Abstract:
This invention provides a device for the workplace, which supports communication while providing entertainment and supporting communication between one or more users. The present invention provides a spherical structure wherein a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber can be separated to reveal an internal writing surface. A user can then record a written message on this writing surface. The first hemispherical chamber and the second hemispherical chamber can then be joined again. Once closed, the spherical structure can be tossed, or alternately reopened to expose the writing surface. This provides one or more users with a way to communicate.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/801,595 filed May 18, 2006, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a spherical structure with at least one writing surface embedded therein. The spherical structure may be used as a toy, in the workplace and in a school as a communication tool. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently, there are many communication tools that are used as toys, in a workplace and in schools. For instance, video conferencing, telephone conferencing, Powerpoint Presentations, and email are common forms of communication that is used. For simple communications, instant messaging or “sticky notes” are often used. 
         [0004]    In many forms of communication it is desirable to provide a fun element to the communication method. Thus toys can be used in the workplace. Ball structures for instance, are used in the workplace to provide a physical outlet for the release of tension. Email messages and Powerpoint Presentations may be adorned with decorative indicia for capturing the attention of the audience. In other instances 3D images are used to creatively communicate a message. 
         [0005]    While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, it is a long felt need in a workplace and teaching environment to provide a communication device that can also be used in a creative or playful manner amongst one or more users. 
         [0006]    Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a device and method for sending a message. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the device, among others, can be implemented as follows. The device includes a first hemispherical chamber. A second hemispherical chamber engages with the first hemispherical chamber. A first writing surface is embedded within the first hemispherical chamber. 
         [0008]    The present invention can also be viewed as providing methods for sending a message. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing a spherical structure having a first writing surface embedded therein; passing the spherical structure to one or more users; opening the spherical structure; reading the message on the writing surface in the spherical structure. 
         [0009]    Other devices, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional device, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a spherical structure in an open position, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the spherical structure of  FIG. 3  in a closed position, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a spherical structure, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber, in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the spherical structure shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The spherical structure includes a first hemispherical chamber  100 . A second hemispherical chamber  110  is engageable with the first hemispherical chamber  100  A first writing surface  105  is embedded within a ridge  125  in the first hemispherical chamber  100 . The first writing surface  105  may be used to write a message to one or more users. The writing surface  105  may be a white board in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0021]    The first hemispherical chamber  100  may also have a mechanical fastener  115  in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment. The mechanical fastener  115  is used in the first exemplary embodiment to engage the first hemispherical chamber  100  with the second hemispherical chamber  110 . Mechanical fastener  115  may be any type of mechanical fastener  115  known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to captive fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, quick connect fasteners, retaining rings, snap rings, snap fasteners, threaded assemblies, zippers, catches, compression latches, draw latches, spring latches, and hinges. The first hemispherical chamber  100  and the second hemispherical chamber  110  may remain in contact when disengaged or may be entirely separable, depending on the choice of mechanical fastener(s). 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber. In this embodiment the first hemispherical chamber  100  is shown with a ridge  125  embedding the first writing surface  105  in the first hemispherical chamber  100 . The first hemispherical chamber  100  is engaged to the second hemispherical chamber  110  with the mechanical fastener  1   15 . The first writing surface  105  may be any size or shape that will fit into the first hemispherical chamber  100 . For instance the first writing surface  105  may be, from the top view, in the shape of a circle, a rectangle, a square or a triangle. In addition the first writing surface  105  may be embedded within a large portion of the top surface of the first hemispherical chamber  100  or may be only partially embedded within the top surface of the first hemispherical chamber  100 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a spherical structure in an open position, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a first hemispherical chamber  200  and a second hemispherical chamber  210  are shown. A first writing surface  205  is embedded in the first hemispherical chamber  200  and a second writing surface  220  is embedded in the second hemispherical surface  210 . A first ridge  225  and a second ridge  226  secure the first writing surface  205  and the second writing surface  220 , respectively, in their embedded positions. A mechanical fastener  215  is provided to engage the first hemispherical structure  200  to the second hemispherical structure  210 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the spherical structure  230  of  FIG. 3  in a closed position, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The first hemispherical chamber  200  and the second hemispherical chamber  210  are engaged in a closed position to form the spherical structure  230 . The spherical structure  230  may be used as a communication tool in the work place, as a teaching instrument, as a toy as well as other uses that would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For instance a user may write a message on the first writing surface  205  in the first hemispherical chamber  200 . In accordance with this embodiment, the user may bounce the spherical structure  230  or throw the spherical structure  230  to one or more users for conveying a message. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  also shows an outer shell  235  of the first hemispherical chamber  200  and the second hemispherical chamber  210 . The outer shell  235  may be made of any material that is safe for a user to handle. For instance, the outer shell  235  may be made of an elastomer, rubber, plastic or any soft fabric that may be handled by a user. For instance thermoplastic elastomers, polymers, open cell foam, closed cell foam and granular materials may be used to form the outer shell  235  of the present invention. The outer shell  235  may also be made of any number of plastic materials, including but not limited to low, medium and high density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methyl acrylic acid, ethylene vinyl alcohol, surlyn, nylon, polypropylene, polystryrene, polyurethane, polyester and combinations thereof. 
         [0026]    The outer shell  235  may also have any number of desired designs and labels may be embedded therein. For instance one or more message indicia may be included in order to satisfy marketing and labeling needs and requirements. When desired one or more or any such design or label can be itself substantially transparent, and the message indicia opaque or translucent or contrasting in order to be visible to the user. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The first hemispherical chamber  300  is shown in the third exemplary embodiment with a ridge  325  securing a first writing surface  305  embedded in the first hemispherical chamber  300  and a ridge  326  securing a second writing surface  320  embedded in a second hemispherical chamber  310 . In addition, a plurality of first patches  340  are integral with the first hemispherical chamber  300  and a plurality of second patches  341  are integral with second hemispherical chamber  310 . The plurality of first patches  340  and the plurality of second patches  341  are engageable for closing the first hemispherical chamber  300  on the second hemispherical chamber  310 . A plurality of first patches  340  and a plurality of second patches  341 , for instance, may be hook and loop fabric fasteners, such as Velcro fasteners, or a reusable adhesive material. The patches  340 ,  341  may also be embodied by at least one magnet on one hemispherical chamber and at least one magnet and/or a piece of metal or ferromagnetic material that may be engaged by a magnet. Also, while the patches  340 ,  341  are shown on a periphery of the hemispherical chambers  300 ,  310 , the patches  340 ,  341  may be within a middle portion of a surface of the hemispherical chambers  300 ,  310  and/or beneath a surface of the hemispherical chambers  300 ,  310 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a spherical structure, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The first hemispherical chamber  400  includes a first writing surface  405  and a stem  445 . In this embodiment, the stem  445  extends through the first writing surface  405 , which is embedded in the first hemispherical chamber  400  and secured with a ridge  425 . A receiving portion  446  may be provided in a second hemispherical chamber  410 . The stem  445  may be engageable with the receiving portion  446  and, thus, used to engage the first hemispherical chamber  400  with the second hemispherical chamber  410 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber and a second hemispherical chamber, in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The first hemispherical chamber  500  includes a plurality of patches  540  for engaging with a plurality of patches  541  on a second hemispherical chamber  510 . A notepad  550  is placed in the first hemispherical chamber  500 , such that a user may pass notes in the first hemispherical chamber  500 . The notepad  550  may be adhesively attached or placed in an embedded notepad holder in the first hemispherical chamber  500 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a first hemispherical chamber  600  and a second hemispherical chamber  610 , in accordance with the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with the sixth exemplary embodiment, the first hemispherical chamber  600  includes a first writing surface  605  embedded therein. The second hemispherical chamber  610  is shown engaged to the first hemispherical chamber  600  through a mechanical fastener  615 . In this embodiment, the second hemispherical chamber  610  has a writing utensil port  655  and an eraser port  660  for attaching a writing utensil and an eraser for ease of writing and erasing on the first writing surface  605  by one or more users. 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart  700  illustrating a method of using the spherical structure of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the present invention in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present invention. 
         [0032]    As is shown by block  702 , a spherical structure is provided having a first writing surface embedded therein. A message is written on the first writing surface (block  704 ). According to the method described, a user may write notes in a spherical structure for personal use. For instance, a user may write phone numbers, reminder notes or short messages on a writing surface or notepad in a spherical structure in accordance with the method described herein. In these embodiments, a single user may use a spherical structure for taking notes at a desk. 
         [0033]    Additionally, according the method described, a first message may be conveyed to one or more users by throwing, passing, rolling or bouncing a spherical structure with a first message therein. In one embodiment a second message may be written in a spherical structure and conveyed to one or more users. One or more opening and closing mechanisms are provided for ease of writing and retrieval of a message in a spherical structure. 
         [0034]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.