Supports: cabinet structure – Removal facilitating magazine type – Stacked article type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-07-31
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
Removal facilitating magazine type
Stacked article type
C312S245000, C312S290000, C220S475000, C220S345100, C232S043100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267461
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a container and a method for storing, keeping and dispensing items. More specifically, the invention is a container for storing, keeping and dispensing balls used for playing games or sports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Storage of balls for playing sports, such as basketballs, has been a long existing problem. Since exposure to direct sunlight can damage most sport balls and the sharp teeth and claws of an animal can puncture these balls, it is preferable to store sport balls, such as basketballs, off of the ground and out of direct sunlight to improve their life span. Additionally, keeping these balls neatly put away where they can be readily located and retrieved when one wishes to use them is generally desirable for convenience. It is therefore desirable to store such balls in an easily accessible enclosed container that is supported in a position raised off of the ground.
Several containers are known which provide a suitable stand for supporting a container for holding contents of various sorts where the container includes a lid covering an opening providing access to the interior of the container. Generally known are raised supported containers having a lid for storing garbage for both improved appearance and keeping animals out of the contents, such known containers include a container supported such as to allow the container to be tilted for emptying the contents without removing the container from the support. These known containers are configured having one opening for both placing the contents inside the container and removing the contents from the container. Such a configuration necessitates either removing the container from its support or tipping the container to remove the contents, both of which can be cumbersome and difficult.
However, none of the known containers provide for easy storage and dispensing of sport balls while keeping them supported off of the ground and out of direct sunlight. Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a ball storage apparatus for storing a sport ball. The ball storage apparatus includes a ball container defined by a wall and having an upper portion and a lower portion. The ball container is arranged and configured to accommodate a ball to be stored therein. A mouth, arranged and configured for a ball of the type to be stored in the ball keeper to pass therethrough, is disposed toward the upper portion of the ball container. An opening, arranged and configured for the ball of the type to be stored in the ball keeper to pass therethrough, is disposed through the wall and toward the lower portion of the ball container.
The present invention is also a method for storing and dispensing a sport ball, such as a basketball. The method comprises the steps of providing a support structure and providing a ball container, where the ball container is defined by a wall having an upper portion and a lower portion. The method further comprises fixing the ball container to the support structure and providing a mouth disposed toward the upper portion of the ball container. A lid hingedly fixed to the ball container is preferably provided, where the lid can cover the mouth when disposed in a closed position and provide unobstructed access to the interior of the container through the mouth when the lid is disposed in an open position. The method further comprises providing an opening disposed through the wall of the ball container, toward the lower portion of the ball container, and providing a door slidably connected to the ball container, where the door is disposed such as to cover the opening when the door is in a closed position and to provide access to the interior of the container through the opening when the door is in an open position.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention.
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Dunagan James L.
Dunagan Janice C.
Cuomo Peter M.
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley LLP
Tran Hanh V.
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