Patent Publication Number: US-2022226718-A1

Title: Marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/138,162 filed Jan. 15, 2021 and entitled “MARKING APPARATUS USED FOR CREATING A SPORTS PLAYING SURFACE”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various sporting events are governed in part by the structure of a playing surface of the sporting event. For example, lines on the playing surface may define the boundaries of the playing area or define when a player scores a point in the sporting event. The lengths, shapes, positioning, and other characteristics of the lines on the playing surface can have specified measurements (e.g., regulation measurements) that may be defined by the official rules of the sporting event. Playing surfaces at many locations (e.g., gymnasiums, public parks, professional stadiums, etc.) may have the playing surface lines drawn by commercial service providers, which have the expertise and resources to draw the lines accurately according to the regulation measurements. In addition, sports players can also create personal playing surfaces at home or other private locations to practice or play the sport privately. However, sports players may not have the same expertise and resources as commercial service providers to create the playing surface with lines accurately drawn according to the regulation measurements. A marking apparatus can be helpful for quickly and accurately creating a playing surface at homes and other private locations. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface. 
     According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a marking apparatus including: a key section including a plurality of key section pieces, wherein each key section piece includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions, and wherein the plurality of key section pieces are configured to be coupled with each other; and a three-point arc section including a plurality of three-point arc section pieces, wherein each three-point arc section piece includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions, and wherein the plurality of three-point arc section pieces are configured to be coupled with each other. 
     According to some example embodiments, each key section piece and each three-point arc section piece further includes one or more openings. 
     According to some example embodiments, a shape of the one or more openings is substantially rectangular. 
     According to some example embodiments, a shape of the protruding portions of the key section pieces is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions of the key section pieces, such that the protruding portions of a first key section piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second key section piece to form an interlocking connection. 
     According to some example embodiments, a shape of the protruding portions of the three-point arc section pieces is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions of the three-point arc section pieces, such that the protruding portions of a first key three-point arc section piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second three-point arc section piece to form an interlocking connection. 
     According to some example embodiments, the marking the key section further includes a plurality of key section alignment pieces, wherein each alignment piece includes an alignment indentation. 
     According to some example embodiments, the plurality of key section pieces and the plurality of three-point arc section pieces include cardboard material. 
     According to some example embodiments, the plurality of key section pieces and the plurality of three-point arc section pieces each includes an identifier. 
     According to some example embodiments, the identifier is a letter. 
     According to some example embodiments of the present disclosures, a marking apparatus including: a plurality of connectable pieces, wherein each connectable piece includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions, wherein a shape of the protruding portions is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions, such that the protruding portions of a first connectable piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second connectable piece to form an interlocking connection between the first and second connectable pieces. 
     According to some example embodiments, each connectable piece further includes one or more openings. 
     According to some example embodiments, a shape of the one or more openings is substantially rectangular. 
     According to some example embodiments, the marking apparatus further includes a plurality of connectable alignment pieces, wherein each connectable alignment piece includes an alignment indentation. 
     According to some example embodiments, the plurality of connectible pieces include cardboard material. 
     According to some example embodiments, each connectible piece includes an identifier. 
     According to some example embodiments, the identifier includes a letter. 
     According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, in a method for drawing lines on a surface using a marking apparatus, the method including: assembling the marking apparatus including a plurality of connectible pieces, wherein each connectible piece includes one or more openings and an identifier; placing the marking apparatus on the surface; drawing lines on the surface by tracing the one or more openings of the plurality of connectible pieces of the marking apparatus using a drawing device; and removing the marking apparatus from the surface. 
     According to some example embodiments, assembling the marking apparatus includes coupling each connectable piece of the plurality of connectible pieces to another one of the connectible pieces according to the identifier of each connectable piece. 
     According to some example embodiments, each connectable piece further includes at least one of protruding portions or recessed portions. 
     According to some example embodiments, a shape of the protruding portions is substantially similar to a shape of the recessed portions, such that the protruding portions of a first connectable piece are insertable into the recessed portions of a second connectible piece to form an interlocking connection between the first and second connectable pieces. 
     According to some example embodiments, a shape of the one or more openings is substantially rectangular. 
     According to some example embodiments, the plurality of connectable pieces further includes a plurality of connectable alignment pieces, wherein each connectable alignment piece includes an alignment indentation. 
     According to some example embodiments, the plurality of connectible pieces include cardboard material. 
     According to some example embodiments, the identifier includes a letter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a marking apparatus for creating a half-court basketball playing surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of the key section of the marking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows an enlarged portion X of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of the three point arc and the key section of the marking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows an enlarged portion Y of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a diagram of a full pickle ball playing surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a diagram of a half pickle ball playing surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are directed to a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface. 
     Features of the inventive concept and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout. The present disclosure, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described. Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the attached drawings and the written description, and thus, descriptions thereof will not be repeated. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions shown may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include a marking apparatus used for creating lines on a surface. For example, according to various embodiments, the marking apparatus can be used to draw lines on various types of sports playing surfaces, including, but not limited to, concrete surfaces, grass surfaces, hardwood surfaces, or asphalt surfaces. The measurement and shapes of the lines can align with the regulation measurements defined by the official rules of a particular sport. Some of the sports may include basketball, tennis, volleyball, pickle ball, or other sports. For example, the official rules for basketball may state that a free throw line on a playing surface must be 15 feet away from a basketball rim. Other potential applications for the invention may not be related to sports at all, where embodiments of the invention can facilitate an easy and consistent way for marking surfaces for various other non-sports applications as well. 
     According to various embodiments, the marking apparatus can be made up of a number of individual pieces (e.g., connectable pieces). The individual pieces can be made up of various materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, aluminum, steel, wood, Mylar, and polycarbonate. Additionally, the pieces can be made according to varying sizes and shapes. In some embodiments, the shape of the pieces can incorporate protruding portions (e.g., a male end) and recessed/concave portions (e.g., a female end). Some pieces may have both protruding portions and recessed/concave portions, while other pieces may only have protruding portions or only have recessed/concave portions. The shape of the male end can have a shape (e.g., a curvature) that corresponds to the shape of the female end (e.g., matches or follows the contour of the female end). The pieces can form an interlocking connection with each other by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end of a first piece into the female end of a second piece. The interlocking connection can secure the pieces in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the pieces away from each other. 
     Additionally, each piece may incorporate one or more holes (e.g., openings) traversing through the piece. In some embodiments, the holes may traverse through the middle of the piece. In some embodiments, the shape of the holes may be substantially rectangular and can be spaced apart from each other on the piece. The holes can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus onto the playing surface using a writing device. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk. Further, each piece can be labeled with an identifier such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifiers can be displayed on the pieces and may be used to indicate the location of the piece within the marking apparatus. 
     According to various embodiments, the marking apparatus can be used to draw lines for a half-court basketball playing surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the marking apparatus may be made up of a key section and a three point arc. The key section can be assembled by connecting the pieces (e.g., key section pieces) to each other according to identifiers displayed on the pieces. After the key section is assembled, the key section can be moved (e.g., slide along the playing surface) as a single unit. In some embodiments, some pieces making up the key section can have alignment indentations (e.g., key section alignment pieces). The indentations can be used to align the key section with the basketball rim and backboard. Additionally, ends of some pieces that are positioned at the ends of the key section may also be used to align the key section with the basketball rim and backboard. When the key section is aligned with the basketball rim and backboard, the measurements of the lines of the key section should align to basketball regulation measurements. 
     Similarly, the three point arc section can be assembled by connecting pieces (e.g., three-point arc section piece) to each other according to identifiers displayed on the pieces. After the three point arc is assembled, the three point arc can be moved as a single unit. In some embodiments, some of the pieces making up the three point arc can also have alignment indentations (e.g., three-point arc section alignment pieces). The alignment indentations can be used to align the three point arc with the key section and the basketball rim. Additionally, ends of some pieces that are positioned at the ends of the three-point arc section may also be used to align the three-point arc with the key section and the basketball rim. When the three-point arc is aligned with the basketball rim and key section, the measurements of the lines of the three-point arc should align to basketball regulation measurements. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a marking apparatus for creating a half-court basketball playing surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a marking apparatus  100  can be used to create a half-court basketball playing surface with lines that align with a backboard  150  and a basketball rim  160 . The marking apparatus  100  can be used to draw lines on various types of playing surfaces, including but not limited to, concrete surfaces, grass surfaces, hardwood surfaces, or asphalt surfaces. Various embodiments of the marking apparatus  100  may incorporates shapes, sizes, and measurements that can be consistent with various basketball playing surface regulation measurements (e.g., distance of free throw line  131  from the backboard  150 , distance of the three point arc  120  from the basketball rim  160 , etc.). For example, in some embodiments, the marking apparatus  100  may be consistent with high school basketball regulation measurements. In other embodiments, the marking apparatus  100  may be consistent with NCAA or NBA regulation measurements. In some embodiments, the marking apparatus  100  may include a three point arc  120  and a key section  130 . In some embodiments, the three point arc  120  and the key section  130  may be separate sections (e.g., not connected to each other) and can be moved separate from each other. The three point arc  120  may be positioned adjacent to the key section  130  or overlapping the top portion of the key section  130 . 
     According to various embodiments, the marking apparatus  100  can be made up of a number of pieces  140  (e.g., connectable pieces). The pieces  140  can be made up of various materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, aluminum, steel, wood, Mylar, and polycarbonate. Additionally, the pieces  140  can be made according to varying sizes and shapes. The sizes and shapes of the pieces  140  can depend on the location of the pieces  140  within the marking apparatus  100 . For example, some of the pieces  140  that make up the three point arc  120  may have different sizes and shapes than the pieces  140  that make up the free throw line  131 . In some embodiments, the shapes of the pieces  140  may incorporate protruding portions  142  (e.g., a male end) and incorporate recessed/concave portions  143  (e.g., a female end). Some pieces  140  may have both male ends  142  and female ends  143  while other pieces  140  may only have male ends  142  or only have female ends  143 . The shape of the male end  142  can have a shape (e.g., a curvature) that corresponds to the shape of the female end  143  (e.g., matches or follows the contour of the female end). The pieces  140  can form an interlocking connection with other pieces  140  by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end  142  of a first piece  140  into the female end  143  of a second piece. The interlocking connection can secure the pieces  140  in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the pieces  140  away from each other. 
     In addition, each of the pieces  140  can include one or more holes  110  (e.g., openings) that traverse through each piece  140 . In some embodiments, the one or more holes  110  may traverse through a middle of each piece  140 . In some embodiments, the shape of the holes  110  can be substantially rectangular and the holes  110  can be spaced apart from each other on the piece  140 . The holes  110  can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus  110  onto the playing surface using a drawing device. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes  110  or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk. 
     Further, each piece  140  can be labeled with an identifier  141  such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier  141  can be displayed directly on the piece  140  and can be used to indicate the location of the piece  140  within the marking apparatus  100 . For example, a piece  140  labeled with the letter J as its identifier  141  can be used as one of the pieces  140  that make up the three point arc  120 . In another example, a piece  140  labeled with the letter H as its identifier  141  can be used as one of the pieces  140  that make up the free throw line  131 . Additionally, some pieces  140  may also include alignment indentations  151  (e.g., alignment piece) that can be used to align the marking apparatus  100  with the backboard  150  and the basketball rim  160 . 
     After all of the pieces  140  of the marking apparatus  100  have been connected, the key section  130  can be moved (e.g., slide along the playing surface) as a single unit and the three point arc  120  can each be moved as a single unit. The key section  130  and the three point arc  120  can be moved with respect to the backboard  150  and the basketball rim  160  such that the lines of the key section  130  and the lines of the three point arc  120  are the regulation distances away from the backboard  150  and the basketball rim  160 . To help ensure that the key section  130  and the three point arc  120  are positioned at the regulation distances, some pieces  140  can incorporate alignment indentations  151 . For example, the key section  130  can be moved in order to align the alignment indentations  151  with a chalk line  155 . Additionally, the key section  130  can be moved in order to align with ends  152  with the baseline  165 . Further, the three point arc  120  can be moved in order to align ends  170  with ends  152  of the key section  130  and the baseline  165 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of the key section of the marking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the key section  130  can be made up of a number of pieces  140 . The pieces  140  can be made up of various materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, aluminum, steel, wood, Mylar, and polycarbonate. Additionally, the pieces  140  can be made according to varying sizes and shapes. The sizes and shapes of the pieces  140  can depend on the location of the pieces  140  within the key section  130 . For example, some of the pieces  140  that make up the curved portions of the key section  130  may have different sizes and shapes than the pieces  140  that make up the free throw line  131 . In some embodiments, the shapes of the pieces  140  may incorporate protruding portions  142  (e.g., a male end) and incorporate recessed/concave portions  143  (e.g., a female end). Some pieces  140  may have both male ends  142  and female ends  143  while other pieces  140  may only have male ends  142  or only have female ends  143 . The shape of the male end  142  can have a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the female end  143  (e.g., matches or follows the contour of the female end). The pieces  140  can form an interlocking connection with other pieces  140  by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end  142  of a first piece  140  into the female end  143  of a second piece. The interlocking connection can secure the pieces  140  in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the pieces away from each other. The key section  130  can be assembled by connecting the pieces  140  together via this interlocking connection mechanism. 
     Further, each piece  140  can be labeled with an identifier  141  such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier  141  can be displayed directly on the piece  140  and can be used to indicate the location of the piece  140  within the key section  130 . Additionally, each of the pieces  140  can include one or more holes  110  that traverse through each piece  140 . In some embodiments, the one or more holes  110  can traverse through the middle of each piece  140 . In some embodiments, the shape of the holes  110  can be substantially rectangular and the holes  110  can be spaced apart from each other on the piece  140 . The holes  110  can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the key section  130  onto the playing surface. 
     After the pieces  140  of the key section  130  have been connected via the interlocking connection mechanism, the key section  130  can be moved as a single unit. In some embodiments, the key section  130  can be aligned with the basketball rim  160  and the backboard  150 , by moving the key section  130  to align the alignment indentations  151  with a chalk line  155  and align the ends  152  with the baseline  165 . The chalk line  155  can be parallel to the backboard and can be drawn by first tying one end of a string or rope around the back of the basketball rim  160  (e.g., the portion of the basketball rim  160  that is connected to the backboard  150 ) and tying the opposite end of the string to a weighted object (e.g., a plumb, a washer, etc.). The weighted end of the string can then be dropped down to the playing surface. The location of where weighted end drops on the playing surface can be marked with an object such as a piece of tape. A chalk line  155  can then be drawn over the location of the tape. The key section  130  can be aligned by moving the key section  130  such that the alignment indentations  151  align with the chalk line  155 . After the key section  130  is aligned with the basketball rim  160  and the backboard  150 , the distances of the lines of the key section  130  should be consistent with regulation measurements for a half-court basketball playing surface. 
       FIG. 3  shows an enlarged portion X of  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the displayed pieces  140  can be used to form a portion of the key section  130 . The pieces  140  can include an identifier  141  that can be displayed directly on the pieces  140  and can be used to indicate the location of the piece  140  within the key section  130 . For example, a first piece  140  may have the letter A as its identifier  141  (e.g., A piece  140 ) and the identifier  141  can be displayed directly on the A piece  140 . A second piece  140  may have the letter B as its identifier  141  (e.g., B piece  140 ) and the identifier  141  can be displayed directly on the B piece  140 . 
     In some embodiments, the shape of the A piece  140  can incorporate a male end  142 . In some embodiments, the shape of the B piece can incorporate both a female end  143  and a male end  142 . The shape of the male end  142  can have a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the female end  143 . The A and B pieces  140  can form an interlocking connection by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end  142  of the A piece into the female end  143  of the B piece  140 . The interlocking connection can secure the A and B pieces  140  in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the A and B pieces  140  away from each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the A and B pieces  140  can have one or more holes  110  that traverse through the A and B pieces  140  that expose the playing surface underneath. In some embodiments, the one or more holes  110  can traverse through the middle of the A and B pieces  140 . In some embodiments, the shape of the holes  110  can be substantially rectangular and the holes  110  can be spaced apart from each other on the A and B pieces  140 . For example, the one or more holes  110  on the A piece can be spaced apart from each other. Similarly, the one or more holes  110  on the B piece can be spaced apart from each other. The holes  110  can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus  110  onto the playing surface. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes  110  or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk. 
     Additionally, the A piece  140  can have ends  152  and the B piece  140  can have alignment indentations  151 . The alignment indentations  151  and ends  152  can be used to help align the key section  130  with the backboard  150  and the basketball rim  160 . For example, the alignment indentations  151  can be aligned with the chalk line  155  as described previously and the ends  152  can be aligned with the baseline  165  as described previously. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of the three point arc and the key section of the marking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the three point arc  120  can be made up of a number of pieces  140 . The pieces  140  can be made up of various materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, aluminum, steel, wood, Mylar, and polycarbonate. Additionally, the pieces  140  can be made according to varying sizes and shapes. The sizes and shapes of the pieces  140  can depend on the location of the pieces  140  within the three point arc  120 . For example, some of the pieces  140  that make up the middle portion of the three point arc  120  may have different sizes and shapes than the pieces  140  that make up the end portions of the three point arc  120 . In some embodiments, the shapes of the pieces  140  may incorporate protruding portions  142  (e.g., a male end) and incorporate recessed/concave portions  143  (e.g., a female end). The shape of the male end  142  can have a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the female end  143  (e.g., matches or follows the contour of the female end). The pieces  140  can form an interlocking connection with other pieces  140  by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end  142  of a first piece  140  into the female end  143  of a second piece. The interlocking connection can secure the pieces  140  in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the pieces away from each other. In some embodiments, as described in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 5  below, the shapes of the interlocking pieces may restrict side-to-side movement between interconnected pieces, but may not necessarily restrict the pieces from being pulled away from one another. Various other shapes may also be incorporated into the connection mechanism based on the needs of each particular application. The three point arc  120  can be assembled by connecting the pieces  140  together via any such connection mechanism. 
     Further, each piece  140  can be labeled with an identifier  141  such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier  141  can be displayed directly on the piece  140  and can be used to indicate the location of the piece  140  within the three point arc  120 . Additionally, each of the pieces  140  can include one or more holes  110  that traverse through each piece  140 . In some embodiments, the shape of the holes  110  can be substantially rectangular and the holes  110  can be spaced apart from each other on the piece  140 . The holes  110  can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the three point arc  120  onto the playing surface. 
     After the pieces  140  of the three point arc  120  have been connected via the interlocking connection mechanism, the three point arc  120  can be moved as a single unit. In some embodiments, the three point arc  120  can be aligned with the key section  120  and the basketball rim  160 , by moving the three point arc  120  to align ends  170  with the ends  152  of the key section  130 . After the tree point arc  120  is aligned with the key section  130  and the basketball rim  160 , the distances of the lines of the three point arc should be consistent with regulation measurements for a half-court basketball playing surface. 
       FIG. 5  shows an enlarged portion Y of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the displayed pieces  140  can be used to form a portion of the three point arc  120 . The piece  140  can include an identifier  141  that can be displayed directly on the piece  140  and can be used to indicate the location of the piece  140  within the three point arc  130 . For example, a first piece  140  may have the letter M as its identifier  141  (e.g., M piece  140 ) and the identifier  141  can be displayed directly on the M piece  140 . A second piece  140  may have the letter L as its identifier  141  (e.g., L piece  140 ) and the identifier  141  can be displayed directly on the L piece  140 . 
     In some embodiments, the shape of the L piece  140  can incorporate a female end  143 . In some embodiments, the shape of the M piece can incorporate both a male end  142  and a female end  143 . The shape of the male end  142  can have a curvature that corresponds to the shape of the female end  143 . The L and M pieces  140  can form an interlocking connection by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end  142  of the M piece into the female end  143  of the L piece  140 . The interlocking connection can secure the L and M pieces  140  in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the L and M pieces  140  away from each other, or as shown in the embodiment illustrated, can restrict side-to-side movement between interconnected pieces, but may not necessarily restrict the pieces from being pulled away from one another. Various other shapes may also be incorporated into the connection mechanism based on the needs of each particular application. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the L and M pieces  140  can have one or more holes  110  that traverse through the L and M pieces  140  that expose the playing surface underneath. In some embodiments, the shape of the holes  110  can be substantially rectangular and the holes  110  can be spaced apart from each other on the L and M pieces  140 . For example, the one or more holes  110  on the M piece can be spaced apart each other. Similarly, the one or more holes  110  on the L piece can be spaced apart from each other. The holes  110  can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus  110  onto the playing surface. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes  110  or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk. 
     Additionally, the L piece  140  can have an end  170  that can be used to help align the three point arc  120  with the key section  130  and the basketball rim  160 . For example, the end  170  can be aligned with ends  152  of the key section  130  as described previously. 
     As mentioned throughout, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to a marking apparatus for drawing lines for a half-court basketball playing surface. Some example embodiments may also include a marking apparatus for drawing lines on a playing surface for volleyball, tennis, hopscotch, four square, or pickle ball, but is not limited to the these types of playing surfaces. Further, some example embodiments may also include a marking apparatus for drawing lines on a surface for other activities, including, but not limited to, lines on a parking lot, or lines for vehicle driving lanes on a street. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show a marking apparatus for a pickle ball playing surface according to some example embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  shows a marking apparatus  600  that can be used to create a full pickle ball playing surface (e.g., a full pickle ball court).  FIG. 7  shows a marking apparatus  600  that can be used to create a half pickle ball playing surface (e.g., a half pickle ball court). The marking apparatus  600  can be used to draw lines on various types of playing surfaces, including but not limited to, concrete surfaces, grass surfaces, hardwood surfaces, or asphalt surfaces. Various embodiments of the marking apparatus  600  may incorporates shapes, sizes, and measurements that can be consistent with various pickle ball playing surface regulation measurements (e.g., distances between the lines). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , according to various embodiments, the marking apparatus  600  can be made up of a number of pieces  640  (e.g., connectable pieces). The pieces  640  can be made up of various materials, including, but not limited to, cardboard, aluminum, steel, wood, Mylar, and polycarbonate. Additionally, the pieces  640  can be made according to varying sizes and shapes. The sizes and shapes of the pieces  640  can depend on the location of the pieces  640  within the marking apparatus  600 . In some embodiments, the shapes of the pieces  640  may incorporate protruding portions  642  (e.g., a male end) and incorporate recessed/concave portions  643  (e.g., a female end). Some pieces  640  may have both male ends  642  and female ends  643  while other pieces  640  may only have male ends  642  or only have female ends  643 . The shape of the male end  642  can have a shape (e.g., a curvature) that corresponds to the shape of the female end  643  (e.g., matches or follows the contour of the female end). The pieces  640  can form an interlocking connection with other pieces  640  by sliding or otherwise inserting the male end  642  of a first piece  640  into the female end  643  of a second piece. The interlocking connection can secure the pieces  640  in place and can resist any lateral force pulling the pieces  640  away from each other. 
     In addition, each of the pieces  640  can include one or more holes  610  (e.g., openings) that traverse through each piece  640 . In some embodiments, the one or more holes  610  may traverse through a middle of each piece  640 . In some embodiments, the shape of the holes  610  can be substantially rectangular and the holes  610  can be spaced apart from each other on the piece  640 . The holes  610  can expose the playing surface underneath and can be used to trace the lines of the marking apparatus  600  onto the playing surface using a drawing device. In some embodiments, the lines can be drawn on the playing surface by using spray paint over the holes  610  or the lines can be drawn by tracing the holes with chalk. 
     Further, each piece  640  can be labeled with an identifier such as letters A, B, C, D, etc. The identifier can be displayed directly on the piece  640  (similar to as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ) and can be used to indicate the location of the piece  640  within the marking apparatus  600 . 
     In the preceding description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. 
     It will be understood that when an element, layer, region, or component is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element, layer, region, or component, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element, layer, region, or component, or one or more intervening elements, layers, regions, or components may be present. However, “directly connected/directly coupled” refers to one component directly connecting or coupling another component without an intermediate component. Meanwhile, other expressions describing relationships between components such as “between,” “immediately between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to” may be construed similarly. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “have,” “having,” “includes,” and “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. “About” or “approximately,” as used herein, is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.” As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration. 
     Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Further, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed herein are merely illustrative for the purpose of describing embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure. Thus, embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/or the present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein. 
     The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments, and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of example embodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of example embodiments as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed example embodiments, as well as other example embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The inventive concept is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.