Pickleball having noise dampening characteristics
OwnerPaul Finchinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A noise-dampening ball for use in the game of pickleball is disclosed. The ball includes a novel layering arrangement which reduces noise generated during play without the need for a player to utilize an alternative paddle while falling within the size and weight standards established by the official body which oversees the sport. The ball demonstrates standard bounce characteristics while allowing the play to be undertaken without the level of noise currently experienced by pickleball players utilizing a conventional ball.
Claims16
A sound-deadening pickleball for use on a playing surface, the pickleball comprising:
- a core composed of a first material, the first material being a molded material, the first material having a degree of hardness;
- an external cover composed of a second material formed over the core, the second material having a degree of hardness, the degree of hardness of the first material being greater than that of the degree of hardness of the second material, the second material being composed of a polypropylene and a durable synthetic rubber composition, the synthetic rubber being vulcanized;
- and
- one or more holes formed through the core and the external cover, wherein a portion of the core adjacent at least one of the one or more holes includes a lip extending ball-inward.
A sound-deadening pickleball for use on a playing surface, the pickleball comprising:
- a core composed of a rigid plastic;
- an external cover being formed over the core, the cover being composed of a polypropylene and a durable synthetic rubber composition, the synthetic rubber being vulcanized;
- and
- one or more holes formed through the core and the external cover, wherein a portion of the core adjacent at least one of the one or more holes includes a lip extending ball-inward.
A method of constructing a pickleball, the method comprising:
- forming an inner core from a first material having a hardness;
- forming an external layer over the inner core, the external layer being composed of a second material, the second material having a hardness, the hardness of the first material being greater than the hardness of the second material, the second material being composed of a polypropylene and a durable synthetic rubber composition, the synthetic rubber being vulcanized;
- and
- forming at least one hole through the external layer and the inner core by molding or by drilling, wherein a portion of the inner core adjacent the at least one hole includes a lip extending inward of the pickleball.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.