Football with aerodynamic lace

• US 8,371,971 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2009
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Bevier, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US12/421,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20100261562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 473/599, 473/603, 473/607, 473/608, 473/613, 473/596, 473/597, 473/614, 473/615, D21/712
• US Class Current: 473/613
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/01 Special aerodynamic features, e.g. airfoil shapes, wings or air passages
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/085 Closures
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10

Abstract

Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.

Claims

1. A football comprising:

a body; and

a molded lace element associated with the body,

wherein the molded lace element is comprised of at least three elongated projections, the at least three elongated projections each having a height, a length that crosses a longitudinal axis of the body and having a width that varies along the length of the projection, and

wherein the molded lace element is configured to enhance an aerodynamic performance of the football.

2. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element is a linear formation that protrudes from an exterior surface of the body.

3. The football according to claim 2, wherein the molded lace element is positioned on the body at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body.

4. The football according to claim 3, wherein the first angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.

5. The football according to claim 3, wherein the first angle ranges from about 12 degrees to about 17 degrees.

6. The football according to claim 3, wherein the first angle is about 12 degrees.

7. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element comprises eight elongated spaced-apart projections, and wherein each of the eight projections has a length that crosses a longitudinal axis of the body and has a width that varies along the length of the projection.

8. The football according to claim 7, wherein the spaced-apart projections are arranged in a line on an exterior surface of the body.

9. The football according to claim 8, wherein the line forms a second angle with a longitudinal axis of the body.

10. The football according to claim 9, wherein the second angle ranges from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.

11. The football according to claim 9, wherein the second angle ranges from about 12 degrees to about 17 degrees.

12. The football according to claim 11, wherein the second angle is about 12 degrees.

13. The football according to claim 9, wherein the second angle is about zero degrees.

14. The football according to claim 9, wherein the molded lace element is aligned with a seam of the football.

15. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element is affixed to an exterior surface of the football.

16. The football according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of projections are arranged in a plurality of lines on the body.

21. The football according to claim 1, wherein the elongated projection has a center and two ends, and wherein the width of the projection is wider in the center and tapered at the two ends.

22. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element is co-molded with the football.

23. The football according to claim 1, wherein the molded lace element is affixed to an interior surface of the football and configured to protrude through an exterior surface of the football.

17. A football comprising:

a body; and

a molded lace element associated with the body,

wherein the molded lace element is comprised of at least one elongated formation, the at least one elongated formation having a length that crosses a longitudinal axis of the body to form a projection angle of less than 90 degrees, and having a height that varies above a surface of the football along a length of the formation, and

wherein the molded lace element is configured to enhance an aerodynamic performance of the football.

18. The football according to claim 17, wherein the molded lace element comprises a plurality of formations.

19. The football according to claim 18, wherein the molded lace element comprises a series of spaced-apart formations.

20. The football according to claim 19, wherein the series of spaced-apart formations are arranged into at least two parallel lines.

24. The football according to claim 17, wherein the elongated formation has a center and two ends, and wherein the height of the projection above a surface of the football is higher in the center and tapered to a lower height at the two ends.

25. A football comprising:

a body; and

a molded lace element associated with the body, the molded lace element having a plurality of elongated projections affixed to an exterior surface of the football, wherein;

each projection varies in height above a surface of the football along a length of the projection;

each projection has a width that is greatest at a centerpoint of the projection and tapered at ends of the projection; and

the plurality of elongated projections forming a line that is aligned with a longitudinal seam of the body; and

wherein the molded lace element is configured to reduce drag on the football.

26. The football according to claim 25, wherein each projection crosses a longitudinal axis of the football by an angle less than 90 degrees.