Enhanced Portable Marker for Ice Hockey
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This invention improves upon the original portable marker for ice hockey by introducing stability, visibility, manipulation, and customization enhancements to provide a more efficient, safer, and user-friendly experience.
Background and Problem Solved
The original portable marker for ice hockey, as described in the original patent, has limitations in terms of stability, visibility, and manipulation on ice surfaces. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing innovative design features and materials to improve the overall performance of the portable marker.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced portable marker comprises a weighted base portion with a textured bottom surface to increase frictional force, an outer wall with a reflective coating for improved visibility under low-light conditions, an inner wall with a concave shape defining an inner hollow to facilitate hockey stick manipulation, and an aerodynamically shaped outer wall with a tapered upper portion to reduce wind resistance. Additionally, the marker features removable ballast compartments for customizable weight distribution.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The present inventive concept introduces a weighted base portion, reflective coating, concave inner wall, aerodynamically shaped outer wall, and removable ballast compartments, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a significant improvement over the original design, making the portable marker more stable, visible, and user-friendly.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the enhanced portable marker could include variations in the shape and material of the weighted base portion, different reflective coating patterns, adjustable concave inner wall designs, and modular removable ballast compartments. These variations would ensure broad conceptual coverage and adaptability to different ice hockey training scenarios.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced portable marker has significant commercial potential in the ice hockey training and equipment market, targeting professional and amateur hockey teams, training facilities, and individual players. The improved design features and materials would provide a competitive edge in the market, enhancing the overall hockey training experience.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A63 | A63B69/0026 |
| A | A63 | A63B71/0036 |
| A | A63 | A63B71/03 |
| A | A63 | A63B2209/08 |
| A | A63 | A63B2209/10 |
| A | A63 | A63B2214/00 |
| A | A63 | A63B2244/18 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Sports equipment design, specifically portable markers and training accessories for ice hockey and similar low-friction surface sports, requiring expertise in materials engineering, ergonomic design, and athletic training equipment
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A design engineer with experience in sports equipment manufacturing, familiar with materials science, surface interaction principles, and athletic training equipment requirements, typically holding a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations and incremental improvements to the source patent's portable marker design. The proposed enhancements address known limitations in sports training markers by applying standard engineering techniques such as weight distribution, surface texture modification, and visibility enhancement. These modifications represent logical extensions of the existing patent's core concept using well-established design principles in sports equipment engineering.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,857 |
|---|---|
| Title | Portable marker for ice hockey |