Abstract: The present invention provides a positioning assembly for a gripping tube of a handlebar. The positioning assembly comprises a gripping tube sheathing the handlebar, wherein each of two ends of the gripping tube is positioned by a fastening ring, which has an annular shape, a slit, an outer ring periphery and an inner ring periphery. Therein, a prominence radially raised and two increased-thickness portions are provided on the inner ring periphery so that when the slit of the fastening ring is narrowed, the fastening ring can tightly embrace an outer surface of the handlebar with the prominence and the two increased-thickness portions.

Abstract: A sports equipment handle includes a handle pipe, at least one groove disposed on the external circumferential surface of the handle pipe and axially extended along the handle pipe, at least one sheet handle strap being wrapped and fixed onto the external circumferential surface where the groove of the handle pipe resides, such that the groove is provided for fixing two corresponding overlapped edges of the sheet handle strap, and the overlapped section of the external circumferential surface is even with the overall external circumferential surface of the handle strap.

Abstract: A panel that is used in forming the panel portions of recreational sport balls, and methods for the production thereof, are provided. The panels may be affixed to an inflatable bladder and include a base layer of polymeric material and a covering layer bonded thereto. The base layer may be bonded to a substrate layer of nonwoven cloth. The covering layer includes at least one conditioning agent that is either a water repellant agent to reduce water and sweat absorption, or an antistatic agent to repel dirt and dust, but may include both agents. The conditioning agent(s) may penetrate into the outer surface of the base layer to form the covering layer bonded thereto. Alternatively, the base layer may resist penetration by the conditioning agent(s) such that the covering layer is bonded to the surface of the base layer. The covering layer may further include an anti-bacterial agent.