MUMBAI, India, May 29 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202621031979 A) filed by Mr. Paresh Shantilal Shah; Dr. Sunil Namdev Peshane; and Mrs. Nimisha Paresh Shah, Maharashtra, on March 17, for 'a novel 48-hole rotomolded pickleball (velocity 48 pro) with improved aerodynamic performance and playing characteristics.'
Inventor(s) include Mr. Paresh Shantilal Shah; Dr. Sunil Namdev Peshane; and Mrs. Nimisha Paresh Shah.
The application for the patent was published on May 29, under issue no. 22/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "The present invention relates to a perforated ball for use in the sport of pickleball, wherein the aerodynamic characteristics of the ball are optimized to improve flight stability, drag behaviour, and wind resistance. Conventional pickleballs generally employ either a 26-hole configuration for indoor play or a 40-hole configuration for outdoor play; however, such designs often exhibit inconsistent aerodynamic performance under varying play conditions. The invention provides a spherical pickleball having an outer diameter of approximately 75 mm with shell thickness of approximately 2 mm and comprising 48 circular through-holes, each hole having a diameter of approximately 6 mm, arranged in a predetermined distribution across the surface of the ball. The hole configuration is designed to regulate airflow through and around the ball during flight, thereby modifying aerodynamic drag and lift characteristics relative to conventional pickleball designs. Unlike conventional injection moulding, the ball was manufactured by rotomoulding technique and holes were drilled using automated pickleball hole drilling machine. Material of construction of ball is a thermoplastic elastomer-based compounding which complies with RoHS, REACH, BPA, NP, Halogens and Phthalate related regulations. Under typical play velocities, corresponding to a Reynold's number range of approximately 50000 to 150000, the ball exhibits a drag coefficient (Cd) of approximately 0.42 to 0.47. The design further produces a lift coefficient (CL) in the range of approximately 0.1 to 0.25, thereby improving aerodynamic stability and maintaining a consistent trajectory under moderate wind conditions. Spin decay of as low as 10-20 % over a 10 to 15 m flight was observed. The new design provides more laminar flow zones, reduced vortex shedding, less unpredictable deviations and better flight trajectory. The combination of ball diameter, hole number, and hole size produces controlled airflow and reduced turbulence-induced deviations, resulting in improved flight predictability and enhanced resistance to wind disturbances. Accordingly, the disclosed 48-hole pickleball provides improved aerodynamic performance compared with conventional indoor and outdoor pickleball configurations."
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
