Patent Application
20250108268
The disclosed invention relates generally to balls for playing pickleball. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to a ball for use in playing pickleball which has noise dampening characteristics. The ball includes a plurality of layers which provide a durable ball being of a size which may be used in official play.
The game of pickleball has been known since the mid-1960s. Originally the game was played with a wiffle ball. Today, the ball used in play is very different from its earliest iteration and now is a game-specific ball which is formed from a hard plastic so as to endure the paddle impacts experienced during the game. The impact of the hard plastic ball against the hard racket (between about 15 MPH and 45 MPH) is the action which creates noise found by many to be unwelcome. The noise generated during play can be considerable and has even resulted in neighborhood construction controversies where courts for pickleball games have been established.
Known pickleballs also suffer from a durability problem despite being produced from a hard material. Today's pickleballs begin to lose their shape as well as their bounce after as few as four games.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the level of noise created when the pickleball contacts the paddle or the playing surface without impairing the feeling to the player generated when the ball impacts the paddle or the court surface.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ball for use in the game of pickleball which is relatively durable and which demonstrates a relatively long life.
As in so many areas of technology, there is room for advancement in the art of balls for use in pickleball.
The disclosed ball is adapted to reduce audible output for both or either the indoor and the outdoor pickleball ball. The ball includes a standard structural core produced from a plastic or resin with a sound changing polymer material attached which overcoats the core. A coating is applied to the substrate to reduce the level of noise generated by known pickleballs.
Optionally, the ball may have a luminescent type finish that will have a glow-in-the-dark appearance for low level light conditions.
Other advantages and features of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:
In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.
Pickleball specifications have been established by the national governing body which oversees the sport, USA Pickleball (USAP), formerly the United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA). According to the established specifications, the regulation diameter is between 2.874 inches (7.30 cm) and 2.972 inches (7.55 cm) while the regulation circumference is between 9.029 inches (22.93 cm) and 9.337 inches (23.72 cm). The pickleball of the disclosed inventive embodiment falls within the specified dimensions, thus the pickleball of the present invention qualifies for professional use in addition to daily use by the amateur.
With respect to pickleball weight, according to the established specifications of the USAP, a pickleball must weigh between 0.78 oz (22.11 g) and 0.935 oz (26.51 g). The reason for the relatively significant weight difference is that lighter pickleballs are generally used for indoor play while heavier pickleballs are generally used for outdoor play. However, rules have yet to be established regulating which weight ball is to be used in which play environment. The pickleball of the disclosed inventive embodiment falls within the specified weight range, thus the pickleball of the present invention qualifies for professional use in addition to daily use by the amateur.
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One of the holes 12, a hole 14, is illustrated in detail with the detailed view being elevated above the surface of the pickleball 10. As illustrated in detail in the hole 14, the pickleball 10 includes a core 16. The core 16 is composed of a hard plastic, the type of which is known but can vary depending on the intended use. A typical choice of plastic is polypropylene which provides a durable and rigid core 16, resistant to loss of performance and shape. The core 16 may alternatively be formed from polystyrene or polyethylene.
Over the core 16 is formed an outer layer or external cover 18. The external cover 18 may be made of a variety of materials suitable for the purpose, but is preferably though not exclusively formed from a one of the thermoplastic elastomeric polymers, such as thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), most typically composed of a polypropylene and a durable synthetic rubber such as ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) which is vulcanized inside the polypropylene matrix. This composition provides superior compression resistance without compromising durability.
Because of the addition of the external cover 18, the outer diameter of the core 16 is less than the standard size. The reduced size may be achieved either through the initial molding of a smaller diameter ball or by reducing the outer surface of a standard ball by known mechanical or chemical processes. Accordingly, the addition of the external cover 18 brings the overall diameter to a value within the size restrictions recognized for professional play without exceeding the value. Similarly, the addition of the external cover 18 does not cause the overall weight of the pickleball 10 to exceed weight restrictions recognized for professional play as a portion of the outside of the core 16 has been removed.
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The foregoing discussion discloses and describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention.
