Game ball with urethane gum rubber surface

A game ball comprising:

• an inflatable bladder;
• a layer of polymeric filaments wound over said bladder;
• and
• a cover molded over said layer of filaments, said cover comprising a vulcanized urethane gum rubber layer, wherein said urethane gum rubber comprises a urethane gum rubber obtained from the poly-addition of an isocyanate and a polyether;
• and said urethane gum rubber is vulcanized through a sulfur-based cross-linking reaction.

A basketball comprising:

• an inflatable bladder;
• a layer of polymeric filaments overlaying said bladder;
• and
• a multi-layered cover overlying said layer of filaments, said cover comprising a vulcanized natural rubber inner layer with a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3 overlying said layer of filaments and a vulcanized urethane rubber exterior layer with a density of at least 0.8 g/cm3 overlying said inner layer, said exterior layer having a higher durometer hardness and greater abrasion resistance than said inner layer.

A method for making a game ball, comprising:

• providing a core;
• providing urethane gum rubber resin obtained from the poly-addition of an isocyanate and a polyether;
• mixing a vulcanized agent with said urethane gum rubber resin to create a urethane gum rubber;
• molding said urethane gum rubber over said core;
• and
• vulcanizing said urethane gum rubber through a sulfur-based cross-linking reaction.