110 may be raised relative to the exterior surface 104 and/or the interior surface 106. The seam 110 may be configured such that it does not affect the flight of the pickleball 100.

As shown in FIGS. 10-11 and 16-17, a plurality of holes 120 may be defined through the spherical body 102 from the exterior surface 104 to the interior surface 106. The plurality of holes 120 may be defined through the spherical body 102 using conventional methods, including boring, drilling, forming, or molding, to name a few examples. While the embodiments of FIGS. 6-17 show each of the plurality of holes 120 as circular in geometry, this disclosure is not intended to be so limiting; for example, in other embodiments, the plurality of holes 120 may comprise a non-circular or semi-circular geometry.

Within nominal manufacturing tolerances, a plane (not shown) defined across one or more of the plurality of holes 120, as with respect to the pickleball 100 of the present disclosure, may be substantially perpendicular to a plane (not shown) defined across the exterior surface 104 of the spherical body 102 at a location at which one of plurality of holes 120 is located.

In the context of the prior-art pickleball 10 (as shown in FIGS. 1-3), the diameter of any given one of the plurality of holes 20 is substantially the same when measured at both the exterior surface 12 and interior surface 14 of the pickleball 10. In the context of the pickleball 100 of the present disclosure, one or more of the plurality of holes 120 may be countersunk to the exterior surface 104 of the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100 to form an outer ring 122 and an inner ring 124. One or more of the plurality of holes 120 may taper from the outer ring 122, also referred to herein as an outer bound 122, to the inner ring 124, also referred to herein as an inner bound 124. The inner ring 124 may have a diameter 128 that is less than a diameter 126 of the outer ring 122 (as shown in FIGS. 19A-19C). And, in optional embodiments, the outer ring 122 may be coterminous with at least a substantial portion of the exterior surface 104 of the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100, while the inner ring 124 may have an inset depth relative to the exterior surface 104. Stated differently, there may be a tapered transition 130 from one or more of the plurality of holes 120, beginning from the outer ring 122 to the inner ring 124, as shown in FIG. 19A. In certain embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 19A, the transition 130 may be substantially linear. In other embodiments, the transition 130 from the outer ring 122 to the inner ring 124 may be non-linear, such as a partially linear transition, a substantially curved transition as shown in FIG. 19B, or a stepped (or stepwise) transition as shown in FIG. 19C. Any of these transitions 130 may result in an improved design.

While the embodiments of FIGS. 6-17 depict the pickleball 100 of the present disclosure, other embodiments may encompass embodiments in which one or more of the plurality of the holes 120 may have a tapered transition from the inner ring 124 to the outer ring 122, such that the diameter 128 of the inner ring 124 may be greater than the diameter 126 of the outer ring 124.

By tapering one or more of the plurality of the holes 120, the pickleball 100 may experience a significant improvement in aerodynamic efficiency, a reduction in degradation or deterioration (e.g., cracking) from wear and tear, and an increase in stiffness (and the consistency therewith). Each of these improvements may be met, all while the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100 may yield an average compression of less than forty-three (43) pound-forces (LBF), in accordance with ASTM F1888-09, or in accordance with any then-current specifications prescribed by USA Pickleball or any other standards required for use. The plurality of holes 120 defined through the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100 may comprise from twenty-six (26) holes 120 to forty (40) holes 120. The pickleball 100 of the present disclosure may or may not otherwise have those attributes, characteristics, and limitations prescribed in Section 2.D of USA Pickleball's 2021 Equipment Standards Manual, and as elaborated upon in the “Background” section of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11 and 16-17, the interior surface 106 of various embodiments of the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100 is shown. The interior surface 106 may define a hollowed space within the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100. In each of these various embodiments, a plurality of holes 120 may be defined through the spherical body 102 from the exterior surface 104 to the interior surface 106.

The plurality of holes 120 defined through the spherical body 102 of each of the first hemisphere 108A and second hemisphere 108B may be arranged in a hole pattern. In certain embodiments, the first hemisphere 108A and second hemisphere 108B may have a substantially similar hole pattern. The hole patterns of the first hemisphere 108A and second hemisphere 108B may be aligned such that the hole pattern of the first hemisphere 108A mirrors the hole pattern of the second hemisphere 108B. Alternatively, the hole patterns of the first hemisphere 108A may be rotated relative to the hole pattern of the second hemisphere 108B such that the hole pattern of the first hemisphere 108A is offset relative to the hole pattern of the second hemisphere 108B.

In various exemplary embodiments, the interior surface 106 may have a number of other features disposed or attached thereon, for the purpose of minimizing pickleball 100 cracking and increasing or otherwise optimizing pickleball 100 stiffness. In certain embodiments, one or more support ribs 136 may be disposed on the interior surface 106 of the spherical body 102. The one or more support ribs 136 may include one or more substantially circular ribs 138, one or more substantially linear ribs 140, and/or one or more elongate ribs 152. The one or more support ribs 136 may improve load distribution on the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100 and reduce the likelihood of cracking or degradation in response to wear and tear (i.e., usage) of the pickleball 100. Moreover, the one or more support ribs 136 may increase the stiffness of the spherical body 102, particularly where the one or more support substantially circular ribs 138 are proximate to the plurality of circularly shaped holes 120.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 16, the one or more substantially circular ribs 138 may be disposed about the perimeter of the inner ring 124 of each of the plurality of holes 120, which may be caused by way of tapering from the outer ring 122 to the inner ring 124, or which may be molded independently of the tapering effect. And, in other embodiments of the pickleball 100, the one or more substantially circular ribs 138 may partially encircle (or otherwise enclose) the perimeter of the inner ring 124. The one or more substantially linear ribs 140 may be disposed on the interior surface 106 of the spherical body 102 and located adjacent to the one or more substantially circular ribs 138.

In certain embodiments, the one or more support ribs 136 may be arranged in a lattice framework 142 disposed or attached to the interior surface 106 of the spherical body 102. The one or more substantially circular ribs 138 and the one or more substantially linear ribs 140 may form at least a portion of the lattice framework 142. The lattice framework 142 may be either arbitrarily disposed (i.e., not interconnected) on the interior surface 106, or the lattice framework 142 may be interconnected with one or more nodes 144, each of the one or more nodes 144 defined by the intersection or joining of the lattice framework 142 or other elements of the one or more support ribs 136. Each of the one or more nodes 144 may be located at or adjacent to a one of the plurality of holes 120, and/or the one or more substantially circular ribs 138 corresponding thereto. The lattice framework 142 may provide symmetrical support to the spherical body 102 of the pickleball 100, thereby resulting in optimized stiffness and durability, and in reduced dependency on temperature and other external conditions.

As shown in FIG. 18, in certain embodiments, the one or more support ribs 136 may comprise at least one enclosed shape 150 on the interior surface 106 of the spherical body 102. In certain embodiments, the enclosed shape 150 may be a circle, but in other embodiments, the enclosed shape 150 could be a square, triangle, or non-geometric shape to name a few examples. In certain embodiments, the pickleball 100 may include two or more enclosed shapes 150 disposed on the interior surface 106 of the spherical body 102 at various locations. For example, one of the enclosed shapes 150 may be disposed at a first pole (not depicted) of the interior surface 106 of the spherical body 102 and another of the enclosed shapes 150 may be located a second pole (not depicted) of the interior surface 106 of the spherical body 102. The second pole may be located opposite the first pole; or in other words about 180 degrees apart. The one or more elongate ribs 152 of the one or more support ribs 136 may connect the enclosed shapes 150. FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of the pickleball 100 wherein the enclosed shape 150 is a circle and disposed on the interior surface 106, and a plurality of the one or more elongate ribs 152 extend from the enclosed shape 150.

In certain embodiments, a cross-sectional shape 160 of the one or more support ribs 136 may have a prismatic structure that is generally triangular, as shown in FIG. 16. In other embodiments, a cross-sectional shape 160 of the one or more support ribs 136 may be generally rectangular, as shown in FIG. 18.

To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, a number of terms have been defined above (and below). The terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present disclosure. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the disclosure, but their usage does not delimit the disclosure, except as set forth in the claims.

The terms “attached,” “connected,” and “disposed,” (where applicable) and the like, or any variation thereof, should generally be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not limited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the like allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof; and the like.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” may include plural references, and the meaning of “in” may include “in” and “on.” The phrase “in one embodiment,” “in optional embodiments,” or “in another embodiment,” and variations thereof, as used herein, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. As used herein, the phrase “one or more of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the items may be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. For example, “one or more of” item A, item B, and item C may include, for example, without limitation, item A or item A and item B. This example also may include item A, item B, and item C, or item B and item C.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. The conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to mean approximately, roughly, around, or in the region of. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of twenty-five percent (25%) up or down (higher or lower), unless stated otherwise in the disclosure or as limited by the governing body of the sport of pickleball.

The previous detailed description has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of a new and useful PICKLEBALL APPARATUS, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this disclosure except as set forth in the following claims. Thus, it is seen that the apparatus, methods, and/or systems of the present disclosure readily achieve the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described for present purposes, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts and steps may be made by those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pickleball apparatus comprising: a spherical body having an exterior surface and interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollowed space within the spherical body and the exterior surface exposed to environmental conditions external to the spherical body;a plurality of holes defined through the spherical body from the exterior surface to the interior surface; andone or more support ribs disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body.

2. The pickleball apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the one or more support ribs are arranged in a lattice framework on the interior surface of the spherical body.

3. The pickleball apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the one or more support ribs of the lattice framework are arbitrarily disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body.

4. The pickleball apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the one or more support ribs of the lattice framework are interconnected at one or more nodes, each of the one or more nodes defined by an intersection of the one or more ribs.

5. The pickleball apparatus of claim 4, wherein: each of the one or more nodes is located at a one of the plurality of holes.

6. The pickleball apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the one or more support ribs are disposed about a perimeter of the plurality of holes.

7. The pickleball apparatus of claim 6, wherein: each of the one or more support ribs taper away from a corresponding one of the plurality of holes.

8. The pickleball apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the one or more support ribs comprise at least one enclosed shape on the interior surface of the spherical body.

9. The pickleball apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the at least one enclosed shape includes a first enclosed shape located at a first pole of the interior surface and a second enclosed shape located at a second pole of the interior surface, the second pole being located opposite the first pole.

10. The pickleball apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the one or more support ribs comprise a plurality of elongate ribs extending from the first enclosed shape to the second enclosed shape.

11. The pickleball apparatus of claim 1, wherein: each one of the plurality of holes is spaced equidistantly from a proximate other one of the plurality of holes.

12. The pickleball apparatus of claim 1, wherein: a cross-sectional shape of the one or more support ribs is a prismatic structure that is generally triangular or rectangular.

13. A pickleball apparatus comprising: a spherical body having an exterior surface and interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollowed space within the spherical body and the exterior surface exposed to environmental conditions external to the spherical body;a plurality of holes defined through the spherical body from the exterior surface to the interior surface; anda plurality of substantially circular ribs disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body, each of the plurality of substantially circular ribs disposed about a respective one of the plurality of holes.

14. The pickleball apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of substantially linear ribs disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body, each of the plurality of substantially linear ribs connecting a first of the plurality of substantially circular ribs to a second of the plurality of substantially circular ribs.

15. The pickleball apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the plurality of substantially linear ribs have a raised central portion and edge portions, the edge portions tapering away from the raised central portion.

16. The pickleball apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of substantially linear ribs disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body, each of the plurality of substantially linear ribs connecting a first of the plurality of substantially circular ribs to at least two other of the plurality of substantially circular ribs.

17. The pickleball apparatus of claim 13, wherein: each of the plurality of substantially circular ribs taper away from the respective one of the plurality of holes.

18. A pickleball apparatus comprising: a spherical body having an exterior surface and interior surface, the interior surface defining a hollowed space within the spherical body and the exterior surface exposed to environmental conditions external to the spherical body;a plurality of holes defined through the spherical body from the exterior surface to the interior surface; andone or more support ribs disposed on the interior surface of the spherical body, the one or more support ribs including a plurality of enclosed shapes that are circular.

19. The pickleball apparatus of claim 18, wherein: the one or more support ribs includes a plurality of elongate ribs extending from a first of the plurality of enclosed shapes to a second of the plurality of enclosed shapes.

20. The pickleball apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the plurality of elongate ribs are spaced equidistantly apart about a circumference of each of the plurality of enclosed shapes.