US4131276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-injurious amusement ball and method of making same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-26
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Granted: 1978-12-26
•
Expires: 1997-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight, non-injurious amusement ball designed for use in a restricted area or where it is desirable to prevent injury to the surroundings and participants from impact with the ball. The ball is fabricated from resilient, cellular plastic foam strips of rectangular cross section compressed in a central core and extending radially into an essentially spherical periphery. The periphery is impact absorbent and wind resistant for non-injurious activity and limited flight. A core is used to tie and compress the strips in the central core, providing increased density for stable trajectory.
Inventors
- 👤 Ren Judkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:54
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B43/00; A63B43/02; A63B37/00; A63B2043/001; A63B2208/00; A63B2208/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/08; Y10S273/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An amusement ball comprising: a first plurality of resilient cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform first length; a second plurality of resilient cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform second length that is shorter than said first length, said second foam strips being placed so as to essentially surround said first plurality of foam strips; and a band placed around the middle of said first and second foam strips, said band being sufficiently tightened to cause said foam strips to be tightly gathered about their middle, thus forming a compact resilient core essentially enclosed by said foam strips, and said foam strips being bent to form an essentially spherical configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An amusement ball comprising: a first plurality of resilient cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform first length; a second plurality of resilient cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform second length that is shorter than said first length, said second foam strips being placed so as to essentially surround said first plurality of foam strips; and a band placed around the middle of said first and second foam strips, said band being sufficiently tightened to cause said foam strips to be tightly gathered about their middle, thus forming a compact resilient core essentially enclosed by said foam strips, and said foam strips being bent to form an essentially spherical configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An amusement ball as defined in claim 1 wherein said foam strips are of essentially uniform cross sectional area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
An amusement ball as defined in claim 2 wherein said cross sectional area of each said foam strip is sufficiently large as to necessitate that the length of said second foam strips be shorter than the length of said first foam strips in order to insure that said first and second foam strips will present an essentially spherical configuration when tightly gathered about their middle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An amusement ball as defined in claim 1 wherein said foam strips define a plurality of interradial spaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An amusement ball as defined in claim 1 wherein said band further comprises a tether attached to said band, said tether having sufficient length so as to be easily accessible between said foam strips.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of fabricating an amusement ball having an essentially spherical configuration, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a first plurality of plastic cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform first length; obtaining a second plurality of plastic cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform second length that is shorter than said first length; surrounding said first plurality of foam strips with said second foam strips; and tightly binding said first and second foam strips about their middle so as to cause said foam strips to be tightly gathered, thus forming a compact, resilient core essentially enclosed by said foam strips while at the same time causing said foam strips to bend, thereby forming an essentially spherical configuration.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of fabricating an amusement ball having an essentially spherical configuration, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a first plurality of plastic cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform first length; obtaining a second plurality of plastic cellular foam strips each having an essentially uniform second length that is shorter than said first length; surrounding said first plurality of foam strips with said second foam strips; and tightly binding said first and second foam strips about their middle so as to cause said foam strips to be tightly gathered, thus forming a compact, resilient core essentially enclosed by said foam strips while at the same time causing said foam strips to bend, thereby forming an essentially spherical configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 6 further comprising the steps of obtaining a tether and securing said tether to said core of the amusement ball.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-25 | 1982-06-26 | 1982-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-25 | 1986-06-26 | 1986-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-25 | 1990-06-26 | 1990-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |