Abstract:
A bingo dauber configured to receive the finger of a user such that the bingo dauber is worn on and controlled by the finger of the user. At least one opening in the bingo dauber is configured to receive a finger (e.g., index finger) which extends into a finger receiving channel and groove arrangement, or finger insert defining a finger receiving channel, allowing the bingo dauber to be used quickly with a single finger while reducing or eliminating fatigue associated with gripping a conventional ink dauber. The bingo dauber includes an ink reservoir and porous membrane for dispensing ink onto a bingo card.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/281,545 filed Nov. 19, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a bingo dauber configured to be worn on a user&#39;s finger. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Bingo is a multi-billion dollar international business. Depending on the jurisdiction, bingo may be played for money or entertainment. When played in a live setting, players purchase one or more bingo cards and daub called numbers on each of the one or more bingo cards until a winner is declared. Conventional bingo daubers comprise a cylindrical housing containing a reservoir of colored ink which is dispensed through a circular, porous membrane (e.g., foam) at one end thereof. Thus, when used the dauber creates a circular ink blotch which covers called bingo numbers on the bingo cards. The circular, ink blotches provide an easy mechanism for identifying a winning bingo card. 
         [0004]    Despite the popularity of the conventional ink daubers and given the desire of players to play large numbers of bingo cards at one time, there exists the need for a new ink dauber with increased comfort and allows faster and more efficient use. Advantageously, the ink dauber should be subject to various different ornamental appearances. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bingo dauber configured to receive the finger of a user such that the bingo dauber is worn on and controlled by the finger of the user. At least one opening in the bingo dauber is configured to receive a finger (e.g., index finger) which extends into a channel and groove arrangement, or finger insert, allowing the bingo dauber to be used quickly with a single finger while reducing or eliminating fatigue associated with gripping a conventional ink dauber. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the dauber is ornamentally configured as an animal, fireman or any other desired shape. In this manner, users are able to personalize their bingo space by using one or more daubers with one or more different ornamental appearances. 
         [0007]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate side and upper perspective views, respectively, of a conventional bingo dauber according to the prior art; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a front view of a firemen bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates a perspective view of a firemen bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2   c  illustrates a rear view of a firemen bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   d  illustrates a bottom view of a firemen bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   e  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a firemen bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  illustrate exploded and integrated views of a dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5   a  through  5   c  illustrate a finger inserted into a bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate a bingo dauber according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate bingo daubers having ornamental appearances of animals according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
         [0020]    The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bingo dauber configured to be worn on the finger of a user. The bingo dauber may take on any ornamental appearance without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1   a  shows a conventional bingo dauber  100  in a closed configuration according to the prior art. The bingo dauber  100  is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a housing  105  and cap  110 . The housing  105  defines or conceals an ink reservoir. That is, the inner surface of the housing may serve as a portion of the ink reservoir or the ink reservoir may be a separate item completely contained within the housing.  FIG. 1   b  shows an upper view of the conventional bingo dauber  100  with the cap  110  removed thereby exposing a porous membrane (e.g., foam)  115  which allows contained ink to be dispensed onto bingo cards. The upper portion  120  is threaded to facilitate attachment and removal of the cap  110 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2   a  through  2   e  show various views of a bingo dauber  200  according to the embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2   a  shows a front view of a fireman bingo dauber  200  according to the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the bingo dauber  200  can take on any form and shape (e.g., a cat).  FIG. 2   b  shows the bingo dauber  200  with a cap  205  removed. In this configuration, the cap  205  is configured as a fireman&#39;s helmet. As shown, a threaded portion  210  of the bingo dauber  200  serves to facilitate attachment and removal of the cap  205 . That is, the cap  205  includes a threaded recess compatible with the threaded portion  210 . With the cap  205  removed, a porous membrane  215  such as foam is exposed allowing ink from within an ink reservoir to be daubed on bingo card numbers.  FIG. 2   c  shows a rear view of the bingo dauber  200 . A first opening  220  in the bottom  225  of the bingo dauber  200  receives a user&#39;s finger which is able to extend to and through a second opening  221 . The first opening  220  and second opening  221  are separated by a finger receiving channel  222 . A finger groove  230  having a generally concave shape runs along the rear of the dauber  200  to provide a resting or accommodation area for the user&#39;s finger inserted through said channel. The finger groove  230  also facilitates the user&#39;s ability to control the bingo dauber  200  with a single finger.  FIGS. 5   a  through  5   b  show the bingo dauber  200  on a finger.  FIG. 2   d  shows a bottom view of the dauber  200  including first opening  220  and finger web  235  positioned thereover to accommodate and retain fingers of different sizes. The finger web  235  is made of any pliable material, such as rubber, polyurethane, etc., suitable for allowing a finger to insert therethrough and generally retaining the finger thereby maintaining the bingo dauber  200  on the finger of a user.  FIG. 2   e  shows a cross-sectional view of the bingo dauber  200  including cap  205 , threaded portion  210 , porous membrane  215 , ink reservoir  240  and openings  220 ,  221 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of another dauber  300  according to the embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, a finger insert  320  defining a finger receiving channel extends into, and is completely concealed within, the dauber  300  (i.e., there is no second opening). The cross-sectional view shows cap  305 , porous membrane  310 , ink reservoir  315  and finger insert  320 . For comfort, the finger insert  320  is lined with or fabricated of neoprene, rubber, vinyl, polymer or similar soft, pliable and/or comfortable material. While not shown, a finger web may also be incorporated near the opening in the finger insert  320 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  show exploded and integrated views of a bingo dauber  400  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The dauber  400  comprises at least a cap  405 , porous membrane  410 , gasket  415 , housing  420  and finger insert  425  having finger opening  430 . An ornamental housing may receive the bingo dauber  400  to create an ornamentally pleasing final product. It is also conceivable that the bingo dauber  400  may be configured to function akin to lip stick whereby twisting a portion of the cap  405  exposes the porous membrane  410  out of the top of the bingo dauber  400 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show rear and side views, respectively, of a finger  250  inserted through first opening  220 , which may be partially covered by the finger web  235 , and through second opening  221  of bingo dauber  200  until the front of the finger  250  rests on groove  230 . In this manner, the finger  250  is able to control use of the bingo dauber  200 .  FIG. 5   c  shows the finger  250  inserted into a finger insert  425  like that shown in  FIG. 4   a  of bingo dauber  203  which does not include the second opening or groove. Regardless of the embodiment, the bingo dauber of the present invention receives a finger which controls use of the bingo dauber. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show perspective and cross-sectional views of a dauber  450  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The dauber  450  is configured to have the appearance as a tiki. In this embodiment, a tiki façade  455  contains the functional portions of the bingo dauber  450  including housing  460 , porous membrane  465 , ink reservoir  470  and finger insert  475  defining a finger receiving channel. Ridges  480  integrated on the finger insert  470  provide tactile feedback allowing a user to control the bingo dauber  450  with a single finger. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show bingo daubers  500  and  505  configured as a dog and cat, respectively, according to the embodiments of the present invention. The bingo daubers according to the embodiments of the preset invention may be ornamentally configured in any conceivable manner. 
         [0028]    Any of the bingo daubers detailed herein and within the embodiments of the preset invention can be configured to be refillable. In one embodiment, the porous membrane is removable such that the ink reservoir may be filled with ink. 
         [0029]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.