Game ball with non-intersecting channels or ribs

Abstract

A game ball, such as a basketball, having non-intersecting channels or ribs is disclosed in various embodiments. Each channel forms a closed loop extending across the surface of the ball between a right side and a left side. Exemplary embodiments of the game ball have four, two, and one channel(s) and five, three and two panels, respectively.

1 . An inflatable game ball, comprising a surface, at least one right side, at least one left side, and either two or four channels; 
 wherein each channel forms a closed loop extending across the surface of the ball between a right side and a left side;    wherein each channel defines a panel area inside the closed loop of the channel; and    the channels do not intersect.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the right side is located substantially near an end of the ball and the left side is located substantially near the opposite end of the ball; 
 wherein the channels are symmetrically placed around the surface of the ball; and    wherein a plurality of panel areas has substantially the same shape and dimensions.    
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the channels are symmetrically placed around the surface of the ball.  
   
   
       6 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of panel areas has substantially the same shape and dimensions.  
   
   
       7 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein each channel is non-planar.  
   
   
       8 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ball has one left side and one right side.  
   
   
       9 . The game ball of  claim 8 , wherein the right side is located substantially near an end of the ball and the left side is located substantially near the opposite end of the ball.  
   
   
       10 . An inflatable game ball, comprising a surface, a right side, a left side, and a channel; wherein the channel forms a closed loop extending across the surface of the ball between the right side and the left side at least six times.  
   
   
       11 . The game ball of  claim 10 , wherein the channel extends across the surface of the ball between the right side and the left side eight times.  
   
   
       12 . The game ball of  claim 10 , wherein the channel defines two panel areas and the two panel areas have substantially the same shape and dimensions.  
   
   
       13 . An inflatable game ball, comprising: 
 a carcass comprising an outer surface, at least one right side, at least one left side, and either two or four ribs on the outer surface;    wherein each rib forms a closed loop extending across the outer surface of the carcass between a right side and a left side; and    each rib defines a panel area inside the closed loop of the rib; and    a plurality of panels, wherein each panel is placed on the outer surface of the carcass in a panel area.    
   
   
       14 . The game ball of  claim 13 , wherein each panel comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, rubber, and a composite material.  
   
   
       15 . The game ball of  claim 13 , wherein each panel has a pebbled texture.  
   
   
       16 . The game ball of  claim 13 , wherein each panel has substantially the same shape and the same dimensions.  
   
   
       17 . An inflatable game ball, comprising: 
 a carcass comprising an outer surface, a right side, a left side, and a rib on the outer surface;    wherein the rib forms a closed loop extending across the outer surface of the carcass between the right side and the left side at least six times and defines two panel areas; and    a plurality of panels, wherein each panel is placed on the outer surface of the carcass in a panel area.    
   
   
       18 . The game ball of  claim 17 , wherein the game ball has two panels and each panel is placed in a different panel area.  
   
   
       19 . The game ball of  claim 17 , wherein the rib extends across the carcass between the right side and left side eight times.