Designs on a sphere that exhibit spin induced contrast

Abstract

A methodology is disclosed for arranging markings on a ball or sphere where the markings exhibit spin induced contrast when the ball or sphere is rotated at a sufficient speed. The methodology is based on a layout utilizing a plurality of geodesic lines symmetrically arranged around the ball or sphere. Various markings can then be applied on the basis of the layout such that when the ball or sphere is rotated, the markings form contrast lines that are perpendicular to the axis of spin of the ball or sphere, at any axis of spin. These contrast line allow an observer to more accurately detect the axis of spin of the ball or sphere as well as track the ball or sphere in motion. The layout can also be used as the basis of a ball paneling pattern.

1 . A ball comprising:
 a ball color; and   linear markings that exhibit spin induced contrast corresponding to three geodesic lines from a Coxeter Complex pattern selected from the group consisting of A3, B3 and H3 with portions of said three geodesic lines omitted from said linear markings, wherein said three geodesic lines share a common vertice and said linear markings contrast said ball color.   
   
   
       2 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein said common vertice is not omitted from said markings. 
   
   
       3 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between each of said three geodesic lines is approximately π/3. 
   
   
       4 . The ball of  claim 3 , further comprising a design element substantially centered on said common vertice. 
   
   
       5 . The ball of  claim 1 , further comprising a design element substantially centered on said common vertice. 
   
   
       6 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein said linear markings comprise a majority of said three geodesic lines. 
   
   
       7 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein the selected Coxeter Complex group is A3. 
   
   
       8 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein the selected Coxeter Complex group is H3. 
   
   
       9 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein said linear markings have a line width between 0.25% and 15% of the overall diameter of the ball. 
   
   
       10 . A ball comprising:
 a ball color; and   markings that exhibit spin induced contrast arranged on the ball based a Coxeter Complex pattern selected from the group consisting of A3, B3 and H3, wherein said marking incorporate portions of three geodesic lines in said markings;   wherein the three geodesic lines share a common vertice;   wherein portions of the three geodesic lines are not incorporated in said markings; and   wherein said markings contrast said ball color.   
   
   
       11 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the common vertice is incorporated in said markings. 
   
   
       12 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the angle between each of the three geodesic lines is approximately π/3. 
   
   
       13 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein said markings further comprise a design element substantially centered on the common vertice. 
   
   
       14 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein said markings incorporate a majority of the three geodesic lines. 
   
   
       15 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the selected Coxeter Complex group is A3. 
   
   
       16 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the selected Coxeter Complex group is H3. 
   
   
       17 . A ball comprising:
 an inner portion; and   a plurality of joined panels covering said inner portion, wherein two edges of each panel substantially corresponds to separate geodesics from a layout pattern that corresponds to the diameter of the ball, wherein said layout pattern is prepared from a plurality of symmetrically arranged geodesics, wherein the number of geodesics is selected from the group consisting of 6, 9 and 15 and wherein said layout pattern includes a plurality of vertices and a plurality of triangular elements.   
   
   
       18 . The ball of  claim 17 , wherein three edges of each joined panel substantially corresponds to said layout pattern. 
   
   
       19 . The ball of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of joined panels each comprise multiple triangle elements defined in said layout pattern. 
   
   
       20 . The ball of  claim 17 , further comprising contrasting markings on said plurality of joined panels. 
   
   
       21 . The ball of  claim 20 , wherein said contrasting markings substantially correspond to said layout pattern.