U.S. patent application number 09/827272 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for sports noisemaker.
Invention is credited to Hunn, Charles E..
Application Number | 20010034177 09/827272 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26890762 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010034177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunn, Charles E. |
October 25, 2001 |
Sports noisemaker
Abstract
A noisemaker having a handle with a head at one end with a
device for making noise inside the head or handle. The noisemaker
also has a strap that functions as a tether or a necklace that can
be placed around the user's wrist or neck to keep the noisemaker
from being dropped or lost, for example while cheering, eating or
drinking. The head and/or the handle is hollow so that candy or
other food items, keys, clothing, money or other items may be
stored inside. The noisemaking device includes one or more bells, a
whistle, or an electronic device. The outer surface of the head
preferably has the shape of an item related to a sporting
event.
Inventors: |
Hunn, Charles E.;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER OTTO BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE
NINETEENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
26890762 |
Appl. No.: |
09/827272 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60195173 |
Apr 6, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/73 |
International
Class: |
A63H 003/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A noisemaker comprising a shell having a head portion and a
handle portion connected to the head portion, means for making
noise contained in the shell, and a strap connected to the shell;
wherein the shell is hollow and has an accessible interior.
2. A noisemaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein the handle portion
is detachable from the head portion to provide access to the
interior of the shell.
3. A noisemaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein the handle portion
is detachably connected to the head portion with a threaded
connection.
4. A noisemaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for
making noise is a noisemaking device at least partially contained
within the head portion.
5. A noisemaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for
making noise is located inside the head portion.
6. A noisemaker as set forth in claim 5, wherein the means for
making noise includes a plurality of bells.
7. A noisemaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein the strap is at
least approximately sixteen inches long.
8. A noisemaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein the head portion
has a maximum dimension of approximately three and a half inches
and the handle portion generally has a cylindrical shape with a
length of approximately seven inches and a diameter of
approximately two inches.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a nonprovisional of Provisional Application No.
60/195,173, filed Apr. 6, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to cheering mechanisms or
noisemakers, and, more particularly to noisemakers used by sports
fans.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Noisemakers have been around for a long time and have been
used to help show a user's enthusiasm at an event, particularly at
sporting events. Generally, a noisemaker can make more noise,
louder noise and/or different noises than a person's hand or voice
alone, particularly over a long period of time.
[0004] At a long event, people generally will wish to eat, and
sporting events in particular often include food. Often it is
difficult, however, to eat and/or drink, while watching or
participating in the event, and holding a noisemaker at the same
time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention relates to improvements in cheering
mechanisms, commonly referred to as noisemakers, and particularly
noisemakers used at sporting events. The noisemaker made in
accordance with the invention includes the combination of a
noisemaking device in a head and handle combination that is at
least partially hollow to provide storage, and a strap for holding
onto the noisemaker when the user's hands are otherwise
occupied.
[0006] The noisemaker includes a shell having a head portion and a
handle portion connected to the head portion, a means for making
noise contained in the shell, and a strap connected to the shell.
The shell is hollow and has an accessible interior.
[0007] More specifically, the noisemaker includes a handle portion
that is detachable from the head portion to provide access to the
interior of the shell. Preferably, the handle portion is detachably
connected to the head portion with a threaded connection. The head
portion has a maximum dimension of approximately three and a half
inches and the handle portion generally has a cylindrical shape
with a length of approximately seven inches and a diameter of
approximately two inches.
[0008] The means for making noise is a noisemaking device at least
partially contained within the head portion, and may be contained
entirely within the head portion. The means for making noise
includes a plurality of bells that make noise when the noisemaker
is shaken.
[0009] The strap is at least approximately sixteen inches long so
that the noisemaker can be worn about the user's neck, and can be
shaken without removing the strap from around the user's neck.
[0010] These features of the noisemaker provide convenient storage
and secure the noisemaker to a person so that the noisemaker is not
lost during the excitement of an event. At the same time, the
noisemaker can be used to make a louder noise than a person could
make for a sustained period of time.
[0011] The foregoing and other features of the invention are more
fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The
following description and annexed drawings set forth in detail an
illustrative embodiment, this embodiment being indicative of but
one of the various ways in which the principals of invention may be
employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a noisemaker according to the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a noisemaker 10 made in accordance with
the present invention includes the combination of three elements:
an at least partially hollow shell 20, a noisemaking device 30 at
least partially contained within the shell, and a tether or strap
40 connected to the shell.
[0019] The shell includes a head portion 50 (generally referred to
as the head) and a handle portion 60 (generally referred to as the
handle). The head may take a variety of shapes, and might relate to
the event for which the noisemaker will be used. For example, the
head could have the shape of a basketball, a football, a soccer
ball, a baseball batting helmet, a football helmet, a hockey
helmet, a baseball bat, a flag, a pennant, a mascot, or any other
shape. Several exemplary embodiments of the head of the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 2-6, identified by reference numbers
62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, respectively. Of course, other shapes can be
used as well. In the illustrated embodiments, the head has a
maximum dimension of about three and a half inches.
[0020] The shell 20 generally is made of plastic and is at least
partially hollow. One or more noisemaking devices 30 are at least
partially contained within the shell. However, if the one or more
noisemaking devices are contained within the handle 60, then when a
user grasps the handle, the user's hand may undesirably reduce the
noise produced by the noisemaking devices. The noisemaking devices
may include one or more bells, balls, or other items that can be
shaken against each other, and/or against the walls of the shell to
produce noise. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 50 contains
a plurality of bells 90 suspended therein that make noise when
shaken.
[0021] In addition or as an alternative, the noisemaking device 30
may include an electronic noisemaking device. The electronic
noisemaking device may include an electronic circuit, a power
supply, such as one or more batteries, and a speaker for producing
one or more noises generated by the electronic circuit. A
noisemaker containing an electronic noisemaking device also may
include a sensor for detecting when the noisemaker is being shaken
so as to cause the electronic noisemaking device to produce sound
when shaken. The electronic noisemaking device may include a button
or switch convenient to the handle for turning the noisemaker on
and off whenever the user wants to make or to stop making
noise.
[0022] The shell 20 may be formed as a single unit, or the head 50
and the handle 60 may be formed separately and then connected
together. In the illustrated embodiment, the head is connected to
the handle through a threaded extension 100 of the head that mates
with a threaded end 110 of the handle. Other connections could be
used in the alternative or in addition to the threaded connection
between the head and the handle.
[0023] The handle 60 provides a convenient place for the user to
hold the noisemaker 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle
has a generally cylindrical shape with a length of about seven
inches and a diameter of about two inches. Alternatively, the
handle may have a different shape, such as a D-shape.
[0024] Preferably, the handle 60 is hollow so that a variety of
items can be stored within the handle. For example, the handle may
be adapted to hold keys, money, clothing, such as a raincoat, food,
such as peanuts, candy, or a drink, or any other items that a
person would not wish to hold during the event.
[0025] Preferably, the interior of the shell 20 is easily
accessible so that items may conveniently be stored and retrieved
from inside. The threaded connection between the head 50 and the
handle 60, for example, might provide access to the hollow interior
by detaching the head from the handle. However, the shell may
contain another way to access the interior, such as a sliding door
in some portion of the head, or a detachable cap on an end of the
handle opposite the head.
[0026] In addition to the head 50 and the handle 60, the noisemaker
10 includes a flexible looped strap 40 connected to the shell 20 to
enable the user to hold onto the noisemaker when the user does not
have a free hand. The strap may be hung or wrapped around the
wrist, or the strap may be long enough for the user to hang the
noisemaker around the user's neck. In the latter case, the strap
should be long enough, at least about sixteen inches, to allow the
user to grasp the handle of the noisemaker and make noise without
taking the noisemaker off of the user's neck. The strap is
connected to the handle and/or to the head of the noisemaker. The
strap also may be removable so that the user can separate the strap
from the noisemaker during use, or so that the strap can be left
behind when the user does not wish to use it.
[0027] Although the illustrated embodiments of the present
invention are specifically designed for use at a sporting event,
the noisemaker 10 can be used any time that a person wishes to make
noise. Such events could include amateur or professional sports,
parties, political rallies, religious services, etc. The noisemaker
could have different shapes for different events, and could be
offered with interchangeable heads, handles and/or straps.
[0028] Along with a different appearance or shape for the head 50,
the noisemaker 10 also could provide different noises, for
different events for example. The varying noises may be achieved by
providing interchangeable noisemaking devices. The noisemaker also
could provide interchangeable heads or handles, with each head or
handle having different noisemaking devices therein. Varying noises
also could be achieved by use of an electronic noisemaking device
capable of selectively making different noises.
[0029] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to certain illustrative embodiments, equivalent alterations
and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon
reading and understanding this specification and the annexed
drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed
by the above described integers (components, assemblies, devices,
compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means")
used to describe such integers are intended to correspond, unless
otherwise indicated, to any integer which performs the specified
function of the described integer (i.e., that is functionally
equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the
disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein
illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention.
In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have
been described above with respect to only one of several
illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or
more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and
advantageous for any given or particular application.
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