Training ball

Abstract

A training ball includes a ball body having an overall outer ball surface, and two first and second ball halves which cooperatively define the overall outer ball surface and which are divided by a first imaginary plane that substantially passes through a center of the ball body. At least one of the first and second ball halves has an indented surface region extending inwardly of the overall outer ball surface, and a grip unit which spans the indented surface region. The grip unit has an inner grip surface facing and spaced apart from the indented surface region, and an outer grip surface opposite to the inner grip surface and forming a part of the overall outer ball surface. The inner grip surface and the indented surface region define therebetween a space adapted for extension of fingers of hands thereinto.

1 . A training ball comprising: 
 a ball body including an overall outer ball surface, and two first and second ball halves which cooperatively define said overall outer ball surface and which are divided by a first imaginary plane that substantially passes through a center of said ball body,    at least one of said first and second ball halves having an indented surface region extending inwardly of said overall outer ball surface, and a grip unit which spans said indented surface region, said grip unit having an inner grip surface facing and spaced apart from said indented surface region, and an outer grip surface opposite to said inner grip surface and forming a part of said overall outer ball surface, said inner grip surface and said indented surface region defining therebetween a space adapted for extension of fingers of hands thereinto.    
   
   
       2 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said grip unit has two spaced-apart grip sections adapted to be grasped by two hands, said ball body and said grip unit being formed as separate pieces, said grip sections being formed integrally as one piece.  
   
   
       3 . The training ball of  claim 2 , wherein said grip unit has a curved grip plate which has said inner and outer grip surfaces, said curved grip plate further including two opposite free end portions spanning said indented surface region, butt edges formed in said free end portions, respectively, and finger recesses formed in said outer grip surface, said butt edges serving as said grip sections.  
   
   
       4 . The training ball of  claim 3 , wherein said curved grip plate further includes two spaced-apart slots formed between said butt edges and extending through said inner and outer grip surfaces, and a handle part formed between said slots.  
   
   
       5 . The training ball of  claim 2 , wherein said grip sections of said grip unit are formed as separate plates which span said indented surface region, said grip unit further having a through hole between said separate plates.  
   
   
       6 . The training ball of  claim 2 , wherein said grip unit and said ball body are formed integrally as one piece, said grip unit having two spaced-apart curved strips that form said grip sections, respectively, and that confine a through hole therebetween.  
   
   
       7 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said ball body further includes first and second color surface portions which are divided by a second imaginary plane perpendicular to said first imaginary plane, said first and second color surface portions having different colors.  
   
   
       8 . The training ball of  claim 7 , wherein said ball body further includes two auxiliary handles provided respectively on said first and second color surface portions and at two diametrically opposite positions of said ball body.  
   
   
       9 . The training ball of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second color surface portions respectively have recessed surface regions which extend inwardly of said overall outer ball surface of said ball body, each of said auxiliary handles having a curved handle member spanning one of said recessed surface regions.  
   
   
       10 . The training ball of  claim 9 , wherein said grip unit has a curved grip plate that extends along a direction of a curve formed by an intersection of said overall outer ball surface and said second imaginary plane, said curved handle member extending along a direction of a curve formed by an intersection of said overall outer ball surface and a third plane that is perpendicular to both of said first and second imaginary planes and that passes through an intersection of said first and second imaginary planes.  
   
   
       11 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said overall outer ball surface of said ball body has a rounded shape.  
   
   
       12 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said overall outer ball surface of said ball body has a shape resembling a pear.  
   
   
       13 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said overall outer ball surface of said ball body has a shape resembling an olive.  
   
   
       14 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said grip unit includes a first grip plate integrally formed as one piece with said ball body and having said inner and outer grip surfaces, and a second grip plate mounted removably on said first grip plate.  
   
   
       15 . The training ball of  claim 14 , wherein said first grip plate spans said indented surface region and includes two opposite widened end parts and a constricted part between said widened end parts, said second grip plate having a groove to receive fittingly said first grip plate when said second grip plate is attached to said first grip plate.  
   
   
       16 . The training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said grip unit includes a grip plate integrally formed as one piece with said ball body and having said inner and outer grip surfaces, said grip plate having two opposite widened end parts and a constricted part between said widened end parts.