System of Modularity for Hollow Game Balls
OwnerRaymond L. Francisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Friction-fit, removable plugs for holes in hollow, perforated game balls, such as Wiffle Balls and practice golf balls. Plugging the holes allows users to adjust the flight and composition of the balls in various ways, including matching the distance of balls to the available space and to the players' abilities. An adjustable golf ball is one embodiment. Plugging the holes also provides a means to attach various accessories, which creates modularity, facilitates experimentation and ball development, and permits an app-like avenue of marketing and development of balls.
Claims20
A plug comprising a body that seats removably into a hole in a game ball that comprises a shell that is hollow, substantially empty, and perforated,
- whereby the flight and composition of said ball can be controlled in various ways, and various accessories can be affixed to said ball with sufficient force so as to stay in place during game play.
A method for appending an accessory to a hollow game ball, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing said ball with at least one aperture,
- b) providing a plug for said aperture wherein said plug is held by friction in said aperture, and said plug is endowed with a cavity,
- c) providing said accessory with a portion that can be inserted into said cavity and held therein by friction,
- d) removably inserting said plug into said aperture and removably inserting said portion of said accessory into said cavity,
- whereby said ball is endowed with at least one new function that said accessory enables.
A golf ball that is adjustable, comprising:
- a golf ball with at least one opening in its outer surface, and
- an object that is reversibly inserted into said opening and held therein with sufficient force so as to stay in place when said ball is struck with a golf club,
- whereby the responsiveness of said golf ball to being struck with a golf club is altered.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.