Football

• US 5,941,785 A
• Filed: 05/12/1998
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mcdonald C. Bartels
• Original Assignee: Mcdonald C. Bartels
• Inventors: Bartels, McDonald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US09/076,537
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 473/596, 473/597, 473/598, 473/599, 473/600, 473/603, 473/604, 473/607, 473/608, 473/609
• US Class Current: 473/597
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/085 Closures

Abstract

A football is described having an array of laces positioned about the surface of the football whereby only a partial rotation of the football will result in a desired contact between the player'"'"'s fingertips and one of the laces thereby reducing the time used by the player in finding the lace during play.

Claims

1. A football having an improved grip for handling and passing the football comprising:

a.) a generally oblate spheroidal shaped football having a casing and a single inflatable bladder positioned within said casing;

b.) said casing having sector segments joined at seams of said casing;

c.) said casing including an outer gripping surface and a longitudinal axis thereof;

d.) an elongated, axially extending opening positioned along one of said seams for inserting said bladder into said casing, said opening centrally located along said seam;

e.) an array of generally parallel extending elongated laces including a closure lace having a length coextensive with the length of said opening and at least one simulated lace positioned on said casing surface and having a length substantially equal to the length of said closure lace;

f.) each of said laces having a height thereof extending in a direction normal to said surface, a width extending transverse to said axis and a length thereof extending in the direction of said longitudinal axis;

g.) said closure lace positioned along said opening for closing said opening; and

,

h.) said laces spaced apart radially about the surface of said casing by between about 30° and

60°

.

2. The football of claim 1 including first and second simulated laces and said closure lace is radially positioned between said simulated laces.

3. The football of claim 1 wherein said array of laces includes first, second and third simulated laces and said closure lace is radially positioned between said first and second simulated laces.

4. The football of claim 1 where said laces are radially spaced apart by about 45°

.