Basketball having grippable apertures for one-handed dunking

Abstract

A basketball having a generally spherical exterior surface with a plurality of spaced apart grippable apertures disposed entirely around the exterior surface. The apertures define a convex surface therebetween. Each of the apertures are sized and configured to releaseably receive a portion of a fingertip or thumb tip of one of a hand. The depth and width of the apertures are selected to provide a firm grip, yet allow quick and easy release of the basketball as required for the successful execution of a one-handed dunk. The size and shape of the convex surface is selected to facilitate normal surface contact, thereby allowing the basketball to be dribbled, passed and shot as a standard basketball. Spacing of the apertures and convex surfaces allow players with varying finger spans and grip strength to securely guide the basketball with one hand through the rim of a basket while executing a one-handed dunk.

1 . A basketball for one-handed dunking by a player, said basketball comprising an exterior surface having a plurality of apertures in spaced apart relation to define a convex surface therebetween, said apertures disposed entirely around said exterior surface and shaped and configured to releaseably receive therein a fingertip or a thumb tip of one hand of the player so as to enable the player to firmly grip said basketball in said hand to facilitate the player dunking said basketball with said hand.  
   
   
       2 . The basketball according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said apertures comprises a top perimeter, an inner side wall and a bottom surface, said top perimeter, said side wall and said bottom surface defining a receiving cavity for receiving at least a portion of said fingertip or said thumb tip.  
   
   
       3 . The basketball according to  claim 2 , wherein said top perimeter is generally circular in cross-section.  
   
   
       4 . The basketball according to  claim 2 , wherein said side wall of said aperture is configured for the player to press said fingertip or thumb tip thereagainst so as to grip said basketball in said hand.  
   
   
       5 . The basketball according to  claim 2 , wherein said aperture is approximately 15 mm to 35 mm deep.  
   
   
       6 . The basketball according to  claim 5 , wherein said aperture is approximately 15 mm to 20 mm wide at said top perimeter.  
   
   
       7 . The basketball according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said apertures comprises a top perimeter and an inner side wall, said top perimeter and said side wall defining a receiving cavity for receiving at least a portion of said fingertip or said thumb tip therein.  
   
   
       8 . The basketball according to  claim 7 , wherein said aperture is approximately 15 mm to 20 mm wide at said top perimeter.  
   
   
       9 . The basketball according to  claim 1 , wherein said apertures are configured in a substantially repeating pattern covering said exterior surface.  
   
   
       10 . The basketball according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface comprises a plurality of seamed panels, each of said panels joined to an adjacent panel by a circumferential seam.  
   
   
       11 . A basketball for one-handed dunking by a player, said basketball comprising an exterior surface having a plurality of apertures in spaced apart relation to define a convex surface therebetween, said apertures having a top perimeter, an inner side wall and a bottom surface defining a receiving cavity, said apertures disposed entirely around said exterior surface and shaped and configured to releaseably receive a fingertip or a thumb tip of one hand of the player in said receiving cavity so as to enable the player to firmly grip said basketball in said hand by pressing said fingertip or thumb tip against said side wall so as to facilitate the player dunking said basketball with said hand.  
   
   
       12 . The basketball according to  claim 11 , wherein said aperture is approximately 15 mm to 35 mm deep.  
   
   
       13 . The basketball according to  claim 12 , wherein said aperture is approximately 15 mm to 20 mm wide at said top perimeter.  
   
   
       14 . The basketball according to  claim 11 , wherein said aperture is approximately 15 mm to 20 mm wide at said top perimeter.  
   
   
       15 . The basketball according to  claim 11 , wherein said apertures are configured in a substantially repeating pattern covering said exterior surface.  
   
   
       16 . The basketball according to  claim 11 , wherein said exterior surface comprises a plurality of seamed panels, each of said panels joined to an adjacent panel by a circumferential seam.  
   
   
       17 . The basketball according to  claim 11 , wherein said top perimeter is generally circular in cross-section.