U.S. patent application number 10/863457 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-11 for basketball having nine to twelve cover panels.
This patent application is currently assigned to RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY, INC.. Invention is credited to Johnson, Steven L., Morrison, Stan W..
Application Number | 20040224805 10/863457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25524667 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040224805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morrison, Stan W. ; et
al. |
November 11, 2004 |
Basketball having nine to twelve cover panels
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.
Inventors: |
Morrison, Stan W.;
(Wildwood, MO) ; Johnson, Steven L.; (O'Fallon,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STINSON MORRISON HECKER LLP
ATTN: PATENT GROUP
1201 WALNUT STREET, SUITE 2800
KANSAS CITY
MO
64106-2150
US
|
Assignee: |
RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS COMPANY,
INC.
|
Family ID: |
25524667 |
Appl. No.: |
10/863457 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10863457 |
Jun 8, 2004 |
|
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09976957 |
Oct 12, 2001 |
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6752732 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/604 ;
473/599 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 41/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/604 ;
473/599 |
International
Class: |
A63B 041/08 |
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as
follows:
1. An inflatable basketball game ball having a central axis, said
ball comprising at least nine and no more than twelve cover panels
separated by channels extending between and abutting said panels,
wherein a surface area of said channels comprises about 10.5-14% of
a total surface area of the basketball.
2. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein the
channel surface area is 11-13% of said total surface area.
3. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein said
outer cover has at least ten panels and no more than eleven
panels.
4. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein said
outer cover has ten panels.
5. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein a
maximum width of each of said panels is located at the central axis
of said basketball.
6. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein a
maximum width of each of said panels is substantially the same.
7. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein at least
two of said panels are different in shape.
8. The inflatable basketball game ball of claim 1, wherein said
panels extend longitudinally across the basketball.
9. A basketball game ball comprising an inner bladder for retaining
air and an outer cover enclosing said inner bladder, wherein said
outer cover has ten panels separated by a plurality of channels
extending between and in abutting engagement with said panels, and
wherein a surface area of said channels comprises about 10.5-14% of
a total surface area of the basketball.
10. The basketball game ball of claim 9, wherein said total surface
area is around 278 square inches and said channel surface area is
about 29 to 37 square inches.
11. The basketball game ball of claim 9, wherein said total surface
area is around 278 square inches and said channel surface area is
about 30 to 36 square inches.
12. The basketball game ball of claim 9, wherein said total surface
area is around 254 square inches and said channel surface area is
about 27 to 35 square inches.
13. The basketball game ball of claim 9, wherein said total surface
area is around 254 square inches and said channel surface area is
about 28 to 34 square inches.
14. The basketball game ball of claim 9, wherein said total surface
area is around 243 square inches and said channel surface area is
about 26 to 33 square inches.
15. The basketball game ball of claim 9, wherein said total surface
area is around 243 square inches and said channel surface area is
about 27 to 32 square inches.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of and claims
priority from co-pending application U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/976,957, filed Oct. 12, 2001, which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is generally directed to the field of
game balls, and is more particularly directed to an improved
basketball having an outer cover with an increased number of cover
panels and channels over that of conventional basketballs to
provide enhanced handling and shooting characteristics.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Conventional basketballs are round inflated balls having an
inner bladder made of rubber or some other air impervious material
to retain air in the inflated ball, and an outer cover or shell to
enhance gripping and the overall durability of the ball.
Basketballs typically come in three different sizes: (1) men's
regulation size, {fraction (29/2)} inches in circumference; (2)
women's regulation size, {fraction (28/2)} inches in circumference;
and (3) junior regulation size, 271/2 inches in circumference.
Regardless of the size of the basketball, the outer cover generally
comprises eight (8) elongate panels of leather, synthetic leather,
rubber or other similar materials extending across the basketball
from side to side. These panels are separated by channels which
extend between each panel and intersect at intersection points on
each side of the basketball.
[0006] While this conventional basketball configuration is useful,
the industry is always striving to improve the playing
characteristics and durability of basketballs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to an improved basketball
game ball having an outer cover or shell with at least nine and no
more than twelve cover panels, wherein the panels are separated
from one another by channels extending between and in abutting
engagement with the cover panels. It is believed that a basketball
with this increased number of cover panels has better gripping and
handling characteristics than the eight paneled configurations
previously known in the art, because a more optimum ratio of panel
surface area to channel surface area is present on the outer cover.
By increasing the number of cover panels, the overall size of at
least some of these panels is reduced such that the distance
between the channels is reduced and the amount of channel surface
area is increased. Particularly for users with smaller hand sizes,
the smaller spacing between the channels and greater overall
channel surface area enables the user to better grip and control
the basketball while dribbling, passing or shooting. Further, it is
believed that balls with significantly more than twelve panels
would include too much channel surface area, negating the benefits
received from the increase number of panels and in addition, the
basketball would lose its aesthetic appeal. Thus, the use of a
basketball with nine, ten, eleven or twelve cover panels provides a
distinct advance in the state of the art wherein the user's ability
to grip the basketball is increased, while still maintaining the
regulation sizes of a basketball game ball.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the cover panels comprise
elongate strips of leather, synthetic leather, rubber or other
suitable material extending across the basketball from side to
side, wherein each panel has a maximum width at a center axis of
the basketball. In this embodiment, the panels preferably have the
same maximum width to provide a uniform distance between the
channels, but it is envisioned that varying sizes of panels may be
used. The channels extending between the panels intersect with at
least one other channel on each side of the basketball to
effectively separate the panels. Most preferably, some, but not
all, of the channels intersect at a central intersection point on
each side of the basketball and the remaining channels intersect
with another channel at an intersection point distanced from the
central intersection point. In this manner the width of the panels
at each end is of sufficient size to maintain good adhesion to the
ball.
[0009] In a most preferred embodiment, the basketball comprises a
carcass and an outer cover. The carcass comprises a bladder, a
layer of windings and a layer of cushioning material. The bladder
is formed from a substantially air impervious material so as to
retain air within the bladder when the ball is inflated. Next,
thread is used to create a layer of windings around the inflated
bladder to help maintain the round shape of the basketball. The
layer of cushioning material is then attached to the layer of
windings to provide a soft feel to the basketball. The outer cover
comprises nine to twelve cover panels, most preferably ten cover
panels, made from elongate strips of leather, synthetic leather,
rubber or other materials known in the art. These panels are
separated by channels made of rubber or other material known in the
art extending between and fused or otherwise affixed to the panels.
The cover panels and channels are secured to the carcass in a
configuration resulting in a ratio of channel surface area to total
surface area ranging from approximately 12 to 15%, most preferably
12 to 14% on a men's regulation sized ball.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a right side plan view of the inflatable
basketball game ball including a ten-panel configuration;
[0011] FIG. 2 is the left side plan view of the inflatable
basketball game ball of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the inflatable basketball
game ball of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the inflatable basketball game
ball of FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the inflatable basketball
game ball of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an inflatable
basketball game ball including an outer cover 22 in accordance with
a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally
designated by the reference numeral 20. Outer cover 22 consists of
ten (10) cover panels 24 and a plurality of channels 26 that extend
between and separate each panel. In accordance with the preferred
embodiment shown in the drawings, cover panels 24 consist of
elongated strips of material such as leather, synthetic leather,
rubber or other materials now known or hereafter developed in the
art having a suitable texture for enabling a user to grasp the
basketball. The cover panels 24 are presented adjacent one another
around the basketball with each panel extending longitudinally
across the basketball and terminating on each side of the
basketball. In this manner, the top and bottom of the basketball
are substantially similar to one another each having five panels
extending thereacross from side to side.
[0016] Channels 26 are positioned between and in abutting
engagement with cover panels 24 so as to separate the cover panels.
These channels may be made from any material now known or hereafter
developed in the art for such purposes and are preferably formed of
rubber that is fused or otherwise adhered to the outer edges of
cover panels 24. Channels 26 preferably have a width ranging from
5.0 mm to 6.0 mm, most preferably 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm. Channels 26
also preferably have a concave cross-section such that the
mid-point of each channel extends inwardly toward the interior of
the basketball to enable better gripping of the ball along the
channels.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment shown in drawings, the panels
each have the same maximum width and arc length as they cross
center axis y. This arc length is defined by measuring the angle
between lines drawn from the midpoints of the two channels 26
abutting any given panel to the center of the ball. In this manner,
regardless of the circumference of the ball, a basketball as shown
in the drawings having ten panels of equal maximum width would have
36 degrees of arc length. For a basketball having nine panels, the
arc length would instead be 40 degrees.
[0018] While the widest portions of the cover panels 24 have
similar arc length, the cover panels are not all the same size
and/or shape. The panels 24 are laid out so that channels 26 do not
emanate or terminate together at a single point. Instead the cover
panels 24 are designed such that four of the channels 26 intersect
at a central intersection point 28 along center axis x on each side
of the basketball. The remaining channels 26 intersect with other
channels at intersection points 29 distanced from central
intersection point 28. This configuration is preferred because it
is anticipated that if all the channels met at a single
intersection point on each side, the panel strips at each side
would be very thin so as to lack good adherence and be prone to
peeling away from the carcass during play. This configuration also
provides a uniformity of feel to the user.
[0019] With the increased number of cover panels 24 in the present
invention over that of conventional basketballs comes a
corresponding number of increased channels 26 as well. The channels
of a typical basketball provide the user with various surfaces on
which to apply pressure in order to direct the ball when dribbling,
passing or shooting the basketball. By increasing the number of
channels 26, the user has an additional number of surfaces to
assist the user with control of the basketball. The additional
channels 26 take up a larger percentage of the surface area of a
standard basketball in comparison to the channels of a standard
eight panel basketball. The standard basketball size is defined as
having a 291/2 inch circumference for a men's ball, a 28{fraction
(1/2 )} inch circumference for a women's regulation ball, a 271/2
inch circumference for a junior regulation ball.
[0020] A standard 291/2 circumference basketball with 8 panels has
a total surface area of around 278 square inches and a channel
surface area of approximately 26.9 sq. in. such that the ratio of
channel surface area to total surface area is approximately 9.7%.
In the present invention, the overall channel surface area of a
291/2 inch circumference ball preferably ranges from 29 to 37
square inches, most preferably 30 to 36 square inches, and the
ratio of channel surface area to total surface area ranges from
10.5 to 14%, most preferably 11 to 13%.
[0021] A standard 281/2 circumference basketball with 8 panels has
a total surface area of around 254 square inches and a channel
surface area of approximately 25.5 sq. in. such that the ratio of
channel surface area to total surface area is approximately 10.0%.
The overall channel surface area of a 281/2 circumference ball in
accordance with the present invention preferably ranges from 27 to
35 square inches, most preferably 28 to 34 square inches, and the
ratio of channel surface area to total surface area ranges from
10.5 to 14%, most preferably 11 to 13%.
[0022] A standard 271/2 circumference basketball with 8 panels has
a total surface area of around 243 square inches and a channel
surface area of approximately 24.1 sq. in. such that the ratio of
channel surface area to total surface area is approximately 9.9%.
The overall channel surface area of a 271/2 circumference ball in
accordance with the present invention preferably ranges from 26 to
33 square inches, most preferably 27 to 32 square inches, and the
ratio of channel surface area to total surface area ranges from
10.5 to 14%, most preferably 11 to 13%.
[0023] A basketball made in accordance with this invention may be
made by any method now known or later developed in the art so long
as the ball has an outer cover with nine to twelve cover panels
separated by channels in abutting engagement with the panels.
Various conventional methods known for making basketballs are
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,494,796; 3,119,618; 5,681,233; and
6,200,239 which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0024] In a most preferred embodiment, basketball 20 includes an
inner carcass that is covered by outer cover 24. The inner carcass
preferably comprises a bladder, a layer of windings and a layer of
cushioning material. The bladder is preferably spherical and made
from a material that is substantially impervious to air. Most
preferably, the bladder is made of rubber for good retention of air
under pressure. In the manufacturing process, the bladder may be
inflated and placed in a curing mold to cure the bladder material
into the desired shape. Once the bladder has been cured, it is
typically covered by winding a reinforcing thread around the
bladder to form a layer of windings. The layer of windings assists
in maintaining the size and shape of the ball when inflated and
during use.
[0025] While not required, a layer of cushioning material is
preferably secured to the wound bladder. The cushioning material
softens the feel of the basketball by facilitating the depression
of the outer cover when the ball is inflated so that the ball may
be more readily gripped. The cushioning material may be formed of a
single layer or plurality of layers of any material commonly known
and used in the art. Once the cushioning material and the wound
bladder have been secured, together they are called the
carcass.
[0026] Cover panels 24 may then be secured to the carcass by
applying adhesive to both the carcass and the cover panels 24. The
cover panels 24 are placed on the carcass in a desired pattern.
Located in between the cover panels 24 are the channels 26. The
channels are preferably formed from strips of material, such as
rubber, that are positioned between the cover panels 24 and secured
to the carcass. Finally, the inflated carcass, cover panels and
strips of material in between the panels may be placed into a mold
and heated to assist the bonding process.
[0027] While the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings
includes ten (10) panels, it is anticipated that a basketball in
accordance with the present invention may have an outer cover 22
comprising a plurality of panels ranging from nine (9) to twelve
(12) panels. Furthermore, the size and shape of each of the cover
panels 24 and the corresponding number of channels 26 may vary
without departing from the scope of the invention, albeit to
provide uniformity of appearance and feel for the user, it is
preferable that the panels 24 be configured to form a substantially
uniform pattern. A uniform pattern is desirable to provide balance
and symmetry for enhanced handling characteristics.
[0028] While it is preferred that the maximum width of the panels
be substantially similar at the central y axis, it should be
understood that the width may vary from one panel to the next. For
instance, the panels could alternate between a wide panel and a
narrow panel for ten or twelve paneled balls. Alternatively, the
panels could also alternate between a wide panel followed by two
narrow panels for a total of three wide panels and six narrow
panels on a nine paneled ball. There are numerous possible
combinations of narrow panels, wide panels or panels with sizes in
between that can be used in the nine to twelve paneled
basketballs.
[0029] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set
forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent to the invention.
[0030] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention
without departing from the scope thereof, is to be understood that
all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings
are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting
sense.
[0031] While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed,
various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is
not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps
described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included
in the following claims. Further, it will be understood that
certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be
employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations.
This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *