JP2020513282A - Ball with increased flex - Google Patents

Abstract

An object for sports competition, such as a soccer ball or a handball, is provided with a perforated inner panel disposed between an inflatable bladder inside and an outer covering sewn together from a plurality of individual panels. The stitching process creates a raised portion that surrounds the inside of the outer jacket. These raised portions define recesses in which the perforated interior panels are located. The panel filling the recess covers the rigid ridge, the hardness of which is weakened by these preferred perforated panels. This provides a smooth surface against which the inflatable bladder is pressed. Additional bending is also provided by perforating one or more layers in the outer coating. With specific reference to the manufacture of handball, the inner panel comprises two layers, the outer layer of which contains recesses containing a shock absorbing gel-type material. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application contains subject matter related to the subject matter of the following applications, each of which has a common right. This application claims priority to the applications listed below. The applications listed below are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

  U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 379,382, filed December 14, 2016.

  U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 421,136, filed January 31, 2017.

  The invention described herein is generally directed to balls for sports activities. More particularly, the present invention is directed to balls used for soccer and handball competitions. Even more particularly, the present invention is directed to soccer balls and handballs that have greater flexibility, less hardness, and are safer to use. Although the present application differs from the previously filed parent application in some aspects, most notably, the invention claimed herein has a plurality of pores and / or depressions containing a gel material therein. Is to use the internal panel of. It should be particularly noted that references to handball made herein do not refer to small, hard balls used in games such as indoor courts based on American handball. Handball, as referred to herein, means that two teams of seven players each (six field players and one goalkeeper) use their hands to pass the ball and throw it into the goal of the other team. It is known as team handball or Olympic handball, which is the target team sport.

  Soccer and handball sports are popular sports that are of particular interest worldwide. Soccer sports incorporate certain rules and regulations that can result in injury. Specifically, the use of the head as a means of interacting with a soccer ball during competition can cause both head and neck injuries. Specifically known is the occurrence of concussion in a soccer game. Although soccer games allow the use of other body parts to advance the ball, the use of the head as a means of hitting the ball is often used to prevent “heading” of the ball by players under the age of 10. Has pleaded and warned. It can be seen, therefore, that many people involved in the competition and operation of this sport themselves are aware that there is a particular danger.

  Handball games likewise have the potential to be injured. Handball is an intense and fast game. Especially the goalkeeper is hit by the ball. Thus, it would be desirable for handballs, like soccer balls, to be softer and less prone to pain or injury in the event of a collision.

  It will thus be seen that it would be desirable and expedient to have a soccer ball and a handball that can bend more during competition and should produce less impact during competition. However, those involved in these sports should not want the "feel" provided by current soccer or handball designs to be significantly distorted. People, especially amateurs and professionals, in these sports have certain expectations for weight, weight, feel, texture, and even the angular momentum associated with currently marketed balls. .. The Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) has in fact established standards for the manufacture and construction of soccer balls. Handball rules are governed by the International Handball Federation.

  It is important to emphasize the fact that the manufacture of soccer balls, handballs and similar sports objects makes use of stitching together panels of various shapes. This stitching may be done by hand or by machine, the same difficulty being encountered in each case. By choosing the shape of the individual panels and the arrangement of the panels with respect to each other, sports objects of virtually any desired shape can be manufactured. It should be noted that the individual panels utilized are hexagonal and pentagonal in shape, especially in connection with the production of soccer balls and handballs. These shapes are sewn together in the familiar black and white truncated icosahedron pattern. In this manufacturing method, the edges of the panel are folded at substantially right angles to the panel itself. These folded portions are then abutted and sewn together. It is important for a proper understanding of the advantages of the present invention to recognize that this manufacturing process results in the formation of a stiff structural mesh over the entire surface of the soccer ball. These rigid structures are formed by stitching them together and folding the edges of the panels. As a result, soccer players endure collisions with the hard parts of the soccer ball during normal competition. This is especially relevant when the ball hits the player's head and comes into contact with a rigid portion of a soccer ball or handball.

  It should be noted that although the present invention is described with reference to standard soccer balls and handballs, its implementation is not so limited. The present invention may also be used in the construction and use of training football, match football, professional match football, beach football, street football, indoor football, turf ball, futsal football, and mini / skill football.

  Therefore, it is necessary for these sports to provide safer and commercially acceptable balls whose manufacturing costs and methods are not exorbitant and should provide the same level of feel and comfort currently available. Is. Accordingly, it can be seen from the above that there is a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described herein and above.

  In a preferred embodiment for a soccer ball, a sports competition object is provided that includes a plurality of exteriors sewn together with panels sewn together to form a closed volume. The outer panel raises an edge that surrounds the panel on the inside of the sports object. These (hard) edges are created by the stitching process as described above. Thus, each panel associates with it a recessed area that is essentially the same extension as the panel. An inflatable bladder that occupies a closed volume is also provided. Most relevant to the present invention is an interior panel that further includes portions that extend over the sewn edges to fit into these recesses and provide some cushioning not found in currently available soccer balls. Provided.

  In a preferred embodiment for the handball specifically described in this application, the plurality of inner panels comprises perforations filled with a gel material. Like the previously described embodiments for soccer balls, the preferred embodiment of the handball in connection with the invention, in addition to the gel-filled perforations in the inner panel, is to some extent not found in currently available balls. An interior panel having a portion extending across the sewn edges to provide cushioning of the.

  Additionally, it is desirable for certain embodiments of the invention relating to soccer balls that the panel filling the recess also include a plurality of perforations. These perforations provide greater flexibility to the surface of the ball. Perforations may be provided with or without a panel portion shaped to cover the raised stitches. Similarly, interior panels of the present invention designed to cover raised seams need not necessarily include an array of perforations. Perforations may also be provided in the inner layer of the outer surface of the ball. The two layers with perforations work together to provide greater bending and softer ball impact. As a result, it is the smooth surface against which the inflated bladder inside is pressed. It can be seen, therefore, that these perforated interior panels provide the user / player with greater bending with respect to the object and correspondingly greater safety.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention for soccer competitions, an object for sports competitions is configured to form a closed volume, formed by stitching the raised inner edges at the edges of the panel. , Including a plurality of exterior sewn panels that are sewn together at their edges. Thus, each panel is essentially the same extension as the panel and associates an inwardly facing recessed area defined by the raised edges with the panel. Of course, there are inflatable bladders that occupy the interior of the closed volume. The present invention also provides a plurality of inner panels disposed between the bladder and the outer panels. The interior panel occupies the aforementioned recess and has a wider portion covering the interior raised edge. In this way, a stiff mesh of edging material is provided with a covering cushion structure, whereby the perforated inner panel provides greater bending.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of interior panels are provided with perforations, typically in a patterned array, to provide greater bending of the object surface. These perforations, by themselves, provide a more flexible sports object regardless of whether the perforations are utilized in conjunction with an internal panel portion that covers at least a portion of the raised edge. It is these raised edges that look stiff and can be made softer by spreading a portion of the perforated panel.

  According to one embodiment of the invention intended for use as a soccer ball, an athletic object is constructed such that panels sewn at the edges are sewn together to form a closed volume of any desired shape. And a plurality of exteriors formed by stitching together raised inner edges at the edges of the panel. In this way, each panel is essentially the same extension as the panel and associates with the panel a recessed area defined by the raised inner edge. Also included is an inflatable bladder that occupies a closed volume. Finally, a plurality of inner panels are disposed between the bladder and the outer panel, the inner panels occupying recesses and having recesses or perforations therein containing a shock absorbing material such as a gel material.

  In another embodiment, the sewn panels at the edges are configured to be sewn together to form a closed volume, formed by stitching the raised inner edges at the edges of the panels, whereby each panel is An object for sports competition is disclosed that is generally the same extension as the panel and includes a plurality of exteriors associated with a recessed area defined by said raised inner edge. The object also includes an inflatable bladder that occupies the closed volume. The object further comprises a first plurality of inner panels disposed between the bladder and the outer panel, the first plurality of inner panels occupying the recess and having a recess therein. , The recesses in the first plurality of interior panels contain gel material. The object further comprises a second plurality of interior panels disposed between the bladder and the first plurality of interior panels.

  It is therefore an object of the invention to provide sports objects such as soccer balls or handballs or the like which are safe for use.

  It is an object of the present invention to protect a player from impacts on the tighter sewn portions of sports objects such as soccer balls or handballs.

  It is a further object of the invention to provide a cushioning layer that covers the raised seams found inside the ball.

  It is another object of the invention to provide improvements to the outer surface / panel of a soccer ball or handball.

  It is yet another object of the invention to provide better cooperation between the flexible components found on the outer surface of a soccer ball and its internal components.

  It is a further object of the present invention to mask the non-uniformity provided in standard soccer ball or handball manufacture by stitching the outer panels together.

  Therefore, it is also an object of the present invention to make a sport ball that is rounder or that more closely matches its desired shape.

  It is yet another object of the present invention to produce safer soccer or handballs that still match the characteristics found in currently acceptable balls used in both amateur and professional competition.

  Lastly, but not exclusively, providing a method for manufacturing soccer balls and handballs that does not significantly deviate from current methods and at the same time results in the production of safer and more flexible objects, It is a still further object of the present invention.

  Additional features and advantages will be appreciated through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are considered to be a part of the invention described and claimed in detail herein. The enumeration herein of desirable objects that are satisfied by the various embodiments of this invention refers to any or all of these objects in the most general embodiment of this invention or in any of its more specific embodiments. It is not meant to suggest or suggest that it be present as an essential feature, either individually or collectively.

  The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, the invention may be best understood with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, with further objects and advantages thereof, both as to organization and method of implementation.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing three layers typically present on the outer surface of a ball, such as a soccer ball. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a cutter that operates to remove hexagonal features from a material that includes the outer surface of a ball, such as a soccer ball. FIG. 3 shows a typical hexagonal panel found in a standard soccer ball with one edge showing stitching along it. FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of hexagonal and pentagonal panels typically utilized in soccer ball construction. FIG. 5 provides a top view and an isometric view of a perforated hexagonal panel utilized in the present invention. FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, except that the hexagonal panel is inverted so that the opposite side is visible. FIG. 7 is an isometric view showing the upper and lower joints of a perforated panel of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5, except that it shows the structure of a pentagonal panel used in the present invention. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 except that it shows the back side of the pentagonal panel shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view of a partially combined soccer ball of the present invention showing a stitched hexagonal and pentagonal panel stitched arrangement holding the panels together along the edges of the panel. FIG. 11 illustrates an important aspect of the invention in that it shows the positioning of the internal perforated panel within the recess created as a result of the stitching process. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side elevational view showing the structure of a soccer ball according to the present invention, specifically showing a plurality of perforated layers. FIG. 13 shows an inflatable bladder used in the present invention to retain air or other gas. FIG. 14 shows an arrangement of reinforcing threads that are typically present inside a soccer ball. FIG. 15 shows the placement of adhesive material on an inflatable bladder to vulcanize the yarn prior to its insertion into a nearly complete soccer ball construction. FIG. 16 shows the placement of the bladder in the mold for vulcanization. FIG. 17 is an internal view of a soccer ball showing the final stage of the production of the soccer ball before turning over the work piece and before sewing the last seam. FIG. 18 shows the placement of bladder nipples through openings in one of the outer panels to provide a means for inflation. FIG. 19 shows almost the final stage of the manufacture of a soccer ball, more specifically the insertion of the bladder before closing the last seam. FIG. 20 shows the closing of the last seam in the manufacture of a soccer ball. FIG. 21 shows the finished soccer ball product. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 12, except that the perforations described above are described in more detail with embodiments of the present invention filled with a gel material. FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 11 except that it shows more specifically the arrangement of gel-filled and unfilled panels further inserted into a partially completed ball.

  The invention described herein is described with particular reference to soccer balls. However, as indicated above, it is known that soccer balls vary and are constructed to suit a variety of purposes. The scope of the invention includes all such soccer balls and sports objects for which the panels are sewn together to produce raised edges along the seams of the sewn panels, which raised edges are It is rigid and lies within the volume enclosed by the object.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the outer layer of a soccer ball. This is the layer visible to the user. This outer layer preferably comprises three individual layers, an outer cover material 10 and an intermediate layer 12 of perforated material, and a third inner layer 14 comprising fibrous material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate layer 12 is at least partially perforated to make the intermediate layer 12 more flexible, and another perforated structure to further increase flexibility. It works together with the Outer layer 10 is preferably selected to receive the image printed thereon. The outer layer 10 can also be selected with respect to finished product quality and price.

  As shown, FIG. 1 shows the exterior surface of the soccer ball in exploded form. Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows the same structure as shown in FIG. 1, but here the assembled seat 15 is shown as a single piece. FIG. 2 also illustrates the use of the cutter 17 used to remove the hexagonal pattern from the sheet 15. Note that the hexagonal pattern is shown removed. Regarding the structure of the soccer ball, it is necessary to remove at least the pentagonal pattern with respect to the conventional soccer ball. However, as indicated above, any number of different desired patterns may be stamped for the purpose of stitching together along various edges to form and enclose a volume. The patterns need not be similar or identical only in the result of closed surfaces when stitched together.

  FIG. 3 shows a single panel 20A on the outside of a soccer ball. Specifically, raised stitch 21 is shown along one of the edges of the surface. A similar structure exists for pentagonal shaped panels such as panel 20B seen in FIG. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows how the outer surface of a soccer ball is formed. For example, outer panel 20B is shown stitched in an array surrounding hexagonal panel 20A. By stitching together a plurality of suitably shaped outer panels together along corresponding edges, any desired shaped volume can be created. However, the desired shapes shown herein deviate from standard soccer balls. It is important to note that the stitching 21 present in FIG. 4 lies along the edges of the variously utilized panels. In any case, the stitching 21 comprises two turns in layers from adjacent panels sewn together with thread. As indicated above, this is done either mechanically or manually. In both cases, the resulting structure is a net of ridges that rise in a direction that extends inward toward the center of the object. It is the presence of these ridges that make the soccer ball stiffer than necessary. Therefore, it has been found that improving the presence of these rigid structures is one of the objects of the present invention, as described above.

  5, 6 and 7 show the construction of an inner panel constructed according to the invention intended to reduce the impact of the stiffness of the ridge 21. Specifically, these figures show the fabrication of interior panels according to the present invention, and even more specifically the fabrication of hexagonal panels. However, it should be noted that pentagonal panels are formed in the same way. Similarly, panels of any shape can be made by the process shown in these three figures. The relevant side of the inner panel resulting from the steps shown in these figures is the part of the panel that is sized and shaped to fill the recess formed by the ridge. The other relevant side of this interior panel is the part of the interior panel that is sized to extend over the top of the ridge. This provides cushioning for stiffness, which is a characteristic of stitching between panels.

  More specifically, Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the fact that these inner panels are preferably perforated to increase the degree of overall flexibility of the ball. Perforations 55 are thus shown. These perforations may be provided in any convenient manner, such as by punching, and in any convenient pattern. These figures are also intended to fit the finished interior panel 50 of the present invention into a preferably wide portion 52 intended to cover two parts, a ridge 21, and a recess provided by the ridge. Also shown is the fact that it includes a narrowed portion 54. If not formed from the initial monolithic structure, the finished interior panel 50 (or 60) is formed by adhesively bonding the wide layer 52 together with the narrow layer 54, as shown in FIG. .. This is accomplished using any convenient adhesive such as latex. It can be seen that when formed from the initial monolithic structure, the finished interior panel 50 already exists in its desired shape. FIG. 7 shows the steps of the process performed prior to producing the panel sections 52 and 54 joined together.

  8 and 9 illustrate the formation of a pentagonal patch 60 according to the present invention. Perforations 55 in both patches 50 and 60 are intended to align with layers 52 and 54 and layers 62 and 64 in panels 50 and 60 respectively. These pentagonal patches, as well as patches of any shape, are provided in part, the presence of which is intended to fill the recess provided by the raised ridge 21. The second portion of the inner patch made in accordance with the present invention is wider and is intended to overlie the second portion of the ridge 21 which extends inwardly from the outer surface of the object.

  FIG. 10 shows a portion 40 of a soccer ball at a stage where its manufacturing is partially assembled. FIG. 10 also shows an inside view of a soccer ball that does not utilize the present invention and / or shows an inside view of a soccer ball before including the present invention. In contrast to this, FIG. 11 shows one stage of the manufacture of a soccer ball with 6 panels shown. Specifically, four of the six panels have already been shown to have the panels of the present invention disposed therein. It should be particularly noted that the panels 50 and 60 of the present invention are sized and shaped to abut one another edge to edge and to cover the ridge 21. It is important to note that there are no ridge lines in FIG. Panels such as 50 and 60 are preferably held in place within the recess using any convenient adhesive such as latex.

  FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a soccer ball manufactured according to the present invention. The overall cross-sectional structure is shown without the presence of the inflatable bladder 70 and its corresponding inflating nipple 72 as shown in FIG. Specifically, there is shown outer layer 10, which is the visible surface of the ball, which may include various forms of imprinting. Next is a foam layer 12, preferably comprising a material such as EVA. Also, according to one embodiment of the invention, the foam layer 12 is also at least partially perforated. Below the foam layer 12, a fiber layer 14 is provided. These three layers are provided to the manufacturing process as one layer, typically designated by the reference numeral 15. The outer structure of the soccer ball also includes a ridge 21 formed from the edges of layer 15 that bends downward (ie, inward) and is sewn together.

  Most importantly of the invention, FIG. 12 also shows the presence of panel portions 52 (eg hexagons) and 62 (eg pentagons) that operate to fill the recesses provided by ridge 21. Equally important are the panel portions 54 (eg hexagonal) and 64 (eg pentagonal) intended and shown to provide a foam layer over the ridge 21. This layer of the inner panel is intended to be provided with perforations 55, an illustration of which is shown.

  14-16 illustrate the manufacture of a bladder suitable for use with the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of the reinforcing threads 80 in the ball pattern 85 around the bladder 70. FIG. 15 shows a fully wrapped bladder 70 ″ just before the thread covered bladder is coated with latex from bucket 75 with a brush 77 to form a coated bladder 70 ″. The bladder is then placed in a vulcanization mold 75, from which the bladder 70 is created and the bladder 70 is ready for insertion into a soccer ball. Latex is the preferred adhesive for this step of the process, but any convenient vulcanized polymer adhesive may be utilized.

  FIG. 17 shows a step in the manufacture of a soccer ball, where there are seams 23 that need to be sewn. This figure is an internal view of the ball and specifically illustrates the presence of panels 50 and 60 according to the present invention. It should be particularly noted that the ridge 21 is no longer visible as it is covered by the wider parts of the panels 50 and 60. FIG. 18 shows the insertion of the inflation nipple 72 through the opening 72A in one of the panels. Any convenient panel may be selected for this purpose, but the convention may specify one specifically. FIG. 19 illustrates a near-complete stage in the manufacturing process for a soccer ball, specifically showing the final insertion and placement of the bladder 70 within the volume defined by the panels stitched together. The bladder 70 is held in place within the external structure using any convenient adhesive such as latex. FIG. 20 shows the last two panels being sewn together last. FIG. 21 shows the finished product 100. Apparently inventive aspects of the invention are not visible in this figure. However, it should be noted that the finished product 100 basically comprises three elements: the outer layer, the panel of the present invention overlying the rigid edges found in the ridge, and the inner bladder.

  The outer layer 15 preferably comprises a perforated foam layer 12, although this is not an essential aspect of all embodiments of the invention. If perforations are provided in outer layer 12, these perforations need not be aligned with perforations 55 in panels 50 and 60, although the perforations in these outer layers are generally smaller than the perforations found in panels 50 and 60. preferable. Similarly, an intermediate layer comprising a panel constructed according to the invention preferably comprises perforations, but as mentioned above these perforations do not form an essential aspect of all embodiments of the invention. Further, the perforations associated with panels 52 and 54, as well as panels 62 and 64, need not be aligned.

  Foam layer 12 is described as comprising a material such as EVA, but other materials may be conveniently utilized in accordance with common practice in soccer ball manufacturing. Although latex is also described as being used as an adhesive, other adhesives may be utilized throughout the assembly process of the invention, including inserting the panel in the recess. Similarly, the inner bladder may be made of other materials and by other processes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  22 is similar to FIG. 12 and similar parts have the same reference numbers. However, this embodiment specifically illustrates the fact that two layers of fibrous material may be utilized. These layers are designated by the reference numerals 14 and 16. Previously a single fiber layer 14 was shown. But most importantly, FIG. 22 illustrates the presence of panels 90 and 95. The panel 90 is configured to fit into the (standard hexagonal) recess described above. However, panel 90 differs from those panels described above in that panels 54 and 60 include an array of recesses having gel material 91 inserted therein. Preferably, these recesses extend throughout the panel, but this is not a strict requirement. The gel material 91 may be inserted into the recess either as a separate unit or by spreading the gel material over the opening of the recess. 23, the recess 92 of this embodiment is generally larger to accommodate a separate insert of the gel material unit. The spacing of the recesses as shown in FIG. 23 is preferred.

  23 is similar to FIG. 11 described above. However, FIG. 23 more specifically illustrates the recess 92 in the panel 90. The recess filled with gel material as part of the assembly process is indicated by reference numeral 91. The interior of the fiber layer 16 can also be seen in FIG. 23, which is also shown in FIG.

  FIG. 23 also illustrates the use of panel 95, which is similar to the use of panel 62 discussed above. Also, the panel 95 is preferably sized and used to cover the stitching as described above.

  Some of the apparent differences between the soccer balls described herein and the handball manufacturing described herein will now be described. Specifically, it is observed that FIG. 2 can also illustrate the production of gel material intended for insertion into the recess 90 seen in FIG. The recess in the panel 90 is shown in FIG. 23 as being round. However, the recesses can be of any desired shape, and may in fact be hexagonal to match the punching made from the gel material in the manner illustrated in FIG. In the manufacture of soccer balls, corresponding panels such as 90 and 95 are attached to each other before insertion into the recess formed by stitching. However, in the manufacture of handball, if it is likely that a recess, such as 92, will not be able to hold the punched gel material in a shape such as that shown in FIG. It is preferably inserted into the recess formed by stitching prior to insertion into. After inserting the gel material into the panel 90, the panel 95 is attached to the interior of the handball by any convenient conventional adhesive mechanism. Note that the panel 95 is preferably larger than the size of the panel 90 so that the stitching edges are covered, as in the soccer ball example. It should also be noted that the panel 95 preferably does not include perforations so that the panel 95 may perform better for retaining other shock absorbing materials such as gels or polymers. Also in the manufacture of handballs, one can see internal wrapping, such as the internal wrapping shown in FIG. Similarly, the process illustrated in Figures 15 and 16 is typically not utilized in handball manufacturing. The material inserted within the perforations 92 is described herein as a gel material, but any convenient soft polymer or similar material may be utilized. Note that the preferred gel used herein is a thermoplastic elastomer. In general, any such material is selected as suitable for providing shock absorption. High Frequency (HF) bonding is used for bonding, and this process is also effective for deep depression or embossing in plastic materials. High Frequency (HF) joints are also used to form deep edges that overlap the stitched edges. The formation of edges and deep recesses is accomplished either one at a time or separated from the unitary material.

  With respect to handball manufacture in particular, as described herein, the handball may also utilize an integral panel, in which case the outermost (minimum shaped) portion is perforated sufficiently deep for insertion of gel material. Including. Such a structure is similar to the structure shown in FIG. 6 except that the size and configuration of the holes are those shown in FIG. They are described here as holes rather than perforations, as they do not extend through the entire panel in this embodiment. Panels utilized in either soccer balls or handballs are formed from a unitary material (ie not necessarily from two layers) to form a thinner peripheral edge and remove the panel material to provide the desired perforations. May be shaped by

  Although the present invention is specifically described with reference to soccer balls and with reference to soccer competitions, the structures and methods described herein are equally adaptable to sports objects used in other games. Note that there is. In a broad sense, the present invention is not limited to soccer games. The present invention can be used to create a sports object when creating an internal depression by sewing adjacent panels together to form a sphere or other shaped object, and a correspondingly shaped panel of the present invention. May be deployed in an internal depression. Similarly, the particular material utilized specifically within the outer layer of the sports object can be selected when engaging with the specifically intended sport. Stitching is the only highly desirable attribute.

  All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

  While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as providing some examples of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. is there. The scope of the invention should thus be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. The scope of the invention may, therefore, be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and the scope of the invention is therefore limited by the appended claims, in which any reference to a single element is made. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the full coverage of other embodiments is not intended to mean "one and only", but rather to "one or more." Be understood. All elements of the above-described preferred embodiments and structural, chemical, and functional equivalents known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be expressly incorporated herein by reference and covered by the claims. To be done. Furthermore, there is no need for a device or method to be solved by the present invention to address any and every problem in order for the device or method to be covered by the claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in this disclosure is intended for the public in general, regardless of whether that element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in a claim. .. Any claim element (s) herein is to be construed under 35 USC 112, paragraph 6, unless the element is explicitly recited using the phrase "means for." Should not be.

  Although the present invention is described in detail herein by means of certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and alterations therein may be brought by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications and variations that come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

The panels sewn together at the edges of the panels are configured to be sewn together to form a closed volume, the stitching forming a raised inner edge at the edges of the panel whereby each panel is essentially A plurality of exteriors, having a recessed region of the same extension as the panel associated therewith, defined by the raised inner edge;
An inflatable bladder occupying the closed volume;
A plurality of inner panels disposed between the bladder and the outer panel, the inner panels occupying the recess and having a wider portion covering the raised inner edge. An object for sports competitions.   The athletic object of claim 1, wherein the outer panel comprises an intermediate layer of perforated material.   The athletic object of claim 1, wherein stitches form the raised inner edge covered by the inner panel.   The sports competition object according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of inner panels include perforations. The panels sewn together at the edges of the panels are configured to be sewn together to form a closed volume, the stitching forming a raised inner edge at the edges of the panel whereby each panel is essentially A plurality of exteriors, having a recessed region of the same extension as the panel associated therewith, defined by the raised inner edge;
An inflatable bladder occupying the closed volume;
In a first plurality of inner panels arranged between the bladder and the outer panel, the first plurality of inner panels occupy the recess and have a recess therein, the recess absorbing shock. A first plurality of interior panels containing material;
An object for sports competition, comprising: a second plurality of inner panels disposed between the bladder and the first plurality of inner panels.   The sports competition object according to claim 5, wherein the recesses in the first plurality of inner panels extend over the first plurality of inner panels. ..   The sports competition object of claim 5, wherein the second plurality of interior panels includes a wider portion that covers the raised inner edge.   The athletic object of claim 5, wherein the outer panel comprises a middle layer of perforated material.   The athletic object of claim 5, wherein stitches form the raised inner edge covered by the inner panel.   The sports competition object according to claim 5, wherein the impact absorbing material comprises a polymer.   The sports competition object according to claim 5, wherein the shock absorbing material contains gel. The panels sewn together at the edges of the panels are configured to be sewn together to form a closed volume, the stitching forming a raised inner edge at the edges of the panel whereby each panel is essentially A plurality of exteriors, having a recessed region of the same extension as the panel associated therewith, defined by the raised inner edge;
An inflatable bladder occupying the closed volume;
A first plurality of inner panels disposed between the bladder and the outer panel, wherein the first plurality of inner panels occupy the recesses and have recesses therein; A first plurality of inner panels, wherein the recesses in the inner panels of contain a material derived from a gel material;
An object for sports competition, comprising: a second plurality of inner panels disposed between the bladder and the first plurality of inner panels.   The object according to claim 12, wherein the recesses in the first plurality of inner panels extend over the entire inner panel.   The sports competition object of claim 12, wherein the second plurality of interior panels have a wider portion that covers the raised inner edge.   13. The athletic object of claim 12, wherein the outer panel comprises an intermediate layer of perforated material.   13. The athletic object of claim 12, wherein the stitching forms the raised inner edge covered by the interior panel.

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