Adaptive Training Balls for Niche Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A series of specialized baseball-like training balls designed for unique operational environments, including confined spaces, disaster relief, high-security, extreme weather conditions, and compact storage systems.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent's baseball-like training ball, while suitable for general training purposes, has limitations in addressing the specific needs of niche markets. The new inventive concept adapts the original design to cater to specialized requirements, providing a more effective and safe training experience.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new claims introduce four specialized variations of the baseball-like training ball: (1) a confined space ball with a smaller diameter and lighter weight for low-velocity throws and short-distance flights, (2) a disaster relief ball designed for simulated disaster response scenarios, (3) a high-security ball with an embedded RFID tag for tracking and monitoring, and (4) a weather-resistant ball with a water-resistant and UV-resistant synthetic leather cover. Additionally, a compact storage system is introduced for organized and protected storage of the training balls.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims' inventive step lies in the adaptation of the original design to address specific niche market needs, providing a unique combination of features and functionalities that distinguish them from the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments could include balls with varying sizes, weights, and materials to cater to different niche environments. Additional features, such as GPS tracking or shock-absorbing materials, could be integrated to further enhance the training experience.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptive training balls have significant commercial potential in various industries, including law enforcement, emergency response, sports training, and outdoor recreation. The compact storage system also offers opportunities for partnerships with sports equipment manufacturers and distributors.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A63 | A63B37/04 |
| A | A63 | A63B37/12 |
| A | A63 | A63B43/04 |
| A | A63 | A63B37/14 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Sports training equipment design, specifically baseball and softball training balls, involving materials engineering, injection molding techniques, and sports simulation technologies
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with expertise in sports equipment design, polymer materials, manufacturing processes, and training simulation technologies, typically holding a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field with 3-5 years of specialized experience
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the source patent's fundamental design of a polyethylene baseball-like training ball provides a versatile template for creating specialized variations addressing specific training environments. The PTD's modifications represent predictable extensions of the original design, utilizing standard engineering techniques and known material adaptations to solve specific training challenges. The core structural elements remain consistent, with incremental improvements that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to optimize training equipment for diverse scenarios.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,846 |
|---|---|
| Title | Baseball like training ball |
| Assignee(s) | SWEETSPOT BASEBALL, LLC |