Football

Abstract

Disclosed is an inflatable sports ball with a plurality of layers. The sports ball may have an exterior layer, a padded layer, and a bladder. The padded layer may be configured to provide increased grip and feel characteristics for the user. The padded layer can be formed from a foamed styrene butadiene rubber. This disclosure is intended to apply to inflatable footballs, and the like.

1 . A football comprising: 
 an inflatable bladder;    an outer cover; and    a padded layer disposed between the bladder and the outer cover, the padded layer including a foamed styrene butadiene rubber.    
   
   
       2 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is a multi-layer assembly.  
   
   
       3 . The ball of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-layer bladder assembly includes four layers.  
   
   
       4 . The ball of  claim 2 , wherein the multi-layer bladder assembly includes at least one layer of a thermoplastic polyurethane.  
   
   
       5 . The ball of  claim 1 , further comprising a water resistant liner disposed between the bladder and the padded layer.  
   
   
       6 . The ball of  claim 5 , wherein the liner is a multi-layer assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The ball of  claim 6 , wherein the multi-layer liner assembly includes two layers.  
   
   
       8 . The ball of  claim 1 , wherein the ball is a football for use in competitive play.  
   
   
       9 . A football comprising: 
 an inflatable multi-layer bladder;    a water resistant liner disposed on the bladder;    a padded layer disposed on the liner, the padded layer including a styrene butadiene rubber; and    a cover layer disposed on the padded layer.    
   
   
       10 . The ball of  claim 9 , wherein the multi-layer bladder assembly includes four layers.  
   
   
       11 . The ball of  claim 10 , wherein the multi-layer bladder assembly includes at least one layer of a thermoplastic polyurethane.  
   
   
       12 . The ball of  claim 9 , wherein the liner is a multi-layer assembly.  
   
   
       13 . The ball of  claim 12 , wherein the multi-layer liner assembly includes two layers.  
   
   
       14 . The ball of  claim 9 , wherein the ball is a football for use in regulation play.  
   
   
       15 . An inflatable sports ball comprising: 
 an inflatable multi-layer bladder;    a multi-layer water resistant liner having a first inner layer and a second outer layer, the liner disposed on the multi-layer bladder such that the first inner layer contacts the bladder;    a padded foam layer disposed on and bonded to the second outer layer of the liner, the padded foam layer including a butadiene rubber; and    a cover layer disposed on the padded layer.    
   
   
       16 . The sports ball of  claim 15 , wherein the multi-layer bladder assembly includes four layers.  
   
   
       17 . The sports ball of  claim 16 , wherein the multi-layer bladder assembly includes at least one layer of a thermoplastic polyurethane.  
   
   
       18 . The sports ball of  claim 15 , wherein the padded foam layer includes styrene butadiene rubber.  
   
   
       19 . The sports ball of  claim 15 , wherein the sports ball is a football.  
   
   
       20 . The sports ball of  claim 15 , wherein the butadiene rubber is styrene butadiene rubber.