Inflation-Independent Ball with Cover

• US 20140274504A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Russell Brands LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Russell Brands LLC (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hu, Chun-Wei Jerry, Smith, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US13/826,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20140274504A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/604
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2037/065 Foam
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2039/003 substantially hollow and pressureless
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2039/006 pressurised
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/06 Elastic cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023
• 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

Abstract

In some aspects, the invention relates to a inflation independent sports ball comprising a foam core 15 and an outer covering 10, wherein the sports ball is selected from the group consisting of a football, a basketball, a volleyball and a soccer ball, wherein the sports ball 5 is devoid of an inflatable air bladder. In other aspects, the invention relates to a sports ball having a diameter and comprising a synthetic leather outer covering 10 at least partially covering a polyurethane foam core 15, wherein the foam core further comprises at least one internal compartment and a cylindrical body spanning at least part of the length of the diameter of the sports ball. In other aspects, the invention relates to a sports ball having an outer covering and a foam core, wherein the foam core 15 is not filled with foam entirely throughout its internal volume, but rather includes space for air.

Claims

1. A inflation independent sports ball comprising a foam core and an outer covering, wherein the sports ball is selected from the group consisting of a football, a basketball, a volleyball and a soccer ball.

2. The sports ball of claim 1 wherein the outer covering further comprises a synthetic leather material.

3. The sports ball of claim 2 further comprising an outer covering having of thickness of between 0.20 and 1.80 millimeters.

4. The sports ball of claim 1 wherein the foam core further comprises a polyurethane foam.

5. The sports ball of claim 4 wherein the sports ball is devoid of an inflatable air bladder.

6. The sports ball of claim 4 wherein the polyurethane core further comprises a plurality of densities.

7. The sports ball of claim 5 wherein the polyurethane core further comprises:

a. a plurality of ribs,

b. a plurality of internal compartments, and

c. a cylindrical body,

wherein said internal compartments comprise a void defined by at least one rib, an outer boundary of the core and a internal cylinder wall and the cylindrical body further comprises a second void.

8. The sports ball of claim 7 wherein the internal compartments further comprise an impermeable material applied to a interior surface of the internal compartment.

9. The sports ball of claim 8 wherein the internal compartments are evenly dispersed around the cylindrical body.

10. The sports ball of claim 7 wherein the plurality of internal compartments is eight (8).

11. A sports ball having a diameter and comprising a synthetic leather outer covering at least partially covering a polyurethane foam core, wherein the foam core further comprises at least one internal compartment and a cylindrical body spanning at least part of the length of the diameter of the sports ball.

12. The sports ball of claim 11 wherein the foam core further comprises a polyurethane foam of a single density.

13. The sports ball of claim 12 wherein the foam core further comprises polyurethane foam of a plurality of densities.

14. The sports ball of claim 11 wherein the sports ball is devoid of an inflatable air bladder.

15. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a basketball.

16. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a football.

17. The sports hall of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a volleyball.

18. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a soccer ball.

19. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein a interior surface of the cylindrical body further comprise an impermeable material applied to the interior surface of the cylindrical body.

20. The sports ball of claim 14 comprising a CoR in the range of 0.60 and 1.00.