Ball spinner

Abstract

A ball spinner device includes a base, at least three ball supports supported by the base for supporting a ball and allowing the ball to be spun relative to the base, and a support member for directly or indirectly supporting a ball-engaging member, the support member configured to allow positioning of the ball-engaging member on a top center of the ball for at least stabilizing the ball during spinning of the ball and also optionally for causing spinning of the ball.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ball spinner device comprising:
 a base;   at least three ball supports supported by the base for supporting a ball and allowing the ball to be spun relative to the base; and   a support member for directly or indirectly supporting a ball-engaging member, the support member configured to allow positioning of the ball-engaging member on a top center of the ball for at least stabilizing the ball during spinning of the ball.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least three ball supports comprise exactly three ball supports. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball supports comprise wheels. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball supports comprise omnidirectional casters. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball supports comprise ball bearings. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the support member is movable up and down relative to the ball to allow the ball-engaging member to be placed on the ball and taken off the ball. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the support member is movable or rotatable side-to-side relative to the ball to allow the ball-engaging member to be placed on the ball and taken off the ball. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a direct-drive motor for supporting and driving rotation of the ball-engaging member. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a bit and a drive shaft in which the ball-engaging member is mounted to the bottom of the drive shaft and the bit is mounted to the top of the drive shaft to be driven by an external drive device. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the external drive device comprises a power drill. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a motor that drives rotation of the ball-engaging member through a transmission system. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the transmission system comprises a belt. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the transmission system comprises a chain. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 11 , wherein the transmission system comprises gears. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member is configured to hold and support a power tool that in turn holds the ball-engaging member. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein the power tool is a power drill. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball supports are movable and lockable in different positions to accommodate different size balls. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising feet on a bottom of the base. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle extending from the base. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a clamp for securing the base to a surface.