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.

Abstract: A construction liner for sportsball, such as an American football, which is made by compressing and vulcanization a rubber piece with at least a fabric lining, is strong enough to produce a more durable American football with better supporting but lower manufacturing cost. The American football includes a ball cover having a valve hole thereon and an inflatable bladder disposed within the ball cover for propping up the ball cover after inflation. The inflatable bladder has a predetermined shape and a valve stem mounted thereon and extended through the valve hole of the ball cover. The ball cover includes four elliptical cover pieces sewn edge to edge together. Each of the cover pieces includes an outer elliptical cover skin and an inner elliptical construction liner which is overlappedly attached on an inside of the cover skin for supporting the cover skin and enclosing the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball, in particular a football. The ball according to the invention has, in its outer skin, a syntactic material that consists of a matrix material into which essentially dimensionally stable, elastic blow-molded parts are mixed. Furthermore, a new method of producing a ball with a verre églomisé print is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a game ball comprising a plurality of panels that are connected along abutting edges. The panels include at least one bridged panel that is formed of two integrally-connected, non-equilateral hexagonal portions. In addition to the bridged panels, the game ball includes equilateral pentagonal panels and non-equilateral hexagonal panels. Each hexagonal portion and each hexagonal panel includes three long edges and three short edges. A ratio of a length of each short edge to a length of each long edge is at least 0.069.

Abstract: A ball for ball games, organized in 18 squares and adjusted by 8 helices, wherein the ideal sphericity is obtained when the distance from the center (Y) to the corners of the triangle in the center of the helix is equal to the difference in distance that exists between the square and its diagonal: If c=sqrt(3)*(d?a) and d=?C, then sphere.

Abstract: A basketball game ball (20) comprising an outer cover (22) having nine to twelve cover panels and preferably ten cover panels separated by a plurality of channels (26) extending between and in abutment with the panels.

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.

Abstract: A basketball game ball (20) comprising an outer cover (22) having nine to twelve cover panels and preferably ten cover panels separated by a plurality of channels (26) extending between and in abutment with the panels.

Abstract: A game ball includes a carcass made up of a plurality of multi-layered carcass segments that are sewn together to form the carcass. Each carcass segment has a major portion and a marginal portion that surrounds the major portion and that is thinner than the major portion.

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 ball for a ball game includes an elastic bladder having the form of a spherical hollow body into which compressed air is charged, a reinforced layer formed on a whole surface of the bladder, and a plurality of leather panels bonded onto the reinforced layer directly or through a cover rubber layer, wherein a peripheral edge portion of the leather panel is folded toward an inside and a thickness adjusting member for eliminating a difference in step caused by the folding of the leather panel is caused to be bonded onto the back of the leather panel surrounded by the folded portion of the leather panel.

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 ball has a cover having at least two skins connected along borders of the skins. At least one flexible band is stitched between the borders of the skins. A bladder is received in the cover. The flexible bands can offset a shape difference of the cover to make the inflated ball as a “true sphere”.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of constructing a specialty sportball that includes creating a graphic, producing a print of the graphic as a function of an sportball printer, providing at least two panels transferring the print to at least one panel, attaching the one panel to the second panel, and forming a specialty sportball from the attached panels with artwork thereon.

Abstract: A basketball apparatus having a ball body with a plurality of slots extending circumferentially around the ball body and a plurality of elastic rings removably received within the plurality of slots. The plurality of elastic rings extend circumferentially around the ball body. The ball body has a first pole area and a second pole area. Each of the elastic rings has a thickness at the pole areas that is less than a thickness between the pole areas. Each of the elastic rings extends outwardly of the outer surface of the ball body. Each of the plurality of elastic rings has a textured outer 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 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 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 football is provided with a thinner cover than conventional footballs. The thickness of the cover is less than 1.25 mm. The cover is formed from four cover panels. Each cover panel is stitched to a liner panel to form four panel assemblies. The liner panels are stronger and more resistant to bending than conventional liner panels. The panel assemblies are stitched together to form the seams of the football. An inflatable bladder is inserted inside of the attached panel assemblies. The liner panels withstand most of the forces on the football which are created by the internal bladder pressure and by impacts. The relatively thin cover panels are not required to support significant loads.

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 ball for a ball game includes an elastic bladder having the form of a spherical hollow body into which compressed air is charged, a reinforced layer formed on a whole surface of the bladder, and a plurality of leather panels bonded onto the reinforced layer directly or through a cover rubber layer, wherein a peripheral edge portion of the leather panel is folded toward an inside and a thickness adjusting member for eliminating a difference in step caused by the folding of the leather panel is caused to be bonded onto the back of the leather panel surrounded by the folded portion of the leather panel.

Abstract: An American football, which is made by vulcanization a rubber piece with two fabric linings, is strong enough to provide a more durable American football with better supporting but lower manufacturing cost. The American football includes a ball cover having a valve hole thereon and an inflatable bladder disposed within the ball cover for propping up the ball cover after inflation. The inflatable bladder has a predetermined shape and a valve stem mounted thereon and extended through the valve hole of the ball cover. The ball cover includes four elliptical cover pieces sewn edge to edge together. Each of the cover pieces includes an outer elliptical cover skin and an inner elliptical construction liner which is overlappedly attached on an inside of the cover skin for supporting the cover skin and enclosing the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A method for making a football includes the steps of cutting rubber material to a predetermined dimension; vulcanizing the rubber material; attaching a sponge layer to a fabric layer; attaching the sponge layer and the fabric layer to the rubber material; cutting the combined rubber material, sponge layer and the fabric layer into elliptical pieces; sewing the elliptical pieces to form an ellipsoid body and defining an inlet opening, wherein edges of the elliptical pieces are sewed together and thus a ellipsoid is formed; defining holes in adjacent pieces of the ellipsoid body; turning the ellipsoid body inside-out and inserting a bladder into the ellipsoid body through the inlet opening; and lacing the holes together with a plastic lace.

Abstract: A football includes a rubber layer (10), a fabric layer (20), a sponge layer (30) securely clamped between the rubber layer (10) and the fabric layer (20) by sewing; a bladder inside the fabric layer to hold air and a plastic lace (2) inserted through openings (12) in two adjacent rubber pieces (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball, in a particular a football. The ball according to the invention has, in its outer skin, a syntactic material that consists of a matrix material into which essentially dimensionally stable, elastic blow-molded parts are mixed. Furthermore, a new method of producing a ball with a verre églomiséprint is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article having resistance to moisture includes a base layer, a screening layer, and an outer layer. The screening layer is resistant to penetration by moisture in the liquid phase and may be permeable to moisture in the vapor phase. In one embodiment the screening layer has a moisture vapor transmission rate in the range of 0 to 0.5 g per mil/100 in2 per day as determined according to ASTM D-96 at 90% relative humidity and 100° F. The screening layer may comprise one or more layers. Optionally, a screening layer may be resistant to penetration both by moisture in the liquid and in the vapor phase.

Abstract: A kick-strengthening practice soccer ball is given a little extra weight but preferably softened also for enhance shock absorption when kicked. The practice ball has an inflatable bladder, a carcass of tough durable material, and an intermediary sheath of substantially non-stretchable, flexible material for restraining expansion of the bladder when inflated to pressure. Thus the sheath thereby reduces the outward pressure on the carcass while also increasing the dimensional stability of the ball. A shock-absorbing weighting material interposed between either the bladder and sheath or sheath and carcass. The weighting material accounts for between about 4% and 40% of the total weight of the practice ball when inflated to pressure. If a nominal average weight for a standard matchball is taken to be between 14 to 16 ounces, the weighting material adds an additional increment from anywhere between about 1 and 10 ounces.

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: An American football includes a ball cover including four elliptical cover pieces sewn edge to edge together, wherein each cover piece comprises an outer elliptical cover skins, an elliptical inner lining for supporting between the outer cover skin, and an air layer having an predetermined elliptical shape disposed between the outer cover skin and the inner lining, and an inflatable bladder disposed within said ball cover for propping up said ball cover after inflation. So, a predetermined volume of air is provided in the air layer for increasing the elasticity of the outer cover skin, so as to increase the softness of the American football with lower manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A presentation football (100, 200) is disclosed which includes a lenticular panel (102) or cloth panel (202) with art work thereon. One or more lenticular panels (102) or cloth panels (202) are adhesively secured to the football panels (12, 14, 16, 18) forming the football itself. The edges of the lenticular or cloth panel and football panels are sewn together with the football turned inside out. Once the sewing is completed, the football is turned inside out to form the football.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball, in particular a football and a new method of producing a ball with a verre églomiséprint. The ball according to the invention has, in its outer skin (11), a syntactic material (50) which consists of a matrix material (52) into which essentially dimensionally stable, elastic blow-moulded parts (54) are mixed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball, in particular a football. The ball according to the invention has, in its outer skin (11), a syntactic material (50) which consists of a matrix material (52) into which essentially dimensionally stable, elastic blow-moulded parts (54) are mixed. Furthermore, a new method of producing a ball with a verre églomisé print is also claimed.

Abstract: A presentation football (100, 200) is disclosed which includes a lenticular panel (102) or cloth panel (202) with art work thereon. One or more lenticular panels (102) or cloth panels (202) are adhesively secured to the football panels (12, 14, 16, 18) forming the football itself The edges of the lenticular or cloth panel and football panels are sewn together with the football turned inside out. Once the sewing is completed, the football is turned inside out to form the football.

Abstract: An inflatable sports ball has a body with a multiplicity of discrete panels joined together at seams along respective adjacent edges by stitching, preferably machine stitching, to define a volume, and an inflatable bladder disposed within the volume, with a valve extending through an aperture defined in the body outer surface. Each ball panel is formed of a multi-layer laminate consisting of an outer layer of synthetic polymeric material, an intermediate layer of expanded synthetic polymeric material and a woven fabric, and an inner layer of woven fabric. A method for manufacturing an inflatable sports ball using a stitching machine to join pairs of panels at a seam along respective adjacent edges is also described.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an inflatable sports ball uses a stitching machine to join pairs of panels at a seam along respective edges. The inflatable sports ball has a body with a multiplicity of discrete panels joined together at seams along respective adjacent edges by stitching, preferably machine stitching, to define a volume, and an inflatable bladder disposed within the volume, with a valve extending through an aperture defined in the body outer surface. Each ball panel is formed of a multi-layer laminate consisting of an outer layer of synthetic polymeric material, an intermediate layer of expanded synthetic polymeric material and a woven fabric, and an inner layer of woven fabric.

Abstract: A basketball, which is more durable and has a softer feeling to reduce the painful during ball passing and shooting, especially suitable for children, training players and amateur players, includes a spherical bladder carcass and a plurality of cover panels. The bladder carcass has a plurality of projection ribs integrally protruded and extended thereon to define eight leaf shape panel recesses surrounding by the ribs. Each of the cover panel has a shape of each of the panel recesses adapted to adhere in the eight panel recesses respectively. Each of the cover panels includes a cover layer and an additional cushion layer made of foam material having a top surface integrally adhered to the lining layer and a bottom surface for adhering a lining cloth thereto, wherein each side of the cushion layer is inwardly inclined for fitting in the respective panel recess.

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: An inflatable sports ball has a body with a multiplicity of discrete panels joined together at seams along respective adjacent edges by stitching, preferably machine stitching, to define a volume, and an inflatable bladder disposed within the volume, with a valve extending through an aperture defined in the body outer surface. Each ball panel is formed of a multi-layer laminate consisting of an outer layer of synthetic polymeric material, an intermediate layer of expanded synthetic polymeric material and a woven fabric, and an inner layer of woven fabric. A method for manufacturing an inflatable sports ball using a stitching machine to join pairs of panels at a seam along respective adjacent edges is also described.

Abstract: A sweat-absorbing game ball comprises an inflatable rubber bladder and a synthetic leather cover which surrounds the bladder. The synthetic leather cover includes a base fabric of polyurethane-impregnated nonwoven nylon fibers and an outer coating of wet-coagulated polyurethane. A pebbled surface configuration is molded into the outer surface of the cover, and the pebbled surface includes a plurality of outwardly projecting pebbles. Each pebble includes an outer surface and a side surface, and a plurality of small openings are formed in the polyurethane outer coating on the side surfaces of the pebbles.

Abstract: A waterproof game ball comprises elastically stretchable panels connected and sealed together along marginal edge portions thereof to define a shell, and a flexible, inflatable bag disposed within the shell for receiving air to inflate the bag. Each of the elastically stretchable panels has a main body formed from a single piece of flexible, non-porous, water-impervious material.

Abstract: A football is made in "regulation" size and shape for high school, college and professional football or generally proportional thereto. However, instead of having four panels and four seams as is conventionally the case, an odd number of panels and seams, for example, five panels and seams is provided. When kicking an oblate spheroidal football, the place kicker normally kicks the football at a location diametrically opposite to the location of the laces of the football. By providing an odd number of panels, the disclosed football is preferably kicked at a location where no seam is located thereby enhancing the effectiveness and accuracy of kicking. If desired, the panel opposed to the laces is reinforced with an internal reinforcing panel which internally covers the entire panel. Alternatively, two reinforcing patches are provided, each of which is located at a "sweet spot" of the football.

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 ball envelope made up of a plurality of polygonal segments sewn together at their edges. The polygonal segments are made up of first and second groups of segments having different shapes. The first group of polygonal segments is made up of equilateral, triangular segments, while the second group of polygonal segments is made up of hexagonal segments. The hexagonal segments have an outline corresponding to a rectangle interposed between two isosceles triangles, with the short sides of the rectangle coinciding with the bases of the isosceles triangles. The long sides of the rectangles of each hexagonal segment are connected to edges of the triangular segments, while sides of the isosceles triangles of each hexagonal segment are connected to sides of the isosceles triangles of other hexagonal segments.

Abstract: A presentation football (10) is disclosed which includes a vinyl panel (22) with the artwork (24) placed thereon by a resin printer. The vinyl panel 22 is adhesively secured to one of the football panels (12, 14, 16, 18) forming the football itself. The edges of the vinyl panel and football panels are sewn together with the football turned inside out. Once the sewing is completed, the football is turned inside out to form the football.

Abstract: A sewing rubber American football includes a rubber made ball cover having a valve hole thereon and a rubber bladder, which is disposed within the ball cover, having a predetermined shape and a valve stem mounted thereon and extended through the valve hole of the ball cover. The ball cover includes four elliptical cover pieces sewn edge to edge together. Each cover piece includes an outer elliptical rubber skin and an inner elliptical fabric pad integrally attached underneath the rubber skin. A top surface of the rubber skin provides a plurality of protruding pebbles evenly distributed all over the top surface. The rubber skin has a coarse bottom surface full of bumps and dents for gripping with the fiber of the fabric pad so as to firmly united with the fabric pad. Thereby, the rubber skin is reinforced by the fabric pad to form the tough and rigid cover piece which is able to be sewn easily. A ball cover made of such cover pieces is easily be grasped and thus has good slippery resistibility.

Abstract: A ball for ball game comprising: a leather skin layer formed by sewing a plurality of leather panels by a thread, the leather skin layer having a spherical shape; and a bladder made of an elastomer having a hollow spherical shape, the bladder being accomodated in the leather skin layer, the bladder being provided with a valve for feeding air into the rubber bladder, the bladder being charged with air through the valve; wherein the thread is made of a self-shrink thread which is subjected to a shrinking treatment after sewing.

Abstract: A hgh-visbility inflated game ball such as a basketball, football, soccer ball, volleyball or the like. The game ball includes a central inflated portion and a metallocene catalyzed polyolefin cover formed over the central inflated portion. In one embodiment, the cover has fluorescent pigment, fluorescent dye, and/or optical brighteners incorporated therein in order to impart to the cover a reflectance of at least 75% in at least a part of the visible spectrum. In another embodiment, reflective metallic particles are incorporated in addition to, or in place of the pigment, dye and optical brightener in order to add a glittery appearance to the ball cover. The particularly preferred game ball of the invention is a basketball. The game ball is particularly useful at dusk when conventional basketballs of a dull orange color become difficult to see.

Abstract: A football is made in "regulation" size and shape for high school, college and professional football. However, instead of having four panels and four seams as is conventionally the case, an odd number of panels and seams, for example, five panels and seams is provided. When kicking an oblate spheroidal football, the place kicker normally kicks the football at a location diametrically opposite to the location of the laces of the football. By providing an odd number of panels, the disclosed football is preferably kicked at a location where no seam is located thereby enhancing the effectiveness and accuracy of kicking. If desired, the panel opposed to the laces is reinforced with an internal reinforcing panel which internally covers the entire panel. Alternatively, two reinforcing patches are provided, each of which is located at a "sweet spot" of the football. In either case, the weight of the reinforcement is preferably equalized to the weight of the laces so that the football remains balanced.

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.