Basketball with accessible channels

Abstract

A basketball formed of two sets of panels. The first panel set extends along a first longitudinal direction of the basketball, while the second panel set extends along a second longitudinal direction of the basketball that is orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction of the basketball. A channel separates the first panel set from the second panel set. The channel itself has two portions. The first portion runs between the end edges of the first panel set and the center portion of the second panel set, and is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal direction. The second portion runs between the end edges of the second panel set and the center portion of the first panel set, and is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction. With some examples, each panel set is made up of two panels, providing the basketball with four panels.

1 . A basketball, comprising:
 a first panel set extending along a first longitudinal direction of the basketball;   a second panel set extending along a second longitudinal direction of the basketball orthogonal to the first longitudinal direction of the basketball; and   a channel separating the first panel set from the second panel set, the channel having
 a first portion between end edges of the first panel set and a center portion of the second panel set that is substantially parallel to the second longitudinal direction, and 
 a second portion between end edges of the second panel set and a center portion of the first panel set is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction. 
   
   
   
       2 . The basketball recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first panel set includes two panels. 
   
   
       3 . The basketball recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a second channel between the panels in the first panel set. 
   
   
       4 . The basketball recited in  claim 3 , wherein the two panels are symmetrical about the second channel. 
   
   
       5 . The basketball recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second panel set includes two panels. 
   
   
       6 . The basketball recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a second channel between the panels in the second panel set. 
   
   
       7 . The basketball recited in  claim 6 , wherein the two panels are symmetrical about the second channel. 
   
   
       8 . A basketball, comprising:
 a plurality of panels, and   a plurality of channels, such that
 a channel separates adjacent panels, and 
 each channel is formed of channel segments that are substantially straight over a surface of the basketball. 
   
   
   
       9 . The basketball recited in  claim 8 , further comprising four channels.