Patent Publication Number: US-6666339-B2

Title: Ball display assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to a support assembly. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a flexible ball display assembly for supporting and displaying an associated ball in an exposed position. 
     Ball support devices used in sports are generally known. Such devices are used to display an associated ball at desired elevated position, such that a user or player can strike the ball. In general, the bottom portion of the associated ball is placed in contact with an upper portion of the device. Unfortunately, a player attempting to strike the ball may accidentally strike the support device as well, causing damage to device. 
     In general, the greater the contact surface area shared between the ball and the support device the greater the possibility that the device can obstruct the player&#39;s contact with the ball and be hit by the player. Such an obstruction can undesirably effect the movement, speed and trajectory of the ball upon contact and as mentioned, can damage the support device as well. 
     Conventional ball support devices are generally fixed to a stand that elevates the ball from the ground. Unfortunately, a support device fixed in such manner requires that the entire structure and stand be moved to move the support device. One known support device is a baseball “T”. Such a device generally includes an open cup-shaped holder for supporting the ball. These “Ts” are typically formed from a solid sheet of, for example, plastic. One drawback to such a “T” is that it reduces the area available to strike the ball, thus obstructing the player&#39;s swing. Another drawback is that these known “Ts” are readily damaged when, for example, the player strikes the “T” rather than the ball. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a non-obstructing ball support assembly having a flexible support portion and body. It is desirable that the flexible support portion is able to absorb repetitive high-speed contact from a user&#39;s swing. It is also desirable that the assembly includes a non-obstructing support configuration providing a reduced surface contact with the ball to reduce obstruction of the ball. It is further desirable that such assembly had an adaptable mount which enables the assembly to be easily moved and mounted to a variety of different sized conduits or similar type of structures. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A display assembly for supporting an object, such as a ball includes and upper layer formed from loops, each loop formed from an elongated flexible element. Each loop is formed so as to define an apex. The apices of the three loops define a plane. The three loops are non-linear and are in secured relation to one another by a retaining member. The loops form a petal like support. 
     The display assembly includes a display portion (the petal like support) that is configured for displaying an object such as a ball in an elevated and readily viewed and accessible manner. The support can be used to, for example, support a baseball for hitting practice. The support can also be used as a stand to exhibit a novelty ball (e.g., an autographed baseball) or other object. 
     In a preferred assembly, the elongated flexible elements are first elements, and the display further includes a lower or support layer for supporting the upper petal like support. In the preferred embodiment, the display assembly includes six first elements forming six loops in the upper layer and six second elements forming six loops in the lower layer. Each set of loops can be formed from individual elements. 
     Preferably, the upper and lower layers of loops are interwoven to enhance the support of the upper layer. In the configuration, the lower layer of loops are disposed externally of the upper layer and to urge the petal-like supports (upper layer) toward one another. 
     The display assembly includes a base. In a current embodiment the elements forming the upper layer of loops each include leg portions that extend from the retaining member to the base. 
     The base has a body including a top portion and a bottom portion. A stabilizing portion includes a plurality of flexible elements that extend helically outwardly from the base from the top portion to the bottom portion. The flexible elements enable connection of the display assembly with the inside of an associated conduit. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball display assembly embodying the principles of the present invention, the display assembly being illustrated with a baseball (illustrated in part) seated in the display portion; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the ball support display portion taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the guide member taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the base portion taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 5 is a view of the base portion inserted in an associated conduit. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed herein. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     Referring now the drawings and more particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a ball display assembly  10  embodying the principles of the present invention. The ball display assembly  10  enables a user to place an object, such as ball B, on the assembly  10  in a generally exposed or unobstructed position. The ball display assembly  10  includes a display portion  12 , a retaining member or guide component  14 , and a base portion  16 . The display portion  10  is configured for displaying an object such as the exemplary ball B in an elevated and readily viewed and accessible manner. 
     The display portion  12  includes an upper support layer  18  formed from one or more elongated first elements or filaments  20 , and a lower support layer  22  formed from one or more elongated second elements or filaments  24 . Preferably, the elements  20 ,  24  have a generally flexible thin shape, which enables the elements  20 ,  24  to be bent or shaped into loops and/or layers of interwoven loops. It is also preferable that the elements  20 ,  24  are formed from a material such as plastic or metal having sufficient stiffness, tensile strength and resilience to enable them to support the desired object and to withstand an impact and return to their original shape or configuration. 
     The first or upper support layer  18  is formed by a plurality of the elongated elements  20 , each formed as a looped support portion  28 . Each element  20  includes leg portions  30  extending from the base portion  16  to the retaining member  14 , and the looped support portion  28  extending upwardly from the retaining member  14 , generally transverse thereto. The looped support portions  28  are provided for receiving the lower portion of, for example, the exemplary ball B. The loops  28  each define an apex  31  and the apices  31  of the loops  28  define a plane (not shown). The apices  31  are configured in a triangular pattern defining three angles. Preferably, each angle is less than 90 degrees. 
     The loops  28  are generally non-linear and secured to one another by the retaining member  14 . The loops  28  extend upwardly from the retaining member  14  to form the petal-like display portion  12 . The petals, which are defined by the loops  28  are circumferentially disposed about the display portion  12  (and the retaining member  14 ) to define a central space  32  between the loops  28 . This space  32  provides for receiving or displaying the ball B or another like object. 
     Each leg portion  30  has a predetermined length. By varying the lengths of the leg portions  30 , the stiffness of the display assembly  10  can be varied. For example, by reducing the length of the leg portions  30 , the stiffness is increased. Conversely, by increasing the leg portion  30  lengths, the stiffness is reduced. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the display portion  12  includes at least three first elements  20  (to define a plane) forming three loops  34  for supporting the ball B. In a current embodiment, the display portion  12  includes six loops  34 . 
     The lower support layer  22  provides support for the upper support layer  18 . The lower support layer  22  is formed from a plurality of second elements  24  formed as a plurality of support loops  36 . As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second elements  24  extend upwardly from the retaining member  14 , and do not extend through the member  14  to the base  16 . Those skilled in the art will, however, recognize that the second elements  24  can be configured to extend fully through the retaining member  14  to the base  16  similar to the first elements  20 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the elements  20  which form the upper support layer  18  and the elements  24  which form the lower support layer  22  are interwoven in a grouped arrangement so that the lower layer  22  supports the upper layer  18 . As can be seen from a study of the figures (and in particular FIGS.  1  and  3 ), the first elements  20  traverse through the retaining member  14  at two relatively close, but spaced locations, thus forming the upper loop  34 . Each upper loop  34  has a lower loop  36  associated with it. The element  24  that forms the lower loop  36  traverses into the retaining member  14 , again at two locations, to form the lower loop  36 . The locations at which the lower loop element  24  enters the retaining member  14  is between those locations at which the upper loop element  20  traverses through the member  14 . Thus, the lower loop  36  is positioned “inside of” the upper loop  34 . The locations at which the upper and lower loop elements  20 ,  24  traverse or enter the retaining member  14  provide anchor points for the elements  20 ,  24 . 
     In addition, the lower loop  36  is “weaved with” the upper loop  34  to enhance the support capabilities of the upper loop  34 . The lower loop element  24  traverses up from the retaining member  14  on the inside of the upper loop  34 , as indicated at  38 . The element  24  then wraps to the outside of the upper loop  34  (as indicted at  40 ) and then comes behind the upper loop  34  (as indicated at  42 ). The lower loop  36  is then formed outside of or behind the upper loop  34 , and returns to the retaining member  14  in the same manner. In this configuration, the lower loop  36  supports the upper loop  34  and urges the upper loop  34  inwardly of the space  32 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the retaining member  14  is positioned between the base portion  16  and the display portion  12  and stabilizes the display portion elements  20 ,  24 . The retaining member  14  includes a plurality of holes or openings  44 , for receiving and securing the elements  20 ,  24 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the holes  44  are equidistantly spaced about a selected radius. 
     By varying the position of the retaining member  14  between and relative to the display portion  12  and the base  16 , the stiffness or resistance to lateral forces can be varied. For example, to increase the stiffness of the display  12 , the distance between the retaining member  14  and the display portion  12  can be reduced. 
     The base  16  includes a body  46 , an upper flange or cap  48  and a lower end or plug  50 . Preferably, the base  16  has a generally cylindrical shape to enable ready insertion and mounting into an associated conduit  52  or like structure. The base  16  can have virtually any shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. The flange  48  can be formed integral with or as part of the base  16  to enhance the structural strength of the base  16 . The flange  48  can be configured to rest on an upper portion or edge of the conduit  52  for securing the display  10  to the conduit  52 . The body  46  includes at least one opening  54  (also through the flange  48 ) for receiving and/or retaining the leg portions  30  of the elements  20 . 
     The base  16  includes one or more stabilizing elements  56  for securing the display assembly  10  in an upright position when inserted in the conduit  52 . In a present embodiment, the stabilizing elements  56  are formed as a plurality of filaments extending in an outwardly helically-curved manner from the body  46 . As illustrated in FIGS. 1,  4 , and  5 , the stabilizing elements  56  extending outwardly from an upper portion  58  of the body  46  and wrap helically around the body  46  connecting at a lower portion  60  of the body  46 . Like the elements  20 ,  24  forming the upper and lower loops  34 ,  36 , the stabilizing elements  56  are preferably formed from a material such as plastic or metal having sufficient stiffness, tensile strength and resilience to enable them to maintain the display  10  in the conduit  52  and to withstand the stresses and forces that will be transferred to the elements  56  due to impact on the display  10 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the material selected for the elements  20 ,  24  can vary to achieve a desire shape and strength. Likewise the diameter of each element  20 ,  24  and the lengths of the elements  20 ,  24  can vary as well. to achieve a desired configuration and strength for a given use (e.g., youth T-ball vis-a-vis high school baseball batting practice) of the display  10 . 
     Those skilled in the are will also recognize that although the present display  10  has been presented and disclosed having discrete elements  20 ,  24  forming each of the upper and lower loops  34 ,  36 , a single wrapped or bent element can be used to form more than a single loop, which configuration is within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.