Abstract:
An autograph board includes a transparent pocket for receiving a sports card. A card inserter/extracting tool is employed to insert or extract the card from the pocket in a manner that does minimal damage to the card and prevents finger prints, smudges and the like. The tool preferably includes a ribbed rib section, a long flat shaft and a hook portion that engages the bottom of the card in a slot between the hook section and the shaft. A tapered writing implement holder snaps onto the rib surrounding the autograph board and preferably mimics the shape of the writing implement that might be used, for example, a ball point pen in the shape of a baseball bat. The autograph board can snap into a frame having a triangular peak and a plurality of indentations which are adapted to engage a nail or similar protrusion in the wall.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part and claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/696,396, filed on Jul. 1, 2005 and entitled “Autograph Board” by Michael Cunningham, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/426,957 filed on Jun. 28, 2006 entitled “Autograph Board” also by Michael Cunningham, the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated in total by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a board for holding a baseball and uncovering same so that it can be autographed. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    It is increasingly important and usually required for professional and semi-professional athletes to devote a portion of their time to signing autographs for fans. 
         [0006]    Prior to this invention a fan would approach a sports athlete and attempt to get an autograph by passing a ball and pen through a group of frantic fans. The athlete must then remove the cap of the pen, awkwardly clutch the pen and ball and attempt a freehand signature on the curved surface. This process usually creates an autograph of poor quality. The athlete must then recap the pen if he remembers what he did with it and attempt to pass the ball and pen back to the same fan. This is frequently a young fan with mustard covered hands. The fan will then attempt to hold the cherished souvenir throughout the sporting event in hands or oiled covered glove. The ball may be dropped on the dirty abrasive concrete or roll down several sections of soda covered rows further blemishing the ball and reducing its quality and value. 
         [0007]    Additionally, some athletes and their signatures may not be well known and fans may forget which athlete signed the ball. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, upon return home if not immediately placed in a display case the ball can be further exposed to fingerprints, dust, chew marks and loss. 
         [0009]    There have been prior art attempts to provide protection for memorabilia such as baseballs and hockey pucks. One is described in US Patent Publication Number US2003/0144094 A1. That publication describes a removable cover for a ball or puck and which includes a window or “autograph opening” through which the athlete can inscribe his or her autograph. A writing implement is attachable to the device by an attachment means. The invention does not appear to provide a support for the ball holder and, in addition, the “autograph opening” means that dust and light can affect the ball over time. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,429 describes an invention in which the sports object itself, for example, a simulated basketball, etc., has a pen receiving hole in it attached to the autographable object by a tether. Obviously, the ball is non-functional given the hole therein. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,136 is of interest in that it describes another ball and pen combination in which the pen is curved and is attachable to the ball by hook and loop material such as Velcro®. 
         [0012]    Japanese Patent JPO 2004 106241A appears to describe another device for holding a ball. A trading card includes a section for writing an autograph and, apparently, a card case also. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. D5,841,878 describes another device for holding a collectable item, for example, a card, with an autograph space and includes multi-media capability, all within a protective housing. 
         [0014]    U.S. Design Pat. No. D357,500 describes a combined pen and holder for a sports ball such as a baseball. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,110 also describes a case for holding an autograph ball. 
         [0016]    Lastly, U.S. Design Pat. No. D498,502 describes yet another device for holding a ball in a display cube. 
         [0017]    Insofar as understood, none of the prior art taken individually or in combination describes a baseball holder or holder for a similar item and which can be presented as a whole to an athlete and provides support for the athlete to properly sign the autograph and which thereafter can be mounted on the wall or set on a table or the like in a truly integrated fashion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    Briefly described, the invention comprises an autograph board for holding and storing an object such as a baseball or the like so that a quality autograph can be obtained and the object safely stored for posterity. The autograph board comprises primarily a flat board section and a spherical ball cover or protection section. In the case of a baseball, the autograph board itself has a shape suggestive of home plate and evocative of baseball images. The ball itself sits in the center of the board and includes a hemispherical shaped ball receiving section having an interior diameter that is approximately the same as the exterior diameter of the ball it holds. This is important because it prevents the ball from rotating while being autographed by the athlete. A front cover is attached to the board by a hinge and is closable to completely seal the ball in the autograph board device. The invention is symmetrical and has a right and left side palm support area so that the athlete can support his or her hand while autographing the ball which is restrained from rotating by the tight fit in the hemispherical ball receiving means located on the backside of the board. An aperture at the top of the board allows the invention to be carried by a handle. This is especially helpful for young children. The rear surface of the board is equipped with slots that can receive supporting legs so that the autograph board can stand up on a table or flat horizontal surface for display purposes. 
         [0019]    According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the autograph board includes a transparent pocket for receiving a sports card. A card inserter/extracting tool is employed to insert or extract the card from the pocket in a manner that does minimal damage to the card and prevents finger prints, smudges and the like. The tool preferably includes a ribbed rib section, a long flat shaft and a hook portion that engages the bottom of the card in a slot between the hook section and the shaft. A tapered writing implement holder snaps onto the rib surrounding the autograph board and preferably mimics the shape of the writing implement that might be, for example, a ball point pen in the shape of a small baseball bat. The autograph board can snap into a frame having a triangular peak and a plurality of indentations which can engage a nail or similar protrusion on a wall. 
         [0020]    These and other features of the invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the autograph board according to one embodiment of the invention shown resting on a tabletop. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the autograph according to the embodiment as seen as in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the autograph board shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the autograph board. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the autograph board. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a right side elevational view of the autograph board with detachable legs resting on a horizontal table surface similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows the autograph board being autographed by an athlete wherein the cover has been rotated backwards and the hand of the athlete rest comfortably on the palm support area while the ball is restrained from rotating by its snug fit within the ball receiving cavity. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates the manner in which the autograph board can be plugged into a shadow box-like frame and hung attractively from a vertical flat surface such as a wall. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the Autograph Board according to the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  illustrates the Autograph Board of  FIG. 9  including a transparent card holding pocket having a card inserter/extracting tool shown therein. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  illustrates the manner in which the card extracting tool is used to remove a card from the transparent pocket. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12A  is a detailed view of the transparent pocket and the card inserter/extracting tool shown in an exploded fashion. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12B  is a cross-sectional view showing a card in the transparent pocket with the tool engaging the lower edge of the card. 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  illustrates the manner in which the card inserter/extracting tool is employed to insert a card into the transparent pocket. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the writing implement holder. 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a frame which can accept the Autograph Board so that it can be mounted on a wall in an attractive manner. 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a back elevational view of the frame shown in  FIG. 16  with a back panel attached. 
           [0038]      FIG. 17A  is also a rear elevational view of the frame invention illustrated in  FIG. 16  except with the back panel removed. 
           [0039]      FIG. 17B  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the manner in which the rib on the Autograph Board pops into a channel in the frame so that the board is held therein in a secure fashion. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0040]    During the course of this description like numbers will be used to identify like elements according to the different figures that illustrate the invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the invention  10  shown resting on a flat horizontal surface  34  such as a table. The invention  10  is intended, in this particular preferred embodiment, to protect a baseball  12  but it could be any other object such as a hockey puck, a tennis ball, softball, etc. The primary parts of the invention  10  comprise a board  14  and a cover 16  connected to the board  14  by a hinge  18 . A handle section  20  is formed by a handle hole  22  at the top of the board  14 . A right palm support area  24 A appears to the right of the cover  16  whereas a left palm support area  24 B appears on the left of the cover  16 . Palm support areas  24 A and  24 B are intended to support the right and left palm of the athlete signing the ball  12 . A team logo area  26  is positioned directly below the cover  16  and is intended for customization. For example, the logo of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, The Chicago Cubs, etc. could be placed at that location. Board  14  includes an edge  28  to which a removable pen clip holder  30  is attachable. Removable pen clip holder  30  is intended to support an ink pen  46  such as shown in  FIG. 7 . Obviously, the pen  46  could be a baseball bat shaped ball point pen or the like. The idea is that the pen  46  is intended to be indelible and of the sort that would make a long lasting and visible autograph  50  such as also shown in  FIG. 7 . The elements  12 - 30  just described are all seen on the front face surface  32  of the invention  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in particular. Part of the novelty of the invention  10  is that the board  14  is suggestive of the sport being honored. In the case of the invention  10 , the board  14  is generally suggestive of home plate. In the case basketball, for example, the board  14  might be circular and in the case of football it might be in the shape of a football. The table surface  34  shown in  FIG. 1  could be a table top, a dresser, a shelf or other similar horizontal surface. 
         [0042]    The rear surface  36  of the board  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In addition, the invention  10  is seen in a top-plan view in  FIG. 4  and in a bottom-plan view in  FIG. 5 . As seen in  FIGS. 3-5 , the rear surface includes a pair of selectively attachable right and left frame supports  38 A and  38 B respectively. Right and left frame supports  38 A and  38 B are receivable in right and left slots  40 A and  40 B. The frame supports  38 A and  38 B might be supplied separately in a package and later inserted into the slots  40 A and  40 B if needed for support. An important part of the invention  10  comprises the hemisphere shaped ball receiving means  42  located on the rear surface  36  of the board  14 . A critical feature of the invention is that the inside diameter of the hemisphere  42  is substantially the same as the outside diameter of the ball  12  so that the ball  12  does not rotate when autographed. Also visible from the rear surface are the back anchors  44  of the hinge  18 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates the invention  10  in the reclining mode in which the supports  38 A and  38 B make contact with the horizontal table surface  34 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  illustrates the manner in which the invention  10  is used. First, the autograph seeker hands the apparatus  10  to the athlete who in turn removes the cover  16  revealing the ball  12 . Second, the athlete then takes the pen  46  in his or her hand  48  and removes it from clip  30 . Third, the athlete rests his or hand  48  on either right or left palm support area  24 A and  24 B, thereby giving the athlete the optimum support while he or she autographs the ball  12  with an autograph  50  which is optimally legible and done with a pen  46  having indelible, black or blue ink. Fourth, when finished, the athlete gives the invention  10  back to the autograph seeker who permanently closes the cover  16  and replaces the pen  46  in the pen holder clip  30 . Fifth, the autograph seeker might then also write in some details of the encounter on the label  54  as shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, it might read, “Baseball signed by Sammy Slugger on Jun. 18, 2006, when he pitched a no-hitter against the New York Yankees. Witnessed, Alfred Autograph Hunter”. 
         [0045]    According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the entire invention  10  may be pressed into a deep shadow box type frame  52  and hung on a wall or similar surface. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates the preferred embodiment  100  of the invention shown sitting on a flat surface  34 . Like the embodiment  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment  100  includes a baseball or similar sports object  12 , a transparent shell  16 , a handle  20  and an aperture  22 . The autograph board  102 , however, differs from the autograph board  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in that it does not include a right and left palm support area  24 A and  24 B. Instead the surface of autograph board  102  is relatively flat. Also shown attached to autograph board  102  is a writing implement clip  104  and a writing implement  106  such as a ball point pen, having the general shape of a small baseball bat. The clip  104  engages the rib  134  that surrounds the periphery of board  102  in a manner shown in further detail in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 10 , the preferred embodiment  100  is shown to include a transparent pocket  110  and a card inserting/extracting tool  112 . The card inserting/extracting tool  112  includes a flexible grip section  116  having a plurality of ribs so that it can be easily grasped. A flat shaft is connected at a first end to the grip section  116  and a hook section  120  is attached to the second end of the shaft  118 . As seen in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the tool  112  preferably comprises a single piece of transparent material and hook section  120  preferably comprises the same material folded over onto itself so as to form a cavity or card receiving slot therein for engaging the bottom edge of the sports card  114 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  illustrates the manner in which an individual  48  can use the tool  112  to extract a card  114  from the pocket  110 . Initially the card  114  is fully received in pocket  110  as seen in cross-section in  FIG. 12B . The user  48  simply grips the flexible tab  116  and pulls it out in the direction of arrow  122  thereby causing the card  114  to withdraw from pocket  110  because its bottom edge is engaged in the slot of hook section  120  of the tool  112 . The advantage of tool  112  is apparent in that the user  48  has minimal contact with the graphic surface of card  114 . Frequently the card  114  might comprise a baseball card or the like which is autographed by a famous sports figure. In that case it is important that the condition of the card  114  remains pristine and that the individual  48  makes minimal or no contact with the card at any time. The tool  112  helps facilitate this preferred practice. 
         [0049]      FIG. 13 , conversely, illustrates the manner in which the tool  112  is used to insert a card  114  into the pocket  110 . The user  48  merely places the card  114  in the slot or grove of the hook section  120  of tool  112  and, using the flexible grip  116 , pushes the tool  112  and card  114  into the transparent pocket  110  in the direction of arrow  126 . In this manner the user  48  again has minimal contact with the surface of the card  114  thereby insuring the card&#39;s lack of contamination or adulteration. 
         [0050]      FIG. 14  illustrates the preferred embodiment of a writing implement clip  104  that attaches onto the rib  138  of the board  102  as previously described with regard to  FIG. 9 . Clip  104  includes a pair of resilient legs  130 A and  130 B which straddles the rib  134  to hold the clip  104  in place. A resilient leg extension  130 C provides the clip  104  with additional stability. Legs  130 A and  103 B are resilient so that they can snap on and snap off of rib  134  easily. A pair of arms  128 A and  128 B defines a channel  132  for receiving the writing implement  106  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Because the writing implement  106  is shown in the form of a small baseball bat, the channel  132  is tapered from front to back so as to provide a snug fit for the writing implement  106 . The writing implement  106  may be easily removed from the clip  104  by pulling upward thereon. In this manner the sports figure can sign the card  114  and then the writing implement  106  can be returned to its hold clip  104  for secure storage. Clip  104  is preferably made of a resilient plastic or rubber like material. 
         [0051]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment  200  of a frame device used to mount the autograph board  100  on a wall or similar vertical surface. Frame  200  includes a triangular peak section  202  and a relatively square base section  204 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 16  is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment  200  of the frame shown with its back panel  208  attached thereto. The triangular peak  202  of the frame includes a hanger or nail hanging section  206  including a plurality of indentations  206 A,  206 B and  206 C so that the frame  200  can be properly positioned on a nail or the like. 
         [0053]      FIG. 17A  is also a rear elevational view of the frame  200  similar to that shown in  FIG. 16  except with the back panel  208  removed. In this view the handle section  20 , aperture  22  and frame stand slots  40 A and  40 B are visible. 
         [0054]      FIG. 17B  illustrates the manner in which the rib  136  surrounding the board  200  snaps into a groove  210  in the frame  200 . In this manner the board  200  can be easily inserted into the frame  200  and/or removed as necessary. The frame  200  also serves to provide a buffer around the board  100  and to further insure the security of the card  114  and the sports object  12 . 
         [0055]    In summary, the invention  100  provides a number of advantages over the prior art. 
         [0056]    First, it permits a sport card collector safely insert or remove an autographed card from a protective transparent pocket so that the card doesn&#39;t get touched or spoiled by fingerprints. The transparent pocket may be made from a UV protective plastic and the board  102  preferably is acid free. Second, the writing implement clip allows the user to hold a pen or the like adjacent to the board where it can be readily remove by the sports figure so that the sports object can be signed. Third, an attractive, wall mountable frame allows the board to be readily snapped in and protected in the back by a panel that keeps dust and contaminants out. 
         [0057]    In conclusion, the autograph board  100  invention provides a number of important advantages over the prior art. 
         [0058]    While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those with ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made to the parts that comprise the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as a whole.