U.S. patent application number 14/337226 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-28 for electric lacrosse ball resurfacer method and apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Steven R. Jackson. Invention is credited to Steven R. Jackson.
Application Number | 20160023318 14/337226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55165973 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160023318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson; Steven R. |
January 28, 2016 |
Electric Lacrosse Ball Resurfacer Method And Apparatus
Abstract
A novel electric method and apparatus for resurfacing Lacrosse
balls wherein regulation size and shape of the balls is maintained,
and abraded surface debris is safely evacuated into removable bags.
The ball resurfacer vastly improves on any method known in the art
by causing a more uniform and accurate abrasion and makes
resurfacing balls safer for the user.
Inventors: |
Jackson; Steven R.; (Castle
Rock, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jackson; Steven R. |
Castle Rock |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55165973 |
Appl. No.: |
14/337226 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/50 ;
451/259 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 47/04 20130101;
B24B 11/06 20130101; A63B 2102/14 20151001; B24B 47/10 20130101;
A63B 2047/046 20130101; B24B 55/06 20130101; A63B 45/00 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24B 11/06 20060101
B24B011/06; B24B 47/10 20060101 B24B047/10; B24B 55/06 20060101
B24B055/06; A63B 45/00 20060101 A63B045/00 |
Claims
1. A Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus comprising: f) a cylinder
for receiving balls g) a detachable inverted abrading disc h) means
for evacuating abraded debris via vacuum exhaust and motor i) means
for evenly abrading balls using a powered abrading disc j) means
for powering a ball resurfacer via an electric motor
2. The Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
cylinder has a top section diameter of between 4 and 12 inches.
3. The Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
inverted abrading orbital disc is seated within the cylinder for
ball contact.
4. The Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
abrading disc is easily removed and replaced via a hook and loop
attachment method to the disc plate.
5. The Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
means for evacuating abraded debris is causing a vacuum to pull
debris through holes perforated in the abrading disc and into a
storage receptacle.
6. A method of resurfacing Lacrosse balls wherein a ball spins in
tandem with the direction of the abrading disc via electric motor
and will rotate opposite the spin slowly toward the center of the
inverted disc and consecutively perform this motion until surface
debris is removed from the ball.
7. The Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the
means for evenly abrading balls comprises a separate electric motor
is seated in the base of the cylinder.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for
resurfacing lacrosse balls effecting extended life of the balls,
uniform size, and elimination of surface waste.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention most closely corresponds with USPTO Class
15/28 wherein Class 15 relates to brushing, scrubbing and general
cleaning, and sub-class 28 includes a method for grinding a roll,
roller, shaft including a spliced shaft, ball, sphere, or
piston.
[0003] The invention comprises a novel method and apparatus whereby
lacrosse balls can be resurfaced using a method of abrading which
removes a very small amount of surface material, retains the
spherical shape, evacuates abraded waste, and the ball remains in
compliance with national lacrosse regulations.
[0004] The inventive apparatus contains an electric motor within a
hollow receptacle outfitted with an inverted abrasive disc. When
the inventive method is applied, the disc speed is faster at the
outer edge than towards the center. Thus, the ball will spin from
the center of the disc to the outer edge, while very slowly
rotating the same way as the disc. The ball movement in diametric
direction and at differing speed provides even abrasion and allows
the ball to retain its original shape.
[0005] The inventive method utilizes a random orbit motion which
keeps the side spin on the balls slower. Being barred from gaining
too much momentum due to the random action of the motor drive unit,
the balls will not tend to bounce or hop. Rather a constant grind
action results, and thus a more even removal of surface material is
achieved. This is important to retain the ball's shape and
regulation size parameters.
[0006] The abrasive disc is inverted to take advantage of gravity
and centrifugal force of the balls being abraded. Pursuant to the
spinning action, the ball will be driven outward, rotating slowly
with the disc yet oppositely spinning as the surface is gently
abraded. In this way, a minute amount of surface material is
removed, and the ball's spherical proportions are retained.
[0007] The typical Lacrosse ball utilizing this apparatus and
method may be resurfaced approximately thirty (30) times each and
still remain in comportment with regulations regarding lacrosse
balls in competition.
[0008] The sole prior art lacrosse ball resurfacer uses a large
"bucket" and claims to resurface multiple balls in a single cycle.
This, however, is not ideal as the balls bounce erratically as they
are ejected off the abrading surface, and will not be as
resultantly uniform as in the inventive method. Additionally, the
inventive sanding disc is removable with a Velcro-like attachment
and does not have to be heated or pried off as with the prior art
ball resurfacers.
[0009] In the inventive method, abraded material is evacuated into
removable and reusable dust receptacles. Prior art does not provide
this important feature as the abraded material contains a variety
of plastics and chemicals and is harmful when breathed. Regardless
of where the inventive method and apparatus is applied, indoors or
out, it is safe for the user as no contaminants will be
airborne.
[0010] The inventive apparatus is offered in sizes ranging from 4
inches in diameter to 12 inches in diameter for user choice on how
many balls to process at a time, and can resurface multiple balls
per cycle while retaining the regulation size and shape. Volume of
ball load is the main difference in the sizes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention is described in further detail by reference to
three drawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1; is a side cutout view of the ball resurfacing
chamber;
[0013] FIG. 2; is a side cutout view illustrating a ball being
resurfaced; and
[0014] FIG. 3; is a top down view of the ball resurfacing chamber
illustrating the inverted abrading disc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE
INVENTION
[0015] Regarding FIG. 1, with the ball resurfacer lid 10 open, a
ball 20 is illustrated as inserted by a user simply dropping the
ball into the chamber 30 of the resurfacer. When the ball comes
into contact with the inverted abrading disc 40 it will remain in
situ until the resurfacer is powered on. The edges of the abrading
disc are near in contact to the walls of the resurfacer's chamber
50 so that the ball cannot slip through.
[0016] Still regarding FIG. 1, beneath the inverted abrading disc
is an enclosed chamber 60 for airspace wherein abraded debris from
the ball will be vacuumed though holes in the abrading disc plate
(shown in FIG. 3), and retained in a reusable bag or receptacle 70.
The abrading discs are easily removed and reattached via a hook and
loop attachment to the disc plate. This is also novel in that most
sanding discs require some effort to revoke from the apparatus used
with them. During operation, the lid 10 will of course be closed.
This aids in the strength of suction provided by the vacuum unit
80. Most standard vacuum motors may be utilized, but they must be
of the appropriate size and power.
[0017] The resurfacer is powered by a 220 volt motor encased in the
base of the resurfacer's cylinder 90 and operates applying random
orbit motion. A power cord 100 is required, but alternate forms of
power would be obvious embodiments. The inventive method utilizes a
random orbit motion to keeps the side spin on the balls slower.
Being barred from gaining too much momentum due to the random
action of the motor drive unit, the balls will not tend to bounce
or hop. When a ball being abraded bounces within the chamber, an
uneven amount of material is abraded and the ball will lose its
shape. This is important as the game is regulated in most areas of
the world, and the balls are inspected.
[0018] When the inventive method is applied, the disc speed is
faster at the outer edge than towards the center. Thus, the ball
will spin from the center of the disc to the outer edge, while very
slowly rotating the same way as the disc. A constant grind action
results, and thus a more even removal of surface material is
achieved. This is important to retain the ball's shape and
regulation size parameters. The ball movement in diametric
direction and at differing speed provides even abrasion and allows
the ball to retain its original shape.
[0019] Regarding FIG. 2, the novel and controlled ball movement is
illustrated. The ball 110 is shown emulating the directional motion
as when the resurfacer is powered on. The abrading disc spins in a
random orbit 120 and the ball will travel in tandem with the spin
of the disc 130. Due to the inverted abrading disc, and apply
centrifugal force properties, the speed of the disc is faster at
the outer edge. This will allow the ball to slowly rotate in the
opposite direction of the disc spin, and down toward the center of
the abrading disc 140. The ball will gently travel this path
consecutively until the resurfacing is sufficient.
[0020] Regarding FIG. 3, a top down view is provided for
understanding of the internal detail. The inverted sanding disc 150
is shown and the air apertures 160 whereby the abraded material can
be evacuated are shown. The vacuum unit 170 residing below the
sanding disc plate will continuously evacuate the abraded material
into a reusable bag or receptacle 180. A user may thin simply empty
and reattach the bag or receptacle. This is critical in the process
of resurfacing Lacrosse balls as they are manufactured with rubber
which will become airborne particles that are unhealthy for a user
to breathe if there were no means of abraded debris evacuation.
[0021] The inventive ball resurfacer is a vast improvement over any
forms of prior art in the industry and solves a long felt need of
not only properly resizing the balls during resurfacing operations,
but to eliminate the abraded material in a safe manner.
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