Sports ball with unitary stripe member

Abstract

A football having stripe members that are secured within channels extending within the outer cover of the football, is disclosed. The stripe members are unitary in nature as opposed to having a layered structure. The unitary structure provides greater durability and life, and avoids the tendency for the stripe to wear off the surface of the football.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 583,396 filed on Aug. 30, 2004.BACKGROUND [0002] The present disclosure is generally related to sports game balls, including Rugby balls, basketballs, soccer balls, and footballs. The development is particularly directed to improved stripes for footballs. [0003] The game of American football utilizes a football in the shape of a prolate spheroid. Aspects of the game involve players attempting to throw, catch, or run with, the football. Covers of footballs are commonly formed from leather, rubber, or other materials. It is important that the cover of the football be formed in a manner that facilitates the handling and the feel of the ball. [0004] The outer surface of a football typically includes a pebble texture that improves the ability to grip the ball. Stripes and other designs are also applied to the surface of the football for aesthetic purposes and to i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present patent provides an inflatable sports ball with a cover panel that has a depressed region to receive an insert member. The insert member is made of a fiber matrix and polyurethane formulation. The cover panel covers the outer surface of the carcass within the depressed region. The sports ball also has a stripe panel that is inserted in a channel in the cover material and is made of a fiber matrix and polyurethane formulation. The technical effects of this patent are improved durability and flexibility of the sports ball, as well as improved grip and performance."

Problems solved by technology

Applying stripes or other designs to the surface of the football has historically resulted in a deterioration of the player's ability to grip the football.

This reduction in the player's ability to properly grasp the football can limit that player's performance.

The ability to throw, to catch, to run with, and / or hold on to, the football is negatively impacted.

The ability to throw the football accurately and / or for a desired distance also suffers.

During game conditions, players' perspiration, weather conditions, and other factors can negatively affect the players' ability to grasp the football.

The presence, on the surface of the football, of a stripe or other design that negatively impacts the feel or the ability to grasp the football, can multiply the negative effects due to moisture, perspiration, weather conditions, or other factors.

A significant disadvantage associated with most commercially available footballs relates to the limited life of striping applied to the outer surface of the ball.

Since most striping on such balls is initially in a liquid formulation that is sprayed or otherwise applied onto the outer surface of the ball as a thin coating, conventional striping is susceptible to wear and being scratched off the surface of the ball.

Even relatively thick coatings are susceptible to wear, particularly if the football is used outdoors, where most footballs are used.

Although a multi-layer configuration is likely superior to a stripe formed by spraying a liquid coating on the ball surface, a thin multi-layer stripe is still susceptible to wear, scratching, and tearing of the outer layer.

In addition, if damage occurs to the outer layer, the inner layer can become exposed.

Similarly, if stitching is utilized, the stitching can inflict damage to the player's hand during play, etc.

Moreover, additional manufacturing, materials, and costs are associated with each additional layer of the multi-layer stripe.

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