FOOTBALL WITH INFLATABLE BLADDER HAVING INTEGRAL GRIP AREAS

• US 20080176685A1
• Filed: 01/22/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Lindsey, Ian R., Madore, Carl L.
• Application Number:
  US11/625,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20080176685A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/599
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/02 Bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor

Abstract

A football comprising an inflatable bladder integrally molded with raised areas which are intended to be exposed, and exterior panels which are adhered to the bladder to span the spaces between them. The raised areas or ridges are formed to extend outward from the exterior panels and provide a raised grip area. By bonding the exterior panels to the bladder directly, stitching and lacing are eliminated to simplify construction and manufacture. The football is provided with a plurality of raised areas to provide more grip areas than the single lace area of a traditional football. Each of the raised ridges are contoured to more closely follow the shape of a thrower'"'"'s hand as it grasps the ball and thereby providing greater contact area and better control.

Claims

1. A football having a longitudinal axis extending between opposite ends, of circular cross-section with a minimum diameter at each of the ends, the diameter of the circular cross-section increasing gradually to a maximum diameter midway between the ends, said football comprising:

an inflatable bladder having an exposed portion; and

an exterior panel overlaying and attached to said bladder except at said exposed portion.

2. The football of claim 1, wherein said exposed portion is raised to be at least flush with said exterior panel.

3. The football of claim 2, wherein said exposed portion includes a grip area that is raised beyond said exterior panel.

4. The football of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of said grip area is textured.

5. The football of claim 4, wherein said exposed portion extends generally longitudinally along said football.

6. The football of claim 5, wherein said exposed portion is contoured to curve along said football.

7. The football of claim 6, wherein said exposed portion has a wider section and a narrower section with a smoothly contoured transition.

8. The football of claim 1, wherein said bladder has at least two exposed portions.

9. The football of claim 8, said exposed portions are raised to be at least flush with said exterior panel.

10. The football of claim 9, wherein said exposed portions each includes a grip area that is raised beyond said exterior panel.

11. The football of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said grip area is textured.

12. The football of claim 11, wherein said exposed portions extend generally longitudinally along said football.

13. The football of claim 12, wherein said exposed portions curve along said football.

14. The football of claim 13, wherein each said exposed portion has a wider section and a narrower section with a smoothly contoured transition.

15. The football of claim 14, wherein said exposed portions include the ends.

16. A football having a longitudinal axis extending between opposite ends, of circular cross-section with a minimum diameter at each of the ends, the diameter of the circular cross-section increasing gradually to a maximum diameter midway between the ends, said football comprising:

an inflatable bladder having a plurality of exposed portions extending longitudinally along said football, each said exposed portion including a grip area;

exterior panels overlaying and attached to said bladder between said exposed portions;

wherein said exposed portions are raised to be least flush with said exterior panels, and beyond said exterior panels in said grip areas.

17. The football of claim 16, wherein said exposed portions curve along said football.

18. The football of claim 17, wherein each said exposed portion has a wider section and a narrower section with a smoothly contoured transition.

19. The football of claim 18, wherein said exposed portions include the ends.

20. The football of claim 19, wherein said exposed portions are spaced 90°

from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis.

21. A ball for sport and recreational activities comprising:

an inflatable bladder having an exposed portion;

an exterior panel overlaying and attached to said bladder except at said exposed portion; and

wherein said exposed portion is raised to be at least flush with said exterior panel to provide a grip area.

22. The ball of claim 21, wherein said exposed portion is raised to be at least flush with said exterior panel.

23. The ball of claim 22, wherein said exposed portion includes a grip area that is raised beyond said exterior panel.

24. The ball of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of said grip area is textured.

25. The ball of claim 24, wherein said ball has a prolate spheroid shape.