Game ball

• US 4,000,894 A
• Filed: 06/23/1975
• Issued: 01/04/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: Butzen, Kenneth B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US05/589,189
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 273/65 EG, 273/65 E, 273/58 K, 273/65 EF, 273/65 EE, 273/65 ED, 273/65 EC, 273/65 EB
• US Class Current: 473/596
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor

Abstract

Inflatable play balls having improved handling properties and comprising a flexible bladder, a valve for introducing air into the bladder, and a cover over the bladder, the cover having a pebble grain configuration including raised pebble surfaces separated by depressions between the individual pebble surfaces, the raised pebble surfaces having a either a flat or concave configuration.

Claims

1. An inflatable play ball comprising a flexible cover, and valve means for introducing air into said ball, said cover having a pebble grain configuration including raised pebble surfaces separated by depressions between the individual pebble surfaces, the upper ends of said raised pebble surfaces having either a substantially flat or concave configuration, said raised pebble surfaces extending about the entire periphery of the ball and being integral therewith, said pebble grain configuration increasing the dynamic friction characteristics of the ball thereby improving the handling characteristics of the ball.

2. The play ball of claim 1 in the shape of a football.

3. The play ball of claim 1 in the shape of a basketball.

4. The play ball of claim 1 in which said cover is composed of leather.

5. The play ball of claim 1 in which said cover is composed of rubber.