US4653752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Game ball
Assignee: Lacymil Corp
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Filing: 1985-11-08
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Granted: 1987-03-31
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Expires: 2005-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A baseball or softball having a size, weight, sound and rebound in accordance with standards set for the game. The ball is formed of a spherical plastic shell covered with a conventional sewn cover. The plastic shell is a thermoplastic consisting of a mixture of "Surlyn" ionomer with about 50% ethylene vinyl acetate. The proportions are variable to achieve the desired characteristics, the "Surlyn" providing strength and sound while the EVA provides softness and ease of thermo-welding. The shell is made by injection molding hemispheres and thermally welding two hemispheres together. As an alternative, the shell can be formed with a hole, and liquid components of an expanded plastic placed into the shell and expanded to fill the shell. The shell still provides all characteristics desired, and the expanded plastic is for weight only.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:01
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D22/00; B29D22/04; A; A63; A63B; A63B37/00; B29C; B29C44/00; B29C44/02; B29C44/12; B29C44/18; B29D99/00; B29D99/0042; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/54; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/05; Y10S273/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A game ball, for use in playing the game of baseball of softball wherein the ball is thrown to be hit with a bit, said ball having a size and a weight within the standards set by the rules of said game of baseball or softball, said game ball further producing a sound when hit by a bat such that said sound is acceptable to players of said game, said game ball comprising a spherical shell and a conventional baseball or softball cover thereover, said shell defining an opening therein constituting a fill hole, said spherical shell having a wall thickness of at least one-thirty-second inch and including an expanded plastic filling said spherical shell and said fill hole, said spherical shell being formed of a thermoplastic material consisting of a mixture of an ionomer resin and ethylene vinyl acetate, said shell being of such size that said spherical shell with said cover thereover has a circumference within said standards set by the rules of said game, said spherical shell with said expanded plastic and said cover has a weight within the standards set by the rules of said game, and said ball has a sound when hit acceptable to players of said game.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A game ball, for use in playing the game of baseball of softball wherein the ball is thrown to be hit with a bit, said ball having a size and a weight within the standards set by the rules of said game of baseball or softball, said game ball further producing a sound when hit by a bat such that said sound is acceptable to players of said game, said game ball comprising a spherical shell and a conventional baseball or softball cover thereover, said shell defining an opening therein constituting a fill hole, said spherical shell having a wall thickness of at least one-thirty-second inch and including an expanded plastic filling said spherical shell and said fill hole, said spherical shell being formed of a thermoplastic material consisting of a mixture of an ionomer resin and ethylene vinyl acetate, said shell being of such size that said spherical shell with said cover thereover has a circumference within said standards set by the rules of said game, said spherical shell with said expanded plastic and said cover has a weight within the standards set by the rules of said game, and said ball has a sound when hit acceptable to players of said game.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A game ball as claimed in claim 1, said mixture including at least 25% ethylene vinyl acetate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A game ball as claimed in claim 1, said mixture comprising substantially 50% of said ionomer resin and 50% of said ethylene vinyl acetate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A game ball as claimed in claim 1, said expanded plastic consisting essentially of polyurethane.
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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) | 1990-03-30 | 1990-09-29 | 1991-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-30 | 1994-09-29 | 1995-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-30 | 1998-09-29 | 1999-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |