Resilient cover system and method of manufacture

Abstract

A cover includes an inner resilient core which defines a hollow interior surface, the inner resilient core including an exterior surface. The cover also includes an outer covering disposed over the exterior surface of the inner resilient core, and three incisions through The inner resilient core and the outer covering, the three incisions defining three resilient fingers, wherein the three resilient fingers are adapted to operably retain an object inserted therethrough.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application ser. No. 60 / 735,664 entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING, CUTTlNG AND / OR USING BALLS, which was filed on Nov. 10, 2005 and which is herein incorporated by reference.[0002] The present invention relates to multi-purpose tools and devices that are useful in numerous personal, industrial, and commercial applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose resilient cover system and method of manufacture. [0003] There exist certain devices and tools that are so useful that their uses are nearly limitless. The rubber baled is one such device. Similarly the tennis ball, while conceived for the purpose of playing the game of tennis, has been adapted for many different applications. For example, it has been found that a tennis ball attached to the end of a broom handle may be useful in removing scuff-marks. Similarly, tennis balls have ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Further, the prior art manufacturing method consists of utilizing a single bladed implement such as knife or razor blade to cut a single or double incision into the ball and, this manufacturing process is currently done by hand. As such, there are numerous disadvantages to this prior art manufacturing process inclining quality and safety issues. These quality and safety issues include poor quality, and a slow and dangerous manufacturing process. Other disadvantages are also readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art and need not be explained further.

[0014] To address the goals stated above, the inventive cover comprises a unique incision and method of manufacturing that allows the cover to attach more securely to any device. By more securely retaining the cover to the device, the inventive cover reduces the amount of play or wobble that is created when using prior art devices. The present invention is useful in many applications where a cover is to be secured to, for example only, a device such as a handle, rod, writing device, chair, table leg, walker, cane, gun barrel, or any other protruding appendage or apparatus. The invention is also useful, for example only, in removing scuff marks from floors, protecting floors from the legs of furniture, protecting walls, reducing noise (such as when object are slid across a floor), reducing friction, making items more stable and / or visible, covering protruding objects to prevent injury or damage or simply to keep a device clean. Of course this is in no way meant to be limiting in any manner and there are a multitude of other uses for such a device. The invention may be applied, for example, to medical walkers, break leavers of wheel chairs, the back of wheel chairs (i.e.. the wheelie bars), broom handles, trailer hitch balls, and even to the barrels of guns so that foreign objects do not enter the barrel. Further, a person having limited mobility of their hands and arms can use the invention to aid in handling smaller items. For example, the cover of the present invention call be used to retain a writing device (e.g.. a pen), an eating utensil, or various other items that are difficult to grip.

[0017] The invention is also useful as a promotional device. A message, design, or other indicia may be imprinted on the cover, and when the cover is attached to a device, the indicia is visible and as such, can communicate a message. For example, the cover could be imprinted with a message and given to people as a promotional device. The recipient would then attach the cover to a device and the message would be displayed for others to see. The invention is also low in cost and provides a unique promotional gift or prize that promotes a message as well as serves as a useful tool for the recipient.

Problems solved by technology

There exist certain devices and tools that are so useful that their uses are nearly limitless.

However, this configuration has the disadvantage of being non-supportive along the longitudinal axis and as such, permits the device to wobble along this axis of the incision.

Further, a single elongated incision can only accommodate a limited width; this width being dictated by the cross-width of the incision.

Utilizing a device that exceeds this limited width will rip or tear the incision, thereby causing the ball to become even less stable.

However, this type of cut typically lacks adequate strength or gripping force for holding the device inserted therein.

The use of tennis halls for the many alternate uses described above is further limited by color.

And while they have been made in a few alternate colors, these limited colors are not satisfactory for the multitude of available alternate uses for these balls.

Yet another limitation is that prior art tennis balls have only an “official” or regulation weight and thickness.

Hence, when these tennis balls are used for alternate purposes, this single weight and thickness may be a disadvantage.

As such, there are numerous disadvantages to this prior art manufacturing process inclining quality and safety issues.

These quality and safety issues include poor quality, and a slow and dangerous manufacturing process.

Other disadvantages are also readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art and need not be explained further.

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