EP3017850A1

EP3017850A1 - An inflatable knitting ball structure and manufacturing method thereof

Info

Publication number: EP3017850A1
Application number: EP14192584.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mei-Sun Lin
Original assignee: Long Way Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Long Way Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-10
Filing date: 2014-11-10
Publication date: 2016-05-11

Abstract

The present invention provides an inflatable knitting ball structure (1), which is continuously knitted by moving threads back and forth in a horizontal manner, and encapsulating the outer peripheral surface of an inflatable inner rubber bladder (7). The inflatable knitting ball structure (1) includes a plurality of sheet body structures (4, 5) that are continuously arranged and integrally connected, wherein a connection region (41, 51) is formed on both the left and right side of the sheet body structure (4, 5), between the plurality of sheet body structures (4, 5) and other sheet body structures (4, 5); wherein the connection region (41, 51) is positioned towards an arc region (42, 52) formed on the upper and lower two ends of the plurality of sheet body structures (4, 5); and a plurality of olive-shaped structures (6) are formed together by the connective region (41, 51) and the arc region (42, 52); at least a connection thread (45) is formed by the connection between the plurality of sheet body structures (4, 5) and the arc region (42, 52) of the plurality of sheet body structures (4, 5). According to the present invention, the present invention may provide the predetermined certain roundness by continuously knitting the inflatable knitting ball structure (1) through a flat knitting machine moving threads back and forth in a horizontal manner. As such, the effect of the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder (7) being exactly encapsulated by the inflatable knitting ball structure (1) can be achieved by the present invention.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an inflatable knitting ball structure and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an inflatable knitting ball structure that is continuously knitted by a flat knitting machine by moving threads in a back and forth and horizontal manner, such that the predetermined certain roundness of the inflatable knitting ball structure can be provided; and an inflatable inner rubber bladder can be placed within the inflatable knitting ball structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The flat knitting machines can be used in various knitting applications, such as the knitting of clothes, vamp knitting, and so on. The flat knitting machines may utilize different materials or colors of yarn or other types of threads to continuously knit predetermined patterns or shapes.
Generally, a common method by which thread or yarn is used to create a piece of clothing includes the following steps: designing a knitting board; selecting the material of a fabric; cutting the fabric; knitting the fabric, sewing the fabric; attaching buttons to the fabric; repairing the knitting of the fabric; checking the knitting of the fabric; and packaging the fabric. Accordingly, a single piece of clothing is manufactured completely on the basis of the aforesaid steps.
Nowadays, in the clothing industry, the most popular flat knitting machine is a computerized flat knitting machine that knits fabrics by computerized instructions and software. The method by which thread or yarn is used to create a piece of clothing includes the following steps: directly inputting computerized instructions with regard to a predetermined knitting board and a knitting shape into knitting software of a computer; continuously knitting fabrics by the computerized flat knitting machine; sewing the fabrics manually or by other sewing machines (such as linking sewing machines); forming stereotype the fabrics; and packaging the fabrics. As such, in accordance with the aforesaid steps of the computerized flat knitting machine, a single piece of clothing can be manufactured completely. Accordingly, the manufacture of a large number of textiles can be achieved within a short time. Manual sewing mistakes can be reduced so as to reduce the costs associated with fabric materials. Moreover, the cost of labor can also be reduced.
However, the aforesaid computerized flat knitting machine can be used only in clothing or fabric industries, but cannot be used in other applications, such as football knitting.
Furthermore, the method for football knitting includes the following steps. A number of fabrics are cut and attached together. Subsequently, an inside and outside multi-layer fabric is inverted after sewing the various pieces of the fabrics. An inflatable inner rubber bladder is placed inside the multi-layer fabric, such that a sphere is formed by the inflatable inner rubber bladder. The outer peripheral surface of the inflatable knitting structure is encapsulated by being attached to the outer skin of a foam layer with a buffering function. The next step involves adjusting the pressure of the inflatable inner rubber bladder. The weight of the football is checked, and the football is packaged finally. Moreover, it should be noted that the function of the outer skin of the foam layer is to maintain the shape of the inflatable inner rubber bladder. Additionally, the outer skin of the foam layer will directly attach the surface of the inflatable knitting structure to the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder.
However, when the inflatable knitting structure is continuously attached to the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder, the overlapping portions of the inflatable knitting structure may cause some parts of the surface of the football to be thicker or to have an uneven thickness. Accordingly, when the inflatable inner rubber bladder is deflated, the surface of the football may have an uneven thickness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an inflatable knitting ball structure. The board data obtained from the predetermined data may be inputted into a computerized flat knitting machine that has been connected to a computer for the execution of a continuous knitting program. The present invention may enable the plurality of sheet body structures to respectively have an optimal curvature pattern after experimental testing, and can successfully and completely encapsulate the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable rubber bladder that has already been inflated. The above mentioned arrangement may further enable the plurality of sheet body structures to be mutually sewn together and thus forming an optimal sphere with complete roundness. As such, the outer peripheral surface of a ball may have an even thickness.
In order to achieve the aforesaid objective, the present invention provides an inflatable knitting ball structure, wherein the inflatable knitting ball structure may be continuously knitted by moving threads back and forth in a horizontal manner, and including a plurality of sheet body structures that are continuously arranged and integrally connected, wherein a connection region may be formed respectively on both the left and right side of the plurality of sheet body structures, between the plurality of sheet body structure and other sheet body structures.
Preferably, an aspect of the present invention may further include a connection region being positioned towards an arc region formed respectively on the upper and lower two ends of the plurality of sheet body structures; and a plurality of olive-shaped structures are formed together by the connective region and the arc region; at least a connection thread may be formed by the connection between the plurality of sheet body structures that are adjacent to each other.
Preferably, in one embodiment of the present invention, an accommodating space encapsulating the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder may be formed by the plurality of olive-shaped structures interconnecting with each other. In other words, inputting the board data obtained from the predetermined data into the flat knitting machine that has been connected to the computer for the execution of a continuous knitting program may enable the plurality of sheet body structures to respectively have an optimal curvature pattern after experimental testing, and may successfully and completely encapsulate the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable rubber bladder that has already been inflated. The above mentioned arrangement may further enable the plurality of sheet body structures to be mutually sewn together and thus forming an optimal sphere with complete roundness.
In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of connection threads located on the left side of the plurality sheet body structures may be collectively positioned towards the upper end of the plurality of sheet body structures, and the plurality of connection threads located on the right side of the plurality of sheet body structures may be collectively positioned towards the lower end of the plurality of sheet body structures, these respectively forming a circular shape which is used for setting a joint portion of the valve of the inflatable inner rubber bladder. Furthermore, in another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of connection threads may be positioned towards the joint portion, and these collectively form a radiating pattern.
Moreover, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an inflatable knitting ball structure is provided, including the step of producing a guided yarn by knitting horizontally back and forth in a knitting machine, for positioning a roll and driving a longitudinal displacement. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, an initial sewing region by a central edge of the guided yarn may be formed, and a localization region may be formed respectively on an edge of the two sides of the guided yarn.
In one aspect of the present invention, one end of the initial sewing region of the guided yarn may be positioned towards the other end, in order to perform horizontal knitting. Further, the displacement moving path distance of each horizontal knit may be larger compared to the previous displacement moving path distance which is in an opposite direction. In another aspect of the present invention, and a first arc-shaped structure may be formed by gradually knitting while expanding, in order to connect the localization region.
In one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the edge of the first arc-shaped structure may be positioned towards the other end, in order to perform horizontal back and forth knitting. Moreover, the displacement moving path distance of each horizontal knit may be smaller compared to the previous displacement moving path distance which is in opposite direction. In one aspect of the present invention, the second arc-shaped structure may be formed by gradual pinch weaving, and a first olive-shaped structure may be formed collectively by the second arc-shaped structure and the first arc-shaped structure.
Also, the step (I) of the present invention may further include a step of forming a tuck structure on the edge of the guided yarn, and the initial sewing region may also be formed by means of the central region of the tuck structure; and a localization region may be formed respectively at the edges of the two ends of the tuck structure.
Preferably, according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of the present invention may further include a step (IV) which involves a knitting procedure that enables horizontal expansion weaving and pinch weaving to be performed, in a manner that is repetitive and in sequential order. Accordingly, the step (III) of the present invention also enables the first olive-shaped structure to be integrally connected to a number of olive-shaped structures; and the first olive-shaped structure and the last olive-shaped structure are connected to one another by sewing, enabling the inflatable inner rubber bladder to be placed within the inflatable knitting ball structure.
In accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, in comparison with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step (IV) of the present invention may further include a step of performing the action of stitching the edge of the first side of the last olive-shaped structure, after the first olive-shaped structure may be integrally connected to a number of olive-shaped structures.
In accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of the present invention may further include a step (IV), which involves a knitting procedure that enables horizontal expansion weaving and pinch weaving to be performed, in a manner that is repetitive and in sequential order. Further, the present invention may also involve the steps of enabling the first olive-shaped structure to be integrally connected to a number of olive-shaped structures, and enabling a first portion having a curvature to be formed. Moreover, the present invention may also involve that the edge of the first side of the first part is being connected to a waste yarn. Accordingly, the step (I) to the step (IV) of the present invention are performed repeatedly by means of the edge of the first side of the waste yarn and enabling a second part that has a curvature to be formed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, subsequent to the connection of the first part and the second part, the waste yarn may be removed, and the first part of the first olive-shaped structure and the second part of the last olive-shaped structure are connected to each other by sewing, enabling the formation of the inflatable knitting ball structure that encapsulates the inflatable inner rubber bladder.
Preferably, the step (IV) of the present invention may further include a step of forming a tuck structure between the edge of the first side of the first part and the waste yarn. The step (IV) of the present invention may also involve a step of further forming the tuck structure between the edge of the first side of the waste yarn and the second part.
In accordance with the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, in comparison with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step (IV) of the present invention may further include a step of stitching the edge of the first side of a last oval-shaped structure, subsequent to removing the waste yarn from the first part and the second part.
In accordance with the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, in comparison with the first to the fourth preferred embodiments, the step (I) of the present invention may involve the formation of a first arc-shaped structure by means of performing back and forth expansion weaving in the flat knitting machine.
The step (II) of the present invention may involve the steps of positioning one end of the edge of the first side of the first arc-shaped structure towards the other end, in order to perform horizontal back and forth knitting, and enabling the formation of a second arc-shaped structure by means of gradual pinch weaving. Also, a first olive-shaped structure may be formed collectively by the second arc-shaped structure and the first arc-shaped structure.
The step (III) of the present invention may involve a knitting procedure that is performed in a manner that is repeated and in sequential order, in order to allow horizontal expansion weaving as well as horizontal pinch weaving. The above mentioned knitting procedure also enables the first olive-shaped structure to be integrally connected to a number of olive-shaped structures. Furthermore, in one embodiment, an inflatable knitting ball structure that encapsulates the inflatable inner rubber layer may be formed by the action of stitching the edge of the first side of the last olive-shaped structure, and connecting and sewing the first olive-shaped structure with the last olive-shaped structure together.
It is clear from the above mentioned embodiments of the present invention that the distinguishing technical features of the present invention include setting a predetermined path length of the crochet hook subsequent to experimental tests; the size of each turn of yarn per lap hooked out by the crochet hook; the tensional force created by each turn of yarn per lap as well as that is needed during each horizontal knit. Furthermore, the other additional distinguishing technical feature of the present invention includes inputting the board data obtained from the best set of experimental data into a computer software program that is in connection with the flat knitting machine. In addition, another distinguishing technical feature of the present invention is the formation of at least a continuous arrangement that is in connection with a sheet body structure having a specific curvature. Moreover, subsequent to the corresponding sewing of the plurality of the sheet body structures, thus leading to the formation of an inflatable knitting ball structure that is of spherical form and with optimal roundness, the specific curvature of the inflatable knitting ball structure enables complete encapsulation of the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder once the inflatable inner rubber bladder has been inflated.
The present invention not only is able to maintain the shape and roundness of the inflatable inner rubber bladder within the football by means of the plurality of sheet body structures with a specific tensional force, the design of the present invention is also able to maintain the density and tensional force of each turn of yarn per lap of the plurality of sheet body structures within the football in the long term, and also preventing the phenomenon of uneven thickness appearing on the surface of the inflatable rubber inner bladder of the deflated football.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be understood in more detail by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and embodiments made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1, Fig. 2A to Fig. 2c are flow charts illustrating the manufacturing method thereof in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3A represents a schematic diagram of the first arc-shaped structure in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 3B represents a schematic diagram of the second arc-shaped structure in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a table showing data from the experimental tests in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 5, Fig. 6A to Fig. 6C are flow charts illustrating the manufacturing methods in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 represents a schematic diagram of an expanded inner knitting ball structure in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of use of the inflatable knitting ball structure in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Firstly, referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C illustrate a method for manufacturing an inflatable knitting ball structure in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The method for manufacturing an inflatable knitting ball structure of the present invention includes the following steps. At first, the step (I) may involve the knitting of a guided yarn 2 which can enable the roll of the horizontal machine to be positioned as well as the driving of longitudinal displacement, by means knitting back and forth in a horizontal manner in a flat knitting machine. The width on the left and right side of the guided yarn 2 is set as the width of the final formed structure of the first structure of the inflatable knitting ball structure of the present invention. In addition, a double stitch structure 20 which can be easily removed by a user or a machine, is formed from the edge of the first side 21 of the guided yarn 2. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the double stitch structure also has a larger turn of yarn in its knitting path in comparison with the other turns of yarn. An initial sewing region 22 is formed from the central edge of the double stitch structure 20. Also, the positioning of the edges of the two ends of the double stitch structure 20 towards the central edge can lead to the respective formation of a localization region 23 that can enable the act of positioning by the crochet hooks by the plurality of the flat knitting machine.
In addition, in all the theories that are related to the design of a flat knitting machine for knitting, the places that have not been knitted are positioned and fixed by the plurality of crochet hooks, in order to temporarily prevent of the turn of yard and thread to loosen or change shape. The areas that are about to be knitted no longer need to be fixed, and the crochet hooks will be released in these areas. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, the step (II) of the present invention may involve a step of positioning the first end 221 of the initial sewing region 22 of the guided yarn 2 towards the second end 222, in order to perform horizontal knitting in a back and forth manner. Referring to Fig. 3A of the present invention, it can be seen that the displacement moving path distance of the each horizontal knit is larger compared to the previous displacement moving path distance which is in an opposite direction, and a first arc-shaped structure 4 is formed by gradually weaving while expanding in order to connect the localization region 23. In other words, setting the flat knitting machine that is connected to the computer by means of inputting the predetermined board data can enable the displacement distance of each horizontal knit to be increased gradually, forming a gradually expanding pattern that is at the centre of the central edge of the first side 21 of the guided yarn 2.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention , as can be seen in Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C that, during the process of continuous horizontal knitting, the connection region 41 is gradually formed at the central region of the first arc-shaped structure 4, between the guided yarn 2 and the first arc-shaped structure 4. Moreover, an arc region 42 is formed by the top and bottom ends of the first arc-shaped structure 4 and by connecting the top and bottom as well as the two ends on the two sides in a continuous manner during each horizontal knitting path. During the process of horizontal knitting, at the same time while the arc region is formed, it is also sewn together with the localization region 23 of the guided yarn 2. As such, when the first arc-shaped structure 4 is being formed, the connection part that is being connected with the first side 21 of the guided yarn 2 will show curvature. The connection part also has the appearance of being rolled up, and has folds which are also overlapping.
Next, referring to Fig. 1, Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C, the step (III) of the present invention may involve the positioning of the first end 43 on the edge of the first arc-shaped structure 4 towards the second end 44, the performing of back and forth knitting in a horizontal and repeated manner is carried out once the second end 44 is positioned towards the first end 43. Referring to Fig. 3B of the present invention, it can be seen that the displacement moving path distance of each horizontal knit is smaller compared to the previous displacement moving path distance which is in opposite direction. Moreover, gradual pinch weaving enables the formation of a second arc-shaped structure 5. This structure is in connection with the first arc-shaped structure 4, and the second arc-shaped structure has a corresponding shape in comparison with the first arc-shaped structure 4. Finally, a first olive-shaped structure 6 is formed collectively by the first arc-shaped structure 4 and second arc-shaped structure 5.
Similarly, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is clear from Fig 1, Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B that a connection region 51 is formed gradually between the first arc-shaped structure 4 and the second arc-shaped structure 5. The connection region 51 is located at the central region of the second arc-shaped structure 5, and the connection region 51 is also being sewn together, and is thus in connection with the connection region 41 of the first arc-shaped structure. During the process of horizontal knitting, the top and bottom ends as well as the ends on the two sides of each horizontal knitting path are continuously connected by being sewn together, and the sewing together of the top and bottom two ends of the second arc-shaped structure 5 lead to the formation of an arc region 52.
Subsequent to the step (I), knitting is to be continued in accordance with the step (II) of the present invention, by means of using the first side of the second arc-shaped structure 5. At the same time, while the third arc-shaped structure is gradually being formed, the arc region 42 formed from the top and bottom ends of each horizontal knit need to be sewn together with the arc region 52 of the second arc-shaped structure 5.
Subsequent to the above steps of the present invention, it is clear from Fig. 1, Fig. 2B and Fig. 2C that horizontal knitting is to be carried out repeatedly and in sequential order, with a knitting procedure that enables pinch weaving and weaving while expanding, to enable the first olive-shaped structure 6 to be integrally connected with a number of olive-shaped structures. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of olive-shaped structures is continuously knitted together, such that ten or eleven pieces of olive-shaped structures are formed. The edge of the first side of the second arc-shaped structure 5 of the terminal olive-shaped structure is connected to a waste yarn 8 by a tuck structure 80.
Referring to Fig. 2C, according to the present invention, it is clear that once the inflatable inner rubber that generally appears round and that has not been completely inflated has been placed inside the inflatable knitting ball structure, the first olive-shaped structure 6 and the last olive-shaped structure are connected by being sewn together to form the inflatable knitting ball structure 1 that encapsulates the inflatable inner rubber bladder. This is followed by the removal of the guided yarn 2 and the waste yarn 8.
Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 2C, while the first arc-shaped structure 4 and the second arc-shape structure 5 are being sewn together, at least one connection thread 45 is formed at the same time of the corresponding sewing of the arc region 42 and arc region 52. Fig. 2C shows that when the inflatable knitting ball structure 1 is being correspondingly sewn together, the connection thread 45 is positioned towards the edges of the top and bottom ends, and these will be sewn together to form a joint portion 46. The joint portion 46 is formed on the two sides of the inflatable knitting ball structure, and also forms the appearance of and shape of a closed ball. The inflatable inner rubber bladder 7 is placed within the inflatable knitting ball structure of the present invention. The inflatable inner rubber bladder has one or two air taps 71. There is free air flow between one end of the air tap 71 and the inflatable inner rubber bladder. The other end is exposed at the joint portion 46. The air tap 71 of the inflatable inner rubber bladder 7 corresponds to the joint portion 46, such that the inflatable inner rubber bladder 7 can be inflated by an external source once the inflatable inner ball structure of the present invention has been sealed.
As shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 4 shows the details of a number of squeezing experiments carried out on the inflatable knitting ball structure of the present invention under the conditions of 0.8 bars of pressure and at the temperature of 20 °C. In accordance with the curvature of the inflatable knitting ball structure, the tensional force caused by the thread formed by the amount of yarn hooked out per unit of knitting area are to enable the inflatable inner rubber bladder to be encapsulated by the inflatable knitting ball structure, such that the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder is completely attached to the inflatable knitting ball structure after the inflatable inner bladder has been inflated. Further, through the specifically designed tensional forces of the inflatable knitting ball structure 1 of the present invention, the roundness of the inflatable inner rubber bladder can be maintained on average at a level of below 1.3 subsequent to numerous attempts of hitting and squeezing the ball as a result of the ball being played with. Furthermore, referring to Fig. 4, the circumference of the inflatable inner rubber bladder 7 is to be maintained at the average value within the range of 656.5 mm to 650 mm. Moreover, the circle diameter is to be maintained at an average value within the range of 207 mm to 209 mm, wherein the preferred quantity of yarn for each unit, that is, per lap of yarn is 8.5 to 9 cm², and the preferred quantity for the continuous knitting of the olive-shaped structure is to knit ten or eleven olive-shaped structures per ball.
Referring to Fig. 5, Fig. 6A, Fig 6B and Fig. 6C, Fig. 5, Fig. 6A, Fig 6B and Fig. 6C represent the second preferred embodiment showing the manufacturing method of the inflatable knitting ball structure in accordance with the present invention. In comparison with the first preferred embodiment, the difference of the second preferred embodiment lies in the fact that in the step (IV) of the present invention, the pinch weaving and weaving while expanding knitting procedures are carried out in a repeated manner and in sequential order, to enable the first olive-shaped structure 6 to be integrally connected with a number of olive-shaped structures, thus enabling the formation of a first part 11 that has a curvature. Furthermore, subsequent to the formation of a tuck structure 80 on the edge of the first side of the first part 11, the tuck structure 80 is to be reconnected to a waste yarn 8; and subsequent to the formation of yet another tuck structure 80 on the edge of the first side of the waste yarn 8, the above mentioned steps (I) to (IV) of the present invention need to be carried out continuously by using the waste yarn 8, to enable the formation of a second part 12 that has a curvature. In addition, the second part 11 is further connected to another waste yarn 9 through the tuck structure 90. Once the first part 11 and the second part 12 have been sewn together, and the waste yarn 8 has been removed, the first olive-shaped structure 6 of the first part 11 are to be sewn together with the last olive-shaped structure of the second part 12, thus forming an inflatable knitting ball structure 1 that encapsulates the inflatable inner rubber bladder 7. The guided yarn 2 and the waste yarn 9 are removed by means of a linking sewing machine, as shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6A, Fig 6B and Fig. 6C.
Referring to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 represent the most preferred embodiment of the inflatable knitting ball structure 1 in accordance with the present invention. The inflatable knitting ball structure 1 of the present invention is able to encapsulate the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder of the football, and is located in between the inflatable inner rubber bladder and the outer skin of the football. The inflatable knitting ball structure 1 is mainly comprised of a plurality of sheet body structures 3 that are continuously arranged and connected together, by means of knitting back and forth continuously in a horizontal manner, by using a flat knitting machine.
Moreover, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the left and right sides of the plurality of sheet body structures 3 respectively form a connection region 41 that is also in connection with other sheet body structures. Also, the connection region 41 is positioned towards the top and bottom two ends of the plurality of sheet body structures 3, thus forming an arc region 42. An olive-shaped structure is formed collectively by the connection region 41 and the arc region 42. In addition, at least one connection thread 45 is formed by the connection between the arc region 42 of the plurality of sheet body structures 3 and the plurality of sheet body structures 3 itself.
In addition, also referring to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the positioning of the plurality of connection threads 45 on the left side of the sheet body structure 3 towards the upper end of the plurality of sheet body structures 3 will enable the formation of a joint portion 46 which has the appearance of being round, and is also used for setting the air tap 71 of the inflatable inner rubber bladder 7. In addition, the positioning of the plurality of connection threads 45 on the right side of the sheet body structure 3 towards the lower end of the plurality of sheet body structures 3 will enable the formation of a joint portion 46. The inflatable knitting ball structure 1 enables the formation of a spherical space for encapsulating the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder of the football. Additionally, the positioning of the plurality of connection threads 45 towards the joint portion 46 enables the formation of a radiating pattern 451. It is also clear from the figures that, the curvature of the arc of the joint portion 46 is equal to the curvature of the arc region 42.
Moreover, the plurality of sheet body structures 3 is respectively formed by the sewing together of two corresponding pieces of arc-shaped structures that have an arc-shaped pattern in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
In view of all of the above, the manufacturing method of the inflatable knitting ball structure of the present invention may involve a step of inputting the board data obtained from the best set of experimental data into a flat knitting machine that is in connection with the computer, and accurately controlling the knitting process, such that an inflatable knitting ball structure having a specific predetermined tensional force and curvature is formed. Accordingly, when the outer skin of the foam layer is attached to the outer peripheral surface of inflatable knitting ball structure of the present invention, the phenomenon of an even thickness on the surface cannot be visualized.In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, after practical experiments and testing, a predetermined sphere shape may be formed by the preferred density and the laps of yarn having a specific tensional force. As such, the inflatable knitting ball structure may completely encapsulate the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder once the inflatable inner rubber bladder has been inflated.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

An inflatable knitting ball structure, which is continuously knitted by moving threads back and forth in a horizontal manner, comprising:
a plurality of sheet body structures that are continuously arranged and integrally connected, wherein a connection region is formed respectively on both the left and right side of the sheet body structure, between the plurality of sheet body structures and other sheet body structures, wherein the connection region is positioned towards an arc region formed respectively on the upper and lower two ends of the plurality of sheet body structures; and a plurality of olive-shaped structures are formed together by the connective region and the arc region; at least a connection thread is formed by the connection between the plurality of sheet body structures that are adjacent to each other.
The inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 1, wherein an accommodating space encapsulating the outer peripheral surface of the inflatable inner rubber bladder is formed by the plurality of olive-shaped structures interconnecting with each other.
The inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection threads located on the left side of the plurality of the sheet body structures are collectively positioned towards the upper end of the plurality of sheet body structures, and the plurality of connection threads located on the right side of the plurality of sheet body structures are collectively positioned towards the lower end of the plurality of sheet body structures, these respectively forming a circular shape which is used for setting a joint portion of the air tap of the inflatable rubber bladder.
The inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of connection threads are positioned towards the joint portion, and collectively form a radiating pattern.
A method for manufacturing an inflatable knitting ball structure, comprising the steps of:
(I) producing a guided yarn by knitting horizontally back and forth in a flat knitting machine, for positioning a roll and driving a longitudinal displacement; forming an initial sewing region by a central edge of the guided yarn, and forming a localization region respectively on an edge of the two sides of the guided yarn;

(II) positioning one end of the initial sewing region of the guided yarn towards the other end, in order to perform horizontal knitting; and forming a first arc-shaped structure by gradually weaving while expanding for connecting the localization region; and

(III) positioning one end of the edge of the first arc-shaped structure towards the other end, in order to perform horizontal back and forth knitting, and forming a second arc-shaped structure by gradual pinch weaving, and forming a first olive-shaped structure collectively by the second arc-shaped structure and the first arc-shaped structure.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 5, wherein the step (II) further comprises a larger displacement moving path distance of each horizontal knit compared to the previous displacement moving path distance which is in an opposite direction.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 5, wherein the step (III) further comprises a smaller displacement moving path distance of each horizontal knit compared to the previous displacement moving path distance which is in opposite direction.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 5, wherein the step (I) further comprises forming a tuck structure on the edge of the guided yarn, and the initial sewing region is formed by means of the central region of the tuck structure; and a localization region is formed respectively at the edges of the two ends of the tuck structure.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises a step (IV) which comprises a knitting procedure that enables horizontal expansion weaving and pinch weaving to be performed, in a manner that is repetitive and in sequential order; enabling the first olive-shaped structure to be integrally connected to a number of olive-shaped structures; and the first olive-shaped structure and the last olive-shaped structure are connected to one another by sewing, and forming an inflatable knitting ball structure that is within the inflatable inner rubber bladder.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 9, wherein the step (IV) further comprises a step of performing the action of stitching the edge of the first side of the last olive-shaped structure, after the first olive-shaped structure is integrally connected to a number of olive-shaped structures.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises the step (IV) which includes a knitting procedure that enables horizontal expansion weaving and pinch weaving to be performed, in a manner that is repetitive and in sequential order; allowing the first-olive shaped structure to be integrally connected to a number of olive- shaped structures and forming a first portion having a curvature; the edge of the first side of a first part is connected to a waste yarn; repeatedly performing the step (I) to the step (IV) by means of the edge of the first side of the waste yarn and forming a second part that has the curvature; subsequent to the connection of the first part and the second part, the waste yarn is removed, and the first part of the first olive-shaped structure and the second part of the last olive-shaped structure are connected to each other by sewing, and forming the inflatable knitting ball structure that encapsulates the inflatable inner rubber bladder.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 11, wherein the step (IV) further comprises a step of forming a tuck structure between the edge of the first side of the first part and the waste yarn; and a step of further forming the tuck structure between the edge of the first side of the waste yarn and the second part.
The method for manufacturing the inflatable knitting ball structure according to claim 11, wherein the step (IV) further comprises a step of stitching the edge of the first side of a last oval-shaped structure subsequent to removing the waste yarn from the first part and the second part.