Abstract:
A ball for small-sided play having the same characteristics as a standard soccer ball, but with reduced rebound and no added filler is disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally sports balls, such as those used to play, practice or train for soccer. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Soccer balls have very specific properties, such as weight, size, rebound, and pressure. The limit on these properties helps to insure that the ball in play, whether for practice or in a game, is largely the same no matter which ball is used. There are obvious quality and material differences between high priced and cheaper balls, but to be certified by the governing body, FIFA, the ball will have critical properties within a fairly tight range. 
         [0005]    The current ball is designed for use on a large pitch, or field, that is 90-120 meters in length and 45-90 meters in width. Likewise, the number of players on the pitch is typically 11 players for each team. Therefore, the current ball is designed to be used by people who can secure a very large field and twenty-two players. While this is often possible, there are times where a small-sided game is preferred. Often for practice a game will be played between partial teams of less than 11 players on a smaller field. This has developed into a competitive sport of teams of three players each playing on a smaller pitch in tournaments between or even during their other soccer seasons. Because these are soccer players they use a standard soccer ball for this sort of short-sided game by default. 
         [0006]    Problems occur when using a soccer ball in a short-sided game because the field of play is smaller but the ball bounces just as freely as it would on a larger field of play. Therefore, it can be difficult to prevent the ball from leaving the field of play, even for skilled players. Often several small-sided games may be happening on one larger practice field, so having the ball leave the field of play interrupts adjoining games or training sessions. 
         [0007]    A need exists, therefore, for a sports ball that is designed to be similar to a soccer ball but designed for play in a small-sided environment on turf, whether natural or artificial. 
         [0008]    All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The problems presented by small-sided soccer play are addressed by providing a ball whose characteristics are similar to a regulation soccer ball, but designed for small-sided play on turf. One way to increase the suitability for small-sided play is to reduce the rebound of the ball into a range below that used for soccer but higher than that used for play on hard surfaces, such as futsal. 
         [0010]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ball with a dashed line showing where the section is taken for  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the ball of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the ball of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0015]    In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0016]    The International Federation of Association Football, known as FIFA, is the international governing body for the sport known in the United States as soccer, as well as two soccer like sports: beach soccer and futsal. As such FIFA has developed criteria for equipment in each of these sports. For balls they have set out the following criteria: circumference, roundness, rebound, water absorption, weight, pressure loss, shape and size retention, and balance. Balance is only as criterion for futsal balls because it is played on as hard surface and minor imbalance can change the direction of the ball on a hard surface. The remainder of the criteria are applied to all FIFA balls, either to an “inspected” standard or a more demanding “approved” standard. For soccer there are only “inspected” standards for the smaller size 4 ball, as will be reflected in the tables below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Circumference 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Circumference 
                 APPROVED 
                 INSPECTED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 5 
                 68.5-69.5 cm 
                 68.0-70.0 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 4 
                 — 
                 63.5-66.0 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Beach soccer 
                 68.0-70.0 cm 
                 68.0-70.0 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Futsal 
                 62.5-63.5 cm 
                 62.0-64.0 cm 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Roundness 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Roundness 
                 APPROVED 
                 INSPECTED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 5 
                 maximum 1.5% 
                 maximum 1.8% 
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 4 
                 — 
                 maximum 1.8% 
               
               
                   
                 Beach soccer 
                 maximum 1.8% 
                 maximum 1.8% 
               
               
                   
                 Futsal 
                 maximum 1.5% 
                 maximum 1.8% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Rebound 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Rebound 
                   
                 APPROVED 
                 INSPECTED 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Outdoor - Size 5 
                 at 20° C. 
                 135-155 
                 cm 
                 125-155 
                 cm 
               
               
                   
                 at 05° C. 
                 minimum 125 
                 cm 
                 minimum 115 
                 cm 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Outdoor - Size 4 
                 at 20° C. 
                 — 
                 115-155 
                 cm 
               
               
                   
                 at 05° C. 
                 — 
                 minimum 115 
                 cm 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Beach soccer 
                   
                 100-150 
                 cm 
                 100-150 
                 cm 
               
               
                 Futsal 
                   
                 55-65 
                 cm 
                 50-65 
                 cm 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Water Absorption 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Water Absorption 
                 APPROVED 
                 INSPECTED 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Outdoor - Size 5 
                 Average water uptake 
                 10% 
                 15% 
               
               
                   
                 of the initial weight of 
               
               
                   
                 the tested balls: 
               
               
                   
                 Maximum water uptake 
                 15% 
                 20% 
               
               
                   
                 per ball not to exceed: 
               
               
                 Outdoor - Size 4 
                 Average water uptake 
                 — 
                 15% 
               
               
                   
                 of the initial weight of 
               
               
                   
                 the tested balls: 
               
               
                   
                 Maximum water uptake 
                 — 
                 20% 
               
               
                   
                 per ball not to exceed: 
               
               
                 Beach soccer 
                 Maximum water uptake 
                 10% 
                 15% 
               
               
                   
                 per ball not to exceed: 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Weight 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Weight 
                 APPROVED 
                 INSPECTED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 5 
                 420-445 grams 
                 410-450 grams 
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 4 
                 — 
                 350-390 grams 
               
               
                   
                 Beach soccer 
                 420-440 grams 
                 400-440 grams 
               
               
                   
                 Futsal 
                 410-430 grams 
                 400-440 grams 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Pressure Loss 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Pressure Loss 
                 APPROVED 
                 INSPECTED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 5 
                 maximum 20% 
                 maximum 25% 
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 4 
                 — 
                 maximum 25% 
               
               
                   
                 Beach soccer 
                 maximum 20% 
                 maximum 25% 
               
               
                   
                 Futsal 
                 maximum 20% 
                 maximum 25% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Shape and Size Retention 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Shape and Size Retention 
                 APPROVED 
                 INSPECTED 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Outdoor - Size 5 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Increase in circumference 
                 maximum 1.5 cm 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Deviation on sphericity 
                 maximum 1.5% 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Change of pressure 
                 maximum 0.1 bar 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Beach Soccer 
               
               
                   
                 Increase in circumference 
                 maximum 1.5 cm 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Deviation on sphericity 
                 maximum 2% 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Change of pressure 
                 maximum 0.1 bar 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Futsal 
               
               
                   
                 Increase in circumference 
                 maximum 1.0 cm 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Deviation on sphericity 
                 maximum 1.5% 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                 Change of pressure 
                 maximum 0.1 bar 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0017]    The test methods for each of the criteria above are available online from FIFA. In particular, for the rebound test the balls are dropped ten times onto a steel plate from a height of two meters. Under controlled temperature conditions, the balls must rebound consistently and within the range listed in Table 3 for each type of ball and each type of certification. For the purposes of this patent the word “rebound” will mean the value derived from this FIFA test procedure. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective is of a ball  10  with a dashed hue showing where the section is taken for  FIG. 2 . Ball  10  is preferably of a regulation size, such as size 5 for adult play or a smaller accepted size for youth play, such as size 4. As such ball  10  will preferably have a circumference that falls within the ranges stated above for size 4 and size 5 soccer balls. Ball  10  will also preferably be the same weight as a standard soccer ball according to its size as stated above. Ball  10  will preferably meet all of the requirements of a ball listed in the tables above for the respective size of ball  10  except for rebound. 
         [0019]    A size 5 version of ball  10  will have a rebound closer to 90 cm at 20° C. with range as low as 66 cm and as high as 99 cm at 20° C. A competition version of a size 5 ball  10  may have tighter range for rebound of between 80 cm and 95 cm at 20° C. A quality training version of a size 5 ball  10  may have a slighter wider range of rebound extending from 70 cm to 97 cm at 20° C. The minimum rebound at 5° C. for a size 5 ball  10  will be at least 55 cm. 
         [0020]    A size 4 version of ball  10  will have a rebound closer to 85 cm at 20° C., with range as low as 66 cm and as high as 99 cm at 20° C. A competition version of a size 4 ball  10  may have tighter range for rebound of between 75 cm and 90 cm at 20° C. A quality training version of a size 4 ball  10  may have a slighter wider range of rebound extending from 67 cm to 95 cm at 20° C. The minimum rebound at 5° C. for as size 4 ball  10  will be at least 55 cm. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of ball  10  of  FIG. 1  showing how a reduced rebound can be achieved without interfering with the other criteria. Ball  10  is designed to reduce rebound without adding filling to the bladder or impacting the other criteria. This results in ball  10  feeling very similar to a regulation soccer ball so that the player does not have to adjust when moving from small-sided play to full pitch soccer. Playing small-sided with ball  10  is more similar to full pitch soccer than futsal, thus reducing any adjustment a player may need to make who is playing both or who is playing soccer primarily and the other sport as a training aid. A futsal ball is filled with material to reduce rebound significantly and the skin of the futsal ball is optimized to play on a solid surface while ball  10  retains a soccer like skin  12  because it will be played on soccer like surfaces, such as turf. 
         [0022]    Ball  10  has a skin  12  with a backing  14  to create panels  16  with seams  18  between panels  16 . Ball  10  is shown in an 8-panel design, but other panel designs may work as well, and there are numerous panel designs known in the art. Skin  12  is made of polyurethane (PU) or poly vinyl chloride (PVC), or other synthetic materials with similar characteristics. Backing  14  may be a foam layer made of a synthetic rubber, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The panels  16  may be sewn together at seams  18  or may be thermally bonded, or bonded through other means that give a suitable result. Skin  12  is bonded to backing  14  by an adhesive  20 , such as contact cement or thermally activated adhesives or other suitable adhesive that maintain adhesion and flexibility. 
         [0023]    Ball  10  has a bladder  22  and a lining  24 , bladder  22  being the innermost layer of construction and lining  24  being between bladder  22  and backing  14 . Bladder  22  may be made of vinyl, latex, butyl, or PU, hut will be different from a soccer ball bladder. Typical soccer ball bladders are approximately 150 grams for a size 5 and 120 grams for a size 4. In contrast ball  10  will have a bladder  22  that weighs about 180 grams for a size 5 and 160 grams for a size 4. This increased bladder weight helps to reduce the rebound of ball  10  as compared to a standard soccer ball. Because ball  10  still weighs about the same as a soccer ball, the weight for the lining  24  may be reduced and amount of adhesive  20  may be reduced. Some soccer balls may have multiple lining layers or may have one thick lining layer, ball  10  has a relatively thin lining  24  that is made of randomly wound synthetic fibers, such as polyester fibers. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the ball  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This view allows for more discussion of how ball  10  may be assembled achieving a target rebound without adding fiber insider bladder  22 . Lining  24  covers bladder  22 . Lining  24  may be applied as hot synthetic fibers that bond directly to bladder  22  or an adhesive  20  may be applied to bladder  22  and an interior surface of lining  24  to create a bond between lining  24  and bladder  22 . 
         [0025]    Backing  14  may be bonded to skin  12  by an adhesive  20 . Adhesive  20  may be applied to the interior of skin  12  and the facing surface of backing  14  to create a strong bond between backing  14  and skin  12 . Backing  14  may then be bonded to lining  24  with an adhesive applied to the opposing surfaces of lining  24  and backing  14  to create a durable bond. Adhesive  20  may be reduced as compared to a soccer ball to reduce weight so that ball  10  will still meet the weight criteria in the tables above. 
         [0026]    It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example a size 3 ball  10  may be made in accordance with this disclosure, but with a circumference or 58 cm to 61 cm and weight of 350 grams to 380 grams, but 130 gram bladder  22  instead of the standard 110 grams used in a size 3 soccer ball and the lining  24  and adhesive  20  reduced appropriately to maintain a standard size 3 weight. A size 3 ball  10  would then have a rebound closer to 90 cm at 20° C., with a range as low as 66 cm and as high as 99 cm at 20° C. A competition version of a size 3 ball  10  may have a tighter range for rebound of between 75 cm and 90 cm at 20° C. A training version of a size 3 ball  10  may have a wider range of rebound extending from 65 cm to 95 cm at 20° C. The minimum rebound at 5° C. for a size 3 ball  10  will be at least 50 cm.