Game ball with grip zones
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A game ball, comprising:
- an inflatable bladder; and
a cover layer surrounding the bladder, the cover layer being formed from a plurality of cover panels; and
a lacing;
wherein the plurality of cover panels includes at least one top panel that contacts the lacing and includes at least one bottom panel that does not contact the lacing;
wherein the at least one bottom panel includes at least one grip zone defined by an interior area bound by a perimeter, wherein the entire interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone are formed from stitches created by a thread interwoven into the cover panel, both the interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone having a static coefficient of friction greater than a static coefficient of friction of an outer surface of the cover panel, when measured according to ASTM D1894 using the pebbled side of a Pattern 62 glass as the test surface; and
wherein the at least one top panel does not include such a grip zone;
wherein the at least one grip zone has an annular shape or a trapezoidal shape.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a game ball having one or more grip zones that have greater frictional interaction compared to the outer surface of the game ball. The grip zones are made by stitching of a coated thread upon at least one cover panel to create the grip zone. The grip zone formed from the coated thread enhances the handling characteristics and playability of the resulting game ball.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A game ball, comprising:
-
an inflatable bladder; and a cover layer surrounding the bladder, the cover layer being formed from a plurality of cover panels; and a lacing; wherein the plurality of cover panels includes at least one top panel that contacts the lacing and includes at least one bottom panel that does not contact the lacing; wherein the at least one bottom panel includes at least one grip zone defined by an interior area bound by a perimeter, wherein the entire interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone are formed from stitches created by a thread interwoven into the cover panel, both the interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone having a static coefficient of friction greater than a static coefficient of friction of an outer surface of the cover panel, when measured according to ASTM D1894 using the pebbled side of a Pattern 62 glass as the test surface; and
wherein the at least one top panel does not include such a grip zone;wherein the at least one grip zone has an annular shape or a trapezoidal shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20)
-
-
4. A game ball, comprising:
-
an inflatable bladder; a cover layer surrounding the bladder, the cover layer being formed from a plurality of cover panels; and a lacing; wherein the plurality of cover panels includes at least one top panel that contacts the lacing and includes at least one bottom panel that does not contact the lacing; and wherein the at least one top panel and the at least one bottom panel each include at least one grip zone defined by an interior area bound by a perimeter, wherein the entire interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone are formed from stitches created by a thread interwoven into the cover layer, both the interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone having a static coefficient of friction greater than a static coefficient of friction of the cover layer, when measured according to ASTM D1894 using the pebbled side of a Pattern 62 glass as the test surface; wherein the at least one grip zone on the at least one top panel has an ogive shape that is located at a first longitudinal end of the at least one top panel; and wherein the at least one grip zone on the at least one bottom panel has an ogive shape that is located at a first longitudinal end of the at least one bottom panel. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18)
-
-
7. A game ball, comprising:
-
an inflatable bladder; and a cover layer surrounding the bladder, the cover layer being formed from a plurality of cover panels; and a lacing; wherein the plurality of cover panels includes at least one top panel that contacts the lacing; wherein the at least one top panel includes at least one grip zone defined by an interior area bound by a perimeter, wherein the entire interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone are formed from stitches created by a thread interwoven into the cover panel, both the interior area and the perimeter of the grip zone having a static coefficient of friction greater than a static coefficient of friction of an outer surface of the cover panel, when measured according to ASTM D1894 using the pebbled side of a Pattern 62 glass as the test surface; and wherein the at least one grip zone (a) is located about 3 to 3.25 inches from a longitudinal end of the at least one top panel; and
(b) has a length along a longitudinal axis that is greater than 1 inch. - View Dependent Claims (10, 13, 16, 19)
-
Specification