Weighted soccer ball for strength training

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/005040, filed May 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to athletic equipment and accessories, and in particular to a weighted soccer ball for strength training. More than in most other sports, a single point in soccer can make the difference between winning and losing. Ball speed is critical for shots on goal as well as passing the ball, since greater ball speed makes it easier to get the ball past a defender. Players must develop their kicking strength for greater ball speed. A weighted soccer ball for strength training, which enables players to develop leg strength, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a weighted soccer ball for strength training. The ball is intended for use in increasing a user's kicking strength. The user trains with the ball at least five minutes per day with each foot. The ball is provided in different weights and in three different sizes for different age groups.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the ball 10.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the ball 10, the particles 11, and the weight 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a weighted soccer ball 10 for strength training. The ball 10 is intended for use in increasing a user's kicking strength. The user trains with the ball 10 at least five minutes per day with each foot. The ball 10 is provided in different weights and in three different sizes for different age groups.

The first exemplary embodiment comprises a soccer ball 10 with a spherical weight 12 suspended at the center of the ball by a plurality of particles 11, which are confined within the interior surface of the ball 10. The ball 10 is provided in three standard sizes: size 3 for ages of seven years or less, size 4 for ages 8 to 12, and size 5 for ages 12 and up. Size 3 contains 0.5 lb and 1 lb weights, size 4 contains 1.5 lb and 2 lb weights, and size 5 contains 2.5 lb and 3 lb weights, such that as the user's kick strength improves, the user can graduate to the next higher weight.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user selects a ball 10 of the appropriate size and weight corresponding to the user's age and kicking strength. The user may practice kicking the ball 10, at least five minutes per day with each foot.

The ball 10 is preferably manufactured from a durable, flexible material which is easily cleaned, such as leather lined with a layer of rubber. The particles 11 are preferably manufactured from durable, flexible materials, such as polyfiber and rubber. The weight 12 is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material, such as high density rubber. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.