IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO BALLS

Abstract: The invention provides a counter weight for incorporation into a sports ball, a sports ball incorporating such a counter weight and a method of ball production. The counter weight (19) is provided in the cover on an inflatable sports ball so as to counteract the imbalance generated by the different weight of the valve (13) compared with the covering of the ball elsewhere. A more stable and predictable ball results.

Description: IMPROVEMENTSIN ANDRELATINGTOBALLS This invention concerns improvements in and relating to balls incorporate a valve. Sports and leisure balls currently in use can generally be categorised in to either hand sewn balls or alternatively non-hand sewn balls / laminated balls. Non-hand sewn balls generally comprise an inner bladder, usually of synthetic rubber, with natural or synthetic filaments wound progressively around the bladder by means of a mechanical operation. The filament layer is generally combined with a material which can be vulcanised, mostly a synthetic rubber base. An outer covering, usually of textile material, is glued to this surface. For hand sewn balls the inner bladder, generally of natural vulcanised latex is enclosed within an outer covering formed from a number of panels which have been stitched together. The panels themselves are of laminate form comprising a film or sheet of polyurethane, PVC or rubber mixed base with a woven, non-woven or micro-alveolar gel support and with other materials which face inwards and act as both reinforcement and stabiliser for the cover. The laminate produced is cut into panels of the desired configuration before manual assembly. The construction of such balls is well known in the art. In use, particularly under competition conditions the kinetic behaviour of the balls is imperfect. In both hand sewn and laminated balls the bladder inflation is controlled by a valve. As well as the valve member itself a support element in the body of the bladder is provided. A textile collar around the valve allows the bladder and valve to be fixed relative to the outer shell, for instance by gluing. A polychloroprene glue may be employed. The valve member results in excess weight on that part of the ball compared with the other locations and as a result affects the gravitational equilibrium of the ball. This problem presents itself as a number of undesirable characteristics of the ball including significant vibrations in flight, an unreliable floating trajectory, an acentric rotation when the ball is rolling on the ground and an illogical bounce or false bounce when the ball contacts a surface. All of these factors present undesirable properties which affect the performance of the ball and of the ball users. The present invention aims to provide a fully balanced ball for which these undesirable properties are reduced or eliminated. More consistent ball performance is thus provided. According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a ball comprising an inflatable bladder, a covering and a valve unit in communication with the bladder, in which the ball is provided with a counter weight to the valve unit. In this way the excess weight of the valve is counter balanced so restoring gravitational equilibrium. Such counterbalancing can be provided for all ball types, including footballs, volleyballs, handballs, rugby balls, water polo balls and American footballs. Preferably the counter weight is provided in the opposing hemisphere to the valve unit. The counter weight may be provided at the opposing pole or directly opposing side of the ball to the valve member. A plurality of counter weights may be provided. Alternative configurations involve three counter weights each separated by 120° from each other and the valve member, a tetrahedral configuration; five counter weights at 90° to each other and the valve member and so on may be provided. The angles being defined between the radii from the ball centre on which the counter weights and valve lie. Each of these configurations provides counter balance for the weight of the valve unit. Preferably the centre of gravity of the valve unit is substantially the same distance from the centre of the ball as the centre of gravity of the counter weight. Most preferably the radial distribution of weight of the valve unit relative to the centre of the ball is substantially the same as the radial distribution of weight of the counter weight. This allows the counter weight to account for the fact that the valve extends radially. Preferably the counter weight has substantially the same distribution of weight about its centreline as the valve unit about its centreline. Preferably the counter weight is of substantially the same weight as the valve unit. Preferably the weight of the valve unit is taken to include the weight of the valve itself, the support material and adhesive employed. Most preferably the dry weight of the adhesive is taken. Preferably the counter weight weighs between 3 and 8 grams, most preferably between 5 and 7 grams. Preferably the counter weight is formed, or substantially formed, from a flexible material such as an elastomeric material. Vulcanised rubber is a particularly preferred material in this regard. The rubber may be either natural or synthetic and is preferably produced from an isoprene butyl base. Preferably the material employed in the counter weight has approximately 40° hardness on the Shore A scale. In this way the suppleness of the ball is not affected when contact between it and other surfaces is made. The counter weight may comprise a base member and protrusion. Preferably the protrusion is connected to a cap member. Preferably the protrusion is of reduced dimension compared with the base and cap member. The cap and protrusion may be releasably connectable to the base member. Alternatively the cap member may be releasably connected to the protrusion. Preferably the protrusion cooperates with an aperture in the covering of the ball. In this way introduction of the elongate member through an aperture in or at the junction of panels forming the ball can be provided. The snug fit and / or subsequent connection of the cap element retains the unit in position. The counterweight may comprise a disc shaped element. The counterweight may have a substantially planar surface and/or a curved upper surface. Most preferably the curvature of the upper surface substantially corresponds to the level of curvature of the ball at its desired location of use. According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a counter weight for use in a ball. In this way the ball is rebalanced. The counter weight may incorporate any of the features detailed herein. According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a method for forming a sports ball comprising forming a bladder incorporating a valve member and providing a covering for the bladder together with a counter weight for the valve member. Preferably the counter weight is incorporated between the bladder surface and the covering. A portion or the whole of the counter weight may be provided within and / or outside the covering material and/or in an aperture of the covering and/or in the bladder. Preferably the counter weight is adhered to the bladder at the desired location. Alternatively the counter weight may be adhered or mechanically anchored to the covering. According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide the use of a counter weight in a ball. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 illustrates a cross section through a sports ball incorporating the invention; Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the counter weight; Figure 3 illustrates the Figure 2 embodiment counter weight in position in cross-section; and Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the counter weight. The sports balls illustrated in cross section in Figure 1 comprises an inflatable bladder (3) defining an air space (4) . The bladder is contained within a composite covering (5) . The covering consists of a series of panels each formed of a laminate material. The laminate itself comprises an inner textile structure (7) and an external covering (9) . The bladder (3) is formed of natural latex and the outer cover (9) of a polyurethane material. The individual panels are stitched together by means of thread (11) . A valve member (13) is provided in the bladder (3) and allows gas to be introduced via inlet (15) which passes into the inside of the bladder (3) . The weight of the valve member (13) is far in excess of the weight of material of the covering and bladder which it replaces. To counteract the loss of balance caused by the valve member (13) a counter weight (19) is provided at the opposing pole of this spherical ball. By providing a directly corresponding weight the ball is correctly balanced. For a non-spherical ball the counterweight is placed at an opposing location. The counter weight can be produced by compression moulding or injection moulding and other techniques, for instance cutting a preformed sheet. As illustrated in Figure 2 the counter weight comprises a disc like base (20) which is connected via reduced dimension element (22) to an upper disc (24) . The convex upper surface (28) of the disc (20) corresponds generally with the underside of the textile layer of the completed ball in its inflated state, see Figure 3. The convex upper surface (30) of the upper disc (26) provides a relatively smooth and obstruction free contact with the balls outer surface (9) , see Figure 3. By providing the disc (20) with a flat lower surface (32) the counter weight mirrors the corresponding contact (34) between the valve member and bladder. By providing the upper disc and reduced diameter portion as a screw the lower disc can be positioned relative to an aperture in a panel or junction (50) between panels in the covering (5) . Introduction of the screw and tightening of it into the lower disc (20) then fixes the completed counter weight in position. The aperture is positioned so as to oppose the valve aperture in the opposite side of the covering. The screw can be formed of the same or different material to the lower disc. Thus the screw may have a higher density than the disc in a similar manner to the way the valve member density varies. In the alternative form of the numerous embodiments possible, as provided in Figure 4, the cap element is omitted and the lower disc is glued (36) to the textile layer at the contact face. The reduced diameter portion extends through the coating but is flush with its upper surface. In a still further embodiment, not shown, an upper disc may be provided which cooperates with the protrusion and / or with the lower disc as outlined above. In this example, however, the upper disc is recessed into the outer cover to provide a flush finish.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A ball comprising an inflatable bladder, a covering and a valve unit in communication with the bladder, in which the ball is provided with a counter weight to the valve unit. 2. A ball according to claim 1 in which the counter weight is provided in the opposing hemisphere to the valve unit. 3. A ball according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the counter weight is provided at the opposing pole to the valve member. 4. A ball according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which three counter weights each separated by 120° from each other and the valve member are provided. 5. A ball according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which five counter weights at 90° to each other and the valve member are provided. 6. A ball according to any preceding claim in which the centre of gravity of the valve unit is substantially the same distance from the centre of the ball as the centre of gravity of the counter weight. 7. A ball according to any preceding claim in which the radial distribution of weight of the valve unit relative to the centre of the ball is substantially the same as the radial distribution of weight of the counter weight. 8. A ball according to any preceding claim in which the counter weight has substantially the same distribution of weight about its centreline as the valve unit about its centreline. 9. A ball according to any preceding claim in which the counter weight is of substantially the same weight as the valve unit including the weight of the valve itself, the support material and adhesive employed. 10. A ball according to any preceding claim in which the counter weight comprises a base member and protrusion. 11. A ball according to claim 10 in which the protrusion is connected to a cap member and the protrusion is of reduced dimension compared with the base and cap member. 12. A ball according to claim 10 or claim 11 in which the protrusion cooperates with an aperture in the covering of the ball. 13. A ball according to any of claims 10 to 12 in which the counter weight has a curved upper surface, the curvature of the upper surface substantially corresponds to the level of curvature of the ball at its desired location of use. 14. A counter weight for use in a ball according to any preceding claim. 15. A method for forming a sports ball comprising forming a bladder, incorporating a valve member and providing a covering for the bladder, together with a counter weight for the valve member. 16. A method according to claim 15 in which the counter weight is incorporated betv/een the bladder surface and the covering. 17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16 in which the counter weight is adhered to the bladder at the desired location. 18. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16 in which the counter weight is adhered or mechanically anchored to the covering.

Inventors: MILLS CHRISTOPHER IAN, SONNTAG JEAN-MARIE, MILLS, CHRISTOPHER, IAN, SONNTAG, JEAN-MARIE
Applicants: MILLS CHRISTOPHER IAN, SONNTAG JEAN MARIE, UMBRO EUROP LIMITED, MILLS, CHRISTOPHER, IAN, SONNTAG, JEAN-MARIE, UMBRO EUROPE LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63B41
IPC codes: A63B41