Basketball having indicia to enhance visibility

• US 8,360,906 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2011
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Bevier, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US13/196,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20110287879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 473603-605, 473/569, 273/DIG.24, 403/27, D21/707, D21/713
• US Class Current: 473/604
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06

Abstract

A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use.

Claims

1. A spheroidal ball, comprising:

a body having an exterior surface having a surface area and a circumference; and

first, second, and third grooves on the body, wherein the first, second, and third grooves divide the surface area of the body into eight regions, including three generally rectangular, hourglass-shaped regions and three eye-shaped regions;

wherein the three generally rectangular, hourglass-shaped regions are colored with a first color and the other regions are colored with a second color that contrasts with the first color; and

wherein the regions are colored such that no two regions that share a line segment also share a color.

2. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the first color is generally orange.

3. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the first color is generally brown.

4. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the second color has a dominant wavelength between about 520 nm and about 770 nm.

5. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the first color and the second color are matte.

6. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the second color covers between about 20% and about 50% of the ball in any orientation of the ball.

7. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third grooves each divide the surface area of the body into two uneven portions.

8. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the eight regions into which the surface area of the body is divided by the first, second, and third grooves include two rounded triangular shaped regions.

9. The spheroidal ball of claim 8, wherein the two rounded triangular shaped regions are located on opposite sides of the ball from one another.

10. The spheroidal ball of claim 1, wherein the generally rectangular regions are arranged about the circumference of the ball in alternating fashion, and in an abutting relationship, with the eye-shaped regions.

11. A spheroidal ball, comprising:

a body having an exterior surface having a surface area and a circumference; and

first, second, and third grooves on the body, wherein each of the first, second, and third grooves divides the surface area of the body into two uneven portions, and wherein the first, second, and third grooves collectively divide the surface area of the body into eight regions, including three generally rectangular, hourglass-shaped regions;

wherein the three generally rectangular, hourglass-shaped regions are colored with a first color and the other regions are colored with a second color that contrasts with the first color; and

wherein the regions are colored such that no two regions that share a line segment also share a color.

12. The spheroidal ball of claim 11, wherein the eight regions into which the surface area of the body is divided by the first, second, and third grooves include two rounded triangular shaped regions.

13. The spheroidal ball of claim 12, wherein the two rounded triangular shaped regions are located on opposite sides of the ball from one another.

14. The spheroidal ball of claim 11, wherein the eight regions into which the surface area of the body is divided by the first, second, and third grooves include three eye-shaped regions.

15. The spheroidal ball of claim 14, wherein the generally rectangular regions are arranged about the circumference of the ball in alternating fashion, and in an abutting relationship, with the eye-shaped regions.

16. The spheroidal ball of claim 15, wherein the eight regions into which the surface area of the body is divided by the first, second, and third grooves include two rounded triangular shaped regions located on opposite sides of the ball from one another;

and

wherein the generally rectangular, hourglass-shaped regions and the eye-shaped regions are located between the rounded triangular shaped regions.