GRIP CONE

Abstract

A grip cone for marking a playing surface. The grip cone includes a head, the head configured to serve as a marker on a playing surface. The grip cone also includes an attachment, the attachment is fastened to the head and configured to secure the head to the playing surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/011,980 filed on Jun. 13, 2014, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sports cones are commonly used to mark playing areas or otherwise conduct drills. In particular, disc cones are easily stackable and can be distributed and moved easily. However, disc cones suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, disc cones are easily knocked out of place. That is, because they are not anchored in any way they may be moved even with minimal contact or blown easily in the wind.

Further, disc cones are easily deformed. In particular, they tend to be very thin. Therefore, when they are hit by a player to equipment they deform or are damaged by the contact. Part of why the damage occurs is because the disc cone is easily moved by any contact, as noted above. This contact with players or equipment is almost certain to occur give sufficient time. Therefore, disc cones have a short life span and need to be replaced quite often.

Moreover, disc cones may be a hazard. In particular, as players hit the disc cone it often moves making it a trip hazard. Further, once the disc cone is moved because of the contact it must be placed back in its initial position requiring time and effort by either a coach or player.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a marker that can be placed on a playing surface and anchored in position, preventing movement of the marker. Further, there is a need in the art for the marker to survive contact and which does not act as a hazard on the playing surface.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One example embodiment includes a grip cone for marking a playing surface. The grip cone includes a head, the head configured to serve as a marker on a playing surface. The grip cone also includes an attachment, the attachment is fastened to the head and configured to secure the head to the playing surface.

Another example embodiment includes a grip cone for marking a playing surface. The grip cone includes a head, the head configured to serve as a marker on a playing surface. The grip cone also includes a spike, the spike is fastened to the head, extends vertically from the head and is configured to secure the head to the playing surface.

Another example embodiment includes a grip cone for marking a playing surface. The grip cone includes a head, the head configured to serve as a marker on a playing surface. The grip cone also includes one or more windows within the head. The grip cone further includes a spike, the spike is fastened to the head, extends vertically from the head and is configured to secure the head to the playing surface. The grip cone additionally includes a series of flutes aligned longitudinally along the exterior of the spike. The grip cone moreover includes a series of grooves aligned longitudinally along the interior of the spike, where the number of grooves is equal to the number of flutes and is configured to mate with the flutes of another grip cone.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of the example of a grip cone;

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-section of the example of a grip cone along the line A-A of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a grip cone with an alternative attachment;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a single injection molded grip cone;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of an example of a single injection molded grip cone;

FIG. 3C is a front view of an example of a single injection molded grip cone;

FIG. 3D is a rear view of an example of a single injection molded grip cone;

FIG. 3E is a left side view of an example of a single injection molded grip cone, the right side thereof being a mirror image;

FIG. 3F is a top front right side perspective view of an example of a single injection molded grip cone;

FIG. 3G is top bottom rear perspective view of an example of a single injection molded grip cone; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a double injection molded grip cone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1A and 1B (collectively “FIG. 1”) illustrates an example of a grip cone 100. FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of the example of a grip cone 100; and FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-section of the example of a grip cone 100 along the line A-A of FIG. 1A. The grip cone 100 is a sports cone that can be anchored in place. That is, the grip cone 100 is a disc cone that can be easily anchored to a playing surface in order to prevent movement of the grip cone 100, damage to the grip cone 100 and the grip cone 100 acting as a hazard on the playing surface.

FIG. 1 shows that the grip cone 100 can include a head 102. The head 102 will be a visible marker. That is the head 102 will act as a disc cone that can be used to mark a surface. The size of head 102 can be critical to ensure that the head 102 can be large enough to adequately mark the playing surface without becoming a hazard. For example, the head 102 can be round with a diameter of between 145 mm and 225 mm. E.g., the head 102 can have a diameter of approximately 185 mm. Likewise, the head 102 should not be overly tall otherwise it can become a tripping hazard. For example, the head 102 can be between 45 mm and 65 mm tall. In particular, the head 102 can be approximately 55 mm tall. As used in the specification and the claims, the term approximately shall mean that the value is within 10% of the stated value, unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 also shows that the grip cone 100 can include a spike 104. The spike 104 is configured to hold the head 102 in a stationary position relative to the playing surface. For example, the spike 104 can include a spike 104 which extends downward vertically from the head 102. Downward pressure on the head 102 will then push the spike 104 into a playing surface, such as grass or dirt, anchoring the head 102 relative to the playing surface. The size of the spike 104 can be critical to ensure that the head 102 is easy for a user to secure without damaging the playing surface. For example, the spike 104 can have a diameter at the top of the head between 55 mm and 75 mm and have a length (from the top of the head to the bottom of the spike 104) between 105 mm and 165 mm. E.g., the spike 104 can have a diameter at the top of the head of approximately 65 mm and a length of approximately 135 mm. That is if the head 102 is approximately 55 mm tall and the spike 104 is approximately 135 mm tall then the portion of the spike 104 which is below the head 102 and may be pushed into the playing surface is approximately 80 mm. As used in the specification and the claims, the phrase “configured to” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties recited elements to the physical characteristics of the recited structure. As a result, the phrase “configured to” reaches well beyond merely describing functional language or intended use since the phrase actively recites an actual state of configuration.

FIG. 1 further shows that the grip cone 100 can include one or more flutes 106. The one or more flutes 106 can include ribs or guides that are aligned longitudinally along the exterior of the spike 104. That is, the one or more flutes 106 can be symmetrically spaced about the axis of the spike 104. The flues 106 can be critical to helping the grip cone 100 remain in the correct orientation. I.e., the flutes 106 can prevent rotation of the grip cone 100 when the spike has been inserted into a playing surface. Further, the flutes 106 can allow multiple grip cones 100 to be stacked with one another, as described below.

FIG. 1 additionally shows that the grip cone 100 can include one or more grooves 108. The grooves 108 can be aligned longitudinally along the interior portion of the spike 104. The grooves 108 can be configured to match the size and shape of the flutes 106, allowing grip cones 100 to be stacked with one another. Additionally or alternatively, the grooves 108 can allow an accessory, such as a flag, post, or light, to be inserted into the middle of the spike 104.

FIG. 1 moreover shows that the grip cone 100 can include one or more windows 110. The windows 110 allow a user to remove the grip cone 100 when desired. Because the spike 104 allows the head 102 to be retained flush with the playing surface the grip cone 100 can be particularly difficult to remove by simply lifting the head 102 along the circumference. Therefore, the windows 110 are a portion of the head which is missing. The user can then place fingers or tools through the windows to obtain adequate purchase to remove the grip cone 100 from the playing surface.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a grip cone 200 with an alternative attachment. The grip cone 200 is configured to attach to a hard playing surface, such as a wood, tile, concrete, artificial turf, etc. That is, the grip cone 200 does not have a portion of the cone which is inserted into the playing surface.

The grip cone 200 includes a suction cup 202 mounted to the bottom of the head 102. The suction cup 202, also sometimes known as a sucker, is an object that uses negative fluid pressure of air or water to adhere to nonporous surfaces and in the process creates a partial vacuum. The working face of the suction cup 202 has a curved surface. When the center of the suction cup 202 is pressed against a flat, non-porous surface, the volume of the space between the suction cup 202 and the flat surface is reduced, which causes the fluid between the suction cup 202 and the surface to be expelled past the rim of the circular suction cup 202. When the force is removed the elastic substance of which the suction cup 202 is made tends to resume its original, curved shape. Because most of the fluid has already been forced out of the inside of the suction cup 202, the cavity which tends to develop between the suction cup 202 and the flat surface has little to no fluid in it, and therefore lacks pressure. The pressure difference between the atmosphere on the outside of the suction cup 202, and the low-pressure cavity on the inside of the suction cup 202, is what keeps the suction cup 202 adhered to the surface. The length of time for which the suction effect can be maintained depends mainly on how long it takes for fluid to leak back into the cavity between the suction cup 202 and the surface, equalizing the pressure with the surrounding atmosphere. This depends on the porosity and flatness of the surface and the rim of the suction cup 202.

FIGS. 3A-3G (collectively “FIG. 3”) illustrate an example of a single injection molded grip cone 300. FIG. 3A is a top view of the single injection molded grip cone 300; FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the single injection molded grip cone 300; FIG. 3C is a front view of the single injection molded grip cone 300; FIG. 3D is a rear view of the single injection molded grip cone 300; FIG. 3E is a left side view of the single injection molded grip cone, the right side thereof being a mirror image 300; FIG. 3F is a top front right side perspective view of the single injection molded grip cone 300; and FIG. 3G is top bottom rear perspective view of the single injection molded grip cone 300. The single injection molded grip cone 300 includes a single piece of material which is formed via injection molding. Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting material into a mold. Material for the single injection molded grip cone 300 is fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. For example, the single injection molded grip cone 300 can include polyethylene or any other desired material. Single injection molding means that the whole grip cone 100 is created in a single injection molding process, decreasing manufacturing complexity and time but allowing for less variability in coloring or style.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a double injection molded grip cone 400. The double injection molded grip cone 400 includes a main body 402 created in a first injection molding process. Then a second piece is overlaid on the main body 402 (either manufactured directly on the main body 402 or created separately and attached) as a cover 404. The cover 404 allows for more diversity of color and for a creation of a more wear resistant head 102. For example, the cover 404 can include polypropylene or any other desired material. However, a double injection molding process increases manufacturing complexity and time.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A grip cone for marking a playing surface, the grip cone comprising:

a head, the head configured to serve as a marker on a playing surface; and

an attachment, the attachment is: fastened to the head; and configured to secure the head to the playing surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the head is circular.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the diameter of the head is between 145 mm and 225 mm.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the diameter of the head is approximately 185 mm.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the head is between 45 mm and 65 tall.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the head is approximately 55 mm tall.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a suction cup fastened to the head.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the head includes one or more cavities configured to receive a cover.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a cover attached to the head.

10. A grip cone for marking a playing surface, the grip cone comprising:

a head, the head configured to serve as a marker on a playing surface; and

a spike, the spike: is fastened to the head; extends vertically from the head; and is configured to secure the head to the playing surface.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the spike is conical.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the diameter of the spike where it is fastened to the head is between 55 mm and 75 mm.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the diameter of the spike where it is fastened to the head is approximately 65 mm.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the spike is between 105 mm and 165 mm long.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the spike is approximately 135 mm long.

16. A grip cone for marking a playing surface, the grip cone comprising:

a head, the head configured to serve as a marker on a playing surface;

one or more windows within the head;

a spike, the spike: is fastened to the head; extends vertically from the head; and is configured to secure the head to the playing surface;

a series of flutes aligned longitudinally along the exterior of the spike; and

a series of grooves aligned longitudinally along the interior of the spike, wherein: the number of grooves is equal to the number of flutes; and is configured to mate with the flutes of another grip cone.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the grip cone includes at attachment inserted into the interior of the spike.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the attachment includes a flag.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the attachment includes a post.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the attachment includes a light.