Abstract

A sports ball comprising at least two polygonal panels, each panel has doubly-curved edges that curve along and across the surface of the sphere. The panels are p-sided curved polygons, where p is an integer greater than 1. The single panels have curved edges where each edge curves inwards, outwards or undulates in a wave-like manner. The edges are arranged so each individual panel is without mirror-symmetry and the edge curvatures are adjusted so the panel shape can be varied to achieve more uniform panel stiffness as well as economy in manufacturing. In various embodiments, the ball comprises at least two multi-paneled layers that are topological duals of each other, wherein each layer provides a compensatory function with respect to the other layer such that the ball has a uniformly performing surface. The shape of the ball can be spherical, ellipsoidal or other curved convex shapes.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63B 37/12 - Special coverings
• A63B 39/06 - Special coverings
• A63B 41/08 - Ball coversClosures therefor