For Distensible Bladder (e.g., Casing Of Football, Etc.) Patents (Class 473/599)
  • Patent number: 11691321
    Abstract: An injection molded product formed from an inner layer, or substrate, to which an aesthetic IMD layer is bonded during a first injection molding process, leaving a portion of the substrate exposed about the perimeter(s) of the substrate. A transparent outer layer, or overmold, is then injection molded over the top of the IMD layer and substrate, bonding substantially to the IMD layer and to the substrate where it remains exposed following the first injection molding. The process of forming a product through the disclosed two-step injection molding process creates a customizable, aesthetic product with an aesthetic IMD layer completely encapsulated between the substrate and a clear overmold in such a way to protect the IMD layer from the environment in which the product is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Timothy P. Curnutt
  • Patent number: 11517794
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seamless inflatable ball contains: 1) inflating air into a preformed body so as to form a spherical body and covering a medium layer on the spherical body so as to form a semi-finished part; 2) forming a fluidic surface material on the medium layer of the semi-finished part in a predetermined thickness so as to produce a spherical portion with a covering layer; 3) placing the spherical portion into two ball molds; and 4) partially discharging air out of the spherical body and inflating the air into the spherical body repeatedly. In the step 3), the spherical portion is clamped in the two ball molds, and after the fluidic surface material is dried or is solidified to form a solid layer on the spherical portion, the spherical portion is removed from the two ball molds, thus forming a sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventor: Jui-Yu Hu
  • Patent number: 10828811
    Abstract: An injection molded product formed from an inner layer, or substrate, to which an aesthetic IMD layer is bonded during a first injection molding process, leaving a portion of the substrate exposed about the perimeter(s) of the substrate. A transparent outer layer, or overmold, is then injection molded over the top of the IMD layer and substrate, bonding substantially to the IMD layer and to the substrate where it remains exposed following the first injection molding. The process of forming a product through the disclosed two-step injection molding process creates a customizable, aesthetic product with an aesthetic IMD layer completely encapsulated between the substrate and a clear overmold in such a way to protect the IMD layer from the environment in which the product is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy P. Curnutt
  • Patent number: 10357691
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball structure and method for making the same. The ball structure includes an inner bladder and a plurality of covers. The covers surround the inner bladder. Each of the covers includes a base fabric layer, a middle layer and a surface layer. The middle layer is formed from a first polyurethane (PU) solution. A PU solid content of the first PU solution is greater than 70 wt %. The middle layer is a foamed layer, and a porosity thereof is 25% to 85%. The surface layer is formed from a second polyurethane (PU) solution. A PU solid content of the second PU solution is 5 wt % to 20 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SAN FANG CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chih Feng, Chun-Wei Wu, Yong-Song Lin
  • Patent number: 10343027
    Abstract: A sportsball and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The sportsball includes a carcass and a ball cover. The ball cover includes two or more cover panels having connecting sides connected with each other in edge to edge manner to form a plurality of connecting seams. The ball cover is supported and retained by the construction layer of the carcass in a desired roundness after air inflation. At least one the cover panels of the ball cover provides one or more virtual stitching seams molded to form thereon each imitating an actual stitching seam but having no stitching hole and gap. Each of the virtual stitching seams has a virtual seam recess and a plurality of virtual stitching marks along a bottom of the virtual seam recess imitating actual stitching marks of stitching thread like the actual stitching seam after sides of panels being sewn edge to edge together, so as to reduce the number of cover panels of the ball cover and minimize the presence of stitching holes and gaps of the ball cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventor: Tsung Ming Ou
  • Patent number: 10328315
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing sports ball having a high-performance cover formed from a plurality of panels with foam provided internally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Ali Hasnain Hussain
  • Patent number: 10220264
    Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable prolate spheroidal shaped bladder, a cover assembly, a lacing and an electronic circuit. The bladder includes a valve assembly and a pocket that are symmetrically spaced about a longitudinal plane. The cover assembly includes at least first, second, third and fourth cover panels collectively positioned over the bladder. One of the first and fourth cover panels extending over the valve assembly and the other of the first and fourth cover panels extending over the pocket. The lacing extends along the longitudinal plane and coupled to the first and fourth cover panels. The electronic circuit is retained by the pocket. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit being configured to produce a signal to enable at least one characteristic of the football to be monitored during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Krysiak, Mark W. Fisher, Bradley L. Gaff, Douglas G. Guenther
  • Patent number: 10112355
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sport ball includes providing a plurality of casing panels including a first panel and a second panel. The first panel has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first panel includes a first flange area forming a first edge portion of the first panel. The second panel has a third surface and an opposite fourth surface. The second panel includes a second flange area forming a second edge portion of the second panel. The method includes turning the first flange area away from the first surface of the first panel, turning the second flange area away from the third surface of the second panel, abutting the first flange area and the second flange area, and joining the first panel to the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chi Chang, Yi-Jung Shen, Scott R. Berggren
  • Patent number: 10016935
    Abstract: A method of making a spherical sport ball includes forming a casing having a first and a second substantially hemispherical panel component. The first panel component is a first unitary structure and has a first central panel, a first plurality of polygonal peripheral panels adjacent to the first central panel and having a first plurality of edges, and a plurality of flange areas extending from the first plurality of edges. The second panel component is a second unitary structure and has a second central panel and a second plurality of polygonal peripheral panels adjacent to the second central panel. The method includes joining together the first panel component and the second panel component at a non-linear, circumferential seam between the first and second plurality of polygonal peripheral panels. The method also includes forming a vertex between adjacent ones of the plurality of flange areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Berggren, Scott W. Johnson, Clayton J. Lindsay, Vincent F. White
  • Patent number: 9968832
    Abstract: A football includes an outer cover defining an interior space and having two rows of lace holes arranged in pairs spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction, and a mounting area disposed between the two rows of lace holes. A lace unit includes a main body disposed on the mounting area and formed with a plurality of positioning grooves, and a plurality of laces connected to the main body and corresponding in position to the positioning grooves. Each lace is extended through a respective pair of the lace holes, is looped around the main body and the mounting area, and is positioned in a respective positioning groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: Dongguan Broaden Sports Goods Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Chuan Lo
  • Patent number: 9833957
    Abstract: A non-glued laminated ball includes an inner bladder, a yarn layer, a rubber layer and an outer cover layer. The yarn layer sticks to an outer surface of the inner bladder. The rubber layer is provided between the yarn layer and the outer cover layer. The outer cover layer includes a plurality of outer covers. Stalk lines are provided among the outer covers. Bottom layers of the outer covers are required to be loose. The outer covers bond to a rubber raw material of the rubber layer through a mold-closing pressurization bonding. Then, through vulcanizing, the rubber raw material permeates into the yarn layer and the loose bottom layers of the outer covers for integrating the inner bladder, the yarn layer, the rubber layer and the outer cover layer together. No glue, industrial gasoline or methylbenzene is provided between the outer cover layer and the rubber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: TongCheng HuiLong Sports articles Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Yadong Lu
  • Patent number: 9776047
    Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable prolate spheroidal shaped bladder, at least one cover panel surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, a flap and an electronic circuit. The flap is coupled to the outer surface of the bladder and is generally positioned to align with the lacing. The electronic circuit is positioned on or beneath the flap. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit is configured to produce a signal to enable at least one characteristic of the football to be monitored during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Kevin L Krysiak, Douglas G. Guenther, Bradley L. Gaff, Mark W. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9539473
    Abstract: A spherical sport ball may include a casing that includes first and second substantially hemispherical panel components. Each substantially hemispherical panel component may be a unitary structure having a central panel and a plurality of polygonal peripheral panels adjacent to the central panel. In addition, the first substantially hemispherical panel component may be joined with the second substantially hemispherical panel component at a non-linear, circumferential seam between peripheral panels of the first hemispherical panel component and peripheral panels of the second hemispherical panel component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Berggren, Scott W. Johnson, Clayton J. Lindsay, Vincent F. White
  • Patent number: 9327167
    Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing and a bladder located within the casing. The casing may include a plurality of panel elements joined to each other with welds, and portions of the panel elements that include the welds may project toward an interior of the ball. A method of manufacturing a sport ball may include providing a plurality of casing elements that include a thermoplastic polymer material. Edges of the casing elements are welded to each other to join the casing elements. The casing elements may then be turned inside-out through an aperture formed by at least one of the casing elements, and the aperture may be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Raynak, Vincent F. White
  • Patent number: 9254424
    Abstract: A sport ball may incorporate a casing that includes a plurality of joined panels. At least one of the panels may have a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The casing defines at least one indentation in the exterior surface, and the first layer is bonded to the third layer adjacent to the indentation. In some configurations, the casing may also define at least one indentations in a surface of the third layer, which may correspond in location with the indentation in the exterior surface. Additionally, the sport ball may include an intermediate structure and a bladder located within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE INC.
    Inventors: Scott R. Berggren, Tal Cohen, Vincent F. White, Gary W. Glahn
  • Patent number: 9186559
    Abstract: A sports ball having a high-performance cover formed from a plurality of embossed panels. The panels embossed at 2-3 mm from the edges of each of the panels. High tension stitching applied at the embossed regions for formulating a high performance soccer ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Ali Hasnain Hussain
  • Patent number: 9162114
    Abstract: A game ball, such as a soccer ball, having a cover comprised of one or more cover panel blanks and one or more reinforcement material blanks, is provided. The cover panel blanks and reinforcement material blanks are bonded together so that the free edges and interior panel boundaries of the cover panel blanks are aligned with the reinforcement material blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: NOVATION IQ LLC
    Inventor: Michel Marc
  • Patent number: 9011621
    Abstract: A sports ball having a high-performance cover formed from a plurality of panels with attached foam backing. The panels may be stitched together at stitch lines which are 2-4 mm from the edges of each of the panels. During manufacturing, before compression is applied, foam attached to outer layers for each of the panels may be a distance 2-6 mm away from the stitch lines. Foam attached on the inside of the sports ball may provide support and a robust round shape for manufacturing of a high performance sports ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Ali Hasnain Hussain
  • Patent number: 8973289
    Abstract: An object includes a body with a first portion having first eyelets and a second portion having second eyelets. The body includes a first surface and a second surface that face in opposite directions. The first surface includes an opening into a void that is defined between the first surface and the second surface. A first lace extends continuously through the plurality of first eyelets and continuously through the plurality of second eyelets. The first lace has a first bridge portion defined between a first pair of the first eyelets and a second bridge portion defined between a second pair of the second eyelets. The first lace includes an end that passes through the opening to be disposed within the void. A second lace engages both the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua P. Heard
  • Patent number: 8905876
    Abstract: An American football is configured for direct contact with a user's hands and includes first and second transversely extending stripes and a plurality of cover panels. The cover panels have an outer surface formed of a first material. One of the cover panels is formed of first, second and third sub-panels. One of the side edges of the first and second stripes is fixedly coupled to one of the first and second sub-panels, respectively, and the other of the side edges of the first and second stripes is fixedly coupled to one of the second and third sub-panels, respectively. The stripes having an outer surface formed of a second material. The second material has a static coefficient of friction that is greater than the static coefficient of friction of the first material when measured in accordance with the standard test method for static coefficient of friction of ASTM D1894-01.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Guenther, Kevin L. Krysiak, Ming Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 8870690
    Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, at least two cover panels surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. Each of the cover panels includes an outermost layer and a lining. The electronic circuit is coupled to at least one of the cover panels. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor. The electronic circuit is configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Krysiak, Douglas G. Guenther, Bradley L. Gaff, Mark W. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8801553
    Abstract: There is provided a sports ball capable of relieving the pain of the hands suffered from impact on the ball and having a soft feel and high flexibility. The sports ball comprises a spherical hollow rubber bladder (2) inflated with air injected into it, a fabric tape reinforcement layer (3) formed by winding a narrow adhesive-impregnated fabric tape (7) around a central spherical portion (6) of the rubber bladder about each of three axes of the rubber bladder with the exception of opposite spherical end portions (5) of the rubber bladder, whereby the fabric tape reinforcement layer is formed as orthogonal lap windings of the fabric tape over substantially all of the spherical surface of the rubber bladder, to provide a fabric tape wound ball core, and surface panels (4) adhered with adhesive to the fabric tape reinforcement layer on the rubber bladder, after vulcanization and forming of the fabric tape wound ball core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Mikasa Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Fujikura, Osamu Kobayashi, Shuzo Matsuno
  • Publication number: 20130324333
    Abstract: A prolate spheroidal inflatable game ball in the form of a football is provided with a segmented panel having stripes formed by attaching stripe pieces to adjacent segments. In one embodiment, the stripe pieces have beveled edges and the edges of adjacent segments have corresponding beveled edges. The component pieces of the panel can be joined to the stripe pieces using stitching to securely fasten the components of the segmented panel together. A segmented panel of this construction can allow different materials having different characteristics to be used for various portions of the segmented panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark McNamee
  • Patent number: 8574104
    Abstract: An inflatable sports ball structure and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The inflatable sports ball structure comprises of an inner bladder, a reinforced carcass containing thread, and an exterior material layer. The reinforced carcass covers the surface of the inner bladder, and has a thread wound layer. Part of the thread wound layer is embedded in the reinforced carcass and provides a constricting force towards the inner bladder, and a small remaining part of the thread wound layer may be exposed on the outer surface of the reinforced carcass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Keng-Hua Chou
  • Patent number: 8506430
    Abstract: An oval ball, in particular rugby ball or football with a casing and with at least one electronic component or module with a transmitter unit, which is arranged in the casing and is held in a defined position, wherein the at least one electronic module is fastened on or in a shape part with a positive and/or material fit, in the region of the tips or in the region of a valve of the casing. In a further embodiment, the module is suspended on nets which are connected to the tip region of the casing in a large-surfaced manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer—Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Von Der Gruen, Norbert Franke, Reiner Retkowski
  • Patent number: 8460135
    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 gripable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Guenther, Kevin L. Krysiak, Ming Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 8420203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface structure for a working device. In particular, the invention relates to a surface structure for a working device that has at least one first element with a first height and a second element with a second height, and a third element having a third height, wherein the second height is greater than the third height, having in addition a first grip area, a second grip area, and a third grip area, wherein the elements are arranged on a dot matrix, wherein the centers of the second elements and the centers of the third elements are arranged on the points of intersection and the centers of the first elements are not arranged on the points of intersection, and the first grip area comprises first elements and second elements, the second grip area comprises predominantly second elements, the third grip area comprises predominantly third elements. The present invention also relates to a working device having such a surface structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Sikora, Roland Ullmann
  • Patent number: 8388476
    Abstract: A sports ball includes an inflatable bladder, and a ball carcass. The ball pocket is constructed to have a true roundness shape, having an interior cavity receiving the inflatable bladder therein, wherein when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the ball pocket retains a true roundness shape of the inflatable bladder. The ball carcass includes a ball cushion and a plurality of carcass panels. Each of the carcass panels has a peripheral edge and a flat bottom surface defined within the peripheral edge, wherein the bottom surface of each of the carcass panels is entirely affixed to the ball cushion at a position that the peripheral edge of each of the carcass panels is fittingly aligned with the peripheral edges of the adjacent carcass panels to form a roundness carcass of the sportsball in a stitch-less manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Tsung Ming Ou
  • Patent number: 8382618
    Abstract: A protective cover for covering an inflatable ball body includes: a flexible surrounding wall capable of forming a receiving space that is substantially ball-shaped and that is adapted to receive a ball, the surrounding wall having inner and outer surfaces, the inner surface being adapted to contact intimately an external surface of the ball when the ball is in an inflated operative state, the surrounding wall having at least one first opening extending through the inner and outer surfaces, the first opening having a size sufficient for access of the ball when the ball is deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Chuan-Hsin Lo
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8272980
    Abstract: A jacket for an inflatable bladder such as an exercise ball. The jacket has a durable cover with an access section having an inner panel defining an access opening. Outer panels overlie the inner panel and have edges which extend across the opening and are provided with closures. In use, the outer panels may be separated at fasteners so a bladder may be removed or inserted through the access opening. The inner panel and the outer panels may be a woven material with their weave oriented to resist distortion when the bladder is inflated and to assist in securing the closure. The cover may be any suitable material such as a coated nylon providing durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald B. Johnson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8033936
    Abstract: A sports ball includes an inflatable bladder, and a ball carcass. The ball pocket is constructed to have a true roundness shape, having an interior cavity receiving the inflatable bladder therein, wherein when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the ball pocket retains a true roundness shape of the inflatable bladder. The ball carcass includes a ball cushion and a plurality of carcass panels. Each of the carcass panels has a peripheral edge and a flat bottom surface defined within the peripheral edge, wherein the bottom surface of each of the carcass panels is entirely affixed to the ball cushion at a position that the peripheral edge of each of the carcass panels is fittingly aligned with the peripheral edges of the adjacent carcass panels to form a roundness carcass of the sportsball in a stitch-less manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Tsung Ming Ou
  • Patent number: 7998005
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Geisendorfer
  • Patent number: 7935013
    Abstract: This invention refers to the structure for a ball or ball cover that comprises a plurality of interconnected panels comprising first and second groups of panels which combined form a sphere. The first group of panels define at least two different surface areas of the ball or ball cover disposed at polar extremes on the surface of the sphere and the second group of panels define an area of the surface in the form of a ring, with at least three undulations and disposed in the equatorial zone of the surface of the ball or ball cover, creating a separation between the polar extremes defined by the first group of panels; whereby the width of the ring is modified to improve the sphericity of the ball or ball cover and obtaining a ball of a selected measurement (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Francisco Pacheco
  • Patent number: 7837581
    Abstract: A sports ball includes an inflatable bladder, and a ball carcass. The ball pocket is constructed to have a true roundness shape, having an interior cavity receiving the inflatable bladder therein, wherein when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the ball pocket retains a true roundness shape of the inflatable bladder. The ball carcass includes a ball cushion and a plurality of carcass panels. Each of the carcass panels has a peripheral edge and a flat bottom surface defined within the peripheral edge, wherein the bottom surface of each of the carcass panels is entirely affixed to the ball cushion at a position that the peripheral edge of each of the carcass panels is fittingly aligned with the peripheral edges of the adjacent carcass panels to form a roundness carcass of the sportsball in a stitch-less manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Tsing Ming Ou
  • Patent number: 7828681
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Geisendorfer
  • Publication number: 20100248873
    Abstract: A novelty article comprises a flexible and waterproof display carrying membrane that is elastically stretchable and contoured to define at least a portion of the shape of the novelty article. The flexible and waterproof display carrying membrane has at least one inner display layer and at least one outer transparent gripping layer disposed over the inner display layer. The inner display layer includes a fabric layer and a graphic design that is formed on a surface of the fabric layer and that is visible through the outer transparent gripping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: John Scott Cooper
  • Patent number: 7785219
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Avis
  • Publication number: 20100029420
    Abstract: A football includes an inflatable bladder; a layer of wound filament fibers surrounding the inflatable bladder; a carcass surrounding the layer of wound filament fibers, including raised areas and recessed areas and a plurality of panels positioned within the recessed areas of the carcass. An outer surface of the plurality of panels is flush with an outer surface of the raised areas of the carcass, which includes the appearance of at least one of stitching, seams and a pebbled outer surface. A method of manufacturing a football includes providing an inflatable bladder, winding filament fibers around the bladder and molding a carcass around the fibers. The carcass is molded to include recessed areas, raised areas and the appearance of at least one of seams, stitching and a pebbled surface on the raised areas. Panels are then laminated to the recessed areas of the carcass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Reebok International Ltd.
    Inventors: Chunwei Jerry HU, Christopher Michael Waldeck
  • Publication number: 20100029419
    Abstract: A soft seamless acrylonitrile bladder having excellent air permeability combined with good bounce characteristics for inflatable balls obtained by latex dipping process. The said process involves dipping hot moulds in a coagulant bath of calcium nitrate and water and later dipping the dried, coagulant coated formers in a compounded latex bath of carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene latex, the dip being single or multiple depending upon the desired wall thickness. The said latex dipping process allows low manufacturing cost, high productivity and low rejection rate bladders having uniform weight varying from 500 mg/inch2 to 1.5 g/inch2, modulus varying from 17 to 20 Kg/Cm2, tensile strength of 150-180 Kg/Cm2 and elongation at break 650-750%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Paradise Rubber Industries
    Inventors: Prem Nath Magon, Ashwani Magon
  • Publication number: 20100009790
    Abstract: The present development is directed to sports balls or game balls and to methods for producing the same. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to inflatable sports balls or game balls, such as basketballs, having a unique rib or seam configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicants: Russell Asset Management, Inc., SGG Patents LLC
    Inventor: Michael W. Maziarz
  • Publication number: 20090005199
    Abstract: The ball for a ball game of the invention includes a fabric layer 1 having a spherical 12-hedron where twelve right pentagonal fabric pieces 2 are sewn together. The marginal edges of the fabric piece being folded by 90 degrees, and the marginal edges are sewn together with a sewing machine. The fabric layer is then reversed through cross-like slits 5a, 5b formed in the fabric layer in a location opposite to a valve opening 5 (also formed in the fabric layer) in such a manner that the marginal edges are located on an inner side of the fabric layer. After the bladder is accommodated within the fabric layer through the closure hole 5, the hole 5 is closed by a patch. Onto a surface of the fabric layer, there is adhered the panels. Thereby, the ball for a ball game having no unevenness and soft feeling is attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicants: adidas International Marketing B. V., Molten Corporation
    Inventors: Harufusa Taniguchi, Hideomi Shishido, Shigeo Doi, Yoshihisa Okimura
  • Patent number: 7462119
    Abstract: A game ball with improved panels is disclosed, including panels stitched together to cover an inflatable bladder and forming a substantially spherical surface. There are two pluralities of panels, each plurality having a different color. At least one panel in one of the two pluralities has a textured surface. The panels in the first plurality are equidistant from each other on the spherical surface. Each panel in the first plurality is separated from all other panels in the first plurality by at least one panel in the second plurality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Russell Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Kelly
  • Publication number: 20080242458
    Abstract: A novel street soccer ball having a carcass of a tough, durable material for improved wear on hard surfaces and a filler material to reduce and deaden the bounce of the soccer ball is disclosed. The inflatable bladder is similar to bladders used in many sports balls and is inflatable to provide adequate performance and feel to the soccer ball. Inside the inflatable bladder, a stuffing or filler material is included that deadens the bounce of the soccer ball to improve play of the soccer ball on hard surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, or dirt. While the stuffing or filler material is located inside the inflatable bladder, the air pressure of the bladder is the primary contributor to the shape and feel of the ball, and the stuffing or filler material primarily contributes to deadening the ball's bounce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Travis J. Winn
  • Publication number: 20080176685
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Madore, Ian R. Lindsey
  • Publication number: 20080058134
    Abstract: A ball has an internal bladder, an inner fabric layer, a reinforcing layer, an outer fabric layer and an external cover layer. The internal bladder is spherical and hollow. The inner fabric layer is ventilative and soft, is mounted around the internal bladder and allows air existing inside or outside the inner fabric layer to pass through the inner fabric layer. The reinforcing layer is mounted around the inner fabric layer. The outer fabric layer is ventilative and soft, is mounted around the reinforcing layer and allows air inside or outside the outer fabric layer to pass through the outer fabric layer. The external cover layer is mounted around the outer fabric layer. The ball with the ventilative inner and outer fabric layers is highly elastic, soft and deformable so the feel of hitting the ball is fine and comfortable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Chui-Ching Yang
  • Patent number: 7300369
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Krysiak, Douglas G. Guenther
  • Patent number: 7066852
    Abstract: A game ball having improved resistance to liquid moisture, wherein the game ball includes a water resistant lining and a leather cover with water resistance properties. The water resistance properties of the cover are imparted by the tanning process and the lining is coated with a water resistant polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Brian Feeney, Chris Waldeck