WO2006061608A1 - Improvements in balls for playing games - Google Patents
Improvements in balls for playing games Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006061608A1 WO2006061608A1 PCT/GB2005/004697 GB2005004697W WO2006061608A1 WO 2006061608 A1 WO2006061608 A1 WO 2006061608A1 GB 2005004697 W GB2005004697 W GB 2005004697W WO 2006061608 A1 WO2006061608 A1 WO 2006061608A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- ball
- protuberances
- accordance
- game
- angular
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B41/00—Hollow inflatable balls
- A63B41/08—Ball covers; Closures therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2243/00—Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
- A63B2243/0037—Basketball
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2243/00—Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
- A63B2243/0066—Rugby; American football
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2243/00—Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
- A63B2243/0066—Rugby; American football
- A63B2243/007—American football
Definitions
- This invention relates to improvements in balls for playing games and more particularly to balls for playing games involving handling of the ball by the players.
- Such games may include rugby football, American football as well as handball games such as basketball and netball.
- a ball for playing a game particularly a game involving handling of the ball by players, wherein at least a predominant part of the outer surface of the ball has a plurality of protuberances, characterised in that the protuberances have an outer surface including a zone formed by an angular conjunction between at least two surfaces.
- the protuberances taper in a direction away from the ball surface and have a generally conical side profile that is to say triangular in side view.
- the protuberances may have a polygonal planform or transverse cross- sectional profile whereby adjacent sides form said angular conjunction.
- the transverse cross-sectional profile of the protuberances may be triangular, polygonal, or star shaped with preferably four to eight points, and/or the transverse cross-sectional profile of the protuberances may have a plurality of projecting arms.
- the transverse cross-sectional profile of the protuberances is star shaped with four to eight points and tapers away from the surface of the ball.
- orientation of adjacent protuberances as regards the angular conjunctions may be varied.
- the outer surface may be formed from a panel comprising a flexible material in which the protuberances are formed by a pressing, moulding, casting, rolling or other process, the said protuberances thereby being integral with the cover material.
- a preferred ball has the outer surface of the ball formed from a plurality of interconnected panels each having an inner fabric reinforcement layer and an outer flexible plastics layer in which the protuberances have been formed by a hot pressing or other process.
- the density of the protuberances over a given area approximates to forty five per square centimetre up to forty five per five square centimetres. In a preferred configuration the density of the protuberances is between thirty-five and sixty-five per square centimetre. This will depend on the size of the protuberances and the size of the ball. The exact configuration can be determined empirically and will be a function of the use to which the ball is to be put as well as the dimensions.
- a discrete area of the surface of the ball may include a defined ordered pattern of protuberances with adjacent discrete areas being relatively offset thus the adjacent patterns will not form an overall regular pattern.
- the surface of the ball may include protuberances produced by means of a plate forming a female mould with discrete depressions having angular sides formed by an etching or a spark erosion process.
- the height of the protuberances is between 0.1 mm and 2.5 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm, and the width of the protuberances is between 01. mm and 2.5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.
- the height and the width of the protuberances may vary over the surface of the ball.
- the ball in accordance with this invention is preferably of ovoid shape and is preferably for playing the game of rugby football. This invention is further described and illustrated with reference to the drawings showing several embodiments by way of examples. In the drawings:
- Fig.1 a shows a plan view of the surface of a ball with protuberances being triangular in planform
- Fig. 1b shows a cross-section of one protuberance on line A-A of Fig. 1c
- Fig. 1c shows a detail plan view of one protuberance
- Fig. 1d shows a cross-section of one protuberance on line B-B of Fig. 1e
- Fig. 1e shows a detail plan view of one protuberance in a different orientation
- Figs. 2a - 2e show a second configuration of protuberances on the surface of a ball and with four point star planform and corresponding to the views of Figs 1a to 1e
- Figs. 3a - 3e show a third configuration of protuberances on the surface of a ball and with six point star planform
- Fig. 4 shows a further example of a triangular or three pointed shape as seen in planform
- Fig. 5 shows a further example of a four pointed star shape as seen in planform
- Fig. 6 shows a further example of a four pointed star shape as seen in planform and with additional cusps
- Fig. 7 shows, in perspective view, a protuberance of Fig. 2.
- Fig. 1a shows a part of the surface 1 of a rugby ball which is includes a plurality of spaced protuberances 2 or pimples each having a triangular shaped planform with a triangular transverse cross-sectional profile which tapers away from the surface of the ball to an apex or rounded top.
- the areas on the surface of the ball defined by the broken lines 3 designate a pattern repeat area related to the orientation, number and spacing of the individual protuberances 2. As may be seen adjacent areas 3 are offset thus avoiding a regular and overall pattern repeat.
- a side sectional view and a plan view of a protuberance are shown in Fig. 1b and Fig.
- the protuberance in side view has a generally tapering or conical shape.
- the ideal mould shape would include sharp angles 4 as shown in Fig. 1c, however due to the moulding process the points are will be somewhat rounded and softened.
- the orientation of the protuberances 2 as seen in plan view is varied.
- the height of a protuberance 2 is some 0.5 mm and the base width about 1.0 mm.
- forty-five protuberances are provided in an area bounded by 2.5 cm sides
- the advantage of the configuration according to this invention is that at least a predominant part of the outer surface of the ball has a plurality of the protuberances and that the protuberances have an outer surface including a zone 4 formed by an angular conjunction between at least two side surfaces 10.
- the triangular configuration provides three such angular points which have been found to significantly improve the properties of a ball from the handling aspect.
- Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment in which the planform of each of the protuberances has four limbs forming a four point star shape.
- the arrangement is otherwise similar that described in conjunction with Fig. 1.
- a configuration including a concave angular shape defined by the inwardly deflected sides 10 has proved to be particularly beneficial from a handling point of view.
- a configuration of protuberances which includes such a concave polygonal shape is of particular advantage due to the increased surface area provided.
- Fig. 3 likewise shows a further embodiment in which each protuberance has a six pointed star shape.
- the concave polygonal shape provides better grip by virtue of the enhanced surface area presented to the hands of a player.
- Fig. 4a shows a triangular shape of protuberance 40, as seen in cross sectional plan and similar to Fig. 1 but in which the sides 41 are concavely curved.
- Fig. 4b shows and arrangement wherein the sides 42 are concavely angled with an internal angle 43 greater than 180 degrees and forming a concave polygon.
- Fig. 5 is similar to the protuberance shown in Fig. 2 but here the concave sides 50 are smoothly curved rather then being angled in a concave polygonal form.
- Fig. 6 shows a further arrangement in which the points 60 are joined by curved sides 61 including cusp-like points 62.
- Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the four point star shape protuberance of Fig. 2 and illustrating more clearly the concave polygonal shape having a pyramid form. In practice, due to the moulding process, the angles will not be as sharp as depicted in the drawing, which is diagrammatic.
- the sides joining the angular points are concave and preferably also define and internal angle greater than 180 degrees.
- the protuberances project from the surface of the ball and define an apex preferably also being angular.
- the shape of the protuberances seen in plan view includes the angular conjunction between adjacent side surfaces.
- the embodiments described are exemplary and the configuration of the sides of the protuberances may vary as may the number of "points". For example two sides having a curved shape may join with an angular point at each end or lozenge shape protuberances may be provided.
- a ball surface may include a mixture of different shapes for the protuberances.
- This invention also embraces a cover material for use in the fabrication of a ball, particularly one having a plurality of panels connected together to form an outer cover and containing an inner inflatable bladder.
- the cover material includes an outer surface carrying the protuberances the cover material thus being specifically adapted for use in the manufacture of a ball as defined in any one of the appended claims.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP05814099A EP1827619B1 (en) | 2004-12-07 | 2005-12-07 | Improvements in balls for playing games |
NZ556313A NZ556313A (en) | 2004-12-07 | 2005-12-07 | Improvements in balls for playing games |
DE602005012864T DE602005012864D1 (en) | 2004-12-07 | 2005-12-07 | IMPROVEMENTS IN GAMBLING BALLS |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0426843.9 | 2004-12-07 | ||
GB0426843A GB2420984A (en) | 2004-12-07 | 2004-12-07 | Arrangement of protuberances on a ball |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006061608A1 true WO2006061608A1 (en) | 2006-06-15 |
WO2006061608A9 WO2006061608A9 (en) | 2006-08-10 |
Family
ID=34073329
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2005/004697 WO2006061608A1 (en) | 2004-12-07 | 2005-12-07 | Improvements in balls for playing games |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1827619B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE422948T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005012864D1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2420984A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ556313A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006061608A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200705518B (en) |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0157083A2 (en) * | 1984-04-03 | 1985-10-09 | Wilson Sporting Goods Company | Triangular pebble design for basketballs |
EP0333529A1 (en) * | 1988-02-19 | 1989-09-20 | Adidas Sarragan France S.A.R.L. | Composition for coating the external surfaces of sport balls, and balls coated therewith |
US5431393A (en) * | 1994-04-20 | 1995-07-11 | Wang; Fu-Wen | Raised surface patterns for basketball leather covers |
US5503699A (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 1996-04-02 | Kransco | Applying patches from mold cavity surface on ball and impressing patterns |
US6283881B1 (en) * | 1998-02-06 | 2001-09-04 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Game ball |
US20040127312A1 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2004-07-01 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Game ball lacing |
BE1016081A6 (en) * | 2004-06-21 | 2006-02-07 | Franck Jan | Sports article, e.g. football, ski or rowing boat, has surface irregularities formed by depressions |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2931653A (en) * | 1956-08-02 | 1960-04-05 | Seamless Rubber Co | Footballs having a securely grippable laceless surface |
US4000894A (en) * | 1975-06-23 | 1977-01-04 | Pepsico, Inc. | Game ball |
-
2004
- 2004-12-07 GB GB0426843A patent/GB2420984A/en active Pending
-
2005
- 2005-12-07 WO PCT/GB2005/004697 patent/WO2006061608A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-12-07 EP EP05814099A patent/EP1827619B1/en active Active
- 2005-12-07 DE DE602005012864T patent/DE602005012864D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-12-07 NZ NZ556313A patent/NZ556313A/en unknown
- 2005-12-07 AT AT05814099T patent/ATE422948T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2007
- 2007-07-05 ZA ZA200705518A patent/ZA200705518B/en unknown
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0157083A2 (en) * | 1984-04-03 | 1985-10-09 | Wilson Sporting Goods Company | Triangular pebble design for basketballs |
EP0333529A1 (en) * | 1988-02-19 | 1989-09-20 | Adidas Sarragan France S.A.R.L. | Composition for coating the external surfaces of sport balls, and balls coated therewith |
US5503699A (en) * | 1993-07-01 | 1996-04-02 | Kransco | Applying patches from mold cavity surface on ball and impressing patterns |
US5431393A (en) * | 1994-04-20 | 1995-07-11 | Wang; Fu-Wen | Raised surface patterns for basketball leather covers |
US6283881B1 (en) * | 1998-02-06 | 2001-09-04 | Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. | Game ball |
US20040127312A1 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2004-07-01 | Wilson Sporting Goods Co. | Game ball lacing |
BE1016081A6 (en) * | 2004-06-21 | 2006-02-07 | Franck Jan | Sports article, e.g. football, ski or rowing boat, has surface irregularities formed by depressions |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1827619A1 (en) | 2007-09-05 |
EP1827619B1 (en) | 2009-02-18 |
ATE422948T1 (en) | 2009-03-15 |
NZ556313A (en) | 2009-09-25 |
GB2420984A (en) | 2006-06-14 |
WO2006061608A9 (en) | 2006-08-10 |
GB0426843D0 (en) | 2005-01-12 |
ZA200705518B (en) | 2008-05-28 |
DE602005012864D1 (en) | 2009-04-02 |
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