Comprising Casing Or Cover Having Stitched Seam Or Laced Closure; Blank For Such Casing Or Cover (e.g., Casing Of Baseball, Etc.) Patents (Class 473/598)
  • Patent number: 10773133
    Abstract: A leather-adhered baseball/softball, comprises a ball core, and a wrapping layer formed over the ball core by a mold, wherein the mold is engraved with raised lines of baseball/softball stitches, such that the molded wrapping layer has a raised baseball/softball stitch guide; the baseball/softball stitch guide is used to align a ball leather, such that the ball leather is aligned and adhered onto the wrapping layer except the baseball/softball stitch guide by an adhesive, so as to form a baseball/softball cover having the baseball/softball stitch guide; or the ball leather is aligned and molded on the wrapping layer except the baseball/softball stitch guide by a mold from a formulated leather raw material, so as to form a baseball/softball cover having the baseball/softball stitch guide. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a leather-adhered baseball/softball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: XIAMEN ZAIFENG SPORTING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wenji Fang
  • Patent number: 10112082
    Abstract: An object, such as a soccer ball, is provided with perforated, interior panels disposed between an interior inflatable bladder and an outer covering which is stitched together from a plurality of individual panels. The stitching process produces raised portions surrounding the interior sides of the outer covering. These raised portions define recesses into which the perforated interior panels are disposed. The recess-filling panels overlie the ridges which are hard and whose hardness is counteracted by these preferably perforated panels. This provides a smooth surface against which the inflatable bladder rests. Additional flexure is also provided by perforating one or more of the layers in the outer covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Mohammed Ejaz Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9149699
    Abstract: A pitching training device comprises a typical baseball with raised pitching training structure on top of the stitches on the seam. The pitching training structure is able to be an additional layer of stitches on top of the typical stitches of a baseball. The pitching training structure provides a finger rest area allowing a user to spin the baseball more easily at a breaking ball pitching release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Tai
  • Publication number: 20140342859
    Abstract: A removable protective ball cover for a medicine ball is provided to protect an outer surface of the ball from wear and tear, increase the grip of the surface of the ball and maintain the balls' shape and structure. The ball cover may be formed from a durable material with high surface tension formed into a spherical shape with an opening that is used to encapsulate the medicine ball within the ball cover. The opening may be cinched closed by lacing the opening together to substantially, if not completely, cover the medicine ball and create a tight fit around the ball that will not move in relation to the ball. The ball cover may be formed from a series of specially-shaped panels which are triple stitched together with a backing material to prevent breaking of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: David Ray Newman
  • Publication number: 20140080643
    Abstract: Provided is a leak-free American football, which has a polyurethane foam having a shape of an American football; a covering formed on an exterior surface of the polyurethane foam and having a seam; multiple pairs of lacing holes formed in the covering along two opposite sides of the seam, and a lace passing through the multiple pairs of the lacing holes to close the seam, such that the polyurethane foam is covered by the covering and the lace. Since the polyurethane foam is solid and elastic, the leak-free American football can maintain a desired size, shape and bounce without the need for inflation, thereby improving the stability and durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: YUAN CHI SPORTS ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHUN-NAN LIN
  • Patent number: 8622856
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layer outer panel for a game ball includes three-dimensionally forming a top layer of an outer panel, as well as one or more backing materials disposed underneath the top layer, into a shape substantially corresponding to the surface of the ball. Multi-layer outer panels are then attached to or interconnected to surround an inflatable bladder, thereby producing a game ball while minimizing overstretching of the outer material or the backing material and improving resistance of the outer panels to delamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: adidas International Marketing B.V., Molten Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhusa Taniguchi, Hideomi Shishido, Shigeo Doi, Yoshihisa Okimura, Hans-Peter Nürnberg
  • Publication number: 20130210565
    Abstract: A cover method for baseballs or softballs, whereby a spherical core is independently formed and a fiber material layer is attached, this fiber material layer is evenly brushed with a thin layer of PU, and this spherical core is then placed in a mold, and PU is injected into the mold to cover the spherical core and heated, finally the mold is removed to reveal the complete ball. Utilizing this method and mold to produce the ball covers for baseballs and softballs, whereby PU is brushed onto, and penetrates into, the fiber material layer on the independently formed spherical core, so that when the ball cover forms, the ball cover and spherical core attaches and fits firmly, and the porous construction of this fiber material cover attracts air, and therefore greatly avoids bubbles forming when the ball cover is formed which affects the quality and lifespan of the balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: SHYI-MING CHEN
  • Patent number: 8475304
    Abstract: A baseball, softball or the like includes a ball core and a plurality of carcass panels attaching on the outer surface of the ball core. Each of the carcass panels, which is cut into a predetermined shape, has a main portion and an edge portion formed along a peripheral edge of the main portion, wherein each of the carcass panels is attached on the outer surface of the ball core without stitching with other the carcass panels at a position that the carcass panels are attached in an edge-to-edge manner, such that the carcass panels form an outer shell at the ball core in a thread-less manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Tsung Ming Ou
  • Patent number: 8303442
    Abstract: Sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, casings for sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, and methods for enhancing visual acuity of a soccer ball are described. In embodiments, the sporting ball has an exterior with a substantially spherical surface including a first pole opposing a second pole and an equator circumferentially intermediate the first pole and the second pole. Additionally, in embodiments a first exterior region of a first color may include a first hub section oriented at the first pole generally opposite a second hub section oriented at the second pole on the substantially spherical surface. The first hub section may have one or more first hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator, and the second hub section may have one or more second hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator. Further, in embodiments, the sporting ball may have a second exterior region of a second color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Smith, Alan W. Reichow, Karl Citek
  • Patent number: 8283021
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a leather-like sheet having excellent water absorbability (sweat absorbability, defined the same hereinafter), providing a natural leather-like touch, and suitably used as a ball covering or a non-slip covering, without lowering surface wear resistance. An aspect of the invention is directed to a leather-like sheet including a base material having an entangled fiber sheet; and a porous elastic resin layer laminated on a surface of the base material. The porous elastic resin layer has a concave-convex surface. The concave-convex surface of the porous elastic resin layer includes a projection having a top surface and a side surface, and a recess having a bottom surface contiguous to the side surface. The top surface of the projection has openings with a diameter from 10 to 500 nm at a density of 1,000 openings/mm2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ashida, Daisuke Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120244962
    Abstract: Balls are provided to train someone to throw with proper rotation. A marking is positioned on the ball to enhance viewing of rotation. The marking is in a contrasting color than the rest of the cover and covers at least a quarter of the outer surface of the ball. The stitches are colored to avoid interfering with the visual effect of the marking, such as having stitches with similar coloration to the non-marking portion of the ball. Balls with different amounts or designs of marking may be used to train in stages. For example, a kit of balls for different stages is provided. The balls of different stages require different rates of rotation to appear visually similar to each other when thrown properly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Stephen G. Muscarello
  • Patent number: 8216098
    Abstract: New designs for a sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels and having an improved performance and uniformity. Each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels, in an imagined flattened state, have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. The ball also has a possible shape-induced spin due to the panel design and the overall rotational symmetry of the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Haresh Lalvani
  • Patent number: 8192311
    Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing, a restriction structure, and a bladder. The casing forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ball. The restriction structure is located within the casing and includes a textile element having a seamless portion with a non-planar configuration. The bladder is also located within the casing. The textile element may be a knitted fabric. Although the restriction structure may be seamless, the restriction structure may also include at most one seam or multiple seams that joins edges of the textile element. In addition, the seamless portion of the textile element may cover at least thirty percent or more of the surface of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent F. White, Geoffrey C. Raynak
  • Patent number: 8075431
    Abstract: Sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, casings for sporting balls with enhanced visual acuity, and methods for enhancing visual acuity of a soccer ball are described. In embodiments, the sporting ball has an exterior with a substantially spherical surface including a first pole opposing a second pole and an equator circumferentially intermediate the first pole and the second pole. Additionally, in embodiments a first exterior region of a first color may include a first hub section oriented at the first pole generally opposite a second hub section oriented at the second pole on the substantially spherical surface. The first hub section may have one or more first hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator, and the second hub section may have one or more second hub spokes extending spherically outwardly therefrom toward the equator. Further, in embodiments, the sporting ball may have a second exterior region of a second color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Smith, Alan W. Reichow, Karl Citek
  • Publication number: 20110118063
    Abstract: An instructional ball having an inner core, an outer core is an ellipsoid, and an outer cover. The instructional ball has an ellipsoid shape, a longitudinal axis, and a generally circular transverse cross-section along a transverse axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: KENNETH GUILFOYLE
  • Publication number: 20110012309
    Abstract: An aerodynamic sports toy ball, sports goal system, game utilizing both toy and game, and a method of playing such game (with rule book) between opposing teams divided into team zones and including a goal box at each end through which the ball is to be kicked, thrown, flipping laterally or run by one or the other opposing team or two or more players; and wherein the playing surface of the ball is formed of a multi-pointed star-folding to enable the ball to be thrown, caught, flipped laterally, bounced and kicked within the playing field or court through designated goals at either end of the field or court of play, as well as to provide a surface off of which the ball may be bounced as part of the strategy of play, and complete apparatus for such a game provided in the form of a kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: David Schreff
  • Patent number: 7854672
    Abstract: A ball includes a core and a surface cover that is formed by sewing together two shape-mated covering pieces. Each covering piece has a close-to-edge area defining inboards an inward circumferential zone in which spaced through apertures are defined. The through apertures are circumferentially distributed along the inward circumference of the close-to-edge area. The close-to-edge area has an outward circumference forming a turn-back section. The turn-back section is foldable over and attached to itself by adhesives so as to form a smooth and regular outer circumference of the covering piece. When the surface cover of the ball is completely sewn, a sewn portion between the two covering pieces shows a smooth and regular configuration so that no secondary finishing of the sewn portion of the covering pieces is needed. The manufacturing time of the ball can thus be shortened and the manufacturing costs reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Yao-Jen Huang
  • Patent number: 7854671
    Abstract: New designs for a sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels and having an improved performance and uniformity. Each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels, in an imagined flattened state, have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. The ball also has a possible shape-induced spin due to the panel design and the overall rotational symmetry of the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Haresh Lalvani
  • Publication number: 20100184542
    Abstract: A ball includes a core and a surface cover that is formed by sewing together two shape-mated covering pieces. Each covering piece has a close-to-edge area defining inboards an inward circumferential zone in which spaced through apertures are defined. The through apertures are circumferentially distributed along the inward circumference of the close-to-edge area. The close-to-edge area has an outward circumference forming a turn-back section. The turn-back section is foldable over and attached to itself by adhesives so as to form a smooth and regular outer circumference of the covering piece. When the surface cover of the ball is completely sewn, a sewn portion between the two covering pieces shows a smooth and regular configuration so that no secondary finishing of the sewn portion of the covering pieces is needed. The manufacturing time of the ball can thus be shortened and the manufacturing costs reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: YAO-JEN HUANG
  • Patent number: 7749116
    Abstract: The present invention provides a panel of the ball for ball game, said panel has the folding portion and the opposite folding portion on its periphery, which are opposite to each other and made of the same continuous material. The folding portion and the opposite folding portion of said leather panels have the good engaging property and difficult to separate with each other during usage because they are made of the same material. The panel has simple manufacturing process and low production cost, making the ball for ball game comprising above panels have good using properties, simple manufacturing process and low production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Frank Chang
    Inventors: Ya Fang Tang, Yuen Yuen Chang
  • Publication number: 20100048331
    Abstract: An instructional ball having a football-shaped body shaped as an ellipsoid having a longitudinal axis and a generally circular transverse cross section and a core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth Guilfoyle
  • Publication number: 20090137350
    Abstract: A game ball with a generally spherical inner ball and a cover substantially covering the inner ball. The inner ball has first and second halves divided by an imaginary equatorial plane. There are circumferentially spaced openings in the first half of the inner ball and openings in the cover aligned with the openings in the inner ball. The game ball curves away from the openings when thrown and thus may be used for learning how to throw and hit breaking pitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Jason Lenig
  • Publication number: 20080268989
    Abstract: New designs for a sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels and having an improved performance and uniformity. Each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels, in an imagined flattened state, have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. The ball also has a possible shape-induced spin due to the panel design and the overall rotational symmetry of the design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicants: Milgo Industrial Inc., Bufkin Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Haresh Lalvani
  • Publication number: 20080076610
    Abstract: A soccer training ball having a plurality of graphic illustrations on its surface, a first graphic substantially concentric to the perimeter of said ball when a first indexing target is placed at top dead center position, and at least one second graphic placed substantially opposite said first graphic, said graphics having targets included therein such that said graphics suggest the optimum striking area on said ball to achieve a desired ball direction and trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Abe Torres
  • Publication number: 20080064539
    Abstract: A grip training device is used to teach a person the proper grip of a ball in usage. More specifically, the grip training device may take the form of a baseball having finger position indicia on it. The finger position indicia may be constituted in several different ways, including by depressions sized and arranged to receive the fingers. The arrangement of the indicia shows how to grip the baseball for throwing different pitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Justin A. Mark
  • Publication number: 20070197317
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing wear-resistant panel of ball, a TPU film having a pattern printed on a reverse side thereof is positioned in a mold for suction molding and trimming to form a panel of ball, which is then positioned in another mold for bonding to an injection molded TPU foam, and the bonded TPU film and TPU foam are allowed to cool to complete a three-dimensional panel of ball. Panels of ball so manufactured are then sewed together to form a ball. The TPU film protects the pattern behind it against abrasion and wear, so that the pattern is always fresh and complete to give the ball a distinguishable appearance. The injection molded TPU foam layer gives the panel of ball a high stability in shape to prevent surface folds. The whole process is simplified to reduce the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Mei Sun Lin
  • Patent number: 7048656
    Abstract: A spherical ball, for projection through the air to deviate from an expected trajectory, has a first hemisphere (12) and a second hemisphere (14). The surfaces (52, 54) of the first hemisphere (12) and the second hemisphere (14) are generally smooth, except for the provision of a simulated seam (53) which gives the ball the appearance of a baseball. An insert (40) of felt-like material is provided in the second hemisphere (14) with the surface of the insert (40) flush with the surface (54) of the hemisphere (14). When the ball is projected along the plane of the line (16) between the hemispheres (12, 14), it will deviate from that plane in the direction of the first hemisphere (12). The ball is manufactured by locating the insert (40) in a mould (60) and injecting polyurethane foam (64) into the mould (60) with the insert (40) bonding with the foam, (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Graham Litchfield
  • Patent number: 6997830
    Abstract: A ridge-embedded softball or a ridge-embedded baseball in the present invention consists a spherical core, two cover pieces enclosing the core, and two threads to stitch the two pieces together. The feature of ridge-embedded softball or baseball in the present invention is that each cover piece has a stuffing strip embedded near the peripheral distal edge to create the ridges of the softball or baseball. Because the stuffing strips are firmly clamped between an outer skin and an inner fabric layer of the two cover pieces and can not squirm, the ridges are particularly and precisely defined on the softball or baseball to make the softball or baseball easily controlled during play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Chin-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6926630
    Abstract: A seaming structure using in baseballs and softballs is disclosed. Two covers including a first cover and a second cover close a ball core. A first seaming wire seams the two covers by alternatively passing through the two covers. Each of two upper seaming wires is arranged at an upper edge of one respective cover and is confined by a surface of the cover and the first seaming wire. Two lower seaming wires are similarly arranged, but they are arranged below the two covers. Moreover, a diameter of the upper seaming wires is equal to, great than or smaller than that of the lower seaming wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Wen Shiang Yang
  • Patent number: 6878081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ball comprising: (a) a spherical core; (b) a first flexible cover member formed approximately in the shape of a figure 8, and having the peripheral edge tapered and folded under and a series of thread holes penetrating through the cover member adjacent the folded under edge; (c) a second flexible cover member formed approximately in the shape of a figure 8 and having the peripheral edge tapered and folded under and a series of thread holes penetrating through the cover member adjacent the folded-under edge; and (d) a first thread and a second thread which, when the first and second cover members are placed in an intersecting mating pattern over the spherical core, penetrate in alternating intersecting pattern the thread holes in the areas adjacent the intersecting folded-under edges of the first and second cover members, to thereby completely enfold and cover the spherical core and create a ball which has raised areas around the adjacent intersection of the first and second cover me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Shyi-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20040259670
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Yen-Li Chang
  • Publication number: 20040029661
    Abstract: A ball has a core and a cover surrounding the core. The cover is made of a rubber material and surrounding the core. The cover has two half pieces sewn together with each other, and each half piece has a fabric lining securely attached to an inner surface of the half piece with a ripening process. Accordingly, the cover made of a rubber material has an excellent wear-resisting efficiency and will not contain water, such that the useful life of the ball is prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Hsiang-Bin Hung
  • Patent number: 6666783
    Abstract: A baseball (softball) includes a core and a pair of surface layers which are configured to enclose the core, wherein each of the surface layers is formed with an outer row of holes and an inner row of holes, the holes being formed in alternate order, and a needle with a thread is passed through the holes to stitch the two surface layers together thereby causing the thread to pull a portion between the holes and a circumferential edge of the surface layers to curve inwardly thereby forming a ridge, whereby the baseball is easy to manufacture and low in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Yao-Jen Huang
  • Publication number: 20030228945
    Abstract: A baseball (softball) includes a core and a pair of surface layers which are configured to enclose the core, wherein each of the surface layers is formed with an outer row of holes and an inner row of holes, the holes being formed in alternate order, and a needle with a thread is passed through the holes to stitch the two surface layers together thereby causing the thread to pull a portion between the holes and a circumferential edge of the surface layers to curve inwardly thereby forming a ridge, whereby the baseball is easy to manufacture and low in cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Yao-Jen Huang
  • Publication number: 20030203778
    Abstract: A baseball includes a core made of cork, a first rubber layer enclosing the core, a second rubber layer enclosing the first rubber layer, a PU layer enclosing the second rubber layer, an outer layer made of wool and/or synthetic threads wound around the PU layer, and a surface layer made of leather or synthetic material stitched on the outer layer, whereby the baseball can rapidly recover to its original shape and will produce a sharp sound which it is hit by the bat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Yao-Jen Huang
  • Publication number: 20030045384
    Abstract: A base ball includes a central spherical core made of high density cork, a plurality of highly elastic rubber layers wound upon said core, a first layer of blended wool yarns with different diameters wound upon said rubber layers, a second layer of blended wool yarns with different diameters wound upon said first layer, a moisture proof layer of soft foam wound upon said second layer, a layer of yarns wound upon said moisture proof layer and then sprayed with adhesive agent, and an outer cover encasing said layer of yarns, whereby the moisture proof layer of soft foam can effectively prevent the base ball from getting moisture and can provide stable resiliency thereby enabling the base ball to keep its weight and resiliency at a stable condition and therefore warranting fair play even in bad weather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Wen Hsiang Yang
  • Publication number: 20030045385
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Murphy, Douglas G. Guenther
  • Publication number: 20030027671
    Abstract: A baseball pitching training device providing students of pitching with one or more tactile surfaces, preferably on the seam, thus providing the with tactile input for development of the students proprioceptive senses. In addition, finger placement indicia may be provided, preferably on the cover of the baseball, to indicate a proper finger placement orientation for one or more baseball pitches. The tactile surface(s) and finger placement indicia provide tactile stimuli and instruction for several different types of pitches for either right handed or left handed students.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy Kuhn, David Ishii
  • Publication number: 20030008736
    Abstract: A ball with good durability and distinctive decoration is disclosed. The ball includes a cover having a plurality of panels bordering one another and a plurality of welts formed between the panels. Every adjacent two of the panels have respective margins extending towards the interior of the cover and sandwiching a corresponding one of the welts. The margins and one of the welts are joined together with one or more lines of stitches. The welts may be colored differently from the panels or differently from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Hsiang-Bin Hung
  • Patent number: 6500081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel construction of a ball and, more particularly, to a novel construction of baseball, such as a hardball or a softball which has enhanced curve characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Shyi-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6458052
    Abstract: A game ball comprising a spherical core and two-piece cover. The cover includes two figure eight-shaped pieces adhesively attached to the core. Furthermore, each figure eight-shaped piece may be separately stitched around the edges, given the appearance of a stitched ball once the cover pieces are in place. Preferably, the stitching pattern is a traditional herringbone pattern. Also provided is a process for making a game ball. This process comprises providing a spherical core and cover material comprising two stitched figure eight-shaped pieces. The stitched figure eight-shaped pieces are placed around the core using an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Worth, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan S. Pitsenberger, Danny W. Maxey
  • Publication number: 20020025866
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ball (1) which is manufactured to include a relatively rough surface (3) on one side of the ball and a relatively smooth surface (2) on the other side of the ball, wherein when the ball (1) is delivered through air the ball (1) deviates from an expected trajectory towards the smooth side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew John Thomas
  • Patent number: 6302815
    Abstract: A ball for a ball game includes a bladder made of a spherical elastic air-impermeable material in a hollow spherical shape and filled with air; a spherical flexible shape-maintaining frame body containing the bladder and having openings; and skin panels in a surface skin layer and having edges contacting one another on the frame body, wherein at least the edges of the skin panels are adhered to the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignees: Molten Corporation, Adidas International B.V.
    Inventors: Hideomi Shishido, Shigeo Doi, Yoshihisa Okimura
  • Patent number: 6287226
    Abstract: The present invention includes: a substantially spherical, impact deformable, shape retaining, textured game ball, comprising: a) pliable leather or leather-like textured ball cover, the cover comprising identical, connected cover members having a discreet symmetrical S-shape; b) a collapsible, regularly apertured shape retainer enclosed by and adjacent to the cover, and c) an inner space comprising a plurality of like-sized flexible bladders within the game ball, each bladder comprising a volume of air and a quantity of pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Jan B. Dilling
  • Patent number: 6261197
    Abstract: A game ball for permitting throwing of curve balls. The game ball includes a resilient inner sphere and an outer covering enclosing the inner sphere. The outer covering has a smooth region and a dimpled region that has a plurality of dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Grechko
  • Patent number: 6190273
    Abstract: A construction for a baseball or softball having a raised seam is provided. The ball includes a core and first and second cover pieces. Each cover piece has an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge. A bead of hot melt adhesive is adhered to the inner surface of each cover piece in a pattern substantially parallel to and located inside of the peripheral edge. After the hot melt adhesive hardens, it forms a strip of elastomeric material. Then the cover pieces are placed together about the core of the ball and stitched together with the beads of hot melt adhesive material located within the stitching, so that the beads support the cover pieces to form a raised seam on the ball. The hot melt adhesive material is preferably selected to have a durometer hardness comparable to that of the core of the ball, so that the ball will perform substantially the same regardless of whether it is struck on-seam or off-seam by a batter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Worth, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny Wade Maxey, Dan Stephen Pitsenberger
  • Patent number: 5885177
    Abstract: A decorative baseball and method for making the same provides a conventional baseball having a covering over a core that includes seams and laces. The covering has a decorative pattern applied thereto that extends through the seams in substantial alignment and covers substantially an entire surface of the ball. The decorative pattern is formed by applying a pattern, initially, to a conventional ball, cutting the laces of the ball to separate the two sections of covering, reproducing the pattern from the sections and forming new sections with the pattern for application to ball cores using conventional laces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignees: Dana S. Teifert, Nicholas B. Paffett, Edward D. Krent
    Inventors: Dana S. Teifert, Nicholas B. Paffett
  • Patent number: 5772544
    Abstract: A baseball or a softball includes two or more cover members engaged on the outer portion of a core and having an abutting peripheral portion. A pad is engaged between the core and the abutting peripheral portion of the two cover members and is stitched and secured to the abutting peripheral portion of the cover members by a thread. When the thread is tightened, a number of bulges may be formed along the abutting peripheral portion of the cover members. The thread may be engaged between and protected by the bulges from being easily worn out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Wen Hsiang Yang
  • Patent number: 5711725
    Abstract: A two colored baseball or softball for practice. One half of the outer surface is a dark color and one half is light to make the ball more difficult to see than a standard ball. When used for practice, the ball requires players to concentrate intensely in order to hit or field it successfully because of the difficulty of seeing it clearly. During games when a light colored ball is used, it is much more visible and players are able to hit and field it better because they are used to practicing with the two colored practice ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Inventor: Timothy A. Bengtson
  • Patent number: 5688198
    Abstract: A decorative baseball and method for making the same provides a conventional baseball having a covering over a core that includes seams and laces. The covering has a decorative pattern applied thereto that extends through the seams in substantial alignment and covers substantially an entire surface of the ball. The decorative pattern is formed by applying a pattern, initially, to a conventional ball, cutting the laces of the ball to separate the two sections of covering, reproducing the pattern from the sections and forming new sections with the pattern for application to ball cores using conventional laces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignees: Dana S. Teifert, Nicholas B. Paffett, Edward D. Krent
    Inventors: Dana S. Teifert, Nicholas B. Paffett