Soccer Ball Having Reinforced Strength

Abstract

A soccer ball includes a plurality of sheet plates connected with each other and a plurality of reinforcement strips connected with the sheet plates. Each of the sheet plates has a plurality of connecting sides, and the opposite connecting sides of any two adjacent sheet plates are connected to construct a plurality of connections. Each of the reinforcement strips is bonded onto a respective one of the connections to reinforce the strength of the respective connection of the sheet plates. Thus, the reinforcement strips encompass the connections of the sheet plates completely so that the connections of the sheet plates are reinforced and limited by the reinforcement strips to prevent the connections of the sheet plates from being torn or broken due to a stress concentration so as to enhance the lifetime of the soccer ball.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a ball and, more particularly, to a soccer ball.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A conventional soccer ball 1 in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprises a plurality of sheet plates 11 connected with each other. Each of the sheet plates 11 has a polygonal shape and has a plurality of connecting sides 111. The opposite connecting sides 111 of any two adjacent sheet plates 11 are bonded and connected with each other by a high frequency to construct a plurality of connections 13. In assembly, the opposite connecting sides 111 of any two adjacent sheet plates 11 are bonded and connected with each other by a high frequency to construct the connections 13. Then, the redundant parts of the connections 13 are cut and trimmed so that the connections 13 are flush with the sheet plates 11. Thus, the sheet plates 11 are connected with each other to form a soccer body. Then, the soccer body is inverted so that the connections 13 of the sheet plates 11 are disposed in the inner portion of the soccer body. Then, an air cell is inserted into the inner portion of the soccer body. Finally, the edge of the soccer body is sealed by a seal material to form the soccer ball 1. After the air cell is inflated, the soccer ball 1 is expanded for use with a user. However, when the soccer body is inverted, when the air cell is inflated or when the soccer ball 1 is subjected to an external force due to hit, the connections 13 of the sheet plates 11 are easily disconnected, torn or broken due to a stress concentration, thereby decreasing the lifetime of the soccer ball 1.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a soccer ball, comprising a plurality of sheet plates connected with each other and a plurality of reinforcement strips mounted on and connected with the sheet plates. Each of the sheet plates has a plurality of connecting sides. The opposite connecting sides of any two adjacent sheet plates are bonded and connected with each other to construct a plurality of connections. Each of the reinforcement strips is bonded onto a respective one of the connections of the sheet plates so as to reinforce the strength of the respective connection of the sheet plates. Each of the reinforcement strips is made a material the same as that of each of the sheet plates. Each of the reinforcement strips has a length greater than or equal to a length of the respective connection of the sheet plates. Each of the reinforcement strips has a width greater than or equal to a width of the respective connection of the sheet plates.

[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a soccer ball having a reinforced strength.

[0007] According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the reinforcement strips are securely bonded onto the connections of the sheet plates so as to reinforce the strength of the connections of the sheet plates so that the sheet plates are combined to have a greater strength to withstand a larger force or stress.

[0008] According to another advantage of the present invention, the reinforcement strips encompass the connections of the sheet plates completely so that when the soccer body is inverted, when the air cell is inflated or when the soccer ball is subjected to an external force due to hit, the connections of the sheet plates are reinforced and limited by the reinforcement strips to prevent the connections of the sheet plates from being torn or broken due to a stress concentration so as to enhance the lifetime of the soccer ball.

[0009] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional soccer ball in accordance with the prior art.

[0011] FIG. 2 is an inner perspective view of the conventional soccer ball as shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the conventional soccer ball as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional soccer ball as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 5 is an inner perspective view of a soccer ball in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the soccer ball as shown in FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the soccer ball as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 5-7, a soccer ball 2 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of sheet plates 21 connected with each other and a plurality of reinforcement strips 3 mounted on and connected with the sheet plates 21.

[0018] Each of the sheet plates 21 has a substantially polygonal shape and has a plurality of connecting sides 211. The opposite connecting sides 211 of any two adjacent sheet plates 21 are bonded and connected with each other by a high frequency to construct a plurality of connections 23. Each of the reinforcement strips 3 is made a material the same as that of each of the sheet plates 21. Each of the reinforcement strips 3 is bonded onto a respective one of the connections 23 of the sheet plates 21 so as to reinforce the strength of the respective connection 23 of the sheet plates 21. Each of the reinforcement strips 3 has a length 31 greater than or equal to a length 231 of the respective connection 23 of the sheet plates 21 and has a width 32 greater than or equal to a width 232 of the respective connection 23 of the sheet plates 21.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the reinforcement strips 3 is bonded onto the respective connection 23 of the sheet plates 21 by a high frequency, an adhesive, a glue, a heat blower and the like.

[0020] In assembly, the opposite connecting sides 211 of any two adjacent sheet plates 21 are bonded and connected with each other by a high frequency to construct the connections 23. Then, the redundant parts of the connections 23 are cut and trimmed so that the connections 23 are flush with the sheet plates 21. Thus, the sheet plates 21 are connected with each other. Then, each of the reinforcement strips 3 is bonded onto the respective connection 23 of the sheet plates 21. Thus, the reinforcement strips 3 are combined with the sheet plates 21 to form a soccer body. Then, the soccer body is inverted so that the reinforcement strips 3 and the connections 23 of the sheet plates 21 are disposed in the inner portion of the soccer body. Then, an air cell is inserted into the inner portion of the soccer body. Finally, the edge of the soccer body is sealed by a seal material to form the soccer ball 2. After the air cell is inflated, the soccer ball 2 is expanded for use with a user.

[0021] Accordingly, the reinforcement strips 3 are securely bonded onto the connections 23 of the sheet plates 21 so as to reinforce the strength of the connections 23 of the sheet plates 21 so that the sheet plates 21 are combined to have a greater strength to withstand a larger force or stress. In addition, the reinforcement strips 3 encompass the connections 23 of the sheet plates 21 completely so that when the soccer body is inverted, when the air cell is inflated or when the soccer ball 2 is subjected to an external force due to hit, the connections 23 of the sheet plates 21 are reinforced and limited by the reinforcement strips 3 to prevent the connections 23 of the sheet plates 21 from being torn or broken due to a stress concentration so as to enhance the lifetime of the soccer ball 2.

[0022] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A soccer ball, comprising: a plurality of sheet plates connected with each other; and a plurality of reinforcement strips mounted on and connected with the sheet plates.

2. The soccer ball of claim 1, wherein each of the sheet plates has a plurality of connecting sides; the opposite connecting sides of any two adjacent sheet plates are bonded and connected with each other to construct a plurality of connections; each of the reinforcement strips is bonded onto a respective one of the connections of the sheet plates so as to reinforce the strength of the respective connection of the sheet plates.

3. The soccer ball of claim 1, wherein each of the reinforcement strips is made a material the same as that of each of the sheet plates.

4. The soccer ball of claim 2, wherein each of the reinforcement strips has a length greater than or equal to a length of the respective connection of the sheet plates.

5. The soccer ball of claim 4, wherein each of the reinforcement strips has a width greater than or equal to a width of the respective connection of the sheet plates.

6. The soccer ball of claim 2, wherein each of the reinforcement strips is bonded onto the respective connection of the sheet plates by a high frequency.

7. The soccer ball of claim 2, wherein each of the reinforcement strips is bonded onto the respective connection of the sheet plates by a glue.

8. The soccer ball of claim 2, wherein each of the reinforcement strips is bonded onto the respective connection of the sheet plates by a heat blower.

9. The soccer ball of claim 1, wherein the opposite connecting sides of any two adjacent sheet plates are bonded and connected with each other by a high frequency.