Patent Application
20050150795
(none)
(none)
The proposed invention generally relates to sports equipment storage and display devices, more specifically, to a simplified ball holder of a one piece structure to accept a nested storage of a variety of ball shapes and sizes while providing means for attachment to shelves and flat surfaces.
Storing and displaying a wide assortment of basket balls, soccer balls, kick balls, volley balls, foot balls and the like is often problematic. Round balls tend to roll aimlessly about closets, garages and playroom areas when unattended or not restrained from movement and, therefore, readily become a hazard rolling about the floor area. Also when displayed as prized, autographed, or collected memorabilia balls tend to roll uncontrolled unless otherwise restrained. The invention provides an improved way of openly displaying and retaining such items when they are displayed and includes a way to secure the device if desired. The inventive device includes a way for securing and storing inflation needles which are necessary for maintaining ball inflation.
Previous ball storage or ball display devices may dedicate themselves to store a limited variety of balls by including features to contain and secure specific sizes and shapes of particular balls. Some storage devices become excessively large and bulky while attempting to accommodate additional storage features for related sports equipment other than the balls. Previous devices may include enclosures that defeat an open display of the ball. And previous devices may not include a way of a secure attachment to flat surfaces. Also previous devices may include multiple piece parts that often defeat simplicity and are difficult to clean and are excessively large for the function of an individual ball display.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,762 describes a game ball holder that secures and displays a tennis ball during play. This device is not applicable for shelf or household display of various prized or collectible sport balls, but like similar devices is dedicated to securing a specific sport ball to benefit the related sport activity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,249 describes a device that specifically encloses a specific sport ball in a transparent display case of multiple components allowing a rotation of the displayed ball. This device neglects the simplicity of a single piece and open display stand that readily accepts various shaped balls without concern of adjustments or enclosures.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,010 describes a game ball box enclosure to permit a display of packaged balls. This device is limited to a specific ball size and provides abbreviated protective enclosure panels allowing display of the ball. The device is intended to benefit a retailer display and remain inappropriate for owner use as storage or display o prized or collectable sport balls.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,804 describes a device to display a sports memorabilia such as foot ball. This device includes multiple parts and components requirements requiring adjustment or alteration to accommodate varied ball sizes and shapes and lacks the advantage of a one piece simplicity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,040 describes a ball holder of a cord holder and multiple legs comprising a stand for multiple ball storage. This device does not address the function individual of an individual ball display and is not applicable and is not applicable to shelf mounting.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,105 describes a ball holder permitting required adjustment for a variety of ball sizes, but this device is dedicated to vertical wall mountings an has no specific features for place placement or attachment to a flat horizontal surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,711 describes a ball holder to accept a variety of ball sizes, but this device is dedicated to a wall or pole mounting and does not include specific features for placement or attachment to a flat horizontal surface.
The ball holder is preferably made out of a one piece material such as injection molding or is made out of a one piece wood by carving. The one piece holder can also be made out of paper maché material. It is intended to be light weight and should be sturdy or rigid enough to support the weight of a standard ball. There is also a provision be made store an appliance to be used to maintain the ball in its condition, that is, fully inflated. It is well known that an inflated ball in a long run will lose its initially inflated pressure due to leakage. To reinflate the displayed ball, a pressure reinflating needle 13 is stored in a storage hole 12 in the tray.
