GB538809A - An improved spherical inflatable, athletic game ball and method of making same - Google Patents

Abstract

538,809. Balls for games. REACH, M. B. March 6, 1940, Nos. 4251 and 4252. Convention dates, March 6, 1939, and June 5, 1939. [Class 132 (ii)] A spherical inflatable ball for games is built up on a wax or other frangible form mainly of superposed cord windings in great circles, by superposing cemented layers of the windings and severing the layers successively to form an opening through which the frangible form may be removed and an inflatable bladder inserted, the opening being afterwards permanently closed by patches (for example the severed portions) conforming substantially in strength with the main wall, cover panels (for example of leather) being finally cemented to the exterior. In constructing one form of the ball, tubular stockinette 2, Fig. 2, is treated with cement and drawn tightly over the wax form. Its ends are twisted and cut off to leave openings to each of which a patch 3 of balloon cloth is cemented. A layer 4 of card wound in great circles is applied. After the cement has dried, a cut 5 is made through the winding, the balloon cloth and the stockinette, thereby removing a patch but leaving an annulus of balloon cloth as a reinforcement to the cut ends of the winding cord. A plate of metal is now placed over the resulting gap and a second winding 8 of cord is added, and a second but slightly larger patch is cut out, the metal plate being removed. Similarly a third cord winding 10 is applied and a larger patch removed by incisions 10a. The wax form is removed by melting or breaking and a bladder a is inserted and inflated, the valve stem extending through any suitable opening. The patches previously removed are replaced and cemented to form a composite structure. The end windings are applied in a winding machine. Leather sections b, slightly separated, are finally applied to the exterior. In a modification, Fig. 4, a piece of balloon cloth 3b, 8b or 10b is combined with each layer of cord winding, and the patches instead of being completely severed have retaining hinge portions. A layer 3d of balloon cloth is inserted between the outer cord winding and the leather cover. sections. In a modification, Fig. 4a (not shown) an uncut cord winding may be applied before the layer 3d, whilst in a further modification Fig. 4b (not shown) a mouldable rubber layer is inserted between the layer 3d and the leather cover. Specification 498,196 is referred to.