US2874965A

US2874965A - Molded rubber football

Info

Publication number: US2874965A
Application number: US643133A
Authority: US
Inventors: Orville R Martin
Original assignee: General Tire and Rubber Co
Current assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc
Priority date: 1957-02-28
Filing date: 1957-02-28
Publication date: 1959-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 1976-02-24

Description

Feb. g4, 1959 o; R. MARTIN 2,874,965

MOLDED RUBBER FOOTBALL l Filed Feb. 28, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTR Orv' lle R Martin F E BY i Z *i7 2%667' AT TogrYs Feb. 24, 1959 o. RMARTIN MOLDED RUBBER FOOTBALL 2 sheets-sheet 2y 4"Filed Feb. 28, 1957 mvENToR Orville R. Maritim Bw'ygzeaw ATTORNEYS United States Patent O MOLDED RUBBER FOOTBALL Orville Rr Martin, Greensburg, Pa., assgnor to The General Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 28, 1957, Serial No. 643,133

s claims; ((1273-65) The present invention relates to an improvement in rubber footballs and more particularly to a molded rubber football having projecting ribs between the lacing holes for locating and supporting the lacing.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 577,324, led April 10, 1956, and since abandoned.

According to the invention, the football is provided with a pocket between the cover and carcass, parallel rows of lacing holes in the cover near the sides of said pocket and ribs between the lacing holes for supporting the longitudinal and transverse portions of the lacing. The football preferably is provided with a straight longitudinal rib parallel to and extending the length of the rows of holes for `supporting the two longitudinal portions of the lacing and a series of short lateral ribs extending from the longitudinal rib to the holes for supporting the several transverse lacing portions. The lateral ribs project radially outwardly beyond the lacing-engaging outer surface of the longitudinal rib so as to providerecesses above the latter rib of a size to receive the two longitudinal portions of the lacing.

Since the liner of the football tends to assume a circular transverse cross section due to the pressure of the gases within the football, the lacings tend to bulge outwardly so that the cover of the football has an oblong transverse cross-section in the vicinity of the lacing. In order to eliminate this bulging of the football, itis preferable to provide reinforcing cords extending around the football substantially from one end of the football to the other, the adjacent wraps of the reinforcing cord being closely spaced and being radially outwardly of the pocket between the cover and the carcass. The longitudinal rib for supporting the lacings may be cut to permit access to said pocket for punching the lacing holes and for permitting lacing of thefootball. Such cutting severs the reinforcing cords extending around the pocket but this does not weaken the football substantially since these cords are anchored in the rubber and since the severed ends are held together by the lacing. The reinforcing cords, therefore, prevent bulging of the football in the vicinity of the lacing even though they are cut.

Objects of the present invention are to,` provide an improved-rubber football of simple inexpensive construction and to provide improved means for positioning the lacing on the football.

Another object of the invention is to reinforce a rubber` football and to prevent bulging of the football in the vicinity of the lacing.

Other objects, uses and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following description and claims and from the drawings 'in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of the laced football of the present invention;

" Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewbf the laced football taken substantially on the line 2f-2 of Fig. 1 and on a larger scale;

fmice Figure 3 is a fragmentary top view of the football of Figs. l and 2 with the lacing removed showing the lacingsupporting ribs of the present invention;

YFigure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the football taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and on the same scale;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially ou the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 and on the same scale;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Figure 7 is a top plan view on a reduced scale showing the football of the present invention; i

Figure 8 is an end view of the football of Fig. 7, on the same scale, with parts broken away and shown in transverse cross-section;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and

Figure l0 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. 7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which like parts are identified by the same numerals throughout the several views, Figs. l to 6 shows a molded rubber football 1 of integral laminated construction including an impervious inflatable elastic rubber inner-wall 2, an elastic rubber outer wall or cover 3, a carcass 4 of rubberized fabric sandwiched between and bonded to the inner and

outer walls

2 and 3 in the conventional manner, and a conventional inflating valve: 5 extending through the three laminae to permit insertion of an inflating needle intothe air chamber ti within the bladder 2. The carcass 4 completely encloses the bladder 2, and the cover 3 completely encloses the carcass, the laminated wall formed by these elements being generally in the form of an ellipsoid of revolution as with conventional footballs.

The laminated wall is provided with a longitudinally elongated, generally rectangular pocket 7 midway between the ends of the football. Such pocket may be formed between the cover s and the carcass 4 in any suitable manner, for example as disclosed in U. S. Patent` No. 2,693,224. A generally rectangular insert 8 in the form of a layer of elastic rubber or rubberized fabric of a size to cover the pocket 7 is preferably bonded to the cover 3 above said pocket to reinforce the portions 23 of the cover above the pocket. Additional layers may also be provided above and below the pocket, if desired. 4

The shape of the outer surface of the cover 3 is determined by the shape of the mold in which the rubber football is vulcanized. Such mold is provided with ridges which produce longitudinal grooves 9 in the outer surface of the football l to simulate the grooves at the seams of a conventional leather-covered football and, if desired, may be shaped to produce imitation stitching and imitation pebbling. i

According to the present invention, the mold cavity is provided with lateral and longitudinal recesses so tl at the cover portions 23 of the football 1 are molded with a single Wide straight longitudinal rib l0 of rectangular transverse cross sectionextending more than. three-fourths the length of the pocket 7 and narrow lateral ribs il of the same size and shape extending from the opposite sides of the longitudinal ribs toward the sides of said pocket. Said ribs are located above the pocket 7 to provide a support for thelacing.

A layer of paper, fabric or other suitable separating material is placed between the carcass 4 and the cover 3 so that the pocket 7 will be formed when the football is vulcanized. After vulcanization the portion of the cover s este th sassari@ nya, ihwhich tra fits io ma i1 are formed, is imperforate..and completely covers the Aseparating layer, the wide rib being located substantially midway between the opposite sides of said layer. Saidrib and the underlying inse'rt'is then cut down the middle with asuitable knif'eor the like to form a straight slit 12 extending almost the fullk length of they wide rib 10, a `/-shaped groove 13 preferably being provided inidway between the opposite sides of said wide rib to facilitate the cutting. The slit 12 divides the wide rib u10 into twi longitudinal rib portions 14 of the same size and permits removal of the separating layer in the pocket 7 between the insert 8 and the carcass 4. The slit also permits insertion of a punch or other suitable tool into the pocket 7 to cut holes in the cover portions 23 arid permits Vlacing of the football.

As herein shown, circulargholes 15 are punched at the opposite ends of the longitudinal rib 1d, vandtwostraight rows `of

circular holes

16 and 17 are punched on opposite sides of the rib 10 at the ends of the lateral ribs '11. The holes of each krow are equallyspaced and are longitudinall`y aligned witheach other `and laterally aligned with the holes of the other row as best shown in Fig. 3 which is drawn substantially to scale. The Aholes 16 and 17 lare adapted to receive'a conventional leather 4lacing 18 of rectangular cross section, and the holes 15 are large enough to .receiveV two "longitudinalportions of Asaid -lacing The football of the present invention may be laced in 'a conventional manner with a single piece of lacing 18 substantially as shown in Figs. ll and 2. When the football Yis laced in this manner, 'the two straight longitudinal portions 19 of the lacing rest on Vtop of the rib portions 14 onoppositesides of theslit 12 and the several transverse portions 2) of the lacing rest on top -of the lateral ribs ,11, which are preferably trianguloidal as best shown in Fig. 2. The rib portions 14 and the ribs 11 preferably have a width coresponding Vsubstantially to the width ofthe lacing 18 so that they are completely covered by the lacing. Each lateral rib 11 is integral with `theadjacent''longitudinal rib portion 14 and extends from .said rib portion to the'margin of a hole 1'6 or 17, said rib being laterally aligned with a rib l10n the other side of Vthe 'slit 12. ,A symmetrical rib arrangement shown herein, `each of the holes 16 and "17 being located i the same distance from the slit 1 2 andeach of the lateral ribs 11 being of the same size. The height of eachrib 11 at the edge thereof'nearest the slit Vl2 is greater than the height of the rib portions 14 by an amount corresponding:substantially to the thickness of the lacing 18 so as to providefa rectangular'recess 21 above the longitudinal rib 10 and between each pair of laterally aligned, ribs 11. Each of the longitudinally aligned recesses 21 preferably has a height corresponding substantially to the height of the lacing 18 and a width equal to or slightly greater than twice the width of said lacing so that the longitudinal lacing portions 19 arel securely held in place by the transverse lacing portions and the vertical faces of the ribs11 which are longitudinally aligned. The Alateral ribs 11 are Vpreferably rounded substantially as shown'inFigZ so that they engageand support the lacing portions Z0 from the margins of the

holes

16 and 17 to the marginal edges of the recesses 21. The rib portion 14 may have 'a height greater than the thickness of the lacing sothat the lacing extends a substantial y"distance outwardly to facilitate gripping of the football'during passing.

`*l`he'rubber`liner 2 vof the football 1 tends to assume a circular internal ltransverse cross section in the neighborhood of the lacing'and to cause the football tobulg'e .t

' ressa, at einer sareste marsan nouns nouns the ifosfball to provide a multiplicity of closely and evenly spaced wraps or convolutions a, extending substantially the length of the football.

The molded rubber football 31 is of an integral laminated construction and includes an impervious inflatable elastic rubber inner wall 32z an abrasion-resistant elastic rubber outer wall or cover 33,''nd a carcass 34 of rubberimpregnated fabric sandwiched between and bonded o the inner and

outer walls

32 and 33. A conventional inilating valve 35 extends through ythe three laminae to pei'i't insertion of an inflating' needle 'into .the closed air chamber 36 within the bladder 32. The carcass 34 completely encloses'the bladder 32 and the cover A33 (completely encloses said carcass. The laminated wall formed by these elements is generally in the vform of an ellipsoid of revolution as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The laminated wall is provided with a longitudinal generally rectangular pocket 37 midway between ".the Aends of :the-football, which Lis for-med between thecover '33 and the carcass-34, like the .pocket 7 ofthe rsttdcscribed football 1. AA generally rectangular V.reinforcing layer 38-ot rubberizedfabrc of a size toc'over the Ipocket 37 is bonded to ythe cover 33 above-said 4pocket to rreinforce the portions 53 of the cover above 'thepoclret Additional layers of elastic rubber or rubberized fabric may be provided -aboveand below thefp'ocket.

As herein-shown-the lfootball S31 isfprovided with athin layer 38a`of elastic-rubber coextensivewith the .-layer.38 and Vintegrally bonded thereto -r-adiall-y outwardly v=of the pocketv 37, and twog'en'e'rally rectangular ulayers S2 vand 52a of thesame-sizepaslthelayers -38 Aand-38a are'provided radially Linwardly `of the pocket 37. -The layer 52 :is formed Cif-rubberizedtfabrc--and is YVbondedto the :fabric carcass 34. VThelayer v52a Aiis `a `-thin Alayer of :rubber similar toV the 'layer'a Iand bondedxto the-layer .52. =The adjacent surfaces of -the rubber --layers 38aand 52a..forrning ythe :pocket-37 do -notstick together V.after y'the paper or rcloth insertstherebetweenis removed. :Ifdesiredsuch surfaces may be treated fwith'asuitablepartingmaterial so -that t-hey'- cannot vstick together.Y

The mold in 'which the rubberfootball is cured maybe shaped Yso that r the'cover of -the football fhastheappearance of-leat`her. The -mold inay be .provided with` ridges which-'producellongitudinal grooves 39-inthe 'outerfsurface of the-footballl to simulate* the seams `of a-.conventionalv leather-covered football. The Lmold may also :be shaped-to produce imitation stitching andfp'ebbling. The

mold -cavity isrprovided 'with lateral `and ylongitudinalV recessesso that the-cover4 portions 53 are molded with-a singlestraight'lwide longitudinal-rib l40 of rectangular 'cross section extending more vthan three-fourths the length `ofthe: pockety '27 and narrow. lateral 'ribs-41; of.the samesize and shape',extendingfromfrthe sides of theribs l0-toward -the marginal sides-offsaid pocket.

l'It willy be readily: apparent,=tothose skilled in ythesart, :from-theabovedescription -how the football of the :presentinventionv'r'nay be'rmde. A layer ofl paper," fabricgcr other suitable separtinglmterial is, placed betweenA the carcass 34 andthe-cover 33fand remains inthat position when fthegfootball is` vulcanized. A.The reinforcingrfeord 30 'isimbedded-inthe rubber of the cover 1ayer-33a-small fraction' of ani inch below the outersurface of saidcover layer and extends around the separating layer. After vulcanization-thefwide rfibf40,- whichfis located? `substantially midway betweeny the-opposite sides ofthe separating-layer, and the underlaying layers 38 and 38a, `is then cut.down the middle with-asuitableknife, or-the-like,1tol form a straight As1it42exten`ding falmost the full -rlength of A"the rib-40. -V-shapedegroover43 isprovidedmidway between the sides of the rib to facilitatelthel cutting.

'This cutting -severs'the reinforcing cord 3() so' thattthe'cut ends of this cord-areexposed` at-theslitf42as`. shownrin Figs-10. .Tlisfslitf'divides the-wide rib-40uinto two-longitudinal-rib` portions-:Menthe 'samevsizetand -permitsaemoval of the separating layer whereby the pocket 7 is formed between the rubber layers 38a and 52a. The slit also permits insertion of a punch into the pocket 37 to cut circular holes in the cover portions 53, and permits lacing of the football.

l The holes 45 are punched at the opposite ends of the longitudinal rib 40 and have a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the width of the lacing. The

holes

46 and 47 are arranged in straight parallel rows on opposite sides of the rib 40 at the ends of the lateral ribs 41. The holes of each row are preferably equally spaced and arepreferably longitudinally aligned with each other and laterally aligned with the holes of the other row, for example, as shown in Fig. 7. The

holes

45, 46 and 47 are adapted to receive a conventional leather lace 48 of rectangular cross-section having a width not substantially greater than the diameter of the holes. The football 31 may be laced with a single piece of lacing 48 just like the football 1 of Figs. l to 6, whereby the two straight longitudinal portions 49 of the lacing rest on top of the rib portions 44, and the several transverse lacing portions 50 rest on the top surfaces of the lateral ribs 41 which have a trianguloidal shape as shown in Fig. 9.

The rib portions 44 and the ribs 41 may have a width corresponding substantially to the width of the lacing 48 so that they are completely covered by the lacing and are not noticeable as viewed in Fig. 7. Each lateral rib 41 is integral with the adjacent rib portion 44 and extends from said rib portion to the margin of a

hole

46 or 47. Each lateral rib 41 is laterallyraligned with a rib 41 on the opposite side of the slit 12, the ribs preferably being arranged in a symmetrical manner.

The height of each rib 41 at the side of the wide rib 40 is greater than the height of the rib portions 44 by an amount corresponding substantially to the thickness of the lacing 48 so as to provide a recess 21a of rectangular p cross section between each `pair of laterally aligned ribs 41 for receiving the longitudinal portions 49 of the lacing.

applied to the bladder as by dipping, spraying, or other suitable method. Subsequently, a reinforcing layer may be applied to the coated bladder in the form of pieces of cross-woven fabric.

When making the football 1, the fabric reinforcing layer 4 is applied to the inated bladder 2 to cover the bladder completely. The fabric has threads spaced far enough apart to permit slight changes in shape so that the fabric conforms to the shape of the bladder. If desired, additional reinforcing cords, `similar to the cords of the football 31, may be wrapped around the reinforcing layer 4. Thereafter, the separating layer 8 is applied against the layer 4. Another coating of rubber cement, or other vulcanizable rubber material, is then applied to the reinforcing layer 4 and the layer 8, and the cover layer 3 of abrasion-resistant elastic rubber is applied over the

layers

4 and 8 to enclose completely the fabric portions of the football. The football is then placed in a suitable mold and is further inated to press the cover layer 3 into intimate contact with the wall of the mold cavity, and to press the

laminae

2, 3, 4 and 3 into intimate contact with each other, the mold being heated to vulcanize the rubber portions of the ball and toform an integral construction.

The football 31 is formed in a similar manner, the carcass 34 being applied tothe inflated bladder 32 after the bladder is covered with suitable rubber cement. The carcass 34 is then coated with `rubber 'cement and the patch layers 38, 38a, 52 and 52a, together with the paper sepa- 1 rating layer, are applied to the layer 44. The twisted Each of the recesses 21a preferably has a height corresponding substantially to thatof the lacing 48 and a width corresponding substantially to twice the width of the lacing so that the longitudinal lacing portions 48 engage and are held securely in place by the transverse lacing portions 50 and the vertical faces of the ribs 41.

The lateral ribs 41 are generally triangular and preferably are aligned substantially as shown in Figure 9 so that they engage and support the lacing portions 50 from the margins of the

holes

46 and 47 to the marginal edges of the recess 21a. As herein shown the rib portions 44 of the football 31 have a height not substantially greater than. about .04" and not substantially greater than the thickness ofthe lacing 48. Such a height is preferred by most football players since it locates the lacing for proper gripping of the football.

Except for the height of the ribs of the football 3l, the ribs and the lacing of said football are substantially the same as the ribs and lacing of the first described football 1. The reinforcing cord 30 causes the cover layer 33 to assume a substantially circular transverse cross section as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 so that the inner layer of bladder 32 bulges inwardly away from the lacing against the pressure of the gases within the football. The lacing 4S holds the cut ends of the cord 30 together so that the cords prevent bulging of the portion 53 of the cover. The football 31, therefore, has a shape more nearly corresponding to a conventional leather-covered football than the first described football 1. Bulging of the football at the lacing is not prevented if reinforcing cord, siniilar to the cord 30, is provided radially inwardly of the lacing receiving pocket 7.

As is well known in the art, in making a football of the type described herein, the first step is to form a bladder and to partially inliate it to a size somewhat less than the desired size of the finished ball. A coating of a vulcanizable material, such as latex or rubber cement, then may be nylon cord 30 is then wrapped around the inflated football starting at one end of the football and advancing at a substantially uniform rate so that the convolutio-ns are fairly evenly spaced throughout the length ofthe football. These convolutions extend around the patch layers and engage the outer fabric patch layer 38. After the cord has been tightly wound around the football and cut at the end of the football, the football is coated with rubaV ber cement and the cover layer 33 is applied to cover the football completely. The football may then be molded in the usual manner. p

The cord 30 may be applied very rapidly prior to applif cation of the cover layer by mounting the inflated unvulcanized football on a mandrel or other machine having means to grip the ends of the football and. motor means to rotate the football about its axis. The cord is attached to the football at one end and held under tension during rotation of the football so that it is wrapped around the football, the cord being held at a slight inclination to obtain closely spaced convolutions which extend the length of `the football 'as shown in Fig. 7. The end of the cord is cut after the cord reaches the opposite end of the football. The time required to apply the cord 30 is, therefore, very small and does not add appreciably to the cost of making the football.

It is to be understood that, in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, variations and modifications of the specific article disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A molded rubber football comprising an impervious inflatable rubber bladder having an inflation valve, a rubberized fabric carcass enclosing said bladder and bonded thereto, an outer cover coextensive with said carcass and enclosing the same, said cover being disconnected from the carcass within a small area to form a pocket between the `cover and the carcass, said cover having flap portions overlying said pocket with two parallel rows of equally spaced lacing holes therethrough of a size to receive the lacing and a slit located midway between and parallel to said rows of holes,.the holes of one row being laterally aligned with those of the other row, said flap portions having lacing-supporting ribs of substantially uniform height extending longitudinally substantially the length of said rows at the margins of said slit and parallel to said slit and having transverse trianguloidal lacing-supporting ribs on opposite sides of said longitudinal ribs aligned with said'lac'in'g holes, each transverserib extending between a lacing hole and a Longitudinal ,rib and having ari outer surface spaced radially outwardly from the outer surface of said longitudinal rib adistance corresponding substan- `trially to the thickness of the'lacing. v

'2. A vulcanized molded rubber football comprising an inflatable inner rubber bladder, an enclosing carcass including a layer of rubberized fabric bonded to the outside of said bladder, an outer cover substantially `conextensivre with said carcass and enclosing the same, said cover being bonded to said carcass except for an area which is small as compared to the totalsurface area of the carcass so as to form a pocket between the cover and the carcass, the portion of said cover over said pocket being provided with two'parallel rows of substantially equally spaced lacing holes Vtherethrough and being provided with a slit therethrough which is located between `andparallel tosaid rows of 'holes and of a length not substantially less than `the length `of s aid rows of holes, vthe holes of one row being `laterally aligned with the holes of the other row, -said holes Aand 4said slit throughout its length all communicating with said pocket, saidV cover denin'gthe outer wall of said pocket, a lremovable lacing threaded through said holes and rspanning said slit, said lacing having parallel longitudinal portions adjacent said slitbetween'said rows of lholes and parallel transverse portions extending over said'lon-gitudinal portions to lhold them Vin place between the lacing holes, and a pair of ltrianguloidal lateral ribs aligned with each pair of holes on opposite vsides of said slit,'said ribsfprojecting radially outwardly from said cover and having outer surfaces substantially` ush with fthe outer surfaces of said longitudinallacing portions, said transverse portions engaging-said ribssubstantially from the margins of -said holes-tothe outer sideedges of said longitudinal portions.

3. A vulcanized molded rubber footballcomprising an inflatable inner rubber bladder, an enclosing carcass including a layer of rubberized fabric bondedto the outside of `lsaid bladder, an outercover'substantially `coextensive with said carcass and enclosing the same, said'cover being bonded to said carcass except'for an area which is small as compared to the total surface area of the carcass so as to form a pocket between the Acover land rthe carcass, the portion of said cover over said pocket being provided with two parallel-rows of substantiallyequallyspaced lacing holes therethrough and being Aprovided vwith a slit therethrough which isY located between and parallel to said rows'of holes'and of a length not substantiallyA less than the'length of said rows of holes, the holes of onerrow being laterally aligned with the holes of the other rows, said holes and said slit throughout its length all communicating with said vpocket,rsaid cover dening the outer wall o f said pocket, a removable'llacing threaded through said holes and spanning said slit, said lacing `having:parallel longitudinal portionsadjacent said slit betweensaid rows of holes and parallel tr'aiisverse portions extending over said longitudinal portions, a pair" of longitudinal ribs of the same height below said longitudinal lacing portions on opposite sides of saidslitfor supporting said longitudinal lacing portions, and a series of lateral ribs 'projecting outwardly from said longitudinal ribs-towardthe adjacent lacing holes, said flateral ribs having aheght at i the sides of the longitudinal ribs substantially greater than that of the longitudinal ribs to provide recesses of a size to receive the two longitudinal lacing portions `and engaging the transverse lacing portions' to provide support therefor. Y 4, A molded rubber football comprising an impervious inatable rubber bladder hayirlg an inflation valve, axgubberized fabric carcass enclosing said bladderand bonded thereto, an outer'cover coextensive withY said carcass and enclosing the same, said 'cover being disconnected `fior the carcass within a small yarea to form a `pocket between the cover and the carcass, said cover having Yflap portions overlying said pocket with .two ,parallel rows of equally spaced lacing holes therethrough of a siz'e toreceivethe lacing and a'wide longitudinal lacing-supportinglribthv ing a width greater than its heightlocated midway'abetween and parallel to'saidrow of holes and extending substantially the length of said rows, theholes of one row being laterally aligned ,withl those of the .otherro'w, said tlapportionsshaving,lacing holes at the opposite ends'bf said longitudinalrib of a size to receive `thelacingand narrow `transverse lacing-supporting Cribs on opposite .sides of said wide rib integral with'saidrib and alignedwith' said'lacin'g holes, each transvcrse'rib extendingfbetwen said wide rib and alacing hole of one of said rows ,and having an outerlacing-engaging surface extending radially outwardly beyond the outer lacing-engaging surface of said wide rib to provide a lacing-engaging shoulderfatfthe side of said Wide rib.

5. A football as delined-inclaim ,1 whereina reinforcing cord is embedded in the rubber portion of .said football to prevent bulging `of the-football at thelacing, said cord being wrapped around the football. toiprovidea multiplicityof closely spaced convolutions'extendingsubstantially the length of therfootball and located at the innersurface of saidcover and radially outwardlyofs'id pocket, said cord being cut at said slit.

kReferences Cited in the file ofl this patent i UNITED STAEFS'PATENTS y.2,302,985 voit et ai Nov.'

l

2,4, 1942 12,687,303 Henderson ''Aug. 24,',19514 Vzjagzi