US4867452A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visually enhanced football
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-05-31
•
Granted: 1989-09-19
•
Expires: 2009-05-31
Abstract
Abstract The longitudinal extent of a football is circumscribed with contrasting indicia so that upon rotation of the ball about substantially the longitudinal axis, a first visually distinctive image is produced. When the ball rotates about substantially a transverse axis, a second visually distinctive image is produced. The indicia is of such form that it does not protrude substantially from the surface of the ball and does not adversely affect the normal flight and gripping of the ball.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles O. Finley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:31
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B43/00; A63B43/06; A63B39/00; A63B39/06; A63B2243/00; A63B2243/0066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A visually enhanced prolate spheroidal football having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said ball comprising an exterior surface having means defining the appearance of indicia which generally circumscribes the longitudinal extent of the football so that upon rotation of the ball about the longitudinal axis a first distinctive visual image is produced and upon rotation about a transverse axis a second distinctive visual image is produced, said means being of a form such that it does not protrude substantially from the surface of the ball and does not adversely affect the normal flight and gripping of the ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A visually enhanced prolate spheroidal football having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, said ball comprising an exterior surface having means defining the appearance of indicia which generally circumscribes the longitudinal extent of the football so that upon rotation of the ball about the longitudinal axis a first distinctive visual image is produced and upon rotation about a transverse axis a second distinctive visual image is produced, said means being of a form such that it does not protrude substantially from the surface of the ball and does not adversely affect the normal flight and gripping of the ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The football of claim 1 wherein said means includes at least one stripe which substantially circumscribes said longitudinal extent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The football of claim 2 wherein said means is substantially continuous.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The football of claim 1 wherein said means includes a plurality of spaced, longitudinally aligned segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The football of claim 1 wherein said means at least partially circumscribes the ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The football of claim 1 wherein said means includes a pair of substantially parallel stripes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The football of claim 1 wherein said means includes a plurality of stripes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The football of claim 1 wherein said means and the remainder of the exterior surface have contrasting colors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US235794A
Cited
US2011760A
Cited
US2143340A
Cited
GB854595A
Cited
US3370851A
Cited
US3318598A
Cited
US3904201A
Cited
USD264741S
Cited
US4345759A
Cited
US4546975A
Cited
USD285230S
Cited
US4772020A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-18 | 1993-03-20 | 1993-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-18 | 1997-03-20 | 1997-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-18 | 2001-03-20 | 2001-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |