SEAMLESS LAMINATED BASKETBALL

• US 20140073465A1
• Filed: 11/13/2012
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: I-Ting Lee
• Original Assignee: I-Ting Lee
• Inventors: LEE, I-Ting
• Application Number:
  US13/675,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20140073465A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/604
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• 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 seamless laminated basketball has a carcass and multiple outer covers attached to an outer surface of the carcass. Each outer cover has a thin portion formed around a peripheral edge of the outer cover and seamlessly connected to the thin portions of adjacent outer covers. As widths of the thin portions of the outer covers change, widths of recessed ball channels of the seamless laminated basketball change accordingly. Molds for manufacturing the carcass do not have to be remade or changed. Therefore, the seamless laminated basketball has simplified manufacturing processes and lowered manufacturing cost. Moreover, the outer covers are seamlessly connected to one another, which provides the laminated basketball an intact appearance. Furthermore, the connected outer covers prevent each other from peeling away from the carcass.

Claims

1. A seamless laminated basketball comprising

a carcass;

and

multiple outer covers attached to an outer surface of the carcass, and each outer cover having a thin portion formed around a peripheral edge of the outer cover, seamlessly connected to the thin portions of adjacent outer covers to cover the carcass and recessed below the outer surfaces of the outer covers to form ball channels above the thin portion.

2. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the carcass has multiple grooves formed in an outer surface of the carcass;

and

the thin portion of each outer cover is mounted in and is disposed along corresponding grooves of the carcass.

3. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the carcass is smooth.

4. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 2, wherein the peripheral edges of every two adjacent outer covers abut each other.

5. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 3, wherein the peripheral edges of every two adjacent outer covers abut each other.

6. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thin portions of every two adjacent outer covers overlap.

7. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 3, wherein the thin portions of every two adjacent outer covers overlap.

8. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thin portions of the outer covers are coated or transfer-printed with colored materials or foils.

9. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 5, wherein the thin portions of the outer covers are coated or transfer-printed with colored materials or foils.

10. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 6, wherein the thin portions of the outer covers are coated or transfer-printed with colored materials or foils.

11. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thin portions of the outer covers are coated or transfer-printed with colored materials or foils.

12. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 4 further having multiple strips mounted on the thin portions of the outer covers and recessed below outer surfaces of the outer covers to form the ball channels.

13. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 5 further having multiple strips mounted on the thin portions of the outer covers and recessed below outer surfaces of the outer covers to form the ball channels.

14. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 6 further having multiple strips mounted on the thin portions of the outer covers and recessed below outer surfaces of the outer covers to form the ball channels.

15. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 7 further having multiple strips mounted on the thin portions of the outer covers and recessed below outer surfaces of the outer covers to form the ball channels.

16. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 12, wherein the strips are rubber strips or composite leather strips.

17. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 13, wherein the strips are rubber strips or composite leather strips.

18. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 14, wherein the strips are rubber strips or composite leather strips.

19. The seamless laminated basketball as claimed in claim 15, wherein the strips are rubber strips or composite leather strips.