DE2226963A1 - Device for recording and observing license plates or the like - Google Patents

Description

Amerace Esna Corporation, New York, N.Y. / USA

Device for picking up and observing license plates or similar.

The invention relates to a device for recording and observing of license plates or the like, which are in ~ a recess can be inserted into a surface in such a way that it is flush with the surface. In particular, the invention relates thereby referring to a method and a device for displaying markings on the outer spherical surface of a Bowling ball or similar shaped objects.

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It is known to provide bowling balls with markings on the surface of the ball. A well-known technique is that you can do that Marks are engraved directly into the surface of the sphere with the help of a pantograph! See engraving machine. The engraving is then filled in with a material whose color contrasts with that of the sphere; i.e., provided the bowling ball is black is colored, one will have the engraved writing or character with a white tinted filler in the relevant areas Mistake. This way, bowling ball manufacturers have their trademarks, serial numbers and other marks on the outer surface of bowling balls for many years upset.

Another method of applying badges to bowling balls consists in that a recess is formed in the surface of the balls and an insert is made in this the same material as the ball but different colors are used and fastened. In some cases, they serve Inserts to indicate that the ball is properly guided, in other cases to represent the trademarks of manufacturers or other types of identification.

The main disadvantage of all known marking methods is that they can only be carried out if a large one Quantity of bowling balls can be manufactured, with each ball receiving exactly the same identification arrangement. It goes without saying namely by itself that different engravings for each individual ball or differently shaped insert pieces would be uneconomical.

A further disadvantage of the known methods should be mentioned that in this case the shape of the label is either based on simple engraving characteristics or monochrome characters or, when using a known insert, simple geometric representations is limited. In the latter method, although various shades of color can be used, this requires it

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a correspondingly large number of different Inserts and so large a marking area on the surface of the bowling ball that it is undesirable.

The object of the invention is to create a device and a method of the type described, which the Avoid the disadvantages of known labeling methods in a simple manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device that has an upper surface, a lower surface and spaced lower surface and side walls extending from the upper to the lower surface and one has holding device arranged around the side walls, the holding device containing a laterally protruding region, which at least partially surrounds the side walls and is designed so that it can be inserted into a recess in the surface is. In combination of a bowling ball with a device fastened in a recess on the surface of this ball according to the invention, the object is achieved according to the invention further solved in that the device is held with its outer surface in the recess that the surface with flush with the surface of the bowling ball and that the Apparatus comprises a circular insert with a convex top surface and an image panel bearing the mark wherein the pictorial panel is connected to the insert and viewed by a viewer through the convex top surface can be viewed.

Furthermore, according to the invention, there is a method for attaching indicia to the outer ball surface of a bowling ball in which one has a recess in the spherical surface of the Bowling ball forms and an insert piece with an upward looking organ and a downward extending representing a unity with the observation organ

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Forms the supporting element, the supporting element being the viewing element holds within the recess so that the upper outer surface of the viewing member on the outer spherical surface of the Bowling ball lies in that a substantially liquid adhesive is applied to the recess and then the insert so inserted into the recess that the support member touches the bottom surface of the recess that the adhesive is cured leaves and the upper surface of the viewing member and the cured adhesive to each other so that both one curvature corresponding to the ball surface of the bowling ball and merge flush with each other.

Embodiments of the invention are based on the drawing explained in more detail. Show it:

Pig. 1 a perspective schematic view of a bowling ball with the device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the device according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 5 ^e i ⁿ perspective exploded view of the various parts of a -bevorzugten embodiment of the invention,

4 shows a partial section along section line 4-4 according to Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the various parts of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a partially exploded detail along a typical vertical section of the embodiment according to FIG. 5,

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Pig. 7 shows a partial section of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 prior to installation in a recess in a bowling ball

8 shows a partial section of the arrangements according to FIG Fig. 5 to 7 after installation in a recess in a Bowling ball,

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, and in particular 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This has a device, denoted by the general reference number Io, for picking up and viewing license plates, which is flush with the outer spherical surface of a conventional Bowling ball 12 is mounted between thumb hole 14 and finger holes 16 and 18.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the device Io appears as a transparent circular window 2o through which the representations on an image field can be fully recognized. The circular window 2o is completely surrounded by a concentric, opaque circular ring made of a connecting material 22, which will be explained in more detail later. In reality, the window 20 is the upper convex surface of a one-piece transparent insert 24 which can be inserted into a cylindrical recess or bore 26, the bore being formed in the surface of the bowling ball 12, for example by drilling. The recess 26 has a central axis 27 and is delimited by an inner side wall surface and a bottom wall surface J> o and has an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the largest outer diameter of the insert 24. According to FIG have a centrally located inwardly directed cone, the apex of which lies on the axis 27.

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In general, the insert 24 is formed substantially symmetrically to its main axis 35 and contains a substantially cylindrically shaped upper lens area 32 and a radially downwardly extending flange-like circular edge area Jk which forms a unit with the area 32. With regard to the terms "radial" and "axial", it should be noted that these refer to the course of the axes 27 and / or 35 in the description and in the claims; the latter essentially coincides with the axis 27 when the insert 24 is located within the recess 26. How best from the Pig. 4, the annular edge region 34 of the insert 24 has a horizontally lying upper wall surface, a radially extending inwardly tapering outer side wall surface 38 and a horizontally lying lower bottom or end wall surface 40. The upper wall surface 36 is arranged approximately at a right angle to the annular side wall surface 41 of the lens portion 32, so that an annular shoulder is formed which extends radially from the side wall surface 41 towards the inner side wall surface 28 of the recess 26 of the bowling ball, the The shoulder (upper wall surface 36) is offset axially below the outer ball surface of the bowling ball within the recess 26, see Fig. 4. Furthermore, the interface between the radially inwardly tapering side wall surface 38 of the edge area 34 and between the plane of the horizontally arranged upper wall surface results 36 a circle whose diameter corresponds to the maximum outer diameter of the insert 24. The inner side wall surface 42 of the area 34 is substantially parallel to the axis 35 of the insert 24, so that a cylindrically shaped inner recess 44 (Fig. 3) is defined, which is delimited at its uppermost end by / flat lower wall surface 46 of the upper lens area 32 is.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the recess 44 pick up an image panel 48 showing an arrangement of

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contains markings applied to the surface of the same, as is indicated, for example, by the reference number 5o in FIG. 3 is shown. Preferably, the image board 48 is a thin disk, sturdy paper or cardboard, and that License plate is printed immediately on it. However, it is also conceivable that the picture panel or the disk of any suitable material different from the above-mentioned materials, for example plastic. Wood or thin metal, etc., the mark 5o being applied to the picture panel 48 in a different way than by being printed can be. For example, the license plate 5o could represent a color photograph, cut to size on the is attached to the upper surface of the panel 48 by means of glue or similar fastening means. From the previous one it can be seen that one of the important features of the present invention is that one has an unlimited Number of tags depending on the individual needs of the bowling ball user can use. For example the owner of a bowling alley can count the number of bowling balls by marking the device accordingly 1 to 4 provided. In some bowling balls a multicolored rendering of its own could also be used Taste can be inserted for promotional purposes of his company. The identification arrangements of other bowling balls could however, be designed so that the insert 24 includes an image panel 48 showing the names or medals of various Specify clubs or teams, with the medals in any one in a pleasing or colorful manner, depending on the wishes of the member of the club or team concerned can. Since the insert 24 installed in each bowling ball is identical and only the identifier 50 of the image board 48 changes, it follows that an unlimited number of bowling balls are simply marked in various ways or can be provided with arrangements, the manufacture of the device as described below, very ■ is economical.

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From Pig. 3 and 4 it can be seen that the downward

kende edge region 34 of the insert 24 a series of rectangular having radially aligned grooves 52 at the free end or more precisely in the horizontally lying bottom surface are formed. In addition, every other radial groove stands with a rectangular groove 54 in the outer side wall surface 38 of the area 34 in connection and is in the longitudinal direction aligned with the inner sidewall surface 42 of the area, creating a substantially L-shaped channel between the lower part of the recess 44 and the upper horizontally lying surface 36 of the edge region is formed. Like on 3, there are 8 such radial grooves 52, at an angular division of about 45 ° around the circumference of the edge area 34 are distributed. The four grooves 54 consequently form four L-shaped channels, which are each arranged in an approximately 9o division on the circumference of the edge area. the Function of the grooves 52 and that formed by the grooves 52 and 54 L-shaped channels are explained in more detail below.

In the preferred method of making the present invention, a conventional bowling ball is made from, for example cast hard rubber produced in the usual way, but before the final grinding and polishing in a suitable Holding device inserted and the cylindrical recess 26, as shown in Fig. 3, drilled. Although the Recess 26 can be made at any point on the outer surface of the bowling ball, it is convenient to their To locate the central axis in the area where the thumb hole 14 and the finger holes 16 and 18 are formed. Through the localization of the recess 26 in the overweight area of the ball become the result of the removal of the material Imbalances compensated in a known manner.

Then the insert member 24 and that containing the identifier Plate 48 mounted. As mentioned earlier, 'is

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the insert 24 is a transparent construction of a Piece. In addition, for obvious reasons, the insert should be highly impact-resistant and have a good surface hardness as well as having good dimensional stability over a medium temperature range. It was found that the out various thermoplastic -injected inserts satisfy the above-mentioned requirements and are therefore advantageous for the present invention. The thermoplastic polycarbonate is particularly preferred. Polycarbonate arises from the reaction of phosgene with bisphenol A; the polymer can be viewed as an ester of carbon dioxide and bisphenol A. will. Injection-molded polycarbonate is sold by the General Electric Company under the "Lexan" brand. expelled. In the manufacture of the insert 24, it goes without saying that the grooves 52 and 54 are located directly in the injection mold are formed. However, it is also conceivable that these grooves are subsequently made in the insert. As soon the insert 24 is fully formed as shown in FIG. 3, it is together with the image panel located on its upper surface 48 inserted into the recess 44 and fastened in the position shown in FIG. 4; i.e. the one containing the identifier The surface of the image panel is then close to and in contact with the horizontal lower surface 46 of the lens area ^ 2. To the device firmly within the recess 44 according to To keep Fig. J5, it is advantageous to the outer peripheral edge of the viewing element on the underside thereof with respect to the side wall surface 42 of the recess 44. this can be done, for example, so that a sufficient amount of liquid adhesive is applied, which as soon as it fully cured is, forms an airtight sealing ring 56, as indicated essentially in FIG. After complete When the sealing ring 56 is hardened, the insert 24 becomes firmly attached within the recess 26 in the outer ball surface of the bowling ball 12. It can do a large number used by well-known high-strength and self-curing adhesives

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will. Excellent results have been achieved, for example, by using an epoxy resin adhesive, which is available under the Trademark "EPON 815" sold by Shell Chemical Company will. The recommended approach for such an adhesive is:

85.5 parts EPON 815

7.4 parts of diethyl tetramine (as catalyst) 7.1 parts of pigment

The resulting mixture has a relatively low viscosity in the unhardened or liquid state and is therefore easy to flow and to bring into contact with all areas of use. In addition, the low viscosity of the Adhesive prevents air bubbles trapped below the insert from escaping to the surface, thus preventing the Formation of voids in the cured compound.

When inserting the insert 24 into the bowling ball 12, the liquid adhesive 58 is applied into the recess 26 so that the The recess is essentially filled. The insert 24 is then inserted into the glue-filled recess until the surface 4o of the insert in close contact with the bottom surface 50 of the Recess 26 comes (see. Fig. 4). During insertion, the adhesive 58 is easily displaced and flowed through the insert through the groove 52 and through the L-shaped channels formed by the grooves 52 and 54 so that the adhesive can remove any surface of the insert with the exception of the upper convex surface 2o touches and completely surrounds.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the adhesive 58 fills the recess 44 between the underside of the panel 48 and the bottom panel J5o of the recess 26 of the bowling ball completely and extends continuously through the grooves 52 and through the L-shaped channels formed by the grooves 52 and 54 and fills

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in this way the shoulder j56 through the axially recessed shoulder formed space. Furthermore, it fills the annular side wall surface 41 of the lens area 52 and the upper side wall surface 28 of the recess 26 and forms an overhanging ring area made of adhesive, the upper surface of which is the opaque Ring 22 results, which encloses the window 2o according to FIG. The liquid glue also fills the space between the radial inwardly extending and tapering outer wall surface 38 of the edge region J54 and the side wall surface 28 of the Recess 26 as well as the small free space formed between the outer diameter of the insert and the side wall surface 28 is.

The reasons for providing an inwardly radially tapering outer side wall surface 38 of the edge region j4 are twofold. On the one hand, the tapered surface acts as a groove on the edge area and thus makes it easier to insert the insert into the recess of the bowling ball. On the other hand, the tapered side wall surface of the edge area allows easy escape of the air that is trapped on the underside of the insert after it has been inserted into the adhesive-filled recess 26. The trapped air bubbles easily flow out through the grooves 52 along the tapered side wall surface 38 or are brought to the surface of the adhesive-filled recess through the L-shaped channels formed by the grooves 52 and 54. Otherwise, the air bubbles remaining within the adhesive-filled recess would create voids as the adhesive hardens and this in turn would result in a weak connection between the bowling ball and the insert.

After the adhesive 58 has fully cured, and thus a permanent and secure fit of the insert on the inner side wall and bottom surface of the recess 26 can be the outer Surface of the bowling ball can be sanded and polished in a known manner. This treatment causes removal of

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Material from the spherical surface of the bowling ball 12, from the surface 22 of the cured adhesive filling in the recess 26, and from the convex outer surface 20 of the lens area 32; the material removed in this way is indicated schematically by the area shown as a dashed line in FIG. 4. The grinding and polishing further means that the outer convex surface 20 of the lens area as well as the outer surface 22 of the hardened adhesive 58 all lie in the spherical surface of the bowling ball and are therefore essentially exactly aligned with one another. By addition of a suitable dye in the adhesive approach may obtain a certain color of the opaque annular member 22 surrounding the visible through the window 2o indicator, thereby further enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the device is improved according to the invention.

In connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, it has been found that occasionally a small amount of liquid adhesive 58 before it has completely hardened on the sealing ring 56 exits and settles on the upper surface of the Image panel 48 is deposited and thereby over lens area 32 becomes visible. In order to completely eliminate this possibility while at the same time trading in other advantages referred to another embodiment of the invention, such as in Figs. 5 to 8 is described. The same reference numbers are used for the same parts.

In general, the insert of Figures 5-8 includes two parts. An upper part 62 and a lower part 64 which are integral are interconnected so that the picture panel 48 is completely enclosed therebetween.

The upper part 62 of the picture panel 24 has the known transparent one Lens area 32 with its convex outer surface 2o on. As best seen in Fig. 6, the upper portion 62 includes a concentric, radially extending

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Flange or edge area 66 which is arranged in the axial direction under the convex outer surface 22 of the lens area. Also attached is a downwardly extending "protrusion .68 which is concentric with flange 66 but extends radially inwardly onto the outer peripheral area of the flange. Protrusion 68 is provided with a generally cylindrically shaped recess Jo arranged concentrically therein for receiving the picture panel 48 provided.

The lower part 64 contains a cone-shaped area 72 and the axially and downwardly extending edge area ^ 4 as well as the radially inwardly tapered outer side wall surface 38. In this connection it should be noted that the outer diameter of the edge area 34 has essentially the same outer diameter, like the edge region 66 of the upper part. The upper surface 74 of the disk-shaped region is arranged centrally in a substantially cylindrically shaped recess 76. The inside diameter of the recess 76 is essentially the same as the outside diameter of the downwardly extending projection of the upper part 62 and has a depth which corresponds to that of the axial extent of the projection. As has already been described above, the parts 62 and 64 can be manufactured by injection molding of a suitable plastic compound, so that structural bodies "result which form an integral, solid and transparent construction. However, one must be aware of the embodiment according to FIG. 5-8, it should be noted that only the upper part 62 should actually be transparent, and consequently the lower part 64 can be made of an opaque material if necessary.

The image board 48 can be inserted into the recess 7o of the projection 68 of the upper part can be used. The top and bottom parts 62 and 64 are then connected to one another as shown in FIG. The two parts 62 and 64 are then joined together sealed. to obtain an integral one-piece insert,

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in which the plate is completely enclosed. Although any suitable type of connection can be used to firmly connect the two parts 62 and 64, as shown in FIG. 7, ultrasonic welding is particularly preferred. It has been found that in this way an excellent weld joint can be obtained along the known peripheral surface of contact. The peripheral contact surface is formed by the outermost axial surface of the projection 68 (part 62) and the corresponding bottom surface of the recess f6 (part 64). Ultrasonic welding technology for plastics is in the magazine "Machine Design" on pages ISO to I85 of the issue of 16. March 1967 received in detail.

As has already been explained in the description of FIGS. 1 to 4, a series of grooves 52, 5 ^ · are arranged in the edge region ~ $ K of the insert, which prevent the adhesive and the trapped air from escaping from the underside during the connection allow with the bowling ball. In the embodiment according to Pig. 5 to 8, the edge region 56 of the upper part 62 is provided with a corresponding series of 4 axially aligned grooves 54 which are arranged at equal angular intervals around the circumference of the edge region so that they coincide with the grooves 5 ^ when the parts 62, 64 are inserted into one another and sealed against one another. In addition, it should be noted that the underside 78 of the disk-shaped area 72 of the lower part 64 is formed in the form of a downwardly extending hollow cone, the apex of which lies essentially in the center of the disk-shaped area. As a result, the lower surface 78 of the disc-shaped portion 72 is inclined upwardly from the central axis j55 of the insert of FIGS Grooves 52 are displaced upwards, or in the continuous through the grooves

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Channels formed 52, 54 and 54 'arrive until they reach the surface of the adhesive leak. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, are inclined in the longitudinal direction with the outer Surface of the edge region 38 aligned or slightly with respect to derAehse 35 offset grooves 5 ^ attached, which as further Help to evacuate the trapped air bubbles.

In all other parts of the insert of FIG. 5 are identical to 8 with the use of FIG. 1 to 4. After joining of the two parts 62 and 64 with the fully enclosed in the recess Jo image panel is the use in the adhesive-filled recess 26 8. After the adhesive has completely cured, the bowling ball is ground and polished.

From the foregoing it can be seen, that the present invention a new and effective method and device for placing indicia on the outer spherical surface of a Bowling ball or other similarly shaped article supplies. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described it is to be understood that many variations and modifications are possible without departing from the essence of the invention this is deviated from. For example, the insert 24 can be manufactured by a conventional two-step casting process, wherein the identifier 50 directly on the outer convex surface 2o can be arranged and is designed as an integral part of the lens area. In this case the lens area needs not to be transparent and the image panel 48 can be bypassed entirely. Instead, the number plate on the board 48, it can / indirectly on or in the lower flat surface 46 of the transparent lens area J2 by vapor deposition, Embossing or other known techniques. It also appears possible to use the insert 24 and / or to form the image table 48 other than in a cylindrical shape. she

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can, for example, have a polygonal or an elliptical shape exhibit. Finally, it is not necessary that the insert during the manufacturing process and before grinding and buffing is inserted into and bonded to the bowling ball. A completely finished bowling ball can as well at any time with the apparatus of the present invention Invention can be provided as long as the outer convex surface / des.Linsenbereich J52 and the hardened surface 22 of the Can be glue / rounded or polished to get a flush outer surface of the bowling ball.

Consequently, it should be noted that the subject matter of the invention is only limited by the scope of protection of the following claims.

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Claims (9)

Claims Device for picking up and observing license plates or the like. With these in a recess in a surface is used so that it is flush with the surface, characterized by a upper surface ^ (2o), a lower surface (46) lying below this surface and spaced therefrom and through from the upper to the lower surface extending side walls (41) and by a holding device arranged around the side walls (4l) (3 ^), which has eirsn & teral protruding area, which at least partially surrounds the side walls and is designed to fit into a recess (26) in the surface (12) is insertable. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by one containing the identifier (5o) Image panel (48) shaped to rest in a recess (44) in the lower surface (46). j5. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the picture board (48) is in the recess (44) is kept tight (at point (56)). 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the upper surface (2o) and the associated body are transparent and together form a lens for viewing the image panel (48). 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the holding device from an edge strip arranged around the side walls. (j54) consists which one of the walls in question to the outside -18-209853 / 0093 protruding heel surface (jj6) and corresponding side walls (38, 42), the side walls (38, 42) extending downwards taper and the inner side wall (42) circumscribes the perimeter of the recess receiving the picture panel and the outer Side wall together with the shoulder surface adhesive surfaces for an adhesive (22) for holding the device in the recess (26) form in the surface. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 * characterized in that grooves (52, 54) for distributing of the adhesive in the tapering area of the edge strip O4) are. 7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that this upper and has lower sections (62, 64) which contain mating surfaces (66, 68, 74, 76) and a seal against the penetration of adhesive form, with the recess for the picture panel through the opposing inner surfaces of the upper and lower sections is formed and held between these surfaces. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer periphery of the device is circular and can be inserted into a circular recess in a spherical surface is. 9. Combination of a bowling ball with one arranged in a recess in the surface of the ball Device for picking up and observing license plates or the like, characterized in that the device is held with its outer surface in the recess that the surface is flush with the surface of the bowling ball and that the device has a circular insert -19-2 09853/0093 (24) with a convex upper surface (2o) and an image plate (48, 5o) having a mark, wherein the picture panel is connected to the insert piece and from one Viewer can be viewed through the convex surface Io. Combination according to Claim 9 *, characterized in that the insert piece is a unit forms with a downwardly extending edge strip (j54), wherein the skirt has a remote free end that engages the insert in the recess (26) in the Bowling ball (12) carries, Ho Procedure for affixing a license plate on the outer ball surface of a bowling ball, thereby characterized in that one has a recess in. the ball surface of the bowling ball forms and an insert piece with an upward looking organ and a downward extending one unit with the Carrying member representing the viewing member forms, wherein the carrying member forms the viewing member within the recess stops the upper outer surface of the viewer the outer ball surface of the bowling ball is that you can fill the recess with a substantially liquid Adhesive is applied and the insert is inserted into the recess in such a way that the support element covers the bottom surface of the recess touches that the adhesive is then allowed to cure and the upper surface of the organ of consideration and the cured adhesive so assimilates that both one of the spherical surface the bowling ball corresponding curvature, and merge flush with each other. 209853/0093