Basketball having nine to twelve cover panels

• US 20030073526A1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rawlings Sporting Goods Company (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rawlings Sporting Goods Company (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Steven L., Morrison, Stan W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,752,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/604
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/08 Ball covers; Closures therefor

Abstract

A basketball game ball (20) comprising an outer cover (22) having nine to twelve cover panels and preferably ten cover panels separated by a plurality of channels (26) extending between and in abutment with the panels.

Claims

1. An inflatable basketball game ball comprising an outer cover having at least nine and no more than twelve panels, wherein each of said panels is separated by one or more channels extending between and abutting said panels.

2. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein said outer cover has at least ten panels and no more than eleven panels.

3. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein said outer cover has ten panels.

4. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 3, wherein each of said panels has a maximum width that is substantially the same for each panel.

5. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, further including an inner carcass that is covered by said outer cover.

6. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has a right side and a left side and wherein each of said channels intersect with at least one other channel on the right side and the left side of the basketball.

7. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 6, wherein at least two channels intersect at a central intersection point on the right side and at least two channels intersect at a central intersection point on the left side.

8. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 6, wherein at least one channel intersects with another channel on the right side at an intersection point distanced from the central intersection point on the right side, and at least one channel intersects with another channel on the left side at an intersection point distanced from the central intersection point on the left side.

9. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has a circumference of about 29{fraction (1/2 )} inches, and wherein a surface area of said channels comprises about 10.5-14% of a total surface area of the basketball.

10. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 9, wherein the channel surface area is 11-13% of said total surface area.

11. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has a circumference of about 28{fraction (1/2 )} inches, and wherein a surface area of said channels comprises about 10.5-14% of a total surface area of the basketball.

12. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 11, wherein the channel surface area is 11-13% of said total surface area.

13. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein the basketball has a circumference of about 27{fraction (1/2 )} inches, and wherein a surface area of said channels comprises about 10.5-14% of a total surface area of the basketball.

14. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 13, wherein the channel surface area is 11-13% of said total surface area.

15. A basketball game ball comprising an inner bladder for retaining air;

an outer cover enclosing said inner bladder, wherein said outer cover has ten panels separated by one or more channels extending between and in abutting engagement with said panels.

16. A method of constructing an inflatable basketball game ball comprising the steps of:

providing a substantially air impervious bladder for retaining air;

covering said bladder with at least one layer of windings and at least one layer of cushioning to form a carcass;

securing nine to twelve cover panels made from a material selected from the group consisting of leather, artificial leather or rubber to said carcass;

securing strips of rubber between said cover panels to form concave channels separating said cover panels.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein ten cover panels are secured to said carcass.