This patent application generally relates to a ball marking device. More particularly it relates to a device for stenciling marks and writing on a ball.
One aspect of the present patent application is a device for marking a ball. The device includes a stencil ring and a housing. The housing includes a base and a top. The base includes a base quick connecting element. The top includes a top quick connecting element. The base and said top quick connecting elements are for connecting and disconnecting the base to the top. The housing encloses the stencil ring when the base and the top quick connecting elements are connected. The stencil ring includes stencil symbols. The base and the top are sized to hold the ball for marking with the stencil symbols when the base and top quick connecting elements are connected.
Another aspect of the present patent application is a device for marking a ball. The device includes a housing and a stencil ring. The housing holds the stencil ring and the ball. The stencil ring includes a fixed positioning structure that provides incremental positioning. The housing includes a first element allowing the stencil ring to rotate between fixed positions defined by said fixed positioning structure. The housing includes a second element for holding the ball from rotating. The stencil ring includes a plurality of stencil symbols for marking the ball.
Another aspect of the present patent application is a method of marking a ball with a marker. The method includes providing a housing and a stencil ring. The housing includes a base and a top. The stencil ring is in the housing. The stencil ring includes a first stencil symbol and a second stencil symbol. The ball fits in the stencil ring and in the housing. The method includes inserting the ball into the housing wherein the housing includes an element to hold the ball from rotating. The method also includes rotating the stencil ring to position the first stencil symbol on the ball. The method also includes using a marker and the stencil ring to mark the first stencil symbol on the ball.
The foregoing will be apparent from the following detailed description as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, for clarity not drawn to scale, in which:
a and 2b are three dimensional views of one embodiment of replaceable stencil rings for the ball marking device of
a and 3b are three dimensional views of the housing and stencil ring of the ball marking device and ball of
a and 4b are three dimensional views of the top of the housing of the ball marking device of
a, 5b, and 5c are top and side views of the top of the housing of the ball marking device of
a is an exploded three dimensional view of the base of the housing and the first compressible element of the ball marking device of
b is a three dimensional view of the base of the housing of the ball marking device of
a is a top view of the housing of the ball marking device of
b is a cross sectional view of the housing of the ball marking device and the ball of
c is a side view of the housing and stencil ring of the ball marking device of
a is a top view of the base of the housing of the ball marking device of
b is a cross sectional view of the base of the housing of the ball marking device of
c is a cross sectional view of the base of the housing of the ball marking device of
d is a side view of the base of the housing of the ball marking device of
a-11h are side views of the ball marking device of
i is a three dimensional view of the ball of
Ball marking device 20 for marking ball 22 includes stencil ring 24 and housing 26. Housing 26 includes top 28 and base 30, as shown in
Stencil ring 24 also includes first edge 42a and second edge 42b. Edges 42a, 42b each include structure for incremental positioning 44. In the embodiment shown in the figures, structure for incremental positioning 44 includes groove 46. A plurality of grooves 46 are included in this embodiment. Structure for incremental positioning 44, such as grooves 46, are for holding stencil ring 24 in a particular position while a particular stencil symbol 32 is being used to place a symbol on ball 22 located within stencil ring 24 within housing 26. Other structure for incremental positioning, such as elevated regions can be used instead of grooves 46. If a structure for incremental positioning is omitted then the user could hold the stencil ring with a finger while marking.
Housing 26, including top 28 and base 30, enclose stencil ring 24 within which ball 22 is placed, as shown in
In one embodiment top 28 also includes marking elements, such as line 54 and shaped opening 56a, 56b that can also be used to mark ball 22. In the embodiment shown in the figures, these marking elements extend from outside rounded top surface 58a to inside rounded top surface 58b. In one embodiment, openings 50a, 50b have beveled edges, 60. Marking elements, including line 54 and shaped openings 56a, 56b can have similar beveled edges.
First edge 42a of stencil ring 24 fits against flat 66 on top 28, as shown in
Ball 22 fits within stencil ring 24 and extends to contact inside rounded top surface 58b. Since inside rounded top surface 58b is smooth, ball 22 can freely rotate, sliding against its surface.
In one embodiment, base 30 includes first compressible element 70, such as a gasket, a rubber washer, or an o-ring, as shown in
In one embodiment, base 30 also includes second compressible element 80, as shown in
In one embodiment, base 30 also includes positioning element 90, as shown in
Base 30 connects to top 28 with quick connect and quick release mechanism 100, as shown in
Alternatively, quick connection can be accomplished with a threaded connection between top and base. In another embodiment, quick connection can be accomplished with a top that snaps to the base. For example, the top may have a portion with a raised ridge that fits into a groove extending around an inner surface of the base. Alternatively, the top can have a larger diameter than the base and have sufficient flexibility to be press fit onto the base.
In one embodiment, keys 102 include half arrow heads 116, as shown in
In using ball marking device 20 for marking ball 22 the user first decides what he or she wants to write and inserts stencil ring 24 in top 28 so that the first desired stencil symbol 32 in first row 40a or second row 40b is visible right side up through openings 50a, 50b. The user then places ball 22 in top 28 inside stencil ring 24, places base 30 on ball 22 and connects top 28 to base 30. The user then rotates stencil ring 24 so the first desired stencil symbol 32 is located at the far left side of opening 50a. With a permanent marker or paint pen the user then fully fills in first desired stencil symbol 32 to create first printed symbol 131 on ball 22, as shown in
While the disclosed methods and systems have been shown and described in connection with illustrated embodiments, various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 61/306,296 filed Feb. 19, 2010, entitled “Ball Marking Device” incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20110206850 A1 | Aug 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61306296 | Feb 2010 | US |