US3731928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Athletic training device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-13
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1992-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A device for the purpose of assisting and training an individual in a sport wherein a ball is struck by an instrument, and wherein it is desired to train the athlete to watch the ball at the instant of impact of the implement therewith. The device includes an outer spherical member having a translucent portion, and disposed within the outer sphere is an abrasive surface adapted to be engaged by a spark producing device at the instant of impact. The abrasive surface may be located either on a wall located inside the outer spherical member, on the outer surface of a second spherical member located centrally of the outer spherical member or on a wall extending across the second spherical member. In the latter instance,the space between the two spherical members may be filled with a fluid which drives the spark producing device, e.g., a flint, across the abrasive surface.
Inventors
- 👤 W Wolfe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:58
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B43/00; A63B43/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A training ball comprising: an outer spherical member having a translucent portion; means within said member and having an abrasive surface; spark producing means within said spherical member and engageable with said abrasive surface, said spark producing means being moveable across said abrasive surface upon impact of said ball with an object to produce a spark visible through said translucent portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A training ball comprising: an outer spherical member having a translucent portion; means within said member and having an abrasive surface; spark producing means within said spherical member and engageable with said abrasive surface, said spark producing means being moveable across said abrasive surface upon impact of said ball with an object to produce a spark visible through said translucent portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The training ball set forth in claim 1 wHerein said means within said member includes an inner spherical member spaced from said outer spherical member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The training ball set forth in claim 2 wherein said abrasive surface is on the outer surface of said inner spherical member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The training ball set forth in claim 3 wherein said spark producing means includes a plurality of spark producing members secured to the inner surface of said outer spherical member and engaging said abrasive surface and maintaining said inner spherical member in spaced relation to said outer spherical member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The training ball set forth in claim 2 wherein said abrasive surface is disposed across said inner spherical member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The training ball set forth in claim 5 wherein said spark producing means includes a carrier mounted on the inner surface of said inner spherical member and extending toward said abrasive surface, and a spark producing member secured in said carrier and engageable with said abrasive surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The training ball set forth in claim 6 and further including a spring secured to said carrier and secured to the inner surface of said inner spherical member and operable to bias said carrier and said spark producing member into engagement with said abrasive surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The training ball set forth in claim 7 and further including fluid means disposed between said outer spherical member and said inner spherical member for damping movement therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The training ball set forth in claim 5 wherein said spark producing means is secured to said outer spherical member and extends into said inner spherical member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The training ball set forth in claim 9 wherein said spark producing means further includes a cylindrical member extending into said inner spherical member, and a spark producing member floatably mounted in said cylindrical member and extending outwardly therefrom to engage said abrasive surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The training ball set forth in claim 10 and further including a carrier moveably mounted in said cylindrical member and receiving said spark producing member, said carrier being removable from said cylinder for replacing said spark producing member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The training ball set forth in claim 1 wherein said means within said member includes a wall extending across said member and containing said abrasive surface, and carrier means extending from said member toward said abrasive surface and containing said spark producing means, said abrasive surface and said spark producing means being disposed adjacent said translucent portion of said spherical member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The training ball set forth in claim 12 wherein said outer spherical member includes a portion spaced from said translucent portion adapted to be struck.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |