GB2028666A - Tennis ball - Google Patents

Abstract

A tennis ball (1) has a pair of gourd-shaped covering felts (2, 2a) which are not of the same colour. It is thus easy for a player to detect rotation of a ball in play, and the ball can also be readily distinguished from conventional tennis balls. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A hard-ball for tennis The present invention relates to a hard-ball for tennis.

Hard-ball tennis has now spread widely, and players, both beginners and experts, naturally try to attain a higher level of technique. The technique in playing tennis is connected to a considerable extent with the rotation of the ball. For example, the ball is given a reverse revolution when cut by a player.

However, it is not easy to recognise at a glance in what manner the ball is rotating. This makes the rapid progress in tennis difficult. If a player could see the manner in which the ball was rotating, the extensive efforts would be directed just where they were needed, for example to improve in cutting, and the efficiency in training would be greatly raised.

Another problem which occurs in tennis is that it is sometimes necessary to distinguish one group of balls from another group of balls in tennis courts, for example, private balls from public ones.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hard-ball for tennis the rotation of which can be visually seen. It is also an object of the invention to provide a hard-ball for tennis readily distinguishable from conventional tennis balls.

According to the invention, there is provided a hard-ball for tennis having a pair of gourd-shaped felts bonded on to the surface of a ball padding, wherein the felts are not of the same colour as one another.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa front view of an embodiment of a hard-ball according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a front view of an unfolded gourdshaped felt.

Figure 1 shows a hard-ball 1 for tennis according to the invention having a pair of gourd-shaped felts 2, 2a on the surface 3 thereof. The unfolded felt 2 is shown in Figure 2.

In one embodiment, only one of the felts 2, 2a is coloured, for example, red, green, orange, or otherwise, whereas the other is not coloured, that is, the other is the same as the conventionally used felt.

Thus, the ball is two-tone coloured. In another embodiment, both of the felts 2, 2a are differently coloured to make the ball two-tone coloured. For example, one felt is coloured orange, and the other green.

The hard-ball of the invention can be manufactured in any conventional manner known in the art.

For example, the felts may have a rubber adhesive coated on the back faces thereof, and are bonded on to the surface of a padding (not shown) with the peripheries thereof abutting each other. Then, the adhesive is further applied to the peripheries of the felts so as to be securely bonded to each other. The outer surface of the felts are then napped.

The hard-ball of the invention has many advantages over a conventional one.

On returning a flat ball, it is required to catch the ball so that it hits the face of a racket at right angles.

Since rotation of the hard-ball of the invention can be visually recognised, the angle at which the ball hits the face of the racket can be readily estimated.

This will greatly assist a player in correcting his form on returning a ball.

Reverse rotation of the ball can also be readily recognised. Thus, in training on cutting or chopping a player can see visually whether the returned ball is provided with sufficient reverse rotation, so that the player can estimate the level of skill he has attained.

In this way, a player can know what kind of training is needed in order to improve his technique by watching the revolution of the hard-ball, and he can concentrate his efforts where they are needed.

It should be noted that the additional expense involved in manufacturing the ball of the invention is very small.

When the ball of the invention is used in a tennis game, the spectators can also clearly see the rotation of the ball, thus giving the spectators an added element of interest. Furthermore, when the colour of the ball are suitably selected having regard to the colour of the tennis court, the contrast of the ball with the tennis court will be improved.

One of the other advantages of the hard-ball of the invention is that the ball can be readily distinguished from conventional ones. Thus, the ball can be used to advantage when it has to be distinguished from other balls, for example, when private balls have to be distinguished from public balls on tennis courts.

1. A hard-ball for tennis having a pair of gourdshaped felts bonded on to the surface of a ball padding, wherein the felts are not of the same colour as one another.

2. A ball as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one of the felts only is coloured so as to contrast with the other felt which is not coloured.

3. A ball as claimed in Claim 1, wherein both felts are coloured.

4. A hard-ball for tennis, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A hard-ball for tennis The present invention relates to a hard-ball for tennis. Hard-ball tennis has now spread widely, and players, both beginners and experts, naturally try to attain a higher level of technique. The technique in playing tennis is connected to a considerable extent with the rotation of the ball. For example, the ball is given a reverse revolution when cut by a player. However, it is not easy to recognise at a glance in what manner the ball is rotating. This makes the rapid progress in tennis difficult. If a player could see the manner in which the ball was rotating, the extensive efforts would be directed just where they were needed, for example to improve in cutting, and the efficiency in training would be greatly raised. Another problem which occurs in tennis is that it is sometimes necessary to distinguish one group of balls from another group of balls in tennis courts, for example, private balls from public ones. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hard-ball for tennis the rotation of which can be visually seen. It is also an object of the invention to provide a hard-ball for tennis readily distinguishable from conventional tennis balls. According to the invention, there is provided a hard-ball for tennis having a pair of gourd-shaped felts bonded on to the surface of a ball padding, wherein the felts are not of the same colour as one another. In the accompanying drawings: Figure lisa front view of an embodiment of a hard-ball according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a front view of an unfolded gourdshaped felt. Figure 1 shows a hard-ball 1 for tennis according to the invention having a pair of gourd-shaped felts 2, 2a on the surface 3 thereof. The unfolded felt 2 is shown in Figure 2. In one embodiment, only one of the felts 2, 2a is coloured, for example, red, green, orange, or otherwise, whereas the other is not coloured, that is, the other is the same as the conventionally used felt. Thus, the ball is two-tone coloured. In another embodiment, both of the felts 2, 2a are differently coloured to make the ball two-tone coloured. For example, one felt is coloured orange, and the other green. The hard-ball of the invention can be manufactured in any conventional manner known in the art. For example, the felts may have a rubber adhesive coated on the back faces thereof, and are bonded on to the surface of a padding (not shown) with the peripheries thereof abutting each other. Then, the adhesive is further applied to the peripheries of the felts so as to be securely bonded to each other. The outer surface of the felts are then napped. The hard-ball of the invention has many advantages over a conventional one. On returning a flat ball, it is required to catch the ball so that it hits the face of a racket at right angles. Since rotation of the hard-ball of the invention can be visually recognised, the angle at which the ball hits the face of the racket can be readily estimated. This will greatly assist a player in correcting his form on returning a ball. Reverse rotation of the ball can also be readily recognised. Thus, in training on cutting or chopping a player can see visually whether the returned ball is provided with sufficient reverse rotation, so that the player can estimate the level of skill he has attained. In this way, a player can know what kind of training is needed in order to improve his technique by watching the revolution of the hard-ball, and he can concentrate his efforts where they are needed. It should be noted that the additional expense involved in manufacturing the ball of the invention is very small. When the ball of the invention is used in a tennis game, the spectators can also clearly see the rotation of the ball, thus giving the spectators an added element of interest. Furthermore, when the colour of the ball are suitably selected having regard to the colour of the tennis court, the contrast of the ball with the tennis court will be improved. One of the other advantages of the hard-ball of the invention is that the ball can be readily distinguished from conventional ones. Thus, the ball can be used to advantage when it has to be distinguished from other balls, for example, when private balls have to be distinguished from public balls on tennis courts. CLAIMS

1. A hard-ball for tennis having a pair of gourdshaped felts bonded on to the surface of a ball padding, wherein the felts are not of the same colour as one another.

2. A ball as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one of the felts only is coloured so as to contrast with the other felt which is not coloured.

3. A ball as claimed in Claim 1, wherein both felts are coloured.

4. A hard-ball for tennis, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.