Large sport ball

Abstract

An inflatable resilient ball for use in a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball to cause movement of the ball. The ball includes an inner inflatable bladder and an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder. The inner inflatable bladder is formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid. The outer layer is formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact. The inflatable resilient ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet.

1 . An inflatable resilient ball for use in a sport in which a vehicle impacts the ball to cause movement of the ball, the ball comprising: 
 an inner inflatable bladder, the inner inflatable bladder formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid;    an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder, the outer layer being formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact; and    the inflatable resilient ball having a diameter of at least approximately three feet.    
     
     
         2 . The ball as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the inflatable ball is greater than approximately five feet.  
     
     
         3 . The ball as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the inflatable ball is approximately eight feet.  
     
     
         4 . The ball as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the inflatable ball is approximately sixteen feet.  
     
     
         5 . The ball as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inner inflatable bladder is a layer of butyl rubber.  
     
     
         6 . The ball as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric material is a woven fabric material.  
     
     
         7 . The ball as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the woven fabric material is one of woven polyamide, aramid, nylon, polyester and Kevlar.  
     
     
         8 . The ball as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer includes a plurality of durable layers.  
     
     
         9 . The ball as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is coated with a protective coating.  
     
     
         10 . The ball as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the protective coating is a coating of polyurethane.  
     
     
         11 . The ball as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inner bladder encloses pressurized air.  
     
     
         12 . The ball as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inner bladder encloses liquid.  
     
     
         13 . A method of playing a game on a playing surface having a goal, the method comprising: 
 operating a self-propelled vehicle on the playing surface; and    advancing a large ball toward the goal by impacting the large ball with the self-propelled vehicle, the large ball having a diameter of at least approximately three feet.    
     
     
         14 . The method of playing a game as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the ball has a diameter of at least approximately three feet and includes an inner inflatable bladder formed of a material layer substantially impermeable to gas and liquid and an outer layer substantially encasing the inner inflatable bladder, the outer layer being formed of a durable fabric material resilient to high impact.  
     
     
         15 . The method of playing a game as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the goal is a goal line and wherein advancing the large ball toward the goal of the playing surface includes advancing the large ball across the goal line of the playing surface by driving the self-propelled vehicle into the ball.  
     
     
         16 . The method of playing a game as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein operating a self-propelled vehicle on a playing surface includes driving an automobile on a playing surface.  
     
     
         17 . The method of playing a game as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the goal is a goal line and advancing the large ball toward the goal of the playing surface includes advancing the large ball across the goal line of the playing surface by driving the self-propelled vehicle into the ball.