Patent ID: 6022283
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A padded inflatable ball, comprising:an inner carcass portion defining the shape of the ball, a cellular sponge material surrounding at least a majority of the inner carcass portion, a plurality of raised seams connected to the inner carcass portion and defined by strips of a seam material, wherein the inner carcass portion, the cellular sponge material and raised seams together define a ball carcass, and a plurality of skin panels attached to the ball carcass between the seams, and whereineach strip of seam material includes a raised portion positioned between spaced, outer edges of skin panels on opposite sides of the raised portion, and flange portions which extend away from opposite sides of the raised portion, the lateral traverse of each flange portion terminates in an outwardly facing edge surface that mates with the cellular sponge material, and an upper side of each flange portion is substantially flush with an upper side of the cellular sponge material and together the flange portion and cellular sponge material define an outer ball carcass surface region which underlies the skin panels.