Curving Ball

Abstract

An apparatus that is adapted for enhanced curving when thrown specifically designed to aid in throwing to produce a curve effect and a method for throwing that enhances a curved trajectory. The object includes a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, the structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing the structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first hemisphere.

1 . An object, comprising:
 a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, said structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing said structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, said outer surface including a plurality of slots in said first hemisphere extending from said groove to a pole of said first hemisphere.   
   
   
       2 . The object of  claim 1  wherein said structure consists essentially of a low-density foam. 
   
   
       3 . The object of  claim 2  wherein said foam is selected from the group consisting of one or more of polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EV, VA, EM), polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene (EPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethacrylimide (PMI), polymeric, viscoelastic, reconstituted chip (Recon), low-density closed cell polymer, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The object of  claim 1  wherein said groove has a depth in a range of about two millimeters to about two inches. 
   
   
       5 . The object of  claim 1  wherein said groove has a width in a range of about two millimeters to about two inches. 
   
   
       6 . The object of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of slots are generally perpendicular to said groove as they extend from said groove to said pole. 
   
   
       7 . The object of  claim 1  wherein said slots have a generally triangular periphery defined over said surface. 
   
   
       8 . The object of  claim 1  wherein said groove is continuous around a great circle equatorial circumference. 
   
   
       9 . The object of  claim 1  wherein said groove is visually distinct from said hemispheres when said structure is airborne and spinning. 
   
   
       10 . A ball, comprising:
 a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter in a range of about two inches to about six inches, said structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove, continuous around a great circle equator, dividing said structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, said outer surface including a plurality of longitudinally-extending slots in said first hemisphere extending from said groove to a pole of said first hemisphere;   wherein said structure consists essentially of a low-density material; and   wherein said groove has a depth in a range of about two millimeters to about two inches and a width in a range of about two millimeters to about two inches.   
   
   
       11 . The ball of  claim 10  wherein said groove is visually distinct from said hemispheres when said structure is airborne and spinning. 
   
   
       12 . The ball of  claim 11  wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of one or more of polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (LDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EV, VA, EM), polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene (EPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethacrylimide (PMI), polymeric, viscoelastic, reconstituted chip (Recon), low-density closed cell polymer, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       13 . A method, comprising:
 a) throwing an object, said object including a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, said structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing said structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, said outer surface including a plurality of slots in said first hemisphere extending from said groove to a pole of said first hemisphere; and   b) imparting a spin to said object while throwing to rotate said object about said pole wherein said groove does not significantly precess and appears to a thrower as a generally straight line perpendicular to an axis of rotation wherein said object curves generally in a direction of said first hemisphere.