US3908993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centerless thick-walled game ball
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-11-08
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1993-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A game ball for baseball and softball having a hollow center and capable of being manufactured to required size and weight specifications. The function of the hollow center is to increase the ball''s moment of inertia by redistributing the weight of the removed central mass toward the outside of the ball, thus, providing for more stable flight. The increase in moment of inertia will operate to decrease the ball''s Magnus Effect, thus, providing for truer ball flight under windy conditions, and also decrease its dispersion angle such that fewer balls will be fouled out-of-bounds.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A Gentiluomo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:51
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B39/00; A63B2039/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A hollow game ball for use in playing such games as baseball or softball, comprising, a thick-walled hollow spherical mass of such weight distribution as to have a moment of inertia greater than the moment of inertia of a filled ball of equivalent size and weight, and sewn patterned contouring disposed within the exterior surface of said hollow spherical mass; said greater moment of inertia over said filled ball being of such magnitude as to cause a reduction in Magnus Effect to such a level as to provide improved aerodynamic characteristics.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A hollow game ball for use in playing such games as baseball or softball, comprising, a thick-walled hollow spherical mass of such weight distribution as to have a moment of inertia greater than the moment of inertia of a filled ball of equivalent size and weight, and sewn patterned contouring disposed within the exterior surface of said hollow spherical mass; said greater moment of inertia over said filled ball being of such magnitude as to cause a reduction in Magnus Effect to such a level as to provide improved aerodynamic characteristics.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said ball is further characterized as a baseball and said hollow spherical mass is further characterized as composed of a spherical shell surrounded by a resilient mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The baseball as defined by claim 2, wherein said spherical shell is further characterized as being made of steel; and said resilient mass as being composed of a spherical elastomer encapsulating said shell, thread winding surrounding said spherical elastomer, and a cover secured over said winding by means of a patterned sewn seam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The baseball as defined by claim 3, wherein said thread winding is further characterized as composed of a first layer of rough texture wool yarn, a second layer of medium texture wool yarn, a third layer of fine texture wool yarn, and a final layer of thin string.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The baseball as defined by claim 4, wherein said cover is further characterized as composed of bispatular pieces of leather sewn together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The baseball as defined by claim 5, further characterized as being 9 to 9 1/4 inches in circumference and 5 to 5 1/4 ounces in weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said ball is further characterized as a softball, and said hollow spherical mass is further characterized as composed of a spherical shell surrounded by a resilient mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The softball as defined by claim 7, wherein said spherical shell is further characterized as being made of steel; and said resilient mass as being composed of a spherical cork-rubber composition encapsulating said shell, thread winding surrounding said cork-rubber composition, and a coVer secured over said winding by means of a patterned sewn seam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The softball as defined by claim 7, wherein said spherical shell is further characterized as being made of steel; and said resilient mass as being composed of compressed kapok surrounding said shell, an elastomer seal encapsulating said kapok, a layer of thread wound around said elastomer seal, and a cover secured over said thread winding by means of a patterned sewn seam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The softball as defined by claim 9, wherein said cover is further characterized as composed of bispatular pieces of leather sewn together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The softball as defined by claim 10, further characterized as being 11 7/8 to 12 1/8 inches in circumference and 6 to 6 3/4 ounces in weight.
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) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |