(19)

(11)

EP 1 276 545 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 21.03.2002 (43) Date of publication: 22.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/04 (21) Application number: 01925023.2 (22) Date of filing: 13.04.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A63B 41/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US0112/216 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/3048 (08.11.2001 Gazette 2001/45)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (30) Priority: 28.04.2000 US 560768 (71) Applicant: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc. Chicope, MA 01021-0901 (US)	(72) Inventors: FEENEY, Brian, P. East Windsor, CT 06016 (US) TOUHEY, Daniel, P. South Hadley, MA 01075 (US) STAHL, Joseph, E. Southampton, MA 01073 (US) (74) Representative: Asquith, Julian Peter  Marks & Clerk,4220 Nash Court,Oxford Business Park South Oxford OX4 2RU Oxford OX4 2RU (GB)