Inflatable sports ball

Abstract

An inflatable sports ball which comprises an inflatable bladder which is provided with a bladder valve; a bladder pocket which encloses the bladder; an outer carcass which encloses the bladder pocket and is provided with an outer carcass valve hole; and a valve stem which extends from the bladder valve hole through the bladder pocket to the outer carcass valve hole. The bladder pocket is in form of a hosohedron with a plurality of identical lune faces, and each of the lune faces is formed by a panel which is made of a material cheaper in costs in comparison with materials which form the bladder or the outer carcass.

1 . An inflatable sports ball which comprises
 an inflatable bladder which is provided with a bladder valve;   a bladder pocket which encloses the bladder;   an outer carcass which encloses the bladder pocket and is provided with an outer carcass valve hole;   a valve stem which extends from the bladder valve hole through the bladder pocket to the outer carcass valve hole;   characterized in that the bladder pocket is in form of a hosohedron with a plurality of identical lune faces, and each of the lune faces is formed by a panel which is made of a material cheaper in costs in comparison with materials which form the bladder or the outer carcass.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the bladder pocket is formed by a plurality of lune-shaped panels joined edge to edge to form a sphere. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 2 , wherein the lune-shaped panels are joined together by machine stitching, high-frequency welding or other similar processes. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the bladder pocket is formed by a plurality of rectangular panels; the rectangular panels are each folded in half along a fold line and the folded rectangular panels are aligned with each other with their respective fold lines aligned at same side; adjacent rectangular panels are joined together along a seam line at a side opposite to the fold lines and the seam line is in shape of an edge of the lune face which is curved outward from the fold lines and at the same time the rectangular panels are trimmed and only minimum seam allowance is left; the trimmed rectangular panels are then in lune shape; the seam allowance may remain exterior to the bladder pocket or they may be turned inside out to be positioned inside the bladder pocket. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 4 , wherein the rectangular panels are joined along the seam line by machine stitching, high-frequency welding or other similar processes. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more additional layers of lining may be provided underneath the outer carcass. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the panel forming the lune faces of the bladder pocket comprises an additional layer of fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the bladder pocket is made of a material selected from the group consisting of PVC, EVA, TPU, PE, PS and PP. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber, synthetic rubber and latex rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 6 , wherein the layers of lining are made of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester or cotton. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable sports ball as in  claim 6 , wherein foam is added between the outer carcass and the layers of lining to increase the cushioning effect and softness of the ball.