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US 8,371,971 B2Granted
Football with aerodynamic lace
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorJoseph J. Bevier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.
Claims26
A football comprising:
- a body;
- and
- a molded lace element associated with the body,
- wherein the molded lace element is comprised of at least three elongated projections, the at least three elongated projections each having a height, a length that crosses a longitudinal axis of the body and having a width that varies along the length of the projection, and
- wherein the molded lace element is configured to enhance an aerodynamic performance of the football.
2 more elements
A football comprising:
- a body;
- and
- a molded lace element associated with the body,
- wherein the molded lace element is comprised of at least one elongated formation, the at least one elongated formation having a length that crosses a longitudinal axis of the body to form a projection angle of less than 90 degrees, and having a height that varies above a surface of the football along a length of the formation, and
- wherein the molded lace element is configured to enhance an aerodynamic performance of the football.
2 more elements
A football comprising:
- a body;
- and
- a molded lace element associated with the body, the molded lace element having a plurality of elongated projections affixed to an exterior surface of the football, wherein:
- each projection varies in height above a surface of the football along a length of the projection;
- each projection has a width that is greatest at a centerpoint of the projection and tapered at ends of the projection;
- and
- the plurality of elongated projections forming a line that is aligned with a longitudinal seam of the body;
- and
- wherein the molded lace element is configured to reduce drag on the football.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.