Method of inflatable game ball panel construction
US9623289B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2013 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49904
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inflatable game ball and a method of constructing an inflatable game ball is described. Panel segments are formed from an outer panel portion and an inner panel portion having different sizes, with the inner panel portion being smaller than the outer panel portion. The inner panel portion and the outer panel portion are joined so that peripheral edges of the inner panel portion and the outer panel portion are aligned. Multiple panel segments are attached together to form a cover. Due to the differences in sizes between the inner panel portion and the outer panel portion, when an inflatable bladder within an interior of the cover is inflated to a fully inflated condition, variations in the dimensions of the ball caused by stretching of the cover may be reduced or minimized. In one embodiment, an alignment guide can assist with aligning the peripheral edges of the panel portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.