IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,211,012
Granted Patent B2
US 7,211,012 · App. 10/634,344 · Granted May 1, 2007

Multi-layer softball

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,211,012
App. No.
10/634,344
Granted
May 1, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to softballs that have very low compression, but maintain the traditional COR values of standard urethane core softballs. The present invention comprises a softball having a center core and at least one core or mantle layer to produce a softball having the performance of a traditional ball.

Claims (16)

1. A softball comprising:

a composite core comprising (1) a central core having a first hardness, and (2) a first outer core layer adjacent the central core, the first outer core layer having a second hardness less than the first hardness; and

a cover surrounding the composite core,

the softball having a compression of about 400 lbs. or less and a coefficient of restitution of from about 0.400 to about 0.500 at 88 feet/second.

2. The softball according to claim 1 , wherein the central core comprises a first urethane composition.

3. The softball according to claim 1 , wherein the first outer core comprises a second urethane composition.

4. The softball according to claim 1 , wherein the composite core further comprises a second outer core layer adjacent the first outer core layer, the second outer core having a third hardness.

5. The softball according to claim 4 , wherein the third hardness is greater than the second hardness.

6. The softball according to claim 4 , wherein the third hardness is less than the second hardness.

7. The softball according to claim 1 , wherein the softball has a compression of about 375 lbs. or less.

8. The softball according to claim 1 , wherein the softball has a compression of about 325 lbs. or less.

9. The softball according to claim 1 , wherein the softball has a compression of about 200 lbs. or less.

10. The softball according to claim 1 , wherein the central core comprises a first urethane composition, and the first outer core layer comprises a second urethane composition.

11. The softball according to claim 10 , further comprising a second outer core layer adjacent the first outer core layer, the second outer core layer comprising a third urethane composition and having a third hardness.

12. The softball according to claim 11 , wherein the third hardness is greater than the second hardness.

13. The softball according to claim 11 , wherein the third hardness is less than the second hardness.

Assignments (5)
"CHANGE OF NAME AND CONVERSION OF CORPORATE FORM UNDER SECTION 266 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW (DELAWARE CODE TITLE 8) AND SECTIONS 18-214 OF THE DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT (DELAWARE CODE TITLE 6, CHAPTER 18)" Recorded Mar 11, 2009
From: RUSSELL CORPORATION
To: RUSSELL BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 022390/0327 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 17, 2007
From: RUSSELL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
To: RUSSELL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018757/0976 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2006
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A
To: RUSSELL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 018235/0499 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 6, 2006
From: RUSSELL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 017882/0466 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2005
From: LALIBERTY, RONALD P.; LACROIX, MATTHEW K.; FURLONG, JOHN F.
To: RUSSELL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 015696/0773 →