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WO2008144210A1 - Balles d'entraînement pour des vitesses de balle variées, procédés d'utilisation et systèmes - Google Patents

Balles d'entraînement pour des vitesses de balle variées, procédés d'utilisation et systèmes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008144210A1
WO2008144210A1 PCT/US2008/062726 US2008062726W WO2008144210A1 WO 2008144210 A1 WO2008144210 A1 WO 2008144210A1 US 2008062726 W US2008062726 W US 2008062726W WO 2008144210 A1 WO2008144210 A1 WO 2008144210A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ball
balls
foam core
air
density
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2008/062726
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert Michael Freund
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CHANGE-UP CORP
Original Assignee
CHANGE-UP CORP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CHANGE-UP CORP filed Critical CHANGE-UP CORP
Publication of WO2008144210A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008144210A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0002—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B43/00—Balls with special arrangements
    • A63B2043/001—Short-distance or low-velocity balls for training, or for playing on a reduced area
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0002—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball
    • A63B2069/0004—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects
    • A63B2069/0008—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for baseball specially adapted for particular training aspects for batting

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to balls, methods of use, and systems thereof that employ a foam core disposed within a hard shell of a ball for teaching a person to hit balls at various speeds .
  • Athletic balls such as baseballs, softballs, or the like, are typically manufactured in standard sizes and have standard ball densities for maintaining certain aerodynamic characteristics depending on sport requirements.
  • children traditionally first learn to hit a ball at a relatively constant speed and at a relatively constant position. Indeed the coach or parent will usually release successive pitches at the same velocity (slow) and to a particular position (dead center) over the plate until the batter learns how to track the pitch and strike the ball consistently.
  • the next step may be to learn how to hit the ball at various locations over the plate.
  • This training should begin as the child's age permits if it is to be effective in improving the child's athletic performance. Indeed, for a player to become a well rounded and resilient batter, the player must learn to anticipate and hit the ball at the various positions over the plate. Thus, the coach will begin pitching successive balls to different plate positions to test or strike out the batter. Up until the age of about 10 years old, the coach will still pitch at a constant speed (no intentional change ups) even though he or she may intentionally change the plate position of the ball with successive pitches.
  • the next step during the batting training process is for the batter to anticipate and learn to hit balls at various speeds and different locations.
  • a coach, pitcher, or the like will alter his or her pitching motion with successive pitches in order to change the speed of the ball during practice.
  • the batter In order for a batter to maintain striking consistency as the pitchers to which he/she faces become more skilled, the batter must learn to keep his eye on the ball, track and strike balls travelling at different speeds. Batters must learn to hit a myriad of pitches, such as, but not limited to, fast balls, curve balls, knuckle balls, change ups, or the like.
  • One or more of the characteristics and problems discussed above with respect to teaching a player to hit a baseball may be applied to other areas of sport, such as softball, tennis, golf, ping pong, etc.
  • One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a ball, method of use, and system that allow a person to learn how to hit similarly looking balls at various ball specific speeds when the balls are propelled towards the person in the same or similar way.
  • a ball in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, includes: a hard shell of a predetermined size defining an internal volume and including a plurality of apertures therethrough; and a foam core disposed within the internal volume .
  • a diameter of the foam core may be less than a diameter of the internal volume such that a layer of air is located between an outside surface of the foam core and an inside surface of the hard shell.
  • the foam core may substantially fill the internal volume.
  • at least one spacer may be disposed between the outside surface of the foam core and the inside surface of the hard shell, and adapted to position the foam core within the internal volume.
  • the one or more spacers may be adapted to connect the outside surface of the foam core to the inside surface of the hard shell.
  • the at least one spacer may be formed of the core material, and/or the at least one spacer may be integrally formed with the foam core.
  • a size and shape of the at least one spacer is operable to accommodate different distances from the inside surface of the hard shell to the outside surface of the foam core, such that the diameter of the foam core may be increased or decreased relative to the diameter of the hard shell.
  • At least one of a porosity and a composition of the foam core are preferably predetermined for a desired density.
  • the foam core includes an inner portion having a first density and an outer portion having a second density surrounding the inner portion.
  • the first density may be substantially higher than the second density.
  • the inner portion may be formed from a material other than foam.
  • the outer portion is preferably formed of foam irrespective of the inner portion.
  • the density is preferably such that it affects at least one aerodynamic characteristic of the ball, such as the speed that the ball travels through air when released at a predetermined velocity.
  • the density may be linearly related to the speed.
  • the density of the foam core may be varied (from ball to ball) or may be fixed, however, the volume of the layer of air may be inversely related to the speed at which the ball travels when released at the predetermined velocity.
  • a method for teaching a person to hit a ball may include: providing a plurality of balls, each ball comprising: (i) a hard shell defining an internal volume and including a plurality of apertures therethrough, and (ii) a foam core disposed within the internal volume,- and propelling the balls toward the person by releasing them, in turn, at a substantially constant velocity.
  • the construction of one or more of the balls may be as discussed above such that at least two of the balls travel through air at different speeds despite being released at the substantially constant velocity.
  • the at least two balls travel through the air at speeds differing by at least about 10%, or least about 10% to about 20%. This simulates different pitches.
  • a system includes: a plurality of balls, each ball comprising: (i) a hard shell defining an internal volume and including a plurality of apertures therethrough; and (ii) a foam core disposed within the internal volume, wherein the foam core of at least one of the plurality of balls is adapted to cause such ball to travel through air at a substantially different speed as compared to at least one other of the plurality of balls despite the balls being released at the substantially constant velocity.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ball including a hard shell with apertures and containing a foam core in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned perspective view of an embodiment of a ball including a hard shell with apertures and containing a foam core with protrusions and an air layer between the foam core and hard shell in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of an embodiment of a ball including a hard shell with apertures and containing a foam core with protrusions and an air layer between the foam core and hard shell in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned perspective view of an embodiment of a ball including a hard shell with apertures and containing a foam core having portions of differing density in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a ball system employing a plurality of similarly looking balls with different foam core densities in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of use of a ball in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention .
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a ball system employing a plurality of balls with different sizes in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention.
  • embodiments of the invention have specific utility in the sports context where the sport requires the player to adjust his or her timing in response to changes in ball speed. Examples of such sports include baseball, Softball, tennis, polo, rugby, football, ping pong, golf, volley ball, racquet ball, hand ball, etc. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that the various embodiments of the balls, methods of use, and systems thereof described and claimed herein may have application to many other sports and/or other fields of endeavor. In the case of baseball and/or softball, the embodiments of the present invention have applicability for use in training sessions, such as, but not limited to, batting practice, scrimmages, games, or the like.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a ball 10 in accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention.
  • the ball 10 may be for training a baseball or softball player (and may be referred to as such) or any of the aforementioned other applications.
  • the ball 10 (or a plurality of such balls) may be used to teach a person to hit the ball at different speeds and locations using a bat.
  • the ball 10 includes at least a hard shell 20 defining an internal volume, where the shell 20 includes a plurality of apertures 30 therethrough.
  • the ball 10 also includes a foam core 40 disposed within the internal volume of the hard shell 20.
  • the hard shell 20 may have a size corresponding to a baseball, softball, tennis polo, rugby, football, ping pong, golf, volley ball, racquet ball, hand ball, etc.
  • the material of the shell 20 may be plastic, rubber, leather, combinations thereof, or other materials, although plastic is preferred.
  • the hardness of the shell 20 can vary, a hardness along the lines of a standard wiffle-ball is preferred.
  • the hard shell 20 can have a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch, or greater. In a preferred embodiment, the hard shell 20 is about 1/8 of an inch thick.
  • the plurality of apertures 30 in hard shell 20 of a ball 10 can vary in size.
  • the apertures 30 are identical among a plurality of balls 10, irrespective of the desired aerodynamic characteristics.
  • any change in size between apertures 30 of a ball 10 is designed to avoid detection by a batter so that the batter cannot judge the ball aerodynamics, e.g., ball speed, based on differences in the relative sizes of the apertures 30, particularly from ball- to-ball.
  • the hard shell 20 of the balls 10 has an equal or similar predetermined size, such that any deviation in the predetermined size is not detectable by the batter.
  • One or more of the hard shell 20, the apertures 30, and/or the foam core 40 may be designed to vary aerodynamic characteristics of the ball 10, such as, ball speed, air resistance, trajectory, rotational tendency, etc., for developing batting skills of a baseball or softball player.
  • the foam core 40 is preferably adapted to cause the ball 10 to travel through air at a predetermined speed when released at a substantially constant velocity.
  • the foam core 40 of the ball 10 may be adapted to have a predetermined material composition and porosity in order to establish a desired density.
  • the density of the foam core 40 may be linearly related to the speed at which the ball 10 will travel through the air when released at a substantially constant velocity. While not being limited to a particular theory of operation, this relationship may be expressed as follows:
  • the foam core 40 is designed to have a lower porosity. Conversely, for a lower density, the foam core 40 is designed to have a higher porosity. Indeed, the porosity of the foam core 40 is inversely related to the density thereof, and thus an overall density of the ball 10.
  • the foam core 40 substantially fills the internal volume of the hard shell 20.
  • the density of the foam core 40 is adjusted, e.g., through foam material selection (porosity, composition, etc.) to achieve the desired characteristic.
  • the density of the foam core 40 may need adjustment based on the size of the hard shell 20, the material properties of the hard shell 20, the size, frequency, and location of the apertures 30, etc.
  • a diameter of the foam core 40 may be less than a diameter of the internal volume of the hard shell 20 such that a layer of air 60 is located between an outside surface of the foam core 40 and an inside surface of the hard shell 20.
  • the ball 20 may further include at least one protrusion 50 (or spacer) disposed between the outside surface of the foam core 40 and the inside surface of the hard shell 20.
  • the spacers 50 are adapted to connect the outside surface of the foam core 40 to the inside surface of the hard shell 20. The spacers 50 operate to locate the foam core 40 within the volume of the hard shell 20 to establish the layer of air 60.
  • the spacers 50 may increase in length (and/or other characteristics, such as shape, location and/or number) in order to establish a layer of air 60 that increases in thickness and volume.
  • the size (e.g., length and width) of the spacers 50 increases, and the thickness and volume of the layer of air increases (see difference between the layer of air 60 of FIG. 2 versus the layer of air 65 of FIG. 3) .
  • the characteristics of the layer of air 60, 65 can affect the aerodynamic properties of the ball 10. For example, as the layer of air 60, 65 increases in thickness and volume, while maintaining the density of foam core 40 and the velocity at which the ball 10 is released, the speed at which the ball 10 will travel through air will decrease. This is due to the fact that the air resistance of the ball 10 will increase as the layer of air 60, 65 increases in volume. Conversely, as the thickness of the layer of air decreases (e.g., as is the case from layer 65 to layer 60) , while maintaining the density of foam core 40 and the velocity at which the ball 10 is released, the speed at which the ball 10 will travel through the air will increase.
  • the density of the foam core 40 may be adjusted to achieve the same aerodynamic properties, such as speed of travel as a function of release velocity.
  • the ball 10 has a foam core 45 with a different density than the density of foam core 40 of ball 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
  • a layer of air may be defined without any spacers 50 disposed between the foam core 40 and the hard shell 20 so long as the foam core 40 has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the hard shell 20. In such a case, the foam core 40 is permitted to move within the internal volume of the hard shell 20.
  • the spacers/protrusions 50 may be formed from a separate material (such as foam or other suitable material) that is disposed between the foam core 40 and the hard shell 20. Alternatively, the spacers 50 may be integrally formed with the foam core 40 of the same foam material.
  • the spacers/protrusions 50 have a shape, such as, but not limited to, suspension spikes, radiating spikes, raised support surfaces, or the like.
  • one or more of the spacers/protrusions 50 may be made of a foam material that has a different density than a portion of, or the entire, foam core 40.
  • the spacers/protrusions 50 may be hard or soft, such that they may flexibly or elastically vary the distance or distances between the outside surface of foam core 40 and the inside surface of hard shell 20.
  • the foam core 40 may be formed from any number of specific materials, such as nylon, acetal, teflon, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyurethane blend, polyethylene, polystyrene, urethane, polyester, polypropylene, neoprene, rubber cork, black nitrile, silicone, plastic, hyplon, fluorocarbons, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, elastomer, ceramic, acetate, urea, polymethylpentene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyetheretherketone, polyvinyl chloride, or the like.
  • specific materials such as nylon, acetal, teflon, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyurethane blend, polyethylene, polystyrene, urethane, polyester, polypropylene, neoprene, rubber cork, black nitrile, silicone, plastic, hyplon, fluorocarbons, ethylene propylene
  • the foam core density may be between about 1 to 300 kg/m 3 , 1 to 100kg/m 3 , 1 to 10 kg/m 3 , 1 to 5 kg/m 3 , 5 to 10 kg/m 3 , 10 to 30 kg/m 3 , and 15 to 20 kg/m 3 .
  • the foam core 40 may be custom ordered or pre-manufactured by foam manufacturers, such as Precision Plastic Ball Company of Franklin Park, 111.; Lendell Mfg., Inc. of Saint Charles, Mi; Foamex of Eddystone, PA; RHH Foam Systems, Inc. of New Berlin, WI; Quality Foam of Lake Elsinore, CA; Wisconsin Foam of Madison, WI; UFP Technologies, Inc. of Georgetown, MA; and Gardico of Seattle, WA.
  • foam manufacturers such as Precision Plastic Ball Company of Franklin Park, 111.; Lendell Mfg., Inc. of Saint Charles, Mi; Foamex of Eddystone, PA; RHH Foam Systems, Inc. of New Berlin, WI; Quality Foam of Lake Elsinore, CA; Wisconsin Foam of Madison, WI; UFP Technologies, Inc. of Georgetown, MA; and Gardico of Seattle, WA.
  • the foam core 40 may further include an inside portion 70 and an outside portion 40 surrounding the inside portion 70.
  • the inside portion 70 of the foam core 40 has a first density and the outside portion 40 has a second density.
  • the first density and second densities may be different, with a preferred configuration being when the first density is substantially higher than the second density.
  • the inside portion 70 may or may not be foam, the preferred material not being foam.
  • the outer portion 40 is preferably formed of foam. As discussed above, in order for a batter to improve his batting skill, the batter must test and improve his ability to track approaching balls 10 travelling at different speeds. In this regard, reference is now made to FIGS. 5-6. FIG.
  • each ball 10 includes the aforementioned configuration: (i) a hard shell defining an internal volume and including a plurality of apertures therethrough; and (ii) a foam core disposed within the internal volume.
  • the foam core of at least one of the plurality of balls 10 is adapted to cause such ball to travel through air at a substantially different speed as compared to at least one other of the plurality of balls despite the balls being released at a substantially constant velocity.
  • any of the aforementioned variations in foam density, foam core diameter, spacer size and/or position, etc. may be employed to achieve the desired differing aerodynamic characteristics of the plurality of balls 10a, 10b, 10c, 1Od, 1Oe, 1Of.
  • some of the balls 10 are configured to travel through the air at speeds differing by at least about 5% to about 20%, such as 16 mph, 20 mph, 24 mph, etc .
  • the plurality of the balls 10 all preferably have substantially equal size (e.g., a deviation of the ball size is no greater than about 5%, 2%, or 1%) and are otherwise of similar visual appearance, e.g., with respect to the location of apertures 30, color, etc.
  • a method for teaching a person to hit the plurality of balls 10, wherein at least one of the balls travels at a substantially different speed even though each ball may be released at the same velocity.
  • it is effective for a person to learn to hit the ball 10 through tracking the ball 10 itself and not through guessing what the speed may be based on a propelling motion.
  • a plurality of balls 10 are provided as discussed above.
  • the balls 10 are pitched toward the person by releasing them, in turn, at a substantially constant velocity. This may be carried out manually (e.g., by a coach) or using an automated machine.
  • the different balls 10 travel toward the person, in turn, at different respective speeds.
  • the person tracks the different balls 10, as discussed above, at the different respective speeds.
  • the person may swing at or let the ball pass depending on the person's comfort with the aerodynamics of the propelled balls 10.
  • each of the propelled balls 10 is released with the same velocity toward the person to preserve the conditions of the predetermined propelling motion. At least some of the balls 10 will travel towards the person at different speeds despite being propelled in the predetermined motion and at the same release velocity. Thus, the speed of at least some of the balls 10 will deviate from one another by more than about five percent. When a speed changes by more than about five percent, the batter is likely to notice the difference in speed and improve his or her skill at tracking the ball.
  • the amount of time between ball propulsions can be fixed, or a person can indicate that he is ready for the next ball 10. This process is repeated in order to improve the person's tracking and hitting ability.
  • balls 1Og, 1Oh, 1Oi, 10j may have differing sized hard shells 20. Because different sized balls 10 exhibit different batting characteristics, the person batting must focus on delaying his swing until the person can accurately judge the speed of the ball 10. Under these types of situations, ball speeds can deviate more than about five percent, about ten percent to twenty percent, about ten percent to fifteen percent, and more than about fifteen percent between different balls 10 in the plurality. Ball speeds can vary because aerodynamic factors vary between balls 10 at a difference of more than about five percent, about ten percent to about twenty percent, about ten percent to about fifteen percent, about fifty percent to about one hundred percent, and about one hundred percent to about four hundred percent .

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention propose des procédés et un appareil pour au moins une balle, comportant : une coque dure de taille prédéterminée définissant un volume interne et comprenant une pluralité d'ouvertures traversantes ; et un noyau en mousse disposé à l'intérieur du volume interne.
PCT/US2008/062726 2007-05-14 2008-05-06 Balles d'entraînement pour des vitesses de balle variées, procédés d'utilisation et systèmes Ceased WO2008144210A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US91780507P 2007-05-14 2007-05-14
US60/917,805 2007-05-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008144210A1 true WO2008144210A1 (fr) 2008-11-27

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US (1) US20080287218A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008144210A1 (fr)

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US10179266B2 (en) 2016-10-17 2019-01-15 Joseph Gerard Burke Lightweight training ball with inner and outer layers
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EP3843861B1 (fr) 2018-08-31 2024-07-24 NIKE Innovate C.V. Ballon de sport
US11173351B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2021-11-16 Nike, Inc. Sports ball
EP4353339B1 (fr) 2019-01-18 2025-08-06 Nike Innovate C.V. Ballon de sport
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WO2021168209A1 (fr) 2020-02-21 2021-08-26 Nike Innovate C.V. Ballon de sport avec éléments de surface à gradins
JP2022151480A (ja) * 2021-03-26 2022-10-07 株式会社Axis 筋力トレーニング用具及びトレーニング方法
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