Football with odd number of panels

Abstract

A football is made in "regulation" size and shape for high school, college and professional football or generally proportional thereto. 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. If desired, the panel opposed to the laces is reinforced with an internal reinforcing panel which internally covers the entire panel. Alternatively, two reinforcing patches are provided, each of which is located at a "sweet spot" of the football. In either case, the weight of the reinforcement is preferably equalized to the weight of the laces so that the football remains balanced. Where the football has an odd number of panels greater than four, the cross-sections defined by the short circumference and by circumferences in parallel planes to the short circumference are closer to circular than is the case with a conventional four panel football, thereby resulting in reduced wind resistance and greater accuracy and distance when thrown or punted in a spiral as compared to a conventional four panel football. Where the football is made of at least five panels, when the quarterback grips the laces with his fingers, the thumb may reach and engage the second seam away from the laces to provide an enhanced grip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.