STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Serial No. 63/371,920, filed August 19, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to ball holder, such as for one or more golfballs, and other novelty products.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many golfers and golf enthusiasts desire to purchase or receive golfing- related items as gifts (e.g., for birthdays, holidays or other special occasions), and many friends and family members of golfers desire to give golf-themed gifts to their golfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective of an embodiment of a ball holder.

[0005] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective of the ball holder.

[0006] Figure 3 is a front view of the ball holder.

[0007] Figure 4 is a rear view of the ball holder

[0008] Figure 5 is a bottom view of side by side ball holders, where the left ball holder is empty and the right ball holder is holding balls.

[0009] Figure 6 is front view of the ball holder holding two golfballs.

[0010] Figure 7 is a rear view of FIG. 6.

[0011] Figure 8 is a perspective of another embodiment of a ball holder including a design of a bikini top on the front surface of the ball holder.

[0012] Figure 9 is a perspective of another embodiment of a ball holder including a design of a bikini bottom on the front surface of the ball holder.

[0013] Figure 10 is a perspective of another embodiment of a ball holder including a design of shorts on the front surface of the ball holder.

[0014] Figure 11 is a rear view of another embodiment of a ball holder.

[0015] Figure 12 is a front view of FIG. 11.

[0016] Figure 13 is a side view of FIG. 11.

[0017] Figure 14 is a rear perspective of another embodiment of a ball holder.

[0018] Figure 15 is a top view of FIG. 14. [0019] Figure 16 is another embodiment of a ball holder, including different types of clips for securing the ball holder to an object.

[0020] Figure 17 is an enlarged, partial view of the ball holder of FIG. 16 including one type of clip attached thereto.

[0021] Figure 18 is a perspective of another embodiment of a ball holder, including removable accessories.

[0022] Figure 19 is a perspective of another embodiment of a ball holder.

[0023] Figure 20 is a perspective another embodiment of a ball holder including non- removably accessories.

[0024] Figure 21 is a rear perspective of FIG. 20.

[0025] Figure 22 is an illustration depicting a person using an embodiment of a flotation device of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 23 is an illustration depicting a person using the flotation device of FIG. 22.

[0027] Figure 24 is an illustration depicting a person using an embodiment of a seat of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 25 is an illustration depicting a person using an embodiment of a pillow.

[0029] Figure 26 is a front view of another embodiment of a ball holder.

[0030] Figure 27 is an enlarged view of Figure 26.

[0031] Figure 28 is a rear view of the ball holder of Figure 26.

[0032] Figure 29 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a ball holder.

[0033] Figure 30 is a rear view of the ball holder of Figure 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0034] In a first aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a ball holder configured to hold and retain therein two balls (e.g., golfballs, tennis balls, baseballs, racquet balls, or other balls including sports balls, recreations balls, and other types of balls). In general, the balls are removably held side by side within the holder to give the appearance of one or more body parts. For example, the holder may give the appearance of breasts, buttocks, or testicles when the balls are received in the holder. The holder may include a design thereon that gives the appearance of clothing, or the design may give the appearance of the body part. Accessories may be removably or non-removably attached to the holder. The holder may include structure for receiving a fastener to secure the holder to another object, such as a golf bag, backpack, sports bag, or other object.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a first embodiment of a ball holder constructed according to the teachings of the first aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 10. The ball holder 10 includes left and right, side-by-side chambers 12, 14 at a lower portion of the holder. Each of the chambers is configured to receive a ball (e.g., a golf ball) therein. Exterior surfaces of the chambers 12, 14 are generally round, including rounded upper and lower edges, and protruding forward relative to an upper portion 16 (e.g., a generally planar flap) of the ball holder 10 to give the appearance of a body part(s), such as a pair of breasts, or a pair of butt cheeks, or a pair of testicles, for example. A heightwise extending gap may be disposed between the exterior surfaces of the chambers to give the appearance of separate body parts being side-by-side and adjacent or abutting one another. A rear side 20 of the holder 10 may be generally flat or planar such that the chambers have a generally semispherical shape. The rear side 20 defines a ball-receiving opening 24 (e.g., a slot, such as a slot running across the rear surface) in communication with the interiors of the chambers 12, 14 to enable a pair of balls to be received and removed from the chambers. The rear side 20 also defines a fastener opening 26 extending through the rear side and the front surface of the upper portion 16. The fastener opening 26 is configured to receive a fastener, such as a clip 18 (e.g., carabiner) as shown in FIGS. 7-9, 26, and 29 to enable the ball holder 10 to be secured to an object, such as a golf bag, backpack, sports bag, or other object.

[0036] The illustrated ball holder 10 is integrally formed as a one-piece component. The ball holder 10 may be formed from a suitable flexible and resiliently stretchable plastic material, such as a rubber, elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, or other plastic material. The ball holder 10 may be molded or other formed into its shape and structure. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the chambers 12, 14 are resiliently expandable upon reception of the balls in the chambers. Referring to FIG. 5, the ball holder 10 on the left side is shown without balls received in the chambers 12, 14, and the ball holder 10 on the right side is shown with balls received in the chambers. As can be see, the chambers 12, 14 on the left side without balls received therein has a general rounded shape but are not as rounded and pronounced as the chambers on the right side with the balls received therein. Moreover, as can be understood from FIGS. 4 and 7, the ball-receiving opening 24 in the rear side 20 is configured to resiliently expand to allow the balls to be inserted therethrough into the chambers 12, 14. The rear side 20 at least partially closes once the balls are received in the chambers 12, 14 to retain the balls in the chambers. It is understood that each chamber may have its own opening for receiving a ball rather than a shared opening as illustrated. In other embodiments, the chambers 12, 14 may not be resiliently expandable in other embodiments.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the ball holder 10 may include an image on the front of the ball holder to give the appearance of either a clothed body part or a naked body part, for example. Accordingly, this image in combination with the roundness of the chambers 12, 14 provides a three-dimensional appearance of the clothed or naked body part. Referring to FIG. 8, one non-limiting example of an image is a bikini top image 30, whereby the ball holder has the appearance of a pair of breasts received in a bikini top. A similar embodiment is shown in FIGS. 26-28. Referring to FIG. 9, another non-limiting example of an image is a bikini bottom image 40, whereby the ball holder has the appearance of buttocks in a bikini bottom. A similar embodiment is shown in FIGS. 29-30. Referring to FIG. 10, another non-limiting example of an image is a pair of shorts image 50, whereby the ball holder has the appearance of buttocks in a pair of shorts. In another example, the clothing or other accessory may be a component that is attached (e.g., removable or non-removably) to the ball holder 10. Throughout this disclosure, the images referred to herein may be printed, drawn, or otherwise produced on the ball holder.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, another embodiment of a ball holder constructed according to the teachings of the first aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 110. This embodiment 110 is similar to the prior embodiment 10, except in this embodiment the balls received in the chambers 112, 114 are exposed at and project outward from the rear side 120 of the holder. In this embodiment the interiors of the chambers are separate semi-spherical cavities that frictionally engage the balls to retain the balls in the respective cavities. Images as described above may be provided in the front surface of the ball holder 110. The ball holder 110 may be formed similar to the ball holder 10, whereby the chamber 112, 114 are resiliently expandable to provide a friction fit of the balls in the cavities of the chambers.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, another embodiment of a ball holder constructed according to the teachings of the first aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 210. This embodiment 210 is similar to the prior embodiment 10, except in this embodiment the upper portion or flap 216 is openable to insert the balls in the chambers 212, 214. The flap 216 includes two flap members 216A, 216B that are selectively movable away from one another to open the flap and movable toward one another to close the flap. The fastener opening 226 extends through both flap members 216A, 216B. Images as described above may be provided in the front surface of the ball holder 210. The ball holder 210 may be formed similar to the ball holder 10, whereby the chamber 212, 214 are resiliently expandable to provide a friction fit of the balls in the cavities of the chambers.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, one embodiment ball holder constructed according to teachings of a second aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 310. The second aspect of the present disclosure is generally directed to a ball holder for holding a single ball. In one example, the ball holder may include images or accessories thereon so that the holder gives a three-dimensional appearance of a character, a face of a character or person, or another appearance other than the ball in which the holder is holding.

[0041] In the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, the ball holder 310 defines a single chamber 314 generally corresponding to the size and shape of the ball. The chamber 314 has a slot 315 to define flaps 316A, 316B at an upper portion of the chamber. The flaps 316A, 316B are movable away and toward one another to open and close the chamber, allowing the ball to be inserted and removed from the chamber. A fastener opening 326 includes alignable openings in the flaps 316A, 316B so that a fastener (e.g., clip 319, carabiner 318, clasp 320, etc.) may be inserted therein to secure the ball holder 310 to an object. Images as described above may be provided on the exterior surface of the ball holder 310. The ball holder 310 may be formed similar to the ball holder 10, whereby the chamber 314 is resiliently expandable to provide a friction fit of the balls in the cavities thereof.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 18, another embodiment of a ball holder constructed according to the teachings of the second aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 410. The ball holder 410 is similar to the ball holder 310 except the slot 415 for receiving the ball is provided at a rear side of the chamber 414, and an image of a face 418 is provided on a front side of the chamber. In addition, accessories (e.g., hair 430, beard 432, and hat 434) are removably attachable to the ball holder 410. For example, the hair 430 and hat 434 may include slots 440, 442 through which a tag 446 defining the fastener opening 426 extends. The ball holder 410 may be formed similar to the ball holder 10, whereby the chamber 414 is resiliently expandable to provide a friction fit of the balls in the cavities thereof.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 19, another embodiment of a ball holder constructed according to the teachings of the second aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 510. The ball holder 510 is similar to the ball holder 410 except the chamber 514 is configured to separate into two pieces 514A, 514B (e.g., two halves) for receiving the ball, and thereafter, the pieces can be combined and secured to one another to enclose the ball.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, another embodiment of a ball holder constructed according to the teachings of the second aspect of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 610. The ball holder 610 is similar to the ball holder 310 except an image of a face 618 is provided on a front side of the chamber. In addition, accessories (e.g., hat 634) are non-removably attached to (e.g., integrally formed with) the ball holder 610.

[0045] A third aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a novelty item. A first embodiment is a floatation device 710 (e.g., a raft) shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. The floatation device 710 has the general shape of the ball holder 10 described above, in that it includes two round chambers 712, 714 projecting forward from a rear side, and a generally planar upper portion or flap 716. The round chambers 712, 714 may be hollow (e.g., filled with air or other material) or formed of a foam type material. A second embodiment is a chair 810 shown in FIG. 24. The chair 810 has the general shape of the ball holder 10 described above, in that it includes two round chambers 812, 814 projecting forward from a rear side, and a generally planar upper portion or flap 816. The round chambers 812, 814 may be hollow (e.g., filled with air or other material) or formed of a foam type material. A third embodiment is a pillow 910 shown in FIG. 25. The pillow 910 has the general shape of the ball holder 10 described above, in that it includes two round chambers 912, 914 projecting forward from a rear side, and a generally planar upper portion or flap 896. The round chambers 912, 914 may be hollow (e.g., filled with air or other material) or formed of a foam type material.

[0046] According to a first feature of the present disclosure, a ball holder comprises: side-by-side, left and right chambers, wherein each of the left and right chambers has rounded exterior and is configured to receive and removably retain a ball therein; an upper portion extending from the left and right chamber, the upper portion defining a fastener opening configured to receive a fastener for securing the ball holder to an object; and an image of clothing on the left and right chambers, wherein the image of an article of clothing and the rounded exteriors of the left and right chambers together give the appearance of one of a pair of clothed human breasts and a pair of clothed human buttocks.

[0047] According to a second feature, the ball holder includes the first features, wherein the image of an article of clothing comprises an image of a bikini top, wherein the image of the bikini top and the rounded exteriors of the left and right chambers together give the appearance of a pair of human breasts in a bikini top. [0048] According to a third feature, the ball holder includes the second feature, wherein each of the left and right chambers is configured to receive and removably retain a golf ball therein.

[0049] According to a fourth feature, the ball holder includes the first feature, wherein each of the left and right chambers is configured to retain the shape of its rounded exterior without the golfball received therein.

[0050] According to a fifth feature, the ball holder includes the first feature, wherein the image of an article of clothing comprises an image of a bikini bottom, wherein the image of the bikini bottom and the rounded exteriors of the left and right chambers together give the appearance of a pair of human buttocks in a bikini bottom.

[0051] According to a sixth feature, the ball holder includes the fifth feature, wherein each of the left and right chambers is configured to receive and removably retain a golfball therein.

[0052] According to a seventh feature, the ball holder includes the sixth feature, wherein each of the left and right chambers is configured to retain its rounded exterior shape without the golfball received therein.

[0053] According to an eighth feature, the ball holder includes the first feature, wherein the ball holder has a front side and a rear side, wherein the rounded exteriors of the left and right chamber are at the front side of the ball holder, wherein the rear side defines a ball-receiving opening in communication with the left and right chambers and configured to enable a pair of balls to be received and removed from the left and right chambers.

[0054] According to a ninth feature, the ball holder includes the eighth feature, wherein the ball-receiving opening is slot-shaped.

[0055] According to a tenth feature, the ball holder includes the ninth feature, wherein the ball-receiving opening is resiliently expandable to enable the balls to be inserted into and removed from the left and right chambers and to removable retain the balls in the left and right chambers.

[0056] According to an eleventh feature, the ball holder includes the first feature, wherein the left and right chambers and the upper portion are integrally formed as a one- piece structure.

[0057] According to a twelfth feature, the ball holder includes the eleventh feature, wherein the left and right chambers and the upper portion are formed from a flexible and resiliently stretchable plastic material [0058] According to a thirteenth feature, the ball holder includes the first feature, wherein the left and right chamber are resiliently stretchable such that the left and right chambers are independently, resiliently expandable when the ball is received therein.

[0059] According to a fourteenth feature, a ball holder comprises: side-by-side, left and right chambers, wherein each of the left and right chambers has rounded exterior and is configured to receive and removably retain a ball therein; an upper portion extending from the left and right chamber, the upper portion defining a flap, a ball-receiving opening in communication with the left and right chamber and configured to enable a pair of balls to be received and removed from the left and right chambers, wherein the rounded exteriors of the left and right chambers together give the appearance of a human body part, wherein each of the left and right chambers generally retains its rounded exterior shape without the corresponding ball received therein, wherein each of the left and right chambers is independently, resiliently expandable when the corresponding ball is received therein.

[0060] According to a fifteenth feature, the ball holder includes the fourteenth feature, wherein the rounded exteriors of the left and right chambers together give the appearance of a pair of human breasts.

[0061] According to a sixteenth feature, the ball holder includes the fourteenth feature, wherein the rounded exteriors of the left and right chambers together give the appearance of a pair of human buttocks.

[0062] According to a seventeenth feature, the ball holder includes the fourteenth feature, in combination with a pair of balls received in the left and right chambers.

[0063] According to an eighteenth feature, the ball holder includes the fourteenth feature, further comprising a fastener secured to the upper portion of the ball holder, the fastener configured to secure the ball holder to an object

[0064] According to a nineteenth feature, the ball holder includes the fourteenth feature, further comprising an image of clothing on the left and right chambers.

[0065] The ball holder includes the nineteenth feature, wherein the image of an article of clothing and the rounded exteriors of the left and right chambers together give the appearance of one of a pair of clothed human breasts and a pair of clothed human buttocks.

[0066] Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

[0067] When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0068] As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.