GB2596303A

GB2596303A - Ball marking device

Info

Publication number: GB2596303A
Application number: GB2009547.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Townsend David
Original assignee: Claparo Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Claparo Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-23
Filing date: 2020-06-23
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Also published as: GB202009547D0

Abstract

A ball marking device 10 comprises first 16 and second 14 sections. The first section having marking means 48 and the second section having a receiving area. The first and second sections being movable towards one-another. The device may be operated as a handheld device. The receiving area may have alignment means 26a/b which may be ribs. The receiving area may be concave. The marking means may be removable and interchangeable. The first and second section may be hinged together. The device may have a third or more sections each having a marking means. In another embodiment the device is a tennis ball marking device where the marking means is a ink block.

Description

BALL MARKING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a ball marking device and particularly but not exclusively to a tennis ball marking device

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Tennis balls are known to deteriorate with use, and in a professional match, for example, tennis balls are replaced with new balls throughout. Professional players generally hit the ball harder than amateur players, which increases the rate of compression of the ball when it hits the ground, thus degrading the bounce of the ball more quickly. Replacement of the balls during a match ensures that the players are using consistently good balls with similar properties, thus not giving either player an advantage to their style of play.

Balls used in professional tournaments are still regarded as good quality and are generally sold off for amateur play, since the bounce quality is good enough for most players.

The air pressure inside a tennis ball also reduces over time, thus also reducing bounce height. Hence, even some amateur players like to start a match with a new tube of balls. There is therefore an advantage in knowing when a ball is first used on court.

It is not unreasonable to pay say £2 per ball, and so if balls are replaced for each match, the cost of balls can quickly build, even for an amateur player.

VVhen playing tennis at a tennis club, tennis balls being used on adjacent courts often get mixed up and it is difficult to tell at first glance, whose ball belongs to who. Many balls can be in use at a time, and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to quickly distinguish between the balls. If a brand new ball is suddenly replaced accidentally with a much older ball, this can spoil the match play and can lead to more expense as the ball is replaced.

It has been known to try and mark tennis balls for many years to try and mitigate these problems. For example, as early as 1924 a ball stencil was proposed in GB 217435, to assist in the marking of a tennis ball. As time has progressed, various heated devices have been proposed to burn a mark on a ball. However, this is considered undesirable, because it can marginally change the properties of the ball. Spring loaded marking devices have also been proposed, as has the simple use of pen. However, the application of the inks has been found to be unreliable and wears off quickly in use.

Ink from pens can also be transferred onto the hands and clothing, making for an unpleasant experience.

Until now there has not been a device which can safely, consistently and cleanly mark a tennis ball, without affecting the ball itself.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the broadest aspect of the present invention there is provided a ball marking device comprising first and second sections, the first section having marking means for delivering a liquid or gel onto the surface of a ball, the first and second sections being movable towards one-another, and the second section having a receiving area for the ball.

The receiving area may serve to assist in restraining the ball as it is marked, for example, in a desired position relative to the marking means.

Advantageously, the marking means can deliver any indicia, for example, lettering, logo or emoji onto the surface of a ball.

The device may be operated handheld or on a worksurface.

The receiving area may include ball alignment means for positioning balls in the same position in the device for consistent marking. It may be concave.

The marking means may be removable and interchangeable with another marking means The first section may be hinged to the lower section.

A third or more sections, each carrying a marking means may be provided for enabling additional or optional indicia to be marked on a ball. For example, different letters of a word may be carried by different marking means on different sections, all movable relative to the second section.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a tennis ball marking device comprising a lower section with a concave receiving area for receiving a tennis ball, an upper section, and an ink block, the ink block being removably mounted to the upper section for enabling replacement with an alternative ink block, and the upper section being movable towards the lower section for marking a tennis ball positioned in the lower section by the ink block.

The ink block is to be construed broadly as a device for marking with any suitable liquid or semi-solid, for example an ink, dye, paint or a gel.

The concave receiving area ensures that a tennis ball placed in the lower section is held in a predetermined position relative to the position of the ink block for consistent marking of balls.

The upper section may be pivotally mounted to the lower section about a pivotal axis.

A rubber element may extend across the pivotal axis.

The rubber element may form part of the hinge between the upper and lower sections, and acts in the manner of a spring. The rubber element holds the upper section in an open position relative to the lower section. When the upper section is moved towards the lower section by hand, the rubber element provides resistance to the movement and helps to control the movement of the upper section and ink block. Once a ball has been marked, then if the upper section is released, the rubber element biases the upper element back to the open position from the stamping or closed position.

At least part of the lower section may be shaped with a curve which matches at least part of the seam line of a standard tennis ball. The seam on a tennis ball divides the ball into two equal portions and substantially describes a line of four continuous semicircles. The edge of the lower section may be substantially semi-circular and the sides may be at least part semi-circular. In this way, the seam of a tennis ball can be aligned with the edges of the lower section, thereby ensuring that the stamp is in the same position on each ball, and also sits substantially centrally within one of the semi-circular parts of the seam. Alternatively, the ball may be marked on the seam itself One or more internal ribs may be disposed on an inner surface of the lower section. The ribs assist in holding the tennis ball in a desired position in the device. The tennis ball may be slightly depressed onto the ribs in use, ie there may be some minor deflection, and this takes up any minor variance in size between balls.

The ink block may comprise an ink well and a nib.

The nib may be made from felt. The felt may be natural or synthetic.

The nib may be retained on the ink block by a retaining ring. The retaining ring may be removable.

The ink block may be engaged by a resilient part of the upper section. The ink block may be changeable.

The upper section may include an ink block receiving area including a pair of arms.

The ink block receiving area may include locating and engaging means for the ink block.

For example, the ink block may include a channel and the arms may include an internal rib, the rib engaging in the channel for holding the ink block in a fixed position relative to the upper section.

The internal rib may extend continuously between the arms for additional strength.

The arms may be resilient. In other words, the arms may apply some inward pressure to the ink block, when located between the arms, to hold it in position.

In an alternative arrangement, the channel may be on the arms and the rib on the ink block.

The ink block may be substantially cylindrical. An image of the nib may be affixed to the upper end of the ink block, opposed to the nib, in the same orientation as the nib, facilitating alignment of the ink block prior to use.

Features from the different aspects of the invention may be combined in whole or in part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tennis ball marking device of the invention with a tennis ball inserted and aligned; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 with a tennis ball being marked; Figure 3 shows a perspective rear view of the device of Figure 1, with the inking head being removed; Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show examples of different nibs; Figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view from the front of the device of Figure 1 with the ink block removed; Figure 5 shows a rear view of the device of Figure 1 in the open position; Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view through the device of Figure 1 from the side; and Figure 7 shows a lateral cross-sectional view through the device showing the central hinge point.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a tennis ball marking device is indicated generally at 10. The device 10 is shown in the open position with a tennis ball 12 sitting in the device prior to being marked.

The device 10 includes a lower section 14 and an upper section 16. The upper section 16 is movable relative to the lower section 14. The terms upper and lower are not intended to be limiting, since the device can be operated handheld, although as described below, the device can be used on a surface, with the lower section 14 resting on the surface.

Referring also to Figure 4, the lower section 14 is manufactured in two parts, a first part 18 and a second part 20. The first and second parts 18, 20 are symmetrical and have a flat base 22a, 22b connected to sidewalls 24a, 24b. The sidewalls 24a, 24b each include a pair of internal ribs 26a, 26b, which guide and hold the tennis ball 12 placed in the device 10. The ribs 26a, 26b are most clearly seen in Figure 7. The sidewalls 24a, 24b combine to make a continuous peripheral wall around the base 22a, 22b. Arms 28a, 28b extend upwardly from the rear of the sidewalls 24a, 24b, and opposing pivot pins 30a, 30b extend inwardly from the arms 28a, 28b.

An inner ball mount 32 is mounted inside the lower section 14, which extends above the upper edge of the sidewall 24a, 24b at the rear. The inner ball mount 32 is a concave tray with a curvature which matches the external circumference of the tennis ball 12. The sidewalls 24a, 24b, curve outwards from the centre of the lower section 14, also to match the curvature of a tennis ball.

The upper section 16 hinges to the lower section 14. The upper section 16 includes a C-shaped upper area 34, which can be seen most clearly in Figure 5. Referring also to Figure 6, a rib 36 extends around the inside of the C-shaped area 34. The rib 36 engages with a marking means, for example, an ink block as described below. The C-shaped area includes a pair of arms. The arms extend from their distal ends downwardly into a rear region 38. The rear region extends into side regions 40a, 40b. Circular bosses 42a, 42b with central apertures are mounted to the lower end of the rear region 38, on either side. The bosses engage with the pivot pins 30a, 30b respectively, for hinging the upper section 16 to the lower section 14.

A rubber element 44 is attached to the rear region 38 of the upper section 16, between the bosses 42a, 42b, preferably by over-moulding. The over-moulding 44 overlaps part of the rear region 38, on the inside as shown in Figure 6. The rubber element 44 extends downwardly into the lower section and affixes to the rear of the inner ball mount 32. A pair of apertures 46a, 46b are provided in the lower end of the rubber element 33, which sit over and engage on a pair of pins on the inner ball mount 32. VVhen the inner ball mount 32 is clipped into the first and second parts of the lower section 14, the rubber element is sandwiched between them, which prevents movement of the rubber element off the pins.

The rubber element 44 serves as a spring, which biases the upper section 16 into the open position and holds it there.

Referring also to Figures 3, 3A, 3B and 3C, an ink block 48 is indicated generally at 48. The ink block 48 includes a hollow housing 50 for holding a marking liquid or semi-solid, such as ink, dye, paint or gel, and a felt nib 52. The felt nib 52 is made from felt, for example, of natural or synthetic fibres. The ink or other liquid or semi-solid may be matched to the density of the felt in the nib, as well known in the art. A bezel 54 holds the nib 52 onto the housing. The bezel may be a screw fit or a push fit, and may be fixed, or removable enabling changing of the nib and replenishment of ink.

The ink block 48 is substantially cylindrical, and includes a circumferential groove 51, which slides onto and engages with the rib 36 inside the C-shaped area of the upper section.

The nib 52 may include any indicia, for example, letters, initials, a logo, icon or club name. Examples of indicia are shown in Figures 3A to 30, indicated at 52a, 52b and 52c. As shown in Figure 3, the indicia may be also shown on the top of the ink block in the same orientation, to facilitate positioning of the ink block 48 in the C-shaped area 34.

In use, the device 10 can be placed on a table or other surface, because the underside of the base is flat. Alternatively, the device 10 may be operated handheld. The rubber element 44 biases the upper section 16 to the open position, as shown in Figure 1, and a tennis ball 12 is placed into the lower section. A seam 54 of the tennis ball 12 can be aligned with the radius at the front lip of the sidewall 24a, 24b, since the radii are similar. Furthermore, a visual line in the sidewalls 24a, 24b on either side, where the sidewall curves outwardly, can also be aligned with the seam 54. This enables positioning of the ball in an exact position for stamping, with the ink block 48 positioned directly over clear fabric of the ball, spaced neatly and equally between parts of the seam 54.

The ink block 48 and upper section 16 can then be pressed downwardly by hand towards the ball and lower section 14, against the bias of the rubber element 44, until the nib contacts and marks the ball with ink from the nib, as shown in Figure 2. When pressure from the hand is removed the upper section 16 and ink block 48 slowly move away from the ball 12 and lower section 14. The ball 12 can then be removed and another ball inserted for marking. If the device 10 is operated handheld, then the upper and lower sections are effectively pressed together against the bias of the rubber element 44.

The nib does not approach the ball 12 perpendicular to a tangent of the ball, but rather approaches at a slight angle away due to the hinged arrangement of the upper and lower sections 16,14. This has been found to deliver the ink effectively onto the surface of the ball 12. The angle is only a few degrees and is not so great as to blur the indicia being marked.

It will be appreciated that device enables consistent marking of tennis balls in the same position on each ball, with indicia of choice. The device will enable clubs and individuals to mark their balls without the detrimental effects of marking with pens or heat devices, and enabling mixed balls to be separated back to their respective owners. In another embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the device may be extended to mark a plurality of balls at the same time, for example, 2,3 or 4 balls. In other words, the receiving area may be adapted for a plurality of balls and the marking means extended to mark all of the balls in the receiving area. In a yet further embodiment, the first section may effectively include additional sections, each carrying marking means and each movable relative to the lower section and ball(s). This may be useful for marking a date for example, where the day requires a daily change, but the month and year may stay the same for a month In a further embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the ball is marked on the seam, for example, with a colour. This colour could be matched to a coloured sticker, or other coloured element, for example, to enable someone to show another person that a ball is theirs, effectively by colour matching.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A ball marking device comprising first and second sections, the first section having marking means for delivering a liquid or gel onto the surface of a ball, the first and second sections being movable towards one-another, and the second section having a receiving area for the ball.
2. A ball marking device as claimed in claim 1, in which the device can be operated handheld.
3. A ball marking device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the receiving area may include ball alignment means for positioning balls in the same position in the device for consistent marking.
4. A ball marking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the receiving area is concave.
5. A ball marking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the marking means is removable and interchangeable with another marking means.
6. A ball marking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first section may be hinged to the lower section.
7. A ball marking device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a third or more sections, each carrying a marking means is provided for enabling additional or optional indicia to be marked on a ball.
8. A tennis ball marking device comprising a lower section with a concave receiving area for receiving a tennis ball, an upper section, and an ink block, the ink block being removably mounted to the upper section for enabling replacement with an alternative ink block, and the upper section being movable towards the lower section for marking a tennis ball positioned in the lower section by the ink block.
9. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in claim 8, in which the upper section is pivotally mounted to the lower section about a pivotal axis.
10. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which a rubber element extends across the pivotal axis.
11. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which at least part of the lower section is shaped with a curve which matches at least part of the seam line of a standard tennis ball.
12. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, in which one or more internal ribs are disposed on an inner surface of the lower section.
13. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, in which the ink block comprises an ink well and a nib.
14. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in claim 13, in which the nib is made from felt.
15. A tennis ball marking device as darned in claim 14, in which the nib is retained on the ink block by a retaining ring.
16. A tennis ball marling device as claimed in claim 15, in which the retaining ring is removable.
17. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 16, in which the ink block is engaged with part of the upper section.
18. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 17, in which the upper section includes an ink block receiving area including a pair of arms.
19. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in claim 18, in which the ink block includes a channel and the arms include an internal rib, the rib engaging in the channel for holding the ink block in a fixed position relative to the upper section.
20. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in claim 18 or 19, in which the arms are resilient.
21. A tennis ball marking device as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 20, in which the ink block is substantially cylindrical.