Basketball having nine to twelve cover panels

Abstract

A basketball game ball ( 20 ) comprising an outer cover ( 22 ) having nine to twelve cover panels and preferably ten cover panels separated by a plurality of channels ( 26 ) extending between and in abutment with the panels.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
         1 . An inflatable basketball game ball having a central axis, said ball comprising at least nine and no more than twelve cover panels separated by channels extending between and abutting said panels, wherein a surface area of said channels comprises about 10.5-14% of a total surface area of the basketball.  
     
     
         2 . The inflatable basketball game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the channel surface area is 11-13% of said total surface area.  
     
     
         3 . The inflatable basketball game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said outer cover has at least ten panels and no more than eleven panels.  
     
     
         4 . The inflatable basketball game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said outer cover has ten panels.  
     
     
         5 . The inflatable basketball game ball of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum width of each of said panels is located at the central axis of said basketball.  
     
     
         6 . The inflatable basketball game ball of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum width of each of said panels is substantially the same.  
     
     
         7 . The inflatable basketball game ball of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said panels are different in shape.  
     
     
         8 . The inflatable basketball game ball of  claim 1 , wherein said panels extend longitudinally across the basketball.  
     
     
         9 . A basketball game ball comprising an inner bladder for retaining air and an outer cover enclosing said inner bladder, wherein said outer cover has ten panels separated by a plurality of channels extending between and in abutting engagement with said panels, and wherein a surface area of said channels comprises about 10.5-14% of a total surface area of the basketball.  
     
     
         10 . The basketball game ball of  claim 9 , wherein said total surface area is around 278 square inches and said channel surface area is about 29 to 37 square inches.  
     
     
         11 . The basketball game ball of  claim 9 , wherein said total surface area is around 278 square inches and said channel surface area is about 30 to 36 square inches.  
     
     
         12 . The basketball game ball of  claim 9 , wherein said total surface area is around 254 square inches and said channel surface area is about 27 to 35 square inches.  
     
     
         13 . The basketball game ball of  claim 9 , wherein said total surface area is around 254 square inches and said channel surface area is about 28 to 34 square inches.  
     
     
         14 . The basketball game ball of  claim 9 , wherein said total surface area is around 243 square inches and said channel surface area is about 26 to 33 square inches.  
     
     
         15 . The basketball game ball of  claim 9 , wherein said total surface area is around 243 square inches and said channel surface area is about 27 to 32 square inches.