Bobby D Robinson

US Patent:

46741704, Jun 23, 1987

Filed:

Sep 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/781972

Inventors:

David W. Hubbert - Perkasie PA
Bobby L. Robinson - Vidalia GA

Assignee:

Athlone Industries, Inc. - Parsippany NJ

International Classification:

B29C 6548
B29C 4516
C08J 906
C08J 934

US Classification:

29458

Abstract:

A method for making a ball having a cover and a core, which core has a spherical center and a winding, is disclosed. The ball is made by foam injection molding a thermoplastic resin comprising a mixture of at least about 45% of a copolymer of at least one olefin with at least one unsaturated monocarboxylic acid to form a spherical partially blown center. The center is then wound to form a wound core which is immersed in an adhesive which impregnates the yarn. The wound core is then dried and ironed the melt the surface of the center so as to fuse the windings to the center. A cover is then applied to the core to form the completed ball.

US Patent:

45725071, Feb 25, 1986

Filed:

Jan 11, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/569856

Inventors:

David W. Hubbert - Perkasie PA
Bobby L. Robinson - Vidalia GA

Assignee:

Athlone Industries, Inc. - Parsippany NJ

International Classification:

A63B 3700
A63B 3702

US Classification:

273 60R

Abstract:

A ball, such as a baseball or softball, which includes a thermoplastic resin center, an outer winding and a two-piece cover is disclosed. The core comprises at least 45% of a partially blown copolymer of at least one olefin with at least one unsaturated monocarboxylic acid which is wrapped with a suitable winding impregnated with a latex based adhesive which winding is heat fused to the outer surface of the thermoplastic resin center. The partially blown spherical center has a micro cellular structure wherein the cells increase in number and decrease in size radially outward from the center. The core, consisting of the thermoplastic resin center and winding which is heat fused thereto, is covered with a two-piece stitched cover. The process for making the described ball is also disclosed.