SPORTS BALL WITH MECHANOLUMINESCENCE
First Claim
1. An inflatable sports ball comprising:
- an interior bladder;
a cover disposed about the interior bladder, the cover including;
an outer substrate;
an outer substrate surface defined by the outer substrate and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface, wherein the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover, the feature surface including;
at least one protrusion formed from a dimensional ink, wherein the at least one protrusion extends from the outer substrate surface and has a terminus disposed on the feature surface, wherein the terminus is radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by a height that is greater than about 0.05 millimeters (mm);
a mechanoluminescent material embedded in a portion of the cover, wherein the mechanoluminescent material is disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface; and
wherein the mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflatable sports ball is provided. The sports ball includes an interior bladder and a cover disposed about the interior bladder. The cover may include an outer substrate and an intermediate structure. The cover may further include an outer substrate surface, defined by the outer substrate, and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface. Together the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover. A mechanoluminescent material may be embedded in a portion of the cover. The mechanoluminescent material may be disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface, such that it is positioned to form a predetermined design on the cover. The mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, such that the predetermined design illuminates when an external stress or mechanical stimulus is exerted upon the cover.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inflatable sports ball comprising:
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an interior bladder; a cover disposed about the interior bladder, the cover including; an outer substrate; an outer substrate surface defined by the outer substrate and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface, wherein the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover, the feature surface including; at least one protrusion formed from a dimensional ink, wherein the at least one protrusion extends from the outer substrate surface and has a terminus disposed on the feature surface, wherein the terminus is radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by a height that is greater than about 0.05 millimeters (mm); a mechanoluminescent material embedded in a portion of the cover, wherein the mechanoluminescent material is disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface; and wherein the mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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7. An inflatable sports ball comprising:
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an interior bladder; a cover disposed about the interior bladder, the cover defining; an outer substrate; an outer substrate surface defined by the outer substrate and a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface, wherein the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover; a mechanoluminescent material embedded in the outer substrate, wherein the mechanoluminescent material is disposed at only one of the outer substrate surface and the feature surface; and wherein the mechanoluminescent material emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress.
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15. An inflatable sports ball comprising:
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an interior bladder; a cover disposed about the interior bladder, the cover including; an outer substrate including a plurality of panels coupled via at least one seam, the plurality of panels including a first panel and a second panel; an outer substrate surface defined by the outer substrate; a feature surface radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface, wherein the outer substrate surface and the feature surface cooperate to define an exterior surface of the cover, the feature surface including; at least one protrusion that extends from the outer substrate surface and has a protrusion terminus disposed on the feature surface, wherein the protrusion terminus is radially spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by a height that is greater than about 0.05 millimeters (mm); and at least one indentation having an indentation terminus disposed on the feature surface, such that the indentation terminus is radially-spaced apart from the outer substrate surface by a depth that is greater than about 0.05 millimeters (mm); and an intermediate structure disposed between the outer substrate and the interior bladder, wherein the outer substrate is bonded to the intermediate structure at the at least one indentation; and a mechanoluminescent material that emits visible light in response to an externally-applied stress, wherein the mechanoluminescent material disposed in one of the at least one protrusion and the at least one indentation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification