Abstract: Sporting items such as soccer balls include a casing region and a graphic region that are defined by enhanced-visibility colors (EVCs) that are substantially complementary. Such EVCs can be selected to avoid colors associated with color confusion in color deficient individuals. In addition, such colors can be selected based on total reflectances to obtain a predetermined luminance contrast. EVCs can be selected based on separations of color coordinate locations using CIE chromaticity coordinates or CIE L-a-b coordinates or otherwise selected. Color selection can include consideration of anticipated viewing backgrounds in a general setting, or colors can be customized for a particular location and particular illumination conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an athletic glove for supporting a hand of a wearer. The soccer glove improves performance through the use a three dimensional finger cap which forms at least a portion of at least one digit of the wearer's hand.

Abstract: The invention is a game ball comprising a plurality of panels that are connected along abutting edges. The panels include at least one bridged panel that is formed of two integrally-connected, non-equilateral hexagonal portions. In addition to the bridged panels, the game ball includes equilateral pentagonal panels and non-equilateral hexagonal panels. Each hexagonal portion and each hexagonal panel includes three long edges and three short edges. A ratio of a length of each short edge to a length of each long edge is at least 0.069.

Abstract: A game ball is disclosed that includes a polymer foam layer processed with an inert fluid blowing agent, such as nitrogen. The polymer foam may be a polyolefin material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylvinylacetate, and the inert fluid blowing agent may have a relatively high-purity. The polymer foam may be manufactured with a process that includes impregnating a polymer with the inert fluid blowing agent and expanding the polymer by heating the polymer above a softening temperature of the polymer, reducing a fluid pressure surrounding the polymer, and cooling the polymer. The game ball may be a soccerball, football, or volleyball, for example, that includes the polymer foam.

Abstract: Sporting items such as soccer balls include a casing region and a graphic region that are defined by enhanced-visibility colors (EVCs) that are substantially complementary. Such EVCs can be selected to avoid colors associated with color confusion in color deficient individuals. In addition, such colors can be selected based on total reflectances to obtain a predetermined luminance contrast. EVCs can be selected based on separations of color coordinate locations using CIE chromaticity coordinates or CIE L-a-b coordinates or otherwise selected. Color selection can include consideration of anticipated viewing backgrounds in a general setting, or colors can be customized for a particular location and particular illumination conditions.

Abstract: A game ball is disclosed that includes a polymer foam layer processed with an inert fluid blowing agent, such as nitrogen. The polymer foam may be a polyolefin material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylvinylacetate, and the inert fluid blowing agent may have a relatively high-purity. The polymer foam may be manufactured with a process that includes impregnating a polymer with the inert fluid blowing agent and expanding the polymer by heating the polymer above a softening temperature of the polymer, reducing a fluid pressure surrounding the polymer, and cooling the polymer. The game ball may be a soccerball, football, or volleyball, for example, that includes the polymer foam.

Abstract: A goalkeeper's glove is disclosed, wherein use of a specialized pattern for the element comprising the palmar surface achieves a design with improved ball control and durability characteristics. Improved ball control is gained through an absence of seams on areas that are critical for ball control, specifically the palmar and lateral surfaces of the first and second digit and the palmar and medial surfaces of the fifth digit. Furthermore, the general absence of seams that connect separate sections of material on the palmar surface improves durability by eliminating common failure areas.

Abstract: The invention is a game ball comprising a plurality of panels that are connected along abutting edges. The panels include at least one bridged panel that is formed of two integrally-connected, non-equilateral hexagonal portions. In addition to the bridged panels, the game ball includes equilateral pentagonal panels and non-equilateral hexagonal panels. Each hexagonal portion and each hexagonal panel includes three long edges and three short edges. A ratio of a length of each short edge to a length of each long edge is at least 0.069.