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Resilient cover system and method of manufactureRelated Patent Categories: Purses, Wallets, And Protective Covers, Protective Cover Made Of Flaccid MaterialResilient cover system and method of manufacture description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070102080, Resilient cover system and method of manufacture. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application ser. No. 60/735,664 entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING, CUTTlNG AND/OR USING BALLS, which was filed on Nov. 10, 2005 and which is herein incorporated by reference. [0002] The present invention relates to multi-purpose tools and devices that are useful in numerous personal, industrial, and commercial applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose resilient cover system and method of manufacture. [0003] There exist certain devices and tools that are so useful that their uses are nearly limitless. The rubber baled is one such device. Similarly the tennis ball, while conceived for the purpose of playing the game of tennis, has been adapted for many different applications. For example, it has been found that a tennis ball attached to the end of a broom handle may be useful in removing scuff-marks. Similarly, tennis balls have been used to cover and protect the ball portion of trailer hitches, as well as have been attached to various objects such as chair legs. In these configurations, the tennis ball performing several useful functions such as protecting the device it covers, protecting the items that may come in contact with the device, as well as the floor or wall surface on which, for example the chair, may slide on. [0004] in the prior art, tennis balls have been fabricated to fit over these devices by cutting an incision in the ball using single bladed devices such as a razor blade or knife. One such prior art incision or cut consists of a single elongated cut, disposed through the surface of the ball, through which the device may be inserted. However, this configuration has the disadvantage of being non-supportive along the longitudinal axis and as such, permits the device to wobble along this axis of the incision. Further, a single elongated incision can only accommodate a limited width; this width being dictated by the cross-width of the incision. Utilizing a device that exceeds this limited width will rip or tear the incision, thereby causing the ball to become even less stable. [0005] Another prior art incision consists of two elongated incision, intersecting diagonally, to form shape of a "+". However, this type of cut typically lacks adequate strength or gripping force for holding the device inserted therein. [0006] The use of tennis halls for the many alternate uses described above is further limited by color. Tennis balls are officially only white or yellow in color. And while they have been made in a few alternate colors, these limited colors are not satisfactory for the multitude of available alternate uses for these balls. [0007] Yet another limitation is that prior art tennis balls have only an "official" or regulation weight and thickness. Hence, when these tennis balls are used for alternate purposes, this single weight and thickness may be a disadvantage. [0008] Further, the prior art manufacturing method consists of utilizing a single bladed implement such as knife or razor blade to cut a single or double incision into the ball and, this manufacturing process is currently done by hand. As such, there are numerous disadvantages to this prior art manufacturing process inclining quality and safety issues. These quality and safety issues include poor quality, and a slow and dangerous manufacturing process. Other disadvantages are also readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art and need not be explained further. [0009] Accordingly, a need exists for a novel system and methods which have, among other advantages, increased quality and decreased cost, while simultaneously being aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, a resilient cover system and method of manufacture that solves the aforementioned disadvantages and having the aforementioned advantages is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The aforementioned drawbacks and disadvantages of these former devices have been identified and a solution is set forth herein by the inventive resilient cover system and method of manufacture which includes, a cover comprising an inner resilient core defining a hollow interior surface. The inner resilient core also includes an exterior surface. The cover also includes an incision in the inner resilient core, wherein the incision defines three resilient fingers. [0011] Another aspect of the present invention includes a cover comprising an inner resilient core defining a hollow interior surface. The inner resilient core also includes an exterior surface. The cover also includes an outer covering disposed over the exterior surface of the inner resilient core and three incisions through the inner resilient core and the outer covering, the three incisions defining three resilient fingers, wherein the three resilient fingers are adapted to operably retain an object inserted therethrough. [0012] In another aspect of the present invention, a promotional device comprises an inner resilient core defining a hollow interior surface. The inner resilient core also includes an exterior surface; an outer covering disposed over the exterior surface of the inner resilient core; and three incisions through the inner resilient core and the outer covering, the three incisions defining three resilient fingers. The outer covering further comprises an indicia, and the three resilient lingers are adapted to operably retain an object inserted therethrough. [0013] And still in another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a cover comprises the steps of obtaining a cover, wherein the cover includes an inner resilient core defining a hollow interior surface, the inner resilient core further including an exterior surface; obtaining a multiple bladed cutting instrument; securing the covet; pressing the cutting instrument against the exterior surface of the cover with sufficient force to create an incision through the inner resilient core; and, retracting the cutting instrument from the cover. [0014] To address the goals stated above, the inventive cover comprises a unique incision and method of manufacturing that allows the cover to attach more securely to any device. By more securely retaining the cover to the device, the inventive cover reduces the amount of play or wobble that is created when using prior art devices. The present invention is useful in many applications where a cover is to be secured to, for example only, a device such as a handle, rod, writing device, chair, table leg, walker, cane, gun barrel, or any other protruding appendage or apparatus. The invention is also useful, for example only, in removing scuff marks from floors, protecting floors from the legs of furniture, protecting walls, reducing noise (such as when object are slid across a floor), reducing friction, making items more stable and/or visible, covering protruding objects to prevent injury or damage or simply to keep a device clean. Of course this is in no way meant to be limiting in any manner and there are a multitude of other uses for such a device. The invention may be applied, for example, to medical walkers, break leavers of wheel chairs, the back of wheel chairs (i.e.. the wheelie bars), broom handles, trailer hitch balls, and even to the barrels of guns so that foreign objects do not enter the barrel. Further, a person having limited mobility of their hands and arms can use the invention to aid in handling smaller items. For example, the cover of the present invention call be used to retain a writing device (e.g.. a pen), an eating utensil, or various other items that are difficult to grip. [0015] The present invention also includes a method of manufacture which includes utilizing a multi-bladed cutting instrument, for example a three bladed cutting instrument that is pressed down on the cover until the desired cut is achieved, The cutting instrument is then retracted from the cover. In this manner, the previous issues with quality, and the inherent dangers of using blades by hand, are removed. [0016] The invention may also come in various colors depending on the desired use or personal preference. For example, florescent or glow in the dark coloring may be used when the invention needs to be seen in the dark, or a camouflage design may used when it is desired to hide the invention. Conversely, bright colors are used when the invention needs to be seen. [0017] The invention is also useful as a promotional device. A message, design, or other indicia may be imprinted on the cover, and when the cover is attached to a device, the indicia is visible and as such, can communicate a message. For example, the cover could be imprinted with a message and given to people as a promotional device. The recipient would then attach the cover to a device and the message would be displayed for others to see. The invention is also low in cost and provides a unique promotional gift or prize that promotes a message as well as serves as a useful tool for the recipient. [0018] Other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present disclosure so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the disclosures that will be described hereinafter which will form the subject matter of the claims. [0019] In this respect, before explaining the preferred embodiment of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangement set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The cover of the present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for description and not limitation. Where specific dimensional and material specifications have been included or omitted from the specification or the claims, or both, it is to be understood that the same are not to be incorporated into the claims. [0020] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims are regarded as including such equivalent constructions as far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0021] Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practioners in the art who are not familiar with the patent or legal terms of phraseology, to learn quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is intended to define neither the invention nor the application, which is only measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. [0022] These and other objects, along with the various features, and structures that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the cover of the present disclosure, its advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of the invention. Continue reading about Resilient cover system and method of manufacture... Full patent description for Resilient cover system and method of manufacture Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Resilient cover system and method of manufacture patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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