Patent ID: 8460136
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A basketball having an outer surface and a first set of channels formed into the outer surface of the basketball, the basketball comprising: a bladder; a carcass covering the bladder; at least one intermediate panel having an outer surface, and positioned over the carcass, the carcass being molded separate from, and not including, the at least one intermediate panel; and at least one cover panel positioned over the carcass and the at least one intermediate panel, the thickness of the intermediate panel being variable such that the at least one cover panel generally conforms to the shape of the outer surface of the intermediate panel so as to form at least one of a ridge and a groove in the outer surface of the basketball and the at least one cover panel covering the at least one intermediate panel such that the outer surface of the at least one intermediate panel forming the at least one ridge or groove in the outer surface of the basketball is not visible when viewing the outer surface of the basketball.