EP1771229A1

EP1771229A1 - Outer covering for a ball

Info

Publication number: EP1771229A1
Application number: EP05761988A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christof Nix
Original assignee: Puma AG Rudolf Dassler Sport
Current assignee: Puma SE
Priority date: 2004-07-16
Filing date: 2005-06-21
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-21
Also published as: US20070225094A1; JP2008506429A; WO2006007808A1; DE502005004208D1; ATE395952T1; DE202004011143U1; CN101018588A; EP1771229B1; DE112005002287A5

Abstract

The invention relates to the outer covering for a ball (1), in particular for a football, comprising a plurality of joined together, in particular, sewn, sections (2, 3, 4). The invention is characterised by a first group of essentially similar shaped sections (2) having an essentially circular shape which form or cover a spherical cap of the outer covering of the ball (1), or having an essentially ring-like shape which form or cover a spherical area of the outer covering of the ball (1) in order to produce said type of outer covering for a ball with the least possible amount of sections and the smallest number of joining points of several sewn parts. Two adjacent sections (2) of the first group are joined via a section (3) of a second group to an essentially similar shaped section, which adapts to one of the bordering shapes of the section (2) of the first group, and they have an elongate shape.

Description

ball case

The invention relates to a ball cover, in particular for footballs, which has a number of interconnected, in particular sewn, sections.

Ball covers of this type are well known in the art, for which reference is made to DE 202 20 150 Ul, for example.

In Fig. 1, a previously known ball cover is shown in a perspective view, which is made of a number of sections that are made for example of leather or plastic, with which the Balloberfläche, ie a spherical surface or an ellipsoid surface is parqueted. Hexagons (hexagons) 19 and pentagons (pentagons) 20, which are connected to one another, are used in the ball cover 1 shown in FIG. Around each pentagon 19, five hexagons 19 are disposed adjacent to its side surfaces. Here meet at each corner of the hexagons 19 and Pentagone 20 three seams together, namely at the point of coincidence 21. For example, such a ball cover 1 of 32 sections (20 hexagons and 12 pentagons), the 40 such meeting point 21 has three seams.

Further, a great variety of ways in which the surface portions forming the ball cover may be formed are described in the prior art. In DE 196 29 727 C2, the Balloberfläche is formed from circular sections between which correspondingly tailored connecting sections are arranged, each connecting four circular sections.

DE 195 35 636 A1 parquets the ball surface with a large number of polygons. Here are circular structures by a number, z. B. by ten, triangles formed, with several of these circular structures are interconnected by other polygons. - _

Other ball cases with special training sections are, for example, from DE-PS 418 700, DE-PS 622 592, DE-PS 682750, DE 44 08 047 Al, DE 44 34 751 Al and DE 89 08 027 Ul known.

In all previously known ball covers three criteria must be considered in order to produce a ball in an economical manner, which also has good play properties.

First, care must be taken that the number of sections that parquet the surface of the sphere is not excessive. Only then can an economical production of a ball cover be achieved. If too many sections are provided, which must be connected to each other, for example sewn, must be, a lot of effort is required to produce the ball cover, which makes the manufacturing costs can be large.

Furthermore, it is disadvantageous if a large number meeting places of seams is present. The ball cover can absorb, especially at the points where several seams meet, when using the ball in wet water, which adversely affects the playing properties. A good ball should absorb less water so that its playing characteristics are not altered even when used in a humid environment. Thus, it is desirable that the Balloberfläche has as few meeting meet several seams. Finally, the roundness of the ball or the ball cover has a great importance. The ball should be shaped as round as possible, ie have the most accurate form of a ball or ellipsoid. This can therefore only be approximately achieved because the individual sections are substantially planar and are deformed spherically only by the internal pressure in the ball in the context of their elasticity.

For a baler of the type mentioned at the outset, which is composed of hexagons and pentagons, a certain degree of out-of-roundness results due to the concept, which is illustrated in FIG. There is the section through the ball cover according to FIG. 1 along a great circle and sketched centrally by a pentagon 20 and two hexagons 19 over a quarter of Bailumfangs. Entered are the distances between the ball center 22 and the middle of the section or to the meeting s share two sections. The sections are just drawn, d. H. a spherical deformation due to the pressure inside the ball was not considered.

The radius r ₀₁ is the distance from the center of the ball 22 to the center of the pentagon 20; he is in one embodiment 103.3 mm. The distance r ₀₂ indicates the distance between the ball center 22 and the center of a hexagon 19, in the embodiment example this radius being 106.1 mm. The radius r ₀₃ describes the distance from the ball center 22 to the connection point between a pentagon 20 and a hexagon 19 and is in the exemplary embodiment 108.7 mm. r ₀₄ is the distance between the ball center 22 and the junction between two hexagons 19; the value is 110.2 mm in the exemplary embodiment. The ratio between the largest and smallest radius - in the present case between the radius r ₀₄ and the radius r ₀₁ - indicates the out-of-roundness of the ball cover 1; in the embodiment, the ratio is 1.067.

It is desirable that this ratio comes as close to the value 1, so that the roundness of the ball envelope is as large as possible. In the light of the prior art embodiments of a ball cover, the invention is the basis of the invention to provide a ball cover of the type mentioned, in which all three criteria are met as well as possible, ie that the ball cover has as few sections that need to be sewn together in that the smallest possible number of points of contact of several seams is present and that the ball roundness is as large as possible.

The solution to this problem by the invention is characterized by a first group of substantially identically shaped sections of substantially circular shape which form or cover a ball cap of the ball cover, or substantially annular shape which form or cover a ball zone of the ball cover, wherein each two adjacent sections of the first group are each connected via a respective section of a second group of substantially identically shaped sections which have a shape which is adapted to the adjacent form of the sections of the first group and has an elongated shape.

Preferably, at least four sections of the first group are uniformly distributed on the surface of the ball cover; a preferred embodiment provides that six sections of the first group are arranged uniformly distributed on the surface of the ball cover.

A further development of the ball cover according to the invention provides that at least a portion of the sections of the first group, preferably all sections of the first group, have substantially an annular shape and are arranged in the interior of the annulus concentric sections of a third group with a substantially circular shape. It can be provided that at least a portion of the sections of the first group, preferably all sections of the first group, are each made of a broken at a single circumferential point circular ring part, said the point of interruption facing sides of the circular ring part connected to each other, in particular sewn. Furthermore, can provided that the interruption point in the flat and tension-free state of the portion of the first group over an angular range between 20 ° and 130 °, preferably between 40 ° and 50 ° at six sections of the first group and between 60 ° and 70 ° at four sections the first group, extends.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that at least a portion of the sections of the first group, - preferably all sections of the first group, are made of one each at a plurality of, preferably at three or four, circumferential locations unter¬ rupted annular part, wherein the points of interruption facing sides the circular ring part connected to each other, in particular sewn, are. Accordingly, according to the above-described production of the circular ring part by joining the ends of a single point of interruption of a circular ring part, a plurality of segment-like, preferably equal circular ring sub-elements can hereinafter be connected to each other to form the entire circular ring part. Preferably four equally sized circular ring segments are used when the ball cover is provided with six sections of the first group; three equal circular ring segments can be used with advantage if the ball cover is equipped with four sections of the first group.

The outer radius of the circular ring part formed by the sections of the first group is preferably at least twice the inner radius of the circular ring part.

With regard to the sections of the second group with elongated shape, the following configurations have proved successful:

First, it can be provided that the sections of the second group are formed strip-shaped. In this case, each section of the second group may have a length which is at least twice the largest width of the Section corresponds. Each section of the second group may further be formed symmetrically with respect to two mutually perpendicular axes.

A good way of tiling the surface of the ball cover is facilitated if, according to further development, each section of the second group on both lateral sides has a tip formed from two straight lines or two circular arcs. The straight lines or arcs can thereby one of the axes a Wmkel-between 35 ° and 110 ^o, preferably between 40 ° and 60 °, particularly preferably between 47 ° and 49 ° with four portions of the first group and between 56 ° and 59 ° in six sections of the first group.

The lateral boundary of the two longitudinal sides of each section of the second group can be formed by a circular arc or by an elliptical arc. The sections of the second group may furthermore have a greater width in their end regions than in their middle region. Preferably, the largest width of each section of the second group is at least twice the smallest width of the section.

The ball cover or its parts are advantageously made of plastic, in particular thermoplastic or thermosetting material, or rubber. As plastic are polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutane, polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefin, ethylene vinyl acetate or a mixture of at least two of these plastics into consideration. The ball cover or its parts can also be made of leather or synthetic leather. Furthermore, synthetic material is suitable for the ball cover, for example a fabric made of nylon or cotton.

The proposed ball cover is characterized by a relatively small number of sections that parquet the Balloberfläche. Furthermore, the number of meeting places of seams is relatively low. Finally, there is a good roundness of the ball cover. Not insignificant is further that the required sections for the tiling of the Balloberfläche have a relatively simple contour, which makes the manufacture and handling during processing easy.

Advantageously, the ball cover according to the invention also has a very high dimensional stability.

In the drawing an Ausführangsbeispiel of the invention is shown. Show it:

1 shows a ball sleeve in a perspective view according to the prior art,

2 shows a ball cover in a perspective view according to an embodiment of the inventive concept,

3 shows the ball cover according to FIG. 2 in a larger illustration,

4 is a plan view of a planar portion of the first group,

5 is a plan view of a planar portion of the second group,

6 is a plan view of a flat resting portion of the third group,

7 is a plan view of FIG. 5 in a larger view,

8 shows a ball zone of the ball cover as it is formed or covered by a section of the first group, 9 shows a ball cap of the ball cover, as it is formed or covered by a portion of the third group,

Fig. 10 shows the section through the ball cover according to FIG. 1 according to the prior

Technique along a great circle and centric by a pentagon and two hexagons and

FIG. 1 shows the section corresponding to FIG. 10 through the B all-sheath according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the ball cover 1 according to the invention, FIG. 3 shows the ball cover 1 enlarged. As can be seen, the surface of the ball is provided with three differently shaped sections 2, 3 and 4, with all the sections sewn together. As an alternative to sewing, gluing or welding of the sections is also possible.

The ball cover 1 can be used for footballs or volleyballs as well as for any other balls.

A first group of sections 2 has a substantially annular shape, which form or cover a spherical zone of the ball cover 1. A spherical zone 23 is illustrated in FIG. It is the surface of the spherical layer perspectively shown in this figure. In the exemplary embodiment, six sections 2 of the first group are arranged uniformly distributed over the surface of the ball cover. Another preferred embodiment (not shown) has only four sections 2.

Centrally within the recess formed by the section 2 sections 4 of a third group are arranged. This third group of sections 4 has a substantially circular shape, which form a ball cap of the ball cover 1 or cover. A ball cap 24 is shown in FIG. These are around the surface of the ball segment shown perspectively in this figure. In the Ausführangsbeispiel six sections 4 of the third group are arranged within the sections 2.

The connection of two sections 2 is made over sections 3 of a second group. The sections 3 have a shape adapted to the adjacent shape of the sections of the first group 2. Furthermore, they are elongated or strip-shaped. In the illustrated ball cover a total of twelve sections 3 of the second group are used. There are - as shown in Fig. 3 can be seen - meeting place 21, where meet three seams. While there are only 20 such locations, the prior art ball sheath 32 has such locations critical to water absorption. This improves the consistency of the playing characteristics of the ball case according to the invention.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the three groups of sections 2, 3 and 4 are shown separately, these being flat or spread-out surfaces which assume the shape sketched in FIG. 3 only after sewing.

4 shows what the base part looks like, from which an annular portion 2 (see FIG. 3) is formed. A circular ring part has an interruption at a circumferential point 5. This interruption extends over an angle β, which is preferably between 20 ° and 130 °, with six provided sections 2, preferably at about 45 °. The interruption site facing sides 6 and 7 are then sewn to form the section 2. In this case, one side 6 or 7 or both sides can be formed straight or provided with a circular arc. In Fig. 4 it can be seen that both sides 6, 7 are slightly circular, so that the section 2 after the sewing together of the sides 6, 7 has substantially the shape of a spherical zone 23 (see Fig. 8). Otherwise, the shape of the circular ring part is determined by the radii R ₁ and R ₂ . in the Embodiment, the outer radius R _{1 is} 78.2 mm, while that of the inner radius R _{2 is} 28.2 mm.

The sections 3 of the second group are shown in Figures 3 and - with more details - in Fig. 7. The section 3 has an elongated or strip-like design. In this case, the length L of the section 3 is at least twice the largest width B of the section 3. The section 3 is further formed symmetrically, with respect to two Ae-hsen-8 and 9, - which are perpendicular to each other. At the two transverse sides 10 of the section 3 a tip-shaped widening is provided in each case, d. H. a tip 13, which are formed by two straight lines 11 and 12 or by two circular arcs. In the exemplary embodiment, two straight lines 11 and 12 are provided, which form an angle α of 57 ° relative to the axis 8.

The lateral boundaries 14 of the sections 3 in the region of their longitudinal sides 15 are formed by elliptical arcs, possibly also by circular arcs, which are chosen in size so that when sewing together with the sections 2 fit to the circular shape by the outer radii R ₁ of sections 2 are defined. In the exemplary embodiment with six sections 2, the arc length s is one quarter of the circumference, which is determined by the outer edge of the circular ring section 2. In the case of four sections 2, the arc length would be one third of the circumference.

As can be seen further, this results in a shape of the sections 3 in which they have a greater width B in their end regions 16 and 17 than in their central region 18, where the width is denoted by b. In this case, preferably corresponds to the largest width B of each section 3 at least twice the smallest width b. In the exemplary embodiment, the width b is 14 mm. In relation to the ball cover sketched in FIG. 1, it should be mentioned that the length L of the sections 3 is greater than the diameter of the hexagons 19, whereby a higher dimensional stability of the proposed ball cover is achieved.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a section 4 of the third group, which consists of a circular part. The radius R _{3 of} the part is in the exemplary embodiment at 24.0 mm. This radius can also be chosen significantly larger and be more than 30 mm. This is the case in particular when, in one of the sections 4, a valve for filling the bladder has to be integrated.

The ball cover 1 thus not only has relatively few sections (namely 24 compared to the 32 of the ball cover according to FIG. 1), the number of points of contact of three seams is significantly less with 20 than in the case of the ball cover according to FIG. 1, where 32 digits are.

Furthermore, the roundness of the ball cover 1 in the solution according to the invention is also greater than in the case of the ball according to FIG. 1. As already explained (see embodiments to FIG. 10), there is a minimum radius To ₁ of 103.3 mm Radius ro ₄ of 110.2 mm opposite. The maximum radius is therefore 106.7% of the minimum radius.

The conditions in the ball according to the embodiment of the invention are shown in Fig. 11.

For the ball cover 1 according to Figures 2 and 3, the section through the ball cover along a great circle is sketched in Figure 11 and so that the axis 9 (see Figure 7) runs along the section. Entered are the distances between the ball center 22 and the sections 2, 3 and 4, wherein the sections are just drawn, ie a spherical deformation due to the pressure inside the ball was not considered. The radius rn is the distance from the ball center 22 to the center of the section 4 (circle section); he is in the embodiment 107.5 mm. The distance r ₁₂ indicates the distance between the ball center 22 and the center of the section 2 (circular ring), in the Ausführangsbeispiel this radius is 107.2 mm. The radius r ₁₃ describes the distance from the ball center 22 to the center of the section 3 and in the exemplary embodiment is 109.0 mm. r ₁₄ is the distance between ball center 22 and the junction between sections 2 and 4; the value lies in the exemplary embodiment at 10,98 mm. The ratio between the largest and smallest radius-in the present case between the radius r ₁₄ and the radius r ₁₂ -is again the (maximum) out-of-roundness of the ball cover 1; In the exemplary embodiment, the ratio is 1.024, ie the maximum radius is 102.4% of the minimum radius. This results in that the roundness of the ball is much larger than in the previously known ball according to FIG. 1 (106.7%).

Preferably, an embodiment is provided in which the radius R _{3 of} the section 4 is between 15% and 45% of the (average) radius of the ball cover 1. The mean radius is the arithmetic mean of the four radii mentioned in FIG. 11.

The inner radius R _{2 of} the section 2 is advantageously between 110% and 130%, preferably between 113% and 117% of the radius R _{3 of} the section 4 in the described embodiment with six sections 2. In four sections 2, this value would be preferred 118% and 122% of said radius.

The outer radius R ₁ of section 2 is preferably between 60% and 90%, particularly preferably between 70% and 80%, of the (average) radius of the ball cover 1.

The length L of the section 3 in the embodiment with six sections 2 is preferably between 90% and 220%, in particular between 100% and 120%, the (average) radius of the ball cover 1. If only four sections 2 are provided, the length L is preferably between 180% and 220% of this radius.

The smallest width b of the section 3 is advantageously between 10% and 20%, preferably between 12% and 17%, of the length L of the section 3.

The numbers given are merely exemplary and may change in other exemplary embodiments - - - -

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

ball case

section

TΛschniϊt

section

peripheral location

page

axis

transverse side

Straight or circular arc

Tip lateral boundary

long side end

end

mid-range

Hexagon (hexagon)

Pentagon (pentagon)

Meeting point of the seams

ball center

spherical zone

ball cap α angle .Q _C

angle

Ri outer radius of section 2

R ₂ inner radius of section 2

R ₃ radius of section 4

L length of section 3

B largest width of section 3 b smallest width of section 3 roi radius ro2 radius r ₀₃ radius

Ϊ ^" θ4 radius

Tl 1 radius ri2 radius r_3 radius

Tu radius

S bow length

Claims

Claims;

1. ball cover (1), in particular for footballs, which has a number of interconnected, in particular sewn, sections (2, 3, 4),

marked by

a first group of substantially equal shaped sections (2) of substantially circular shape forming or covering a ball cap of the ball cover (1), or of substantially circular shape forming or covering a ball zone of the ball cover (1), each two adjacent sections (2) of the first group are each connected via a section (3) of a second group of substantially identically shaped sections, which have a shape adapted to the adjacent form of the sections (2) of the first group and of elongated form.

2. Ball sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that on the surface of the ball cover (1) evenly distributed at least four sections (2) of the first group are arranged.

3. Ball cover according to claim 2, characterized in that on the surface of the ball cover (1) evenly distributed six sections (2) of the first group are arranged.

4. Ball sleeve according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least a portion of the sections (2) of the first group, preferably all sections (2) of the first group, have a substantially annular shape and concentric sections inside the annulus (4) a third group are arranged with a substantially circular shape.

5. Ball sleeve according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a part of the sections (2) of the first group, preferably all sections (2) of the first group, each made of a peripheral point (5) interrupted circular ring part, wherein the Interrupting point facing sides (6, 7) of the circular ring part connected to each other, in particular sewn, are.

6. Ball sleeve according to claim 5, characterized in that the

Interruption point in the plane and stress-free state of the section (2) of the first group over an angular range (ß) between 20 ° and 130 °, preferably between 40 ° and 50 ° at six sections (2) of the first group and between 60 ° and 70 ° at four sections (2) of the first group extends.

7. Ball sleeve according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a portion of the sections (2) of the first group, preferably all sections (2) of the first group, are made of one each at a plurality, preferably at three or four, circumferential points circular part , where the the Interruption sites facing sides of the circular ring part connected to each other, in particular sewn, are.

8. Ball sleeve according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the outer radius (R ₁ ) of the annular part formed by the sections (2) of the first group is at least twice the inner radius (R ₂ ) of the - circular ring part.

9. Ball sleeve according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sections (3) of the second group are formed with an elongated shape strip-shaped.

10. Ball sleeve according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each section (3) of the second group has a length (L) which corresponds to at least twice the largest width (B) of the section (3).

11. Ball sleeve according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each section (3) of the second group with respect to two mutually perpendicular axes (8, 9) is symmetrical. 12. Ball hull according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each section (3) of the second group on both transverse sides (10) one of two straight lines or two circular arcs (11,

12) formed tip (13).

13. Ball envelope according to claim 12, characterized in that the straight lines or circular arcs ^■ (11, -12) to an der axes (8) an angle (α) zwisehen-35 ° and 110 °, preferably between 40 ° and 60 °, more preferably between 47 ° and 49 ° for four sections (2) of the first group and between 56 ° and 59 ° for six sections (2) of the first group.

14. Ball cover according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the lateral boundary (14) of the two longitudinal sides (15) of each section (3) of the second group is formed by an elliptical arc or by a circular arc.

15. Ball sleeve according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the sections (3) of the second group in their end regions (16, 17) have a greater width (B), as in its central region (18).

16. Ball sleeve according to claim 15, characterized in that the largest width (B) of each section (3) of the second group at least twice the smallest width (b) of the section (3).