U.S. patent application number 13/826428 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for inflation-independent ball with cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to Russell Brands, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Chun-Wei Jerry Hu, Christopher Smith. Invention is credited to Chun-Wei Jerry Hu, Christopher Smith.
Application Number | 20140274504 13/826428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51529662 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140274504 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hu; Chun-Wei Jerry ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
Inflation-Independent Ball with Cover
Abstract
In some aspects, the invention relates to a inflation
independent sports ball comprising a foam core 15 and an outer
covering 10, wherein the sports ball is selected from the group
consisting of a football, a basketball, a volleyball and a soccer
ball, wherein the sports ball 5 is devoid of an inflatable air
bladder. In other aspects, the invention relates to a sports ball
having a diameter and comprising a synthetic leather outer covering
10 at least partially covering a polyurethane foam core 15, wherein
the foam core further comprises at least one internal compartment
and a cylindrical body spanning at least part of the length of the
diameter of the sports ball. In other aspects, the invention
relates to a sports ball having an outer covering and a foam core,
wherein the foam core 15 is not filled with foam entirely
throughout its internal volume, but rather includes space for
air.
Inventors: |
Hu; Chun-Wei Jerry; (Bowling
Green, KY) ; Smith; Christopher; (Bowling Green,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hu; Chun-Wei Jerry
Smith; Christopher |
Bowling Green
Bowling Green |
KY
KY |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Russell Brands, LLC
Bowling Green
KY
|
Family ID: |
51529662 |
Appl. No.: |
13/826428 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/604 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 37/12 20130101;
A63B 2039/003 20130101; A63B 39/00 20130101; A63B 2037/065
20130101; A63B 37/06 20130101; A63B 2039/006 20130101; A63B 2209/00
20130101; A63B 39/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/604 |
International
Class: |
A63B 39/02 20060101
A63B039/02 |
Claims
1. A inflation independent sports ball comprising a foam core and
an outer covering, wherein the sports ball is selected from the
group consisting of a football, a basketball, a volleyball and a
soccer ball.
2. The sports ball of claim 1 wherein the outer covering further
comprises a synthetic leather material.
3. The sports ball of claim 2 further comprising an outer covering
having of thickness of between 0.20 and 1.80 millimeters.
4. The sports ball of claim 1 wherein the foam core further
comprises a polyurethane foam.
5. The sports ball of claim 4 wherein the sports ball is devoid of
an inflatable air bladder.
6. The sports ball of claim 4 wherein the polyurethane core further
comprises a plurality of densities.
7. The sports ball of claim 5 wherein the polyurethane core further
comprises: a. a plurality of ribs, b. a plurality of internal
compartments, and c. a cylindrical body, wherein said internal
compartments comprise a void defined by at least one rib, an outer
boundary of the core and a internal cylinder wall and the
cylindrical body further comprises a second void.
8. The sports ball of claim 7 wherein the internal compartments
further comprise an impermeable material applied to a interior
surface of the internal compartment.
9. The sports ball of claim 8 wherein the internal compartments are
evenly dispersed around the cylindrical body.
10. The sports ball of claim 7 wherein the plurality of internal
compartments is eight (8).
11. A sports ball having a diameter and comprising a synthetic
leather outer covering at least partially covering a polyurethane
foam core, wherein the foam core further comprises at least one
internal compartment and a cylindrical body spanning at least part
of the length of the diameter of the sports ball.
12. The sports ball of claim 11 wherein the foam core further
comprises a polyurethane foam of a single density.
13. The sports ball of claim 12 wherein the foam core further
comprises polyurethane foam of a plurality of densities.
14. The sports ball of claim 11 wherein the sports ball is devoid
of an inflatable air bladder.
15. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a
basketball.
16. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a
football.
17. The sports hall of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a
volleyball.
18. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein the sports ball is a soccer
ball.
19. The sports ball of claim 14 wherein a interior surface of the
cylindrical body further comprise an impermeable material applied
to the interior surface of the cylindrical body.
20. The sports ball of claim 14 comprising a CoR in the range of
0.60 and 1.00.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to sports balls, such as
basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Sports balls of the type traditionally inflated (e.g.,
basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls) are well
known in the art and are sometimes referred to as "inflatables."
For example, basketballs are generally manufactured to include an
inflatable air bladder surrounded by an outer covering of cover
panels. Other inflatable sports balls such as volleyballs, soccer
balls and footballs also feature the well-known inflatable air
bladder (often comprising rubber, such as 80% butyl rubber and 20%
natural rubber) and various other outer coverings. One limitation
of current inflatable technology is that the inflatable air bladder
may lose pressure after a period of time due to air loss, which may
occur by seepage from valves, or by migration of the filled air
across the air bladder membrane, or otherwise. When pressure loss
occurs, the inflatable must be re-inflated by some mechanism, such
as a pump. Any physical damage that pierces the bladder, even small
holes or tears may result in loss of pressure and even the
inability to be re-pressurized.
[0003] Foam balls, such as NERF.RTM. brand balls, are also known in
the art, but foam balls to date have exhibited substantially
different playing characteristics and feel that traditional sports
balls, and do not comport with or approximate the standards set by
sports organizations for regulation play, such as size, rebound
response, weight or other characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] As such, a sports ball 5 with a core 15 and outer covering
10 that does not include an air bladder and that comports with the
standards set by sports organizations for regulation play, such as
size, rebound response, weight, or other characteristics is
desirable. Such a sports ball 5 is disclosed herein.
[0005] In some aspects, the invention relates to a inflation
independent sports ball comprising a foam core 15 and an outer
covering 10, wherein the sports ball is selected from the group
consisting of a football, a basketball, a volleyball and a soccer
ball, wherein the sports ball 5 is devoid of an inflatable air
bladder.
[0006] In other aspects, the invention relates to a sports ball
having a diameter and comprising a synthetic leather outer covering
10 at least partially covering a polyurethane foam core 15, wherein
the foam core further comprises at least one internal compartment
and a cylindrical body spanning at least part of the length of the
diameter of the sports ball.
[0007] In other aspects, the invention relates to a sports ball
having an outer covering and a foam core, wherein the foam core 15
is not filled with foam entirely throughout its internal volume,
but rather includes space for air.
[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] To aid in the appreciation of further advantages and
features of the present disclosure, a more particular description
will be provided by reference to specific embodiments which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these
drawings are not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure
herein will be described and explained with additional specificity
and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0010] FIGS. 1A-1D show various embodiments of the sports ball 5 as
disclosed herein.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a cut away view of one embodiment of the core
15 of one embodiment of a sports ball 5 as disclosed herein.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a cut away view of one embodiment of the core
15 of a sports ball 5 as disclosed herein,
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a cut away view of one embodiment of the core
15 of a sports ball 5 as disclosed herein.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a cut away view of one embodiment of the core
15 of a sports ball 5 as disclosed herein.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows an alternate cut away view of the core 15 shown
in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] This detailed description is provided for amplifying the
invention and aiding in understanding of the disclosure, by
reference to a possible embodiment(s). The invention shall not be
interpreted as limited to any particular embodiment shown, except
as set forth in the claims.
[0017] A sports ball 5, such as for use where inflatables are
typically employed, is disclosed herein, FIGS. 1A through 1D show
various embodiments of the sports ball 5, in the form of a
basketball, a football, a volleyball or a soccer ball. While these
particular embodiments are shown for illustrative purposes and each
is certainly within the scope of the invention, balls for other
sports and general play are also within the scope. In a central
aspect of the sports ball 5 is its core 15.
[0018] The core 15 may comprise a foam, such as polyurethane
("PU"), EVA, or other foamed structure. Other materials with
resiliency, such as rubbers, may also be used. In one embodiment,
the PU foam is open cell PU foam wherein the cell walls comprising
the foam are broken and the air or other gasses may freely enter
and exit the broken cells. In an alternate embodiment, the PU foam
is closed cell foam wherein the cells comprising the foam are not
broken and air or other gases are "trapped" within the intact cells
comprising the foam. In an alternate embodiment, the PU foam core
may comprise both open and closed cell foam. Other foams such as
foamed natural rubber or soy bean based foams should be considered
within the scope of this disclosure.
[0019] In one embodiment, the core 15 may comprise PU foam of a
single density. For example, the density of the PU core 15 may be
constant, or nearly constant throughout the circumference of the
core 15. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the
density of the PU foam core 15 may change through the diameter of
the core 15. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 shows the density of
the PU foam core 15 increasing near the center of the core
15--i.e., the density of the PU foam near the center of the core 15
is greater than the density of the PU core near the exterior
surface of the core 15. Alternatively, the density of the PU foam
near the center of the core 15 could be less than the density of
the PU foam near the outer surface of the core 15.
[0020] In an embodiment where multiple densities of PU foam are
present, the core 15 may comprise a "constant" density gradient
(i.e., density increasing at a generally constant rate from the
outer surface to the center or ice versa), a "step wise" density
gradient (i.e., the density increases (or decreases), in discrete
"steps" from the outer surface to the center), a combination of the
forgoing, or many other conceivable density gradient (such as a
"peak" gradient wherein the density of the PU increases from the
outer surface of the core 15 to a point in the interior and then
begins to decrease again closer to the center of the core 15). Any
possible density gradient should be considered within the scope of
this disclosure. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the core
15 may comprise plurality of concentric layers 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d,
16e, 16f. The concentric layers 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f may
comprise single discrete densities of PU foam or they comprise
multiple densities of PU foam in either a constant, step wise or
peak gradient constructions. In one embodiment, the densities of
the PU foam in the concentric layers 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f
increases near the center of the core 15, alternatively the
densities of the PU foam in the concentric layers 16a, 16b, 16c,
16d, 16e, 16f may decrease near the center of the core 15,
alternatively, a peak gradient design or other construction may be
used. In one embodiment, the concentric layers 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d,
16e, 16f may have the same or approximately the same thickness
while in other embodiments the concentric layers 16a, 16b, 16c,
16d, 16e, 16f may be of varying thicknesses.
[0021] In one alternate embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the
core 15 is not filled with foam entirely throughout its internal
volume, but rather includes space for air. Like a traditional
inflatable, the space could be configured as a single air cavity,
akin to the common single central bladder of known inflatables.
Despite having space for air, sports ball 5 need not be configured
to rely on air pressure to provide the desired rebound, firmness,
resistance to compression, or other desired characteristics that
are typically controlled by the level of inflation of a traditional
inflatable. In fact, it is contemplated that sports ball 5 will in
many configurations not have an inflation valve at all. While it is
possible to configure the sports ball 5 as disclosed in the present
disclosure such that the air in the cavity is pressurized, such
pressure is not critical for maintaining form and rebound within
acceptable levels in every embodiment. If desired, the cavity may
be pressurized at the time of production. Alternately, if desired,
the sports ball 5 may be constructed with disregard to the air
pressure in the cavity, or with the intent or anticipation that the
air pressure in the cavity be approximately the ambient air
pressure. With the added structural integrity of the sports ball 5
as taught herein compared to traditional inflatables, some
embodiments may even exhibit an air pressure in the cavity
intentionally lower than that of the ambient atmospheric
conditions. Using such a "negative pressure" configuration may
permit the sports ball 5 to have a tighter feel normally
attributable to the outward pressure of a traditional
inflatable.
[0022] Without relying on increased internal air pressure in a
cavity for structural integrity, shape, rebound characteristics and
the like, these characteristics are imparted to and controlled for
sports ball 5 by the material comprising the core 15 and the
particular construction of that core 15. For example, in a single
cavity embodiment, the outer boundary 20 will be thicker than would
be, for example, the bladder, winding, and covering of a
basketball. In some embodiments, this outer boundary 20 will be
between one (1) centimeter and one (1) inch (2.54 cm) thick. In
other embodiments, the structural integrity of the sports ball 5
may be enhanced by incorporating struts or other structures within
the cavity space, such as spines that extend outwardly from the
center, or from a center mass (such that if the outer boundary 20
were removed, the struts may look like a starburst, for example).
Other, more elaborate internal structures can be employed, such as
grid patterns, scaffolding, internal ribbing about the inner
circumference of the outer boundary 20 and any other structure that
may enhance the ability of the sports ball 5 to maintain its round
configuration even in the absence of an internal air pressure
higher than ambient air pressure.
[0023] Advantageously, instead of a single cavity, the core 15 may
comprise a plurality of internal compartments 25 in which the air
of one compartment 25 does not flow freely to another compartment
25. Compartments 25 are separated by walls such as the ribs 30
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and may be oriented and configured in
various shapes and spatial relationships. For example, the
compartments 25 may be arranged like the internal lobes of an
orange, such that in cross-section the ribs 30 have the appearance
of a wheel-and-spokes. Alternatively, if desired the compartments
25 may be configured loosely on a spiral configuration. The shown
embodiment at FIGS. 5 and 6 depicts compartments 25 near the outer
surface of the sports ball 5, separated in circumferential
direction by a plurality of walls forming ribs 30. Toward the
center of the core 15, the sports hall 5 possesses another cavity
disposed inwardly of the circumferentially-disposed compartments
25, denominated in the figures as a central cavity 35. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the central cavity 35 is a
cylindrical body extending from the outer boundary 25 on one side
of the sports ball 5 to the outer boundary 25 on the other side. If
desired, central cavity 35 might be a perfectly round cavity
concentric with the center of the sports ball 5, or it might be a
spheroid, such as a prolate spheroid. In some embodiments it will
be desirable for the internal compartments 25 to be configured and
placed relative to one another such that in any rotational position
of the sports ball 5 a cross section taken through its center will
look the same as the cross section taken if the ball is rotated 90
degrees. For example, the core 15 may comprise a plurality of
concentric layers of internal compartments 25 arranged around a
single central cavity 35. In other configurations, including the
one shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cross section taken at different
rotational positions will look markedly different. For example, the
core 15 may comprise a plurality of central cavities 35, which need
not be concentric to the center of the sports ball 5, in the
embodiment as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the internal compartments 25
are evenly spaced around the cylindrical body 35, but the cross
section taken at different rotational positions will look
different. In combination with the compartments 25, struts and
other structures as discussed above in connection with a single
cavity may also be used. It will be recognized that the ribs 30
will provide certain structural support similar to that provided by
struts and other structures. It may nevertheless be desirable to
incorporate additional structural support, perhaps incorporating
struts and the like inside one or more of the compartments 25.
[0024] In one embodiment, the internal compartments 25 are
generally trapezoidal in shape and are formed by the outer boundary
20 of the core 15, two (2) ribs 30 and the internal cylinder wall
45. Other shapes for the internal compartments 25, including
square, rectangular and circular internal compartments 25 should be
considered within the scope of this disclosure. The internal
compartments 25 may be exterior to the cylindrical body 35. In one
embodiment, the core 15 comprises between two (2) and eight (8)
internal compartments 25. The core 15 may comprise between nine (9)
and sixteen (16) internal compartments. In another embodiment, the
core 15 comprises between seventeen (17) and thirty two (32)
internal compartments and finally in yet another embodiment, the
core 15 comprises between thirty three (33) and one hundred (100)
internal compartments.
[0025] The material comprising the walls of the compartments 25 may
be a porous material, such as open-cell foam. If the material is so
porous that air would otherwise move freely among the compartments
25, the compartments 25 may have a material (possibly in the form
of a coating or a paint) applied to the interior surface of the
internal compartments 25 that reduces or prevents air (or other
gases) from migrating across or escaping from the internal
compartments 25. In one embodiment the material may be an
additional PU coating or film. In an alternate embodiment, the
composition of the PU foam forming the internal compartments 25,
ribs 30 and internal cylinder wall 45 may be adjusted to prevent
air (or other gases) from escaping the internal compartments 25.
Certainly, non-porous materials, including closed cell foam, may be
used to prevent the free movement of air among compartments 25. By
way of non-limiting example, a closed cell PU foam may be used to
form the 25, ribs 30 and internal cylinder wall 45. Without being
bound by this theory, it is believed that in this embodiment, the
internal compartments 25 may create greater rebound via the
compression and expansion of the air trapped inside the internal
compartments 25 as the sports ball 5 contacts a surface (i.e., as
the ball is bounced on the floor).
[0026] With specific reference to the sports ball 5 shown in FIGS.
5 and 6, the core 15 comprises a cylindrical central cavity 35
defined at least in part by the internal cylinder wall 45. The
cylindrical body 35 may span the entire diameter of the sports ball
5 terminating against the outer boundary 20 of the core 15 or
against the outer covering 10. In an alternate embodiment, the
cylindrical body 35 may span only part of the diameter of the core
15. Without being bound by this theory, it is believed that in an
embodiment such as this with a central cavity 35, the compression
and expansion of the air trapped inside the cylindrical body 35 as
the sports ball 5 contacts a surface (i.e., as the ball is bounced
on the floor) may create a more controlled rebound.
[0027] The sports ball 5 may also comprise an outer covering 10,
whether the core 15 includes a cavity or not. Generally, the outer
covering 10 is the primary contact surface when a player handles
the sports ball 5. In one embodiment, the outer covering 10 fully
encases the core 15. In an alternate embodiment, the outer covering
10 does not hilly encase the core 15. By way of a non-limiting
example, the outer covering 10 may comprise one or more cover
panels 11, with groves, lines, or other gaps between the cover
panels 11, permitting the core 15 to be seen or touched. In one
embodiment, an additional material may be inserted between the
cover panels 11. In one embodiment, the additional material may
provide tactile feedback to a player allowing the player to
determine the position or orientation of the sports ball 5 in
relation to the player's hand.
[0028] The outer covering 10 may be configured to comprise the
features of a football, volleyball, basketball or soccer ball. For
example, in an embodiment where the sports ball 5 is a basketball,
the outer covering 10 may comprise a plurality of cover panels 11
which are adjacent to channels 12 as shown in FIG. 1A. When the
sports ball 5 is a football, the outer covering may comprise a
plurality of cover panels 11 which are adjacent to channels 12 as
well as laces 13 as shown in FIG. 113. Alternatively where the
sports ball 5 is a soccer ball, the outer covering 10 may comprise
a plurality of pentagonal cover panels 11 as shown in FIG. 1C. In
yet another embodiment, where the sports ball 5 is a volleyball,
the outer covering 10 may comprise a series of covering panels 11
as shown in FIG. 1D. The above examples shown in FIGS. 1A-1D are
non-limiting; the physical appearance of the outer covering 10 may
be configured to include logos, one or more colors or other
aesthetic concerns in other embodiments. Additionally, the outer
covering 10 may comprise pebbling or other features to aid the
player in griping and manipulating the sports ball 5. In one
embodiment, the outer covering 10 may be painted or coated to
improve its durability. In an alternate embodiment, the outer
covering 10 may be painted with a PU paint or a vulcanized rubber
material. The vulcanized rubber material may comprise pebbling or
other features.
[0029] The outer covering 10 may be affixed to the core 15. The
outer covering 10 may be affixed to the core 15 by any method known
to one of ordinary skill in the art. By way of non-limiting
example, the outer covering 10 may be glued to the core 15 at least
partially by an adhesive such as styrene butadiene, acrylonitrile
butadiene or a two (2) part urethane. In an alternate embodiment,
the outer covering 10 may not be attached to the core 15 and in
this embodiment the core may "float" inside of the outer covering
10 if desirable. The sports ball 5 may also comprise one or more
additional layers of material between the outer covering 10 and the
core 15. In one embodiment, an additional layer of windings
comprised of a natural or synthetic thread may be present between
the outer covering 10 and the core 15.
[0030] The outer covering 10 may be manufactured from any material
that is suitable to one of ordinary skill in the art and may
comprise leather, synthetic leather, rubber or other synthetic
materials. Additionally, the outer covering 10 may be manufactured
from differing materials based upon the sports ball 5 being
constructed. For example, the outer covering 10 for a football may
comprise differing materials than the outer covering 10 for
volleyball. In one embodiment, the outer covering 10 may
additionally comprise a tuftane thermoplastic polyurethane
film.
[0031] In one embodiment, the outer covering 10 is between 0.1 mm
and 2.0 mm in thickness. In an alternate embodiment, the outer
covering 10 is between 0.8 and 1.25 mm in thickness.
Method of Manufacture
[0032] The sports ball 5 disclosed herein may be manufactured by
any means known to be suitable to those of ordinary skill in the
art. The core 15 may be formed in segments and glued together to
form the core 15. In one embodiment, the core 15 may be formed by
two (2) halves glued together while in other embodiments four (4)
segments may be formed and glued together to form the core 15.
[0033] The sports ball 5 of the present disclosure substantially
meets the requirements set forth by the pertinent governing body to
be considered a competition ball.
[0034] The sports ball 5 disclosed herein may meet or exceed the
standards set forth by the National Federation of State High School
Associations ("NFSHA"), in one embodiment, a football constructed
as described herein may weigh between fourteen (14) and fifteen
(15) ounces (398.9-425.2 grams) as required by the NFSHA as well as
meet the size requirements set forth by the NFSHA.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment, a volleyball constructed as
described herein may be spherical comprising twelve (12) or more
covering panels 11, measure between twenty five (25) and twenty
seven (27) inches (63.5-86.8 centimeters) in diameter and weigh
between nine (9) and ten (10) ounces (255.2-283.5 grams) as
required by the NFSHA.
[0036] A soccer ball constructed as described herein may be
spherical with a circumference of between twenty seven (27) and
twenty eight (28) inches (68.6-71.1 centimeters) and weigh between
fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) ounces (396.9-453.6 grams) as
required by the NFSHA. In an alternate embodiment, a soccer ball as
described herein may meet the Federation Internationale de Football
Association ("FIFA") specifications for rebound and other
characteristics. In one embodiment, a size five (5) soccer ball as
described herein may exhibit a rebound of between one hundred and
thirty five (135) and one hundred and fifty five (155) centimeters
(53.1-61 inches) at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees F.) after being
dropped from two (2) meters (78.7 inches) onto a steel panel.
[0037] A basketball constructed as described herein may meet the
standards set forth by the NFSHA. For a boy's basketball, the
basketball may be spherical with a circumference of between twenty
nine and one-half (29.5) and thirty (30) inches (74.9-76.2
centimeters) and weigh between twenty (20) and twenty two (22)
ounces (567.0-623.7 grams). For a girl's basketball, the basketball
may be spherical with a circumference of between twenty eight and
one-half (28.5) and twenty nine (29) inches (72.4-73.7 centimeters)
and weigh between eighteen (18) and twenty (20) ounces (510.3-567.0
grams). Further, a basketball as described herein may rebound to a
height of not less than forty nine (49) inches (124.5 centimeters)
and not more than fifty four (54) inches (137.2 centimeters) when
dropped from seventy two (72) inches (182.9 centimeters) onto a
basketball playing surface (such as a hardwood basketball
court).
[0038] The sports ball 5 disclosed herein will also have a similar
coefficient of restitution ("CoR") as a regulation inflatable
sports ball. In one embodiment the sports ball 5 has a CoR of about
0.60 to 1.00. In another embodiment, the sports ball 5 has a CoR of
about 0.70 to 1.00 or about 0.80 to 1.00. In a final example, the
sports ball 5 has a CoR of about 0.90 to 1.00.
[0039] The sports ball 5 disclosed herein offers many advantages
over the prior art, including without limitation: (i) being
inflation independent and puncture resistant through the use of the
core 15 described herein rather than a traditional air bladder and
(ii) being the first sports ball 5 comprising a foam core 15 that
satisfies the standards set by sports organizations for regulation
play, such as size, rebound response, weight, or other
characteristics.
[0040] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having
benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments
can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the invention
as disclosed here. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should
be limited only by the attached claims.
* * * * *