US20040106481A1 - Large sport ball - Google Patents
Large sport ball Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040106481A1 US20040106481A1 US10/306,712 US30671202A US2004106481A1 US 20040106481 A1 US20040106481 A1 US 20040106481A1 US 30671202 A US30671202 A US 30671202A US 2004106481 A1 US2004106481 A1 US 2004106481A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ball
- set forth
- goal
- playing
- playing surface
- 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
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B41/00—Hollow inflatable balls
Definitions
- the invention relates to a ball and, more particularly, to a ball for use in a vehicle-operated sport or game.
- the present invention provides an inflatable resilient ball for use in a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball to cause movement of the ball.
- the ball includes an inner inflatable bladder and an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder.
- the inner inflatable bladder is formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid.
- the outer layer is formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact.
- the inflatable resilient ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet.
- the present invention provides a method of playing a game on a playing surface having a goal.
- the method includes operating a self-propelled vehicle on the playing surface and advancing a large ball toward the goal by impacting the large ball with the self-propelled vehicle.
- the large ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball.
- FIG. 2 a is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the ball taken along line 2 - 2 .
- FIG. 2 b is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the ball taken along line 2 - 2 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball, such as the ball illustrated in FIG. 1, during use in a vehicle-operated game.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a ball, such as the ball illustrated in FIG. 1, during use in a vehicle-operated game.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a ball 20 for use in a high impact sport, such as a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball 20 to cause movement of the ball 20 .
- the ball 20 has a diameter of approximately eight feet. In some constructions and in some aspects, the diameter of the ball 20 is approximately equal to or greater than three feet and can be sixteen feet.
- the ball 20 includes one or more plies or layers. As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b , the ball 20 includes an inner bladder 30 .
- the inner bladder 30 is inflatable and defines an interior 35 of the ball 20 .
- the inner bladder 30 is formed of a material layer that is substantially impermeable to gas and/or liquid, such as, for example, butyl rubber or another suitable elastomer.
- the inner bladder 30 is inflated or filled with pressurized air.
- the inner bladder 30 can be inflated or filled with another gas, foam or a liquid, such as, for example, water.
- the ball 20 also includes an outer high-strength ply or layer 40 .
- the outer layer 40 is formed from a durable fabric material that is resilient to high impact.
- the outer layer 40 may be formed from a woven fabric material, such as, for example, a woven polyamide material, an aramid material, a copolymer woven fabric, Nylon, polyester, Kevlar® fiber product, or another suitable man-made fiber.
- the woven fabric material used to form the outer layer 40 is 1050 denier ballistic Nylon.
- the outer layer 40 is formed by sewing together sections 41 of such woven fabric material as shown in FIG. 1. The outer fabric layer 40 functions to limit the inflation of the inner bladder 30 and provide a high strength covering which is resilient to impact.
- the ball 20 includes multiple layers of woven fabric material forming the outer layer 40 .
- the ball 20 includes a plurality of layers 45 formed from one or more woven fabric materials, such as, for example, the woven fabric materials listed above for the outer layer 40 .
- the plurality of layers 45 are constructed from the same material.
- the material used for each layer in the plurality of layers 45 varies.
- the plurality of layers 45 includes three layers 50 , 55 and 60 . Each layer 50 , 55 , 60 is similar to the outer layer 40 shown in FIG. 2 a .
- one or more layers 50 , 55 and/or 60 included in the plurality of layers 45 are sewn to resemble a certain pattern.
- the ball 20 includes a protective coating 70 , such as, for example, a coating of polyurethane.
- a protective coating 70 such as, for example, a coating of polyurethane.
- the outer surface of the outer layer 40 is coated with a coating 70 of polyurethane.
- the layer 60 included in the plurality of layers 45 is coated with the coating 70 of polyurethane.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the ball 20 in use in a sport or game 80 in which a vehicle 85 impacts the ball 20 to cause movement of the ball 20 .
- the game 80 is played on a playing surface 90 .
- the playing surface 90 is substantially rectangular. In other constructions, the playing surface 90 can vary in shape and/or size. In some constructions, the playing surface 90 can be substantially flat or can be of uneven terrain.
- the playing surface 90 includes a goal, such as, for example, a goal line, goal area, net, basket, etc.
- the playing surface 90 includes a first goal line 100 (shown as the broken line 100 ) and a second goal line 105 (shown as the broken line 105 ).
- the playing surface 90 can include more or fewer goals than shown in the illustrated embodiment.
- the playing surface 90 defines an out-of-bounds region 110 .
- the out-of-bounds region 110 can be marked by one or more lines, one or more walls, one or more objects, etc.
- the ball 20 and/or vehicles 85 are not permitted to cross or travel into the out-of-bounds region 110 .
- the game 80 is played with one or more self-propelled vehicles 85 , such as, for example, automobiles, tractors, trucks, cars, electric carts, etc.
- the self-propelled vehicles 85 are operated on the playing surface 90 and impact the ball 20 to cause movement of the ball 20 .
- the vehicle 85 advances the ball 20 toward the goal 100 or 105 by impacting the ball 20 with the vehicle 85 or driving the vehicle 85 into the ball 20 .
- an object of the game 80 is for a vehicle 85 to advance the ball 20 such that the ball 20 comes into contact with a goal (e.g., the goal lines 100 and/or 105 ).
- the game 80 is played with a first vehicle 120 and a second vehicle 125 .
- the first vehicle 120 defends a first goal, such as the first goal line 100
- the second vehicle 125 defends a second goal, such as the second goal line 105 .
- the first vehicle 120 attempts to advance the ball 20 toward the second goal line 105 while the second vehicle 125 attempts to advance the ball 20 toward the first goal line 100 .
- a goal is “scored” when the ball 20 comes into contact with the goal (e.g., the ball 20 contacts the goal area or object) and/or when the ball 20 travels a certain path through the goal (e.g., passes through the goal basket).
- the game 80 is played with two or more teams of vehicles 85 .
- Each team includes a certain number of vehicles 85 , and each team attempts to advance the ball 20 such that the ball 20 comes into contact with a goal (e.g., the goal lines 100 and/or 105 ).
Abstract
An inflatable resilient ball for use in a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball to cause movement of the ball. The ball includes an inner inflatable bladder and an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder. The inner inflatable bladder is formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid. The outer layer is formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact. The inflatable resilient ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet.
Description
- The invention relates to a ball and, more particularly, to a ball for use in a vehicle-operated sport or game.
- In one embodiment, the present invention provides an inflatable resilient ball for use in a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball to cause movement of the ball. The ball includes an inner inflatable bladder and an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder. The inner inflatable bladder is formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid. The outer layer is formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact. The inflatable resilient ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet.
- In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of playing a game on a playing surface having a goal. The method includes operating a self-propelled vehicle on the playing surface and advancing a large ball toward the goal by impacting the large ball with the self-propelled vehicle. The large ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball.
- FIG. 2a is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the ball taken along line 2-2.
- FIG. 2b is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the ball taken along line 2-2.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball, such as the ball illustrated in FIG. 1, during use in a vehicle-operated game.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a ball, such as the ball illustrated in FIG. 1, during use in a vehicle-operated game.
- Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Additionally, the term “diameter” encompasses the width of a line segment passing though the center of a figure, whether the figure is circular or not.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a
ball 20 for use in a high impact sport, such as a sport in which a vehicle impacts theball 20 to cause movement of theball 20. In the illustrated embodiment, theball 20 has a diameter of approximately eight feet. In some constructions and in some aspects, the diameter of theball 20 is approximately equal to or greater than three feet and can be sixteen feet. - In some constructions and in some aspects, the
ball 20 includes one or more plies or layers. As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2 b, theball 20 includes aninner bladder 30. Theinner bladder 30 is inflatable and defines aninterior 35 of theball 20. In some constructions, theinner bladder 30 is formed of a material layer that is substantially impermeable to gas and/or liquid, such as, for example, butyl rubber or another suitable elastomer. In the illustrated embodiment, theinner bladder 30 is inflated or filled with pressurized air. In some constructions, theinner bladder 30 can be inflated or filled with another gas, foam or a liquid, such as, for example, water. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
ball 20 also includes an outer high-strength ply orlayer 40. In some constructions, theouter layer 40 is formed from a durable fabric material that is resilient to high impact. Theouter layer 40 may be formed from a woven fabric material, such as, for example, a woven polyamide material, an aramid material, a copolymer woven fabric, Nylon, polyester, Kevlar® fiber product, or another suitable man-made fiber. In one preferred from of the invention, the woven fabric material used to form theouter layer 40 is 1050 denier ballistic Nylon. In some constructions, theouter layer 40 is formed by sewing togethersections 41 of such woven fabric material as shown in FIG. 1. Theouter fabric layer 40 functions to limit the inflation of theinner bladder 30 and provide a high strength covering which is resilient to impact. - In other embodiments, such as, for example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2b, the
ball 20 includes multiple layers of woven fabric material forming theouter layer 40. As shown in FIG. 2b, theball 20 includes a plurality oflayers 45 formed from one or more woven fabric materials, such as, for example, the woven fabric materials listed above for theouter layer 40. In some constructions, the plurality oflayers 45 are constructed from the same material. In other constructions, the material used for each layer in the plurality oflayers 45 varies. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality oflayers 45 includes threelayers layer outer layer 40 shown in FIG. 2a. In other constructions, one ormore layers layers 45 are sewn to resemble a certain pattern. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
ball 20 includes aprotective coating 70, such as, for example, a coating of polyurethane. As shown in FIG. 2a, the outer surface of theouter layer 40 is coated with acoating 70 of polyurethane. As shown in FIG. 2b, thelayer 60 included in the plurality oflayers 45 is coated with thecoating 70 of polyurethane. - FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the
ball 20 in use in a sport orgame 80 in which avehicle 85 impacts theball 20 to cause movement of theball 20. In the illustrated embodiment, thegame 80 is played on aplaying surface 90. As shown in FIG. 4, theplaying surface 90 is substantially rectangular. In other constructions, the playingsurface 90 can vary in shape and/or size. In some constructions, the playingsurface 90 can be substantially flat or can be of uneven terrain. - In some constructions and in some aspects, the
playing surface 90 includes a goal, such as, for example, a goal line, goal area, net, basket, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, theplaying surface 90 includes a first goal line 100 (shown as the broken line 100) and a second goal line 105 (shown as the broken line 105). In some constructions, theplaying surface 90 can include more or fewer goals than shown in the illustrated embodiment. - In some constructions and in some aspects, the playing
surface 90 defines an out-of-bounds region 110. In some constructions, the out-of-bounds region 110 can be marked by one or more lines, one or more walls, one or more objects, etc. In some constructions, theball 20 and/orvehicles 85 are not permitted to cross or travel into the out-of-bounds region 110. - In some constructions and in some aspects, the
game 80 is played with one or more self-propelledvehicles 85, such as, for example, automobiles, tractors, trucks, cars, electric carts, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the self-propelledvehicles 85 are operated on the playingsurface 90 and impact theball 20 to cause movement of theball 20. In one embodiment, thevehicle 85 advances theball 20 toward thegoal ball 20 with thevehicle 85 or driving thevehicle 85 into theball 20. In some constructions, an object of thegame 80 is for avehicle 85 to advance theball 20 such that theball 20 comes into contact with a goal (e.g., thegoal lines 100 and/or 105). - In some constructions, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
game 80 is played with afirst vehicle 120 and asecond vehicle 125. In the illustrated constructions, thefirst vehicle 120 defends a first goal, such as thefirst goal line 100, and thesecond vehicle 125 defends a second goal, such as thesecond goal line 105. In one construction, thefirst vehicle 120 attempts to advance theball 20 toward thesecond goal line 105 while thesecond vehicle 125 attempts to advance theball 20 toward thefirst goal line 100. In some constructions, a goal is “scored” when theball 20 comes into contact with the goal (e.g., theball 20 contacts the goal area or object) and/or when theball 20 travels a certain path through the goal (e.g., passes through the goal basket). - In other constructions (not shown), the
game 80 is played with two or more teams ofvehicles 85. Each team includes a certain number ofvehicles 85, and each team attempts to advance theball 20 such that theball 20 comes into contact with a goal (e.g., thegoal lines 100 and/or 105). - The embodiments and constructions described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (17)
1. An inflatable resilient ball for use in a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball to cause movement of the ball, the ball comprising:
an inner inflatable bladder, the inner inflatable bladder formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid;
an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder, the outer layer being formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact; and
the inflatable resilient ball having a diameter of at least approximately three feet.
2. The ball as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the inflatable ball is greater than approximately five feet.
3. The ball as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the inflatable ball is approximately eight feet.
4. The ball as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the inflatable ball is approximately sixteen feet.
5. The ball as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the inner inflatable bladder is a layer of butyl rubber.
6. The ball as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the fabric material is a woven fabric material.
7. The ball as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the woven fabric material is one of woven polyamide, aramid, nylon, polyester and Kevlar.
8. The ball as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the outer layer includes a plurality of durable layers.
9. The ball as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is coated with a protective coating.
10. The ball as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the protective coating is a coating of polyurethane.
11. The ball as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the inner bladder encloses pressurized air.
12. The ball as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the inner bladder encloses liquid.
13. A method of playing a game on a playing surface having a goal, the method comprising:
operating a self-propelled vehicle on the playing surface; and
advancing a large ball toward the goal by impacting the large ball with the self-propelled vehicle, the large ball having a diameter of at least approximately three feet.
14. The method of playing a game as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet and includes an inner inflatable bladder formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid and an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder, the outer layer being formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact.
15. The method of playing a game as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the goal is a goal line and wherein advancing the large ball toward the goal of the playing surface includes advancing the large ball across the goal line of the playing surface by driving the self-propelled vehicle into the ball.
16. The method of playing a game as set forth in claim 13 , wherein operating a self-propelled vehicle on a playing surface includes driving an automobile on a playing surface.
17. The method of playing a game as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the goal is a goal line and advancing the large ball toward the goal of the playing surface includes advancing the large ball across the goal line of the playing surface by driving the self-propelled vehicle into the ball.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/306,712 US20040106481A1 (en) | 2002-11-28 | 2002-11-28 | Large sport ball |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/306,712 US20040106481A1 (en) | 2002-11-28 | 2002-11-28 | Large sport ball |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20040106481A1 true US20040106481A1 (en) | 2004-06-03 |
Family
ID=32392476
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/306,712 Abandoned US20040106481A1 (en) | 2002-11-28 | 2002-11-28 | Large sport ball |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20040106481A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5462273A (en) * | 1988-06-13 | 1995-10-31 | Spector; Donald | Variable weight playball |
US5741195A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1998-04-21 | Lisco, Inc. | High visibility inflated game ball |
US5997422A (en) * | 1997-08-18 | 1999-12-07 | Coopsport International Ltd. | Waterproof game ball |
US6123632A (en) * | 1998-11-02 | 2000-09-26 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Game ball with improved moisture resistance |
US6517471B2 (en) * | 2001-06-11 | 2003-02-11 | Szu-Jen Chen | Exercise ball with an air layer |
-
2002
- 2002-11-28 US US10/306,712 patent/US20040106481A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5462273A (en) * | 1988-06-13 | 1995-10-31 | Spector; Donald | Variable weight playball |
US5741195A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1998-04-21 | Lisco, Inc. | High visibility inflated game ball |
US5997422A (en) * | 1997-08-18 | 1999-12-07 | Coopsport International Ltd. | Waterproof game ball |
US6123632A (en) * | 1998-11-02 | 2000-09-26 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Game ball with improved moisture resistance |
US6517471B2 (en) * | 2001-06-11 | 2003-02-11 | Szu-Jen Chen | Exercise ball with an air layer |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |