Football with a modified surface conferring altered aerodynamic properties
First Claim
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1. A game ball, comprising:
- a flexible, inflatable skin having a generally prolate-spheroidal shape when inflated; and
a plurality of depressions formed in the skin, the depressions being distributed over the majority of the outer surface of the skin and having sufficient depth and breadth to cause turbulence when the ball is thrown through the air.
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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.
36 Citations
120 Claims
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1. A game ball, comprising:
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a flexible, inflatable skin having a generally prolate-spheroidal shape when inflated; and
a plurality of depressions formed in the skin, the depressions being distributed over the majority of the outer surface of the skin and having sufficient depth and breadth to cause turbulence when the ball is thrown through the air. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing a generally prolate-spheroidal game ball with altered aerodynamic performance, comprising
providing a flexible, inflatable skin having a generally prolate-spheroidal shape when inflated; - and
forming a plurality of depressions in the skin, the depressions being distributed over the majority of the outer surface of the skin and having sufficient depth and breadth to cause turbulence when the ball is thrown through the air. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 120, 21)
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Specification