Game ball

Abstract

A game ball, such as a basketball, having 2 to 7 panels defined by one or more non-intersecting channels is described herein.

1 . An inflatable basketball comprising a surface, at least one channel, and a plurality of panels; 
 wherein no channel intersects with another channel;    and wherein the basketball has at least two but not more than seven panels.    
   
   
       2 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein more than half of the channels each form a closed loop extending between a right side of the ball and a left side of the ball.  
   
   
       3 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 2 , wherein each of the channels forms a closed loop extending between the right side and the left side.  
   
   
       4 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of panels extends from a right side of the ball to a left side of the ball.  
   
   
       5 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right end of the ball to a left end of the ball.  
   
   
       6 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein the basketball has seven panels.  
   
   
       7 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 6 , wherein one panel lies wholly within a right end of the ball and one panel lies wholly within a left end of the ball.  
   
   
       8 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 7 , wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right end of the ball to a left end of the ball.  
   
   
       9 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein the basketball has six panels.  
   
   
       10 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right end of the ball to a left end of the ball and a plurality of panels extend from a right side of the ball to a left side of the ball.  
   
   
       11 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein the basketball has five panels.  
   
   
       12 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 11 , wherein a plurality of panels extend from a right side of the ball to a left side of the ball.  
   
   
       13 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein the basketball has four panels.  
   
   
       14 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 13 , wherein one channel runs along an equator of the ball.  
   
   
       15 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein the basketball has three panels.  
   
   
       16 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein the basketball has two panels.  
   
   
       17 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of panels have substantially the same shape and dimensions.  
   
   
       18 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein the panels are uniformly placed on the surface of the ball.  
   
   
       19 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein one panel lies wholly within a right end of the ball and one panel lies wholly within a left end of the ball.  
   
   
       20 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein each panel occupies a circumferential arc that is about a multiple of 45° when viewed from a left side or a right side.  
   
   
       21 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein each panel comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, rubber, and a composite material.  
   
   
       22 . The inflatable basketball of  claim 1 , wherein each panel has a pebbled texture.