Football with a modified surface conferring altered aerodynamic properties

Abstract

A generally prolate-spheroidal, inflatable game ball with a plurality of air-turbulence-producing depressions distributed over a majority of the outer surface of the skin. The depressions produce a preferably circular surface shape, with a breadth of less than about one-quarter inch and preferably having a breadth to depth ratio of about 2 to about 6. The game ball of the present invention is preferably an American-style football, wherein the depressions are distributed substantially uniformly over the majority of the outer surface. A method for providing the game ball with altered aerodynamic performance may include forming depressions by embossing the skin or molding depressions therein.

1 . A game ball, comprising: 
 a flexible, inflatable skin having a generally prolate-spheroidal shape when inflated; and    a plurality of depressions formed in the skin, the depressions being distributed over the majority of the outer surface of the skin and having sufficient depth and breadth to cause turbulence when the ball is thrown through the air.    
   
   
       2 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the depressions are distributed substantially uniformly over the outer surface of the skin.  
   
   
       3 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the depressions are distributed in a substantially hexagonal array over the outer surface of the skin.  
   
   
       4 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the depressions form substantially circular shapes in the outer surface of the skin.  
   
   
       5 . The game ball of  claim 4 , wherein the depressions have a diameter of less than about one-half inch.  
   
   
       6 . The game ball of  claim 4 , wherein the depressions have a diameter of less than about one-quarter inch.  
   
   
       7 . The game ball of  claim 4 , wherein the depressions have a surface diameter to depth ratio of about 2 to about 6.  
   
   
       8 . The game ball of  claim 4 , wherein the depressions comprise a substantially hemispherical surface.  
   
   
       9 . The game ball of  claim 8 , wherein the depressions have a surface diameter to depth ratio of about 2 to about 6.  
   
   
       10 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the maximum surface breadth to depth of a majority of the depressions is about 2 to about 6.  
   
   
       11 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the surface density of the depressions is about 23 to about 27 depressions per square inch inclusive.  
   
   
       12 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the depressions have a diameter of less than about one-quarter inch.  
   
   
       13 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the skin comprises a material selected from among leather, rubber, or plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the skin forms a hollow inflatable interior.  
   
   
       15 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the skin is inflated by an air bladder.  
   
   
       16 . The game ball of  claim 1 , wherein the skin is inflated by an elastic foam material.  
   
   
       17 . A method for providing a generally prolate-spheroidal game ball with altered aerodynamic performance, comprising 
 providing a flexible, inflatable skin having a generally prolate-spheroidal shape when inflated; and    forming a plurality of depressions in the skin, the depressions being distributed over the majority of the outer surface of the skin and having sufficient depth and breadth to cause turbulence when the ball is thrown through the air.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising distributing the depressions substantially uniformly over the outer surface of the skin.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the skin provided is comprised of one of rubber or leather, and the depressions are formed in the skin by embossing the skin with a die.  
   
   
       120 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the skin is first formed as one or more substantially flat sections, all or a portion of the sections are embossed with the depressions, and the one or more sections are thereafter stitched into the hollow, inflatable form.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the skin provided is comprised of plastic, and the depressions are formed by molding them into the plastic.