Football with odd number of panels

Abstract

A football is made in "regulation" size and shape for high school, college and professional football. However, instead of having four panels and four seams as is conventionally the case, an odd number of panels and seams, for example, five panels and seams is provided. When kicking an oblate spheroidal football, the place kicker normally kicks the football at a location diametrically opposite to the location of the laces of the football. By providing an odd number of panels, the disclosed football is preferably kicked at a location where no seam is located thereby enhancing the effectiveness and accuracy of kicking. In one embodiment, the panel opposed to the laces is reinforced with an internal reinforcing panel which internally covers the entire panel. In a second embodiment, two reinforcing patches are provided, each of which is located at a "sweet spot" of the football. In either embodiment, the weight of the reinforcement is equalized to the weight of the laces so that the football remains balanced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.