SPORTS BALL HAVING A SENSOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sports balls, and more particularly, to sports balls incorporating a sensor.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

A variety of inflatable sport balls (e.g., soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, and more) conventionally incorporate a layered structure that includes a casing, a restriction structure, and a bladder. The casing forms an exterior layer of the sport ball and is generally formed from a durable, wear-resistant material. In soccer balls and footballs, for example, the panels may be joined together along abutting edges (e.g., with stitching or adhesives). In basketballs, for example, the panels may be secured to the exterior surface of a rubber covering for the restriction structure and bladder. The restriction structure forms a middle layer of the sport ball and is positioned between the bladder and the casing to restrict expansion of the bladder. The bladder, which generally has an inflatable configuration, is located within the restriction structure to provide an inner layer of the sport ball. In order to facilitate inflation (i.e., with air, gas, fluid, etc.), the bladder generally includes a valved opening that extends through each of the restriction structure and casing, thereby being accessible from an exterior of the sport ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a sports ball;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the sports ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the sports ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 shows a polyhedral counterbalance implementation for the sports ball of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

“A,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range. All references referred to are incorporated herein in their entirety.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively relative to the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

In the discussion that follows, terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and the like, when used in describing a numerical value, denote a variation of +/−10% of that value, unless specified otherwise.

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various bladder configurations for a sport ball. Although the sport ball is primarily discussed and depicted in relation to a soccer ball, concepts associated with the sport ball may be applied to a variety of other types of inflatable sport balls. In addition to a soccer ball, therefore, concepts discussed herein may be incorporated into basketballs, footballs (for either American football or rugby), and volleyballs, for example.

Inflatable balls may have a valve with some mass or sometimes have a sensor imbedded with some mass. The ball performance can be affected from this extra mass. Counter balances are common in sports ball designs where a good center of gravity is critical for the associated sport. Some sports balls will have a round rubber patch of extra rubber material located internal to the sports ball, opposite the seam.

Some sports balls must perform consistently when struck in random orientations and thus having a single counter balance may help by maintaining a Center of Gravity (CG) close to the center of the sports ball. However, such a design causes a high Moment of Inertia (MOI) in a valve and a patch plane of the sports ball versus an equator plane, which can change the ball flight characteristics in those respective orientations.

A sport ball 10 having the configuration of a soccer ball is depicted in FIG. 1. Sport ball 10 has a layered structure that includes a casing 20, a restriction structure 30, and a bladder 40 (see FIG. 2). In addition, sport ball 10 may include a component 50, which may be an electronic device, a counterweight, or both, as described in greater detail below.

Casing 20 forms an exterior of sport ball 10 and includes a plurality of panels 21 that are stitched, adhered, bonded, welded, or otherwise joined together along abutting sides or edges to form a plurality of seams 22. Panels 21 are depicted as having the shapes of equilateral pentagons or hexagons. In other configurations of sport ball 10, however, panels 21 may have non-equilateral shapes, non-regular or non-geometrical shapes, or a variety of other shapes (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, round, oval, and more) that combine in a tessellation-type manner to form casing 20. Each of panels 21 may also be formed to have hexagonal shapes. Although sides of panels 21 may be linear, panels 21 may also have concave, convex, or otherwise non-linear sides and/or edges. Select panels 21 may be integral with adjacent panels 21 to form bridged panels that reduce the number of seams 22. In further configurations, casing 20 may have a seamless structure (i.e., where all of seams 22 are absent). Accordingly, the construction of casing 20 may vary significantly to include a variety of configurations for panels 21 without departing from a scope of this disclosure.

The materials selected for casing 20, or individual panels 21, may be leather, synthetic leather, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rubber, or other materials that are generally durable and wear-resistant. In some configurations, each of panels 21 may have a layered configuration that combines two or more materials. For example, each panel 21 may include a non-foamed polymer layer and a polymer foam layer. As another example, an exterior portion of each panel 21 may be polyvinyl chloride layer, a middle portion of each panel 21 may be a polymer foam layer, and an interior portion of each panel 21 may be a textile layer.

Referring to FIG. 2, restriction structure 30 forms a middle layer of sport ball 10 and is positioned between casing 20 and bladder 40. In general, restriction structure 30 is formed from materials with a limited degree of stretch in order to restrict expansion of bladder 40, but may have a variety of configurations or purposes. In an example, the restriction structure 30 has a uniform thickness around the bladder 40. As examples, restriction structure 30 may be formed from (a) a thread, yarn, or filament that is repeatedly wound around bladder 40 in various directions to form a mesh that covers substantially all of bladder 40; (b) a plurality of generally flat or planar textile elements stitched, woven, or knitted together to form a structure that extends around bladder 40; (c) a plurality of generally flat or planar textile strips that are impregnated with latex and placed in an overlapping configuration around bladder 40; and/or (d) a substantially seamless spherically-shaped textile. In some configurations of sport ball 10, restriction structure 30 may also be bonded, joined, or otherwise incorporated into either of casing 20 and bladder 40, or restriction structure 30 may be absent from sport ball 10 entirely. Accordingly, the construction of restriction structure 30 may vary significantly to include a variety of configurations and materials without departing from a scope of this disclosure.

Bladder 40 has an inflatable configuration and is located within restriction structure 30 to provide an inner portion of sport ball 10. When inflated, bladder 40 exhibits a rounded or generally spherical shape. Bladder 40 includes a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of sport ball 10, and a radially inward-facing surface facing toward the center of sport ball 10. In order to facilitate inflation and/or deflation, bladder 40 includes a valve 41 that extends through restriction structure 30 and casing 20, thereby being accessible from an exterior of sport ball 10. In an example, the valve 41 is integrally formed with the bladder 40, and the valve 41 includes a valve area disposed on the bladder 40. In other configurations, bladder 40 may have a valveless structure that is semi-permanently inflated. Bladder 40 may be formed from a rubber or carbon latex material that substantially prevents air or other fluids within bladder 40 from diffusing to the exterior of sport ball 10. In addition to rubber and carbon latex, a variety of other polymer or elastomeric (i.e., stretchable) materials may be utilized for bladder 40.

Still referring to FIG. 2, component 50 is located within a pocket 42 that is formed in bladder 40 and may be an electronic device, a counterweight, or both an electronic device and a counterweight. As an electronic device, component 50 may include a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, a transmitter, a receiver, a memory, a battery, and/or other combination of elements that are configured and operable to process, send, receive, and/or collect data. More specifically, examples of electronic devices that are suitable for component 50 include one or more of (a) a sensor for determining a pressure of the fluid within bladder 40; (b) a global positioning system (i.e., GPS) unit or an accelerometer that measures various factors relating to the location or movement of sport ball 10, including acceleration, spin, velocity, elevation, and direction; (c) a line sensor that determines whether sport ball 10 has crossed a goal line or an out-of-bounds line; (d) a radio-frequency identification (i.e., RFID) chip that stores data relating to sport ball 10 or assists with identifying sport ball 10; and (e) a camera or imaging device that detects and collects image data. As a counterweight, component 50 may enhance the balance, weight distribution, center of mass, or other physical properties of sport ball 10. More specifically, component 50 may be any object that acts as a counterweight. In many configurations, however, component 50 may be an electronic device that adds the advantage of being a counterweight.

The pressurization of bladder 40 with air or another fluid induces sport ball 10 to take on a substantially spherical shape. More particularly, fluid pressure within bladder 40 causes bladder 40 to place an outward force upon restriction structure 30. In turn, restriction structure 30 places an outward force upon casing 20. In order to limit the expansion of bladder 40 and also limit the tension in casing 20, restriction structure 30 is generally formed from a material that has a limited degree of stretch. In other words, bladder 40 places an outward force upon restriction structure 30, but the stretch characteristics of restriction structure 30 effectively prevent the outward force from inducing significant tension in casing 20. Accordingly, restriction structure 30 may be utilized to restrain pressure from bladder 40, while permitting outward forces from bladder 40 to induce a substantially spherical shape in casing 20, thereby imparting a substantially spherical shape to sport ball 10.

Pocket 42 is sized, shaped, and/or otherwise configured to provide a cavity, an indentation, a void, or other space that receives component 50. When bladder 40 is incorporated into sport ball 10, pocket 42 protrudes or projects inwards and towards a center of sport ball 10, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby locating component 50 within an interior area of sport ball 10. In this position, component 50 is protected from exterior impacts by a foot, a surface, or other objects when sport ball 10 is being utilized.

The shape and size of pocket 42 accommodates component 50. That is, the configuration of pocket 42 may be selected to form a cavity that receives component 50 and securely-retains component 50 within sport ball 10. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that although pocket 42 is shown and described herein as having a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile corresponding to the generally rectangular configuration of component 50, pocket 42 may have various other suitable shapes, sizes, and/or configurations in accordance with a profile of component 50 without departing from a scope of this disclosure.

As noted above, component 50 may be a weight that enhances the balance, weight distribution, center of mass, or other properties of sport ball 10. Referring to FIG. 2, for example, valve 41 is located opposite pocket 42. That is, valve 41 and pocket 42 are located on opposite sides of bladder 40 and along an axis that extends through a center of bladder 40. Valve 41 adds mass to one side of sport ball 10, and the combination of pocket 42 and component 50 adds mass to an opposite side of sport ball 10. By equalizing these masses, sport ball 10 achieves better balance than in the absence of pocket 42 and component 50. In practice, however, these masses may not be equal. The balance and other properties of sport ball 10 may, however, be enhanced when a combination of the mass of pocket 42 and component 50 is in a range of about 75 percent to about 125 percent of the mass of valve 41. Accordingly, the mass of sport ball 10 may be more evenly distributed and the center of gravity of sport ball 10 may be more centrally-located when valve 41 and component 50 are located on opposite sides of sport ball 10, and along a common axis.

In an embodiment, to counter balance the respective weights of the valve 41, the component 50, and the pocket 42, the restriction structure 30 may have added weight in certain areas. Having the restriction structure 30 with added weight ensures that the sport ball 10 is assembled round and that the sports ball 10 retains a desired level of sphericity. In some embodiments, the restriction structure 30 is 2× (200%) heavier than the component 50. In some embodiments, the restriction structure 30 is 3× (300%) heavier than the component 50. In some embodiments, the restriction structure 30 is 2× (200%) heavier than the valve 41. In some embodiments, the restriction structure 30 is 3× (300%) heavier than the valve 41.

In some embodiments, the restriction structure 30 may have an uneven weight distribution. For example, a first portion of the restriction structure 30 may have a first weight while a second portion of the restriction structure 30 has a second weight different from the first weight. In this manner, the weight of the restriction structure 30 may be dispersed along various portions of the restriction structure 30 and not evenly distributed along a circumference of the restriction structure 30. In some embodiments, any portion of the restriction structure 30 may be weighted as desired to counterbalance other portions of the sports ball 10.

The restriction structure 30 may be comprised of different thicknesses. The restriction structure 30 may be comprised of a plurality of material fabrics that have the same stretch properties but absorb, for example, liquid latex in varying relative amounts. By using high absorption fabrics on panels 21 that are opposite a heavy point corresponding to the location of the component 50 within the bladder 40, and lower absorption fabrics on the panels 21 that are closer to the heavy point, a shift in CG can be achieved with a well distributed load and consistent MOI performance. In some embodiments, during manufacturing, one hemisphere of the restrictor structure 30 may be comprised of the lower absorption fabric while the opposite hemisphere of the restriction structure 30 is comprised of the higher absorption fabric. In such embodiments, the restriction structure 30 may be formed with a seam where the lower absorption fabric and the higher absorption fabric meet. In some embodiments, any portion of the restriction structure 30 may be comprised of higher absorption fabric as necessary to absorb a desired amount of a material. In some embodiments, any portion of the restriction structure 30 may be comprised of lower absorption fabric as necessary to absorb a desired amount of a material.

The restriction structure 30 may be comprised of a suitable textile material or foam material. Examples of suitable polymer foam materials include, but are not limited to, polyurethane, ethylvinylacetate, and the like. Examples of suitable textile materials include, but are not limited to, a woven or knit textile formed from polyester, cotton, nylon, rayon, silk, spandex, or a variety of other materials. A textile material may also include multiple materials, such as a polyester and cotton blend.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, to counter balance the weight of the valve 41, the component 50, and the pocket 42, the restriction structure 30 may be weighted such that the weight is balanced in a polyhedral counterbalance design to help ensure the moment of inertia is closer to a center of the sport ball 10 in any orientation. A schematic view of the restriction structure 30 is shown with points A, B, C, and D in FIG. 4. For example, points A, B, C, and D correspond to points on the sports ball 10 where the restriction structure 30 may have at least one heavy zone. For example, the points A, B, C, and D may be a central portion of the heavy zone such that an imaginary line extends between the respective points of the heavy zones to form a polyhedral counterbalance design. In some examples, the heavy zone corresponds to portions of the restriction structure 30 that have added weight and/or density. The heavy zone is comprised of a material covering a portion of the restriction structure 30. In an example, the at least one heavy zone may be positioned such that it is disposed directly opposite to the component 50. In an example, the heavy zone covers about 30% of the restriction structure 30. In other examples, the heavy zone covers about 40% of the restriction structure 30. In yet other examples, the heavy zone covers about 50% of the restriction structure 30. The heavy zone may cover a desired amount of the restriction structure 30 as desired to counter balance the weight of the valve 41, the component 50, and the pocket 42.

The restriction structure 30 includes non-weighted zones 60. The non-weighted zones 60 are portions of the restriction structure 30 which have not had additional weight added. In other words, the non-weighted zones 60 represent the “base” or “standard” weight of the restriction structure 30. The non-weighted zones 60 of the restriction structure 30 have a first weight and/or density. In some examples, the non-weighted zones 60 may have a second weight and/or density different from the first weight and/or density. In some examples, the non-weighted zones 60 may be comprised of a plurality of different weights and/or densities that may be variable when measured at various locations along the restriction structure 30. For example, if a cross-section were taken along layers of the heavy zone of the restriction structure 30, the different layers would have different weights and/or densities.

The non-weighted zones 60 are comprised of a material covering a portion of the restriction structure 30. In an example, the non-weighted zones 60 cover about 70% of the restriction structure 30. In other examples, the non-weighted zones 60 cover about 60% of the restriction structure 30. In yet other examples, the non-weighted zones 60 cover about 50% of the restriction structure 30. The non-weighted zones 60 may cover a desired amount of the restriction structure 30 as desired to restrict the bladder 40.

In some examples, the added weight and/or density may be achieved by providing additional layers of material to the heavy zone of the restriction structure 30. In such examples, there may be between about 1-25 layers of material in the heavy zone. In some examples, there may be about 20 layers of material in the heavy zone. In some examples, there may be about 18 layers of material in the heavy zone. In some other examples, there may be about 12 layers of material in the heavy zone. In an example, there are about 1 and 4 layers of material in the heavy zone. In other examples, the added weight and/or density may be achieved by providing material that is different than a material of the non-weighted zones 60 of the restriction structure 30. In some examples, the heavy zone may be comprised of multiple weights and/or densities. Thus, it can be said that the heavy zone has some variability weight in its relative weight and/or density when measuring such a metric within a given location of the heavy zone.

In an example, a first heavy zone 70a exists with its center positioned at the point A. The first heavy zone 70a may have a first weight and/or a first density. A second heavy zone 70b exists with its center positioned at the point B. The second heavy zone 70b may have a second weight and/or a second density. A third heavy zone 70c exists with its center positioned at the point C. The third heavy zone 70c may have a third weight and/or a third density. A fourth heavy zone 70d exists with its center positioned at the point D. The fourth heavy zone 70d may have a fourth weight and/or a fourth density. In an example, each of the heavy zones 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d may have a relative weight that is about 20% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d may have a relative weight that is about 50% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d may have a relative weight that is about 100% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d may have a relative density that is about 20% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d may have a relative density that is about 50% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d may have a relative density that is about 100% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In some examples, the heavy zones 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d may be divided into one or more sets that have different relative densities and/or weights than the non-weighted zones 60.

Various illustrations of counterbalancing using a polyhedral counterbalance design for the heavy zones to ensure the moment of inertia is closer in any orientation are shown in FIGS. 5-8. For example, a different order shape (i.e. hexagonal, tetrahedral, octagonal, dodecahedral, or the like) can be used extending between center points of the respective heavy zones without departing from a scope of this disclosure. In other examples, any polyhedral counterbalance design in which any plane extending through the polyhedral shape does not contact every anchor point or corner of the polyhedral shape may be suitable.

FIG. 5 shows another example of a polyhedral counterbalanced design of the restriction structure 30. In an example, a first heavy zone 80a exists with its center positioned at the point A. The first heavy zone 80a may have a first weight and/or a first density. A second heavy zone 80b exists with its center positioned at the point B. The second heavy zone 80b may have a second weight and/or a second density. A third heavy zone 80c exists with its center positioned at the point C. The third heavy zone 80c may have a third weight and/or a third density. A fourth heavy zone 80d exists with its center positioned at the point D. The fourth heavy zone 80d may have a fourth weight and/or a fourth density. A fifth heavy zone 80e exists with its center positioned at the point E. The fifth heavy zone 80e may have a fifth weight and/or a fifth density. A sixth heavy zone 80f exists with its center positioned at the point F. The sixth heavy zone 80f may have a sixth weight and/or a sixth density. A seventh heavy zone 80g exists with its center positioned at the point G. The seventh heavy zone 80g may have a seventh weight and/or a seventh density. An eighth heavy zone 80h exists with its center positioned at the point H. The eighth heavy zone 80h may have an eighth weight and/or an eighth density. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, and 80h may have a relative weight that is about 20% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, and 80h may have a relative weight that is about 50% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, and 80h may have a relative weight that is about 100% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, and 80h may have a relative density that is about 20% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, and 80h may have a relative density that is about 50% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, and 80h may have a relative density that is about 100% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In some examples, the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, 80f, 80g, and 80h may be divided into one or more sets that have different relative densities and/or weights than the non-weighted zones 60.

FIG. 6 shows another example of a polyhedral counterbalanced design of the restriction structure 30. In an example, a first heavy zone 80a exists with its center positioned at the point A. The first heavy zone 80a may have a first weight and/or a first density. A second heavy zone 80b exists with its center positioned at the point B. The second heavy zone 80b may have a second weight and/or a second density. A third heavy zone 80c exists with its center positioned at the point C. The third heavy zone 80c may have a third weight and/or a third density. A fourth heavy zone 80d exists with its center positioned at the point D. The fourth heavy zone 80d may have a fourth weight and/or a fourth density. A fifth heavy zone 80e exists with its center positioned at the point E. The fifth heavy zone 80e may have a fifth weight and/or an fifth density. A sixth heavy zone 80f exists with its center positioned at the point F. The sixth heavy zone 80f may have a sixth weight and/or a sixth density. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f may have a relative weight that is about 20% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f may have a relative weight that is about 50% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f may have a relative weight that is about 100% heavier than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f may have a relative density that is about 20% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f may have a relative density that is about 50% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In an example, each of the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f may have a relative density that is about 100% denser than the non-weighted zones 60. In some examples, the heavy zones 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, 80e, and 80f may be divided into one or more sets that have different relative densities and/or weights than the non-weighted zones 60.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the placement of the heavy zones of the restriction structure 30 forming various different polyhedral designs. The heavy zones may be placed along various points of the restriction structure 30 as desired to counterbalance the weight of the valve 41, the component 50, and the pocket 42, as described above. The different order shapes (e.g., hexagonal, tetrahedral, octagonal, dodecahedral, or the like) are formed by imaginary lines extending between respective centers of the heavy zones. In some examples, neither the one or more heavy zones nor the non-weighted zones 60 are disposed within the valve area. Such a design of the restriction structure 30 allows the restriction structure to both restrict the bladder 40 while counterbalancing other portions of the sports ball 10.

Additional manners for counter balancing the weight of the valve 41, the component 50, and the pocket 42 are envisioned as part of the scope of this disclosure. In other examples, the bladder 40 may be counter balanced by adding rubber pieces to the bladder 40 itself. However, this may cause issues when constructing a restricted bladder 40 because the inflated counterbalanced bladder will stretch inconsistently and not inflate as a sphere during the restrictor application process.

Accordingly, various aspects of sport ball 10 and pocket 42 may vary, depending upon the athletic activity that sport ball 10 is intended to be used during and the configuration and purpose of component 50, for example.

While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not as limiting. For example, a bladder for an article of footwear may be counter balanced according to the embodiments herein.

The following clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a sports ball including a sensor as described above.

Clause 1. A sport ball comprising: a casing forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of the sport ball, and a radially inward-facing surface facing toward the center of the sport ball; a valve integrally form with the bladder, wherein the valve includes a valve area on the bladder; and a restriction structure disposed between the casing and the bladder, the restriction structure comprised of a first material and a second material, wherein the second material is different from the first material.

Clause 2. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the first material has a first density and the second material has a second density, the first density being less than the second density.

Clause 3. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the restriction structure is uniform in thickness around the bladder.

Clause 4. The sport ball of Clause 1, wherein the restriction structure includes one or more heavy zones and one or more non-weighted zones.

Clause 5. The sport ball of Clause 4, wherein the one or more non-weighted zones are portions of the restriction structure where density has not been added, and wherein the one or more heavy zones are portions of the restriction structure with added density.

Clause 6. The sport ball of Clause 4, wherein the one or more heavy zones includes a first density and a second density, wherein the second density is different from the first density.

Clause 7. The sport ball of Clause 4, wherein the one or more heavy zones are disposed along at least 30% of the restriction structure.

Clause 8. The sport ball of Clause 7, wherein the one or more non-weighted zones are disposed along at least 70% of the restriction structure.

Clause 9. A sport ball comprising: a casing forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sport ball; a bladder disposed within the casing, the bladder having a radially outward-facing surface oriented facing away from a center of the sport ball, and a radially inward-facing surface facing toward the center of the sport ball, wherein the radially inward-facing surface includes a pocket; a restriction structure disposed between the casing and the bladder, the restriction structure comprised of one or more non-weighted zones and one or more heavy zones, wherein a 0.5 inch diameter circular resected portion taken from within the heavy zone is at least 30% heavier than a 0.5 inch diameter resected portion taken from within the one or more non-weighted zones.

Clause 10. The sport ball of Clause 9, wherein the one or more heavy zones are disposed along at least 30% of the restriction structure.

Clause 11. The sport ball of Clause 9, where the restriction structure restricts outward expansion of the bladder.

Clause 12. The sport ball of Clause 9, wherein the bladder includes a valve, and wherein the valve forms a valve area on the bladder.

Clause 13. The sport ball of Clause 12, wherein the one or more heavy zones and the one or more non-weighted zones are not disposed on the valve area.

Clause 14. The sport ball of Clause 9, wherein a first material of the restriction structure has a first density, and a second material of the restriction structure has a second density different from the first density.

SPORTS BALL HAVING A SENSOR

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