Football

Abstract

Disclosed is an inflatable sports ball with a plurality of layers. The sports ball may have an exterior layer, a padded layer, and a bladder. The padded layer may be configured to provide increased grip and feel characteristics for the user. The padded layer can be formed from a foamed styrene butadiene rubber. This disclosure is intended to apply to inflatable footballs, and the like.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] The present disclosure is generally related to the field of inflatable sports balls or game balls, including footballs and the like. More particularly, this disclosure relates to improving the grip and feel characteristics of the balls. [0002] the modern game of American football utilizes a football in the shape of a prolate spheroid. Covers of footballs are now 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 feel of the ball. [0003] The outer surface of a modern football typically includes a pebble texture that improves the ability to grip the ball. Maintaining the normal texture, feel, and grip of the football is important in preserving the character of the game. Any reduction in a player's ability to properly grasp the football can limit that player's performance. A player must maintain the ability to throw, catch, run with, and / or hold on to, the foo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present disclosure provides, in various embodiments, an inflatable sports ball, such as a football, comprising an inflatable bladder, an outer cover, and a padded layer between the bladder and the outer cover. The padded layer includes a foamed butadiene rubber material. Such a ball exhibits improved feel and playability characteristics.

Problems solved by technology

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

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

While this method may somewhat improve a player's ability to grip the football, its effectiveness is generally limited by the materials used, and the size and shape of the tactile pattern.

Although satisfactory in many respects, prior ball constructions utilizing padding or cushion layers have suffered from being relatively costly or difficult to produce, at least on a large commercial scale, or simply failed to provide the gripping and playing characteristics desired by consumers.

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