Abstract: A game ball configured for direct contact with a user's hands includes a cover formed of a natural leather and having an outer surface. The outer surface of the cover includes a pebbled texture. The pebbled texture includes a plurality of spaced apart pebble-like projections extending from a base region. Each of the pebble-like projections has a pebble height measured from the base region adjacent to the pebble-like projection to a top surface of the pebble-like projection. At least a first portion of the cover includes alphanumeric and/or graphical indicia applied by a laser ghosting process, and a second portion of the cover is formed without the indicia. The average pebble height of a plurality of the pebble-like projections in the first portion of the cover is at least 80 percent of the average height of a plurality of the pebble-like projections in the second portion of the cover.

Abstract: A ball has a lightweight inner bladder and an outer layer that covers the inner bladder. The inner bladder bunches up against the inner surface of the outer layer. The bunched up surface of the inner bladder may be flattened upon impact, thereby absorbing energy. The bunched up inner bladder may create an uneven surface on the outer layer thereby altering the manner through which the ball travels through the air. The outer layer may be provided with lines, indentations, graphics and/or other features that improve the performance of the ball and/or that replicate some or all of the characteristics of the exterior surface of the regulation ball it simulates. The ball may be configured for any of a variety of sports or games.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a game ball and methods for stitching a thread with a high coefficient of friction upon a stripe member present on the game ball. At least one stitching is thus formed upon the stripe member. The stitching formed from the thread enhances the grip and/or spin characteristics of the resulting game ball, improving handling and playability.

Abstract: A medicine ball system is disclosed. The system includes a medicine ball and a closure cover configured to receive the medicine ball, where the closure cover includes weighted material that enables a person to simply increase the weight of the medicine ball without having to change to another medicine ball.

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.

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.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is coupled to the bladder. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit being configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

Abstract: An inflatable game ball and a method of constructing an inflatable game ball is described. Panel segments are formed from an outer panel portion and an inner panel portion having different sizes, with the inner panel portion being smaller than the outer panel portion. The inner panel portion and the outer panel portion are joined so that peripheral edges of the inner panel portion and the outer panel portion are aligned. Multiple panel segments are attached together to form a cover. Due to the differences in sizes between the inner panel portion and the outer panel portion, when an inflatable bladder within an interior of the cover is inflated to a fully inflated condition, variations in the dimensions of the ball caused by stretching of the cover may be reduced or minimized. In one embodiment, an alignment guide can assist with aligning the peripheral edges of the panel portions.

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.

Abstract: A ball kit comprising at least one shell and at least one removable bladder operative to be insertable into the at least one shell. A ball kit comprising at least one shell having at least one aperture and a plurality of removable bladders. A ball comprising a shell and a removable bladder positioned within the shell. A method of using a ball, comprising placing a removable bladder within a shell and inflating the removable bladder within the shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inflatable neoprene bladders and method of manufacturing inflatable neoprene bladders. The invention also relates to inflatable articles having an inflatable neoprene bladder wherein the article has an idealized shape and superior resiliency and air retention. Finally, the invention relates to sportsballs and gameballs having an inflatable neoprene bladder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a game ball and methods for creating a textured graphic or stripe on the game ball, specifically on a panel of natural full-grain leather. Briefly, the full-grain leather panel is stamped with a textured plate to form a textured area. A graphic or stripe is then applied on the textured area. The resulting game ball has textured graphics or stripes with improved wear and good grip and handling characteristics.

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.

Abstract: A football having first and second ends and including a bladder, a cover and a lacing. The cover is disposed over the bladder and defines channels. The cover has an outer surface and includes a plurality of ridges. The height of the ridge is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm. The football includes an upper central region positioned between first and second upper end regions, and a lower central region positioned between first and second lower end regions. The lacing is coupled to the upper central region. The ridges extend over the upper central region, the first and second upper end regions, and the first and second lower end. The lower central region is formed without ridges. The lacing has a first length and the lower central region has a second length that is generally equal to the first length.

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 prolate spheriodal ball includes first and second ends and first and second mid regions between the first and second ends and the tranverse axis, respectively. The ball is colored with a first color. First and second tips at first and second ends are colored to contrast with the first color. First and second mid regions include colored regions that are colored to contrast with the first color. The peripheries of the contrasting colored regions are continuous around the ball.

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.

Abstract: A play ball comprising an outer casing having two adjacent openings, a vent and a balloon is provided. The outer casing is substantially non-porous. An uninflated balloon is inserted into the outer casing through an opening. During inflation of the balloon, air from within the outer casing is vented. A handle is attached to the outer casing through the adjacent openings in the casing. The handle is stretchable and can be in the form of an elastomeric band.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing, an intermediate layer, and a bladder. In manufacturing the sport ball, a panel element of the casing and the bladder may be located in a mold, and a polymer foam material of the intermediate layer may be injected into an area between the bladder and the panel element. In addition, edges of panel element may be heatbonded to each other to join the panel elements and form seams of the casing.

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

Abstract: A football having a generally prolate spheroidal shape and opposing first and second ends. The football includes a bladder, a cover and a lacing coupled to the cover. The cover is disposed over the bladder and defines, at least in part, a first set of channels extending generally longitudinally from at or near the first end of the football to at or near the second end of the football. The cover is formed of at least one cover panel. The cover has an outer surface and includes a plurality of outwardly projecting ridges configured to facilitate grasping and throwing of the football. The height of the ridge is greater than or equal to 0.7 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.

Abstract: A sportsball, such as a football, is preferentially constructed to enhance spiral rotation when thrown or kicked, allowing enhanced stability and distance.

Abstract: A game ball with improved grippability for use in wet environments. The game ball contains an inflatable bladder and an outer shell. The outer shell has at least one water absorbent layer to improve the grippability of the ball. The outer shell has an outer layer, an inner layer, and an intermediate layer which is the water absorbent layer. The outer shell is made of a plurality of adjacent panels joined with one another at seam lines. The outer layer may be a nylon polyester fabric, the inner layer may be a cotton polyester fabric. The water absorbent intermediate layer may be a foam or sponge layer.

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.

Abstract: A football having a generally prolate spheroidal shape and opposing first and second ends. The football includes a bladder, a cover and a lacing coupled to the cover. The cover is disposed over the bladder and defines, at least in part, a first set of channels extending generally longitudinally from at or near the first end of the football to at or near the second end of the football. The cover has an outer surface defining a plurality of grooves configured to facilitate grasping and throwing of the football. The depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm. The width and depth of the grooves is sufficiently sized to receive a portion of one or more fingertips of a user. At least one of the grooves is positioned near the first or second end of the football.

Abstract: A stitch-free football structure includes a ball bladder formed by providing a yarn layer on an outer surface of an inflatable bladder and a glue layer on an outer side of the yarn layer, and a prolate-spheroidal structure formed by adjoining curved panels having configuration corresponding to the ball bladder and glued to an outer side of the glue layer; and a lacing-shaped patch glued to a seam between two adjoining curved panels to meet a required football configuration. In a method of manufacturing the stitch-free football structure, a plurality of curved panels is prepared in advance by hot press molding, and the curved panels are joined and attached to a ball bladder by gluing. Thus, the procedures for manufacturing a football are simplified, the bad yield in manufacturing is reduced, and the produced football is more durable for use, has more precise dimensions, and beautiful and even exterior appearance.

Abstract: A ball includes a bladder and a cover disposed over the bladder. The bladder is typically filled with air. The cover may be made of leather, rubber, or other material. One or more electrical components are positioned inside the ball.

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.

Abstract: An American style football including an inflatable bladder, a cover surrounding the bladder, a lacing coupled to the at least one cover panel, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is coupled to the bladder. The electronic circuit includes at least one sensor and the electronic circuit being configured to produce a signal to enable the position and movement of the football to be monitored during use.

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.

Abstract: Inflatable sportsballs such as volleyballs, soccer balls, basketballs, and footballs are disclosed having various volume/weight, surface area/weight, and or cover layer/carcass thickness ratios. Such sportsballs are particularly suitable for youth.

Abstract: Indicia on the surface of a football (for the American variety of the sport) are provided to provide visual means for assessing the spin speed of the football when thrown in a desired manner. In one embodiment, the indicia comprise a circumferential indicator ring consisting of a plurality of alternatingly-colored segments, the indicator ring being aligned with the desired direction of spin of the football. The segments are preferably selected to be of contrasting colors, and the width of the segments is selected such that the indicator ring appears to an observer to be a single, mixed color provided the football is spinning about its axis at at least a predetermined frequency. In another embodiment, the indicia comprise two or more circumferential indicator rings at least one of which comprising a plurality of alternatingly-colored segments.

Abstract: A play ball comprising an outer casing having two adjacent openings, a vent and a balloon is provided. The outer casing is substantially non-porous. An uninflated balloon is inserted into the outer casing through an opening. During inflation of the balloon, air from within the outer casing is vented. A handle is attached to the outer casing through the adjacent openings in the casing. The handle is stretchable and can be in the form of an elastomeric band.

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.

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.

Abstract: A play ball comprising an outer casing having a vent and a balloon is provided. The outer casing is substantially non-porous. An uninflated balloon is inserted into the outer casing through an opening. During inflation of the balloon, air from within the outer casing is vented.

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.

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

Abstract: A prolate spheriodal ball includes first and second ends and first and second mid regions between the first and second ends and the tranverse axis, respectively. The ball is colored with a first color. First and second tips at first and second ends are colored to contrast with the first color. First and second mid regions include colored regions that are colored to contrast with the first color. The peripheries of the contrasting colored regions are continuous around the ball.

Abstract: A sportsball, such as a football, is preferentially constructed to enhance spiral rotation when thrown or kicked, allowing enhanced stability and distance.

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

Abstract: A paintball grenade having an outer bladder and an inner bladder. The outer bladder has a first open end, an opposite second open end, and a cavity therethrough. The inner bladder has a closed end and an open end. The inner bladder is capable of being inserted into the outer bladder whereby the open end is adjacent the first open end of the outer bladder, and the closed end is adjacent the second open end of the outer bladder, the inner bladder being filled with a colored liquid. A securing element is used to secure the first open end of the outer bladder and the open end of the inner bladder.

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

Abstract: 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.