Football With Aerodynamic Lace

• US 20140024483A1
• Filed: 01/08/2013
• Published: 01/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Bevier, Joseph J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,845,466 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/597
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/01 Special aerodynamic features, e.g. airfoil shapes, wings or air passages
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/085 Closures
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10

Abstract

Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.

Claims

1. A football comprising:

a body; and

a molded lace element associated with the body,

wherein the molded lace element is substantially linear and is positioned on the body at a first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body; and

wherein the molded lace element is configured to enhance an aerodynamic performance of the football.

2. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element protrudes from an exterior surface of the body.

3. The football according to claim 2, wherein the molded lace element has a center and two ends, and wherein the width of the projection is wider in the center and tapered at the two ends.

4. The football according to claim 1, wherein the first angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.

5. The football according to claim 1, wherein the first angle ranges from about 12 degrees to about 17 degrees.

6. The football according to claim 1, wherein the first angle is about 12 degrees.

7. The football according to claim 2, wherein the molded lace element has a height that varies above a surface of the football along a length of the projection.

8. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element is co-molded with the football.

9. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element is affixed to an interior surface of the football and configured to protrude through an exterior surface of the football.

10. A football comprising:

a body; and

a lace associated with the body;

wherein the lace is positioned on the body at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body;

wherein the lace has a center and two ends, and wherein the width of the element tapers from the center to the two ends; and

wherein the lace is configured to enhance an aerodynamic performance of the football.

11. The football according to claim 10, wherein the lace is a substantially linear projection that protrudes from an exterior surface of the body.

12. The football according to claim 10, wherein the first angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.

13. The football according to claim 10, wherein the first angle ranges from about 12 degrees to about 17 degrees.

14. The football according to claim 10, wherein the first angle is about 12 degrees.

15. The football according to claim 11, wherein the substantially linear projection has a height that varies above a surface of the football along a length of the substantially linear projection.

16. The football according to claim 10, wherein the lace is affixed to an interior surface of the football and configured to protrude through an exterior surface of the football.

17. A football comprising:

a body;

a molded lace element associated with the body;

wherein the molded lace element has a center and two ends, and wherein a width of the element varies along a length of the element, from a widest point proximate the center to a narrowest point proximate each of the two ends;

wherein the molded lace element is substantially linear and is positioned on the body at an angle ranging from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body; and

wherein the molded lace element is configured to enhance an aerodynamic performance of the football.

18. The football according to claim 17, wherein the first angle ranges from about 12 degrees to about 17 degrees.

19. The football according to claim 17, wherein the first angle is about 17 degrees.

20. The football according to claim 17, wherein the first angle is about 12 degrees.