U.S. patent application number 10/905452 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-06 for rack for hanging bats or other objects with advertising space.
Invention is credited to Ronald Peter JR. Joannou.
Application Number | 20060144806 10/905452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36639162 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060144806 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joannou; Ronald Peter JR. |
July 6, 2006 |
Rack for hanging bats or other objects with advertising space
Abstract
The invention is a portable rack with an advertising space
formed as a molded unit having a plurality of prongs formed in a
horizontal ledge portion to support a plurality of bats or other
objects in a vertical position, and a flat shelf with half circle
indentations to hold a plurality of balls. The device can be
affixed to the back of a wire-screen backstop, or alternatively, a
wall.
Inventors: |
Joannou; Ronald Peter JR.;
(Merrick, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY FURR
253 N. MAIN STREET
JOHNSTOWN
OH
43031
US
|
Family ID: |
36639162 |
Appl. No.: |
10/905452 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/85.7 ;
211/60.1; 211/70.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/0045 20130101;
A63B 60/60 20151001; A63B 2102/18 20151001; G09F 23/00 20130101;
G09F 23/0066 20130101; A47B 81/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/085.7 ;
211/070.1; 211/060.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. A rack comprising: an elongated, rectangular vertical display
plate; a horizontal bat hanger projecting perpendicularly from the
bottom of said vertical display plate; and a horizontal ball
platform projecting perpendicularly from the top of said vertical
display plate.
2. A rack according to claim 1 where said bat hanger has a
plurality of niches formed into said bat hanger, each niche
comprising a neck through which an object to be stored may be
inserted, and a main elliptical portion perpendicular to said neck,
the diameter of said elliptical portion being small enough to
contact the handle of the object to be supported.
3. A rack according to claim 1 where said ball platform has a
plurality of holes in which said holes diameter is less than the
diameter of the ball at its widest point.
4. A rack according to claim 1 where said rectangular vertical
display plate is used to display a message.
5. A rack according to claim 4 where said message is the name of a
sponsor.
6. A rack according to claim 1 where said rack has an attachment
means to attach to a fence.
7. A rack according to claim 6 where said attachment means is a
bracket.
8. A rack according to claim 6 where said attachment means is a
hook.
9. A rack according to claim 6 where said attachment means is an
adjustable clip means for tightening said rack against said links
of said fence, said adjustable clip means being bolted through an
opening in said mounting plate and being adjustable by wing nut
means.
10. A rack according to claim 1 where said ball platform has a
plurality of indentations.
11. A rack according to claim 1 where said rack holds a plurality
of bats and a plurality of balls.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a method and a device for storing
sporting equipment and more particularly storing of baseball or
softball equipment.
[0002] 1. Background
[0003] Statistics show that over 14,000 Little League injuries
occur from tripping over equipment each year. The chances of injury
can be reduced by eliminating the mess in the dugout.
[0004] There are also problems with advertising your team's name or
sponsor as this is normally done by banners which can be difficult
to attach to the fence or a wall at the ballpark and they have to
be moved and serve no functional purpose.
[0005] 2. Prior Art
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,841 by Klein, et al. and issued on Oct.
31, 2000, is for a hanging rack for sports equipment. It discloses
a sports equipment rack for supporting sports equipment in an
angular manner with apair of side frame members having an elongated
main body section and a plurality of support arms projecting
outwardly and upwardly from each main body section.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,383 by Heneveld and issued on Jul. 18,
2000, is for a multiple use storage shelf for organizing and
storing sporting equipment or other articles. It discloses a
multiple use storage shelf for efficiently organizing and storing a
variety of different sized items such as balls, ranging from golf
balls to basketballs, and containers, ranging from a small box of
nails to a larger paint can.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,340 by Cameron and issued on Apr. 25,
2000, is for a sports equipment storage rack. It discloses a rack
for organizing, protecting, and storing various sports equipment.
It has a backboard, a receptacle for holding a beverage container,
at least one equipment hook, a bat holder hook, at least one
flexible member such as a securing strap, an optional hanging hole,
and a decorative area.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,105 by Whitehead, et al. and issued on
Feb. 16, 1999, is for a storage apparatus for sporting goods. It
discloses a storage apparatus for holding a large variety of sports
paraphernalia. It has rod members between opposing frame members
with upper and middle shelves formed by upper and middle rod
members with some of the rod members adjustable in a horizontal
plane to hold and keep various sized balls or other sporting goods
away from the wall of which the frame members are secured.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,737 by Whitehead, et al. and issued on
Jan. 13, 1998, is for a multi-purpose sport shelf. It discloses a
multi-purpose storage apparatus having interchangeable shelving for
use in storage of sporting goods.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,244 by Mesna, et al. and issued on May
6, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,632 by Mesna, et al. and issued on
Apr. 23, 1996 are for bat racks for chain link fence. They disclose
a bat rack having a generally L-shaped elongated member with a
series of recesses adapted to receive the handles of baseball
bats.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,794 by Reedy and issued on Aug. 9, 1994,
is for a sports equipment support rack. It discloses a sports
equipment support rack which is a combination of a fixed main
frame, a basket, and a hoop and hook assembly.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,005 by Hedges and issued on Mar. 15,
1994, is for a portable modular sports equipment rack especially
suited for use at games. It discloses a portable modular sports
equipment rack including elongated telescoping tubular mounting
members for accommodating a number of different types of hooks
specifically adapted to receive different types of softball or
baseball equipment, including at least fielding gloves, batting
helmets and bats. Tubular spacer elements maintain a desired space
between different pieces of equipment.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,298 by Brown, Sr. and issued on Dec. 28,
1993, is for a combined carrier and storage device for baseball or
softball team equipment having playing field lining capability. It
discloses an improved compartmentalized carrier and storage device
for baseball and softball team equipment for its easy transport and
use.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,327 by Mercer, Jr., et al. and issued on
Feb. 4, 1992, is for a sports equipment organizer. It discloses a
sports equipment organizer providing a frame of rectangular
elements including parallel top and bottom elements parallel left
and right vertical elements joining the top and bottom
elements.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,048 by Lortie and issued on Nov. 6,
1990, is for a caddy for baseball and softball bats. It discloses a
cart for carrying baseball equipment featuring a protective
cover.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,467 by Bobeczko and issued on Jun. 26,
1990, is for a sports equipment rack. It discloses a sports
equipment rack that includes a pair of spaced frame members
connected to, and projecting from, a vertically extending wall.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,456 by Lee and issued on Aug. 8, 1989,
is for a rack structure for balls and related equipment. It
discloses a rack structure for storing balls and related equipment
with the rack structure mainly comprised of two frame plates,
several horizontal rods, two side plates, and several hooks.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,647 by Schinzing and issued on Apr. 22,
1986, is for a rack for hanging bats or other objects. It discloses
a portable rack formed as a molded unit which has a plurality of
niches formed in a horizontal ledge portion to support a plurality
of bats or other objects in a vertical position, and guide arms and
adjustable clip means affixed to the back of a vertical mounting
plate to enable the device to be mounted on a wire-screen backstop,
or alternatively, screw disposed through openings in the vertical
mounting plate to enable the device to be mounted on an interior
building wall.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,126 by Halverson and issued on Sept. 20,
1977, is for a weight equalized foldable bat rack. It discloses a
portable bat rack having a first configuration attachable to a
fence for the storage of baseball bats and a more compact second
configuration of smaller dimensions for transporting the bat
rack.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,241 by Parrilla, Sr. and issued on Jan.
11, 1977, is for a rack for sporting equipment. It discloses a rack
that is mountable upon a vertical wall, the rack being made from a
plastic sheet that is vacuum-drawn to form a rigid, three
dimensional back panel to a front side of which several trays are
fitted, each tray likewise being similarly made of plastic; the
trays serving to hold a basketball, football and several baseballs;
the back panel also supports a row of forward extending pegs on
which sports uniforms and caps can be hung, and a pair of
yoke-shaped fittings, also secured to the rack, serve to hold
baseball bats.
[0022] There is still room for improvement in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention relates to a device to hold sports
equipment and balls that consists of a base with a shelf with half
circle indentations to hold the balls, connecting means to connect
it to a fence or wall, a plurality of prongs to hold bats and a
flat advertising surface that is perpendicular to said base.
[0024] It is the object of this patent to develop a bat rack that
can hold sports equipment and provide an advertising space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the
preferred form of this invention is illustrated in the following
drawings:
[0026] FIG. 1 shows the front of the device with bats and
balls;
[0027] FIG. 2 shows the back of the device with bats and balls;
[0028] FIG. 3 displays a front view of the device with a cross
cut;
[0029] FIG. 4 displays a top view of the device with a cross
cut;
[0030] FIG. 5 displays a side view of the device with bats and
balls;
[0031] FIG. 6 displays a bottom view of the device with a cross
cut; and
[0032] FIG. 7 shows a hanging means of the device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following description is demonstrative in nature and is
not intended to limit the scope of the invention or its application
of uses.
[0034] There are a number of significant design features and
improvements incorporated within the invention.
[0035] The principal embodiment of the invention is a portable bat
rack which can be mounted onto a chain-link fence or backstop to
store baseball or softball bats conveniently, but out of the field
of play, during a game.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the rack 1 is molded as a single unit
from high-impact ABS plastic so that the rack 1 is weatherproof and
virtually indestructible.
[0037] The vertical display plate 10 rests flat against the
backstop upon which the rack 1 is to be mounted. The horizontal bat
hanger 20 is a ledge that projects perpendicularly from the front
of the vertical display plate 10 and is connected at a right angle
at the bottom of the vertical display plate 10, and parallel to the
plane of the ground.
[0038] The hanger 20 defines a plurality (ten in the preferred
embodiment) of niches 24, each capable of supporting a bat. Each
niche 24 has a neck portion 25 through which the handle of a bat 80
is inserted, and a main portion 26 which is elliptical and has a
diameter slightly smaller than the knob at the end of a bat handle,
thus allowing the bat to be supported in an upside-down
position.
[0039] The horizontal bat hanger 20 is a ledge that projects
perpendicularly from the front of the vertical display 10 and is
connected at a right angle at the bottom of the vertical display
plate 10, and parallel to the plane of the ground.
[0040] The ball platform 30 is a ledge that projects
perpendicularly from the front of the vertical display 10 and is
connected at a right angle at the top of the vertical display plate
10, and parallel to the plane of the ground. The ball platform 30
has a plurality of circular openings or holes 35. These holes 35
are used to hold the balls 85 in place. These holes 35 have the
proper diameter to hold the balls 65 in place but not too great of
a diameter so that the balls 65 would fall through the hole. In an
alternative, indentions in the ball platform can be used. The ball
platform can hold up to 9 balls 65, either softballs or hardballs
in the preferred embodiment.
[0041] The vertical display plate 10 is used in the preferred
embodiment as a display area. It is a location that a team can
display that team name or the team sponsor. It can also be used as
a place that a team can sell advertisement to counter the expenses
of the team. The vertical display plate 10 consists of a large flat
surface, large enough so that the message that is displayed on it
can be seen by the players and spectators. The vertical display
plate 10 also adds stability to the rack 1. In the preferred
embodiment the vertical display plate 10 is approximately 7.5''
wide.times.36'' long.
[0042] FIG. 6 displays a front view of the rack 1 holding balls and
bats.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the rack 1 is attached to a fence
through the use of an attaching means. The attaching means in the
preferred embodiment are easily attached brackets 65. These
brackets clamp and remove easily from fence. The fence is inserted
between a clip and the back of the vertical display plate 10, and
the wing nut is tightened to hold the rack 1 in position.
[0044] Another embodiment is for the rack to use hooks such as an
eyehook that are connected to the vertical display plate 10. These
hooks 70 latch on to the fence to hold the rack 1 up.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT
[0045] An alternative embodiment of the invention can be mounted on
a wall in a garage, basement, or the like, and can be used to store
sporting goods, tools, garden supplies, and miscellaneous items.
The rack 1 can be mounted on the wall by means of two screws which
are inserted into openings sixteen inches apart in the vertical
display plate 10 and are screwed into the wall studs to hold the
rack onto the wall.
[0046] It is intended that the scope of the invention encompass
additional minor variations, for example, where the rack is to be
mounted onto a wall which has studs at intervals other than the
standard sixteen inches, the screws could be positioned at
intervals other than sixteen inches, corresponding to the intervals
between studs, or as another example, bat racks with a greater or
lesser number of niches, which do not depart from the spirit of the
invention.
CONCLUSION
[0047] The rack is a great and easy way to store sports equipment
so it is out of the way, in order to reduce tripping risk while
still being easily accessible and easy to use.
[0048] Although the present invention has been described in
considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions
thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and
scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
description of the preferred versions contained herein.
[0049] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion
relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0050] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0051] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *