Yackle Ball is soft, yet firm, tough and tactile, it provides multiple games that you can play alone, with friends or in teams. Phenomenal aerodynamics increase the throwing distance and the shape makes it easy to catch and throw! BEST of all… Yackle Ball is FUN!
Constructed from premium quality water-resistant marine vinyl, Yackle Ball is great in any weather; at home, on the beach, at the park or in the school yard. It's a whole lot more fun than a traditional ball, flies like a dream, and looks pretty darn cool too. Yackle Ball is a new X shaped sports ball for all ages and athletic abilities. The X shape makes it easy to throw and catch and its softness makes it safe for children or as a toy. Extremely durable USA made Yackle Ball is played with by young children to adults and is a fun family activity.
The Yackle Ball is no way related to Yak About It, but you have to love the Yak connection!
One day while doodling, I (Patricia Littwin) drew a puffy 'X' that soon became what now is known as Yackle Ball. It was exciting and yet difficult because I needed to make this drawing on a paper into a real object that I could hold and throw. I wasn’t even sure if it would do what I imagined. I started with an old pair of jeans sewing the legs together and then stuffed them with socks. It was lopsided and didn’t go very far when I threw it, but the idea was beginning to become alive. I asked my mother to help me draw a pattern that would create the shape that I wanted to achieve. She was a seamstress and knew how the sewing needed to be done. Now it was beginning to take shape. This funny object, a figment of my imagination, was pretty cool looking when I threw it through the air; WOW... it really went far!
Next, I began rhyming words to come up with a name. When I got to the t’s, (yes it took me quite some time), while rhyming tackle I said Yackle and so it was known. I then went to a material store and to look at the choices of the fabric for my new ball. My favorite color is Black, so I decided on black and white for my first ball. Leather was a bit expensive but a top quality vinyl seemed to have a nice feel and the price was affordable.
The aerodynamics took some time to get just right. If I made the ball too big or small it would affect the throw and the weight was a major factor in how it all came together. I spent nine months perfecting my prototype until I obtained the perfect ball.
Here I had this funny looking ball and needed to get my Patent. It was the quickest one in New York State I was told because the ball was so unique. Well, I had the ball, a name and my Patent but I didn’t have a clue what to do with it. So, it sat on a shelf over my desk as I worked my company the last few years. Then one day I went to my husband’s uncle’s memorial service and heard how he was an inventor and created many unique jewels. It was that night, on the way back home that I was given the inspiration and determination to take my ball to the market. I had the new sports ball of the millennium and the public is going to know about it!
Inventor: Patricia Littwin
I am Patricia Littwin. I was born May 4, 1962 in Daytona Beach, Florida. My family moved to Rochester, New York when I was three years old where I grew up. I have always been very creative and inventive in my life. I have three wonderful grown children: Jonathan, Michelle and Michael. My husband Charles and I married June 2003 and we now live in North Carolina.
Being a mother, it frustrated me that my children were so athletically different. I tried to find an outdoor activity that we all could play together. My youngest son: Michael, was not very good with balls. He had a hard time catching and he lacked good motor skills to be good at Active Play. My daughter: Michelle, feared being hurt. She would close her eyes when a ball would be thrown to her. And then there was my oldest son: Jonathan. He was very athletic and was very good at all outdoor activities. To find something that they would all play together was impossible.
I was trained as a medic in the US Army and spent years of seeing terrible sporting injuries. I received my Psychology degree in 2001. Looking at the problems that we have around us, not just my children but many families... There are so many children who were getting over weight due to the lack of exercise and spending more time on computers, Children who didn't make the cut at school were getting pushed aside and forgotten about and most important, in recent years family togetherness is being forgotten. I decided there was a need for active play that would be safe and easy for all ages and abilities to play. I also wanted to make sure the whole family would enjoy playing the games!
Yackle Ball is a really challenging product to bring to the market. Not only is it a new product, but it is a different shape of a ball. People do not like change, but we have found once they play with the ball they love it.
My dream is to have Yackle Ball played in every school and get the children more PE time. I want to help those that were never able to join in on active play not only have fun but be able to be good at it! I want to make exercising fun with sports and this is one that any age or athletic ability can play. I want to see families out playing in their yards on the weekends together like we use to when I was younger.
We donate our time with Schools working with the students and donating the proceeds of sales to help the PE departments and we volunteer with the NC Special Olympics to work with the Athletes teaching them Yackle Ball each summer!
I started Ttalf Corporation, that many people ask what does Ttalf mean. It is my madden name reversed: Flatt. We then attempted to find manufacturing. We had several companies attempt to make the ball but all have failed. Everyone said go overseas.... but I was determined to keep my product here in the USA! Automating the process and making it machine made was a challenge only Charlie and I were determined enough to conquer. I partnered up with my husband to open a manufacturer's plant in Troutman NC. We signed a lease on a 10,000 sq ft building with four offices and went into full production in May 2006.
Ms. M. says:
Jun 26, 2010 at 7:41 pm
A pleasure to be the 1st to comment. I want to buy this! I see the pure motive behind the creator for a x-ball for the x-generation. You are right about the people's outdoor pleasures...not everyone can play ball, BUT I know we can play Yackle! Love the … more patent story-just love it.
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