SPORTS BALL GIFT DISPLAY (GIFT BALL)

[0001] FIG. 1 depicts a frontal view of a basketball sports ball as it could be used to form a basketball sports ball gift display.

[0002] FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of a basketball sports ball as it could be used to form a sports ball gift display or gift ball, demonstrating a fabric covering for decorative purposes on one half of the base of the device.

[0003] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of a basketball sports ball as it could be used to form a basketball sports ball gift display.

[0004] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the interior of the basketball sports ball gift display including the thick gauge wire placed along the rear inner surface of the ball for the purpose of propping or holding the upper half of the ball in a raised or open position, the concave molds, the base of the device, and the positioning of the sports ball within the center of the base.

[0005] FIG. 5 depicts a frontal view of a soccer hail sports ball as it could be used to form a sports ball gift display or gift ball bank for holding money with locking mechanism.

[0006] FIG. 6 depicts a frontal view of a football sports ball as it could be used to form a football gift display centerpiece with plastic bowl insert for the purpose of food service, i.e. dips, salsa, etc.

[0007] FIG. 7 depicts a frontal view of a baseball gift display (constructed from an inverted basketball and painted to resemble a baseball), as it could be used to form a baseball floral display including plastic bowl insert for moisture containment.

[0008] FIG. 8 depicts a frontal view of a Christmas ornament gift display (constructed from an inverted basketball which is painted and decorated with glitter), utilizing the protruding valve stem as the top portion of the ornament where the hanging hook or loop is typically attached.

[0009] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, device 10 includes a sports ball corn only referred to as a basketball 12, comprised of an outer rubber cover 14, inner inflatable bladder 16, and valve stem 18. The basketball 12 as illustrated is bisected along a predetermined line around the circumference of the sphere, which is implemented and terminated within two inches on either side of the valve stem 18 mounted within the ball. The valve stem 18, remaining intact is utilized as a hinge holding the bisected sides of the ball 12 together, creating the necessary flexibility in order for the sides to be opened and closed for the purpose of displaying gift items inserted within the ball 12. Trim ribbon 20 is then adhered to each side of the ball 12 along the line of bisection in order to restore a more polished appearance. Thin ribbon 20 may be comprised of any ribbon, material, fabric, etc., which is complementary to the device. Solid concave or “bowl shaped” molds 22, constructed from clay, paper mache, plastic or other hardened material are covered with fabric 24, and fitted to the interior of each side of the bisected sports ball 12 and adhered to each side with glue, rubber cement or any suitable adhesive, compound. The covered molds 22 are of suitable size and shape as to reinforce the outer surface of the ball 14 giving the ball 12 an inflated appearance. A heavy gauge wire 26, such as the thickness of a wire coat hanger, may be contoured to follow the shape of the curvature of the interior of the ball 12 and inserted beneath the concave molds 22 against the inner surface of the ball 16 for the purpose of propping or holding the upper half of the ball 12 open for display. The ball 12 is attached to a circular, square or otherwise shaped base 28 which may be constructed from wood, plastic, Styrofoam and the like, with a flat bottom for stability and is hollow or indented in the center to provide stability for the round ball 12.

[0010] The ball 12 may be attached to the base 28 with glue, rubber cement, or any suitable adhesive compound. The base unit 28 may be covered with paint or decorative fabric 24 which complements the appearance of the ball 12 and interior fabric 24, or may be left in its original state without further embellishment. FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, depict a basketball 12 illustration of a sports ball gift display for the purpose of illustration, but any sports ball, i.e. soccer ball 30, football 32, volleyball, etc., may be utilized in accordance with the invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates the device 10 in the form of a soccer ball 30 bank, wherein the process of manufacturing the device 10 is the same as in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, with the exception that the sports ball illustrated, commonly known as a soccer ball 30, is used to depict one of a variety of different forms of this invention. The coin bank version of the sports ball gift display shall be equipped with a small locking mechanism 36 which may be adhered to the outer surface 14 of the invention for security purposes. The coin bank version of this invention requires a coin slot 38 with dimensions of approximately one and one-quarter inches in length and one-quarter inch wide to be cut through both the outer cover of the ball 14 and the upper fitted mold 22 located within the device 10 which will allow coins and paper money to pass through into the bank. The coin slot 38 should be trimmed with ribbon 20 or fabric 24 which is adhered to the outer surface of the ball 14 to provide a finished appearance where the device 10 was altered. As previously stated, any sports ball, i.e. a basketball, football, volleyball, etc., may be used to create this coin bank in accordance with the invention.

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a sports ball, commonly referred to as a football 32, as it may be used to create a football gift display which may be used for food service to serve dips, salsas, etc., as well as a table centerpiece with or without the purpose of serving food. The football 32 gift display is manufactured in accordance with the same process described for FIG. 1 with the exception of the interior concave molds 22 which will be formed in an oval shape in order to resemble the shape of an inflated football 32 on the exterior. The base 28 used for the football 32 gift display may be of any size and shape, but a rectangular shaped base, covered in green material or fabric 24 and embellished with white lines and numbers resembling the markings commonly seen on a football field complements the theme of the football 32 gift display suitably. Included within the device 10 shall be a form fitted bowl, set of bowls or a specially designed tray 40 manufactured from “food safe” materials which shall serve as the containers for holding foods within the sports ball, i.e. chips, dips, salsas, sauces, and the like. The form fitted bowl or tray 40 shall fit within the confines of the interior mold. 22 which is placed within the lower half of the bisected sports ball and may or may not encompass a “lip” around the edge to protect the material 24 which is adhered to the mold 22 from becoming soiled during food service. Each sports ball device 10 utilized for the purpose of food service may have an inner bowl, set of bowls or tray 40 having different dimensions, sizes and shapes in order to accommodate the different dimensions, sizes and shapes of the sports balls utilized therein. The specifications of any and all sports balls utilized in the manufacturing of this invention include, but are not limited to universally recognized standard versions or “regulation size” versions of the sports balls. Sports balls of any size, shape and dimensions may be utilized, including smaller versions of the sports balls and large or jumbo versions as well. Accordingly, any type of ball may be used in the manufacturing of this invention, even if it is not commonly referred to as a sports ball, i.e. a beach ball. FIG. 7 illustrates a basketball 12 which has been inverted so that the outer rubber cover 14 is on the inside of the sphere and the inner inflatable bladder 16 becomes the outside surface of the device W. The technique of inverting the sports ball, i.e. a basketball, produces a smooth, paintable outer surface for the ball so that the ball may be transformed into a larger version or a sports ball that is generally known to be more miniature in size, i.e. a baseball, softball, tennis ball golf ball, etc., allowing it enough area within to hold and display gifts and sundries. FIG. 7 depicts the technique of inverting a basketball 12 and painting the rubber bladder 16 white to resemble a large version of a sports ball commonly referred to as a baseball. Stitching may then be added using paint, yarn or other materials that will create the appearance of realistic stitching on the painted surface of the ball in a formation customary to the stitching commonly found on a regulation baseball. The stitching may also be designed to resemble the stitching commonly found on a regulation softball to create a softball gift/display set. FIG. 7 illustrates an inverted basketball 12, but any sports ball incorporated into this invention, i.e. a soccer ball or volleyball, may be inverted to create a larger version of a smaller ball so long as the inner inflatable bladder 16 of the ball being inverted has a smooth and paintable surface. The device 10 in FIG. 7 is then manufactured according to the same process described in FIG. 1, with the exception that the ball must be bisected around the circumference while keeping the ball in the position of having the valve stem 18 at the bottom or underside of the ball. The ball in an inverted state will allow the internal valve stem 18 to protrude on the outer surface which detracts from the appearance of the device 10 unless the valve stem 18 is hidden on the underside of the ball inside the base 28. Because this version of the device 10 does not allow for the use of the valve stem 18 as a hinge, there must be an area of approximately 3 inches of the outer rubber cover 14 which remains uncut and intact along the circumference line which serves as the hinge for this particular design. Preformed inserts made of plastic or other suitable materials may then be placed into the fabric 24 covered mold 22 located in the bottom half of the device 10 to allow for the insertion of floral arrangements within the device 10.

[0013] Another version of the gift display, may include small hooks attached to the concave molds 22 in the interior of the device 10 which provide for the hanging of necklaces, bracelets and jewelry, allowing the sports ball gill set/display to be utilized for jewelry display and storage. With respect to the description above, it should be acknowledged that there are multiple variations of each version of this invention; including but not limited to size, shape, and mode of operation, which may optimize the functionality of the invention and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. As modifications to this invention may prove optimal to its function, the construction of this device 10 should not be limited to the exact description expressed in this document. Suitable modifications may be applied to enhance the functionality of the invention, so long as modifications are within the scope of the invention.