Inflation-Independent Ball with Cover

Abstract

In some aspects, the invention relates to a inflation independent sports ball comprising a foam core 15 and an outer covering 10 , wherein the sports ball is selected from the group consisting of a football, a basketball, a volleyball and a soccer ball, wherein the sports ball 5 is devoid of an inflatable air bladder. In other aspects, the invention relates to a sports ball having a diameter and comprising a synthetic leather outer covering 10 at least partially covering a polyurethane foam core 15 , wherein the foam core further comprises at least one internal compartment and a cylindrical body spanning at least part of the length of the diameter of the sports ball. In other aspects, the invention relates to a sports ball having an outer covering and a foam core, wherein the foam core 15 is not filled with foam entirely throughout its internal volume, but rather includes space for air.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A inflation independent sports ball comprising a foam core and an outer covering, wherein the sports ball is selected from the group consisting of a football, a basketball, a volleyball and a soccer ball. 
     
     
         2 . The sports ball of  claim 1  wherein the outer covering further comprises a synthetic leather material. 
     
     
         3 . The sports ball of  claim 2  further comprising an outer covering having of thickness of between 0.20 and 1.80 millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The sports ball of  claim 1  wherein the foam core further comprises a polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         5 . The sports ball of  claim 4  wherein the sports ball is devoid of an inflatable air bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The sports ball of  claim 4  wherein the polyurethane core further comprises a plurality of densities. 
     
     
         7 . The sports ball of  claim 5  wherein the polyurethane core further comprises:
 a. a plurality of ribs, 
 b. a plurality of internal compartments, and 
 c. a cylindrical body, 
 wherein said internal compartments comprise a void defined by at least one rib, an outer boundary of the core and a internal cylinder wall and the cylindrical body further comprises a second void. 
 
     
     
         8 . The sports ball of  claim 7  wherein the internal compartments further comprise an impermeable material applied to a interior surface of the internal compartment. 
     
     
         9 . The sports ball of  claim 8  wherein the internal compartments are evenly dispersed around the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         10 . The sports ball of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of internal compartments is eight (8). 
     
     
         11 . A sports ball having a diameter and comprising a synthetic leather outer covering at least partially covering a polyurethane foam core, wherein the foam core further comprises at least one internal compartment and a cylindrical body spanning at least part of the length of the diameter of the sports ball. 
     
     
         12 . The sports ball of  claim 11  wherein the foam core further comprises a polyurethane foam of a single density. 
     
     
         13 . The sports ball of  claim 12  wherein the foam core further comprises polyurethane foam of a plurality of densities. 
     
     
         14 . The sports ball of  claim 11  wherein the sports ball is devoid of an inflatable air bladder. 
     
     
         15 . The sports ball of  claim 14  wherein the sports ball is a basketball. 
     
     
         16 . The sports ball of  claim 14  wherein the sports ball is a football. 
     
     
         17 . The sports hall of  claim 14  wherein the sports ball is a volleyball. 
     
     
         18 . The sports ball of  claim 14  wherein the sports ball is a soccer ball. 
     
     
         19 . The sports ball of  claim 14  wherein a interior surface of the cylindrical body further comprise an impermeable material applied to the interior surface of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         20 . The sports ball of  claim 14  comprising a CoR in the range of 0.60 and 1.00.