US4660830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Baseball or softball
Assignee: Home of Champions SA
•
Filing: 1985-02-04
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Granted: 1987-04-28
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Expires: 2005-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A game ball for use as a conventionally sized baseball or softball comprises an inner core of a first material characterized by at least high durability; at least one locator pin of the first material extending radially outwardly from and affixed to the inner core; and a spherical outer core of a second material, characterized by at least high durability and conventional rebound. Preferably, the inner core has four integrally formed locator pins extending radially outwardly therefrom. These pins are positioned 90° apart on an imaginary plane through the equator of the inner core. The first material is selected from the group consisting of cork, kapok, rubber, or a thermoplastic resin such as an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer or a blend of both. The second material for the outer core, preferably polyurethane foam, consists of 100 parts of a resin mixture, a blowing agent, and either 51 or 60 parts isocyanate. The resin mixture comprises between about 95 or 97 percent polyether polyol and small amounts of silicone and a catalyst.
Inventors
- 👤 Julius Tomar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:55
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D99/00; B29D99/0042; A; A63; A63B; A63B45/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/54; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/83; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
In a baseball or softball, the combination comprising: an inner core defining the innermost component of said game ball and formed of a first material characterized by at least high durability; at least one locator pin of the first material extending radially outwardly from and affixed to the inner core; and a spherical outer core of a foamed polyurethane material, characterized by at least high durability and conventional rebound, surrounding and tightly adhered to the inner core and the locator pin and having a thickness equal to the length of said pin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a baseball or softball, the combination comprising: an inner core defining the innermost component of said game ball and formed of a first material characterized by at least high durability; at least one locator pin of the first material extending radially outwardly from and affixed to the inner core; and a spherical outer core of a foamed polyurethane material, characterized by at least high durability and conventional rebound, surrounding and tightly adhered to the inner core and the locator pin and having a thickness equal to the length of said pin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ball of claim 1 wherein said spherical outer core of said polyurethane foam material is about 12-13 mm. in thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ball of claim 1 wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of cork, kapok, rubber or a thermoplastic resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ball of claim 3 wherein said thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer or a blend of both.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ball of claim 4 wherein said ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer selected for forming the inner core has between 12 and 30 percent by weight polymerized vinyl acetate units therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ball of claim 3 wherein said thermoplastic resin is comprised of a 50/50 mixture of partially blown ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers having 12.5 percent and 24 percent, respectively, by weight polymerized vinyl acetate units therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ball of claim 1 which is a conventionally sized softball, wherein said inner core weighs between about 60 to 70 grams and said spherical outer core weighs between about 85 to 95 grams.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ball of claim 1 wherein said polyurethane foam material consists of 60 parts isocyanate and 100 parts of a resin mixture and a blowing agent combined to form the outer core of a regular flight softball.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ball of claim 8 wherein said resin mixture further comprises about 95 percent polyether polyol and small amounts of silicone and catalyst.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ball of claim 1 wherein said polyurethane foam material consists of 51 parts isocyanate and 100 parts of a resin mixture and a blowing agent combined to form the outer core of a restricted flight softball.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The softball of claim 10 wherein said resin mixture further comprises about 97 percent polyether polyol and small amounts of silicone and catalyst.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ball of claim 1 wherein a plurality of locator pins extend radially outwardly from said inner core.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ball of claim 1 wherein said locator pin is integral with said inner core.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ball of claim 1 wherein four locator pins are positioned 90° apart.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ball of claim 1 further comprising a layer of adhesive between said inner and outer cores.
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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) | 1990-04-27 | 1990-10-27 | 1991-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-27 | 1994-10-27 | 1995-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-27 | 1998-10-27 | 1999-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |