Game ball

• US 20070049434A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Russell Brands LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated), SGG Patents LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Russell Asset Management, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated), SGG Patents LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Laliberty, Ronald, Maziarz, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/257,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049434A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/604
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/00 Hollow non-inflatable balls , i.e. having no valves rigid balls A63B37/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 39/06 Special coverings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/00 Hollow inflatable balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06

Abstract

A game ball, such as a basketball, having 2 to 7 panels defined by one or more non-intersecting channels is described herein.

Claims

1. An inflatable basketball comprising a surface, at least one channel, and a plurality of panels;

wherein no channel intersects with another channel;

and wherein the basketball has at least two but not more than seven panels.

2. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein more than half of the channels each form a closed loop extending between a right side of the ball and a left side of the ball.

3. The inflatable basketball of claim 2, wherein each of the channels forms a closed loop extending between the right side and the left side.

4. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein a plurality of panels extends from a right side of the ball to a left side of the ball.

5. The inflatable basketball of claim 4, wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right end of the ball to a left end of the ball.

6. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has seven panels.

7. The inflatable basketball of claim 6, wherein one panel lies wholly within a right end of the ball and one panel lies wholly within a left end of the ball.

8. The inflatable basketball of claim 7, wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right end of the ball to a left end of the ball.

9. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has six panels.

10. The inflatable basketball of claim 8, wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right end of the ball to a left end of the ball and a plurality of panels extend from a right side of the ball to a left side of the ball.

11. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has five panels.

12. The inflatable basketball of claim 11, wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right side of the ball to a left side of the ball.

13. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has four panels.

14. The inflatable basketball of claim 13, wherein one channel runs along an equator of the ball.

15. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has three panels.

16. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has two panels.

17. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein a plurality of panels have substantially the same shape and dimensions.

18. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein the panels are uniformly placed on the surface of the ball.

19. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein one panel lies wholly within a right end of the ball and one panel lies wholly within a left end of the ball.

20. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein each panel occupies a circumferential arc that is about a multiple of 45°

when viewed from a left side or a right side.

21. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein each panel comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, rubber, and a composite material.

22. The inflatable basketball of claim 1, wherein each panel has a pebbled texture.