MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CONFORMING GLOBAL CARRIER

Abstract

A multi-dimensional conforming global carrier including a primary panel bidirectionally bonded a secondary panel. Bidirectional bonding allows the expansion in any direction around the carrier contents allowing the carrier to conform closely to the outside surface of the contents. The carrier itself may be made of an expansible material, and be sized to have an inner volume that is slightly smaller than the proposed contents when empty, such that when the content are placed in the inner volume of the carrier, the material of the carrier will stretch around the contents, in some cases resembling a “second skin” around such contents. In various embodiments, the carrier may have cooperating panel enlargements and recesses, may include an opening which may further be closed with various fastening devices, may be formed of panels of differing sizes and materials, may have bidirectionally elastic panels, and may be at least partially water resistant.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/586,373, filed on Jan. 13, 2012; which is incorporated by reference as if completely written herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not made as part of a federally sponsored research or development project.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of protective and carrying devices for irregular or rounded objects, in particular, for balls of various types and sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention provides a close fitting protective cover and carrying device for rounded or irregular objects, in particular, for balls of various types, such as, by way of example only, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, and volleyballs. The system of the present invention provides a multi-dimensional conforming global carrier, suitable for carrying a plurality of objects, particularly objects of a generally rounded shape, such as a plethora of balls of various types. In particular, the system is advantageous for carrying such objects that are too large to be easily grasped with the palm of the hand. Some of the most difficult items to successfully carry are globally-shaped balls having a diameter greater than the span of the human palm, for example, such items as basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, and the like. Additionally, the difficulty in carrying such items translates into an increased danger of dropping and damaging the surface of such objects, which the owner may wish to maintain in a pristine environment. Furthermore, even if the person carrying may wish to carry such an item in the hand, its size and awkwardness makes it likely that nothing else will be able to be carried in the hand. Thus, it is unlikely that anyone can both carry such an item and retain both hands free.

Various unsatisfactory solutions have been proposed for this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,773 for a bowling ball carrier, is typical of various hard sided, non-conforming carrying systems. These are frequently cumbersome and heavy, and unsuitable for many carried objects. Additionally, certain “mass” carriers are employed, often heavy duty elastic or semi-elastic mesh bags, in which a plurality of objects, such as basketballs or soccer balls may be carried. While light in weight, these carriers to not protect the surfaces of the carried objects, and in particular, promote rather than discourage, surface scuffing of the contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary prior art ball;

FIG. 2 is an unassembled flat plan drawing of a primary panel and a secondary panel according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is an assembled top perspective drawing of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is an assembled bottom perspective drawing of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a transparent rendition of an embodiment of the present application; showing an exemplary ball held within a carrier volume;

FIGS. 6a-d are flat plan renditions of a primary panel (FIG. 6a) and three secondary panels (FIG. 6b-d) in an embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary prior art generally oblate spheroid shaped object, in this embodiment a football, suitable for use with a multi-dimensional conforming global carrier; and

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a multi-dimensional conforming global carrier enclosing the generally oblate spheroid shaped object of FIG. 7.

These drawings are provided to assist in the understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the invention as described in more detail below and should not be construed as unduly limiting the invention. In particular, the relative spacing, positioning, sizing and dimensions of the various elements illustrated in the drawings are not drawn to scale and may have been exaggerated, reduced or otherwise modified for the purpose of improved clarity. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that a range of alternative configurations have been omitted simply to improve the clarity and reduce the number of drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a multi-dimensional conforming global carrier. The invention enables a significant advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodiments of the apparatus accomplish this by new and novel methods that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. The description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

As seen in FIGS. 1-5, the system includes a multi-dimensional conforming global carrier. In one embodiment, a multi-dimensional conforming global carrier (10), seen well in FIGS. 3-5 includes at least a primary panel (100) bidirectionally bonded to at least a second panel (200). The bidirectional bonding allows the expansion in any direction around the contents of the carrier, and particularly allows the carrier to conform very closely to the outside surface of the contents. It is envisioned that the carrier (10) itself may be made of an expansible material, and to be sized to have an inner volume that is slightly smaller than the proposed contents when empty, such contents being shown by way of example only in FIGS. 1 and 7. Thus, when the contents are placed in the inner volume of the carrier (10), the material of the carrier (10) will stretch around the contents, in some cases resembling a “second skin” around such contents.

As seen in FIG. 4, for easy access to the inner volume, the carrier (10) may be provided with a closure aperture (300) placing the carrier inner volume in communication with an outside atmosphere. In one embodiment, the closure aperture may be sized slightly smaller than a diameter of the proposed carrier (10) contents, so that the closure aperture (300) is stretched around the contents when the contents are placed in the carrier (10). The expansible rebound of the material or materials of the carrier (100) will therefore tend to return to a size smaller than said diameter, thereby tending to retain the contents within the carrier (10).

For added protection and security, the closure aperture (300) may be provided with a closure (350), also seen well in FIG. 4, capable of reversibly closing the closure aperture (300). Optimally, any closure (350) will have expansible qualities approximately equal to those of the carrier (10) itself, so that the conforming qualities of the carrier (10) are not adversely affected by the addition of the closure (350). Additionally, any means of attaching the closure (350) to the carrier, such as by bonding or sewing, ideally will have two-dimensional expansible qualities also approximately equal to those of the carrier (10). Thus, the carrier (10) will be able to smoothly conform in multiple dimensions to the contents held within the inner volume.

Any means of reversibly securing the closure aperture (300) against opening that comport with the above-noted considerations would be suitable for the carrier (10), however, in some embodiments, by way of example only, the closure (350) may selected from the group of devices consisting of a zipper and a hook and loop fastener strip.

In one embodiment, the primary panel (100) and secondary panel (200) are shaped as shown, by way of example only, as in FIG. 2; comprising two somewhat “dumbbell” shaped panels (100, 200). In such construction, the primary panel (100) has a primary panel first enlargement (110) and a primary panel second enlargement (130). In some embodiments, these enlargements (110, 130) are of similar, if not exactly the same shape. Similarly, the secondary panel (200) may be provided with a secondary panel first enlargement (210) and a secondary panel second enlargement (230), and these enlargements (210, 230) again may be provided of similar, if not exactly the same shape.

Concurrently, the primary panel (100) may be provide with a primary panel first recess (120) and a primary panel second recess (140); and the secondary panel (200) may be provided with a secondary panel first recess (220) and a primary panel second recess (240), and as seen in an unassembled view in FIG. 2

In a preferred embodiment, and as seen in an unassembled view in FIG. 2, the primary panel first enlargement (110) is shaped to closely cooperate with the secondary panel first recess (220) and the primary panel second enlargement (130) is shaped to cooperate closely with the secondary panel second recess (240). At the same time, primary panel first recess (120) is shaped to closely cooperate with the secondary panel first enlargement (210) and the primary panel second recess (140) is shaped to closely cooperate with the secondary panel second enlargement (230). Such close cooperation in the joining of the primary panel (100) and the secondary panel (200) again promotes the desired close cooperation of the carrier (10) with the contents.

Any means of locating the closure aperture (300) in the surface of the carrier (10) that is sufficient to meet the operational requirements of said closure aperture (300) is contemplated. For example only, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to locate the closure aperture (300) so that it is entirely bounded within the primary panel (100). In other embodiments, it may be is desirable to locate the closure aperture (300) so that it is entirely bounded within the secondary panel (200). In other embodiments, the closure aperture (300) may include a primary panel closure aperture (150) bounded at least in part by a portion of the primary panel (100) and a secondary panel closure aperture (250) bounded at least in part by a portion of the secondary panel (200), thereby having a primary panel closure aperture (150) and a secondary panel closure aperture (250) cooperating to form the closure aperture (300). In this latter configuration, where the closure aperture (300) is partly bounded by both panels (100, 200), the bonding of a closure (350) to both panels (100, 200) may further serve to help tie the panels (100, 200) together, and thereby increase the strength of the carrier (10).

It is specifically intended that the carrier (10) containing generally round contents as seen in FIGS. 1-5, is not the only shape envisioned by embodiments of the present invention. By way of example only, and not limitation, the carrier (10) may be configured to accommodate a wide range of content shapes, such as the generally oblate spheroid shape seen in FIGS. 6-8.

As seen in FIGS. 3-5, in other embodiments, the carrier (10) may be provided with an attachment means (400) capable of reversible attaching the carrier (10) to an external appliance (500). This may be, by way of example, a loop stitched or otherwise bonded to the surface of the carrier (10), although any means of attaching the carrier to an external appliance (500) is contemplated. In various embodiments, for example only, the carrier (10) may thereby be attached to a carrying strap, or otherwise attached to a belt, other article of clothing, or other device, such as a backpack or book bag, and even to an outside tether, as for example, where the carrier (10) may be hung on a hook.

For advertising, identification or pure amusement, the carrier (10) may be provided with surface indicia (600) on at least one of the group of panels selected from the group of panels consisting of the primary panel (100) and the secondary panel (200). Such surface indicia (600) is specifically meant to incorporate embodiments having three-dimensional, as well as or instead of two-dimensional features, and may, by way of example, include any of a wide variety of surface features attached to the carrier (10).

In some embodiments, the primary panel and the secondary panel may be of the same surface area, but in other embodiments, the primary panel may be larger or smaller than the secondary panel. Both the primary panel and the secondary panel may be bidirectionally elastic, and either or both may be at least partially water resistant. In some embodiments, the primary and the secondary panel may be made of the same material, or they may differ, and in those embodiments with a plurality of panels, a plurality of materials may be used.

Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative manufacturing processes and materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

Claims

1. A multi-dimensional conforming global carrier (10), comprising:

at least a primary panel (100) bidirectionally bonded to at least a secondary panel (200), and

a closure aperture (300) placing a carrier inner volume in communication with an outside atmosphere.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the primary panel (100) further comprises:

at least a primary panel first enlargement (110), a primary panel first recess (120), a primary panel second enlargement (130), and a primary panel second recess (140).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary panel (200) further comprises: at least a secondary panel first enlargement (210), a secondary panel first recess (220), and secondary panel second enlargement (230), and a secondary panel second recess (240).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closure aperture (300) is bounded at least in part by a portion of the primary panel (100).

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closure aperture (300) is bounded at least in part by a portion of the secondary panel (200).

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closure aperture (300) comprises a primary panel closure aperture (150) and a secondary panel closure aperture (250).

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the closure aperture (300) has a closure (350) selected from the group of devices consisting of a zipper and a hook and loop fastener strip.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment means (400) capable of reversible attaching the carrier (10) to an external appliance (500).

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising surface indicia (600) on at least one of the group of panels selected from the group of panels consisting of the primary panel (100) and the secondary panel (200).

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the primary panel comprises a first surface area and the secondary panel comprises a second surface area, wherein the first surface area is greater than the second surface area.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the primary panel comprises a first surface area and the secondary panel comprises a second surface area, wherein the first surface area is less than the second surface area.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the primary panel is bidirectionally elastic.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the secondary panel is bidirectionally elastic.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary panel are at least partially water resistant.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the primary panel comprises a first material, and the secondary panel comprises a second material.

16. A multi-dimensional conforming global carrier (10), comprising:

a bidirectionally elastic primary panel (100) bidirectionally bonded to a bidirectionally elastic secondary panel (200), and a closure aperture (300) placing a carrier inner volume in communication with an outside atmosphere;

wherein the primary panel (100) comprises at least a primary panel first enlargement (110), a primary panel first recess (120), a primary panel second enlargement (130), and a primary panel second recess (140);

wherein the secondary panel (200) further comprises at least a secondary panel first enlargement (210), a secondary panel first recess (220), and secondary panel second enlargement (230), and a secondary panel second recess (240).

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the primary panel comprises a first surface area and the secondary panel comprises a second surface area, wherein the first surface area is greater than the second surface area.

18. The device according to claim 16, wherein the primary panel comprises a first surface area and the secondary panel comprises a second surface area, wherein the first surface area is less than the second surface area.

19. A multi-dimensional conforming global carrier (10), comprising:

a bidirectionally elastic primary panel (100) having a first surface area, bidirectionally bonded to a bidirectionally elastic secondary panel (200) having a second surface area, and a closure aperture (300) placing a carrier inner volume in communication with an outside atmosphere;

wherein the primary panel (100) comprises at least a primary panel first enlargement (110), a primary panel first recess (120), a primary panel second enlargement (130), and a primary panel second recess (140);

wherein the secondary panel (200) further comprises at least a secondary panel first enlargement (210), a secondary panel first recess (220), and secondary panel second enlargement (230), and a secondary panel second recess (240);

and where the first surface area does not equal the second surface area.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the primary panel comprises a first material, and the secondary panel comprises a second material.