FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the sport of basketball, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a basketball that is provided having a size that is greater than that of the upper range of circumference for existing basketballs.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Basketball is a popular sport that is played in numerous countries around the world and includes utilization of a court and a ball. A basketball is a type of a rubber ball, similar to volleyballs and medicine balls. The basketball strikes a balance between the aforementioned balls to be optimized for the sport of basketball. While the development materials have changed over time, the main design of the basketball has been fairly consistent. The processes of creating a basketball is accomplished in four phases. Each of these phases make sure that the basketball has optimal performance. The four steps to manufacture a basketball are inner bladder creation, interior shaping, cover manufacture and testing. The inner bladder is the core of the basketball. It is made from black butyl rubber, a type of rubber which retains air and gives the bounce characteristic to the basketball. To create the inner bladder of the basketball, the rubber is melted into flat panels. Subsequently, the panels are attached to form the shape of a basketball. Afterwards, one inch-sized hole is pierced in the bladder so that the air filler tube can be installed. The inner bladder is inflated and left in that state for 24 hours. This is done for clarifying the correctness of the inner bladder.

[0003] The inner bladder doesn’t have a perfect shape when it is first inflated. To create the desired shape a machine is utilized to wrap polyester or nylon threads around the inner bladder in order to create a spherical shape of the ball. Also, the threads will prevent the ball from being deformed. Different basketballs use different threads. For example, street basketballs utilize polyester threads, while professional basketballs feature nylon threads. The cover of the basketball is usually made from diverse materials. High-quality basketballs feature quality leather cover, while other balls feature synthetic rubber or regular rubber. To manufactured the cover the material of choice is unfolded and cut in six isolated panels that will eventually be wrapped around the basketball. If leather is used, it is stitched together around the ball. Otherwise, if any type of rubber is used, it is held onto the ball with glue. Then, if the manufacturer wants to customize the basketball with decals or any other graphical information, the marking should be applied by hand at this point. The designs are usually applied via stickers that glue to the ball itself. After injecting the leather patterns on the ball, the graphics will stick to the ball, so all that is left is to remove the sticker, leaving the graphic in place. Conventional basketballs are provided in various sizes to accommodate both player capability and size as well as adhere to regulatory requirements. Currently, basketballs are provided in a range of size one to size seven. Size one basketballs have a circumference of sixteen and a half inches. Size seven basketballs have a circumference of twenty-nine and a half inches. [0004] It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a basketball that has a circumference greater than that of the current taught upper limit of available basketballs and within the scope of the present invention the size would be categorized as a size eight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide a basketball configured to be utilized in playing the sport of basketball wherein the present invention includes an inner bladder.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a basketball manufactured to have a circumference greater than that of existing basketballs wherein the inner bladder is manufactured from butyl rubber.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a basketball configured to be utilized in playing the sport of basketball wherein the inner bladder is wrapped with polyester or nylon threads. [0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a basketball manufactured to have a circumference greater than that of existing basketballs wherein the present invention includes an outer covering that is manufactured from leather or rubber.

[0009] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a basketball configured to be utilized in playing the sport of basketball wherein the outer covering could have graphics placed thereon.

[0010] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a basketball manufactured to have a circumference greater than that of existing basketballs wherein the present invention has a circumference that is thirty inches and categorized as a size eight.

[0011] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

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] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the basketball of the present invention; and [0014] Figure 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 embodiments] 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 Figure 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 Figure 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 Figure 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.