Game ball with variable lobular shape

Abstract

A variable loby game ball has an outer surface that includes a first pole, a second pole opposite the first pole and outer lobes. The outer lobes extend between the first pole and the second pole. Recessed channels that vary in at least one of width, depth and cross-sectional shape extend along consecutive lobes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A variable loby game ball comprising:
 an outer surface comprising:   a first pole and a second pole opposite the first pole;   outer lobes extending between the first pole and the second pole, herein recessed channels that vary in at least one of width, depth and cross-sectional shape extend along consecutive lobes.   
     
     
         2 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed channels each comprise a floor and a pair of transitioning sides, wherein the transitioning sides vary in at least one of width, depth and cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         3 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 2  wherein each of the recessed channels has a secondary channel forming the floor between the pair of transitioning sides. 
     
     
         4 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 2 , wherein the transitioning sides extend from proximate the first pole to proximate the second pole and wherein the transitioning sides vary in at least one of depth and width along their lengths between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         5 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 4 , wherein the transitioning sides vary in both depth and width along their lengths between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         6 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 4 , wherein the transitioning sides vary in width along their lengths between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         7 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 6 , wherein the transitioning sides have a first width proximate the first pole and the second pole and a second width, greater than the first width, at a midpoint between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         8 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 7 , wherein the transitioning sides have a first depth proximate the first pole and the second pole and a second depth, greater than the first depth, at the midpoint between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         9 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 8 , wherein the pairs of transitioning sides proximate the first pole and the second pole extend at a first angle towards the channel and wherein the pairs of transitioning sides at the midpoint between the first pole and the second pole extend towards the channel at a second angle, the second angle being within 5 degrees of the first angle. 
     
     
         10 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 7 , wherein the transitioning sides are concave at the midpoint and convex proximate the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         11 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 7 , wherein the transitioning sides extend an angle of at least 75 degrees and no greater than 88 degrees relative to a radial plane passing through a center of the variable loby game ball. 
     
     
         12 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 4 , wherein the transitioning sides extending along the opposite sides of each channel and mirror one another. 
     
     
         13 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 2 , wherein the recessed channels comprise a first channel having a first pair of transitioning sides and a second channel having a second pair of transitioning sides different with respect to at least one of width, depth and cross-sectional shape of the first pair of transitioning sides. 
     
     
         14 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 13 , wherein the transitioning sides extend from proximate the first pole to proximate the second pole and wherein the transitioning sides vary in at least one of depth and width along their lengths between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         15 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 14 , wherein the transitioning sides vary in both depth and width along their lengths between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         16 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 14 , wherein the transitioning sides have a first width proximate the first pole and the second pole and a second width, greater than the first width, at a midpoint between the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         17 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 16 , wherein the transitioning sides are concave at the midpoint and convex proximate the first pole and the second pole. 
     
     
         18 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a carcass; and 
 a plurality of cover panels secured to the carcass. 
 
     
     
         19 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 18 , wherein the carcass has a lobular outer carcass surface having foundational lobes corresponding to the lobes of the outer surface. 
     
     
         20 . The variable loby game ball of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of cover panels have a non-uniform thickness so as to form the pair of transitioning sides along the floor.