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US 6,142,897 AGranted
Smooth basketball
AssigneeHoopMaster, Inc.
InventorCharles W. Lees
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A basketball includes an inflatable bladder and a cover that surrounds the bladder. An outer surface of the basketball is substantially smooth, devoid of any seams, lines, stitching, raised or indented surface indicia, corrugation, stippling, or other surface irregularities, besides an air intake and release valve, discernable through the feel. The size and weight of the basketball may meet the specifications of at least one of the NBA, NCAA, WNBA or Youth Basketball.
Claims22
A basketball comprising:
- an inflatable inner bladder;
- and
- a cover that surrounds the bladder, wherein an outer surface of the cover is free of conventional basketball seams and stipples;
- and
- wherein the basketball is a completed basketball product for use in a game of basketball.
2 more elements
A method for forming a basketball comprising the steps of:
- forming an inflatable inner bladder;
- forming a cover having a substantially smooth outer surface;
- and
- attaching the cover to the bladder such that the cover surrounds the bladder;
- such that the basketball formed is a completed basketball product for use in a game of basketball.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.