Agility training ball

Abstract

In an inflatable ball, a substance is conveyed within its inner chamber which sticks to the inner surface subtending a small portion of the entirety of that inner surface. A rubber based catalyst is a particularly suitable substance because, when cured, it remains soft and pliable, enhancing its ability to remain adhered to the inner surface of an inflatable ball and to conform to the shape of that surface whether or not the ball is inflated. A heavy substance such as lead shot or stainless steel balls can be embedded into the liquid material prior to curing to increase the weight. Any substance embedded into the liquid material is introduced through the valve and port of the inflatable ball. With the center of gravity of the ball permanently altered, the ball has a tendency to rest in a position with the weighted material therewithin facing the ground surface on which the ball sits, and the ball has a tendency to stay in that position or to return to that position when an attempt is made to roll it in any direction away from that position. If a user succeeds in rolling the ball to a position where the portion of the inner surface engaging the weighted material rises to the top of the ball as it is rolled, when the ball is let go, it will move in an erratic way.

1 . An improved training ball, comprising:
 a) an inflatable sphere having an internal chamber defined by an inner surface, and an outer surface;   b) a substance adhered to a portion of said inner surface and being non-movable with respect to said inner surface;   c) said substance moving a center of gravity of said ball from an original central location thereof without said substance adhered therein, to a location offset from said central location.   
     
     
         2 . The ball of  claim 1 , further including an inflation valve mounted on said sphere and permitting inflation of said ball through introduction of gas into said internal chamber via said valve. 
     
     
         3 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface is non-smooth. 
     
     
         4 . The ball of  claim 3 , wherein said outer surface is ribbed. 
     
     
         5 . The ball of  claim 3 , wherein said outer surface is roughened. 
     
     
         6 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein said substance is chosen from the group consisting of a rubber-based catalyst, plastic, rubber and synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The ball of  claim 6 , wherein said substance has embedded therein a weighted material. 
     
     
         8 . The ball of  claim 7 , wherein said weighted material is chosen from the group consisting of grains of sand and BBs. 
     
     
         9 . The ball of  claim 6 , wherein said substance is flexible. 
     
     
         10 . The ball of  claim 9 , wherein said portion comprises less than half said inner surface. 
     
     
         11 . The ball of  claim 9 , wherein said outer surface is non-smooth. 
     
     
         12 . The ball of  claim 2 , wherein said substance is chosen from the group consisting of a rubber-based catalyst, plastic, rubber and synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         13 . The ball of  claim 12 , wherein said substance is flexible. 
     
     
         14 . A method of making a training ball including the steps of:
 a) providing an inflatable sphere having an internal chamber defined by an inner surface, and an outer surface;   b) providing said sphere with an inflation valve;   c) inflating said sphere by introducing gas into said internal chamber through said valve;   d) introducing a liquid into said internal chamber through said inflation valve;   e) hardening said liquid into a hardened substance within said chamber, said hardened substance adhering to said inner surface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , said substance being chosen from the group consisting of a rubber-based catalyst, plastic, rubber and synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said hardened substance adheres to a portion of said inner surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said portion comprises less than half said inner surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein, prior to said liquid hardening, embedding a weighted material therein. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said weighted material is chosen from the group consisting of grains of sand and BBs. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said substance is flexible.