Basketball Design with Flexible Winding and Elastomeric Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional basketballs are often too heavy and rigid due to their manufacturing process and materials, making them uncomfortable for beginners, especially children, to handle and play with.
Innovation Solution
A basketball design featuring an inflatable bladder covered partially with flexible elongated elements and an outer coating of panels separated by elastomeric strips, eliminating the intermediate vulcanized elastomeric layer for reduced rigidity and weight, with optional layers of flexible plastic and fabric for enhanced comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an intermediate layer of vulcanized elastomeric material is used to cover the winding, then the ball structure is strengthened and panels are securely attached, but the ball becomes too rigid and heavy, causing pain to users during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate layer of vulcanized elastomeric material from the ball structure. By extracting this rigid layer, the ball becomes less hard and more comfortable for users, especially children, while maintaining structural integrity through direct attachment of panels to the winding framework
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a flexible bladder, a winding framework of flexible threads or wires, and outer panels made of flexible materials such as polyurethane or vinyl. This composite construction provides sufficient structural strength without the rigidity and weight of vulcanized elastomer layers
2Stability of the object's composition
If an intermediate layer of vulcanized elastomeric material is used, then the ball maintains its shape and provides structural support, but the ball weight increases, making it harder to throw and handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the heavy intermediate elastomeric layer, significantly reducing ball weight. The winding framework and taut outer panels maintain shape stability without requiring this additional weight, making the ball easier for users to throw and handle
3Reliability
If conventional manufacturing processes with vulcanized elastomer are used, then the ball achieves sufficient durability and panel attachment, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulcanization step from the manufacturing process by eliminating the intermediate elastomeric layer. Panels are attached directly to the winding framework using simpler methods such as adhesive bonding or mechanical fastening, reducing manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment method parameters from thermal vulcanization to alternative methods such as adhesive bonding or mechanical fastening. This parameter change simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving reliable panel attachment and ball durability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design results in a lighter, less painful ball to handle and throw, with reduced weight and improved user experience by minimizing hard contact points, allowing easier handling and throwing.
Implementation Method 1
the strip or strips are placed in the bottom of a mold in which the inflatable bladder, covered at least partially with the coiled flexible elongate element or elements, is placed. Then, the inflatable bladder is put under pressure, then the assembly is heated, so as to obtain the vulcanization of the strip or strips.
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(D)
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a ball, particularly for basketball practice, and to the method for manufacturing same. The ball includes an inflatable bladder (1) covered with one or more flexible elongate elements (2) wound around the surface of the bladder. The ball also includes an outer covering comprising at least two outer panels (3) separated by at least one strip (4) of elastomeric material. The outer panels and the strip(s) are placed directly onto the wound flexible elongate element(s). The manufacture method particularly involves covering the inflatable bladder with the flexible elongate element(s) wound on the surface of the bladder, and placing the outer covering, including the outer panels separated by the strip(s) of elastomeric material. The placement of the outer covering is achieved by placing the outer panels and the strip(s) directly onto the wound flexible elongate element(s). Thus, the ball is less rigid and lighter, enabling users, such as children, to feel less pain when catching the ball with the hands, and to shoot the ball more easily and farther.