RECREATIONAL BALL

A recreational ball formed from a plurality of layers, a bladder and a valve. The plurality of layers is formed from a variety of different materials. Each of the materials that each of the plurality of layers is formed from is specifically oriented to create a ball that is durable, comfortable, and militates against air leaking from the bladder of the ball, as well as moisture seeping into the plurality of layers. The valve extends from a first layer of the plurality of layers, through the plurality of layers and is insertingly positioned within the bladder.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a ball, and more particularly to a recreational ball used in recreational activities.

BACKGROUND

Balls are used in a multitude of recreational activities ranging from highly competitive sports to play toys for children. While advancements are constantly being developed to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of recreational balls, recreational balls have remained largely unchanged.

One type of ball is used in the sport of soccer, which is one of the most popular sports in the world. Issues that present themselves within soccer balls, as well as balls utilized in other recreational activities are many, and will be further discussed.

One issue that is commonly associated with conventional soccer balls is the risk of injury they present the user with. Injuries from soccer balls are common, and occur upon impact with the user's face or other sensitive areas that may result in a concussion, for example. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a recreational ball that supports impact reduction within the context of these injuries, thereby providing a safer recreational ball.

An additional issue that is commonly associated with conventional soccer balls is air retention. The three main factors that contribute to the loss of air within a recreational ball are a valve repositioning contrary to an intended design of the recreational ball, moisture migrating through layers forming the ball, and/or a punctured or malformed bladder. A malformed bladder may cause malformation of an entirety of the recreational ball and may be influenced by repetitive impacts and/or exposure to weather related elements. Malformation of the recreational ball also results in a decrease in accuracy of the recreational ball relative to an intent of the user. Thus, it is desirable to provide a recreational ball that has superior air retention relative to conventional recreational balls, resilience against moisture migating into layers of the ball, as well as avoiding the malformation of the bladder.

SUMMARY

In concordance and agreement with the present invention, a recreational ball that has superior air retention relative to conventional recreational balls, resilience against moisture migating into layers of the ball, as well as avoiding the malformation of the bladder, has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment, the ball comprises a bladder; a valve disposed in the bladder, and a plurality of layers securely placed over one another in an compressive state, wherein the plurality of layers is disposed to beset the bladder.

In another embodiment, the ball comprises a bladder; a valve disposed in the bladder, a first layer disposed to beset the bladder, the first layer formed from a plurality of nylon patches, each of the plurality of nylon patches bound together by an adhesive; a second layer disposed to beset the first layer, the second layer formed from yarn encompassingly wound around the first layer; a third layer disposed to beset the second layer, the third layer formed from a thermal adhesive; a fourth layer disposed to beset the third layer, the fourth layer formed from a latex; a fifth layer disposed to beset the fourth layer, the fifth layer formed from the thermal adhesive; a sixth layer disposed to beset the fifth layer, the sixth layer formed from a foam; a seventh layer disposed to beset the sixth layer, the seventh layer formed from the thermal adhesive; an eighth layer disposed to beset the seventh layer, the eighth layer formed from a fabric, the fabric formed from a plurality of sub-layers of polyester and cotton; a ninth layer disposed to beset the eighth layer, the ninth layer formed from the thermal adhesive; a tenth layer disposed to beset the ninth layer, the tenth layer formed from the latex; an eleventh layer disposed to beset the tenth layer, the eleventh layer formed from the thermal adhesive; and a twelfth layer disposed to beset the eleventh layer, the twelfth layer formed from a panel construct, the panel construct formed from a plurality of panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make, and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. With respect to the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises a ball10specifically to be utilized during recreational activities. It is understood that the ball10may be utilized during any activity, however. Referring toFIG. 1, the ball10is generally composed of a plurality of layers12, a valve14and a bladder16. The bladder16is typically formed from a latex material and retains air within it. However, it is understood that the bladder16may be formed from any suitable material having desirable properties for retaining air therein and militating against leakage of the air therefrom. As shown, the bladder16has a substantially spherical shape. It is understood that the bladder16may have any shape as desired. The valve14is typically formed from silicon or latex and extends from a first layer18, through the plurality of layers12, and sealingly penetrates a wall forming the bladder16to provide selective fluid communication with an atmosphere surrounding the ball10. The valve14is configured to accept a needle therein to either inflate or deflate the bladder16. It is understood that the valve14may be formed from any material having desirable properties. The valve14is integrally attached or bound to each of the plurality of layers12, respectively, with an adhesive such as a latex glue, for example. However, it is understood that any adhesive material or other joining methods may be used to bind the valve to the plurality of layers. The attachment or binding of the valve14to the plurality of layers12supports a stability of the central positioning of the valve14in the ball10, which helps maintain an accuracy and consistency of the air pressure within the ball10.

FIG. 1shows how the plurality of layers12is arranged and formed together. The plurality of layers12is evenly distributed and securely placed upon one another within a relaxed or compressed state and are bound together by a binding element (not shown). The binding element may be a latex lamination and/or a thermal adhesive, for example. However, it is understood that the plurality of layers12may be bound together by any adhesive or joining means as desired.

FIG. 2is demonstrative of an assembly of the ball10and illustrates the layering construct of the plurality of layers12. Each of the plurality of layers12of the ball10is securely positioned over the next in a specific order and adhered to maximize a strength of bonding between the plurality of layers12, maximize a durability of the plurality of layers12, and maximize air retention of the call10. Each of the plurality of layers12fits over an inner one of the plurality of layers12, fully encompassing the inner one of the plurality of layers12(or the bladder in the case of an innermost one of the plurality of layers12, so that each of the plurality of layers12has a substantially spherical shape and is evenly distributed upon one another. It is understood, however, that each of the plurality of layers12may have any shape as desired such as for balls having a non-spherical shape. Additionally, a sizing of each of the plurality of layers12relative to one another is not depicted according to scale, yet the details of each of the plurality of layers12is further explained hereinbelow.

The first layer18is disposed to beset the bladder16and is formed from a plurality of patches, each formed from a nylon material. As shown, each of the plurality of patches is bound together by a glue or an adhesive, thereby creating a fully encompassing layer. However, the plurality of patches may be bound together by any adhesive or other joining method such as stitching, for example.

A second layer20is disposed to beset the first layer18and is formed from a yarn or other material such as a fibrous material, for example. The yarn is wound around the first layer18to aid in the maintenance of the desired shape of the bladder16, and consequently the ball10, while militating against any malformation of the bladder16, which may be caused by numerous external factors such as impact, weather, and/or pressure placed upon the ball10.

In the embodiment shown, a third layer22aformed from a thermal adhesive, which may be a type of latex, is disposed to beset the second layer20. Considering that many recreational uses requiring a ball take place outdoors, the condition of the ball10is susceptible to elemental shifts in the weather. Therefore, the thermal adhesive is used so that the plurality of layers12is not stiffly placed upon one another, instead providing an allowance for the plurality of layers12to be flexible enough to shift within one another while maintaining the designed shape of the ball10. However, it is understood that the thermal adhesive may be formed from any material that maintains the functionality of providing flexibility between the plurality of layers12.

A fourth layer24ais disposed to beset the third layer22aand is formed from a latex. The latex forms a layer resembling a rubber layer, which supports the bladder16in militating against air escaping from the bladder16, while also militating against moisture entering the plurality of layers12to protect the sanctity of the plurality of layers12.

A fifth layer22bis disposed to beset the fourth layer24and is formed from a thermal adhesive, which properties have been previously mentioned with respect to the third layer22a.

A sixth layer26is disposed to beset the fifth layer22band is formed from a foam. The foam supports comfort offered to a user of the ball10, which is important for feel as well as safety. An example of a type of foam that would be used as one of the plurality of layers12is an EVA foam.

A seventh layer22cis disposed to beset the sixth layer26and is formed from a thermal adhesive, which properties have been previously mentioned with respect to the third layer22a.

An eighth layer28is disposed to beset the seventh layer22cand is formed from a fabric. The fabric may vary from between two (2) and four (4) sub-layers of polyester and cotton, which are alternately positioned upon one another. Relative to the sport of soccer, specifically, the thickness of the fabric may be increased or decreased to subscribe to a range of weight constraints prescribed by regulations such as Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), as they may vary from time to time.

A ninth layer22dis disposed to beset the eighth layer28and is formed from a thermal adhesive, which properties have been previously mentioned with respect to the third layer22a.

A tenth layer24bis disposed to beset the ninth layer22dand is formed from a latex, which properties have been previously mentioned with respect to the fourth layer24a.

An eleventh layer22eis disposed to beset the tenth layer22band is formed from a thermal adhesive, which properties have been previously mentioned with respect to the third layer22a.

A twelfth layer30is disposed to beset the eleventh layer22eand is formed from either a leather or synthetic leather panel construct. The material that forms the twelfth layer30offers the user of the ball10durability of the ball itself10so that it should not have to be regularly replaced due to the breakdown of materials. The panel construct that the twelfth layer30is formed from is a relatively thin layer in comparison to other layers of the plurality of layers12, which allows for the provision of an even distribution of the material that extends through each of the plurality of layers12. In the embodiment shown, the twelfth layer30is formed from six (6) equally measurable panels that are purposed to be fitted together in a spherical manner encompassing the ball. The panels of the twelfth layer30are bound together by thermal adhesive. However, it is understood that the twelfth layer30may be formed from any number of panels and may be bound by any material, as desired.

It is understood that each of the plurality of layers12may be formed from any other material without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is also understood that the order and number of the plurality of layers12may vary.

The ball10promotes optimized weight distribution, sustainability of accuracy to the user, militation against water seeping into the plurality of layers, and maintenance of the designed shape of the ball10, which are advantages provided over balls of prior art.