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: 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 sports ball, such as a basketball, is provided that allows a user to remove the outer shell of the ball from the inner carcass of the ball. Attachment means removably couple the shell to the carcass. The attachment means are disposed on the shell and carcass and can comprise at least one of the following: a layer of hook-and-loop fastener material, a plurality of snap fasteners, a plug and cooperating retention aperture, and a series of interlocking tongue-and-groove style fasteners.

Abstract: To provide a ball for ball game and a method for manufacturing the ball having superior sphericity, an ability to retain its original shape, durability, and soft feel. The fabric layer (12) is formed by sewing with a sewing machine for instance pentagonal first fabric pieces (13) together with composite shaped second fabric pieces (14) in which two hexagons are connected with each other, so that a spherical shape is formed. The marginal edge of the first and second fabric pieces are superimposed in the spherical surface direction, so that corner portions thereof are temporarily attached. Temporary attachment is achieved by inserting the needle into the needle through hole formed in the corner of the first and second fabric pieces, and welding by means of ultra sonic wave, such that the first and second fabric pieces (13, 14) are accurately aligned.

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 plastic ball is disclosed, in particular a PVC air ball having a ball skin consisting of a skin base substance, in which a predetermined amount of stiffening material the hardness of which is greater than that of the skin base substance is added to the skin base substance.