Patent Application
20220226718
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface.
Various sporting events are governed in part by the structure of a playing surface of the sporting event. For example, lines on the playing surface may define the boundaries of the playing area or define when a player scores a point in the sporting event. The lengths, shapes, positioning, and other characteristics of the lines on the playing surface can have specified measurements (e.g., regulation measurements) that may be defined by the official rules of the sporting event. Playing surfaces at many locations (e.g., gymnasiums, public parks, professional stadiums, etc.) may have the playing surface lines drawn by commercial service providers, which have the expertise and resources to draw the lines accurately according to the regulation measurements. In addition, sports players can also create personal playing surfaces at home or other private locations to practice or play the sport privately. However, sports players may not have the same expertise and resources as commercial service providers to create the playing surface with lines accurately drawn according to the regulation measurements. A marking apparatus can be helpful for quickly and accurately creating a playing surface at homes and other private locations.
Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface.
According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a marking apparatus including: a key section including a plurality of key section pieces, wherein each key section piece includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions, and wherein the plurality of key section pieces are configured to be coupled with each other; and a three-point arc section including a plurality of three-point arc section pieces, wherein each three-point arc section piece includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions, and wherein the plurality of three-point arc section pieces are configured to be coupled with each other.
According to some example embodiments, each key section piece and each three-point arc section piece further includes one or more openings.
According to some example embodiments, a shape of the one or more openings is substantially rectangular.
According to some example embodiments, a shape of the protruding portions of the key section pieces is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions of the key section pieces, such that the protruding portions of a first key section piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second key section piece to form an interlocking connection.
According to some example embodiments, a shape of the protruding portions of the three-point arc section pieces is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions of the three-point arc section pieces, such that the protruding portions of a first key three-point arc section piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second three-point arc section piece to form an interlocking connection.
According to some example embodiments, the marking the key section further includes a plurality of key section alignment pieces, wherein each alignment piece includes an alignment indentation.
According to some example embodiments, the plurality of key section pieces and the plurality of three-point arc section pieces include cardboard material.
According to some example embodiments, the plurality of key section pieces and the plurality of three-point arc section pieces each includes an identifier.
According to some example embodiments, the identifier is a letter.
According to some example embodiments of the present disclosures, a marking apparatus including: a plurality of connectable pieces, wherein each connectable piece includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions, wherein a shape of the protruding portions is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions, such that the protruding portions of a first connectable piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second connectable piece to form an interlocking connection between the first and second connectable pieces.
According to some example embodiments, each connectable piece further includes one or more openings.
According to some example embodiments, a shape of the one or more openings is substantially rectangular.
According to some example embodiments, the marking apparatus further includes a plurality of connectable alignment pieces, wherein each connectable alignment piece includes an alignment indentation.
According to some example embodiments, the plurality of connectible pieces include cardboard material.
According to some example embodiments, each connectible piece includes an identifier.
According to some example embodiments, the identifier includes a letter.
According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, in a method for drawing lines on a surface using a marking apparatus, the method including: assembling the marking apparatus including a plurality of connectible pieces, wherein each connectible piece includes one or more openings and an identifier; placing the marking apparatus on the surface; drawing lines on the surface by tracing the one or more openings of the plurality of connectible pieces of the marking apparatus using a drawing device; and removing the marking apparatus from the surface.
According to some example embodiments, assembling the marking apparatus includes coupling each connectable piece of the plurality of connectible pieces to another one of the connectible pieces according to the identifier of each connectable piece.
According to some example embodiments, each connectable piece further includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions.
According to some example embodiments, a shape of the protruding portions is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions, such that the protruding portions of a first connectable piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second connectible piece to form an interlocking connection between the first and second connectable pieces.
According to some example embodiments, a shape of the one or more openings is substantially rectangular.
According to some example embodiments, the plurality of connectable pieces further includes a plurality of connectable alignment pieces, wherein each connectable alignment piece includes an alignment indentation.
According to some example embodiments, the plurality of connectible pieces include cardboard material.
According to some example embodiments, the identifier includes a letter.
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are directed to a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface.
Features of the inventive concept and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout. The present disclosure, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawings and the written description, and thus, descriptions thereof will not be repeated. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions shown may be exaggerated for clarity.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface. For example, according to various embodiments, the marking apparatus can be used to draw lines on various types of sports playing surfaces, including, but not limited to, concrete surfaces, grass surfaces, hardwood surfaces, or asphalt surfaces. The measurement and shapes of the lines can align with the regulation measurements defined by the official rules of a particular sport. Some of the sports may include basketball, tennis, volleyball, pickle ball, or other sports. For example, the official rules for basketball may state that a free throw line on a playing surface must be 15 feet away from a basketball rim. Other potential applications for the invention may not be related to sports at all, where embodiments of the invention can facilitate an easy and consistent way for marking surfaces for various other non-sports applications as well.
According to various embodiments, the marking apparatus can be made up of a number of individual pieces (e.g., connectable pieces). The individual pieces can be made up of various materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, aluminum, steel, wood, Mylar, and polycarbonate. Additionally, the pieces can be made according to varying sizes and shapes. In some embodiments, the shape of the pieces can incorporate protruding portions (e.g., a male end) and recessed/concave portions (e.g., a female end). Some pieces may have both protruding portions and recessed/concave portions, while other pieces may only have protruding portions or only have recessed/concave portions. The shape of the male end can have a shape (e.g., a curvature) that corresponds to the shape of the female end (e.g., matches or follows the contour of the female end). The pieces can form an interlocking connection with each other by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end of a first piece into the female end of a second piece. The interlocking connection can secure the pieces in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the pieces away from each other.
Additionally, each piece may incorporate one or more holes (e.g., openings) traversing through the piece. In some embodiments, the holes may traverse through the middle of the piece. In some embodiments, the shape of the holes may be substantially rectangular and can be spaced apart from each other on the piece. The holes can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus onto the playing surface using a writing device. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk. Further, each piece can be labeled with an identifier such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifiers can be displayed on the pieces and may be used to indicate the location of the piece within the marking apparatus.
According to various embodiments, the marking apparatus can be used to draw lines for a half-court basketball playing surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the marking apparatus may be made up of a key section and a three point arc. The key section can be assembled by connecting the pieces (e.g., key section pieces) to each other according to identifiers displayed on the pieces. After the key section is assembled, the key section can be moved (e.g., slide along the playing surface) as a single unit. In some embodiments, some pieces making up the key section can have alignment indentations (e.g., key section alignment pieces). The indentations can be used to align the key section with the basketball rim and backboard. Additionally, ends of some pieces that are positioned at the ends of the key section may also be used to align the key section with the basketball rim and backboard. When the key section is aligned with the basketball rim and backboard, the measurements of the lines of the key section should align to basketball regulation measurements.
Similarly, the three point arc section can be assembled by connecting pieces (e.g., three-point arc section piece) to each other according to identifiers displayed on the pieces. After the three point arc is assembled, the three point arc can be moved as a single unit. In some embodiments, some of the pieces making up the three point arc can also have alignment indentations (e.g., three-point arc section alignment pieces). The alignment indentations can be used to align the three point arc with the key section and the basketball rim. Additionally, ends of some pieces that are positioned at the ends of the three-point arc section may also be used to align the three-point arc with the key section and the basketball rim. When the three-point arc is aligned with the basketball rim and key section, the measurements of the lines of the three-point arc should align to basketball regulation measurements.
Referring to
According to various embodiments, the marking apparatus 100 can be made up of a number of pieces 140 (e.g., connectable pieces). The pieces 140 can be made up of various materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, aluminum, steel, wood, Mylar, and polycarbonate. Additionally, the pieces 140 can be made according to varying sizes and shapes. The sizes and shapes of the pieces 140 can depend on the location of the pieces 140 within the marking apparatus 100. For example, some of the pieces 140 that make up the three point arc 120 may have different sizes and shapes than the pieces 140 that make up the free throw line 131. In some embodiments, the shapes of the pieces 140 may incorporate protruding portions 142 (e.g., a male end) and incorporate recessed/concave portions 143 (e.g., a female end). Some pieces 140 may have both male ends 142 and female ends 143 while other pieces 140 may only have male ends 142 or only have female ends 143. The shape of the male end 142 can have a shape (e.g., a curvature) that corresponds to the shape of the female end 143 (e.g., matches or follows the contour of the female end). The pieces 140 can form an interlocking connection with other pieces 140 by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end 142 of a first piece 140 into the female end 143 of a second piece. The interlocking connection can secure the pieces 140 in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the pieces 140 away from each other.
In addition, each of the pieces 140 can include one or more holes 110 (e.g., openings) that traverse through each piece 140. In some embodiments, the one or more holes 110 may traverse through a middle of each piece 140. In some embodiments, the shape of the holes 110 can be substantially rectangular and the holes 110 can be spaced apart from each other on the piece 140. The holes 110 can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus 110 onto the playing surface using a drawing device. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes 110 or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk.
Further, each piece 140 can be labeled with an identifier 141 such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier 141 can be displayed directly on the piece 140 and can be used to indicate the location of the piece 140 within the marking apparatus 100. For example, a piece 140 labeled with the letter J as its identifier 141 can be used as one of the pieces 140 that make up the three point arc 120. In another example, a piece 140 labeled with the letter H as its identifier 141 can be used as one of the pieces 140 that make up the free throw line 131. Additionally, some pieces 140 may also include alignment indentations 151 (e.g., alignment piece) that can be used to align the marking apparatus 100 with the backboard 150 and the basketball rim 160.
After all of the pieces 140 of the marking apparatus 100 have been connected, the key section 130 can be moved (e.g., slide along the playing surface) as a single unit and the three point arc 120 can each be moved as a single unit. The key section 130 and the three point arc 120 can be moved with respect to the backboard 150 and the basketball rim 160 such that the lines of the key section 130 and the lines of the three point arc 120 are the regulation distances away from the backboard 150 and the basketball rim 160. To help ensure that the key section 130 and the three point arc 120 are positioned at the regulation distances, some pieces 140 can incorporate alignment indentations 151. For example, the key section 130 can be moved in order to align the alignment indentations 151 with a chalk line 155. Additionally, the key section 130 can be moved in order to align with ends 152 with the baseline 165. Further, the three point arc 120 can be moved in order to align ends 170 with ends 152 of the key section 130 and the baseline 165.
Referring to
Further, each piece 140 can be labeled with an identifier 141 such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier 141 can be displayed directly on the piece 140 and can be used to indicate the location of the piece 140 within the key section 130. Additionally, each of the pieces 140 can include one or more holes 110 that traverse through each piece 140. In some embodiments, the one or more holes 110 can traverse through the middle of each piece 140. In some embodiments, the shape of the holes 110 can be substantially rectangular and the holes 110 can be spaced apart from each other on the piece 140. The holes 110 can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the key section 130 onto the playing surface.
After the pieces 140 of the key section 130 have been connected via the interlocking connection mechanism, the key section 130 can be moved as a single unit. In some embodiments, the key section 130 can be aligned with the basketball rim 160 and the backboard 150, by moving the key section 130 to align the alignment indentations 151 with a chalk line 155 and align the ends 152 with the baseline 165. The chalk line 155 can be parallel to the backboard and can be drawn by first tying one end of a string or rope around the back of the basketball rim 160 (e.g., the portion of the basketball rim 160 that is connected to the backboard 150) and tying the opposite end of the string to a weighted object (e.g., a plumb, a washer, etc.). The weighted end of the string can then be dropped down to the playing surface. The location of where weighted end drops on the playing surface can be marked with an object such as a piece of tape. A chalk line 155 can then be drawn over the location of the tape. The key section 130 can be aligned by moving the key section 130 such that the alignment indentations 151 align with the chalk line 155. After the key section 130 is aligned with the basketball rim 160 and the backboard 150, the distances of the lines of the key section 130 should be consistent with regulation measurements for a half-court basketball playing surface.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the shape of the A piece 140 can incorporate a male end 142. In some embodiments, the shape of the B piece can incorporate both a female end 143 and a male end 142. The shape of the male end 142 can have a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the female end 143. The A and B pieces 140 can form an interlocking connection by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end 142 of the A piece into the female end 143 of the B piece 140. The interlocking connection can secure the A and B pieces 140 in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the A and B pieces 140 away from each other.
As shown in
Additionally, the A piece 140 can have ends 152 and the B piece 140 can have alignment indentations 151. The alignment indentations 151 and ends 152 can be used to help align the key section 130 with the backboard 150 and the basketball rim 160. For example, the alignment indentations 151 can be aligned with the chalk line 155 as described previously and the ends 152 can be aligned with the baseline 165 as described previously.
Referring to
Further, each piece 140 can be labeled with an identifier 141 such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier 141 can be displayed directly on the piece 140 and can be used to indicate the location of the piece 140 within the three point arc 120. Additionally, each of the pieces 140 can include one or more holes 110 that traverse through each piece 140. In some embodiments, the shape of the holes 110 can be substantially rectangular and the holes 110 can be spaced apart from each other on the piece 140. The holes 110 can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the three point arc 120 onto the playing surface.
After the pieces 140 of the three point arc 120 have been connected via the interlocking connection mechanism, the three point arc 120 can be moved as a single unit. In some embodiments, the three point arc 120 can be aligned with the key section 120 and the basketball rim 160, by moving the three point arc 120 to align ends 170 with the ends 152 of the key section 130. After the tree point arc 120 is aligned with the key section 130 and the basketball rim 160, the distances of the lines of the three point arc should be consistent with regulation measurements for a half-court basketball playing surface.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the shape of the L piece 140 can incorporate a female end 143. In some embodiments, the shape of the M piece can incorporate both a male end 142 and a female end 143. The shape of the male end 142 can have a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the female end 143. The L and M pieces 140 can form an interlocking connection by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end 142 of the M piece into the female end 143 of the L piece 140. The interlocking connection can secure the L and M pieces 140 in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the L and M pieces 140 away from each other, or as shown in the embodiment illustrated, can restrict side-to-side movement between interconnected pieces, but may not necessarily restrict the pieces from being pulled away from one another. Various other shapes may also be incorporated into the connection mechanism based on the needs of each particular application.
As shown in
Additionally, the L piece 140 can have an end 170 that can be used to help align the three point arc 120 with the key section 130 and the basketball rim 160. For example, the end 170 can be aligned with ends 152 of the key section 130 as described previously.
As mentioned throughout, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to a marking apparatus for drawing lines for a half-court basketball playing surface. Some example embodiments may also include a marking apparatus for drawing lines on a playing surface for volleyball, tennis, hopscotch, four square, or pickle ball, but is not limited to the these types of playing surfaces. Further, some example embodiments may also include a marking apparatus for drawing lines on a surface for other activities, including, but not limited to, lines on a parking lot, or lines for vehicle driving lanes on a street.
Referring to
In addition, each of the pieces 640 can include one or more holes 610 (e.g., openings) that traverse through each piece 640. In some embodiments, the one or more holes 610 may traverse through a middle of each piece 640. In some embodiments, the shape of the holes 610 can be substantially rectangular and the holes 610 can be spaced apart from each other on the piece 640. The holes 610 can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus 600 onto the playing surface using a drawing device. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes 610 or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk.
Further, each piece 640 can be labeled with an identifier such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier can be displayed directly on the piece 640 (similar to as shown in
In the preceding description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements.
It will be understood that when an element, layer, region, or component is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, layer, region, or component, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element, layer, region, or component, or one or more intervening elements, layers, regions, or components may be present. However, “directly connected/directly coupled” refers to one component directly connecting or coupling another component without an intermediate component. Meanwhile, other expressions describing relationships between components such as “between,” “immediately between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to” may be construed similarly. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “have,” “having,” “includes,” and “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. “About” or “approximately,” as used herein, is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.” As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.
Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Further, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed herein are merely illustrative for the purpose of describing embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure. Thus, embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily to scale.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.
The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of example embodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of example embodiments as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed example embodiments, as well as other example embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The inventive concept is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/138,162 filed Jan. 15, 2021 and entitled “MARKING APPARATUS USED FOR CREATING A SPORTS PLAYING SURFACE”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63138162 | Jan 2021 | US |
