AU2013204390A1 - Tape for sports balls - Google Patents

Abstract

: \tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5067982_l.doc-12 04/2013 A tape for sports balls, the tape having an underside configured for engagement with the sports ball and an upper side facing away from the ball, the upper side having the 5 appearance of a cricket ball seam. -rs=~ _16 Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

: \tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5067964_l doc-12 04/2013 TAPE FOR SPORTS BALLS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to tape for sports balls. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to tape for tennis balls for use in cricket games. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 It can be impractical and dangerous to use a conventional cricket ball in informal games of cricket, such as backyard, beach or indoor cricket for example. As a substitute, electrical tape is commonly used to cover a tennis ball to be used in such cricket games. A tennis ball covered in electrical tape is also commonly used in games of tape ball cricket. Electrical tape improves the speed at which the ball passes through the air, makes the ball 15 feel "harder" when hit and can also allow a bowler to swing the ball in a manner similar to that of a standard cricket ball if the tennis ball is only partially taped. However, conventional electrical tape does not provide the authentic look or feel of a standard cricket ball. Furthermore, the swing characteristics of a partially taped ball are 20 markedly different to a standard cricket ball. Examples of the invention seek to solve, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of previous tapes used in cricket games. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a tape for sports balls, the tape having an underside configured for engagement with the sports ball and an upper side facing away from the ball, the upper side having the appearance of a cricket ball seam. 30 : \tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5067964_l doc-12 04/2013 -2 In some embodiments, the upper side has the image of a cricket ball seam printed on it. Alternatively or additionally, an outer surface of the upper side can have a form resembling that of a seam of a cricket ball. According to preferred embodiments, the tape is moulded. 5 The tape can have a reinforcing element extending through its length. The tape can be reinforced with fibreglass, a para-aramid synthetic fibre or carbon fibre. Preferably, the underside of the tape includes a hook segment of a hook and loop fastener pair, the hook segment configured to engage the sports ball. Alternatively, the underside is 10 adhesive and configured for engagement with a tennis ball. According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising, a tape of the above described type, the tape being wrapped around a sports ball. 15 Preferably, the ball is a tennis ball. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be further described, by way of non-limiting 20 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a tape of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tape wound around a sports ball; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tape of another embodiment wound around a sports ball. 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION A tape 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The tape 10 is configured for use with a sports ball 12 (Figure 2). 30 The tape 10 has an underside 14 configured for engagement with the sports ball 12 and an : \tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5067964_l doc-12 04/2013 -3 upper side 16 facing away from the ball. The upper side 16 has the appearance of a cricket ball seam so that a ball having tape 10 adhered thereto has a more authentic look thereby making the tape more desirable to consumers. 5 In this specification, the term "seam" has been used to describe a portion of the ball in which sides of the ball are joined and is intended to be inclusive of both the opposing edges that are brought together to create the join and the stitching used to fasten the sides together. 10 In some embodiments, the tape 10 is formed from a plastic material such as vinyl, as used in common electrical tape, though it will be appreciated that other materials may similarly be used. The tape 10 has an adhesive backing that adheres to the ball 12 and to itself when wrapped around the ball 12 to secure the tape 10 to the ball 12. 15 The upper side 16 can have the image of a cricket ball seam printed on it, thereby providing the sports ball with a more authentic look when compared to balls taped with conventional electrical tape. The upper side 16 may also have brand images or promotional messages printed on it. In this regard, it is envisaged that the tape 10 may have application as a promotional item which is supplied as a giveaway which is used to 20 help sell consumer products such as alcoholic drinks, which are commonly consumed at informal cricket matches, or other products. The tape 10 may be coloured and is preferably red with white portions corresponding to cricket ball stitching to replicate the look of a conventional cricket ball, though it will be 25 appreciated that other colours, including novelty colours, may be used. The ball 12 may be completely covered with tape or may only have a single section of tape wrapped around the ball 12. The tape may be supplied in a pack containing two individual tapes, a first tape being of ordinary red colour for completely covering the ball, and a second tape having the image of a seam printed on it for use as an outer or finishing layer to give the 30 ball the appearance of a regular cricket ball.

: \tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5067964_l doc-12 04/2013 -4 The image may be printed using conventional methods suitable for printing on vinyl tape. Alternatively or additionally, an outer surface of the upper side 16 can have a three dimensional form resembling that of a seam of a cricket ball. In this regard, the tape 10 5 would replicate or resemble lines of stitching 18 and a join 20 which are common features of conventional cricket balls. Although the illustrated tape is shown as having two lines of stitching on each side of a central join, it will be appreciated that other configurations are also possible, such as one having a single line or more than two lines may similarly be used. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 3, the lines of stitching 118 may be configured 10 such that the visible portions are parallel to the join 120, instead of being at an angle to it as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The lines of stitching 118 may be aligned, as shown, or each line may be spaced so as to be longitudinally offset from each other. As shown in the enlarged portion of Figure 3, the stitching 118 and join 120 are raised to 15 replicate the form of a conventional cricket ball. Advantageously, a ball covered in tape 110 may pass through the air in a manner similar to the way a conventional cricket ball would. In the embodiment of Figure 3, features common to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 are 20 numbered with like numbers that have been incremented by 100 and the preceding description directed to tape 10 is intended to similarly apply to tape 110. To achieve a three dimensional form, the tape 10, 110 may be moulded from a material such as a rubber or silicone material using conventional moulding techniques for example. 25 Advantageously, a ball covered with tape 10, 110 may swing and bounce in a manner similar to that of a conventional cricket ball, thereby providing users with a more authentic cricket experience without resorting to use of a conventional cricket ball, which can be impractical in backyard cricket matches. 30 The moulded seam can also have application in player development and training situations by way of teaching aspiring bowlers how to bowl with a ball having a seam and how to use : \tzs\Intrwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TZS\5067964_l doc-12 04/2013 -5 that seam to swing a cricket ball as desired. A ball covered with tape 10, 110 can practically be used in training areas without having to worry about the dangers and risk of potential damage associated with using a conventional cricket ball. 5 To increase the strength of the moulded tape and provide sufficient durability, the tape 10, 110 can have a reinforcing element extending through its length. The reinforcing element can be, for example, in the form of fibreglass, a para-aramid synthetic fibre such as Kevlar or carbon fibre, or combinations thereof. It is envisaged that the reinforcing element will be suspended in a moulded matrix in a manner similar to that used in connection with 10 common fibre reinforced plastics. In the described embodiment, the underside 14, 114 of the tape 10, 110 is adhesive and configured for engagement with a tennis ball. The adhesive is also configured so that the underside 14, 114 adheres to the upper side 16, 116 of a portion already wound around the 15 ball to further secure the tape 10, 110 to the ball. In other embodiments, the underside of the tape is not adhesive and is configured to engage the ball by other means. In one example, the tape includes a plurality of hooks which form a hook segment of a hook and loop fastener pair. The portion of the hook and loop fastener can be a piece of conventional Velcro. The hook segment can be configured to engage a sports ball such as 20 a tennis ball having a fibrous, fluffy, felt outer surface to fix the tape 10, 110 thereto. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention disclosed.

Claims (11)

1. A tape for sports balls, the tape having an underside configured for engagement with the sports ball and an upper side facing away from the ball, the upper side having the 5 appearance of a cricket ball seam.

2. The tape claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper side has the image of a cricket ball seam printed on it.

3. The tape claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an outer surface of the upper side has a form resembling that of a seam of a cricket ball. 10

4. The tape claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tape is moulded.

5. The tape claimed in claim 4, wherein the tape has a reinforcing element extending through its length.

6. The tape claimed in claim 5, wherein the tape is reinforced with fibreglass, a para aramid synthetic fibre or carbon fibre. 15

7. The tape claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underside of the tape includes a hook segment of a hook and loop fastener pair, the hook segment configured to engage the sports ball.

8. The tape claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underside is adhesive. 20

9. The tape claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the underside is configured for engagement with a tennis ball.

10. An assembly comprising, a tape according to any one of the preceding claims, the tape being wrapped around a sports ball.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the ball is a tennis ball.