Abstract:
The present invention provides a resurfacing ball container for repeated removal of dirty, used or damaged surfaces from a plurality of India rubber type bounce balls. The resurfacing ball container also allows for easy transport and storage of balls during periods of non-use. The resurfacing ball container includes a cylinder with a lid and an abrasive surface rotating within the cylinder for resurfacing the contained balls.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is generally directed towards a container for balls and more specifically to a ball cleaning container presenting an abrasive element to clean lacrosse balls. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    India rubber balls, also known as lacrosse balls, become worn, damaged or dirty with use or with time, since these balls are played with outside on grass or dirt fields where the surface of the ball may come into contact with the field or another player&#39;s stick. These worn, damaged or dirty balls can create drag or unexpected reactions from the ball during competition or practice, resulting in less than ideal conditions. 
         [0003]    The unevenly worn, scratched or dirty ball makes it difficult for an individual, player or team to use his/her/their skills due to its unpredictable and irregular spin or flight. In addition, players require a certain “grip,” which worn, damaged or dirty balls do not have. Over time, the grip wears off and the balls become slippery or “greasy,” making them difficult to play with and, therefore, frustrating players. An individual, player, or team has less control of a slippery ball and, therefore, is less effective in shooting and passing. Consequently, the worn or damaged ball reduces the joy in the game and exerts a great adverse influence on the score of the game. Therefore, in order to remove the damaged, worn or dirty ball and to restore the correct texture to the outer surface of the ball, the surface should be periodically replaced. 
         [0004]    With the number of balls required during practice and games, replacing the balls every time they get dirty, worn or damaged can be expensive for many individuals, players or teams. Some individuals currently address this issue by scratching balls on the pavement or roughening the ball outer surface with a loose sheet of sandpaper, one at a time. 
         [0005]    Currently, most individuals, players or teams purchase new balls to overcome these concerns. However, resurfacing the outer surface of a ball can restore the worn, damaged or dirty ball to a like-new condition with proper grip, allowing an individual, player or team to maximize his/her/their playing potential. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An embodiment of the invention includes a container with the resealable lid for easy storage and transport of the balls, the container including an abrasive surface which is positioned for contact with the plurality of ball outer surfaces to generate agitation and apply resurfacing action to the balls to resurface the balls. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the abrasive surface is a spinning disc which rotates according to a tool in communication with a rotational member. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the abrasive surface is an abrasive sidewall associated with a sidewall on the container. 
         [0009]    Various objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. 
         [0010]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a resurfacing ball container for use in the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a detailed top view of an embodiment of a lid in connection with the resurfacing ball container depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a cross section view of an embodiment of the resurfacing ball container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded upper view of the ball resurfacing container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partially exploded lower view of the ball resurfacing container of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0017]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2B , a resurfacing ball container  10  is presented with a container  20 , a lid  12  and a rotational member  40  extending therebetween. Although other containers may be utilized, in  FIG. 1 , the illustrated container  20  is generally cylindrical defined by a circular bottom  48  with a sidewall  22  extending along the perimeter and upwardly therefrom. The rotational member  40  includes a shaped end  44  opposite a threaded end  42 , the shaped end  44  being adapted for rotation by a power source (not shown), such as but not limited to a power tool, an electronic driver or a hand drill. Alternatively, the rotational member  40  may be manually rotated. In the illustration of  FIG. 1  the shaped end  44  is adapted for rotational movement during receipt by a rotating drill chuck (not shown). The shaped end  44  extends outwardly from the container  20  through the lid  12 . The threaded end  42  extends towards the circular bottom  48  and is generally accessible through a passage  50  located along the circular bottom  48 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  shows an upper guide  14  located in association with the lid  12 , the upper guide  14  is illustrated as being mechanically fastened to the underside of the lid  12 . The upper guide  14  further includes a guide receiver  16  in communication with a complementary upper aperture  18  associated with the lid  12  for receipt of the rotational member  40 . The upper guide receiver  16  has sufficient diameter to receive the rotational member  40  which has a diameter of less than ⅜″ in one embodiment. The upper guide receiver  16  is in communication with a lower guide receiver  32  and is adapted for receipt and vertical alignment of the rotational member  40 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2B  shows the resurfacing ball container  10  in receipt of a plurality of balls  2  each having an outer surface, the rotational member  40  extending vertically from the lid  12  towards the bottom  48 . The upper guide  14  operates in cooperation with a lower guide  30  to align the rotational member  40  with the passage  50 . In addition, the resurfacing ball container  10  may include a plurality of abrasive layers including, but not limited to, an abrasive sidewall  26  and an abrasive disk  28 , which work in cooperation with each other for abrading the outer ball surfaces. 
         [0020]    As illustrated, the upper guide  14  is located on the underside of the lid  12  and is of sufficient dimension and shape to present the upper guide receiver  16  for alignment of the rotational member  40 . Alternatively, the upper guide  14  may be located above the lid or as otherwise desired, including integrated into the lid  12  itself. In addition, the upper guide  14  includes fasteners which limit unwanted rotation of the upper guide  14  during operation. Alternatively, the upper guide  14  may have sufficient size and shape for securing to the interior sidewall  22  of the cylinder  20 . 
         [0021]    During operation, the resurfacing ball container  10  abrades the outer ball surface without changing the operable shape or functional size of the ball so the ball  2  is still within the appropriate dimensions for play. In addition, the container  20  allows for receipt of multiple balls  2 , which can be sealed with the lid  12  so that multiple balls  2  can be simultaneously resurfaced. Generally, the rotational member  40  is vertically centered within the container  20  by the upper guide  14  and lower guide  30 , the rotational member  40  being in communication with the power source at the shaped end  44  of the rotational member  40 . The abrasive disc  28  in contact with the balls  2  rotates with the rotational member  40 , providing distributed and continuous motion to the outer ball surface. As the abrasive disc  28  rotates, kinetic energy is transferred to the balls  2 , causing the balls  2  to become excited and bounce upwardly, off the rotating disc  28 , the abrasive layer  26  and other surrounding balls  2 . The movement of the balls  2  along the abrasive surfaces presents a fresh outer ball surface with a minimum of time and effort. 
         [0022]    The container  20  with the resealable lid  12  and optional handle (not shown) allows for easy storage and transport of the balls  2 . Additionally, the container  20  may be used remotely through the use of cordless, battery operated power sources including, but not limited to cordless drills. During operation, the container  20  receives the lid  12  which, when sealed, limits potential injuries and maintains the balls  2  in proximity with the abrasive surfaces, including the rotating abrasive disc  28 . Through operation, the rotating abrasive disc  28  provides contact with the plurality of ball outer surfaces, thereby returning them to an acceptable playing condition. A second abrasive surface, an abrasive strip or layer  26  may be provided along the interior of the cylinder sidewall  22  to generate agitation and apply resurfacing action to the balls  2 , the abrasive sidewall surface  26  adding to the agitation action to resurface the outer ball surfaces. The illustrated abrasive surfaces include the abrasive disc  28  and the abrasive sidewall  26 . While the resurfacing ball container  10  does not necessarily require both, when both are present, they are configured to work complementary with each other to expedite and promote resurfacing of the ball  2  in comparison to a single abrasive surface. 
         [0023]    In operation, the cylinder  20  receives the rotational member  40  which is aligned with the upper and lower guides  14 ,  30 . The abrasive disc  28  is located along a shaft  41  of the rotational member  40  between the shaped end  44  and the threaded end  42 , the rotational member  40  being operationally adapted for rotation of the abrasive disc  28  in communication with the power source (not shown). The plurality of balls  2  are placed within the cylinder  20  for contact with the abrasive disc  28 , which is located between the upper and lower guides  14 ,  30 . After receipt by the container  20  of the balls  2  and before operation of the power source, the lid  12  is sealed onto the container  20 . After applying the power source (not shown) to the shaped end  44 , the abrasive disc  28  is rotated, transferring kinetic energy from the power source to the balls  2  through the rotational member  40  and abrasive disc  28 . As the balls  2  receive the kinetic energy from the power source, the balls  2  become agitated and move from the abrasive disc  28  up and down, bouncing off each other and along the cylinder sidewall  22 , traversing the abrasive disc  28  while each dirty, worn or damaged outer ball surface is reshaped and resurfaced to an acceptable playing condition. 
         [0024]    The abrasive disc  28  may be further mounted on the rotating member by using a radial fastener  36  (also shown in  FIG. 3 ) above and below the abrasive disc  28 , the fasteners working together and, in one embodiment, in combination with a plurality of circular members  56 , clamp the abrasive disc  28  for rotation by the rotating member  40 . The lower guide  30  is further illustrated with a pair of downwardly depending sidewall mounts  31  to help secure the guide  30  within the container  20 , the sidewall mounts  31  include fastener receivers, mechanical or otherwise for securing the lower guide  30  within the container  20  and to prevent any undesired rotation of the lower guide  30  by the rotating member  40 . Although the sidewall mounts are shown with only one fastener receiver, a plurality may be provided for receipt of a plurality of fasteners to limit undesired movement as the lower guide  30  may experience rotation during rotation of the rotational member  40 . Therefore, each sidewall mount  31  may utilize either a single fastener or a plurality of fasteners or adhesives to address any undesired rotational forces. Alternatively, the sidewall mounts  31  may be shaped for fastening to the bottom  48  or elsewhere to prevent undesired rotation of the lower guide  30 . 
         [0025]    An adjustment member  52  is further illustrated in  FIG. 2B . The adjustment member  52  is located on the threaded end  42  of the rotational member  40  and vertically secures the rotational member  40  in relation to the lower guide  30  at the lower guide receiver  32 . The adjustment member  52  allows the rotational member  40  to rotate during operation while limiting unwanted vertical movement of the shaft  41  when not in use. For example, when the lid  12  in receipt of the upper guide  14  is removed from the container  20 , the rotatable member  40  may experience undesired vertical movement. Without the adjustment member  52 , the rotatable member  40  may travel out of vertical alignment. However, with the adjustment member in place, the threaded end  42  of the rotational member  40  remains supported by the lower guide  30  for quick and easy reassembly. 
         [0026]    The passage  50  allows for adjustment of the adjustment member  52 , the passage  50  being located approximately near the center of the bottom  48  and providing access to the adjustment member  52  centrally located thereat. The passage  50  allows an operator to adjust the adjustment member  52  by hand or with, for example, a tool such as a socket or other tools for positioning the adjustment member  52  along the threaded end  42  of the rotational member  40 . Preferably, the proper adjustment allows for rotation of the rotational member while limiting unnecessary vertical movement thereof. 
         [0027]    As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the resurfacing ball container  10  may be assembled by providing the cylinder  20  having the sidewall  22  extending upwardly from the bottom  48  and the passage  50  located within the bottom  48  and a resealable lid  12  adapted for closure of the cylinder  20  opposite the bottom  48 . The abrasive layer  26  is secured to the interior of the sidewall  22 . The rotational member  40  presenting the threaded end  42  separated from the shaped end  44  by the shaft  41  is threaded through the abrasive disc  28  below the upper radial fastener  36  which is threaded above the abrasive disc  28  for securing and spacing the abrasive disc  28  along the threaded end  42 . The threaded end  42  is inserted through the lower guide receiver  32  associated with the lower guide  30 . A lower fastener  52  may be secured below the lower guide  30  presenting a firm fit between the abrasive disk  28  and the lower guide  30 . The pair of depending sidewall mounts  31  associated with the lower guide  30  may be secured to opposite sides of the sidewall  22  wherein the threaded end  42  is directed towards the passage  50 . The shaped end  44  is then threaded through the upper guide receiver  16  associate with the upper guide  14  and the lid  12  at the upper aperture  18 , wherein the upper guide  14  is secured to the lid  12  with a pair of spaced apart fasteners which help limit undesired rotation. 
         [0028]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the plurality of circular members  56  may be used to provide for rotation of the abrasive disc  28 . A first pair of circular members  56  may be used to compress the abrasive disc  28  with torsionally adjusted radial fasteners  36   a ,  36   b . Optional, securing members  38  may be included to help secure the abrasive disc  28  during rotation. A friction reducing member  46  may be used to reduce rotational friction between the abrasive disc  28  and the lower guide  30 . Alternatively, a lubricant layer may be positioned between a pair of circular members to reduce undesired friction and thereby providing greater rotational freedom and reduced rotational frictional during rotation. Reduction of friction may provide for greater rotational freedom of the abrasive disc  28  during operation of the rotating member  40  and for longer life of the rotational surfaces. 
         [0029]    A spacer  54  may also be optionally provided between the lower guide  30  and the adjustment member  52 . While the spacer is depicted as being cylindrical, other configurations are possible. The spacer is dimensioned to position the adjustment member within the passage  50  for easy access and occasional adjustment as desired by the user. The spacer may be fabricated from plastic, metal or wood materials and preferably will have an inner radius sufficiently greater than the shaft  41  to avoid engagement therewith while having an outer diameter to allow sufficient engagement with the shaft  41  by the adjustment member  52 . A pair of circular members  56  are also provided each positioned on either side of spacer  54 . 
         [0030]    In an alternative embodiment, the cylinder  20  may be orientated horizontally with the rotational member  40  being operable and in communication with the lid  12  and the bottom  48  for rotation of the cylinder  20  as the balls  2  engage an alternative abrasive layer (not shown) extending substantially circumferentially and vertically along the interior of the sidewall  22  for removal of the dirty, worn or damaged outer ball surface. 
         [0031]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.