Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of fabricating component parts of the novelty device. The novelty device has at least one protrusion that is made from an elastomeric gel. The protrusion has a distal end. A hole is disposed through the protrusion proximate its distal end. A secondary object is provided. The secondary object is made from a rigid material. The secondary object defines an interior space. The distal end of the elastomeric gel protrusion extends through the secondary object and into the interior space of the secondary object. The secondary object is comprised of an assembly of interconnecting parts. The parts of the secondary object are assembled around the elastomeric gel protrusion in the area of the hole. Once assembled, the secondary object engages the hole in the elastomeric gel protrusion. As a result, the secondary object becomes mechanically interconnected to the end of the elastomeric gel protrusion.

Abstract: A ball amusement device including an outer shell of transparent or semi-transparent plastic or elastomer or plastomer having good bounce characteristics, and at least one liquid within the shell. The outer shell may be configured to reduce the transparency to light through the ball.

Abstract: A football comprising an inflatable bladder integrally molded with raised areas which are intended to be exposed, and exterior panels which are adhered to the bladder to span the spaces between them. The raised areas or ridges are formed to extend outward from the exterior panels and provide a raised grip area. By bonding the exterior panels to the bladder directly, stitching and lacing are eliminated to simplify construction and manufacture. The football is provided with a plurality of raised areas to provide more grip areas than the single lace area of a traditional football. Each of the raised ridges are contoured to more closely follow the shape of a thrower's hand as it grasps the ball and thereby providing greater contact area and better control.

Abstract: A basketball having an outer surface and including a first set of channels formed into the outer surface of the basketball. The basketball further includes a bladder, a carcass and at least one cover panel. The carcass covers the bladder and has an outer surface that defines a second set of channels. The cover panel(s) is positioned over the carcass and over at least one of the channels of the second set of channels. The cover panel(s) generally conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the carcass such that the cover panel defines at least one groove in the outer surface of the basketball corresponding to the channels of the second set of channels. The depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.

Abstract: A basketball having an outer surface and including a first set of channels formed into the outer surface of the basketball. The basketball further includes a bladder, a carcass and at least one cover panel. The carcass covers the bladder and has an outer surface that defines a second set of channels. The cover panel(s) is positioned over the carcass and over at least one of the channels of the second set of channels. The cover panel(s) generally conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the carcass such that the cover panel defines at least one groove in the outer surface of the basketball corresponding to the channels of the second set of channels. The depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.

Abstract: A basketball having an outer surface and including a first set of channels formed into the outer surface of the basketball. The basketball further includes a bladder, a carcass and at least one cover panel. The carcass covers the bladder and has an outer surface that defines a second set of channels. The cover panel(s) is positioned over the carcass and over at least one of the channels of the second set of channels. The cover panel(s) generally conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the carcass such that the cover panel defines at least one groove in the outer surface of the basketball corresponding to the channels of the second set of channels. The depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.

Abstract: A skin material for balls which is a sheet-form material comprising a base layer and formed on one side there of a coating layer made of a polymeric elastomer, characterized in that (1) the coating layer is composed of three layers (C-1), (C-2), and (C-3) disposed in this order from the surface side, (2) the layer (C-3) on the base layer side is made of a porous polymeric elastomer, (3) the layer (C-1) on the surface side is made of a polymeric elastomer containing a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and (4) the coating layer comprises one or more polymeric elastomers which have or do not have fine through-holes extending from the surface side to the base layer; and a ball having the skin material bonded to the surface. The skin material for ball-game balls brings about excellent wet gripping and is excellent also in wearing resistance and impact absorption.

Abstract: A non-skid lacrosse ball for gripping a lacrosse head and a netting attached to the lacrosse head is provided. The non-skid lacrosse ball is a spherical ball having one or more non-skid surfaces formed substantially thereacross. In one embodiment, the non-skid surface is a textured surface comprised of relatively small surface structures that are integral parts of the spherical ball. Furthermore, both the non-skid surface and the spherical ball are comprised of an elastomer material.

Abstract: The present development is directed to sportsballs or gameballs and to methods for producing the same. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to inflatable sportsballs or gameballs, such as basketballs, having a laminated construction, and to process for fabricating the same.

Abstract: Enhanced-grip foamed play balls, such as compressible, foamed play balls that are at least substantially formed from a foamed material and which include an exterior surface that is partially formed from the foamed material and partially formed from discrete regions of a different material that provides a grip-enhancing structure. In some embodiments, the grip-enhancing structure is formed from an elastomer. In some embodiments, the grip-enhancing structure has at least one of greater friction, greater density, greater weight, increased tackiness, decreased porosity, tread structure, projecting tread structure, and/or decreased compressibility than the foamed material. Methods for forming foamed play balls with grip-enhancing structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ball structures, such as basketballs, are formed to include regions with different and distinct tactile characteristics or “feel.” Such ball structures may include a cover member divided into plural panels that are separated by channels. The exterior surface of one or more of these panels may include regions having different textures. One region, which extends over a central portion of the panel, includes raised elements, such as raised ribs or other structures, that may extend at least 0.5 mm outward from a base surface of the cover member.

Abstract: An inflatable game ball including a carcass, a cover and at least one thin member. The cover has inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the cover is coupled to the carcass. At least one recess is formed into the outer surface of the cover. At least one thin member is coupled to the cover at the at least one recess. The member substantially fills the recess. The member has inner and outer portions. The outer portion is formed of a highly grippable material.

Abstract: A dribble training device for facilitating training of a person to dribble a ball includes a ball including an outer wall defining an interior space. The interior space receives pressurized air to inflate the ball. Each of a plurality of protuberances is integrally coupled to the outer wall of the ball and outwardly extends from an exterior surface of the ball. The protuberances influence an angle of rebound of the ball off of the support surface when the ball is dribbled to randomize the angle of rebound each time the ball impacts the support surface.

Abstract: A game ball is formed by molding a carcass in the final shape of the ball, spraying a mold surface with cover material, inserting the carcass into the mold, and molding the cover material onto the carcass.

Abstract: A bowling practice device for regularizing and perfecting bowling technique. An aerodynamically designed hollow body includes an outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall. The opposed ends of the outer wall taper to meet the cylindrical inner wall. The outer wall preferably comprises a plurality of foam panels, one of which includes at least two finger holes suitable for personalization to the hand of the bowler.

Abstract: The leather-like sheet for balls of the present invention comprises a fiber-entangled fabric and a porous surface layer disposed on the surface of the fiber-entangled fabric. The porous surface layer has a pattern formed by a plurality of outwardly projecting pebbles and valleys between the pebbles. A plurality of microholes having an average diameter of 5 to 100 ?m are formed on surfaces of the pebbles, but the microhole is substantially not formed on surfaces of the valleys. The leather-like sheet exhibits a sufficient surface abrasion resistance and an excellent non-slip properties because of its high sweat-absorbing ability under wet conditions.

Abstract: A toy ball is formed from two shells and a pair of lock mechanisms 220. During construction, the shells, which may be hemispherical, are mated together and then the lock mechanisms are secured to the shells to form a substantially smooth-surfaced sphere. The lock mechanisms provide a redundant locking feature to hold the two shells together to form the toy ball.

Abstract: An inflatable ball capable of being attached to an external device includes an inflatable ball and a receptacle. The receptacle includes a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity. The cavity and opening are configured to receive a key, which may be releasingly engaged in the receptacle and secured to a strap in order to conveniently carry the ball.

Abstract: A training game ball is described having cues for visually indicating the rotational alignment of the ball when it is thrown. If the ball is improperly thrown so that the axis of rotation does not stay perpendicular to the direction of flight, then the rotational alignment cue line will appear to wobble as the ball travels. The ball also has a rotational speed cue formed from a plurality of spaced panels arranged parallel with the alignment cue. If the ball is thrown with a high rotational speed, the panels will appear to the player as a solid line. Still further, the ball also includes hand alignment cues for assisting a player in properly positioning his or her hands for throwing the ball. The hand alignment cues include finger positioning pads, which are positioned sufficiently close together about the circumference of the ball to allow even a small youth's hand to easily reach a finger positioning pad from any position of the ball.

Abstract: A game ball including a casing and a lacing. The casing has a laced region. The lacing is coupled to the laced region of the casing. The lacing has an exposed surface comprised of an outer material that is compressible, resilient, and tactile. The outer material has a modulus of elasticity of between 14 and 170 kg/cm2 and a tensile strength between 100 and 650 kg/cm2. At least a portion of the lacing can have an exposed pebbled surface.

Abstract: Grippable cushioning devices which may be used as cushions, squeezables, toys, throwable toys, and novelty items are disclosed. Some of those devices include holes therein which may provide a relief function in that the holes may buckle or collapse when squeezed. The holes may be generally parallel longitudinal columns which may permit air flow therethrough when the grippable cushioning device is thrown.

Abstract: A basketball comprising an inner tube, a thread layer wound around said inner tube, a carcass adhere to said thread layer, the panel of cover adhered to the surface of carcass; wherein said carcass having longitudinally grooved partition ribs, on the surface of partition rib, providing the configuration which formed during the vulcanize process.

Abstract: A game ball including a casing and a lacing. The casing has a laced region. The lacing is coupled to the laced region of the casing. The lacing has an exposed surface comprised of an outer material that is compressible, resilient, and tactile. The outer material has a modulus of elasticity of between 14 and 170 kg/cm2 and a tensile strength between 100 and 650 kg/cm2. At least a portion of the lacing can have an exposed pebbled surface.

Abstract: A ball is provided for use in training that collapses when hit or kicked and then resiliently reforms itself to its original shape, dissipating kinetic energy and allowing use of the ball in a restricted geographical area. In one aspect, the ball of the invention includes incisions extending substantially through a shell, which deform upon striking, such that the ball and collapses venting air and dissipating kinetic energy. In another aspect, the ball of the present invention includes incisions extending only partially through the outer shell, contributing to the deforming properties of the ball when struck.

Abstract: Through the use of flexible materials having a coefficient of friction lower than that of conventional sport balls, a sport ball training cover is created. The flexible material is fashioned into a pocket that snugly but removably covers the sport ball. The cover supplants its coefficient of friction to the sport ball, making it difficult to handle and creating a valuable training device for proper ball-handling. In another embodiment, a permanent training sport ball is formed by permanently attaching the flexible material to the outer cover of the ball. Other embodiments of the covers, that removably or permanently cover the sport balls, have different shapes and vary the amount of flexible material used to leave selected areas of the sport ball, such as the laces of a football, uncovered. The versatility and variety of the covers make them useful for any number of different training drills and sports.

Abstract: A game ball having improved gripability. The game ball includes a bladder and a cover. The cover is positioned over the bladder. The cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. The cover has a first impression pattern formed into, and covering at least a portion of, the outer surface. The first impression pattern forms a plurality of outwardly extending raised surfaces on the outer surface. The cover further has a second impression pattern formed into the raised surfaces of the outer surface. The second impression pattern is configured to improve the gripability of the game ball.

Abstract: A non-skid lacrosse ball for gripping a lacrosse head and a netting attached to the lacrosse head is provided. The non-skid lacrosse ball is a spherical ball having one or more non-skid surfaces formed substantially thereacross. In one embodiment, the non-skid surface is a textured surface comprised of relatively small surface structures that are integral parts of the spherical ball. Furthermore, both the non-skid surface and the spherical ball are comprised of an elastomer material.

Abstract: A game ball includes an outer spherical surface, which is formed from foamed rubber, which provides moisture-absorbing pores.

Abstract: A game ball including a casing and a lacing. The casing has a laced region. The lacing is coupled to the laced region of the casing. The lacing has an exposed surface comprised of an outer material that is compressible, resilient, and tactile. The outer material has a modulus of elasticity of between 14 and 170 kg/cm2 and a tensile strength between 100 and 650 kg/cm2. At least a portion of the lacing can have an exposed pebbled surface.

Abstract: A game ball including a casing and a lacing. The casing has a laced region. The lacing is coupled to the laced region of the casing. The lacing has an exposed surface comprised of an outer material that is compressible, resilient, and tactile. The outer material has a modulus of elasticity of between 14 and 170 kg/cm2 and a tensile strength between 100 and 650 kg/cm2. At least a portion of the lacing can have an exposed pebbled surface.

Abstract: A basketball shooting aid having visually distinctive designs, configurations and colors for the purpose of sending immediate visual feedback to the athlete, informing the athlete whether the proper technique was employed in the athlete's grip of the basketball, the athlete's release of the shot and the arc and rotation of the basketball during flight.

Abstract: An external surface to enhance the catching of an inflated sports ball which is imparted with a frictioned nature when caught in flight and is caused by a molded surface of a plurality of hollow raised circular {fraction (3/16)} inch projections which collapse under the external pressure of closing movement exerted thereagainst in the catching of the sports ball, wherein the collapsed projections obviate slippage along the external surface.

Abstract: A versatile bidirectional isometric exercise device is provided in the form of an inflatable flexible exercise ball (10A-C), about 46 cm (18 inches) in diameter, fitted with a pair of looped handles (12A-B, 30A, 30C), secured to diametrically opposite points of the ball, through which arms or legs can be placed for performing specialized exercises that use the ball (10A-C) in a tension mode. The ball (10A-C) is only partially inflated so as to provide soft compliant accommodation to various body surfaces, and can be utilized bidirectionally, i.e. either in compression or in tension, in conjunction with various body parts such as hands, legs, knees, feet, etc., for a broad array of isometric muscle exercises directed to overall body strengthening, particularly for persons prone to and/or desiring protection from the effects of osteoporosis. A sequence of recommended exercises may be depicted directly on the surface of the ball (10A-C).

Abstract: A game ball including a casing and a lacing. The casing has a laced region. The lacing is coupled to the laced region of the casing. The lacing has an exposed surface comprised of an outer material that is compressible, resilient, and tactile. The outer material has a modulus of elasticity of between 14 and 170 kg/cm2 and a tensile strength between 100 and 650 kg/cm2. At least a portion of the lacing can have an exposed pebbled surface.

Abstract: A football for recreational use includes an inner core portion consisting of an air bladder or foam material, which is at least partially surrounded by an internal web of raised threads. This inner core portion and surrounding web are then covered by a thin medial layer of deformable gel material, which is then covered by an external layer/outside covering of soft, pliable material. The web of internal threads surrounding the inner core, combined with the medial gel layer, enable the user's fingers and thumb to achieve a superior grip on the football, through the external layer, medial gel layer, and onto the threads, with minimal gripping force.

Abstract: A basketball formed with a molded cover having tactile indicia for determining the orientation and position of the molded panel areas of the basketball. The indicia associated with the panel areas include wide depressed areas formed in the cover material of the molded rubber basketball and extending longitudinally with channels formed within the basketball cover.

Abstract: A basketball formed from overlying layers includes a carcass layer with recessed curvilinearly extending seam areas. Ribs longitudinally follow the recessed seam areas and extend outwardly therefrom. Panels are mounted to the carcass between the ribs.

Abstract: Through the use of flexible materials having a coefficient of friction lower than that of conventional sport balls, a sport ball training cover is created. The flexible material is fashioned into a pocket that snugly but removably covers the sport ball. The cover supplants its coefficient of friction to the sport ball, making it difficult to handle and creating a valuable training device for proper ball-handling. In another embodiment, a permanent training sport ball is formed by permanently attaching the flexible material to the outer cover of the ball. Other embodiments of the covers, that removably or permanently cover the sport balls, have different shapes and vary the amount of flexible material used to leave selected areas of the sport ball, such as the laces of a football, uncovered. The versatility and variety of the covers make them useful for any number of different training drills and sports.

Abstract: A game ball with increased gripability including a bladder fabricated of an air impervious elastomeric material and a carcass overlying the bladder. The carcass has a common thickness over the majority of its extent and an exterior surface formed with a plurality of raised projections. The raised projections have a height of between about 0.030 inch and 0.120 inch, preferably about 0.120 inch. The projections are in the form of loops with supplemental projections there within.

Abstract: A game ball with resistance to liquid moisture, wherein the cover of the game ball is made of leather. The leather of the game ball cover has water resistance properties imparted by the tanning process. In a game ball of the invention having a bladder and a cover, the game ball may optionally include a lining situated between the bladder and the cover, with the lining optionally having water resistance properties.

Abstract: A game ball including a carcass and a plurality of thin cover panels which have a substantially uniform thickness. The carcass is shaped so that the outer surface of the ball has a plurality of lobes even though the cover has a uniform thickness. The carcass has an outer surface which includes a plurality of generally spherical portions, channels between adjacent spherical portions, and recessed surface portions between each channel and the adjacent spherical portions.

Abstract: A pneumatic play ball that looks like the head of a humanoid, an animal-like or fanciful figure whereby a player who kicks this ball is then metaphorically kicking the figure. The play ball is composed of an inflated rubber balloon confine within and conforming to the inner surface of a generally spherical hollow casing. The casing is molded of a soft, flexible material whose outer surface is contoured to define the features of the head whereby the ball resembles the decapitated head of the figure.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises a relatively large diameter ball having a pair of handles projecting from opposite sides of the ball. To use the device, one may grasp one or both handles and manipulate the device following specific exercise routines.

Abstract: The present invention includes a training aid for providing an audible or visual indication of a properly thrown sports ball. The device preferably includes an elongated hollow, tubular member with closed ends and an inner dowel which is freely moveable longitudinally within the hollow tube. The ends of the hollow tube in the preferred embodiment can alternatively include plugs, weights, magnets, or bolts, thereby allowing the device to be adjusted or changed for varying levels of sound, weight, resistance, release points or other training needs. One end of the tubular member preferably includes an upwardly curving handle replicating the lower end of a sports ball, and an upper curved handle is located at a predetermined distance from the lower handle, replicating the top of the sports ball.

Abstract: A mesh panel for throwable and/or grippable objects such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, baseball bats, etc. The mesh panel is formed from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and includes a plurality of openings surrounded by a plurality of connecting portions. The outer surface of the mesh panel is such that each of the connecting portions includes a plurality of rib portions which further enhance the ability to grip the mesh panel. The inside surface of the mesh panel has an adhesive coating which bonds to an outer surface of the object to which the mesh panel is attached when heat is applied to the mesh panel. The heating of the mesh panel also causes a sticky, resin-like outer surface to be formed. The mesh panel enables various objects such as footballs, baseballs, basketballs, baseball bats, etc. to be much more easily grasped, thrown and caught by individuals of all ages and sizes, and particularly by individuals such as small adults and children having relatively small hands.

Abstract: A toy missile which when let fly by a player and then caught by a catcher, produces upon impact sounds appropriate to the nature of the missile. When in the configuration of a humanoid figure, the missile includes a torso defined by a fabric casing stuffed with a soft filler. Embedded in the stuffing of the torso is a sound-producing unit powered by a battery through an impact-sensitive switch whereby when the missile is caught, on impact the switch then turns the unit on to generate sounds which are appropriate to the figure. Hinged to the torso of the figure and extending therefrom are fabric arm and leg appendages. When the player grasps one of these appendages and whirls the missile to let it fly, the torso of the figure then rotates in the course of flight, causing the appendages to stretch out from the torso to stabilize the flight.

Abstract: A package housing a humanoid or animal-like figure, or other shaped object such as a miniature automobile, formed of porous, compressible material which when compressed to expel the air therefrom then assumes a shrunken state. The shrunken object is stuffed into the cavity of a small container having a form thematically related to the object stuffed therein. When the container is opened and the object released therefrom, the object inhales air to assume its normal full scale size and shape. Embedded in the object is a sound-producing electronic unit which when the object is agitated, then generates audible sounds appropriate to the object.

Abstract: A football is described having an array of laces positioned about the surface of the football whereby only a partial rotation of the football will result in a desired contact between the player's fingertips and one of the laces thereby reducing the time used by the player in finding the lace during play.

Abstract: A game ball has a hollow spherical shell with at least a portion thereof that is translucent. A plurality of dimples are disposed on the outer surface of the hollow shell. At least some of the dimples comprise double concave negative lenses with a convex portion generally concentric with an outer concave surface of the double concave negative lenses. An impact triggering mechanism, a power source, and a light source are contained within a bulb that is contained within an open inner volume of the hollow shell. Upon impact of the game ball with an outside body, the impact triggering mechanism sends power from the power source to energize the light source. Light is emitted and refracted through the lenses whereby the game ball tends to glow and attention is attracted to the game ball. A volume of liquid is contained within the open inner volume of the hollow shell for dampening energy and protecting the bulb.

Abstract: A game ball having a high end synthetic leather cover formed from a non-woven fiber mat impregnated with polyurethane. In one embodiment, the game ball is a football and the fibers in the backing of the cover material have a denier of about 0.1 or less. In another embodiment, the game ball cover has a dual layer coating to impart to the cover good pebble retention. The first layer has a Shore A hardness of at least about 65, and the second layer surrounding the first layer has a Shore A hardness lower than the hardness of the first layer. The game ball, which can be formed to meet association specifications, has properties of softness and durability comparable to those of a genuine full grain leather game ball.