Sports ball with unitary stripe member
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inflatable sports ball comprising:
- a carcass defining an outer surface;
at least one cover panel disposed on and affixed to the outer surface of the carcass, the at least one cover panel defining a depressed region adapted to receive an insert member, the at least one cover panel within the region having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the at least one cover panel immediately adjacent to the region, the at least one cover panel covering the outer surface of the carcass within the region; and
a unitary insert member disposed in the depressed region, the insert member defining an outer surface, the insert member having a thickness such that when disposed in the depressed region, the outer surface of the insert member is essentially flush with the outer surface of the at least one cover panel immediately adjacent to the region, the insert member including (i) a fiber matrix and (ii) a polyurethane formulation.
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Abstract
A football having stripe members that are secured within channels extending within the outer cover of the football, is disclosed. The stripe members are unitary in nature as opposed to having a layered structure. The unitary structure provides greater durability and life, and avoids the tendency for the stripe to wear off the surface of the football.
61 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An inflatable sports ball comprising:
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a carcass defining an outer surface;
at least one cover panel disposed on and affixed to the outer surface of the carcass, the at least one cover panel defining a depressed region adapted to receive an insert member, the at least one cover panel within the region having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the at least one cover panel immediately adjacent to the region, the at least one cover panel covering the outer surface of the carcass within the region; and
a unitary insert member disposed in the depressed region, the insert member defining an outer surface, the insert member having a thickness such that when disposed in the depressed region, the outer surface of the insert member is essentially flush with the outer surface of the at least one cover panel immediately adjacent to the region, the insert member including (i) a fiber matrix and (ii) a polyurethane formulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A football comprising:
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an inflatable carcass having an outer surface;
a cover disposed on and affixed to the outer surface of the carcass, the cover defining a first region of reduced thickness, the region having a thickness less than the thickness of a second region of the cover adjacent to the first region, the cover entirely covering the outer surface of the carcass; and
a unitary insert member disposed in the first region, the insert member having an outer surface, the insert member comprising;
(i) a first fiber, (ii) a second fiber forming a fibrous matrix therewith, and (iii) a polyurethane formulation dispersed throughout the fibrous matrix, the insert member having a thickness such that when disposed in the first region, the outer surface of the insert member is essentially flush with the outer surface of the cover in the second region. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of forming a football with a stripe panel, the method comprising:
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providing a cover material, the cover material having a thickness and defining an outer surface;
forming a channel in the cover material, the channel having a depth less than the thickness of the cover material;
providing a unitary stripe member, the member defining an outer surface;
inserting the stripe member in the channel such that the outer surface of the stripe member is flush with the outer surface of adjacent regions of the cover material; and
applying the cover material onto the carcass. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification