Game Ball With Improved Grip

Abstract

A game ball with improved grippability for use in wet environments. The game ball contains an inflatable bladder and an outer shell. The outer shell has at least one water absorbent layer to improve the grippability of the ball. The outer shell has an outer layer, an inner layer, and an intermediate layer which is the water absorbent layer. The outer shell is made of a plurality of adjacent panels joined with one another at seam lines. The outer layer may be a nylon polyester fabric, the inner layer may be a cotton polyester fabric. The water absorbent intermediate layer may be a foam or sponge layer.

1 . A game ball comprising:
 an inflatable bladder,   and an outer shell disposed around the inflatable bladder, said outer shell comprising at least one water absorbent layer,   
     
     
         2 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. 
     
     
         3 . The game ball of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate layer is water absorbent. 
     
     
         4 . The game ball of  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate layer is a water absorbent foam. 
     
     
         5 . The game ball of  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate layer is a water absorbent sponge. 
     
     
         6 . The game ball of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate layer is approximately 4 mm in thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The game ball of  claim 2 , wherein the inner layer comprises a woven fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The game ball of  claim 2 , wherein the outer layer comprises a woven fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The game ball of  claim 2 , wherein the outer shell further comprises of a plurality of panels. 
     
     
         10 . A game ball comprising:
 an inflatable bladder,   and an outer shell disposed around the inflatable bladder, a portion of said outer shell comprising at least one water absorbent layer.