| Game ball cover with improved stripes and/or logos -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Game ball cover with improved stripes and/or logosRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Projectile, Per Se; Part Thereof Or Accessory Therefor, Having Handle Or Surface Configuration For Enhancing User`s Handgrip Thereon, Grip-enhancing Means Comprises Closure Or Seam Of Casing Or Cover Or Comprises Simulation Of Such Closure Or Seam (e.g., Lacing Of Football Casing, Etc.)The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060211527. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA [0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/325,421, entitled "Game Ball Cover With Improved Stripes And/or Logos," filed on Dec. 20, 2002 by Lee et al. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to a game ball. In particular, the present invention relates to a game ball including a cover and at least one sheet-like member coupled to the cover wherein the static coefficient of friction of an outer surface of the sheet-like member is greater than the static coefficient of friction of an outer surface of the cover. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Inflatable game balls, such as footballs, basketballs, volleyballs and soccer balls, are well known and typically include an inner inflatable air bladder and an outer cover. The cover can be formed of one or more cover panels. Many footballs include covers with stripes. In fact, many organized football associations, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association ("NCAA.RTM.") and many state high school athletic associations, require stripes on their footballs. In particular, the NCAA.RTM. requires footballs to include two 1-inch white stripes that are three to three and one-quarter inches from the end of the ball and are located only on the two cover panels adjacent to the laces. The outer cover of footballs and other types of game balls also typically include trademarks, symbols and logos. The stripes, trademarks, logos and/or symbols on game balls can extend over a significant percentage of the outer surface area of the ball. [0004] In football and basketball, as in many other sports, the gripping and tactile characteristics of the ball can considerably affect the performance of the participating players. In particular, the tactile characteristics of the outer surface of the game ball significantly effect the player's ability to catch, pass or otherwise control the ball accurately and reliably. [0005] Football stripes are commonly applied by painting or transferring on a thin layer of paint, dye or other coating. These stripes typically have a smooth and slick outer surface which, particularly in inclement weather, can negatively affect the players ability to catch, pass and otherwise control the ball. Many painted on or transferred on stripes are also susceptible to peeling and can wear easily. As a result, the appearance of many striped footballs overtime can be negatively affected by stripes that have partially worn or flaked off. Even premium game balls using striping material that is less slick and more durable than typical striping material, result in stripes with outer surfaces that have lower tactility than the other portions of the ball. Logos, trademarks and other symbols commonly applied to the outer surface of game balls also can have a smooth, slick outer surface and can flake or wear away easily. [0006] Thus, there is a need for football stripes that have improved gripping and tactile characteristics, or frictional interaction with the hands of a user, without deviating or radically departing from the ball's traditional design and organized play equipment requirements. What is needed is football stripes that improves a player's ability to pass, catch or otherwise control a ball, particularly during inclement weather. Further, it would be advantageous to provide football stripes, or game ball logos, trademarks or symbols that are more durable and peel resistant. It would also be advantageous to provide game ball logos, trademarks and/or symbols, which improve the gripping and tactile characteristics of the game ball. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention provides an inflatable game ball including a carcass, a cover and at least one thin member. The cover has inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the cover is coupled to the carcass. At least one recess is formed into the outer surface of the cover. At least one thin member is coupled to the cover at the at least one recess. The member substantially fills the recess. The member has inner and outer portions. The outer portion is formed of a highly gripable material. [0008] According to a principal aspect of a preferred form of the invention, an inflatable football includes a cover and at least-first and second stripes. The cover has an outer surface. At least first and second recesses are formed into the outer surface of the cover. The first and second stripes are coupled to the cover at the first and second recesses, respectively. The first and second stripes substantially fill the first and second recesses, respectively. Each of the first and second stripes has inner and outer portions. The outer portion of each of the first and second stripes is formed of an outer material that is compressible, resilient and tactile. [0009] According to another preferred aspect of the invention a football includes a cover having an outer surface formed of a first material and at least first and second stripes coupled to the cover. Each of the first and second stripes has an outer surface formed of a second material. The second material has greater tactility than the first material such that the outer surface of the first and second stripes is more easily grippable than the outer surface of the cover. [0010] According to another preferred aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing an inflatable game ball. The method includes the steps of obtaining a carcass, obtaining a cover having inner and outer surfaces, forming at least one recess into the outer surface of the cover, coupling the inner surface of the cover to the carcass, and substantially filling the recess with a thin member having an outer portion formed of an outer material that is compressible, resilient, and tactile. [0011] According to another preferred aspect of the invention a game ball is configured for direct contact with a user's hands. The game ball includes a cover having an outer surface formed of a first material, and at least one sheet-like member fixedly coupled to the cover. The sheet-like member has an outer surface formed of a second material. The second material has a static coefficient of friction that is greater than the static coefficient of friction of the first material when measured in accordance with the standard test method for static coefficient of friction of ASTM D1894-01. [0012] This invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described herein below, and wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an American football in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is a top, partially exploded, perspective view of the football of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional of the football taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the outer surface of the football within the circle 4 of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the outer surface of a football in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a football stripe in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a football stripe in accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Game ball cover with improved stripes and/or logos Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Game ball cover with improved stripes and/or logos patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Game ball cover with improved stripes and/or logos or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Convertible racket for multiple stringing configurations Next Patent Application: Gear shift device for bicycles Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Game ball cover with improved stripes and/or logos patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.70024 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
