Patent ID: 6418843
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: B41F,Y10S

Abstract:
An element for positioning a ball to allow an image to be imprinted on an outer spherical surface thereof by a printing process requiring a predetermined area defined by the outer spherical surface of said ball to remain unobstructed during the printing process, said element including a head portion and a shaft portion extending from said head portion, said head portion defining a generally curved inner surface extending thereacross and generally corresponding to a segment on the outer spherical surface of said ball, with said head portion defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced wings for positioning and supporting a ball engaged thereby for rotation about the axis of said shaft portion, and wherein said wings define a surface of revolution when said element is rotated, with said surface of revolution defined by said wings upon rotation of said element extending into and across said predetermined area required for printing, and whereby said head portion of said element is configured between said wings to engage, position and support the ball while remaining functionally removed from said predetermined area required for imprinting said image on the outer surface of said ball.