Smooth basketball

• US 6,142,897 A
• Filed: 09/25/1998
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Free Flow Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hoopmaster, Inc.
• Inventors: Lees, Charles W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/161,077
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 473/596, 473/597, 473/598, 473/604, 473/607, 473/609
• US Class Current: 473/604
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor

Abstract

A basketball includes an inflatable bladder and a cover that surrounds the bladder. An outer surface of the basketball is substantially smooth, devoid of any seams, lines, stitching, raised or indented surface indicia, corrugation, stippling, or other surface irregularities, besides an air intake and release valve, discernable through the feel. The size and weight of the basketball may meet the specifications of at least one of the NBA, NCAA, WNBA or Youth Basketball.

Claims

1. A basketball comprising:

an inflatable inner bladder; and

a cover that surrounds the bladder, wherein an outer surface of the cover is free of conventional basketball seams and stipples; and

wherein the basketball is a completed basketball product for use in a game of basketball.

2. The basketball as claimed in claims 1 wherein the outer surface is substantially smooth.

3. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 further including at least one middle layer located between the bladder and the cover.

4. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover is made from one of rubber, leather, synthetic leather and a composite material.

5. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basketball has an outer circumference substantially within a range of 29.5-30 inches and a weight substantially within a range of 20-22 ounces.

6. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basketball has an outer circumference substantially within a range of 28.5-29 inches and a weight substantially within a range of 18-20 ounces.

7. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basketball has an outer circumference substantially within a range of 26.75-28 inches and a weight substantially within a range of 14-17.5 ounces.

8. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basketball is inflated to a pressure less than or equal to nine pounds per square inch.

9. The basketball as claimed in claim 8 wherein the pressure is greater than or equal to seven pounds per square inch.

10. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basketball is inflated to a pressure such that when the basketball is dropped to an indoor playing surface from a height of six feet measured to a bottom of the basketball, the basketball will rebound to a height of not less than 49 inches and not more than 54 inches measured to a top of the basketball.

11. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basketball is inflated to a pressure such that when the basketball is dropped to an indoor playing surface from a height of six feet measured to a bottom of the basketball, the basketball will rebound to a height of not less than 51 inches and not more than 56 inches measured to a top of the basketball.

12. The basketball as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basketball is spherical.

13. A method for forming a basketball comprising the steps of:

forming an inflatable inner bladder;

forming a cover having a substantially smooth outer surface; and

attaching the cover to the bladder such that the cover surrounds the bladder;

such that the basketball formed is a completed basketball product for use in a game of basketball.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 further including a step of forming at least one middle layer between the bladder and the cover.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the step of forming the cover includes the step of forming the cover from one of rubber, leather, synthetic leather and a composite material.

16. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the basketball has an outer circumference substantially within a range of 29.5-30 inches and a weight substantially within a range of 20-22 ounces.

17. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the basketball has an outer circumference substantially within a range of 28.5-29 inches and a weight substantially within a range of 18-20 ounces.

18. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the basketball has an outer circumference substantially within a range of 26.75-28 inches and a weight substantially within a range of 14-17.5 ounces.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13 further including a step of inflating the basketball to a pressure less than or equal to nine pounds per square inch.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the pressure also is greater than or equal to seven pounds per square inch.

21. The method as claimed in claim 13 further including a step of inflating the basketball to a pressure such that when the basketball is dropped to an indoor playing surface from a height of six feet measured to a bottom of the basketball, the basketball will rebound to a height of not less than 49 inches and not more than 54 inches measured to a top of the basketball.

22. The method as claimed in claim 13 further including a step of inflating the basketball to a pressure such that when the basketball is dropped to an indoor playing surface from a height of six feet measured to a bottom of the basketball, the basketball will rebound to a height of not less than 51 inches and not more than 56 inches measured to a top of the basketball.