US20110152018A1 - Round Ball, such as a Soccer Ball, having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling - Google Patents

Round Ball, such as a Soccer Ball, having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110152018A1
US20110152018A1 US12/849,196 US84919610A US2011152018A1 US 20110152018 A1 US20110152018 A1 US 20110152018A1 US 84919610 A US84919610 A US 84919610A US 2011152018 A1 US2011152018 A1 US 2011152018A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
ball
fin
fins
soccer
projections
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/849,196
Inventor
Victor Charles Walling
Stephen Pye
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US12/849,196 priority Critical patent/US20110152018A1/en
Publication of US20110152018A1 publication Critical patent/US20110152018A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B41/00Hollow inflatable balls
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B43/00Balls with special arrangements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B43/00Balls with special arrangements
    • A63B2043/001Short-distance or low-velocity balls for training, or for playing on a reduced area
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2243/00Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
    • A63B2243/0025Football

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the performance of round balls directly touched by players on a field of play such as basketballs, baseballs and in particular to the performance of soccer balls. More specifically, the present invention relates to a ball, such as a soccer ball, having a lattice pattern protruding from the surface in a predetermined pattern. Soccer balls have been produced since the mid 1800's. Prior to this invention, balls in general and soccer balls in particular that are intended for the field of play have been made as smooth and round as possible to minimize aerodynamic drag. The result is that existing balls travel very fast through the air and roll easily on the slightest incline.
  • This invention addresses the need for a ball that feels and generally behaves like traditional balls on the field of play but when struck with maximum force travel much less distance and which resist rolling especially on hard, flat or slightly inclined surfaces.
  • Ball players have long recognized that the more smooth the surface of a ball, the better its aerodynamics for swerving.
  • No prior innovation has attached an additional element deliberately intended to protrude from the surface of a ball in order to change the behavior of the ball in the manner here in described.
  • No invention has deliberately intended to increase aerodynamic drag and slow the way a field ball rolls without significantly altering the rolling direction and without substantial altering the other performance features of the ball such as its ability to bounce.
  • the soccer ball is the preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • the most commonly recognized soccer ball as readily accepted by the consuming public, is spherical and made with a polygon pattern consisting of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons.
  • Many soccer balls now break this tradition, however none of these have added elements that stick out from the ball. Indeed most of these new balls seek to be even smoother and more round than traditional balls.
  • Patents with spherical balls with patterns on the surface include: USD095034, USD395690, USD405486, USD478367, USD501520, USD563495, USD585644, USD595367, USD599966, and USD609290.
  • the present invention is able to provide a soccer ball that meets FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football)), specification for size and weight and at the same time reduces the distance the ball can be kicked compared to a normal soccer ball struck with the same force.
  • FIFA Franceration Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football)
  • the present invention reduces the amount that the ball will roll whether on flat and somewhat inclined surfaces.
  • the present invention is able to accomplish this by providing the ball with a lattice pattern of fins protruding from the surface of an otherwise normal ball sphere.
  • One aspect of the present invention is a soccer ball with an inner sphere having a surface and a plurality of fin-like projections disposed on the sphere surface.
  • the plurality of fin-like projections is interconnected to form a predetermined pattern on the surface.
  • Each of the projections extends a similar amount from the surface that ranges from 2 mm to 30 mm outward from the inner sphere surface depending on the size of the soccer ball (official FIFA number sizes for soccer balls range from 3 to 5.) or the degree of effects sought.
  • These fins may be attached in any of variety of ways including sewing or gluing. They may also be molded onto the surface of the ball.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is a soccer ball having a lattice of fin-like elements with a coefficient of friction that is deliberately much higher than the coefficient of friction for the surface material of most balls. This higher coefficient of friction provides increased friction (or “grip”) between the ball and other surfaces including the player.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention is a ball with fin-like lattice elements having flexibility. These elements collapse under pressure thereby absorbing energy.
  • FIG. 1 view of the ball showing the sphere, the distinct smooth areas and a pattern of fins separating the smooth areas in a traditional 32 panel soccer ball pattern.
  • FIGS. 2A , 2 B, 2 C, and 2 D are views of alternative fin profiles suitable to cause a ball made according to the invention to have the desired performance.
  • FIGS. 3A , 3 B, and 3 C are views of alternative cross-sectional shapes of the fin protrusions that are suitable to cause a ball made according to the invention to have the desired performance.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of sewn seam cross-sections showing two alternative patterns for sewing the fins into the ball.
  • FIG. 4A shows the seam turned to the center of the ball in the traditional way a soccer ball is sewn.
  • FIG. 4B shows the seam sewn to the outside of the ball. Either pattern can be used to achieve the desired performance.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a set of the fins of FIG. 1 showing the connection of one fin to four other fins, two at each end.
  • a soccer ball ( 100 ) is generally designated as the preferred embodiment.
  • the soccer ball may be a traditional 32 piece sewn ball, or any of the newer pieced or laminated balls.
  • the core and cover of the soccer ball may be any suitable material. Typically butyl bladders and vinyl-coated fabric are used for many soccer balls today. Rubber bladders are common in lower quality balls. Wound bladders are often used in higher quality balls. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other core and cover materials may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 Extending outward from the surface ( FIG. 1 ) are a plurality of fin like projections ( FIG. 1 , 104 ).
  • these projections ( 104 ) may have any of many top profiles with a base shaped to suit the attachment strategy. In the case of sewing in the projections a square straight line base is appropriate ( FIG. 2A .) However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the projections may have other similar shapes ( FIGS. 2B , 2 C, 2 D).
  • the projections ( 104 ) are connected to each other to form a lattice structure on the surface of the sphere. See FIGS. 1 and 5 .
  • the interconnected projections form a plurality of enclosed areas encompassing discrete areas ( 102 ) of the surface of the sphere.
  • each of the plurality of projections ( 102 ) is connected to at least four other projections ( FIG. 5 ), two at each end.
  • each of the projections ( FIG. 1 , 104 ) meets two other projections at a vertex meeting point of a combination of polygons.
  • FIGS. 3A , 3 B, and 3 C are views of alternative fin cross sections ( 310 ) of the fin protrusions ( 304 ) that are suitable to cause a ball made according to the invention to have the desired performance.
  • the outer edges ( 312 ) of fin protrusions ( 304 ) are shown to have different shapes.
  • Each of the plurality of fin protrusions has thickness between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm and is flexible.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of sewn seam cross-sections ( 406 ) showing two alternative patterns for sewing the fins ( 404 ) into the ball between discrete areas ( 402 ).
  • FIG. 4A shows the seam turned to the center of the ball in the traditional way a soccer ball is sewn.
  • FIG. 4B shows the seam sewn to the outside of the ball. Either pattern can be used to achieve the desired performance.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention employs the fin-like protrusions ( FIG. 1 , 104 ) such that whichever direction the ball rolls, it must roll over one of these fin-like protrusions to keep on rolling.
  • the height of the protrusions in the preferred embodiment is such that any line drawn to connect any two points on the outside edge of the fin-like protrusions surrounding any one of the enclosed areas will lie above the surface of the sphere or be tangent to the sphere.
  • the height of the protrusions ranges between 2.0 mm and 20.0 mm depending on the degree of effect sought and the size of the underlying ball.
  • the ball of the present invention has a flexible high friction lattice structure to (1) reduce tendency to continue to roll (2) change the aerodynamics so the ball will be dead in the air, that is, will not fly as far or as fast as a normal soccer ball struck with the same force and (3) provide better grip between the player and the ball.

Abstract

A ball with high aerodynamic drag and with the ability to rapidly come to a stop when rolling on a flat or a slight inclined surface is disclosed herein. The ball has an arrangement of fins sewn, glued or molded to its surface. These fins may be of various heights from 2.0 mm to 20.0 mm depending on the degree of the effects sought. The lattice of fins must be such that to continue to roll the ball must roll over a fin. The fundamental tradeoff in this invention is between the degree of normal behavior of the ball when struck or when bouncing and the reduced duration of flight and reduced distance to stop rolling. The preferred embodiment has fins sewn into the seams of an otherwise conventionally constructed sewn soccer ball. The effect gained is a ball that behaves like a normal soccer ball in most ways but flies a shorter distance and stops rolling more quickly.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • Provisional application 61238803, filed Sep. 1, 2009; and Design Pat. application 29/364,674, filed Jun. 23, 2010.
  • STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
  • Not Applicable
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates to the performance of round balls directly touched by players on a field of play such as basketballs, baseballs and in particular to the performance of soccer balls. More specifically, the present invention relates to a ball, such as a soccer ball, having a lattice pattern protruding from the surface in a predetermined pattern. Soccer balls have been produced since the mid 1800's. Prior to this invention, balls in general and soccer balls in particular that are intended for the field of play have been made as smooth and round as possible to minimize aerodynamic drag. The result is that existing balls travel very fast through the air and roll easily on the slightest incline.
  • This invention addresses the need for a ball that feels and generally behaves like traditional balls on the field of play but when struck with maximum force travel much less distance and which resist rolling especially on hard, flat or slightly inclined surfaces.
  • 2. Description of the Related Art
  • Ball players have long recognized that the more smooth the surface of a ball, the better its aerodynamics for swerving. Concerning soccer balls in particular, in the 20th century with the rise of indoor soccer and street soccer, some effort has been spent to develop a ball that wears better on hard surfaces such as streets, that has a deadened bounce and is difficult to loft.
  • No prior innovation has attached an additional element deliberately intended to protrude from the surface of a ball in order to change the behavior of the ball in the manner here in described. No invention has deliberately intended to increase aerodynamic drag and slow the way a field ball rolls without significantly altering the rolling direction and without substantial altering the other performance features of the ball such as its ability to bounce.
  • The soccer ball is the preferred embodiment of this invention. The most commonly recognized soccer ball, as readily accepted by the consuming public, is spherical and made with a polygon pattern consisting of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons. Many soccer balls now break this tradition, however none of these have added elements that stick out from the ball. Indeed most of these new balls seek to be even smoother and more round than traditional balls.
  • Although the prior art has set forth variations for materials used to make and shape the surface of a soccer ball, there remains a need for a soccer ball having a surface that maximizes aerodynamic drag and minimizes the extent that the ball will continue to roll once it stops bouncing, yet leave the ball's other performance including its bounce largely intact.
  • Patents with spherical balls with patterns on the surface include: USD095034, USD395690, USD405486, USD478367, USD501520, USD563495, USD585644, USD595367, USD599966, and USD609290.
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is able to provide a soccer ball that meets FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football)), specification for size and weight and at the same time reduces the distance the ball can be kicked compared to a normal soccer ball struck with the same force. The present invention reduces the amount that the ball will roll whether on flat and somewhat inclined surfaces. The present invention is able to accomplish this by providing the ball with a lattice pattern of fins protruding from the surface of an otherwise normal ball sphere.
  • One aspect of the present invention is a soccer ball with an inner sphere having a surface and a plurality of fin-like projections disposed on the sphere surface. The plurality of fin-like projections is interconnected to form a predetermined pattern on the surface. Each of the projections extends a similar amount from the surface that ranges from 2 mm to 30 mm outward from the inner sphere surface depending on the size of the soccer ball (official FIFA number sizes for soccer balls range from 3 to 5.) or the degree of effects sought. These fins may be attached in any of variety of ways including sewing or gluing. They may also be molded onto the surface of the ball.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is a soccer ball having a lattice of fin-like elements with a coefficient of friction that is deliberately much higher than the coefficient of friction for the surface material of most balls. This higher coefficient of friction provides increased friction (or “grip”) between the ball and other surfaces including the player.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention is a ball with fin-like lattice elements having flexibility. These elements collapse under pressure thereby absorbing energy.
  • Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 view of the ball showing the sphere, the distinct smooth areas and a pattern of fins separating the smooth areas in a traditional 32 panel soccer ball pattern.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are views of alternative fin profiles suitable to cause a ball made according to the invention to have the desired performance.
  • FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are views of alternative cross-sectional shapes of the fin protrusions that are suitable to cause a ball made according to the invention to have the desired performance.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of sewn seam cross-sections showing two alternative patterns for sewing the fins into the ball. FIG. 4A shows the seam turned to the center of the ball in the traditional way a soccer ball is sewn. FIG. 4B shows the seam sewn to the outside of the ball. Either pattern can be used to achieve the desired performance.
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a set of the fins of FIG. 1 showing the connection of one fin to four other fins, two at each end.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • As shown in FIG. 1, a soccer ball (100) is generally designated as the preferred embodiment.
  • The soccer ball may be a traditional 32 piece sewn ball, or any of the newer pieced or laminated balls. The core and cover of the soccer ball may be any suitable material. Typically butyl bladders and vinyl-coated fabric are used for many soccer balls today. Rubber bladders are common in lower quality balls. Wound bladders are often used in higher quality balls. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other core and cover materials may be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
  • Extending outward from the surface (FIG. 1) are a plurality of fin like projections (FIG. 1, 104). In a preferred embodiment, these projections (104) may have any of many top profiles with a base shaped to suit the attachment strategy. In the case of sewing in the projections a square straight line base is appropriate (FIG. 2A.) However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the projections may have other similar shapes (FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D). The projections (104) are connected to each other to form a lattice structure on the surface of the sphere. See FIGS. 1 and 5. The interconnected projections form a plurality of enclosed areas encompassing discrete areas (102) of the surface of the sphere. When the invention is embodied in a traditional sewn soccer ball, there are 20 hexagonal areas and 12 pentagonal bounded areas
  • (FIG. 1, 102). In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of projections (102) is connected to at least four other projections (FIG. 5), two at each end. In the preferred embodiment, each of the projections (FIG. 1, 104) meets two other projections at a vertex meeting point of a combination of polygons.
  • FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are views of alternative fin cross sections (310) of the fin protrusions (304) that are suitable to cause a ball made according to the invention to have the desired performance. The outer edges (312) of fin protrusions (304) are shown to have different shapes. Each of the plurality of fin protrusions has thickness between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm and is flexible.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are views of sewn seam cross-sections (406) showing two alternative patterns for sewing the fins (404) into the ball between discrete areas (402). FIG. 4A shows the seam turned to the center of the ball in the traditional way a soccer ball is sewn. FIG. 4B shows the seam sewn to the outside of the ball. Either pattern can be used to achieve the desired performance.
  • Unlike traditional soccer balls that attempt to make the surface as smooth as possible, the preferred embodiment of the present invention employs the fin-like protrusions (FIG. 1, 104) such that whichever direction the ball rolls, it must roll over one of these fin-like protrusions to keep on rolling. Moreover the height of the protrusions in the preferred embodiment is such that any line drawn to connect any two points on the outside edge of the fin-like protrusions surrounding any one of the enclosed areas will lie above the surface of the sphere or be tangent to the sphere. The height of the protrusions ranges between 2.0 mm and 20.0 mm depending on the degree of effect sought and the size of the underlying ball.
  • Traditional soccer balls are designed to maximize the roundness and smoothness of the surface to maximize aerodynamic performance. The ball of the present invention has a flexible high friction lattice structure to (1) reduce tendency to continue to roll (2) change the aerodynamics so the ball will be dead in the air, that is, will not fly as far or as fast as a normal soccer ball struck with the same force and (3) provide better grip between the player and the ball.
  • From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, still other numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing.

Claims (7)

1. A ball comprising:
a sphere having a surface;
a plurality of smooth portions on the surface of the sphere; and
a plurality of flexible fin-like projections protruding from the surface.
2. The ball according to claim 1 wherein the material used to plurality of fin-like projections has a coefficient of friction higher than that of the smooth portions of the surface of the sphere.
3. The ball according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of flexible fin-like projections has thickness between 0.2 mm and 4.0 mm.
4. The ball according to claim 1 wherein the fin-like projections separate the smooth portions from one another.
5. The ball according to claim 1 wherein the fin-like projections have outer edges such that a straight line drawn between the outer edges of any two fin-like projections that surround a smooth portion on the surface of the sphere will not touch the smooth surface except when that line is tangent to the smooth surface.
6. The ball according to claim 1 wherein a fin-like projection is connected to at least four other fin-like projections to form a pattern of shapes about the surface of the sphere.
7. The ball according to claim 1 wherein the fin-like projections have heights that range from 2.0 mm to 20.0 mm.
US12/849,196 2009-09-01 2010-10-29 Round Ball, such as a Soccer Ball, having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling Abandoned US20110152018A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/849,196 US20110152018A1 (en) 2009-09-01 2010-10-29 Round Ball, such as a Soccer Ball, having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US23880309P 2009-09-01 2009-09-01
US12/849,196 US20110152018A1 (en) 2009-09-01 2010-10-29 Round Ball, such as a Soccer Ball, having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110152018A1 true US20110152018A1 (en) 2011-06-23

Family

ID=43649594

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/849,196 Abandoned US20110152018A1 (en) 2009-09-01 2010-10-29 Round Ball, such as a Soccer Ball, having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling
US13/162,379 Abandoned US20110250997A1 (en) 2009-09-01 2011-06-16 Round Ball, Such as a Soccer Ball, Having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/162,379 Abandoned US20110250997A1 (en) 2009-09-01 2011-06-16 Round Ball, Such as a Soccer Ball, Having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (2) US20110152018A1 (en)
CN (1) CN202105386U (en)
GB (1) GB2485751A (en)
WO (1) WO2011028640A1 (en)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120258824A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2012-10-11 Nike, Inc. Sport Ball Casing And Methods Of Manufacturing The Casing
US8777787B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2014-07-15 Nike, Inc. Sport ball
US20150265881A1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2015-09-24 Dan Canobbio Sport object having multiple, re-positionable, multi-faced exterior appendages for color changing and decorative purposes actuated by hand manipulation
US9457239B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2016-10-04 Nike, Inc. Sport ball casing with integrated bladder material
US20180133615A1 (en) * 2016-11-11 2018-05-17 James D Zongker Aerodynamically gliding ball
US20190224557A1 (en) * 2018-01-23 2019-07-25 Company 5, Llc Bouncing ball with bounce counter
US11148013B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2021-10-19 Nike, Inc. Sports ball
US11148014B2 (en) 2019-01-18 2021-10-19 Nike, Inc. Sports ball
US11173351B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2021-11-16 Nike, Inc. Sports ball
US20230029738A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 Parhat Mutallp Novel competition light ball
US11660507B2 (en) 2019-07-03 2023-05-30 Nike, Inc. Sports ball with wickerbill
US11759681B2 (en) 2020-02-21 2023-09-19 Nike, Inc. Sports ball with staggered surface features

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD836260S1 (en) * 2016-11-10 2018-12-18 Hyper Pet Llc Pet toy

Citations (45)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2078382A (en) * 1936-05-20 1937-04-27 Charles H Hanshaw Playing ball
US2086094A (en) * 1936-07-06 1937-07-06 Spalding & Bros Ag Play ball
US2194674A (en) * 1938-08-29 1940-03-26 John T Riddell Football
US2244503A (en) * 1938-08-17 1941-06-03 John T Riddell Playing ball
US2931653A (en) * 1956-08-02 1960-04-05 Seamless Rubber Co Footballs having a securely grippable laceless surface
US3256019A (en) * 1962-12-11 1966-06-14 Voit Rubber Corp Ball with cushioning means between cover and core
DE2359704A1 (en) * 1973-11-30 1975-06-05 Eberle Erna Maria Games or football with surface elevations - elevations uniformly distributed for braking action on rolling on ground
US4248424A (en) * 1977-09-14 1981-02-03 Ren Judkins Aerial projectile
US4262911A (en) * 1978-10-18 1981-04-21 John Opresik Martian flyer or earth U.F.O.
US4284398A (en) * 1979-02-02 1981-08-18 Metzeler Schaum Gmbh Apparatus for the manufacture of a foam material ball with an embossed surface
US4318544A (en) * 1980-10-30 1982-03-09 W. H. Brine Company Game ball
USD264365S (en) * 1979-04-06 1982-05-11 Legar, S.A. Ball
USD290428S (en) * 1984-07-23 1987-06-23 Donald Johnson Picture display
US5020438A (en) * 1989-10-10 1991-06-04 Brown Jim W Bladed projectile
USD323539S (en) * 1989-01-30 1992-01-28 Randolph Glass Ball
US5154431A (en) * 1990-04-11 1992-10-13 Sphip Co., Ltd. Spinning ball game articles
US5181724A (en) * 1990-10-30 1993-01-26 Vittorio Spadoni Wing shooting target
US5207420A (en) * 1992-02-24 1993-05-04 Crawford Douglas M Animal play ball
US5236196A (en) * 1991-12-02 1993-08-17 Karl Blankenburg Spherical body formed of polygonal members
GB2292089A (en) * 1994-08-06 1996-02-14 Joseph Peter Finlow Ball
GB2314778A (en) * 1996-07-02 1998-01-14 Simon William Griffin Sports training ball
USD393020S (en) * 1997-06-12 1998-03-31 Arcos Armando L Ornamental soccer ball puzzle
USD395690S (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-06-30 Luis Villavicencio Instructional soccer ball
US5797815A (en) * 1997-02-06 1998-08-25 Goldman Toy Group, Inc. Pop-open throwing toy with controllable opening delay and method of operating same
USD405486S (en) * 1997-11-03 1999-02-09 Joyful Long International, Ltd. Soccer ball
US5976041A (en) * 1996-03-06 1999-11-02 Banker, Sr.; Theodore W. Elastic returnable practice ball
US6056616A (en) * 1999-02-05 2000-05-02 Bushman; Earl K. Flying ball
US6068580A (en) * 1998-02-23 2000-05-30 Hedstrom Corporation Exercise device
US6220980B1 (en) * 1997-06-27 2001-04-24 Alan J. Adler Molded ball with fins
US6302815B1 (en) * 1997-09-22 2001-10-16 Molten Corporation Ball for a ball game
USD477441S1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2003-07-15 Jw Pet Company, Inc. Polyhedral skeletal animal toy
USD478367S1 (en) * 2001-10-22 2003-08-12 School Specialty, Inc. Dual-surface ball
US20040072639A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2004-04-15 Play Games Sport Pty. Ltd. Ball
USD501520S1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-02-01 Raymond E. Fraze Ribbed ball
US20060217220A1 (en) * 2004-09-28 2006-09-28 Davignon Robert W Ii Instructional baseball
US7247107B1 (en) * 2004-08-12 2007-07-24 Stx, Llc Impact-absorbing lacrosse ball
USD563495S1 (en) * 2007-01-16 2008-03-04 Abe Torres Soccer ball
US7470203B1 (en) * 2004-10-25 2008-12-30 Acorn Products, Llc Enhanced-grip play balls and methods of manufacture
USD585644S1 (en) * 2007-08-06 2009-02-03 Thomas Alan Guilbault Flexible baseball cover with opening for the sweet spot
USD595367S1 (en) * 2008-12-04 2009-06-30 Broadscope International, Inc. Novelty soccer ball
US20090209374A1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2009-08-20 Topball Sports Inc. Sportsball with integral ball casing and bladder body
USD599966S1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-09-08 Charles Alfred Viola Pet toy soccer ball with bone shapes
US20090325744A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-31 Nike, Inc. Sport Balls And Methods Of Manufacturing The Sport Balls
USD609290S1 (en) * 2009-06-29 2010-02-02 Canine Hardware Inc. Ball
US20100137081A1 (en) * 2007-04-12 2010-06-03 Molten Corporation Ball

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2960794A (en) * 1958-03-04 1960-11-22 Mary B Johns Toy balls
US4294447A (en) * 1979-03-09 1981-10-13 Clark Merlin W Aerial amusement projectile and method of manufacture
US4991841A (en) * 1989-07-24 1991-02-12 Paranto Arlen C Novelty ball
US5338027A (en) * 1992-06-03 1994-08-16 Jeffrey Rehkemper Tossing and catching play object
DE20220150U1 (en) * 2002-12-28 2004-04-29 Puma Ag Rudolf Dassler Sport Ball cover, in particular for soccer balls
CN101795742A (en) * 2003-06-23 2010-08-04 彼得·斯蒂芬 Levitated finned ball device

Patent Citations (45)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2078382A (en) * 1936-05-20 1937-04-27 Charles H Hanshaw Playing ball
US2086094A (en) * 1936-07-06 1937-07-06 Spalding & Bros Ag Play ball
US2244503A (en) * 1938-08-17 1941-06-03 John T Riddell Playing ball
US2194674A (en) * 1938-08-29 1940-03-26 John T Riddell Football
US2931653A (en) * 1956-08-02 1960-04-05 Seamless Rubber Co Footballs having a securely grippable laceless surface
US3256019A (en) * 1962-12-11 1966-06-14 Voit Rubber Corp Ball with cushioning means between cover and core
DE2359704A1 (en) * 1973-11-30 1975-06-05 Eberle Erna Maria Games or football with surface elevations - elevations uniformly distributed for braking action on rolling on ground
US4248424A (en) * 1977-09-14 1981-02-03 Ren Judkins Aerial projectile
US4262911A (en) * 1978-10-18 1981-04-21 John Opresik Martian flyer or earth U.F.O.
US4284398A (en) * 1979-02-02 1981-08-18 Metzeler Schaum Gmbh Apparatus for the manufacture of a foam material ball with an embossed surface
USD264365S (en) * 1979-04-06 1982-05-11 Legar, S.A. Ball
US4318544A (en) * 1980-10-30 1982-03-09 W. H. Brine Company Game ball
USD290428S (en) * 1984-07-23 1987-06-23 Donald Johnson Picture display
USD323539S (en) * 1989-01-30 1992-01-28 Randolph Glass Ball
US5020438A (en) * 1989-10-10 1991-06-04 Brown Jim W Bladed projectile
US5154431A (en) * 1990-04-11 1992-10-13 Sphip Co., Ltd. Spinning ball game articles
US5181724A (en) * 1990-10-30 1993-01-26 Vittorio Spadoni Wing shooting target
US5236196A (en) * 1991-12-02 1993-08-17 Karl Blankenburg Spherical body formed of polygonal members
US5207420A (en) * 1992-02-24 1993-05-04 Crawford Douglas M Animal play ball
GB2292089A (en) * 1994-08-06 1996-02-14 Joseph Peter Finlow Ball
US5976041A (en) * 1996-03-06 1999-11-02 Banker, Sr.; Theodore W. Elastic returnable practice ball
GB2314778A (en) * 1996-07-02 1998-01-14 Simon William Griffin Sports training ball
US5797815A (en) * 1997-02-06 1998-08-25 Goldman Toy Group, Inc. Pop-open throwing toy with controllable opening delay and method of operating same
USD395690S (en) * 1997-04-18 1998-06-30 Luis Villavicencio Instructional soccer ball
USD393020S (en) * 1997-06-12 1998-03-31 Arcos Armando L Ornamental soccer ball puzzle
US6220980B1 (en) * 1997-06-27 2001-04-24 Alan J. Adler Molded ball with fins
US6302815B1 (en) * 1997-09-22 2001-10-16 Molten Corporation Ball for a ball game
USD405486S (en) * 1997-11-03 1999-02-09 Joyful Long International, Ltd. Soccer ball
US6068580A (en) * 1998-02-23 2000-05-30 Hedstrom Corporation Exercise device
US6056616A (en) * 1999-02-05 2000-05-02 Bushman; Earl K. Flying ball
US20040072639A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2004-04-15 Play Games Sport Pty. Ltd. Ball
USD477441S1 (en) * 2001-10-12 2003-07-15 Jw Pet Company, Inc. Polyhedral skeletal animal toy
USD478367S1 (en) * 2001-10-22 2003-08-12 School Specialty, Inc. Dual-surface ball
USD501520S1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-02-01 Raymond E. Fraze Ribbed ball
US7247107B1 (en) * 2004-08-12 2007-07-24 Stx, Llc Impact-absorbing lacrosse ball
US20060217220A1 (en) * 2004-09-28 2006-09-28 Davignon Robert W Ii Instructional baseball
US7470203B1 (en) * 2004-10-25 2008-12-30 Acorn Products, Llc Enhanced-grip play balls and methods of manufacture
USD563495S1 (en) * 2007-01-16 2008-03-04 Abe Torres Soccer ball
US20100137081A1 (en) * 2007-04-12 2010-06-03 Molten Corporation Ball
USD585644S1 (en) * 2007-08-06 2009-02-03 Thomas Alan Guilbault Flexible baseball cover with opening for the sweet spot
USD599966S1 (en) * 2008-02-11 2009-09-08 Charles Alfred Viola Pet toy soccer ball with bone shapes
US20090209374A1 (en) * 2008-02-19 2009-08-20 Topball Sports Inc. Sportsball with integral ball casing and bladder body
US20090325744A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-31 Nike, Inc. Sport Balls And Methods Of Manufacturing The Sport Balls
USD595367S1 (en) * 2008-12-04 2009-06-30 Broadscope International, Inc. Novelty soccer ball
USD609290S1 (en) * 2009-06-29 2010-02-02 Canine Hardware Inc. Ball

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9457525B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2016-10-04 Nike, Inc. Sport ball casing and methods of manufacturing the casing
US8708847B2 (en) * 2008-06-27 2014-04-29 Nike, Inc. Sport ball casing and methods of manufacturing the casing
US8777787B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2014-07-15 Nike, Inc. Sport ball
US20120258824A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2012-10-11 Nike, Inc. Sport Ball Casing And Methods Of Manufacturing The Casing
US9457239B2 (en) 2008-06-27 2016-10-04 Nike, Inc. Sport ball casing with integrated bladder material
US20150265881A1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2015-09-24 Dan Canobbio Sport object having multiple, re-positionable, multi-faced exterior appendages for color changing and decorative purposes actuated by hand manipulation
US9314674B2 (en) * 2014-03-21 2016-04-19 Dan Canobbio Sport object having multiple, re-positionable, multi-faced exterior appendages for color changing and decorative purposes actuated by hand manipulation
US20180133615A1 (en) * 2016-11-11 2018-05-17 James D Zongker Aerodynamically gliding ball
US20190224557A1 (en) * 2018-01-23 2019-07-25 Company 5, Llc Bouncing ball with bounce counter
US11148013B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2021-10-19 Nike, Inc. Sports ball
US11173351B2 (en) 2018-08-31 2021-11-16 Nike, Inc. Sports ball
US11148014B2 (en) 2019-01-18 2021-10-19 Nike, Inc. Sports ball
US11660507B2 (en) 2019-07-03 2023-05-30 Nike, Inc. Sports ball with wickerbill
US11759681B2 (en) 2020-02-21 2023-09-19 Nike, Inc. Sports ball with staggered surface features
US20230029738A1 (en) * 2021-07-30 2023-02-02 Parhat Mutallp Novel competition light ball

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2485751A (en) 2012-05-23
WO2011028640A1 (en) 2011-03-10
US20110250997A1 (en) 2011-10-13
GB201205508D0 (en) 2012-05-09
CN202105386U (en) 2012-01-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20110152018A1 (en) Round Ball, such as a Soccer Ball, having a Pattern of Fins to Resist Rolling
US8137216B2 (en) Golf ball surface patterns comprising multiple channels
US7303492B2 (en) Golf ball dimples forming indicia
US20070202962A1 (en) Golf Like Game With Multiple Projectiles
US6695720B2 (en) Golf ball with varying land surfaces
JP4106049B2 (en) Golf ball dimple pattern having overlapping dimples
US8403775B2 (en) Golf ball with polygonal dimple groupings
JPS60156480A (en) Pitching ball
US7927177B1 (en) Pop action toy ball
US9731169B2 (en) Ball
US9132328B1 (en) Shuttlecock type game device
US20160082323A1 (en) Floating soccer ball
US5813932A (en) Game footbag having improved skin and filler
JP2007535971A (en) Golf ball dimple internal structure
JP2006130318A (en) Golf ball
US20060063623A1 (en) Ball with obstructing elements
TWI549725B (en) Football Structure with Irregular Movement Path
KR102605495B1 (en) tacro ball
WO1994003239A1 (en) Inflatable ball for ball games, in particular football
CN116801957A (en) Badminton ball
US20110224034A1 (en) Ball-Shaped Object with Bouncing and Non-Bouncing Features
KR20130000321U (en) Golf tee
US6244980B1 (en) Throwing and hitting sports toy
US5674149A (en) Inflatable game ball
US20210197029A1 (en) Polyhedra golf ball with lower drag coefficient

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION