Football with a modified surface conferring altered aerodynamic properties

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-05-18
MA HANSAN
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When the football translates through the air, particularly when the football is thrown in a spiral pass wherein it rotates only around its longitudinal axis while translating through the air, air turbulence induced by the dep

Method used

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  • Football with a modified surface conferring altered aerodynamic properties
  • Football with a modified surface conferring altered aerodynamic properties

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a prolate-spheroidal game ball according to the present invention comprises an American-style football 10. As viewed from the side, the football is substantially oval-shaped, although the ends 12 are typically blunt rather than smoothly curving as in a perfect ellipse. However, the ends may be smoothly curving as in a rugby ball, rather than blunt, without departing from the principles of the present invention. Elsewhere the outer surface 14 of the football forms a smooth monotonic curve. In the preferred embodiment, the football has a length of about 11½ inches, a diameter of about 6½ inches, and a measurement from end to end over the surface of the football of about 13½ inches. The football 10 is circular in any cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ball. The cross section taken along the mid-point line of FIG. 1 in the plane of longitudinal symmetry of the ball has the greatest diameter.

[0015] Thus...

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PUM

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Abstract

A generally prolate-spheroidal, inflatable game ball with a plurality of air-turbulence-producing depressions distributed over a majority of the outer surface of the skin. The depressions produce a preferably circular surface shape, with a breadth of less than about one-quarter inch and preferably having a breadth to depth ratio of about 2 to about 6. The game ball of the present invention is preferably an American-style football, wherein the depressions are distributed substantially uniformly over the majority of the outer surface. A method for providing the game ball with altered aerodynamic performance may include forming depressions by embossing the skin or molding depressions therein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to game balls having a generally prolate-spheroidal shape, particularly American-style footballs, and to altering the aerodynamic behavior of the balls by providing air-turbulence-generating depressions in the surface thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In sports involving throwing, hitting, kicking or otherwise impelling a game ball, the performance characteristics of the ball can greatly affect the play of the game. Properties of the ball such as the inflation pressure, rigidity, and surface characteristics all influence the speed with which the ball can be projected and the attributes of its flight. Although the size, shape and weight of a particular kind of ball are typically governed by the traditions and rules of the given game, it is possible to modify or improve the performance properties of a ball through altering its surface properties. For instance, tennis balls with differing surface properties of their felt co...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A63B41/00
CPCA63B41/08A63B2243/007
Inventor MA, HANSAN
Owner MA HANSAN
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