Patent · US Expired

Football with tail appendage

US5228690A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 27, 1992
Grant dateJul 20, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 27, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S273/30
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

There is disclosed a football having an end appendage which is a long, narrow flexible sheet material, e.g., cloth or flexible vinyl, which functions as a tail when the ball is thrown or kicked and which provides directional stability for the football while in flight. When the football is thrown in a normal manner, the tail extends backwards, providing a slight drag to cause the back tip of the ball to align itself with the front tip, thereby resulting in the straight and accurate flight of the ball. The appendage can be fixedly or removably attached to the football, and for this purpose, can be attached with attachment tabs formed of hook and loop materials, commonly known as VELCRO.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.