GB2457941A

GB2457941A - A sports ball

Info

Publication number: GB2457941A
Application number: GB0803828A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Also published as: GB0803828D0

Abstract

A sports ball has a central bladder 31, a layered lining topped by a cover layer 32, the joins 35 join panels of the lining, cover laminate and are each filled with a deposit of sealant 36. A protective coating 34 is provided over the cover layer 32 and joins 35 filled with sealant 36. An inflation valve 37 protrudes from a panel and a counterweight 37b is enclosed in a diametrically opposing panel. A weight-counterweight pair 38a, 38b is disposed in diametrically opposed panels defining an axis which is perpendicular to that defined by the panels containing valve 37 and counterweight 37b.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN SPORTS BALLS

This invention relates to sports balls, in particular but not strictly limited to soccer balls. The invention provides a ball which is resistant to changing environmental factors and has smooth curvature and balanced weight distribution enabling more reliable and predictable ball behavIour.

Typically a soccer ball comprises four main components; a cover having an inner lining, joins to complete and close the cover and lining and central bladder.

In recent years covers for outdoor balls have been made up from synthetic leather in place of full grain leather to avoid a recognised problem water absorption in full grain leather balls them to become heavier and affecting performance. Many variations of synthetic leather are available, most contain polyurethane and/or polyvinylchlorlde. The cover comprises a plurality of panels which when joined in a suitable configuration form a shape which approaches a sphere. A preferred shape is a truncated Icosahedron which consists of 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal panels of predetermined sizes which when joined in an appropriate configuration and caused to curve by pressure from an internal bladder form a near perfect spherical "Buckmlnster Ball". Joining of panels has been achieved by stitching, gluing or thermally moulding.

Higher quality balls tend to be hand stitched with multi-ply polyester cord or similar. Materials may be used to strength the thread before stitching, for example, some threads are reinforced with Keviar� fibres.

In recent years there has been developed a 14-panel design (known as the Adidas Teamgeistm). There are fewer seams In this design and it is claimed the ball is rounder and performs more uniformly compared to the truncated lcosahedron design, regardless of where It is hit. The panels are thermally bonded in this ball to reduce water absorption.

Liners typically comprise multiple layers of material, around 4-5 layers is typical for high quality balls. These multiple layers of lining are placed between the cover and the bladder and are usually composed of polyester and/or cotton bonded laminate which serve to.give the ball strength, structure and bounce. The lining helps the ball retain its shape and bounce over the life of the ball. Some balls include In the liner a foam layer which provides added cushioning and ball control.

The lining envelops a spherical bladder which, in use is filled with air.

Bladders are usually made from latex or butyl. Most balls use butyt valves for air retention, with higher end balls using a silicone-treated valve for superior performance. Silicone treated valves are used on some balls for smooth insertion of the inflating needle and added protection from air loss.

Liner and cover materials are pre prepared as a single sheet and cut Into panels. The cover may be printed with graphics prior to the panels being joined. Optionally a dear, lightweight protective coating such as urethane may be provided on the printed cover surface to maintain the printed graphic. Again this Is conventionally done prior to joining of the panels. If the panels are to be stitched, then holes are pre punched adjacent the edges of the panels. As a finally step, the panels are joined.

The inventor has recognised that the spherecity of a ball (or smoothness of curvature of a non spherical ball) could be Improved particularly at the joins of the panels. The inventor has also recognised that the joins and particularly stitched joins provide a weak point in the bait structure through which absorption of water may occur adversely affecting the ball's performance. Another problem recognised by the Inventor is a small imbalance in the weight distribution of a ball caused by the presence of a valve at one position on the outer surface of the ball. The present invention seeks to provide.a ball with smoother curvature, better weight distribution and which is less susceptible to environmental factors such as the ingress of water.

In accordance with the present invention, in one aspect there is provided a ball comprising an inner bladder and an external casing, the external casing composed of a plurality of multi-layered panels joined together along a plurality of Joins and characterised by a continuous deposit of sealant provided along each join in such a manner as to raise the surface of the join to the level of the outer surface of the ball thereby providing smoother curvature of the outer surface when the ball is inflated, and an outer coating protective coating applied to the surface after the deposit of sealant has been added.

Desirably the deposit of sealant has some elasticity, desirably similar elasticity to the ball cover. The deposit of sealant conveniently comprises a water resistant polymer such as silicone filler. The deposit of sealant may be applied over thermally moulded, stitched of glued joins.

Desirably the deposit of sealant is applied with the ball inflated to ensure all joins are properly tilled and a continuous curve provided across the outer surface of the ball cover Conveniently, sealant may be extruded in a suitably shaped and proportioned cross section and laid directly into the joins. Alternatively, excess sealant is initially deposited and then levelled to provide the continuous smooth surface.

The protective outer coating Is desirably a thin clear, lightweight film, for example but not strictly limited to urethane.

Optionally printing is applied to the outer surface of the cover before or after the sealant has been applied and before the protective outer coating is applied.

In accordance with a second aspect, the invention provides a ball comprising an Inner bladder and an external casing, the external casing composed of a plurality of multi-layered panels joined together along a plurality of joins, a valve protruding from one point on the surface of the ball and characterised by a counterweight of substantially the same weight as the valve provided In a panel diametrically opposing the panel through which the valve protrudes.

This second aspect may be adopted in combination with the first aspect but equally has application independently of the first aspect.

Optionally, additional pairs of weights and counterweights are provided in pairs diametrically opposed panels along axes which are perpendicular to that defined by the valve and counterweight. Desirably two additional pairs of weights and counterweights are provided.

Preferably each weight and counterweight forms an Integral part of the panel. For example but without limitation, the weight or counterweights may comprise small discs enveloped between layers of the liner and ball cover. Alternatively, the additional weight In the weighted and counterweighted panels may be made up from increased thickness or density of materials included in the liner and cover.

Optionally the ball cover is comprised of 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal panels joined to form a truncated icosahedron. In another option, the cover comprises panels 14-panels joined to form a near perfect sphere as is known from the Adidas Tea mgeistTM ball.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures in which; Figure 1 shows schematically the structure of a conventional soccer ball as

known from the prior art.

Figure 2 shows schematically the structure of an embodiment of a similar soccer ball adopting the first aspect of the invention Figure 3 shows schematically the structure of another embodiment of a similar soccer ball adopting the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 4 shows schematically the structure of a third embodiment of a soccer ball adopting the first and second aspects of the invention.

Proportions of materials illustrated are not strictly accurate.

As can be seen from Figure 1, a prior art soccer ball comprises a central bladder 1, a layered lining 3 topped by a cover layer 2, a protective coating 4 atop the cover layer 2 and joins 5 joIning panels of the lining, cover, coating laminate. As shown, the joins are made after application of the protective coating to the cover layer.

As can be seen from Figure 2, in a first embodiment of the Invention there is provided a ball having a central bladder 21, a layered lining 23 topped by a cover layer 22, the joins 25 join panels of the lining, cover laminate and are each filled with a deposit of sealant 26. A protective coating 24 is provided over the cover layer 22 and joIns 25 filled with sealant 26.

Figure 3 shows a ball in cross section. In the Figure, there is shown a ball having a central bladder 31, a layered lining 33 topped by a cover layer 32, the joIns 35 join panels of the lining, cover laminate and are each filled with a deposit of sealant 36. A protective coating 34 is provided over the cover layer 32 and joins 35 filled with sealant 36. In addition there is shown an inflation valve 37 protrudIng from a panel and a counterweight 37b enclosed In a diametrically opposing panel. Also shown is a weight-counterweight pair 38a, 38b diametrically opposed in panels defining an axis which is perpendicular to that defined by the panels containing valve 37 and counterweight 37b.

An additional weight-counterweight pair (not visible In this view) is provided in diametrically opposing panels defining a third axis which is mutually perpendicular to the axis defined by the panels containing valve 37 and counterweight 37b and that defined by the panels containing the weight-counterweight pair 38a, 38b.

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