US20250128127A1

US20250128127A1 - Sports ball having a sensor

Info

Publication number: US20250128127A1
Application number: US18/923,081
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur P. Molinari
Original assignee: Nike Inc
Current assignee: Nike Inc
Priority date: 2023-10-24
Filing date: 2024-10-22
Publication date: 2025-04-24
Also published as: WO2025090485A1

Abstract

A sport ball with a casing that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball; a bladder located within the casing, the bladder having a radially outward- facing surface oriented facing away from a center of the sport ball, and a radially inward-facing surface facing toward the center of the sport ball; a plurality of weighted areas disposed on the radially inward-facing surface of the bladder, wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas includes a feature; and a component located on the bladder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/592,723, filed Oct. 24, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sports balls, and more particularly, to sports balls incorporating a sensor.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
A variety of inflatable sport balls (e.g., soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, and more) conventionally incorporate a layered structure that includes a casing, a restriction structure, and a bladder. The casing forms an exterior layer of the sport ball and is generally formed from a durable, wear-resistant material. In soccer balls and footballs, for example, the panels may be joined together along abutting edges (e.g., with stitching or adhesives). In basketballs, for example, the panels may be secured to the exterior surface of a rubber covering for the restriction structure and bladder. The restriction structure forms a middle layer of the sport ball and is positioned between the bladder and the casing to restrict expansion of the bladder. The bladder, which generally has an inflatable configuration, is located within the restriction structure to provide an inner layer of the sport ball. In order to facilitate inflation (i.e., with air, gas, fluid, etc.), the bladder generally includes a valved opening that extends through each of the restriction structure and casing, thereby being accessible from an exterior of the sport ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a sports ball;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the sports ball of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of the sports ball of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the sports ball of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 5 shows a plane extending through the polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 9 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1 .

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
“A,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range. All references referred to are incorporated herein in their entirety.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims.
Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively relative to the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.
In the discussion that follows, terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and the like, when used in describing a numerical value, denote a variation of +/−10% of that value, unless specified otherwise.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various bladder configurations for a sport ball. Although the sport ball is primarily discussed and depicted in relation to a soccer ball, concepts associated with the sport ball may be applied to a variety of other types of inflatable sport balls. In addition to a soccer ball, therefore, concepts discussed herein may be incorporated into basketballs, footballs (for either American football or rugby), and volleyballs, for example.
Inflatable balls may have a valve with some mass or sometimes have a sensor embedded with some mass. The ball performance can be affected from this extra mass. Counter balances are common in sports ball designs where a good center of gravity is critical for the associated sport. Some sports balls will have a round rubber patch of extra rubber material located internal to the sports ball, opposite the seam.
Some sports balls must perform consistently when struck in random orientations, and thus having a single counter balance may help in maintaining a Center of Gravity (CG) close to the center of the sports ball. However, such a design causes a high Moment of Inertia (MOI) in a valve and a patch plane of the sports ball versus an equator plane, which can change the ball flight characteristics in those respective orientations.
A sport ball 10 having the configuration of a soccer ball is depicted in FIG. 1 . Sport ball 10 has a layered structure that includes a casing 20, a restriction structure 30, and a bladder 40 (see FIG. 2 ). In addition, sport ball 10 may include a component 50, which may be an electronic device, a counterweight, or both, as described in greater detail below.
Casing 20 forms an exterior of sport ball 10 and includes a plurality of panels 21 that are stitched, adhered, bonded, welded, or otherwise joined together along abutting sides or edges to form a plurality of seams 22. Panels 21 are depicted as having the shapes of equilateral pentagons or hexagons. In other configurations of sport ball 10, however, panels 21 may have non-equilateral shapes, non-regular or non-geometrical shapes, or a variety of other shapes (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, round, oval, and more) that combine in a tessellation-type manner to form casing 20. Each of panels 21 may also be formed to have hexagonal shapes. Although sides of panels 21 may be linear, panels 21 may also have concave, convex, or otherwise non-linear sides and/or edges. Select panels 21 may be integral with adjacent panels 21 to form bridged panels that reduce the number of seams 22. In further configurations, casing 20 may have a seamless structure (i.e., where all of seams 22 are absent). Accordingly, the construction of casing 20 may vary significantly to include a variety of configurations for panels 21 without departing from a scope of this disclosure.
The materials selected for casing 20, or individual panels 21, may be leather, synthetic leather, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or other materials that are generally durable and wear-resistant. In some configurations, each of panels 21 may have a layered configuration that combines two or more materials. For example, each panel 21 may include a non-foamed polymer layer and a polymer foam layer. As another example, an exterior portion of each panel 21 may be polyvinyl chloride layer, a middle portion of each panel 21 may be a polymer foam layer, and an interior portion of each panel 21 may be a textile layer.
Referring to FIG. 2 , restriction structure 30 forms a middle layer of sport ball 10 and is positioned between casing 20 and bladder 40. In general, restriction structure 30 is formed from materials with a limited degree of stretch in order to restrict expansion of bladder 40, but may have a variety of configurations or purposes. As examples, restriction structure 30 may be formed from (a) a thread, yarn, or filament that is repeatedly wound around bladder 40 in various directions to form a mesh that covers substantially all of bladder 40; (b) a plurality of generally flat or planar textile elements stitched, woven, or knitted together to form a structure that extends around bladder 40; (c) a plurality of generally flat or planar textile strips that are impregnated with latex and placed in an overlapping configuration around bladder 40; and/or (d) a substantially seamless spherically-shaped textile. In some configurations of sport ball 10, restriction structure 30 may also be bonded, joined, or otherwise incorporated into either of casing 20 and bladder 40, or restriction structure 30 may be absent from sport ball 10 entirely. Accordingly, the construction of restriction structure 30 may vary significantly to include a variety of configurations and materials without departing from a scope of this disclosure.
Bladder 40 has an inflatable configuration and is located within restriction structure 30 to provide an inner portion of sport ball 10. When inflated, bladder 40 exhibits a rounded or generally spherical shape. Bladder 40 includes a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of sport ball 10, and a radially inward-facing surface facing toward the center of sport ball 10. In order to facilitate inflation and/or deflation, bladder 40 includes a valve 41 that extends through restriction structure 30 and casing 20, thereby being accessible from an exterior of sport ball 10. In other configurations, bladder 40 may have a valveless structure that is semi-permanently inflated. Bladder 40 may be formed from a rubber or carbon latex material that substantially prevents air or other fluids within bladder 40 from diffusing to the exterior of sport ball 10. In addition to rubber and carbon latex, a variety of other polymer or elastomeric (i.e., stretchable) materials may be utilized for bladder 40.
Still referring to FIG. 2 , component 50 is located within a pocket 42 that is formed in bladder 40 and may be an electronic device, a counterweight, or both an electronic device and a counterweight. As an electronic device, component 50 may include a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, a transmitter, a receiver, a memory, a battery, and/or other combination of elements that are configured and operable to process, send, receive, and/or collect data. More specifically, examples of electronic devices that are suitable for component 50 include one or more of (a) a sensor for determining a metric (e.g., pressure, temperature, or force) within bladder 40; (b) a global positioning system (i.e., GPS) unit or an accelerometer that measures various factors relating to the location or movement of sport ball 10, including acceleration, spin, velocity, elevation, and direction; (c) a line sensor that determines whether sport ball 10 has crossed a goal line or an out-of-bounds line; (d) a radio-frequency identification (i.e., RFID) chip that stores data relating to sport ball 10 or assists with identifying sport ball 10; and (e) a camera or imaging device that detects and collects image data. As a counterweight, component 50 may enhance the balance, weight distribution, center of mass, or other physical properties of sport ball 10. More specifically, component 50 may be any object that acts as a counterweight. In many configurations, however, component 50 may be an electronic device that adds the advantage of being a counterweight.
The pressurization of bladder 40 with air or another fluid induces sport ball 10 to take on a substantially spherical shape. More particularly, fluid pressure within bladder 40 causes bladder 40 to place an outward force upon restriction structure 30. In turn, restriction structure 30 places an outward force upon casing 20. In order to limit the expansion of bladder 40 and also limit the tension in casing 20, restriction structure 30 is generally formed from a material that has a limited degree of stretch. In other words, bladder 40 places an outward force upon restriction structure 30, but the stretch characteristics of restriction structure 30 effectively prevent the outward force from inducing significant tension in casing 20. Accordingly, restriction structure 30 may be utilized to restrain pressure from bladder 40, while permitting outward forces from bladder 40 to induce a substantially spherical shape in casing 20, thereby imparting a substantially spherical shape to sport ball 10.
Pocket 42 is sized, shaped, and/or otherwise configured to provide a cavity, an indentation, a void, or other space that receives component 50. When bladder 40 is incorporated into sport ball 10, pocket 42 protrudes or projects inwards and towards a center of sport ball 10, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 , thereby locating component 50 within an interior area of sport ball 10. In this position, component 50 is protected from exterior impacts by a foot, a surface, or other objects when sport ball 10 is being utilized.
The shape and size of pocket 42 accommodates component 50. That is, the configuration of pocket 42 may be selected to form a cavity that receives component 50 and securely-retains component 50 within sport ball 10. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that although pocket 42 is shown and described herein as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile corresponding to the generally rectangular configuration of component 50, pocket 42 may have various other suitable shapes, sizes, and/or configurations in accordance with a profile of component 50 without departing from a scope of this disclosure.
As noted above, component 50 may be a counterweight that enhances the balance, weight distribution, center of mass, or other properties of sport ball 10. Referring back to FIG. 2 , for example, valve 41 is located opposite pocket 42. That is, valve 41 and pocket 42 are located on opposite sides of bladder 40 and along an axis that extends through a center of bladder 40. Valve 41 adds mass to one side of sport ball 10, and the combination of pocket 42 and component 50 adds mass to an opposite side of sport ball 10. By equalizing these masses, sport ball 10 achieves better balance than in the absence of pocket 42 and component 50. In practice, however, these masses may not be equal. The balance and other properties of sport ball 10 may, however, be enhanced when a combination of the mass of pocket 42 and component 50 is in a range of about 75 percent to about 125 percent of the mass of valve 41. Accordingly, the mass of sport ball 10 may be more evenly distributed and the center of gravity of sport ball 10 may be more centrally-located when valve 41 and component 50 are located on opposite sides of sport ball 10, and along a common axis (i.e., axis 45).
As shown in FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, a plurality of weighted areas 300 are disposed on the radial innermost surface of sport ball 10. The plurality of weighted areas 300 may be formed in any suitable size, shape, and/or configuration, including but not limited to dots or other shapes. In an example, the weighted areas 300 may comprise one or more features configured to space apart the bladder 40 from the restriction structure 30. The one or more features may be arranged in a cluster in the sport ball 10. In an example, bladder 40 includes a first (inner) surface 40 a and a second (outer) surface 40 b. The first surface 40 a is disposed opposite the second surface 40 b. The first surface 40 a is disposed such that it faces an interior of sport ball 10. The second surface 40 b is disposed such that it contacts a surface of restriction structure 30. The weighted areas 300 may be disposed along the first surface 40 a at a plurality of locations, such as at periodic intervals that are evenly or unevenly spaced relative to one another.
The weighted areas 300 may be comprised of a plurality of weighted dots, spots, or formations. In some embodiments, the weighted areas 300 may be printed, laminated, deposited, or formed onto the first surface 40 a by any other suitable means of adhering the weighted areas 300 to portions of sports ball 10. For example, when printed, the weighted areas 300 are formed directly onto the first surface 40 a. As discussed above, weighted areas 300 are disposed on the radially inward-facing first surface 40 a of sport ball 10. The size of the plurality of weighted areas 300 are not limited to the configuration shown and described herein, and may range from relatively smaller-sized areas to relatively larger-sized areas. It is contemplated that when smaller-sized weighted areas 300 are formed, a greater number of discrete weighted areas 300 may be included along first surface 40 a in order to reach the desired counterbalance total weight and distribution of weight for sports ball 10. The weighted areas 300 may have a total weight that is directly proportional with a weight of component 50. In some examples, weighted areas 300 may have a total weight that is less than a weight of component 50. In some examples, weighted areas 300 may have a total weight that is greater than a weight of component 50.
In an example, the weighted areas 300 comprise a number of weighted dots consisting of a material adding overall weight to sports ball 10. This material may be, for example, a rubber, a silicone, or the like. The number of weighted dots included in a given weighted area 300 may range from about 1 dot to about 1000 dots. The number of weighted dots included in a given weighted area 300 may range from about 50 dots to about 750 dots. The number of weighted dots included in a given weighted area 300 may range from about 100 dots to about 500 dots. In an example, when a weighted area 300 of a relatively larger size is included, a greater number of weighted dots may be included. The number of weighted dots included in the weighted area 300 may be selectively scaled up or down in order to reach the desired counterbalance total weight and distribution of weight in sports ball 10.
Additionally, the size of any individual dot may be selectively scaled up or down to reach the desired number of weighted dots in a given weighted area 300 to achieve the desired counterbalance total weight and distribution of weight for sports ball 10. For example, a diameter of a given dot may range from about .05 mm to about 100 mm. As another example, the weighted dots may be of a size to occupy a percentage of a surface area of the weighted area 300. For example, the weighted dots of the weighted area 300 may cover between about .001% to about 99.999% of the surface area of the weighted area 300.
The weighted areas 300 may be evenly spaced apart along bladder 40, or may be spaced at non-even and/or clustered intervals relative to bladder 40. In other embodiments, the weighted areas 300 may be randomly spaced apart along bladder 40. Although only shown as being disposed on a portion of the first surface 40 a of bladder 40, the weighted areas 300 may be circumferentially disposed along an entirety of the first surface 40 a. In other examples, the weighted areas 300 may be positioned and/or concentrated along the first surface 40 a opposite the location of component 50. The weighted areas 300 may be circumferentially disposed along the first surface 40 a as desired for counter balancing the weight of component 50 of sport ball 10. For example, the weighted areas 300 may be positioned in a single clump or group directly opposite component 50. As another example, the weighted areas 300 may be positioned individually or in organized clusters along the first surface 40 a for a desired level of counterbalancing the weight of component 50 of sport ball 10. For example, one cluster of the weighted areas 300 may be positioned directly opposite component 50. In another example, one or more clusters of the weighted areas 300 may be positioned in a first (lower) hemisphere of sport ball 10 while the component is positioned in a second (upper) hemisphere, opposite the first hemisphere, of sport ball 10. In some other examples, the one or more clusters of the weighted areas 300 may be positioned along the first surface 40 a as desired to provide a counterbalancing weight against the component 50 and/or valve 41. The placement of the one or more clusters of the weighted areas 300 allows for the sports ball 10 to maintain a desired level of sphericity as well maintain a desired form of movement (e.g., flight) of the sports ball 10.
Still referring to FIG. 3 , the plurality of weighted areas 300 may have a surface 300 a that is substantially flat and/or planar. In other examples, the surface 300 a may be substantially rounded and/or curved. It is contemplated that the surface 300 a may be triangular, pyramidal, or any other suitable shape for optimizing the counter-balancing nature of the weighted dots in the weighted area 300 without departing from a scope of this disclosure.
Sports ball 10 including a pattern with an increased number of weighted areas 300 allows bladder 40 to be inflated into a sphere. In other words, as the number of weighted areas 300 in sports ball 10 increases, the sphericity of bladder 40 and sport ball 10 improves as opposed to counterbalanced sports balls with other counterbalancing designs. This occurs because as bladder 40 is being reinforced, the location of the weighted areas 300 affects the stretch of bladder 40 during manufacturing. Sports ball 10 including the aforementioned pattern provides space between adjacent weighted areas 300 allows the sports ball 10 to stretch consistently. The number, density, positioning, or volume of each weighted area 300 may be selectively adjusted based on a desired CG and/or a desired MOI while allowing bladder 40 to be spherical.
In some embodiments, the weighted areas 300 may be positioned on top of restriction structure 30. In such embodiments, a height of the weighted areas 300 may be less than about 15 mm. A height of the weighted areas 300 may be selectively adjusted based on a desired sphericity and/or weight of sports ball 10. To accommodate the thin structure of the weighted areas 300 on top of restriction structure 30, a material denser than polyurethane (PU) foam may be included in sports ball 10. For example, the material may be a memory foam, a lux foam, a latex foam, or the like. In other embodiments, the plurality of weighted areas 300 may be disposed on casing 20.
The weighted areas 300 are positioned in relation to component 50 to best counterbalance sports ball 10. For example, the weighted areas 300 may be positioned directly opposite component 50. Referring to FIGS. 4-9 , to counter balance bladder 40 and component 50, the weighted areas 300 may be arranged in a polyhedral counterbalance design to help ensure the moment of inertia is closer in any orientations.
A schematic view of sports ball 10 is shown with points A, B, C, and D in FIG. 4 . Points A, B, C, and D correspond to points on sports ball 10 where imaginary lines extend between a plurality of weighted areas 300 and/or component 50, the imaginary lines forming the polyhedral counterbalance design. In an example, a first plane BCD extends between points B, C, and D. First plane BCD forms an equilateral triangle between the points B, C, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in sports ball 10. A second plane ABC extends between points A, B, and C. Second plane ABC forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and C representing a balance of the moment of inertia in sports ball 10. A third plane ACD extends between points A, C, and D. Third plane ACD forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, C, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in sports ball 10. A fourth plane ABD extends between points A, B, and D. Fourth plane ABD forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in sports ball 10. In examples, the point A corresponds to a location of component 50. Points B, C, and D correspond to a location of the weighted areas 300. In other examples, any of points A, B, C, and D may represent either component 50 or the weighted areas 300. Point O represents the moment of inertia for sports ball 10.
Various exemplary embodiments of counterbalancing using a polyhedral counterbalance design to ensure the moment of inertia is closer in any orientation are shown in FIGS. 5-9 . For example, a different order shape (i.e. hexagonal, tetrahedral, octagonal, dodecahedral, or the like) can be implemented within the sports ball 10. In other examples, any polyhedral counterbalance design in which any plane extending through the polyhedral shape does not contact every anchor point or corner of the polyhedral shape may be suitable. FIG. 5 shows the third plane ACD extending through points A, C, and D.
FIG. 6 shows another example of a polyhedral counterbalanced design of the sport ball 10. Points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H correspond to points on the sport ball 10 where imaginary lines extend between a plurality of weighted areas 300 and/or the component 50, the imaginary lines forming the polyhedral counterbalance design. In an example, a first plane ABCD extends between points A, B, C, and D. First plane ABCD forms a square between the points A, B, C, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A second plane CDGH extends between points C, D, G, and H. Second plane CDGH forms a square between the points C, D, G, and H representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A third plane EFGH extends between points E, F, G, and H. Third plane EFGH forms a square between the points E, F, G, and H representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A fourth plane ABEF extends between points A, B, E, and F. Fourth plane ABEF forms a square between the points A, B, E, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A fifth plane BCFG extends between points B, C, F, and G. Fifth plane BCFG forms a square between the points B, C, F, and G representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. A sixth plane ADEH extends between points A, D, E, and H. Sixth plane ADEH forms a square between the points A, D, E, and H representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sport ball 10. In examples, any of points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H may represent either the component 50 or the weighted areas 300.
FIG. 7 shows another example of a polyhedral counterbalanced design of the sports ball 10. Points A, B, C, D, E, and F correspond to points on the sports ball 10 where imaginary lines extend between a plurality of weighted areas 300 and/or the component 50, the imaginary lines forming the polyhedral counterbalance design. In an example, a first plane ABC extends between points A, B, and C. First plane ABC forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and C representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A second plane ABE extends between points A, B, and E. Second plane ABE forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, B, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A third plane ACD extends between points A, C, and D. Third plane ACD forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, C, and D representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A fourth plane ADE extends between points A, D, and E. Fourth plane ADE forms an equilateral triangle between the points A, D, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A fifth plane BCDE extends between points B, C, D, and E. Fifth plane BCDE forms a square between the points B, C, D, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A sixth plane BCF extends between points B, C, and F. Sixth plane BCF forms an equilateral triangle between the points B, C, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A seventh plane CDF extends between points C, D, and F. Seventh plane CDF forms an equilateral triangle between the points C, D, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. An eighth plane DEF extends between points D, E, and F. Eighth plane DEF forms an equilateral triangle between the points D, E, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A ninth plane BEF extends between points B, E, and F. Ninth plane BEF forms an equilateral triangle between the points B, E, and F representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. In examples, any of points A, B, C, D, E, and F may represent either the component 50 or the weighted areas 300.
FIG. 8 shows another example of a polyhedral counterbalanced design of the sports ball 10. Points A through T correspond to points on the sports ball 10 where imaginary lines extend between a plurality of weighted areas 300 and/or the component 50, the imaginary lines forming the polyhedral counterbalance design. In an example, a first plane ABCDE extends between points A, B, C, D, and E. First plane ABCDE forms a pentagon between the points A, B, C, D, and E representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A second plane ABLMN extends between points A, B, L, M, and N. Second plane ABLMN forms a pentagon between the points A, B, L, M, and N representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A third plane AEFON extends between points A, E, F, O, and N. Third plane AEFON forms a pentagon between the points A, E, F, O, and N representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A fourth plane DEFGH extends between points D, E, F, G, and H. Fourth plane DEFGH forms a pentagon between the points D, E, F, G, and H representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A fifth plane DCJIH extends between points D, C, J, I, and H. Fifth plane DCJIH forms a pentagon between the points D, C, J, I, and H representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A sixth plane CBLKJ extends between points C, B, L, K, and J. Sixth plane CBLKJ forms a pentagon between the points C, B, L, K, and J representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A seventh plane PQRST extends between points P, Q, R, S, and T. Seventh plane PQRST forms a pentagon between the points P, Q, R, S, and T representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. An eighth plane FGTPO extends between points F, G, T, P, and O. Eight plane FGTPO forms an equilateral triangle between the points F, G, T, P, and O representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A ninth plane GHIST extends between points G, H, I, S, and T. Ninth plane GHIST forms an equilateral triangle between the points G, H, I, S, and T representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A tenth plane IJKRS extends between points I, J, K, R, and S. Tenth plane IJKRS forms an equilateral triangle between the points I, J, K, R, and S representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. An eleventh plane KLMQR extends between points K, L, M, Q, and R. Eleventh plane KLMQR forms an equilateral triangle between the points K, L, M, Q, and R representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. A twelfth plane MNOPQ extends between points M, N, O, P, and Q. Twelfth plane MNOPQ forms an equilateral triangle between the points M, N, O, P, and Q representing a balance of the moment of inertia in the sports ball 10. In examples, any of points A through T may represent either the component 50 or the weighted areas 300.
As shown in FIG. 9 , the placement of the weighted areas 300 and component 50 allow imaginary lines to be drawn between respective weighted areas 300 and/or the component 50. Such lines form points of contact between the respective weighted areas 300 and/or component 50 to form the different order shape (i.e. hexagonal, tetrahedral, octagonal, dodecahedral, or the like).
Additional manners for counter balancing the component 50 are envisioned as part of the scope of this disclosure. Bladder 40 may be counter balanced by adding rubber pieces to bladder 40 itself. However, this may cause issues when constructing a restricted bladder 40 because the inflated counterbalanced bladder will stretch inconsistently and not inflate as a sphere during the restrictor application process.
Accordingly, various aspects of sport ball 10 and pocket 42 may vary, depending upon the athletic activity that sport ball 10 is intended to be used during and the configuration and purpose of component 50, for example.
While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not as limiting.
The following clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a sports ball including a sensor as descried above.
Clause 1. A sport ball comprising: a casing that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball; a bladder located within the casing, the bladder having a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of the sport ball, and a radially inward-facing surface facing toward the center of the sport ball; a plurality of weighted areas disposed on the radially inward-facing surface of the bladder, wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas includes a feature; and a component located on the bladder.
Clause 2. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the bladder includes a pocket defining a cavity to receive the component, and wherein the component includes a valve.
Clause 3. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas and component are evenly spaced around the radially inward-facing surface of the bladder.
Clause 4. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas include a plurality of weighted dots, wherein a number of the plurality of weighted dots within each weighted area is between 5 and 100.
Clause 5. The sport ball of Clause 4, wherein the plurality of weighted areas include a first weight that is greater than a second weight of the component.
Clause 6. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas are arranged in a clustered group opposite the component.
Clause 7. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas and the component are arranged along the radially inward-facing surface such that a polyhedral shape pattern is formed between respective weighted areas of the plurality of weighted areas.
Clause 8. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed on a restriction structure of the sport ball.
Clause 9. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed on the casing.
Clause 10. The sport ball of Clause 4, wherein the plurality of weighted dots are comprised of a first material, the bladder is comprised of a second material, and the casing is comprised of a third material, and wherein the first material is different from each of the second material and the third material.
Clause 11. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the sport ball includes a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, wherein the component is disposed in the first hemisphere, and wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed in the second hemisphere.
Clause 12. A sport ball comprising: a casing that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball; a bladder located within the casing, the bladder having a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of the sport ball, and a radially inward-facing surface oriented facing toward the center of the sport ball; a component located within the bladder, the component having a first weight; and a plurality of weighted areas arranged in clusters along the radially inward-facing surface of the bladder such that the plurality of weighted areas counterbalance the component, wherein the plurality of weighted areas have a second weight.
Clause 13. The sport ball of Clause 12, wherein the second weight of the plurality of weighted areas is greater than the first weight of the component.
Clause 14. The sport ball of Clause 12, wherein the plurality of weighted areas are disposed in a first hemisphere of the sport ball, and wherein the component is disposed in a second hemisphere of the sport ball, the first hemisphere forming an upper portion of the sport ball and the second hemisphere forming a lower portion of the sport ball.
Clause 15. The sport ball of Clause 14, wherein the plurality of weighted areas are disposed on the bladder directly opposite to the component.
Clause 16. The sport ball of Clause 12, wherein the plurality of weighted areas include one or more weighted dots covering at least a portion of a surface area of the plurality of weighted areas.
Clause 17. The sport ball of Clause 16, wherein the one or more weighted dots are comprised of a rubber material.
Clause 18. The sport ball of Clause 16, wherein the one or more weighted dots are comprised of a first material, the bladder is comprised of a second material, and the casing is comprised of a third material, and wherein the first material is different from each of the second material and the third material.
Clause 19. The sport ball of Clause 16, wherein the one or more weighted dots have a height of between 1 mm and 10 mm.
Clause 20. The sport ball of Clause 12, wherein the sport ball includes a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, wherein the component is disposed in the first hemisphere, and wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed in the second hemisphere.

Claims

We claim:

1. A sport ball comprising:

a casing that forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball;

a bladder located within the casing, the bladder having a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of the sport ball, and a radially inward-facing surface facing toward the center of the sport ball;

a plurality of weighted areas disposed on the radially inward-facing surface of the bladder, wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas includes a feature;

and

a component located on the bladder.

2. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein the bladder includes a pocket defining a cavity to receive the component, and wherein the component includes a valve.

3. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas and component are evenly spaced around the radially inward-facing surface of the bladder.

4. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas include a plurality of weighted dots, wherein a number of the plurality of weighted dots within each weighted area is between 5 and 100.

5. The sport ball of claim 4, wherein the plurality of weighted areas include a first weight that is greater than a second weight of the component.

6. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas are arranged in a clustered group opposite the component.

7. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weighted areas and the component are arranged along the radially inward-facing surface such that a polyhedral shape pattern is formed between respective weighted areas of the plurality of weighted areas.

8. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed on a restriction structure of the sport ball.

9. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed on the casing.

10. The sport ball of claim 4, wherein the plurality of weighted dots are comprised of a first material, the bladder is comprised of a second material, and the casing is comprised of a third material, and wherein the first material is different from each of the second material and the third material.

11. The sport ball of claim 1, wherein the sport ball includes a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, wherein the component is disposed in the first hemisphere, and wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed in the second hemisphere.

12. A sport ball comprising:

a bladder located within the casing, the bladder having a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of the sport ball, and a radially inward-facing surface oriented facing toward the center of the sport ball;

a component located within the bladder, the component having a first weight; and

a plurality of weighted areas arranged in clusters along the radially inward-facing surface of the bladder such that the plurality of weighted areas counterbalance the component, wherein the plurality of weighted areas have a second weight.

13. The sport ball of claim 12, wherein the second weight of the plurality of weighted areas is greater than the first weight of the component.

14. The sport ball of claim 12, wherein the plurality of weighted areas are disposed in a first hemisphere of the sport ball, and wherein the component is disposed in a second hemisphere of the sport ball, the first hemisphere forming an upper portion of the sport ball and the second hemisphere forming a lower portion of the sport ball.

15. The sport ball of claim 14, wherein the plurality of weighted areas are disposed on the bladder directly opposite to the component.

16. The sport ball of claim 12, wherein the plurality of weighted areas include one or more weighted dots covering at least a portion of a surface area of the plurality of weighted areas.

17. The sport ball of claim 16, wherein the one or more weighted dots are comprised of a rubber material.

18. The sport ball of claim 16, wherein the one or more weighted dots are comprised of a first material, the bladder is comprised of a second material, and the casing is comprised of a third material, and wherein the first material is different from each of the second material and the third material.

19. The sport ball of claim 16, wherein the one or more weighted dots have a height of between 1 mm and 10 mm.

20. The sport ball of claim 12, wherein the sport ball includes a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, wherein the component is disposed in the first hemisphere, and wherein one or more of the plurality of weighted areas are disposed in the second hemisphere.