U.S. patent application number 10/758974 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for disposable novelty sports equipment.
Invention is credited to Del Principe, Robert J..
Application Number | 20040235583 10/758974 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300707 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040235583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Del Principe, Robert J. |
November 25, 2004 |
Disposable novelty sports equipment
Abstract
Disposable novelty sports apparatus has the appearance of
authentic sports equipment and has a resilient shaft material
allows a frustrated or stressed sports player to selectively
determine whether to permanently break or to dramatically bend the
sports equipment in a cartoon-like manner, thus alleviating pent up
stress or frustration.
Inventors: |
Del Principe, Robert J.;
(Mt. Prospect, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
POST OFFICE BOX 26618
MILWAUKEE
WI
53226
US
|
Family ID: |
46300707 |
Appl. No.: |
10/758974 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10758974 |
Jan 16, 2004 |
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09883088 |
Jun 15, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/0081 20200801;
A63B 53/00 20130101; A63B 60/00 20151001; A63D 15/08 20130101; A63B
2208/12 20130101; A63B 59/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/316 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/10 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A novelty sports apparatus comprising a first section, a second
section, and an insert adapted to couple the first section and the
second section to form a composite shaft, the insert having an
annular score line comprising a line of weakness, the insert
comprising a polymer material that resiliently bends along an arc
of curvature that includes the score line within a range of bend
angles in response to a bending force applied to opposing sides of
the score line, the polymer having an elastic memory to allow
return of the shaft to a generally straightened and original
condition once the bending force is removed if a maximum bend angle
is not exceeded, and the insert permanently breaking if the bending
force exceeds the maximum bend angle.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the polymer is PVC.
3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the insert includes at least
one male fitting and at least one of the first and second sections
includes a complementary female fitting to couple the insert to the
at least one of the first and second sections.
4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the insert includes at least
one female fitting and at least one of the first and second
sections includes a complementary male fitting to couple the insert
to the at least one of the first and second sections.
5. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the maximum bend angle is
about 45.degree..
6. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a golf
club.
7. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a pool
cue.
8. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a baseball
bat.
9. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a
racquet.
10. An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the racquet is a tennis
racquet.
11. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the racquet is a badminton
racquet.
12. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the racquet is a racquetball
racquet.
13. A method of using disposable novelty sports apparatus in a
dramatic and humorous way to relieve frustration and stress
comprising the steps of providing novelty sports apparatus having a
shaft, the shaft comprising a first section, a second section, and
insert coupling the first and second sections together, the insert
comprising resilient polymer material and an annular score line
defining a line of weakness, grasping the shaft on one side of the
score line with one hand, holding the shaft on an opposite side of
the score line with a second hand, bending the shaft along an arc
of curvature that includes the score line to a range of bend
angles, not to exceed a predetermined maximum bend angle, and
returning the shaft to a normal position.
14. A method of breaking novelty sports apparatus in a dramatic and
humorous way to relieve frustration and stress comprising the steps
of providing novelty sports apparatus having a shaft, the shaft
comprising a first section, a second section, and a disposable
insert coupling the first and second sections together, the insert
comprising resilient polymer material and an annular score line
defining a line of weakness, grasping the shaft on one side of the
score line with one hand, holding the shaft on an opposite side of
the score line with a second hand, flexing the shaft beyond a
predetermined maximum bend angle to break the shaft at the score
line.
15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of
replacing the insert with a new insert, and coupling the new insert
to the first and second sections.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
application Ser. No. 09/883,088, filed Jun. 15, 2001, and entitled
"Disposable Novelty Sports Equipment."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to novelty sports equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Amateur and recreational sports, while designed for
enjoyment, exercise, hobby, or for general health and welfare, are
invariably filled with moments of stress. The rigors of friendly
competition, the desire to seek personal bests or achieve personal
goals, and difficult tasks associated with many sport activities
combine, thereby inducing stress in the player. Recognizing the
need for devices that assist the frustrated player alleviate
unwanted stress, many prior art devices have attempted to use a
humorous feature in a novelty or toy sports device. To that end,
many novelty sports devices are known. One specific area of novelty
sports apparatus is novelty golf clubs. Another area of novelty
sports apparatus is toy bats. Yet another area of novelty sports
apparatus is novelty tennis racquets.
[0004] In the area of prior art novelty golf clubs, a
representative example is Bernstein (U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,582).
Bernstein describes an unbreakable simulated golf club, designed to
emulate a conventional club. It is a single piece, having the grip,
shaft and head portions of the club simultaneously molded as a
single, contiguous piece. Further, the Bernstein novelty club is
designed with a rigid shaft, while flexible to a degree, it is
designed to appear as a conventional club and retain the stiffness
and "feel" of a conventional club, yielding only to an intentional
force and returning to its original shape after being deflected. It
is not designed to break, nor is it intended to be disposable.
[0005] Pond, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,728 describes a breakable
wooden conventional club. The Pond club has the appearance and feel
of a conventional club and is not designed to be disposable. It
incorporates a pin that is designed to fracture under a specified
load. To repair the club, the pin is replaced and the club
re-assembled.
[0006] As another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,205, McGlaughlin
describes another embodiment of a breakable golf club in which a
wooden dowel fractures when the club is broken in half. Inside a
multi-component hollow shaft is a wood dowel. When the club is
broken, the wooden dowel is replaced and the hollow shaft is left
undamaged. The McGlaughlin club is designed for conventional play.
Another embodiment of the prior art for novelty golf clubs is
Schering in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,454. Schering uses a metal shaft
coated with a plastic sleeve. The plastic sleeve is designed to
protect the finish of the metal shaft. The Schering club appears to
be a conventional club and can be used in place of a convention
club in regular play. The shaft is designed to be deformed by
application of a force, but the rigid shaft is not elastic. To
return to the original shape, the user must apply a new force to
straighten the club. After repair it can be re-used.
[0007] Novelty sports apparatus extends also to baseball bats. For
example, Schachter (U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,936) describes a toy bat
constructed of a single piece of semi-rigid and resilient solid
foam or rubber. The Schachter bat is soft and intended to flex when
used to strike other objects or people, without causing injury or
harm.
[0008] Another novelty bat is described by Yoder (U.S. Pat. No.
4,690,404). Yoder shows a tagging stick, which is a long
cylindrical bat composed of a resiliently flexible cellular foam
material, such as polyurethane foam. The foam material is stiff
enough to allow grasping and swinging by a human hand, but soft
enough to strike other objects or people, without causing injury or
harm.
[0009] Yet another novelty bat is described by Horton (U.S. Pat.
No. 5,820,438) is a simulated baseball bat designed to display
advertising and comprising a rigid handle that is removably
attached to a soft, pliant foam bat shaft.
[0010] Watson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,163) also describes a novelty
bat for therapeutic or recreational use and comprises a rigid
handle permanently affixed to a soft, long and flexible tubular
member.
[0011] Novelty tennis racquets are also known. For example,
Simmoneau (U.S. Des. Pat. No. 247,057) describes a novelty tennis
racquet having two heads connected to a hand-grip by a single rigid
shaft that is "Y"-shaped.
[0012] Another attempt to produce a comical or novelty tennis
racquet is described again by Simmoneau in U.S. Des. Pat. No.
247,059. A standard tennis racquet head is connected to a grip by a
single rigid and bent shaft, the shaft related to the head at an
obtuse angle.
[0013] Other flexible novelty devices are known, such as a bendable
novelty toothbrush as described by Tarr (U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,309).
The toothbrush comprises a rigid thermoplastic shaft that is
bendable with the application of heat and pressure. Thus, the
toothbrush can be formed into a fun shape, a bracelet for example,
when the toothbrush is no longer required to perform its primary
function of cleaning teeth.
[0014] Despite the variety of novelty sports apparatus in the prior
art, such sports equipment is not without its deficiencies. The
prior art does not permit the frustrated player to express the
frustration and stress in a dramatic way. The prior art does not so
closely simulate the authentic piece of sports equipment to make
comical, the cartoon-like bending of a resilient shaft.
[0015] Further, the prior art generally is not designed to
repeatedly return to the original shape once a bending load is
removed. Further, the prior art is unable to allow the player to
selectively determine whether to dramatically bend the device or to
break the device into pieces, in a drastic outplay of pent-up
stress.
[0016] Further, the prior art is wasteful as it employs expensive
manufacturing processes, assembly techniques or material.
[0017] Therefore, there is a need in the art of novelty sports
apparatus for such equipment that has the appearance of authentic
sports equipment. It is another need to provide novelty sports
apparatus that is resilient with the ability to dramatically bend
under the load applied by the player. Further, it is desirable to
have the player selectively determine whether to break the novelty
sports apparatus or to dramatically bend the sports equipment. A
further need is for novelty sports apparatus that is economical to
manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Noting the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art, the
embodiments of the preset invention provide disposable novelty
sports apparatus that has the appearance of authentic sports
equipment and simultaneously allows the player to selectively
determine whether to break the novelty sports apparatus or to
dramatically bend the apparatus. Further, such embodiments are
economical to manufacture.
[0019] One aspect of this invention provides the frustrated athlete
with a device to reduce stress in a comical manner. Another aspect
of this invention provides such a device that closely resembles an
actual piece of authentic sports equipment.
[0020] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a resilient
device that can be dramatically bent to cartoon-like proportions,
yet return to its original shape. According to another aspect,
force can be applied to bend the device to such an extreme so that
the device breaks into two pieces. According to still another
aspect, the breaking of the resilient device will occur along a
predetermined score line.
[0021] Several specific embodiments of this invention can be
readily envisioned by a person skilled in the art. By means of
clarifying example, and not limiting in scope, some embodiments of
the invention are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the invention.
[0022] One embodiment provides a disposable novelty sports
apparatus comprising a shaft having a grip end and an oppositely
spaced equipment end. The shaft comprises a polymer material that
resiliently bends in response to a bending force applied between
the grip end and the equipment end. The polymer material allows a
resilient bending of the shaft in response to the bending force.
The bending force thus causes the shaft to deflect to a bend angle
within determined parameters. The polymer material has an elastic
memory to allow return of the shaft to a generally straightened and
original condition once the bending force is removed. In this
embodiment, the shaft further has a score line formed on the shaft
between the grip end and the equipment end. The score line
comprises a line of weakness along which the shaft will permanently
break in response to application of the bending force within a
specified range, or when the shaft is deflected to a determined
bend angle that exceeds the determined parameters.
[0023] In various embodiments, the shaft can possess different
cross sectional geometries, e,g., generally curvilinear, such as
generally round or generally elliptical; or generally rectilinear,
such as generally rectangular, generally octagonal, or generally
hexagonal.
[0024] In one embodiment, the bend angle is a range of angles
having a minimum bend angle and a maximum bend angle. In one
arrangement, the minimum bend angle is about 25 degrees. In one
arrangement, the maximum bend angle is about 75 degrees.
[0025] In various embodiments, the polymer material can vary being,
e.g., a resilient polymer, such as plastic or PVC. The polymer
material can, e.g., be extruded, or molded, or machined.
[0026] The nature of the equipment head can vary. For example, it
can comprise a golf club head, or a racquet head, or a tennis
racquet head, or a racquet-ball racquet head, or a badminton
racquet head, or a baseball bat, or a pool cue.
[0027] A host of disposable novelty sports items can thereby be
provided, e.g., a disposable novelty golf club, or a disposable
novelty racquet, or a disposable novelty baseball bat. The
disposable novelty racquets, for example, could include racquet
ball, table tennis, or badminton. A wide variety of sports
paraphernalia may also be made within the spirit and scope of this
invention; for example, pool cues, bowling pins, croquet mallets,
hockey sticks, hurley sticks, lacross sticks, cricket sticks and
the like.
[0028] Regardless of the particular sport, the invention provides
the frustrated player the ability to relieve stress and frustration
in a dramatic, but inexpensive, manner. The invention allows the
player to repeatedly bend a resilient shaft, which can deflect to
dramatic and cartoon-like angles, but which nevertheless has the
ability to return to its original shape when the bending load has
been removed. A larger prescribed bending load will permanently
break the shaft into two pieces.
[0029] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of using
disposable novelty sports apparatus. The method provides a
disposable novelty sports apparatus having a shaft to a user. The
shaft comprises a resilient polymer material. According to the
method, the user grasps an end of a shaft with one hand and grasps
a second end of the shaft with another hand. According to the
method, the user bends the shaft to a range of bend angles, not to
exceed a predetermined maximum bend angle. The shaft resiliently
returns to a normal position when the user releases the first and
second ends of the shaft.
[0030] In one embodiment, the shaft includes a score line. In this
embodiment, the user flexes the shaft beyond the maximum bend
angle, which breaks the shaft at the score line. The user is
thereby free to dispose of the broken shaft, which serves as a
symbol of stress and frustration that has been conquered.
[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, a novelty
sports apparatus comprises a first section, a second section, and a
disposable insert adapted to couple the first section and the
second section to form a composite shaft. The insert has an annular
score line comprising a line of weakness. The insert comprises a
polymer material that resiliently bends along an arc of curvature
that includes the score line within a range of bend angles in
response to a bending force applied to opposing sides of the score
line. The polymer has an elastic memory to allow return of the
shaft to a generally straightened and original condition once the
bending force is removed if a maximum bend angle is not exceeded.
The insert permanently breaks if the bending force exceeds the
maximum bend angle.
[0032] Methods that embody features of the invention encourage a
user to manipulate the resilient shaft in a dramatic and humorous
way to relieve frustration and stress.
[0033] The invention makes possible an array of novelty sports
equipment which is disposable and which can be bent manually or
upon striking an object, such as the ground, or a tree, and be
resiliently restored to its original shape. In various embodiments,
novelty sports apparatus can be broken into two pieces by a manual
bending or striking against an object, e.g., by utilizing a score
line on the shaft of the apparatus. The novelty sports apparatus
can be inexpensive to produce and use, encouraging a healthy outlet
for relief of frustrated golfer's stress.
[0034] Features and advantages of the inventions are set forth in
the following Description and Drawings, as well as in the appended
Claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a specific embodiment of the
present invention representing a golf club.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a representation of an embodiment, in which a
bending load is applied by a frustrated golfer
[0037] FIG. 2a is a representation of an embodiment, in which a
broken club held by a stress-free golfer.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the present invention after a
pre-determined force has been applied resulting in a broken
shaft.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a representation of an alternative embodiment,
showing a frustrated tennis player bending a novelty tennis
racquet.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a representation of an alternative embodiment,
showing a frustrated baseball player bending a novelty baseball
bat.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a representation of various bend angles in one
embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a representation of various cross sections of
selected embodiments of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the score line and the score
ratio of a selected embodiment of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 9 is an alternative embodiment of a novelty golf club
that incorporates an insert.
[0045] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of one embodiment of an insert
in which the insert includes a pair of male fittings.
[0046] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of
an insert in which the insert includes a pair of female
fitting.
[0047] FIG. 12 illustrates the resilient bending of the shaft along
an arc of curvature that includes a score line and return of the
shaft to a normal position.
[0048] FIG. 13 illustrates the bending of the shaft beyond a
predetermined maximum bend angle to break the insert along the
score line.
[0049] The invention may be embodied in several forms without
departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The scope
of the invention is defined in the appended claims, rather than in
the specific description preceding them. All embodiments that fall
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by
the claims.
[0051] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of disposable novelty sports
equipment, specifically a disposable novelty golf club 10.
Embodying features of the present invention, the golf club
comprises a shaft 14 having a club head 16 and a grip 12 located at
opposing ends of the shaft 14.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 7A through 7E, the shaft, in one
embodiment has a round cross section 11 (as shown in FIG. 7A), but
could be made from other shapes, for example, elliptical 11A (as
shown in FIG. 7B), rectilinear 11B (as shown in FIG. 7C), octagonal
11C (as shown in FIG. 7D), or hexagonal 11D (as shown in FIG.
7E).
[0053] Referring again to FIG. 1, the shaft 14 is made from, for
example, a rigid and resilient solid material that is molded or
extruded from a resilient polymer. The resilient polymer comprises,
for example, a general purpose grade polyvinyl chloride compound
(PVC) known in the industry as Type I Grade I having a cell
classification of 12454 as defined in ASTM D1784. To provide an
authentic appearance, the shaft 14 is colored, for example, gray.
Other colors and other thermosetting materials, natural rubber or
other plastic materials with similar properties are
contemplated.
[0054] In one embodiment, the polymer material resiliently bends in
response to a bending force applied between the grip end and the
equipment end. Another desired characteristic is that the polymer
material allows a resilient bending of the shaft in response to the
bending force, the bending force thus causing the shaft to deflect
to a bend angle within determined parameters. Further, the polymer
material has an elastic memory to allow return of the shaft to a
generally straightened and original condition once the bending
force is removed.
[0055] Still referring to FIG. 1, shaft 14 has an annular score
line 18 located, for example, at an approximate midpoint of the
shaft 14. The score line 18 could be placed at any point or at
multiple points along the shaft 14. The score line 18 is formed by
scribing the shaft 14 at the desired location with, for example, a
pipe cutter commonly used by plumbers, or any similar device. The
score line 18 creates a line of weakness on the shaft 14.
[0056] More specifically, the annular score line 18 is formed on
the shaft 14 between the grip end 12 and the equipment end 16, for
example at the approximate midpoint of the shaft. The score line
creates a line of weakness along which the shaft will permanently
break in response to application of the bending force within a
specified range. The shaft will break, alternatively, when the
shaft is deflected to a dramatic and determined bend angle that
exceeds the determined parameters.
[0057] Now referring to FIG. 8, the score line 18 is scribed to a
predetermined depth X. A score diameter 19 results from scribing
the score line. This can alternatively be defined as a score ratio.
The score ratio is the ratio between the score depth X and a cross
section diameter Y of the shaft 12. This may be expressed as X/Y or
as a percentage. The desired breaking force can then be controlled
by the physical properties of the shaft (e.g., material and length
of the shaft) and the score ratio.
[0058] Given a shaft having essentially the same physical
properties, the breaking force required to break the shaft will
decrease as the score ratio increases. In the particular embodiment
of a novelty golf club, an example of the breaking force for a
typical novelty golf club is in a range of about 25 to 30 lbs. In
this sample embodiment, the shaft is made from the resilient
polymer known in the industry as PVC Type I Grade I having a cell
classification of 12454 as defined in ASTM D1784. In this example,
the depth of the score line is the range of about {fraction
(1/16)}" to {fraction (3/32)}" (0.0625 in. to 0.09375 in) for a
shaft having an outside diameter of 1/2" (0.50 in.) The resulting
score ratio is in the range of about 0.125 to 0.1875. However, in
alternative embodiments using the resilient polymer described
above, score depths may be used from as great as 1/8" (0.125 in.)
to as little as {fraction (1/32)}" (0.03125) for a shaft having a
nominal outside diameter of 1/2" (0.50 in.), which results in score
ratios in the range of about 0.0625 to 0.25.
[0059] Score ratios in the above-described ranges produce the
dramatic bending effect of the present invention.
[0060] Applying the same principle, it is understood that
increasing the score ratio would reduce the required breaking
force. Thus, the breaking force in another embodiment could be
reduced, allowing, for example, a child to permanently break the
shaft. Therefore, it can be understood that the breaking force can
be tailored to the specific embodiment based on, for example, the
intended user.
[0061] Still referring to FIG. 1, to achieve an appearance of an
authentic golf club, the grip 12 is, for example, a conventional
type grip such as cloth tape, rubberized tape or a conventional
sleeve-type grip. However, a machined or molded grip that simulates
a conventional grip is also contemplated. The grip 12 is fixably or
integrally attached to the shaft 14 at one end. The shaft 14 may be
inserted into a portion of the grip 12 to facilitate attachment.
Also to achieve the appearance of an authentic golf club, the head
16 may be a conventional type golf club head, such as a driver, or
an iron, or a putter, for example. Alternatively, the head 16 may
be, for example, a simulated or novelty head, which is not designed
to strike the ball. The head 16 may also be formed by, for example,
a machining or extruding or molding operation and therefore may be
integral to the shaft.
[0062] Now referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of disposable novelty
sports equipment, specifically a disposable novelty golf club 10 is
depicted in a dramatic, cartoon-like bend with a frustrated golfer
G applying a bend load.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 6, a range of bend angles is shown. A
minimum bend angle "1 is defined as the angle created between a
horizontal reference line H and a construction line L1 defined from
the approximate midpoint M of the shaft 12 to a point P on an end
of the shaft 12. In a similar manner, a maximum bend angle "2 is
depicted. The maximum bend angle "2 is defined as the angle between
the horizontal reference line H and a second construction line L2
which is defined as a line made between the approximate midpoint M
of the shaft 12 and the point P on an end of the shaft 12. In one
embodiment, the minimum bend angle "1 is 25 degrees and a maximum
angle "2 of 45 degrees. If the maximum bend angle "2 of 45 degrees
is exceeded, the shaft 12 will permanently break. At any angle less
than, for example, 45 degrees, the resilient shaft will deflect or
bend and return to the original shape. While one embodiment has a
target maximum bend angle of 45 degrees, it will be understood by
one skilled in the art that any maximum bend angle less than 90
degrees will produced the desired dramatic, cartoon-like bending of
the present invention.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 2a and FIG. 3, the now stress-relieved
golfer G is depicted as the range of the bend angle has been
exceeded and the club 10 is shown breaking in FIG. 2a. FIG. 3 shows
a detail of the broken shaft 14 at the score line 18.
[0065] FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, a novelty disposable baseball bat 22. A stressed-out
ball player B reduces frustration by bending or breaking the bat
22.
[0066] FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a novelty disposable racquet. The frustrated player T
alleviates stress by dramatically bending or selectively breaking
the racquet 28.
[0067] It may be desirable to provide a breakable novelty sport
equipment device that can be put back together to permit reuse.
FIG. 9-13 illustrate a breakable golf club 110 permitting reuse.
The club 110 has a shaft 114 including an upper half or section 132
bearing a grip 112 and a lower half or section 134 bearing a club
head 116. Club halves 132 and 134 may be formed of PVC or other
suitable polymer material that resiliently bends in response to a
bending force, as previously described.
[0068] A disposable insert 136 is provided that serves as a joining
piece to join the upper and lower halves 132 and 134. In the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, each end of insert 136 provides
a permanent male screw fitting 138. The male fittings 138 are
desirably integrally formed with or otherwise permanently fixed to
insert 136. The male fittings 138 are configured to mate with
complementary female screw fittings 140 on joining ends of upper
and lower halves 132 and 134.
[0069] In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11, each
end of insert 136 provides a permanent female screw fitting 240.
The female fittings 240 are configured to mate with complementary
male screw fittings 238 on joining ends of upper and lower halves
132 and 134. The male fittings 238 are desirably integrally formed
with or otherwise permanently fixed to upper and lower halves 132
and 134.
[0070] Insert 136 includes an annular score line 118 formed by
scribing the insert 136 at a desired location and defining a line
of weakness creating a pre-determined break point as previously
described. The insert 136 may be formed of any suitable resilient
polymer material, e.g., PVC, and may be of the same or different
material from upper and lower shaft components 132 and. 134.
Desirably, the material permits the insert 136 to resiliently bend
along an arc of curvature that includes the score line. Insert 136,
and thus shaft 114, will resiliently deflect or bend and return to
the original shape in response to application of a bending force
within a specified range of bend angles. The insert 136 will
permanently break along score 118 to break the shaft 114 into upper
and lower halves 132 and 134 when the bending force exceeds a
maximum bend angle.
[0071] In use, the user screws the insert 136 into each half 132
and 134 of the club shaft 114, thereby combining halves 132 and 134
to form the full size shaft 114.
[0072] The user grasps the club 110 on one side of the score line
118 with one hand and on the other side of the score line with a
second hand. For example, the user grips the upper half 132 with
one hand and the lower half 134 with a second hand. In frustration,
the user bends the shaft 114 along an arc of curvature that
includes the score line 118 in a dramatic and humorous manner. The
user may bend or flex the club 110 within a specified range of bend
angles not to exceed a maximum pre-determined bend angle and then
return the shaft 114 to the original or normal position, as
represented by arrows and phantom lines in FIG. 12. Alternatively,
the user may bend the club 110 through the specified range of bend
angles and beyond the maximum bend angle, as represented by arrows
and phantoms lines in FIG. 13, thereby breaking the insert 136 (and
thus shaft 114) at the score line 118.
[0073] The broken insert 136 may be discarded and a new disposable
replacement insert 136 may be inserted to rejoin upper and lower
halves 132 and 134 to again form a solid connection to create a
full size shaft 114 which may again be bent or broken in a dramatic
and humorous manner.
[0074] While the illustrated embodiment shows the use of a
disposable insert 136 to form a novelty golf club 110, it is to be
understood that an insert 136 may be similarly incorporated into
the shaft of a variety of other sports apparatus (as previously
noted in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5), including but not limited to
a pool cue, a racquet (e.g., a tennis, racquetball, or badminton
racquet), or a baseball bat.
[0075] The above-described embodiments of this invention are merely
descriptive of its principles and are not to be limited. The scope
of this invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the
following claims, including their equivalents.
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