SPORTS BALL GIFT DISPLAY (GIFT BALL)
Sports balls, including but not limited to, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, and volleyballs, bisected such that the two sides of the sports ball separate yet are still attached at a specific point holding the bisected pieces together, causing an opening between the two sides, but not a complete separation. The bisected sports ball may maintain its original appearance on its outer surface, but will hold one concave mold in each side that has been fitted to the internal shape of each side, holding the shape of an inflated version of that specific sports ball. The fitted molds are covered with fabric that complements the outer color of the ball and the theme of the gifts that will be displayed within the sports ball. The entire sports ball display will attach to a flat-bottom base to ensure immobility and stability of the display unit.
As shown in
The ball 12 may be attached to the base 28 with glue, rubber cement, or any suitable adhesive compound. The base unit 28 may be covered with paint or decorative fabric 24 which complements the appearance of the ball 12 and interior fabric 24, or may be left in its original state without further embellishment.
Another version of the gift display, may include small hooks attached to the concave molds 22 in the interior of the device 10 which provide for the hanging of necklaces, bracelets and jewelry, allowing the sports ball gill set/display to be utilized for jewelry display and storage. With respect to the description above, it should be acknowledged that there are multiple variations of each version of this invention; including but not limited to size, shape, and mode of operation, which may optimize the functionality of the invention and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. As modifications to this invention may prove optimal to its function, the construction of this device 10 should not be limited to the exact description expressed in this document. Suitable modifications may be applied to enhance the functionality of the invention, so long as modifications are within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A gift display (or gift ball) comprised of:
- a sports ball, including but not limited to, a basketball, football, soccer ball, volleyball, beach ball, kick ball, and the like, having an outer cover and an inner bladder that can be inflated with air in order to cause the outer cover of the ball to stiffen and stabilize to hold the sports ball's intended shape when manufactured; either in it's manufactured state or inverted with the internal bladder side out for the purposes of painting and decorating the surface of the sports ball; which has been cut open into two pieces along nearly the entire circumference of the sports ball, with the exception of an area of approximately one to two inches along the bisector, which serves as a “hinge” holding the bisected parts together with each side of the bisected sports ball being hallow and having a cavity wherein a molded piece of material, for example, hard plastic, paper mache, ceramic, plaster forms, etc., having the same “bowl-like” or concave shape as each half of the sports ball can be inserted to hold the form of the sports ball in its inflated state so that the sports ball does not collapse in on itself when bisected.
2. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 1, wherein said bisected sports ball containing fitted molds in each side of the ball is mounted on a flat-bottom base to offer stability and hold the sports ball in place with mounting device or medium consisting of a piece of wire, glue, rubber cement, or the like.
3. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 2, wherein said fitted molds in each side of the bisected ball and the base are covered with decorative materials or fabrics to enhance and embellish the interior surface of the gift display (or gift ball).
4. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 3, wherein said ball is “propped” open or held open for purposes of displaying the items inside by the use of a heavy wire, such as that of a wire hanger, where the wire can be manipulated and shaped in such a way as to hold open the top half portion of the ball so that the interior may be seen and may be hidden under the “bowl-shaped” molds on each side of the ball under the interior fabric so as not to detract from the appealing appearance of the display gift.
5. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 4, wherein said sports ball has a “slot” cut out from its surface with an area of approximately one and one half inches across by one quarter of an inch wide that will allow coins to pass through the surface of the ball to the interior allowing the gift display (or gift ball) to be utilized as a hank with a latch or locking mechanism closure for security.
6. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 4, wherein said sports ball has a plastic bowl that is “food safe” inserted into the lower half of the display ball, allowing for the service of foods such as dips, chips, pretzels and snacks, rendering the display ball for use as a table centerpiece for parties and gatherings (i.e. the football gift display holding chips and salsa for tailgating.)
7. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 4, wherein said sports ball has a floral form such as Styrofoam or other substance inserted within the bottom half of the sports ball, allowing for the display of flowers within the sports ball, rendering the display ball for use as a floral gift for a sports fan.
8. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 4, wherein the cavity section of said sports ball has different bowls, forms, plastic molds, etc., inserted within to allow for the packaging or housing of gifts and novelty items that would otherwise be placed inside a gift basket. Cavity insertions within said sports ball may include, but are not limited to the aforementioned items.
9. A gift display (or gift hail) according to claim 4, wherein the cavity of the sports ball is able to store and display gifts and novelty items.
10. A gift display (or gift ball) according to claim 4, wherein both the inside cavities of the ball and the outside surface of the ball may be dyed, painted, covered with fabric, and/or otherwise decorated, in order to create unique gift displays appropriate for all occasions of gift giving.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 30, 2014
Publication Date: May 5, 2016
Inventor: ELAINE Constance CRUZ (Hazel Park, MI)
Application Number: 14/527,794