A sports ball includes an inflatable ball or a non-inflatable ball. A photosensitive layer is provided on an outer side of the non-inflatable ball. The inflatable ball includes an inner bladder. An outer side of the inner bladder is bonded to a patch layer through an adhesive layer. A valve core is fixed and penetrates from an inner side of the inner bladder to an outer side of the patch layer, such that the inner side of the inner bladder communicates with the outer side of the patch layer through the valve core. A spacer groove is formed between the outer side of the inner bladder and the patch layer. A sealing strip is bonded to an inner side of the spacer groove; and the photosensitive layer is provided on the outer side of the patch layer. The photosensitive layer includes UV photochromic powder.

A sports ball includes an inflatable ball or a non-inflatable ball. A photosensitive layer is provided on an outer side of the non-inflatable ball. The inflatable ball includes an inner bladder. An outer side of the inner bladder is bonded to a patch layer through an adhesive layer. A valve core is fixed and penetrates from an inner side of the inner bladder to an outer side of the patch layer, such that the inner side of the inner bladder communicates with the outer side of the patch layer through the valve core. A spacer groove is formed between the outer side of the inner bladder and the patch layer. A sealing strip is bonded to an inner side of the spacer groove; and the photosensitive layer is provided on the outer side of the patch layer. The photosensitive layer includes UV photochromic powder.

An apparatus for insertion into an inflatable sports ball, the apparatus comprising a plate comprising a valve wherein the valve comprises an aperture for selective communication of air, a circuit board comprising a transmitter and a battery electrically connected to the circuit board.

An apparatus for insertion into an inflatable sports ball, the apparatus comprising a plate comprising a valve wherein the valve comprises an aperture for selective communication of air, a circuit board comprising a transmitter and a battery electrically connected to the circuit board.

An apparatus for permitting electrical connection between the exterior of an inflatable sports ball and electronics located inside the inflatable sports ball is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member, the support member having separate first and second through-holes provided therein for respectively connecting the exterior of the inflatable sports ball with the interior of the inflatable sports ball. An electrical connection port is located in the first through-hole of the support member for permitting an electrical connection to be made through the first through-hole. An air valve is located in the second through-hole of the support member, the air valve comprising an aperture for selective communication of air.

A method of manufacturing a seamless inflatable ball contains: 1) inflating air into a preformed body so as to form a spherical body and covering a medium layer on the spherical body so as to form a semi-finished part; 2) forming a fluidic surface material on the medium layer of the semi-finished part in a predetermined thickness so as to produce a spherical portion with a covering layer; 3) placing the spherical portion into two ball molds; and 4) partially discharging air out of the spherical body and inflating the air into the spherical body repeatedly. In the step 3), the spherical portion is clamped in the two ball molds, and after the fluidic surface material is dried or is solidified to form a solid layer on the spherical portion, the spherical portion is removed from the two ball molds, thus forming a sphere.

A method of manufacturing a seamless inflatable ball contains: 1) inflating air into a preformed body so as to form a spherical body and covering a medium layer on the spherical body so as to form a semi-finished part; 2) forming a fluidic surface material on the medium layer of the semi-finished part in a predetermined thickness so as to produce a spherical portion with a covering layer; 3) placing the spherical portion into two ball molds; and 4) partially discharging air out of the spherical body and inflating the air into the spherical body repeatedly. In the step 3), the spherical portion is clamped in the two ball molds, and after the fluidic surface material is dried or is solidified to form a solid layer on the spherical portion, the spherical portion is removed from the two ball molds, thus forming a sphere.

A football device includes an outer skin and an inner bladder to be inflatable and substantially resemble and perform like an actual football. The football device includes a sensor unit that can sense various performance metrics and wirelessly communicate data to another device such as a mobile device. To maintain a feel and performance as close to an actual football as possible, a battery powering the sensor unit is wirelessly recharged.

A football device includes an outer skin and an inner bladder to be inflatable and substantially resemble and perform like an actual football. The football device includes a sensor unit that can sense various performance metrics and wirelessly communicate data to another device such as a mobile device. To maintain a feel and performance as close to an actual football as possible, a battery powering the sensor unit is wirelessly recharged.

A tape is disclosed for use with a ball having a seam, wherein the seam has a predetermined seam color. The tape includes an adhesive layer formed of an adhesive material configured to attach to the seam, and a carrier layer formed of a carrier layer material, wherein the carrier layer has a custom color that is different than the predetermined seam color. Additionally, methods are disclosed for customizing a color of the seam of the ball using multiple tape segments. Still further, a kit is disclosed that includes the ball, a first tape having a first custom color, and a second tape having a second custom color.