GB2267038A

GB2267038A - Improvements in or relating to juggling objects

Info

Publication number: GB2267038A
Application number: GB9310079A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain Martin
Original assignee: MORE BALLS THAN MOST Ltd
Current assignee: MORE BALLS THAN MOST Ltd
Priority date: 1992-05-22
Filing date: 1993-05-17
Publication date: 1993-11-24
Also published as: GB9310079D0

Abstract

A juggling object comprising at least one outer skin and containing stuffing material, the stuffing material comprising a plurality of discrete particles characterised in that the maximum dimension of a plurality of those particles exceeds 3mm. The particles are optionally expandible and can have a maximum dimension which does not exceed 12mm. Best characteristics of juggling balls according to the invention result when the particles are of linseed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO JUGGLING OBJECTS This invention is concerned with juggling objects, such as, for example, juggling balls, cubes, skittles and the like which have an outer, preferably elastically deformable skin.

Conventional balls for jugglers are known which comprise an outer skin of elastically deformable stretch material, for example that fabric sold under the 'LYCRA' Trademark and a stuffing of discrete particles based on millett seed.

Juggling balls are also known which comprise a double skin - an outer fabric or plastic material and an inner skin, acting as an internal container and containing e.g. small particle size plastics granules. The former have better 'feel' characteristics than the latter, although the latter may hitherto have been cheaper to produce. Even so, it is desirable to still further improve the feel of millett seed-filled juggling balls. Market research has also shown a need for a potentially safer ball for the toys and playthings market, so they might be used by youngsters as well as adults.

The invention seeks to provide an improved juggling object which is even more suitable for use by children and other 'learners' and which has better 'feel' than conventional millet filled juggling balls.

According to this invention, there is provided a juggling object comprising at least one outer skin and containing stuffing material, the stuffing material comprising a plurality of discrete particles characterised in that the maximum dimension of a plurality of those particles exceeds 3mm; and the particles are optionally expandible.

By the term 'dimension' we mean a measurement of length, height, width or even diameter of a particle.

Whatever may be the largest of those dimensions in any given particle, it must exceed 3mm to qualify as having a maximum dimension which exceeds 3mm.

Preferably, a majority of said particles has such a maximum dimension in excess of 3mm.

More preferably, substantially all of said particles have a maximum dimension in excess of 3mm.

Most preferably the stuffing material essentially consists of discrete particles whose average maximum dimension exceeds 3mm.

The particles preferably have a maximum dimension, as herein defined, which does not exceed 12mm, more preferably does not exceed lOmm and most preferably does not exceed 8mm. It is possible to use particles having a maximum dimension, as herein defined which exceeds 3mm but which does not exceed 6mm.

Suitable particles include seed material which satisfy the specified dimension. Most preferably such seed material comprises, essentially consists of, or even entirely consists of linseed.

We have surprisingly discovered that, for example, linseed = meets this maximum dimension criteria and is an excellent stuffing material for juggling objects such as juggling balls, and especially for juggling balls which include only one outer skin which is elastically deformable.

The throwing and catching properties of juggling balls filled essentially with linseed have been found to be superior than the same characteristics of juggling balls filled with more conventional millett seed, and offer improved safety for youngsters.

Subjective tests report enhanced 'feel', deformation characteristics and improved accuracy of throw and catch. Without wishing to be bound by any theoretical considerations, it is postulated that the improvements derive not only from the natural particle size of linseed (average maximum dimension exceeding 3mm) but also its natural oil content.

The inventors have surprisingly found that linseed is one of those expandable materials whose maximum dimension increases in use, although such expansion may be no more than 5% of its original value. Accordingly it is also possibl to use, as stuffing material for juggling objects, other expandable seed material, preferably whose percentage of expansion, of its maximum dimension, is less than or equal to 5%.

Although juggling objects in accordance with the present invention may have just one external skin, juggling objects with an inner and outer casing can also be used.

Material to serve as an outer skin for juggling balls, e.g. expandable 'Lycra' material can be filled with e.g. linseed by any of the known filling techniques, to mass-produce juggling balls according to the invention. It may be possible to use natural or synthetic leather as an outer skin, but expandable plastics fabric-type materials are preferred.

Reference is now made to the following example to illustrate the invention and describe one way of carrying it into effect. The example is non-limiting.

Example 1 A known outer casing material comprising four 'inside-out' quadrant shaped panels of 'Lycra' material stitched together to form a single outer skin, was inverted about its single aperture. It was placed on a pneumatic loading machine and filled, under pressure, with natural linseed, to substantially fill and partially expand the skin. The aperture was then stitched so that the linseed could not escape. The linseed was commercially available linseed, all particles of which were found to have at least one unit of dimension in excess of 3mm, but below 12mm.

A juggling ball with excellent feel, resilience and control was produced in accordance with this example.

Several balls were produced in exactly the same manner. The characteristics were rated, by expert jugglers, as superior to those of the conventional millett seed such balls.

Claims

1. A juggling object comprising at least one outer skin-and containing stuffing material, the stuffing material comprising a plurality of discrete particles characterised in that the maximum dimension of a plurality of those particles exceeds 3mm.

2. A juggling object as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said particles have at least one unit of dimension in excess of 3mm but not in excess of 12mm.

3. A juggling object as claimed in claim 2 wherein the range of maximum dimension is in excess of 3mm but not in excess of lOmm.

4. A juggling object as claimed in claim 3 wherein the range of maximum dimension is not in excess of 8mm.

5. A juggling object as claimed in claim 4 wherein the range of maximum dimension is not in excess of 6mm.

6. A juggling object as claimed in claim 1 wherein a majority of the particles have such a maximum dimension.

7. A juggling object as claimed in claim 1 wherein substantially all of the particles have such a maximum dimension.

8. A juggling object as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stuffing material essentially consists of discrete particles whose average maximum dimension exceeds 3mm.

9. A juggling object as claimed in claim 1 wherein the particles are expandible.

10. A juggling object as claimed in claim 9 wherein the expandibility of the particles, in use, does not exceed 58 of the size of the original maximum dimension.

11. A juggling object as claimed in claim 1 which comprises particles which are linseed.

12. A juggling object as claimed in claim 11, wherein a single outer skin is used which is made of stretchable or otherwise expandible material.

13. A pack of juggling balls as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stuffing material consists essentially of linseed.