ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 24 -- United States Patent no. 12,582,877, issued on March 24.
"Structurally reinforced pickleball" was invented by Adam Haut (Holly Springs, N.C.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "Through the use of an internal support system integrated with the interior shell of a hollow ball, the concentration of impact stress to the ball's shell during game play is reduced through better dispersion and resistance of applied force, while also reinforcing the ball's shell at its weakest points, which are the holes, thus making it more resilient and thereby less susceptible to breakage. Enhanced fortification against impact stress applied during gameplay serves to increase the usable life...