Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a non-provisional application that claims priority to U.S. provisional application, application No. 62/289,954, filed Feb. 2, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0003]    Field of Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a game ball, and more particularly to a game ball with non-slip layer covered around an outer surface of the game ball to provide improved handing and playable characteristics. 
         [0005]    Description of Related Arts 
         [0006]    Nowadays, game balls, such as football, baseball, and basketball, are very popular in the current market, wherein the game balls are made of different kinds of materials in order to satisfy with customers&#39; need. On the other hand, the game balls, such as water-proof game balls, are customized-made to use in specific playing environment, such as beaches, parks, or playgrounds. 
         [0007]    A conventional clothes-made game ball is provided and very common in the current market. The clothes-made game ball is light in weight and cheap in cost, so people from all ages can play with this game ball, and especially for the child and the elder, they won&#39;t get hurt by hitting by the clothes-made game ball. However, the clothes-made game ball has the following disadvantage. The clothes-made game balls are not suitable to use in the wet environment. While the clothes-made game balls are played in the wet environment, the water is easily absorbed into a surface of the clothes-made game ball, so that the clothes-made game ball will become very heavy. In addition, since the water is retained in the surface of the clothes-made game balls, the surface of the clothes-made game balls will become very slippery, so it is hassle for the player to catch and throw the water-soaked game balls. Therefore, people will spend too much time to pick up the slippery clothes-made game ball. Furthermore, the surface of the clothes-made game ball is easy to damage during playing. For example, while the clothes-made game balls contact with the ground floor, the friction between the surface of the clothes-made game balls and the ground floor will cause scratches on the surface thereof, so after long-time frequently using, the clothes-made game balls are easily broken and damaged, and then people may frequently bought new game balls to replace the damaged game balls. 
         [0008]    Moreover, another improved leather-made game ball is also very popular in the market. The structure of the leather-made game ball is stronger than the clothes-made game ball, so the leather-made game balls cannot be easily damaged during playing. In addition, the surfaces of the leather-made game balls have better friction resistance than the clothes-made game ball, so the leather-made game ball won&#39;t be easily slip out during playing while the water contacts with the surface of the leather-made game ball. However, the leather-made game balls have the several disadvantages. The cost of the leather-made game ball is higher than the clothes-made game ball, so the price thereof is relatively expensive. In addition, due to the leather is harder than the clothes, specific machines are required for manufacturing the leather-made game ball. On the other hands, the structures of the leather-made game balls are harder than the clothes-made game balls. It is worth to mention that the leather has less flexibility than the clothes, and the bouncing forces of the leather-made game balls are less than that of the clothes-made game ball, so people usually get hurt by hitting from the leather-made game ball, and at the same time, people lose lots of fun when playing the game balls with less bouncing forces. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0009]    The invention is advantageous in that it provides a game ball with non-slip layer covered around an outer surface of a ball surface of the game ball to provide improved handing and playable characteristics. 
         [0010]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a game ball with non-slip layer comprising a plurality foam-like stretchable panels and marginal edges of the panels connected and sealed together to form a ball surface, wherein the non-slip layer can be selectively attach or detach on the outer surface of the game ball to provide better friction thereon. 
         [0011]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a game ball with non-slip layer, wherein the non-slip layer can be a non-slip detachable bag which can be selectively cover on different portions of the water sport goods or water toys, such as pool noodles, kickboards, surfboards, water guns, etc. 
         [0012]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a game ball with non-slip layer, wherein the non-slip layer can be attached on surfaces of water sport goods or water toys in order to increase the friction of the surfaces. 
         [0013]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide a game ball with non-slip layer, wherein the non-slip layer can be customized-made, so the non-slip layer can be designed as, a mesh, star-like or heart-like, non-slip layer. 
         [0014]    Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims. 
         [0015]    According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a game ball with non-slip layer comprising; 
         [0016]    a plurality of stretchable panels, and marginal edges of the panels connected and sealed together to form a ball surface; and 
         [0017]    a non-slip mesh layer attached on the ball surface to provide improved handing and playable characteristics. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention comprises a manufacturing method of a game ball with non-slip layer comprising steps of: 
         [0019]    1. Preparing a plurality of stretchable panels having marginal edges; 
         [0020]    2. Attaching non-slip layers on an outer surface of each of the stretchable panels; 
         [0021]    3. Sealing each of the stretchable panels along the marginal edges in an edge-to-edge manner to form a ball surface; 
         [0022]    4. Putting a bladder inside the ball surface to form a game ball with non-slip layer. 
         [0023]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
         [0024]    These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a game ball with non-slip layer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a plurality of stretchable panels of the game ball with non-slip layer according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a non-slip layer according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the non-slip layer is attached on an outer surface of a stretchable panel. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is an alternative mode of a non-slip layer bad according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a manufacturing method of a game ball with non-slip layer according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an alternative mode of a manufacturing method of a game ball with non-slip layer according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments are provided in the following description only as examples and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principles defined in the following description would be applied to other embodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2B  of the drawings, a game ball with non-slip layer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the game ball comprises a plurality of stretchable panels  10 , marginal edges  11  provided on edges of stretchable panels  10  sealed together to form a ball surface  100 , a non-slip layer  12  attached on the ball surface  100  to improve the friction of the ball surface  100 , and a bladder  13  received inside the ball surface  100 . 
         [0033]    Preferably, there are four pieces of stretchable panels  10  are sealed with each other, within each of the stretchable panels  10  comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 . The stretchable panels  10  comprise a first to fourth stretchable panels  10 A,  10 B,  10 C, and  10 D, wherein the structures of the four stretchable panels  10  are identical. The first stretchable panel  10 A comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 A, and the second stretchable panel  10 B comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 B, and the third stretchable panel  10 C comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 C, and the fourth stretchable panel  10 D comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 D. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the non-slip layer  12  is attached on each of the stretchable panels  10  of the ball surface  100  by stitching, gluing, hot melting technology, etc., wherein the non-slip layer  12  can be made of durable and flexible materials in order to improve the hardness of the ball surface  100  of the game ball. Preferably, the non-slip layer  12  can be a mesh layer attached on the stretchable panels  10  of the game ball to provide better friction force of the ball surface  100 . Moreover, non-slip layer  12  with different color and patterns can be customized based on the customers&#39; needs. For example, cartoon images or pictures can be printed on the non-slip layer  12  to not only increase the friction force of the ball surface  100 , but also improve aesthetic effects of the game ball. Furthermore, the mesh of the non-slip layer  12  can be designed as heart-like or star like meshes. 
         [0035]    Accordingly, one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 A of the first stretchable panel  10 A is sealed with one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 B of the second stretchable panels  10 B. And, the other of the pair of the marginal edges  11 A of the first stretchable panels  10 A is sealed with one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 D of the fourth stretchable panels  10 D, so as to connect the first stretchable panels with the second and fourth stretchable panels. In addition, the other of the pair of the marginal edges  11 B,  11 D of the second and fourth stretchable panels  10 B,  10 D are sealed with the pair of the marginal edges  11 C of the third stretchable panels  10 C respectively, so as to connect the third stretchable panel  10 C with the second and fourth stretchable panels  10 B,  10 D. On the other hand, the first to fourth stretchable panels  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D are sealed with each other to form the ball surface  100 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the ball surface  100  comprises an inflating hole  101  to inflate air into the bladder  13 . In addition, the bladder  13  comprises a inflation unit  131  arranged align with the inflating hole  101  to communicate with the ball surface  100 , so the air can be inflated into the bladder  13  through the inflating hole  101  and the inflation unit  131 . It is worth to mention that the inflation unit  131  is made of elastic and flexible material materials, and a diameter of the inflating unit  131  of the bladder  13  is slightly larger than a diameter of the inflatable hole  101 . Therefore, when the bladder  13  is received inside the ball surface  100 , the inflating unit  131  is deformed and passed through the inflatable hole  101  of the ball surface  100 , and after the inflating unit  131  is passed through the inflatable hole  101 , the inflating unit  131  reinstates to its original shape, and is locked on the inflatable hole  101 , so the bladder  13  can be remained at a fixed position without sliding inside the ball surface  100 . Therefore, the inflation unit  131  of the bladder  13  is not only used to inflate the bladder, but also used to affix the bladder  13  at a fixed position. 
         [0037]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4 , an alternative mode of the non-slip layer  12  according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein a structure of the game ball in this alternative mode is the same, excluding a configuration of the non-slip layer  12 . In this alternative mode, the non-slip layer  12  is a non-slip layer bag  12 ′ having an bag opening  121 ′, and the game ball can be put inside the non-slip layer bag  12  through the bag opening  121 ′. On the other hand, the non-slip layer  12 ′ and the game ball are two separated items. Preferably, the non-slip layer  12 ′ is a non-slip detachable bag which can be selectively cover on the ball surface  100  of the game ball. Therefore, the player can use the game ball individual without non-slip layer  12 ′ in a normal playing environment, and after the non-slip layer  12 ′ is coved on the ball surface  100 ′ of the game ball, the game ball with non-slip layer  12 ′ can be used in wet and moist environment. It is worth mentioning that the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is made of elastic materials, so when the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is not in use the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ can be folded and stored in a compact size. And, when the game ball is putting inside the non-slip layer bag  12 ′, the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is expanded to closely overlap on the outer surface of the ball surface  100 . 
         [0038]    A shape of the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is shaped like the game ball. In order to deposit the game ball into the non-slip layer bag  12 ′, a diameter “w” of bag opening  121 ′ of the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is changed while the game ball is depositing inside the non-slip layer bag  12 ′, wherein a maximum value of the diameter “w” of bag opening  121 ′ is slighting larger than a sectional radius “W” of the game ball. If the diameter “w” of the bag opening  121 ′ of the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is much more larger than the diameter of the sectional radius “W” of the game ball, the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is covered on the outer surface of the ball surface in an un-tightly state. Otherwise, the game ball cannot be received inside the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ if the diameter “w” of bag opening  121 ′ is smaller than the sectional radius “W” of the game ball. 
         [0039]    Accordingly, the non-slip detachable layer  12  can be attached on different portions of sport goods to improve the friction force thereof. For example, the non-slip detachable layer  12 ′ can be attached on handles of rackets in order to increase the friction force during the players are holding on the handles thereof. And, the non-slip detachable layer  12  can be attached on surfaces of the Frisbee or snowboards. Especially in the water sport goods or toys, such as noodle, handles of the water guns and water paddles, kickboards, surfboards and drive toys, the non-slip layer  12  can be applied thereon to provide better friction forces while the water sport goods are contacted with water during playing. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, a manufacturing method of the game ball with non-slip layer according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the manufacturing method comprising steps of: 
         [0041]    1. Preparing a plurality of stretchable panels  10  having a plurality of marginal edges  11 ; 
         [0042]    2. Attaching non-slip layer  12  on each of the stretchable panels  10 ; 
         [0043]    3. Sealing each of the stretchable panels  10  together along the marginal edges  11  to form a ball surface  100 ; 
         [0044]    4. Putting a bladder  13  inside the ball surface to form a game ball with non-slip layers  12 . 
         [0045]    In step 1, the number of the stretchable panels  10  is four, and each of the stretchable panels  10  comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 . 
         [0046]    Accordingly, the stretchable panels  10  comprise a first to fourth stretchable panels  10 A,  10 B,  10 C, and  10 D, wherein structures of the four stretchable panels are identical. The first stretchable panel  10 A comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 A, and the second stretchable panel  10 B comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 B, and the third stretchable panel  10 C comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 C, and the fourth stretchable panel  10 D comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 D. 
         [0047]    In step 2, the non-slip layer  12  is attached on each of the stretchable panels of the ball surface  100  by stitching, gluing, hot melting technology, etc., wherein the non-slip layer  12  can be made of durable materials in order to improve the life-span of the ball surface  100  of the game ball. 
         [0048]    In step 2, the non-slip layer  12  can be a mesh layer. Moreover, the non-slip layer with different color and patterns of  12  can be customized based on the customers&#39; needs. For example, cartoon images or pictures can be attached on the non-slip layer  12  to not only increase the friction force of the ball surface  100 , but also improve aesthetic effects of the game ball. Furthermore, the mesh of the non-slip layer  12  can be designed as heart-like or star like meshes. 
         [0049]    In step 3, one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 A of the first stretchable panel  10 A is sealed with one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 B of the second stretchable panels  10 B. And, the other of the pair of the marginal edges  11 A of the first stretchable panels  10 A is sealed with one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 D of the fourth stretchable panels  10 D, so as to connect the first stretchable panels with the second and fourth stretchable panels. In addition, the other of the pair of the marginal edges  11 B,  11 D of the second and fourth stretchable panels  10 B,  10 D are sealed with the pair of the marginal edges  11 C of the third stretchable panels  10 C respectively, so as to connect the third stretchable panel  10 C with the second and fourth stretchable panels  10 B,  10 D. On the other hand, the first to fourth stretchable panels  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D are sealed with each other to form the ball surface  100 . 
         [0050]    In the step 4, the ball surface  100  comprises as inflatable hole  101 , and the bladder  13  comprises an inflating unit  131 , wherein the inflating unit  131  can be interlocked with inflatable hole  101  to connect the ball surface  100  and the bladder  13 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, a manufacturing method of a game ball with non-slip layer according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the manufacturing method comprises the steps of: 
         [0052]    1. Preparing a plurality of stretchable panels  10  having marginal edges  11 ; 
         [0053]    2. Sealing each of the stretchable panels  10  together along the marginal edges  11  to form a ball surface  100 ; 
         [0054]    3. Putting a bladder  13  inside the ball surface to form a game ball; and 
         [0055]    4. Putting the game ball inside a non-slip layer bag  12 ′ through a bag opening  121 ′. 
         [0056]    In step 1, the number of the stretchable panels  10  is four, and each of the stretchable panels  10  comprises a pair of marginal edge  11 . 
         [0057]    Accordingly, the stretchable panels  10  comprise a first to fourth stretchable panels  10 A,  10 B,  10 C, and  10 D, wherein structures of the four stretchable panels are identical. The first stretchable panel  10 A comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 A, and the second stretchable panel  10 B comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 B, and the third stretchable panel  10 C comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 C, and the fourth stretchable panel  10 D comprises a pair of marginal edges  11 D. 
         [0058]    In step 2, one of the pair of the marginal edges of the first stretchable panel  10 A is sealed with one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 B of the second stretchable panels  10 B. And, the other of the pair of the marginal edges  11 A of the first stretchable panels  10 A is sealed with one of the pair of the marginal edges  11 D of the fourth stretchable panels  10 D, so as to connect the first stretchable panels with the second and fourth stretchable panels. In addition, the other of the pair of the marginal edges  11 B,  11 D of the second and fourth stretchable panels  10 B,  10 D are sealed with the pair of the marginal edges  11 C of the third stretchable panels  10 C respectively, so as to connect the third stretchable panel  10 C with the second and fourth stretchable panels  10 B,  10 D. On the other hand, the first to fourth stretchable panels  10 A,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D are sealed with each other to form the ball surface  100 . 
         [0059]    In the step 3, the ball surface  100  comprises as inflatable hole  101 , and the inflatable bag  13  comprises an inflating unit  131 , wherein the inflation unit  131  can be interlocked with inflatable hole  101  to connect the ball surface  100  and the inflatable bag  13 . And, the bladder  13  can be inflated through the inflatable hole  101  and the inflation unit  131 . 
         [0060]    In step 4, the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ and the game ball are two separated items. Preferably, the non-slip layer  12 ′ is a non-slip detachable bag which can be selectively cover on the ball surface  100  of the game ball. 
         [0061]    In the step 4, the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is made of elastic materials and shaped like a game ball, so when the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is not in use the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ can be folded and stored in a compact size. And, when the game ball is putting inside the non-slip layer bag  12 ′, the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is expanded to closely overlap on the outer surface of the ball surface  100 . 
         [0062]    In order to deposit the game ball into the non-slip layer bag  12 ′, a diameter “w” of bag opening  121 ′ of the non-slip layer bag  12 ′ is changed while the game ball is depositing inside the non-slip layer bag  12 ′, wherein a maximum value of the diameter “w” of bag opening  121 ′ is slightly larger than a sectional radius “W” of the game ball. 
         [0063]    One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0064]    It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 1