Multi-Layered and/or Non-Uniform Weight Distributed Pickleball Ball

Abstract

This disclosure provides pickleball balls configured with multi-layered (e.g., multi-shelled) shell and/or shells with non-uniform material distributions. An example pickleball ball comprises an outer shell having a first set of apertures, and an inner shell having a second set of apertures, with at least one aperture of the first set of apertures overlapping an aperture of the second set of apertures, and/or with the outer shell and the inner shell being made of different materials. Another example pickleball ball has a shell with a non-uniform distribution of weight and/or in which at least one of the apertures has an entry and an exit that have different lateral alignment, size, and/or shape.

1 . A pickleball ball, comprising:
 an outer shell having a first set of apertures; and   an inner shell having a second set of apertures,   wherein
 at least one aperture of the first set of apertures overlaps an aperture of the second set of apertures; and/or 
 the outer shell and the inner shell are made of different materials. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , wherein apertures in the first set of apertures go through the outer shell and apertures of the second set of apertures go through the inner shell. 
     
     
         3 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one aperture in the first set of apertures does not overlap with any aperture in the second set of apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell comprises a spongy and/or soft material. 
     
     
         5 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more intermediate shells arranged between the outer shell and the inner shell. 
     
     
         6 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is less smooth than the inner shell and is configured to increase drag. 
     
     
         7 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell surrounds a hollow core of the pickleball ball. 
     
     
         8 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are attached using a glue, fusion, heat, or a coating mechanism, or by submerging the pickleball in gas, vapor or liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 1 , wherein a first aperture from the first set of apertures has a funnel shape extending from an outer surface of the outer shell to an inner surface of the outer shell, and a second aperture from the second set of apertures has a funnel shape extending from an outer surface of the inner shell to the inner surface of the inner shell. 
     
     
         10 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 9 , wherein a size and/or shape of an opening of the funnel shape of the first aperture at the inner surface of the outer shell is of a same size and/or shape of the funnel shape of the second aperture at the outer surface of the inner shell. 
     
     
         11 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 9 , wherein the first aperture and the second aperture at least partially overlaps to enable flow of air, from outside the pickleball ball to a hollow area surrounded by the inner shell, through the first aperture and the second aperture. 
     
     
         12 . A pickleball ball configured for biased ball movement, the pickleball ball comprising a hollow sphere-shaped shell with a plurality of apertures arranged on the surface of the shell, the shell having a non-uniform distribution of weight and/or at least one of the apertures having an entry and an exit that have different lateral alignment, size, and/or shape. 
     
     
         13 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 12 , wherein the sphere-shaped shell has a non-uniform distribution of weight. 
     
     
         14 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 13 , wherein the sphere-shaped shell is configured to be heavier on one side of the ball. 
     
     
         15 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 13 , wherein additional weight is added to selected areas of the ball. 
     
     
         16 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 13 , wherein the sphere-shaped shell is constructed with materials of different weights in a first area and a second area. 
     
     
         17 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 13 , wherein the sphere-shaped shell has a non-uniform thickness. 
     
     
         18 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the apertures has an entry and an exit that have different lateral alignment, size, and/or shape. 
     
     
         19 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the apertures has an entry and an exit that have different lateral alignment. 
     
     
         20 . The pickleball ball according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the apertures has an entry and an exit that have different sizes and/or different shapes.