Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The inflatable sports ball having a bladder defining an exterior bladder surface and a bladder circumference. The inflatable sports ball may further comprise a cover disposed about the bladder, the cover comprising an outer cover layer and an intermediate structure. The intermediate structure is disposed between the outer cover layer and the bladder. The intermediate structure comprises a restriction structure. The restriction structure may comprise a plurality of overlapping strips. Each of the overlapping strips is interwoven with each of the other strips and wrapped about the bladder circumference. In this way, the restriction structure comprises a uniform number of radially-stacked layers of the overlapping strips over a substantial entirety of the exterior bladder surface between the exterior bladder surface and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: A sports ball may include an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the bladder. The cover comprises a plurality of adjoining panels, wherein each panel defines a plurality of panel edges that each extend in a predetermined edge direction along an edge length of less than 7.5 centimeters. The cover may further define a plurality of interior channels. Each interior channel extends in a predetermined channel direction along a channel length of less than 7.5 centimeters. The panel edges and the interior channels are staggered, such that each edge direction is obliquely angled with respect to each of the other edge directions, and each interior channel direction is obliquely angled with respect to each of the other interior channel directions and each of the edge directions of the respective panel. Such an arrangement limits directional feature length and promotes a balanced topography upon the exterior surface of the ball.

Abstract: A sports ball comprising a cover disposed about a bladder is provided. The cover comprises an outer substrate and defines an outer substrate surface and a feature surface. The outer substrate surface defines a plurality of plateau sections. The feature surface is radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface and further defines a plurality of indentations and a plurality of protrusions. Each indentation has an indentation terminus disposed on the feature surface and radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by an indentation depth. The protrusions are positioned on the plateau sections, and each protrusion has a protrusion terminus disposed on the feature surface and radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by a protrusion height. At least one protrusion is positioned less than a predetermined distance of about 1.0 millimeters from at least one of the indentations, thereby acting as a wickerbill on the ball.

Abstract: A knitted component with a surface that includes first areas and second areas having different relative coefficient of frictions and that are formed in an alternating pattern. The first areas of the first surface are 40% to 80% of the total surface area for the first surface. The alternating pattern may be in the form of concentric shapes. The alternating pattern may have linear boundaries and curvilinear boundaries between first areas and second areas. The first areas can be formed from a first yarn having a core and a coating. The coating at least partially surrounds the core.

Abstract: An inflatable sports ball is provided. The inflatable sports ball having a bladder defining an exterior bladder surface and a bladder circumference. The inflatable sports ball may further comprise a cover disposed about the bladder, the cover comprising an outer cover layer and an intermediate structure. The intermediate structure is disposed between the outer cover layer and the bladder. The intermediate structure comprises a restriction structure. The restriction structure may comprise a plurality of overlapping strips. Each of the overlapping strips is interwoven with each of the other strips and wrapped about the bladder circumference. In this way, the restriction structure comprises a uniform number of radially-stacked layers of the overlapping strips over a substantial entirety of the exterior bladder surface between the exterior bladder surface and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: An upper for an article of footwear includes an inner boot having an ankle opening and an instep region formed between the ankle opening and an anterior end of the upper and a cushioning member disposed over the instep region of the inner boot and including a first side fixed to a medial side of the upper and a second side tethered to a lateral side of the upper.

Abstract: A sports ball is provided. The sports ball may include a bladder and a cover disposed about the bladder, wherein the cover includes a plurality of adjoining panels and defines an exterior surface. The cover further defines a plurality of channels extending radially inward from the exterior surface. The plurality of channels includes a plurality of peripheral channel segments and a plurality of interior channel segments. The plurality of peripheral channel segments each define a peripheral seam between adjoining ones of the plurality of panels. Each channel of the plurality of interior channel segments is provided within a central region of one or more of the panels and divide the exterior surface into a plurality of open polygonal portions.

Abstract: A sports ball and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sports ball having a bladder, an outer cover layer, and an intermediate structure disposed between the outer cover layer and the bladder. The intermediate structure includes a restriction structure comprising a plurality of overlapping layers of cross-linked polymer film wrapped about the bladder. The sports ball may be formed via the steps of surrounding the bladder, having a first initial circumferential dimension, with a plurality of overlapping layers of cross-linked polymer shrink film, such that the cross-linked shrink film forms a restriction structure in a first dimensional state; applying a heat shrinking process to the cross-linked polymer shrink film to contract the restriction structure from the first dimensional state to a second dimensional state; inflating the bladder to a second circumferential dimension; and disposing the outer cover layer and intermediate layers about the bladder and restriction structure.

Abstract: An inflatable sports ball having a bladder and a cover disposed about the bladder in provided. The cover may have an exterior surface that defines a plurality of plateau sections, a first plurality of indentations, and a second plurality of indentations that cooperate to define a topographical arrangement across the exterior surface. Each of the first plurality of indentations has a first indentation depth, a first indentation width, and a first maximum aspect ratio. The first maximum aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the first indentation width to the first indentation depth. The second plurality of indentations has a second indentation depth, a second indentation width, and a second maximum aspect ratio. The second maximum aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the second indentation width to the second indentation depth. The second maximum aspect ratio is greater than the first maximum aspect ratio.

Abstract: A sports ball is provided and may include an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may comprise a plurality of adjoining panels. The cover may further define an exterior surface comprising a plurality of plateau sections and a plurality of indentations extending radially inward from the exterior surface. The plurality of indentations may include a plurality of peripheral channels or seams and a plurality of interior channels. Each seam has a seam length and the plurality of seams has a first aggregate deboss length. Each interior channel has a channel length and the plurality of interior channels has a second aggregate deboss length. Collectively, the seams and interior channels have an aggregate feature length, which is defined as a sum of the first aggregate deboss length and the second aggregate deboss length. The aggregate feature length is greater than 800 centimeters.

Abstract: A sports ball may include an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the bladder. The cover comprises a plurality of adjoining panels, wherein each panel defines a plurality of panel edges that each extend in a predetermined edge direction along an edge length of less than 7.5 centimeters. The cover may further define a plurality of interior channels. Each interior channel extends in a predetermined channel direction along a channel length of less than 7.5 centimeters. The panel edges and the interior channels are staggered, such that each edge direction is obliquely angled with respect to each of the other edge directions, and each interior channel direction is obliquely angled with respect to each of the other interior channel directions and each of the edge directions of the respective panel. Such an arrangement limits directional feature length and promotes a balanced topography upon the exterior surface of the ball.

Abstract: A sports ball comprising a cover disposed about a bladder is provided. The cover comprises an outer substrate and defines an outer substrate surface and a feature surface. The outer substrate surface defines a plurality of plateau sections. The feature surface is radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface and further defines a plurality of indentations and a plurality of protrusions. Each indentation has an indentation terminus disposed on the feature surface and radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by an indentation depth. The protrusions are positioned on the plateau sections, and each protrusion has a protrusion terminus disposed on the feature surface and radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by a protrusion height. At least one protrusion is positioned less than a predetermined distance of about 1.0 millimeters from at least one of the indentations, thereby acting as a wickerbill on the ball.

Abstract: A sports ball is provided and may include an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may comprise a plurality of adjoining panels. The cover may further define an exterior surface comprising a plurality of plateau sections and a plurality of indentations extending radially inward from the exterior surface. The plurality of indentations may include a plurality of peripheral channels or seams and a plurality of interior channels. Each seam has a seam length and the plurality of seams has a first aggregate deboss length. Each interior channel has a channel length and the plurality of interior channels has a second aggregate deboss length. Collectively, the seams and interior channels have an aggregate feature length, which is defined as a sum of the first aggregate deboss length and the second aggregate deboss length. The aggregate feature length is greater than 800 centimeters.

Abstract: A sports ball and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sports ball having a bladder, an outer cover layer, and an intermediate structure disposed between the outer cover layer and the bladder. The intermediate structure includes a restriction structure comprising a plurality of overlapping layers of cross-linked polymer film wrapped about the bladder. The sports ball may be formed via the steps of surrounding the bladder, having a first initial circumferential dimension, with a plurality of overlapping layers of cross-linked polymer shrink film, such that the cross-linked shrink film forms a restriction structure in a first dimensional state; applying a heat shrinking process to the cross-linked polymer shrink film to contract the restriction structure from the first dimensional state to a second dimensional state; inflating the bladder to a second circumferential dimension; and disposing the outer cover layer and intermediate layers about the bladder and restriction structure.

Abstract: An inflatable sports ball having a bladder and a cover disposed about the bladder in provided. The cover may have an exterior surface that defines a plurality of plateau sections, a first plurality of indentations, and a second plurality of indentations that cooperate to define a topographical arrangement across the exterior surface. Each of the first plurality of indentations has a first indentation depth, a first indentation width, and a first maximum aspect ratio. The first maximum aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the first indentation width to the first indentation depth. The second plurality of indentations has a second indentation depth, a second indentation width, and a second maximum aspect ratio. The second maximum aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the second indentation width to the second indentation depth. The second maximum aspect ratio is greater than the first maximum aspect ratio.

Abstract: A sports ball is provided. The sports ball may include a bladder and a cover disposed about the bladder, wherein the cover includes a plurality of adjoining panels and defines an exterior surface. The cover further defines a plurality of channels extending radially inward from the exterior surface. The plurality of channels includes a plurality of peripheral channel segments and a plurality of interior channel segments. The plurality of peripheral channel segments each define a peripheral seam between adjoining ones of the plurality of panels. Each channel of the plurality of interior channel segments is provided within a central region of one or more of the panels and divide the exterior surface into a plurality of open polygonal portions.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a relatively large polymer core and has a soft ball compression. The polymer is, in the illustrated embodiments, a highly neutralized acid polymer. The golf ball may, optionally, include an outer core made of a different material, such as a thermoset polybutadiene rubber. The golf ball may, optionally, include a mantle layer made of an ionomer material. The inner core having a diameter of between 24 mm and 40 mm, and in some designs, between 28 mm and 32 mm, yields increased iron initial velocity and lower iron spin while maintaining driver performance.

Abstract: A golf ball having an inner core layer, an outer core layer enclosing the inner core layer, and a cover layer enclosing the outer core layer. The inner core layer includes a blend of a first highly neutralized acid polymer having a first Vicat softening temperature and a first specific gravity, a second highly neutralized acid polymer having a second Vicat softening temperature and a second specific gravity, and an ionomer-based masterbatch comprising an additive and an ionomer resin having a third Vicat softening temperature and a third specific gravity. The absolute values of the differences among the Vicat softening temperatures is no more than about 15° C. and the absolute value of the difference between the specific gravities is no more than about 0.015. The cover layer may include an inner cover layer enclosing the outer core layer and an outer layer enclosing the inner cover layer.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating and providing selections of recommended golf balls, golf ball constructions, and configurations of golf ball construction components are provided. Such methods may involve obtaining or measuring spin measurements for a plurality of golf clubs for each of a plurality of golf balls. A linear relationship may be used to determine a spin slope for each golf ball on the basis of the set of spin measurements associated with that golf ball. In turn, a selection of a recommended golf ball, golf ball construction, or configuration of a ball construction component may be made based upon which golf ball has the larger spin slope.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a core, one or more inlaid portions formed into the core, and a second layer disposed radially outward of both the core and the one or more inlaid portions. The core and the one or more inlaid portions cooperate to define a continuous spherical surface, and the core and the second layer cooperate to surround each of the one or more inlaid portions. The one or more inlaid portions are formed by over-molding the core, and then removing the over-molded material back to at least the outer surface of the core.