Abstract:
A sports ball, such as a basketball, is provided that allows a user to remove the outer shell of the ball from the inner carcass of the ball. Attachment means removably couple the shell to the carcass. The attachment means are disposed on the shell and carcass and can comprise at least one of the following: a layer of hook-and-loop fastener material, a plurality of snap fasteners, a plug and cooperating retention aperture, and a series of interlocking tongue-and-groove style fasteners.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is related to ball sport projectiles and more particularly to inflatable sports balls. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved sports ball, such as a basketball, that allows a user to readily replace the outer cover of the ball when it has become worn and/or to customize the appearance of the ball. 
   Currently, basketballs are constructed with an inflatable rubber bladder that is permanently bonded to an outer cover. The cover includes a plurality of panel sections having an exterior surface that is leather, synthetic leather, or rubber. 
   Further, each panel section is separated by a rubber channel or seam which tends to give the basketball a lobed or lobular appearance. These seams provide a user with additional grip on the ball. 
   The exterior surface of a conventional ball tends to wear down during extended play, particularly on outdoor courts. This undesirably causes the ball to become too slippery for satisfactory play. Once the outer surface of a conventional basketball becomes worn, the ball must be discarded and an entire new ball must be purchased. 
   Additionally, the ever-growing trend of customization of everyday products (e.g., clothing, automobiles, and wireless telephone casings) cannot be adequately addressed by conventional sports balls as these balls are provided as a single unit. The mass-production of such products precludes a user from adding uniqueness or style to any one ball beyond marking the exterior surface of the ball with hand-drawn lettering or pictures. Customization also allows users to easily identify which ball belongs to him when playing on a court or playground with a number of other players that may have each brought their own ball. 
   Furthermore, different playing conditions often determine which type of ball is used. If playing in a gymnasium a “regulation” leather ball is normally used, while playing outdoors on concrete normally calls for a rubber or synthetic-leather ball. A player will often have to bring two or three conventional balls of different exterior materials with him if he does not know what the playing conditions will be. 
   Therefore, a need exists to provide a sports ball, such as a basketball, that will allow a user to customize the appearance of an individual ball and to replace the exterior surface of the ball when the ball becomes worm, damaged, or to best fit the playing conditions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a carcass or inner ball that has an inflatable bladder and a removable outer shell or cover. The inner ball has an outer surface that has attachment means for removably coupling the shell to the inner ball. The exterior surface of the shell replicates the look and feel of a conventional ball. 
   Once the exterior surface has become worn, the user can remove the worn shell and replace it with a new shell. Additional shells of different color or stylization may be brought to a gym or park to ensure that a player can easily identify his ball. Similarly, the shells may be made from different exterior surface materials to allow a user to choose the appropriate ball-type dependent on the playing conditions. In this way, a player only has to bring one relatively large and cumbersome ball while being able to quickly customize the ball to the playing environment by bringing additional flat, portable, and lightweight shells. 
   Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparently to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, upon reference to the following detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a basketball illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial side sectional view of the inner ball; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the inner ball; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the outer surface of the cover; 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the inner surface of the cover; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view as seen along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the basketball; 
       FIG. 8  is a partial explode side sectional view of the ball shown in  FIG. 7  showing the cover separate from the inner ball; 
       FIG. 9  is a partial exploded side sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the basketball; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial exploded side sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment of the basketball; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of still another alternate embodiment of the basketball having individual removable panels coupled to an inner ball; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the basketball shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the basketball shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment of the basketball shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of still another alternate embodiment of the basketball shown in  FIG. 11 ; and 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an a customized individual panel. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a preferred sports ball  10 . In this embodiment, ball  10  is a basketball and includes an inner ball or carcass  12  and an outer shell  14 . 
   Inner ball  12  includes an inflatable bladder  16 . Bladder  16  is made from a resilient and air-tight material such as rubber and includes a conventional inflation valve  18 . 
   A number of ridges or seams are disposed around the outer surface of the inner ball  12 . The seams include two primary seams  20  and two secondary seams  22 . Seams  20  divide the ball  12  into four equal-sized quarter sections. Seams  22  further divide each of these quarter sections into two generally equal sized sections. In this manner, the inner ball  12  is divided into eight distinct sections  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the sections  24  and seams  20 ,  22  are arranged so that inner ball  12  resembles a traditional basketball&#39;s pattern. The seams  20 ,  22  project orthogonally from the inner ball&#39;s surface and may be integrally formed with the bladder  16  or may be fixed to the ball  12  through conventional process, such as thermal bonding or adhesives. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the seams  20 ,  22  include a plurality of fasteners  26  that are coupled to the seams  20 ,  22 . The fasteners  26  are one-half of an interlocking male and female fastener. In this embodiment, each fastener  26  is a male stud of a traditional snap-type fastener. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the secondary seams  22  include fasteners  26  having two adjacent male studs  27 ,  28  projecting therefrom. The two studs  27 ,  28  are spaced apart across the width of the seam  22 . Further, the primary seams  20  include single stud snap fasteners  26 , but at one of the intersections of the seams  20 , up to four smaller studs may project out from the seams  20 . 
   Each snap fastener  26  is preferably formed from a durable material such as metal, plastic, or rubber. 
   In the preferred embodiment each section  24  of the inner ball  12  is covered by the hook fastener portion  30  of a traditional hook-and-loop fastener. That is, each portion of the outer surface of the inner ball  12  between the seams  20 ,  22  has the barbed or “hook” half of a hook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro®. 
   Inner ball  12  may also include a pair of retention wells  32  that are formed into the ball  12 . These wells  32  are disposed in the corner of two of the sections  24  so that the wells are cater-corner to one another at the intersections of the primary seams  20 . Each well  32  is a plug formed into the inner ball  12  and has a generally cylindrical-walled bore formed therein. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 , and  4 - 6 , the cover or outer shell  14  is illustrated as a contiguous relatively flat sheet having four leaves  34 . Leaves  34  extend away from each other and give shell  14  a generally X-shaped appearance when lying flat. The shape of the interconnected leaves  34  is such that when the shell  14  is wrapped around a generally spherical object, such as inner ball  12 , the shell  14  abuts the outer surface of the inner ball  12  and completely covers the inner ball  12  and conforms to the shape of the inner ball, in the basketball embodiment, the shell  14  takes a spherical shape. The inner ball  12  and shell  14  are preferably sized to cause the outer diameter of the shell  14  (while encasing inner ball  12 ) to be equal to a conventional basketball. 
     FIG. 4  shows the outer surface  33  of the shell  14 . As shown, the four leaves  34  are divided by two primary exterior seams  36  that run across the shell  14 . Seams  36  are perpendicular to each other and intersect at the center-most point  37  of the shell  14 . The seams  36  are formed of a rubber material and have a width equal to the seams of a regulation basketball. 
   A split-seam  38  defines the periphery  39  of the outer surface  33 . The split-seam  38  is formed from the same material as seam  36  and is approximately one-half the width of the regulation-sized seam  36 . As shown best in  FIG. 1 , when the shell  14  is wrapped around inner ball  12 , the split-seams  38  of adjacent leaves  34  abut and cooperatively form a regulation-sized basketball seam. 
   The remainder of the outer surface  33  of shell  14  is covered by panels  40  of traditional cover material. These panels  40  are disposed between the seams  36 ,  38  and extend radially (i.e., from the center of the ball  10  when the shell  14  is wrapped around the carcass  12 ) beyond the seams  36 ,  38  thereby giving the ball  10  a traditional lobed basketball shape. 
   Each panel  40  is formed from a leather, synthetic-leather, or rubber material and is permanently bonded to a substrate layer  42  through a conventional process, such as thermal bonding or adhesives. Layer  42  is formed from a flexible material such as rubber. 
   Additionally, two opposing leaves  34  have additional fastening means for interconnecting these leaves together. In the preferred embodiment each of these leaves includes a tab member  41  that projects from the end of the leaf  34  and terminates in a circular end  42 . Coupled to the underside of end  42  is a cylindrical plug  43  that extends away from the outer surface  33 . The plug  43  is sized to be frictionally fitted within the bore formed in retention well  32 . 
   Further, each of the leaves  34  having a tab  41  also includes a tab reception area  44  that is sized to frictionally receive the circular-shaped end  42 . That is, each reception area  44  is a portion of the shell  14  that is cut-away from the shell in a shape that is complementary to the shape of tab  41 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the shell  14  is wrapped around the inner ball  12 , the reception area  44  is axially aligned with the center of well  32  to allow a complementary tab  41  on the opposing leaf  34  and its plug  43  to be frictionally held within the bore. 
   The inner-most surface  45  of the shell  14  is shown best in  FIG. 5 . The inner surface  45  has a plurality of fasteners  46  that are complementary to fasteners  26  of the inner ball. That is, surface  45  includes a number of female snap fasteners  46  that are arranged in a pattern which matches the pattern of the fasteners  26  around inner ball  12 . To match the fastener pattern of the inner ball  12 , the fasteners  46  are arranged around the periphery  48  of surface  45  (i.e., the underside of periphery  39 ) and along two perpendicular axes  50 ,  52  that each bisect two of the leaves  34 . 
   The fasteners  46  mounted on axes  48 ,  50  and around the periphery  39  cooperate to define eight sections  54  that are in the same general shape as sections  24  of the inner ball  12 . Each section  54  is covered by the loop fastener portion  56  of a traditional hook-and-loop fastener. That is, each portion  54  of the inner surface  45  of the shell  14  has the soft “loop” half of a hook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro®. 
   In operation, the shell  14  may be removable coupled to the inner ball  12  by first coupling the complementary fasteners  26 ,  46  of the center point  37  of the shell  14  to the side of the inner ball  12  opposite to the retention wells  32 . Each of the leaves  34  is wrapped around the inner ball  12  while fastening the snaps  26 ,  46 . The adjacent split-seams  38  abut along the secondary seams  22  and one of the pair of fastener studs  27 ,  28  couples each of one of the abutting leaves  34  to the inner ball. The complementary hook-and-loop fastener portions  30 ,  56  and the fasteners  26 ,  46  couple the shell  14  to the inner ball  12 . Lastly, the retention areas  44  are axially aligned with the retention wells  32  and the plugs  43  are inserted into the cooperating wells  32 . Removal of the shell  14  from the inner ball  12  is accomplished by performing the above steps in reverse order. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8  an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, ball  100  is substantially the same as ball  10 , but the fasteners  26 ,  46  described above are replaced with complementary tongue-and-groove style fasteners. Particularly, the inner ball  112  includes a plurality of grooves or slots  116  that run along the seams  20 ,  22 . These grooves  116  include a neck  118  that projects radially into the bladder  16  of the inner ball  112 . Neck  118  terminates into a generally C-shaped slot  120  that encloses an enlarged opening  122 . As shown, opening  122  is larger than the opening defined by neck  118 . Neck  118  and slot  120  cooperate to define an inverted T-shaped slot. 
   The shell  114  includes a plurality of elongated “tongue” strips  124  that are sized to fit within groove  116 . Each strip  124  projects from the inner-most surface of the shell  114  and run along the shell  114  opposite to the exterior seam  36 . The tongue-shaped strips  124  have a generally T-shaped cross-section having a radially inwardly-projecting leg  126  (i.e., when the shell  114  is wrapped around the inner ball  112 ). Leg  126  terminates at an end piece  128  that extends perpendicularly from leg  126  in both directions. End  128  is sized to fit within opening  122 . 
   Similarly, the peripheral edges of shell  114  include an L-shaped strip  130  that is effectively one-half of the above-described T-shaped strip  124 . That is, each strip  130  has a radially projecting leg member  132  and a perpendicular end  134  that extends away from the adjacent peripheral edge. As the shell  114  is wrapped around the inner ball  112 , two adjacent leaves  34  are abut and their two strips  130  also abut. These abutting strips  130  cooperate to define a tongue member that is sized and shaped the same as tongue-shaped strip  124 . 
   The strips  124 ,  130  are formed from a plastic or rubber material and are bonded to the inner surface of the shell  114  in a conventional manner. 
   The groove  116  is formed from a resilient, yet deformable material such as a plastic material. As shown, groove  116  projects into the air bladder  16  and when the bladder  16  is slightly deflated the rubber bladder  16  stretches to allow the neck  118  to expand slightly and the strips  124 ,  130  may be inserted into the groove  116 . Once all of the strips  124 ,  130  are inserted into the complementary grooves  116 , the bladder  16  can be fully inflated thereby causing air pressure to act upon the neck  118  and causing the neck to slightly deform in the direction of arrows  136 , thereby locking the ends  128 , and  134  within the groove  116 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9  an alternate embodiment of a ball  200  is illustrated where the secondary seam  22  mounted dual stud fasteners  27 ,  28  of ball  10  are replaced by a single fastener combination  226 ,  246  and a grommet  250  which fits around the male stud  226  and is held in place by female snap fastener  246 . Inner ball  212  is substantially the same as inner ball  12 . The shell  214  differs from shell  14  in that each leaf  34  has a first peripheral side that terminates in a full-sized seam  236  which is substantially the same as seam  36 . The underside of the shell  214 , opposite to seam  236 , has a plurality of conventional female snap fasteners  246 . The opposite peripheral side of each leaf  34  terminates in a projecting tab  252  that extends beyond and overlaps the seam  236 . A plurality of rings or grommets  250  is disposed within the tab  252  and is sized to fit over the male stud  226  projecting from inner ball  212 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates another alternate embodiment of a ball  300  which is similar in configuration to ball  200 . In this embodiment, the tongue-and-groove fasteners  116 ,  124 ,  130  of ball  100  are modified to eliminate the half-tongue strips  130 . The strips  130  are replaced by a single tongue-and-groove fastener combination  316 ,  324  and a grommet  350  which fits around the tongue-shaped strip  324  and is held in place by groove  316 . 
   Inner ball  312  is substantially the same as inner ball  112 . The shell  314  differs from shell  114  in that each leaf  34  has a first peripheral side that terminates in a full-sized seam  336  which is substantially the same as seam  36 . The underside of the shell  314 , opposite to seam  336 , has a tongue-shaped fastener  324  that is identical to fastener  124  described above. The opposite peripheral side of each leaf  34  terminates in a projecting tab  352  that extends beyond and overlaps the seam  336 . A ring or grommet  350  is disposed within the tab  352  and is sized to fit around the neck portion of the fastener  324 . 
   It should be appreciated that strips  324  do not extend across the entire length of the seams  336 . Instead a plurality of smaller strips  324  are used to allow the grommet  350  and tab  352  to surround the shorter tongue-shaped strips  324 . 
     FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of a ball  400  in which the outer shell  14  is replaced by a plurality of removable panels  414 . These panels  414  are sized and shaped approximately equal to the panels  40 . In this manner, ball  400  includes eight panels  414  that cover of the entire inner ball. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 11-15 , the panels  414 - 418  may be coupled to the inner ball  412 A- 412 E using any of the above-described fastening means.  FIG. 11  illustrates an individual panel  414  having loop fasteners  420 . Loop fasteners  420  cooperate with hook fasteners  421  to couple the panels  414  to the inner ball  412 A. 
     FIG. 12  illustrates an individual panel  415  having conventional snap fasteners  422  along its periphery. These snap fasteners cooperate with snap fasteners  424  coupled to the inner ball  412 B in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to ball  10 . 
     FIG. 13  illustrates an individual panel  416  having tongue-type fasteners  420  along its periphery. Fasteners  420  cooperate with a grooves  422  formed in inner ball  412 C in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to ball  100 . 
     FIG. 14  illustrates an individual panel  417  having one peripheral end having a full sized seam  423  and a female snap  424  mounted opposite thereof and a second peripheral end having an extended tab  426  and a plurality of grommets  428  disposed along the tab  426 . The grommets  428  fit over the studs  430  of inner ball  412 D and snaps  424  couple the panel  417  to the inner ball  412 D in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to ball  200 . 
   Similarly,  FIG. 15  illustrates an individual panel  418  having one peripheral end  430  having a full sized seam and a number of tongue-shaped fasteners  432  mounted opposite thereof and a second peripheral end having an extended tab  434  and a plurality of grommets  436 . The grommets  436  fit over the tongue-shaped strips  432  on an adjacent panel  418  and the tongue-shaped fasteners  432  are received within grooves  438  formed in the inner ball  412 E in substantially the same manner as described above with respect to ball  300 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 16 , the smaller size of the individual panels  414 - 418  allow mixing of panels having different coloration or having individualized indicia  440  thereon to allow a user to customize the appearance of his ball. In one embodiment, a panel, such as panel  414 , may have indicia  440  or artwork imprinted thereon. 
   It should be appreciated that any of the above-described means for fastening the shell or panels to the inner ball can be used in cooperation with each other or place of one another. Particularly, the hook-and-loop fasteners may be included with any of ball having seam mounted fasteners. 
   In other embodiments, the inflation valve  16  may be disposed along one of the seams  20 ,  22 , or may be centered within one of the retention wells  32 . Alternatively, the inflation valve  16  may be replaced with a self-contained air pump such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,225 issued to Daniel P. Touhey et al. 
   The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 
   Many modification and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described