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spring ball

 a ball that doesn't use an inflatable bladder
  (+5, -1)
(+5, -1) 		  [vote for,
against]

This is a ball that has telescopic spring-biased members (like pogo sticks) radiating from the center. The telescopic members are covered with a flexible sphere.

I can't think of too many advantages of this ball. Maybe for playing soccer on the moon ;)

—xaviergisz, Feb 16 2008

spring ball illustration http://imgur.com/a/B1hMV
[xaviergisz, Feb 16 2008, last modified Dec 14 2011]

Patent US 6280356 http://v3.espacenet...C&IDX=US6280356&F=0
closest I could find [xaviergisz, Feb 18 2008]

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       Our son had a spring ball, just the springs and no covering.
—DrCurry, Feb 17 2008
   

       We had a Spring Ball when I was up at university.
—coprocephalous, Feb 18 2008
   

       (+) for using the phrase "telescopic members" in a sentence.
Add a remote control and you'll have my $29.99.
—jutta, Feb 18 2008
   

       Wouldn't a really low pressure ball that was somewhat heavier also be playable on the moon?
—WcW, Feb 18 2008
   

       probably WcW, but you couldn't take it from inside the space capsule to the outside without it exploding.
—xaviergisz, Feb 18 2008
   

       // but you couldn't take it from inside the space capsule to the outside without it exploding //   

       That depends how strong the outer casing is. The difference in pressure between the interior and exterior of the vessel would be (at most) one bar; many spacecraft have a much lower internal pressure. Producing a ball that could survive an effective one bar increase in internal pressure isn't rocket science. However, the ball would prove less resilient. Also, diving to save a goal in a full environment suit is probably not recommended by the manufacturers. Check on the little tab in the back of the collar before you try it.
—8th of 7, Feb 18 2008
   

       Me want. :)
—Thomasunde, Feb 21 2008
   

       //The difference in pressure between the interior and exterior// - these could be the same. There'd be no need for such a ball to be air tight.   

       I think you might get a more ball-like-feel by maintining its shape, not from springs radiating from the centre, but between one surface section and the next. Image a ball made up of loads of triangular factes, as you might have with a CG sphere in a 3D engine. Each facet, or polygon, attempts to maintain its orientation with its three surrounding facets (again, polygons).   

       It wants to be a sphere, it'll always return to being a sphere, so don't bother pumping it up.
—seanbo, Jul 20 2009
   


 

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