U.S. patent application number 11/636512 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-12 for method for forming outerlayer on a curved surface.
Invention is credited to Hsing-Hui Chen.
Application Number | 20070082768 11/636512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36612476 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070082768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Hsing-Hui |
April 12, 2007 |
Method for forming outerlayer on a curved surface
Abstract
A method for forming an outside layer on a curved surface and a
kit for the same purpose is disclosed. The method here is achieved
by the following steps: (a) providing an assembling kit containing
a first set and a second set; (b) assembling the first set and a
second set together to form an outside layer on the curved surface.
The first set of the assembling kit consists of a central hexagon
and three pentagons. The second set consists of one binding hexagon
and two peripheral hexagons. As the first set and the second set is
combined together, only one respective edge of the central hexagon
abuts one corresponding edge of each binding hexagon.
Inventors: |
Chen; Hsing-Hui; (Taipei
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN & BERNER, LLP
Suite 300
1700 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
36612476 |
Appl. No.: |
11/636512 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11080432 |
Mar 16, 2005 |
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11636512 |
Dec 11, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/604 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 41/08 20130101;
A63B 2243/0025 20130101; A63B 45/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/604 |
International
Class: |
A63B 41/00 20060101
A63B041/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2004 |
TW |
093140295 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A kit for forming an outside layer on a curved surface,
comprising: a first combining member having a central hexagon and
three pentagons; three second combining members having a binding
hexagon and two peripheral hexagons; wherein any two sides of two
different pentagons of the same first combining member are not next
to each other, one side of each pentagon is next to a respective
side of the central hexagon of the first combining member or the
central hexagon of the first combining member is next to a
respective of the pentagon, each binding hexagon is next to one
side of the peripheral hexagon of the second combining member, and
any two sides of the two different peripheral hexagons of the same
second combining member are not next to each other.
11. The kit as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a substrate
having a curved surface with at least one edge.
12. The kit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first combining
member and the second combining member is fixed on the substrate,
and at least one side of the central hexagon of the first combining
member is next to one side of the binding hexagon of the second
combining member.
13. The kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein each angle between any
two neighboring sides of the same hexagon in the first combining
member or in the second combining member has the same angle.
14. The kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein each side of each
hexagon in the first combining member or in the second combining
member has the same length.
15. The kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein each side of the same
pentagon in the first combining member has the same length.
16. The kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein each side of all
pentagons in the first combining member has the same length.
17. The kit as claimed in claim 10, wherein patterns on surfaces of
the pentagons, patterns on surfaces of the central hexagons of the
first combining member, patterns on surfaces of the binding
hexagon, and the patterns on the surfaces of the peripheral
hexagons are different from each other in wherein patterns on
surfaces of the pentagons, patterns on surfaces of the central
hexagons of the first combining member, patterns on surfaces of the
binding hexagon, and the patterns on the surfaces of the peripheral
hexagons are different from each other in appearance.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention is related to a method for forming an outside
layer on a curved surface, and especially, relates to a method for
forming an outside layer on ball-shaped surface.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] So far, the most popular methods for forming a pattern on a
curved surface such as a ball-surface can be the piece-up method or
integral molding method. The direct-fixing method is achieved by
preparing a well-printed outside layer which is big enough to cover
the curved surface. Then the outside layer is fixed to cover the
target curved surface. However, the method illustrated above easily
generates wrinkles on the surface of the fixed outside layer or the
edges thereof. Therefore, the appearance of the achieved outside
layer on the curved surface is unattractive. Most important of all,
the outside layer on the curved surface causes an unrealistic
appearance, especially for some patterns, pictures, or photos. On
the other hand, the conventional piece-up method of assembling
small pieces of pads together is costly since it is labor intensive
and slow. Moreover, as the curved surface is small, the method is
not practical. In addition, gaps inevitably occur between the
pieces used in the traditional piece-up method and they cause
further difficulties during the assembling.
[0005] Taking assembly of a soccer ball pattern on a ball surface
for example, a pad made of ten hexagons and six pentagons (see FIG.
1) are commonly prepared in the traditional piece-up method. The
pad shown FIG. 1 is used for covering a hemi-spherical surface and
is cut into several single pentagons and hexagons before
assembling. Then all the pentagons and hexagons are adhered or
stitched to the hemi-spherical surface individually by labor.
Therefore, the traditional piece-up method needs considerable
skilled labors, which furthermore is time-consuming. In the
traditional piece-up method, the gaps between the pentagons and the
hexagon cannot be well controlled since too many single pads need
to be adhered or stitched. Additionally, the assembly is difficult
as the size of the curved surface is small since the angle or the
side length of the pentagons or the hexagons cannot be well cut. In
most cases, some differences between pentagons (or hexagons) are
generated naturally when particularly small curved surfaces are
involved.
[0006] Imperfect pictures or the patterns formed through the
direct-fixing method are particularly hard to be improved after the
big sheet of cover of pictures or patterns is adhered to the curved
surface. In other words, it is very difficult to prevent or remove
the wrinkles occurring on the cover sheet, especially for the
adhesion or stitching of the sheet on a surface with high degree of
curvature (for example, the ball surface).
[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved method to
mitigate the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The method of the present invention relates to a method for
forming an outer layer on curved surface, and which can facilitate
the assembly, reduce wrinkling, reduce variations between gaps,
save the time in assembly of appropriate products, and reduce the
cost of products.
[0009] The present invention further relates to a kit for forming
an outside layer on a curved surface. This kit will facilitate the
assembling, reduce the quantity of wrinkles, reduce the variations
between gaps, save time in assembly of products made using this
method, and reduce the cost for assembly of such products.
[0010] To achieve the purpose above, the method for forming an
outside layer on a curved surface of the present invention
comprises the following steps: (A) providing a substrate having a
curved surface, a first combining member consisting of a central
hexagon and three pentagons, and three second combining members
consisting of a binding hexagon and two peripheral hexagons; and
(B) combining and fixing the first combining member, and the second
combining members on the curved surface of the substrate. Among the
first combining member and the second combining member, any two
sides of two different pentagons of the same first combining member
are not next to each other. In addition, one side of each pentagon
is next to a respective side of the central hexagon of the first
combining member or the central hexagon of the first combining
member is next to one side of the pentagon. Moreover, each binding
hexagon is next to a respective side of the peripheral hexagon of
the second combining member, and any two sides of the two different
peripheral hexagons of the same second combining member are not
next to each other. Furthermore, when the first combining member,
and the second combining member are combined together on the curved
surface, at least one side of the central hexagon of the first
combining member is next to one side of the binding hexagon of the
second combining member.
[0011] In general, after the first combining member and the second
combing member is assembled together, protrusions, or kinks happen
on the edge of the first combining member and the second combing
member. Hence, the method of the present invention can optionally
further comprise a step of (C) making the first edge of the first
combining member and the second edge of the second combining member
comply with the third edge of the curved surface after the first
combining member and the second combining member are fixed on the
curved surface. Step (C) is carried out after step (B) is performed
in the method of the present invention. The first edge of the first
combining member and the second edge of the second combining member
can be made to comply with the third edge of the curved surface
through any conventional process in step (C). Preferably, the first
edge of the first combining member and the second edge of the
second combining member are cut or folded along the third edge of
the curved surface.
[0012] The kit of the present invention includes: a first combining
member having a central hexagon and three pentagons; three second
combining members. Each second combining member has a binding
hexagon and two peripheral hexagons. Among them, any two sides of
two different pentagons of the same first combining member are not
next to each other. Furthermore, one side of each pentagon is next
to one side of the central hexagon of the first combining member or
the central hexagon of the first combining member is next to one
side of the pentagon. Moreover, each binding hexagon is next to one
side of the peripheral hexagon of the second combining member. Any
two sides of the two different peripheral hexagons of the same
second combining member are not next to each other.
[0013] The hexagons (for example, the central hexagons, the binding
hexagon, and the peripheral hexagons) of the kit of the present
invention or those of the method of the present invention can be
any conventional hexagons. Preferably, each angle between any two
neighboring sides of the same hexagon in the first combining member
or in the second combining member has the same angle. In other
words, the shape of the hexagons of the present invention is
preferred to be the same. More preferably, each side of each
hexagon in the first combining member or in the second combining
member has the same length. In other words, the sizes of the
hexagon in the first combining member or in the second combining
member are more preferable to be the same. Likewise, the pentagons
of the kit of the present invention or those of the method of the
present invention can be any conventional pentagons. Preferably,
each side of the same pentagon in the first combining member has
the same length. In other words, the pentagons of the present
invention are preferred to be in the same shape. More preferably,
each side of all pentagons in the first combining member has the
same length. In other words, the pentagons of the present invention
are more preferred to be of the same size. The patterns or the
colors on the surface of the pentagons, the patterns or the colors
on the surface of the central hexagons of the first combining
member, the patterns or the colors on the surface of the binding
hexagon, and the patterns or the colors on the surface of the
peripheral hexagons can be the same or different. Preferably, the
patterns or the colors on the surface of the pentagons, the
patterns or the colors on the surface of the central hexagons of
the first combining member, the patterns or the colors on the
surface of the binding hexagon, and the patterns or the colors on
the surface of the peripheral hexagons are different.
[0014] The curved surface suitable for the kit of the present
invention or the method of the present invention can be any
conventional curved surface. Preferably, the curved surface is an
irregular curved surface, or the surface of a sphere or a
hemi-sphere.
[0015] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pad for
constructing a soccer ball in the prior art.
[0017] FIG. 2A is a view of the first combining member of the kit
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2B is a view of the second combining member of the kit
of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2C is a view of the assembling of the first combining
member and three second combining members of the kit of the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of an assembled sphere produced from
the kit of the second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2A, a first combining member 10 of
the present invention is shown. The first combining member 10 of
the present invention comprises a central hexagon 1 1 and three
pentagons 12, 13, 14. As shown in FIG. 2A, one side of each
pentagon 12, 13, 14 connects to a respective side of the central
hexagon 11 in an alternating manner. That is, the central hexagon
11 is among the three pentagons 12, 13, 14, which are regularly
separate from each other. With reference to FIG. 2B, a second
combining member 20 of the present invention is shown. The second
combining member 20 of the present invention comprises a binding
hexagon 21 connectedly fitted between two peripheral hexagons 22,
23. The binding hexagon may be described as having an upper half
and a lower half, each half having three faces, sequentially A, B
and C. As shown in FIG. 2B, one side of each of the peripheral
hexagons 22, 23 respectively contacts faces A and C, such that the
peripheral hexagons are separate from each other. Referring to FIG.
2C, an assembly of the first combining member and three second
combining members of the kit of the first embodiment of the present
invention is shown. As the elements of the kit of the present
invention are assembled, one of first combining members 10 and
three of the second combining members 20, 30,40 are arranged on a
curved surface (not shown in FIG. 2C) through adhesion or
stitching. One side of the binding hexagon 21 which is not next to
the peripheral hexagon 22 of the second combining member 20 is
arranged to be next to the available side of the central hexagon 11
of the first combining member 11. Moreover, one available side of
the peripheral hexagon 22 of the second combining member 20 is next
to a corresponding available side of the pentagon 12 of the first
combining member 10. Likewise, one available side of the peripheral
hexagon 23 of the second combining member 20 is next to a
corresponding available side of the pentagon 13 of the first
combining member 10. One available side of the binding hexagon 31
of the second combining member 20 is next to a corresponding
available side of the central hexagon 11 of the first combining
member 10. One available side of the binding hexagon 41 of the
second combining member 20 is next to a corresponding available
side of the central hexagon 11 of the first combining member 10.
Furthermore, one of the available sides of the peripheral hexagon
32 of the second combining member 20 is next to a corresponding
available side of the pentagon 13 of the second combining member
10. Similarly, one of the available sides of the peripheral hexagon
33 of the second combining member 20 is next to a corresponding
available side of the pentagon 14 of the second combining member
10. One of the available sides of the peripheral hexagon 42 of the
second combining member 20 is next to a corresponding available
side of the pentagon 12 of the second combining member 10. One of
the available sides of the peripheral hexagon 43 of the second
combining member 20 is next to a corresponding available side of
the pentagon 14 of the second combining member 10.
[0022] As the assembly progresses, the binding hexagon 21 of the
second combining member 20 will be located between the pentagons
12, 13 of the first combining member 10. The binding hexagon 31 of
the second combining member 30 will be located between the
pentagons 13, 14 of the first combining member 10. The binding
hexagon 41 of the second combining member 20 will be located
between the pentagons 12, 14 of the first combining member 10.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows a complete assembly of the kit of the second
embodiment of the present invention on a ball surface. The Y-shaped
line 100 in FIG. 3 shows the location of the first combining member
of the present invention after the kit is assembled. The central
hexagon 11, the pentagons 12, 13, 14 of the first combining member
can be found on the surface of the ball in FIG. 3 easily. The other
three bent lines 200, 300, 400 show the location of the second
combining member of the present invention after the kit is
assembled. As shown in FIG. 3, the binding hexagon 21 of the second
combining member is located between the pentagons 12, 13 of the
first combining member. The binding hexagon 31 of the second
combining member is located between the pentagons 13, 14 of the
first combining member. The binding hexagon 41 of the second
combining member is located between the pentagons 12, 14 of the
first combining member.
[0024] Since an integrated set of pads such as the first combining
member and the second combining member is used, the labor and the
time required for assembling can be obviously reduced relative to
the prior art. Moreover, the differences of the gaps between the
sides of the pentagons or the hexagons can be reduced since fewer
gaps exist.
[0025] Although the present invention has been explained in
relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that
many other possible modifications and variations can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *