# US 5,427,372 A · Applying patches and impressing patterns on ball

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- Number: US 5,427,372 A
- Document ID: US5427372A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/257,159
- Filed: 1994-06-09
- Granted: 1995-06-27
- Earliest claimed: 1993-07-01
- Assignees: Kransco
- Inventors: Donald Ratner; Paul Feinsinger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5427372A

## CPC

- B29D 22/02: Inflatable articles
- A63B 41/08: Ball covers; Closures therefor
- B29C 59/02: by mechanical means, e.g. pressing {(B29C59/007 takes precedence; embossing expanded porous articles B29C44/5627)}
- A63B 2243/0025: Football
- B29K 2995/0021: Multi-coloured
- B29L 2022/02: Inflatable articles (balls B29L2031/54 {; inner tyres B29L2023/245})
- B29L 2031/54: Balls
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A play ball having visually distinctive colored patches distributed over its exterior. Portions of the ball exterior may be uncovered with patches, and have a color distinct from the color of patches. Regions of different tactile patterns are impressed on the ball with, and these regions may match all or parts of differently colored patches. A method of making a game ball with patches on its exterior.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In the manufacture of a ball from a ball body, the method comprising:
applying a patch to the exterior of the ball body with the patch being bounded by a border,
impressing a first tactile pattern on the patch with the pattern extending between opposed borders of the patch, and
impressing another tactile pattern on the exterior of the ball body in regions immediately adjacent said opposed borders, this other tactile pattern being different from the first tactile pattern.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the patch has one color, and the regions of the exterior of the ball body immediately adjacent the borders of the patch are of a different and distinct color.

### Claim 3

In the manufacture of a ball from a ball body, the method comprising:
applying at least a pair of patches as overlays to the exterior of the ball body with the patches bounded by respective borders and there being left portions of the exterior of the ball body free of patch overlays, and
impressing tactile patterns on one of the patches, and portions of the ball body that are free of patch overlays, while leaving the other of the pair of patches free of any impressed tactile pattern.

### Claim 4

A method of manufacturing a ball comprising:
providing a ball body,
applying differently colored and thus visually distinctive patches to selected regions of the exterior of the ball body to produce patch regions at selected locations distributed about the ball body, and
impressing onto the patch regions tactile patterns, a region having a tactile pattern having a border extending therealong defining the limit of the region and this border corresponding to a significant extent to the border forming the edge of a patch.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the patch has one color and the regions of the ball body immediately adjacent the borders of the patch are of a different and distinct color.