Sport ball with mechanism for minimizing incongruous deformation

Abstract

In one instance, disclosed herein is a sport ball, including: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; and at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

Description

Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304SPORT BALL WITH MECHANISM FOR MINIMIZING INCONGRUOUS DEFORMATIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional U.S. Patent Application Number 63 / 760,956, filed February 20, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to sport balls, and, more particularly, to a sport ball having a mechanism for minimizing incongruous stretching of a bladder of the sport ball.BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure; however, the background information provided in this section is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] A variety of inflatable sport balls (e.g., soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, etc.) typically include a casing, a restriction structure, and / or a bladder. The casing of a sport ball is generally formed from a durable, wear-resistant material. An exterior surface of the casing forms an exterior layer of the sport ball. In the case of soccer balls and footballs, for example, two or more panels may be joined together along abutting edges (e.g., with stitching or adhesives) to form the casing. The restriction structure is disposed between the casing and the bladder and functions to restrict expansion of the bladder. The bladder, which is generally formed of a stretchable material, is disposed within the restriction structure and configured to be filled or inflated with a fluid or gas, such as air. When the bladder is inflated, the pressurized bladder exerts an outward force against an interior surface of the casing, thereby giving the sport ball a persistent shape when at rest. The shape of the sport ball may be deformed, however, such as when the sport ball is compressed or otherwise impacted by another object. For example, when a soccer ball is kicked, or when a basketball is bounced against the surface of a court, the casing, theClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304restriction structure, and / or the bladder may be deformed accordingly. Regular and / or uniform deformation of the casing, restriction structure, and / or bladder of a sport ball, and / or the expectation thereof, allows for a user of the sport ball to anticipate how the sport ball will perform in use. For example, regular and / or uniform deformation of the casing, restriction structure, and / or bladder of a soccer ball, and / or the expectation thereof, allows a soccer player to anticipate the way the soccer ball will fly through the air in response to particular kick, no matter where the soccer ball is impacted by the kick. Or for example, regular and / or uniform deformation of the casing, restriction structure, and / or bladder of a basketball, and / or the expectation thereof, allows a basketball player to anticipate the way the basketball will bounce off of the surface of a court, no matter where the basketball is impacted by the surface of the court.SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect, a sport ball includes: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; and at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

[0006] In another aspect, a sport ball includes: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; and at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a plurality of discrete contact points.

[0007] In another aspect, a sport ball includes: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; a mounting pad coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder, wherein the mounting pad defines (i) a first area of the bladder inside of a perimeter of the mounting pad and (ii) a second area of the bladder outside of the perimeter of the mounting pad; a restriction structure disposed between the casing the bladder, wherein the restriction structure includes (i) a compensatory areaClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304corresponding to the first area of the bladder and (ii) a non-compensatory area corresponding to the second area of the bladder, and wherein the compensatory area of the restriction structure is configured to restrict the bladder to a first degree and the non-compensatory area of the restriction structure is configured to restrict the bladder to a second degree that is different than the first degree.

[0008] In another aspect, a sport ball includes: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a plurality of discrete contact points; and a plurality of weighted areas disposed on the bladder.

[0009] In another aspect, a sport ball includes: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a plurality of discrete contact points; and a restriction structure disposed between the casing and the bladder and comprising a plurality of heavy zones and a plurality of non-weighted zones.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The novel features of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sport ball;

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0017] FIG. 7 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304

[0018] FIG. 8 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0019] FIG. 9 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0020] FIG. 10 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0021] FIG. 11 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0022] FIG. 12 depicts a diagram of a sensor coupling mechanism of a sport ball;

[0023] FIG. 13A depicts a diagram of a bladder of a sport ball;

[0024] FIG. 13B depicts a diagram of a restriction structure of a sport ball;

[0025] FIG. 14 depicts a polyhedral counterbalance design for a sport ball;

[0026] FIG. 15 depicts a polyhedral counterbalance design for a sport ball; and

[0027] FIG. 16 depicts a polyhedral counterbalance design for a sport ball.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features as claimed. “A,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, system, article, or apparatus. Further, relative terms, such as, for example, “about,” “substantially,” “generally,” and “approximately” are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% in a stated value. While various features and functions of the present disclosure are described herein in the context of soccer balls, it will be understood that various features and functions of the present disclosure may be applied in the context of many different types of sport balls. Therefore, in addition to a soccer ball, concepts disclosed herein may be applied to or incorporated into basketballs, footballs (of either the American football or rugby varieties), and volleyballs, for example.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a first perspective view of a sport ball. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a sport ball 10 may have a layered structure that includes at least a casing 12Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304that forms an exterior of the sport ball 10 and a bladder 14 disposed within or interior to the casing 12. As mentioned above, the casing 12 forms an exterior of the sport ball 10. In some instances, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a casing 12 includes two or more panels 16 that are stitched, adhered, bonded, welded, or otherwise joined together along abutting sides or edges, forming one or more seams 18. Often, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the panels 16 are pentagonal or hexagonal in shape. As illustrated in FIG.1 , the panels 16 may be regular in shape. However, in other instances, the panels 16 may have non-equilateral shapes, non-regular or non-geometric shapes, or a variety of other shapes that combine in a tessellation-type manner to form the casing 12.

[0030] In some instances, the panels 16 of the casing 12 are all of the same shape (e.g., hexagonal). In some instances, the panels 16 of the casing 12 include two or more different shapes (e.g., hexagons and pentagons). The abutting sides of the panels 16 that combine to form the seams 18 may be linear, concave, convex, or otherwise non-linear edges. In some instances, the casing 12 may have a seamless structure, such that the casing 12 has no distinct panels 16 and no seams 18. In some such instances, the casing 12 may be formed by a single piece of material. Accordingly, the construction of a casing 12 may vary significantly, leading to a wide variety of configurations of panels 16. For example, many modern soccer balls include twelve pentagonal panels 16 and twenty hexagonal panels 16. Or for example, the four panels 16 of modem American footballs are pointed ellipses (sometimes referred to as a “marquise” shape).

[0031] The material(s) selected for the casing 12, or for an individual panel 16, may be leather, synthetic leather, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or any other suitable material that is generally durable and wear-resistant. In some instances, each panel 16 of the sport ball 10 may include two or more layers different materials. For example, in some instances, each panel 16 included in the casing 12 may include a polymer foam layer and a non-foamed polymer layer. Or for example, in some instances, the panels 16 of the casing 12 may include an exterior polyvinyl chloride layer, an interior textile layer, and an intervening polymer foam layer.

[0032] As mentioned above, the bladder 14 of the sport ball 10 is typically hollow and disposed within the casing 12. The bladder 14 is typically formed from a stretchable material and configured to be filled or inflated with a fluid or gas, such asClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304air. For example, in some instances, the bladder 14 may be formed from a rubber or carbon latex material that substantially prevents air or other fluids contained within the bladder 14 from diffusing through the material. However, the bladder 14 may be formed using a variety of other polymer or elastomeric materials.

[0033] In order to facilitate inflation, the bladder 14 typically includes a valve 15 that extends from the bladder 14 and through the casing 12, thereby being accessible from outside of the sport ball 10. However, in some instances, the bladder 14 may have a valve-less structure that is semi-permanently inflated. When inflated, the bladder 14 becomes pressurized and exerts an outward force against an interior surface of the casing 12, thereby giving the sport ball 10 a persistent shape, generally determined by the shape or configuration of the casing 12, when the sport ball 10 is at rest. However, the shape of the sport ball 10 when the sport ball 10 is at rest may be determined at least in part by the shape or configuration of the casing 12, the shape or configuration of the bladder 14, or the shape or configuration of an intervening restriction structure 13, as described below. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the configuration of the pentagonal and hexagonal panels 16 of the casing 12 give the sport ball 10 a spherical shape when the bladder 14 is inflated. Or for example, the pointed ellipse shape of the panels of an American football gives an American football its ovoid shape when the bladder 14 of the American football is inflated.

[0034] In some instances, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the sport ball 10 also includes a restriction structure 13. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the restriction structure 13 may form a middle component or layer of the sport ball 10 and is positioned between the casing 12 and the bladder 14. In general, a restriction structure 13 is formed from materials with a limited degree of stretch in order to restrict expansion of the bladder 14. For example, a restriction structure 13 may be formed from a) a thread, yarn, or filament that is repeatedly wound around a bladder 14 in various directions to form a mesh that covers substantially all of the bladder 14; b) a plurality of generally flat or planar textile elements stitched together to form a structure that extends around a bladder 14; c) a plurality of generally flat or planar textile strips that are impregnated with latex and placed in an overlapping configuration around a bladder 14; or d) a substantially seamless spherically-shaped textile. In some instances, a restriction structure 13 may also be bonded, joined, or otherwise incorporated into or on eitherClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304or both of the casing 12 or the bladder 14. However, in some instances, a sport ball 10 need not include a restriction structure 13.

[0035] In some instances, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , a substrate 19 is disposed within the bladder 14. The substrate 19 disposed within the bladder 14 may provide a surface, cavity, indentation, void, or other space that may receive and hold one or more components 17, such as a device or a counterweight. In some instances, the substrate 19 is flat, with a first surface facing toward an inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 (as described below) and a second surface facing away from the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. In some instances, the substrate includes a first face facing toward the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14, a second face facing away from the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14, and one or more sides extending between the first face and the second face, such that the substrate defines an internal volume (e.g., the substrate defines a cylinder or a rectangular prism). In some instances, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the bladder 14 is disposed within the casing 12 of the sport ball 10, the substrate 19 disposed within the bladder 14 protrudes or projects inward and toward a center of the sport ball 10, thereby locating a component 17 received or held by the substrate 19 within an interior area of the sport ball 10. In this position, the component 17 may be protected from impacts of the sport ball 10 with surfaces, animated members, or other objects when the sport ball 10 is being utilized. The shape and size of a substrate 19 may be selected to accommodate a component 17, such that the substrate 19 receives and securely retains the component 17 within the sport ball 10.

[0036] A component 17 may include one or more electronic devices, such as a microprocessor, transmitter, receiver, memory, battery, or any other combination of elements that process, send, receive, or collect data. More specifically, examples of electronic devices that might be included in a component 17 include one or more of a) a pressure sensor for determining the pressure of a fluid contained within the bladder 14; b) a global positioning system (GPS) unit and / or an accelerometer that measures various factors relating to the location or movement the sport ball 10; c) a line sensor that determines whether the sport ball 10 has crossed a goal line or an out-of-bounds line; d) a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip that stores data relating to the sport ball 10 or assists with identifying the sport ball 10; and e) a camera that collects image data. A component 17 may additionally or alternativelyClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304include a counterweight in order to enhance the balance, weight distribution, center of mass, or other properties of a sport ball 10. In many instances, one or more electronic devices included in the component 17 may also serve as a counterweight. When a component 17 received or held by a substrate 19 includes one or more sensors, the substrate 19 may be considered a sensor substrate. In some embodiments, the component 17 is a device including a processor, a battery, and a means for charging the battery, such as a charging coil that may be indirectly activated, e.g., through the induction of heat or electromagnetic waves. When the substrate 19 is mounted or coupled to the bladder 14 of the sport ball 10, the battery may be disposed further inward than the processor and / or the means for charging the battery, such that the battery may be exposed to impacts and heat as minimally as possible, and the means for charging the battery may be disposed further outward than the processor and / or the battery, such that the means for charging the battery may be positioned as close as possible to a source of energy.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the substrate 19 may be coupled to the bladder 14. For example, the bladder may include an outward-facing surface (e.g., a radially outward-facing surface), which may be in contact with the casing 12 or the restriction structure 13, and an inward-facing surface (e.g., a radially inward-facing surface) opposite the outward-facing surface, and the substrate 19 may be coupled to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the substrate 19 may be coupled to the bladder 14 by one or more couplings 20. Couplings 20 may embody various forms and be formed of various materials. As described in further detail below, one or more couplings 20 may span a face or surface the substrate 19, may be embedded within an internal volume of the substrate 19, or may extend through opposite faces or surfaces of the substrate 19, to couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. However, the coupling 20 may couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 in any other appropriate way. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the coupling 20 may include one or more connectors 21 that connect the coupling 20 to the bladder 14. The one or more connectors 21 included in the coupling 20 may connect the coupling 20, and, by extension, the substrate 19, to the bladder 14 at one or more respective and discrete contact points.

[0038] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the substrate 19 is coupled toClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304an inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 by a coupling 20. In this embodiment, the coupling 20 includes an elongate cord. The cord of a coupling 20 may be formed of any appropriate material. For example, the cord may be formed of an extruded or 3D-printed elastomer component, e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a 3D-printed filament, or rubber. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the cord of the coupling 20 is embedded within the substrate 19, such that 1) an intermediate section of the cord extending between a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord opposite the first end is encompassed by an internal volume of the substrate 19 and 2) the cord passes through the internal volume of substrate 19 without puncturing a face or surface of the substrate 19. In this embodiment, in addition to the cord, the coupling 20 includes two connectors 21 : a first connector 21 at the first end of the cord connecting the cord to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 at a first contact point, and a second connector 21 at the second end of the cord connecting the cord to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 at a second contact point that is separate and discrete from the first contact point. Via the cord embedded within the substrate 19 and the connectors 21 connecting the cord to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14, the coupling 20 couples the substrate 19 to the bladder 14.

[0039] As mentioned above, regular and / or uniform deformation of the casing 12, restriction structure 13, and / or bladder 14 of the sport ball 10, and / or the expectation thereof, allows for a user of the sport ball 10 to anticipate how the sport ball 10 will perform in use. Thus, to ensure the most natural, reliable, and consistent performance of the sport ball 10, it is desirable to maintain regular and / or uniform deformation of the sport ball 10 to whatever degree possible. By coupling the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 of the sport ball 10, the deformation of the sport ball 10 may be affected. For example, in the area(s) of the bladder 14 impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14, the bladder 14 may stretch less freely and / or stretch in different ways when compared to areas of the bladder 14 not impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. The greater the area(s) of the bladder 14 impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14, the more the deformation of the sport ball 10 may be affected, and, by extension, the more incongruous the deformation of the sport ball 10 may be. As depicted in FIG. 2, although not necessarily to scale, the area(s) of the contact points at whichClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304the coupling 20 couples the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 is less than the area of a face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. In this way, the coupling 20 limits the area of the bladder 14 impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 to an area that is less than the area of the face or surface of the substrate 19. In doing so, the coupling 20 minimizes incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. In some instances, the area of each contact point defined by the connectors 21 may be less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, etc., of the area of the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. In some instances, the combined area of each contact point defined by the connectors 21 may be less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, etc., of the area of the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, the coupling 20 may couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 in such a way that allows the substrate 19 to move independently of the deformation of the casing 12, restriction structure 13, and / or the bladder 14. For example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, between both 1 ) the first end of the cord and the intermediate section of the cord that is encompassed by the internal volume of the substrate and 2) the second end of the cord and the intermediate section of the cord, the coupling 20 may include an additional length of cord, such that, when the sport ball 10 is at rest, the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 does not contact or is not flush with the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. The additional lengths of cord may allow the substrate 19 to move independently of the bladder 14. By allowing the substrate 19 to move independently of the bladder 14, the coupling 20 further minimizes incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14.

[0041] FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the substrate 19 is coupled to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 by two couplings 20, a first coupling 20 similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 2 and a second additional coupling 20 also similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 2. Like the coupling 20 ofClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, each coupling 20 includes a cord and two connectors 21. Also similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the cord of each coupling 20 is embedded within the substrate 19. In this embodiment, the cords of the couplings 20 do not overlap (e.g., the cords of the couplings 20 are substantially parallel to each other). Via connectors 21 of the two couplings 20, the substrate 19 is coupled to the bladder 14 at four separate and distinct contact points, as opposed to two contact points in the embodiment of FIG. 2. Increasing the number of couplings 20 and / or contact points may cause the substrate 19 to be more securely coupled to the bladder 14, while increasing the total area of the bladder 14 impacted by the coupling of substrate 19 to the bladder 14 minimally, or to a comparatively lesser degree. The two additional lengths of cord between the intermediate section of the second cord of the second coupling 20 encompassed by the internal volume of the substrate 19 may still allow the substrate 19 to move independently of the deformation of the casing 12, restriction structure 13, and / or the bladder 14, but may limit the range or degrees of freedom of the substrate 19, thereby further minimizing incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. Although the coupling 20 is often described herein as including a cord having two ends and two respective connectors 21 , it will be understood and appreciated that a coupling 20 may include more than two ends and more than two respective connectors 21 , or no distinct ends and only a single connector 21 , as described below.

[0042] FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10. Like the embodiment of FIG. 2, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the substrate 19 is coupled to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 by two couplings 20. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the cords of the couplings 20 span (e.g., extend across or beyond) the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing away from the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14, as opposed to being embedded within the substrate 19, and the cords of the couplings 20 overlap (e.g., the cords of the couplings 20 are substantially perpendicular to each other), as opposed to not overlapping (e.g., being substantially parallel to each other). In this embodiment, the four contact points defined by the four connectors 21 may be more evenly dispersed on the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14, which may further minimize incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of theClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304substrate 19 to the bladder 14. Additionally or alternatively, in this embodiment, the spanning and perpendicular configuration of the cords of the couplings 20 may still allow the substrate 19 to move independently of the deformation of the casing 12, the restriction structure 13, and / or the bladder 14, and may also limit the range of the movement of the substrate 19, but may provide the substrate 19 with more degrees of freedom, thereby further minimizing incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14.

[0043] FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a sport ball 10 having a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of the sport ball 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the substrate 19 is coupled to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 by four couplings 20. In this embodiment, the cord of each coupling 20 extends through and hooks onto opposite faces or surfaces of the substrate 19, and each coupling 20 includes only a single connector 21 connecting the cord of the coupling 20 to the bladder 14. By extending through substrate 19, as opposed to being embedded within the substrate 19, the couplings 20 may still allow the substrate 19 to move independently of the deformation of the casing 12, the restriction structure 13, and / or the bladder 14, but may provide the substrate 19 with more degrees of freedom, thereby further minimizing incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. Although the embodiment of FIG.5 is depicted as having a first pair of couplings 20 adjacent to a first side of the substrate 19 and a second pair of couplings 20 adjacent to a second side of the substrate 19 opposite the first side, it will be understood that the couplings 20 may be adjacent to any side of the substrate 19, e.g., if the substrate 19 has four sides, one coupling 20 may be adjacent to each side of the substrate 19.

[0044] FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10. Like the embodiment of FIG. 4, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the substrate 19 is coupled to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 by two couplings 20, the cords of the couplings 20 span the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing away from the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14, and the cords of the couplings 20 overlap. In this embodiment, however, the couplings 20 are bound to the substrate 19 by a constrictor 22 that surrounds both the substrate 19 and the couplings 20. The constrictor 22 may embody various forms. For example, the constrictor 22 may include a sleeve formed of a material that may shrink upon beingClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304heated to conform to the shape of an object that the sleeve is wrapped around, such as polyolefin. Or for example, the constrictor 22 may include an elastic band, such as a rubber band. By binding the couplings 20 to the substrate 19, the constrictor 22 may still allow the substrate 19 to move independently of the deformation of the casing 12, restriction structure 13, and / or the bladder 14, but may also fix the position of the substrate 19 relative to the couplings 20, thereby limiting the range of the substrate 19 and further minimizing incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. The constrictor 22 may be applied in various embodiments, such as in another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10 depicted in FIG. 7, in which the couplings 20 do not overlap; another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10 depicted in FIG. 8, in which the substrate 19 is coupled to the bladder 14 by three or more couplings 20 with overlapping cords; or another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10 depicted in FIG. 9, in which the cords of the couplings 20 coupling the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 would not couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 without being bound to the substrate 19 by the constrictor 22.

[0045] In some instances, as described above, the coupling 20 includes a cord. In some instances, the coupling 20 does not include a cord but instead includes one or more layers of one or more materials that couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. For example, FIG. 10 depicts another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, the substrate 19 is coupled to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 by a coupling 20 formed of one or more layers of one or more materials that substantially covers most or an entirety of the area of the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing away from the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. The one or more materials may include an elastic material, such an elastomer mesh. As depicted in FIG. 10, the coupling 20 may include two or more connectors 21 that connect the one or more layers of the one or more materials to the bladder 14 at two or more respective and distinct contact points, as described above. In such an embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 10, the coupling 20 may be bound to the substrate 19 by the constrictor 22, as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling 20 may include an adhesive applied to some or all of the layer of the material in contact with the inward-facing surface ofClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304the bladder 14 and / or the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing away from the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14, such that the adhesive adheres the one or more layers of the one or more materials to the bladder 14 and / or the substrate 19. When compared to an embodiment such as that of FIG. 3, the area of the contact points defined by the coupling 20 formed by the one or more layers of one or more materials may be wider, which may result in a more secure coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14, and the binding of the substrate 19 to the coupling 20 formed by the one or more layers of one or more materials may be more restrictive, which may still allow the substrate 19 to move independently of the deformation of the casing 12, the restriction structure 13, and / or the bladder 14 but may further limit the range or degrees of freedom of the substrate 19, thereby further minimizing incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. A coupling 20 formed by one or more layers of one or more materials may be applied in various embodiments, such as in another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10 depicted in FIG. 11, in which the coupling 20 is formed of one or more spray deposited layers that substantially cover most or an entirety of the area of the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing away from the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 and couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 at a multitude of connector-less contact points. In some instances, a coupling 20 may include both a cord and one or more layers of one or more materials.

[0046] FIG. 12 depicts another embodiment of a substrate 19 coupled to a bladder 14 of a sport ball 10. Like the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 , in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the coupling 20 does not include a cord but instead includes one or more layers of one or more materials that couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. In this embodiment, however, the one or more layers of one or more materials are disposed between the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 and the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. As depicted in FIG. 12, the coupling 20 may include a first layer of a first material adhered to the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 and one or more connectors 21 connecting the first layer of the first material to the bladder 14. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling 20 may include a second layer of a second material adhered to the inward-facing surface of theClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304bladder 14. The second layer of the second material may conform to the shape of the bladder 14. The one or more connectors 21 may be disposed between and connect the first layer of the first material and the second layer of the second material, e.g., a perimeter of the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 may encompass a perimeter of the contact point(s) defined by the one or more connectors 21. In this way, the first layer of the first material and / or the second layer of the second material, along with the one or more connectors 21 , function to couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. The first material and the second material may include the same material or different materials and / or the same or different structures. For example, the first material and / or the second material may be a compliant pad formed of a low density foam.

[0047] As described above, incongruous deformation of a sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of a substrate 19 to the bladder 14 of the sport ball 10 may be minimized by various embodiments of couplings 20 disclosed herein. In some instances, incongruous deformation of a sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of a substrate 19 to the bladder 14 of the sport ball 10 may be additionally or alternatively minimized by various embodiments of the restriction structure 13 of the sport ball 10. For example, FIGS. 13A and 13B depict embodiments of a bladder 14 and a restriction structure 13, respectively, of a sport ball 10. In the embodiment of the bladder 14 depicted in FIG. 13A, a substrate 19 is coupled to the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 by a mounting pad 23. A perimeter of the mounting pad 23 may encompass a perimeter of a face or surface of the substrate 19, such that the mounting pad 23 defines a first area of the bladder 14 (e.g., the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14) and a second area outside of the perimeter of the mounting pad 23. In this embodiment, substantially all of the area of the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 and the area of the mounting pad 23 is in contact with the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. As discussed above, the area(s) of the bladder 14 impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 may stretch less freely and / or stretch in different ways when compared to areas not impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14. As depicted in FIG. 13B, to minimize the incongruous deformation effects of the area(s) of the bladder 14 impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14, the restriction structure 13 of the sportClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304ball 10 may include one or more compensatory areas 24 corresponding to the impacted area(s) of the bladder 14. A compensatory area 24 of the restriction structure 13 may restrict the bladder 14 to a different degree (e.g., a lesser degree) than non-compensatory areas 25 of the restriction structure 13, such that incongruous deformation caused by the coupling of a substrate 19 to the bladder 14 is mitigated or minimized. For example, a compensatory area 24 of the restriction structure 13 may be thinner than a non-compensatory area 25 of the restriction structure 13. Or for example, a compensatory area 24 of the restriction structure 13 may be formed of a different material (e.g., a less resilient material), may include a different thickness, may include a different density (e.g., a lesser density), and / or may include a different structure than a non-compensatory area 25 of the restriction structure 13. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 13Aand 13B, the restriction structure 13 includes a compensatory area 24 corresponding to the areas of the face or surface of the substrate 19 facing the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14 and the area of the mounting pad 23 in contact with the inward-facing surface of the bladder 14. Thus, at the area(s) of the bladder 14 impacted by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 by the mounting pad 23, incongruous deformation caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14 by the mounting pad 23 is minimized. Although the embodiments of FIGS. 13A and 13B are described as including a mounting pad 23 to couple the substrate 19 to the bladder 14, it will be understood and appreciated that a restriction structure 13 including one or more compensatory areas 24 and one or more non-compensatory areas 25 may be used in combination with any of the embodiments of the coupling 20 described above to further minimize incongruous deformation of the sport ball 10 caused by the coupling of the substrate 19 to the bladder 14.

[0048] As described above, mounting or coupling a substrate 19 to the bladder 14 of a sport ball 10 may impact the way in which the sport ball 10 deforms. Similarly, the weight of the substrate 19 may also impact the balance, the weight distribution, the moment of inertia, the center of mass, or other properties of the sport ball 10. For example, referring back to FIG. 1 , the substrate 19 may be located opposite the valve 15, e.g., the substrate 19 and the valve 15 may be disposed on the bladder 14 at opposite ends of an axis that extends through a center of the bladder 14 and lies within a plane that bisects the bladder 14 into two equal semispherical halves. Thus,Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304the valve 15 adds mass to one side of the sport ball 10, and the substrate 19 adds mass to an opposite side of the sport ball 10. By equalizing these masses, the sport ball 10 may achieve a better balance than in the absence of the substrate 19. In some embodiments, as described in further detail below, the sport ball 10 may include additional features to improve various properties of the sport ball 10, such as the balance, the weight distribution, the moment of inertia, or the center of mass of the sport ball 10.

[0049] As depicted in FIG. 14, in some embodiments, the sport ball 10 includes a plurality of weighted areas 30 to improve various properties of the sport ball 10. The weighted areas 30 may be formed into any suitable size, shape, and / or configuration, including but not limited to dots or other shapes. The weighted areas 30 may be disposed on the inward-facing surface or the outward-facing surface of the bladder 14. The weighted areas 30 may be disposed along a surface of the bladder 14 at a plurality of locations, such as at periodic intervals that are evenly or unevenly spaced relative to one another. The weighted areas 30 may be comprised of a plurality of weighted dots, spots, or formations. The weighted areas 30 may be printed, laminated, deposited, or formed onto a surface of the bladder 14 by any other appropriate means of adhering the weighted areas 30 to the surface of the bladder 14. The weighted areas 30 may individually or collectively have a total weight that is substantially similar to or greater than a weight of the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19. The number, density, positioning, or volume of each weighted area 30 may be selected based on a desired property of the sport ball 10, such as the balance, the weight distribution, the moment of inertia, or the center of mass of the sport ball 10.

[0050] The weighted areas 30 may be arranged in a polyhedral pattern to improve one or more properties of the sport ball 10, e.g., to counterbalance various components of the sport ball 10, such as the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19. For example, FIG. 14 depicts an example of a plurality of weighted areas 30 arranged in a polyhedral counterbalance design. Points A, B, C, D, E, and F correspond to points on the sport ball 10 where imaginary lines extend between a plurality of weighted areas 30 and / or the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19, e.g., any of points A, B, C, D, E, and F may represent either the valve 15, the substrate 19, or a weighted area 30. The imaginary lines connecting points A, B, C, D, E, and F form aClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304polyhedral pattern, in this example, an octahedron. In this example, a first side ABC of the polyhedral pattern extends between points A, B, and C. First side ABC forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and C representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A second side ABE of the polyhedral pattern extends between points A, B, and E. Second side ABE forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A third side ACD of the polyhedral pattern extends between points A, C, and D. Third side ACD forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, C, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A fourth side ADE of the polyhedral pattern extends between points A, D, and E. Fourth side ADE forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, D, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. Points B, C, D, and E form a square bisecting the polyhedral pattern and representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A fifth side BCF of the polyhedral pattern extends between points B, C, and F. Fifth side BCF forms an equilateral triangle between the points B, C, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A sixth side CDF of the polyhedral pattern extends between points C, D, and F. Sixth side CDF forms an equilateral triangle between the points C, D, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A seventh side DEF of the polyhedral pattern extends between points D, E, and F. Seventh side DEF forms an equilateral triangle between the points D, E, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. An eighth side BEF of the polyhedral pattern extends between points B, E, and F. Eighth side BEF forms an equilateral triangle between the points B, E, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. However, it will be understood and appreciated that polyhedral patterns of the valve 15, the substrate 19, and the weighted areas 30 may be formed into different order shapes, e.g., tetrahedrons, dodecahedrons, etc.

[0051] As depicted in FIG. 15, in some embodiments, the restriction structure 13 of the sport ball 10 may include a plurality of heavy zones 41 and plurality of nonweighted zones 42 to improve various properties of the sport ball 10. The heavy zones 41 may be portions of the restriction structure to which additional weight has been added. The non-weighted zones 42 may be portions of the restriction structureClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-0030413 which have not had additional weight added. In other words, the non-weighted zones 42 may represent the “base” or “standard” weight and / or composition of the restriction structure 13. The heavy zones 41 may be formed in various ways. For example, the heavy zones 41 may be formed by providing additional layers of material to the restriction structure 13, or by providing material to the restriction structure 13 that is different than a material used to form the non-weighted zones 42.

[0052] The heavy zones 41 and / or the non-weighted zones 42 may be arranged in a polyhedral pattern to improve one or more properties of the sport ball 10, e.g., to counterbalance various components of the sport ball 10, such as the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19. For example, FIG. 15 depicts an example of a plurality of heavy zones 41 arranged in a polyhedral counterbalance design. Points A, B, C, D, E, and F correspond to points on the restriction structure 13 of the sport ball 10 where imaginary lines extend between a plurality of heavy zones 41 and / or the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19, e.g. , any of points A, B, C, D, E, and F may represent either the valve 15, the substrate 19, or a heavy zone 41. The imaginary lines connecting points A, B, C, D, E, and F form a polyhedral pattern, in this example, an octahedron. In this example, a first heavy zone 41 exists with its center positioned at the point A, a second heavy zone 41 exists with its center positioned at the point B, a third heavy zone 41 exists with its center positioned at the point C, a fourth heavy zone 41 exists with its center positioned at the point D, a fifth heavy zone 41 exists with its center positioned at the point E, and a sixth heavy zone 41 exists with its center positioned at the point F. Each of the heavy zones 41 may have a relative weight that is about 20% heavier than the non-weighted zones 42. 50% heavier than the non-weighted zones 42, 100% heavier than the non-weighted zones 42, etc. Each of the heavy zones 41 may have a relative density that is about 20% denser than the nonweighted zones 42, 50% denser than the non-weighted zones 42, 100% denser than the non-weighted zones 42, etc. However, it will be understood and appreciated that the polyhedral patterns of the valve 15, the substrate 19, and / or the heavy zones 41 may be formed into different order shapes, e.g., tetrahedrons, dodecahedrons, etc.

[0053] As depicted in FIG. 16, in some embodiments, the sport ball 10 includes a plurality of weighted areas 30 to improve various properties of the sport ball 10. The weighted areas 30 may be formed into any suitable size, shape, and / or configuration, including but not limited to dots or other shapes. The weighted areasClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-0030430 may be disposed on the inward-facing surface or the outward-facing surface of the bladder 14. The weighted areas 30 may be disposed along a surface of the bladder 14 at a plurality of locations, such as at periodic intervals that are evenly or unevenly spaced relative to one another. The weighted areas 30 may be comprised of a plurality of weighted dots, spots, or formations. The weighted areas 30 may be printed, laminated, deposited, or formed onto a surface of the bladder 14 by any other appropriate means of adhering the weighted areas 30 to the surface of the bladder 14. The weighted areas 30 may individually or collectively have a total weight that is substantially similar to or greater than a weight of the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19. The number, density, positioning, or volume of each weighted area 30 may be selected based on a desired property of the sport ball 10, such as the balance, the weight distribution, the moment of inertia, or the center of mass of the sport ball 10.

[0054] The weighted areas 30 may be arranged in a polyhedral pattern to improve one or more properties of the sport ball 10, e.g., to counterbalance various components of the sport ball 10, such as the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19. For example, FIG. 16 depicts an example of a plurality of weighted areas 30 arranged in a polyhedral counterbalance design. Points A, B, C, D, and E correspond to points on the sport ball 10 where imaginary lines extend between a plurality of weighted areas 30 and / or the valve 15 and / or the substrate 19, e.g., any of points A, B, C, D, and E, may represent either the valve 15, the substrate 19, or a weighted area 30. In an example, the point D may be disposed nearer point E than are points A, B, and C. In other examples, each of points B, C, and D may be positioned nearer point E than point A. Such configurations are envisioned to achieve a desired form of balancing of the sport ball 10.

[0055] The imaginary lines connecting points A, B, C, D, and E form a polyhedral pattern, in this example, a hexahedron. In this example, a first side ABC of the polyhedral pattern extends between points A, B, and C. First side ABC forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and C representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A second side ABD of the polyhedral pattern extends between points A, B, and D. Second side ABD forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A third side ACD of the polyhedral pattern extends between pointsClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304A, C, and D. Third side ACD forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, C, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A fourth side BCD of the polyhedral pattern extends between points B, C, and D. Fourth side BCD forms an equilateral triangle between the points B, C, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. Points B, C, and D form a triangle intersecting the polyhedral pattern and representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A fifth side DEB of the polyhedral pattern extends between points D, E, and B. Fifth side DEB forms an equilateral triangle between the points D, E, and B representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A sixth side BCE of the polyhedral pattern extends between points B, C, and E. Sixth side BCE forms an equilateral triangle between the points B, C, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A seventh side CDE of the polyhedral pattern extends between points C, D, and E. Seventh side CDE forms an equilateral triangle between the points C, D, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. However, it will be understood and appreciated that polyhedral patterns of the valve 15, the substrate 19, and the weighted areas 30 may be formed into different order shapes, e.g., tetrahedrons, dodecahedrons, etc.

[0056] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0057] The following clauses provide an exemplary configuration for an article of footwear and sole structure as described above.

[0058] Clause 1. A sport ball, comprising: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; and at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304

[0059] Clause 2. The sport ball of Clause 1 , further comprising a constrictor binding the at least one coupling to the sensor substrate.

[0060] Clause 3. The sport ball of Clause 1 , wherein the at least one coupling spans a face or surface of the sensor substrate.

[0061] Clause 4. The sport ball of Clause 1 , wherein the at least one coupling is embedded within the sensor substrate.

[0062] Clause 5. The sport ball of Clause 1 , wherein the at least one coupling extends through the sensor substrate.

[0063] Clause 6. The sport ball of Clause 1 , wherein the at least one coupling includes at least one connector connecting the at least one coupling to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

[0064] Clause 7. The sport ball of Clause 1 , wherein the at least one coupling couples the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a single contact point.

[0065] Clause 8. The sport ball of Clause 7, wherein the at least one coupling includes a compliant pad disposed between the sensor substrate and the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

[0066] Clause 9. The sport ball of Clause 7, wherein an area of the single contact point is less expansive than an area of the sensor substrate.

[0067] Clause 10. The sport ball of Clause 9, wherein a perimeter of the sensor substrate encompasses a perimeter of the single contact point.

[0068] Clause 11. A sport ball, comprising: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; and at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a plurality of discrete contact points.

[0069] Clause 12. The sport ball of Clause 11 , wherein the at least one coupling comprises at least two couplings.

[0070] Clause 13. The sport ball of Clause 11 , wherein each coupling of the at least one coupling includes a cord coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

[0071] Clause 14. The sport ball of Clause 13, wherein each cord of the at least one coupling spans a face or surface of the sensor substrate.Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304

[0072] Clause 15. The sport ball of Clause 13, wherein each cord of the at least one coupling is embedded within an internal volume of the sensor substrate.

[0073] Clause 16. The sport ball of Clause 13, wherein each cord of the at least one coupling extends through opposite faces or surfaces of the sensor substrate.

[0074] Clause 17. The sport ball of Clause 13, wherein the at least one coupling comprises at least two couplings, and wherein the cords of the at least two couplings are substantially parallel.

[0075] Clause 18. The sport ball of Clause 13, wherein the at least one coupling comprises at least two couplings, and wherein the cords of the at least two couplings overlap.

[0076] Clause 19. The sport ball of Clause 13, further comprising a constrictor binding each cord of the at least one coupling to the sensor substrate.

[0077] Clause 20. The sport ball of claim 11 , wherein each coupling of the at least one coupling includes a cord and two connectors disposed on opposite ends of the cord and configured to connect the cord to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at two of the plurality of discrete contact points.

[0078] Clause 21. A sport ball, comprising: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; a mounting pad coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder, wherein the mounting pad defines (i) a first area of the bladder inside of a perimeter of the mounting pad and (ii) a second area of the bladder outside of the perimeter of the mounting pad; and a restriction structure disposed between the casing and the bladder, wherein the restriction structure includes (i) a compensatory area corresponding to the first area of the bladder and (ii) a non-compensatory area corresponding to the second area of the bladder, and wherein the compensatory area of the restriction structure is configured to restrict the bladder to a first degree and the non-compensatory area of the restriction structure is configured to restrict the bladder to a second degree that is different than the first degree.

[0079] Clause 22. The sport ball of Clause 21 , wherein the first degree is less than the second degree.

[0080] Clause 23. The sport ball of Clause 21 , wherein the compensatory area of the restriction structure includes a first thickness, wherein the non-compensatoryClient Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304area of the restriction structure includes a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness is thinner than the second thickness.

[0081] Clause 24. The sport ball of Clause 21 , wherein the compensatory area of the restriction structure includes a first material, and wherein the non-compensatory area of the restriction structure includes a second material that is different than the first material.

[0082] Clause 25. The sport ball of Clause 24, wherein the first material is less resilient than the second material.

[0083] Clause 26. The sport ball of Clause 21 , wherein the compensatory area of the restriction structure includes a first density, and wherein the non-compensatory area of the restriction structure includes a second density that is different than the first density.

[0084] Clause 27. The sport ball of Clause 26, wherein the first density is less than the second density.

[0085] Clause 28. The sport ball of Clause 21 , wherein the compensatory area of the restriction structure includes a first structure, and wherein the non-compensatory area of the restriction structure includes a second structure that is different than the first structure.

[0086] Clause 29. The sport ball of Clause 21 , wherein the first area defined by the mounting pad is more expansive than an area of a face or surface of the sensor substrate.

[0087] Clause 30. The sport ball of Clause 29, wherein a perimeter of the mounting pad encompasses a perimeter of the face or surface of the sensor substrate.

[0088] Clause 31. A sport ball, comprising: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a plurality of discrete contact points; and a plurality of weighted areas disposed on the bladder.

[0089] Clause 32. The sport ball of Clause 31 , wherein the sensor substrate and the plurality of weighted areas are arranged in a polyhedral pattern.Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304

[0090] Clause 33. The sport ball of Clause 31 , further comprising a valve, and wherein the sensor substrate, the valve, and the plurality of weighted areas are arranged in a polyhedral pattern.

[0091] Clause 34. The sport ball of Clause 31 , wherein the plurality of weighted areas is disposed on the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

[0092] Clause 35. The sport ball of Clause 31 , wherein the plurality of weighted areas is disposed on the outward-facing surface of the bladder.

[0093] Clause 36. A sport ball, comprising: a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outwardfacing surface and an inward-facing surface; a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; at least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a plurality of discrete contact points; and a restriction structure disposed between the casing and the bladder and comprising a plurality of heavy zones and a plurality of non-weighted zones.

[0094] Clause 37. The sport ball of Clause 36, wherein each heavy zone of the plurality of heavy zones includes more layers of material than each non-weighted zone of the plurality of non-weighted zones.

[0095] Clause 38. The sport ball of Clause 36, wherein each heavy zone of the plurality of heavy zones is denser than each non-weighted zone of the plurality of non-weighted zones.

[0096] Clause 39. The sport ball of Clause 36, wherein the sensor substrate and the plurality of heavy zones are arranged in a polyhedral pattern.

[0097] Clause 40. The sport ball of Clause 36, further comprising a valve, and wherein the sensor substrate, the valve, and the plurality of heavy zones are arranged in a polyhedral pattern.

Claims

Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-00304CLAIMSWe Claim:

1. A sport ball, comprising:a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball;a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface;a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; andat least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

2. The sport ball of claim 1 , further comprising a constrictor binding the at least one coupling to the sensor substrate.

3. The sport ball of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling spans a face or surface of the sensor substrate.

4. The sport ball of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling is embedded within the sensor substrate.

5. The sport ball of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling extends through the sensor substrate.

6. The sport ball of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling includes at least one connector connecting the at least one coupling to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

7. The sport ball of claim 1 , wherein the at least one coupling couples the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a single contact point.Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-003048. The sport ball of claim 7, wherein the at least one coupling includes a compliant pad disposed between the sensor substrate and the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

9. The sport ball of claim 7, wherein an area of the single contact point is less expansive than an area of the sensor substrate.

10. The sport ball of claim 9, wherein a perimeter of the sensor substrate encompasses a perimeter of the single contact point.

11. A sport ball, comprising:a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball;a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface;a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder; andat least one coupling coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder at a plurality of discrete contact points.

12. The sport ball of claim 11 , wherein the at least one coupling comprises at least two couplings.

13. The sport ball of claim 11 , wherein each coupling of the at least one coupling includes a cord coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder.

14. The sport ball of claim 13, wherein each cord of the at least one coupling spans a face or surface of the sensor substrate.

15. The sport ball of claim 13, wherein each cord of the at least one coupling is embedded within an internal volume of the sensor substrate.

16. The sport ball of claim 13, wherein each cord of the at least one coupling extends through opposite faces or surfaces of the sensor substrate.Client Ref. No.: 250141W001Attorney Docket No. 00323-0181-0030417. The sport ball of claim 13, wherein the at least one coupling comprises at least two couplings, and wherein the cords of the at least two couplings are substantially parallel.

18. The sport ball of claim 13, wherein the at least one coupling comprises at least two couplings, and wherein the cords of the at least two couplings overlap.

19. The sport ball of claim 13, further comprising a constrictor binding each cord of the at least one coupling to the sensor substrate.

20. A sport ball, comprising:a casing forming an exterior of the sport ball;a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface;a sensor substrate disposed within the bladder;a mounting pad coupling the sensor substrate to the inward-facing surface of the bladder,wherein the mounting pad defines (i) a first area of the bladder inside of a perimeter of the mounting pad and (ii) a second area of the bladder outside of the perimeter of the mounting pad; anda restriction structure disposed between the casing and the bladder, wherein the restriction structure includes (i) a compensatory area corresponding to the first area of the bladder and (ii) a non-compensatory area corresponding to the second area of the bladder, andwherein the compensatory area of the restriction structure is configured to restrict the bladder to a first degree and the non-compensatory area of the restriction structure is configured to restrict the bladder to a second degree that is different than the first degree.

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