BASKETBALL AND METHOD

Abstract

A basketball and method wherein the present invention provides establishment of a new size category for basketballs that is greater than the upper limit of the current size category range. The basketball of the present invention is manufactured similarly to existing basketballs wherein the basketball has an inner bladder wrapped in either polyester or nylon threads. The basketball has an outer covering manufactured from leather or rubber. The basketball of the present invention is formed to have a circumference that measures thirty inches. The method of the present invention provides establishment of a new size category of basketballs that is greater than the existing largest size category. Establishment of the new size category is executed through submission to regulatory authorities. The basketball of the present invention establishes a new size category of the size eight.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing and establishing a new size category for a basketball wherein the method comprises the steps of: procuring materials needed to manufacture a multitude of basketballs; fashioning an outer covering, wherein the outer covering is manufactured from leather or rubber; forming a new size for the basketballs, wherein the basketballs have a circumference that measures thirty inches; creating a new size category for the basketballs; submitting the new size category, wherein the new size category is submitted for approval to a regulatory authority; approving the new size category, wherein the regulatory authority provides approval of the new size category; establishing the new size category, wherein the new size category is established in governing rules of basketball; and providing the multitude of basketballs to players.

2. The method of manufacturing and establishing a new size category for a basketball as recited in claim 1, wherein the new size category is provided an identifier of a numeric value of eight.

3. The method of manufacturing and establishing a new size category for a basketball as recited in claim 2, wherein the new size category of basketball is provided to professional league players.

4. The method of manufacturing and establishing a new size category for a basketball as recited in claim 3, and further including the step of forming an inner bladder, wherein the inner bladder is manufactured from butyl rubber, wherein the inner bladder is disposed within the outer cover.

5. The method of manufacturing and establishing a new size category for a basketball as recited in claim 4, and further including a step of wrapping the inner bladder in threads, wherein the threads are manufactured from polyester or nylon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the basketball of the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a basketball 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

[0017] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms a, an and the include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to an element is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word or should be understood as having the definition of a logical or rather than that of a logical exclusive or unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] References to one embodiment, an embodiment, exemplary embodiments, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

[0019] Now referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the basketball 100 is illustrated herein in FIG. 1. While not particularly illustrated herein, the basketball 100 includes an inner bladder that is manufactured from a butyl rubber or similar material. Additionally, the inner bladder is wrapped in threads wherein the threads are manufactured from polyester or nylon. During manufacture of the basketball, the outer covering 10 is surroundably mounted the inner bladder. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the outer covering 10 is manufactured from leather or rubber. The basketball 100 of the present invention is unique as it pertains to the circumferential edge 15. Conventionally available basketballs are provided in a size wherein the circumferential edge measures ten and a half inches to twenty-nine and a half inches. These conventional basketballs are categorized in a size one to a size seven ranging from the smallest circumference to the largest circumference. The present invention is manufactured to have a circumferential edge 15 that measures thirty inches. As the circumferential edge 15 has a measurement that exceeds existing size regulations, as will be further discussed herein, the present invention further provides establishment of a new category. While not illustrated on the basketball 100 in FIG. 1 herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer covering 10 could have indicia imprinted thereon for branding and marketing purposes.

[0020] Now referring to FIG. 2 herein, the method 200 of the present invention is diagrammed therein. In step 201, butyl rubber is manipulated by necessary machinery to perform formation of an inner bladder to be employed in the basketball 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the basketball 100 could be manufactured without an inner bladder. Step 203, the inner bladder is wrapped in polyester or nylon threads. In step 205, the outer covering 10 is surroundably mounted to the inner bladder utilizing suitable techniques. Step 207, a size of the circumference of the basketball 100 is formed wherein the circumference measures thirty inches. In step 209, a new category size for basketballs is created wherein category size is provided the identifier eight. Step 211, the new category size of eight is submitted to regulatory authorities for approval of use. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the new category is submitted to the Federation International de Basketball (FIBA). In step 213, the new category size of eight is approved for utilization in play of basketball. Step 215, the new category size of eight is established by the aforementioned regulatory authority for use in professional basketball leagues. In step 217, the manufacturer of the new category size eight will provide sales of the basketball 100 to customers.

[0021] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.