U.S. patent application number 12/931228 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for trophy column for interchangeable display of design elements.
This patent application is currently assigned to Simply Awards LLC. Invention is credited to Barbara A. Brown.
Application Number | 20110183150 12/931228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44309177 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110183150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Barbara A. |
July 28, 2011 |
Trophy column for interchangeable display of design elements
Abstract
Generally, a trophy having a column element disposed between a
base element and figurine element configured to interchangeably
receive display elements.
Inventors: |
Brown; Barbara A.;
(Wellington, CO) |
Assignee: |
Simply Awards LLC
|
Family ID: |
44309177 |
Appl. No.: |
12/931228 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61336943 |
Jan 27, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/542.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 33/004
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/542.4 |
International
Class: |
A47G 35/00 20060101
A47G035/00 |
Claims
1. A trophy, comprising: a) a figurine element; b) a base element;
and c) a column element coupled between said figurine element and
said base element; said column element visually transparent; d)
display elements interchangebly received within said column
element; e) a computer implement program accessible by a user which
matches said column element to a plurality of display elements
interchangebly receiveable within said column element, said
plurality of display elements selectably printable by said user.
Description
[0001] This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/336,943,
filed Jan. 27, 2010, hereby incorporated by reference in the
entirety herein.
I. BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, a trophy having a column element disposed between
a base element and figurine element configured to interchangeably
receive display elements.
[0003] Conventional trophies typically include a base portion, a
column portion and a figurine portion which are engaged in fixed
relation to each other. These portions of the trophy are typically
axially slidably engaged about the longitudinal axis of a
mechanical fastener which operates to draw the trophy elements
together into fixed engagement with one another.
[0004] A substantial problem with conventional trophies can be that
the column portion has an external surface with a fixed appearance
such as color, texture, graphics or the like. To change the
external surface appearance of the column portion of the trophy,
the trophy is disassembled and the entire column is replaced with a
column having a different fixed appearance. Typically, the owner or
recipient of a trophy cannot readily change the external appearance
of the column by removing or adding color, texture, or graphic
elements or personalize the column of the trophy by incorporation
of articles of individual or promotional interest.
[0005] Another substantial problem with conventional trophies can
be that the base portion, the column portion and the figurine
portion do not readily disassemble and reassemble. Typically, the
column portion of a trophy is disposed between the figurine portion
and the base portion each of which are drawn against the
corresponding opposed ends of the column portion by operation of
engaged opposed ends of a spirally threaded rod which makes
disassembly and re-assembly for the purpose of changing the column
portion inconvenient, expensive and time consuming.
[0006] Another substantial problem with conventional trophies can
be that the internal volume of the column can be visually
interrupted along the central longitudinal axis by the mechanical
fastener utilized to retain in fixed relation the base portion, the
column portion and the figurine portion. As a result, the column
portion of a trophy is typically not visually transparent.
[0007] Another substantial problem with conventional trophies can
be that the column portion cannot interchangeably receive display
elements within the internal volume of the column portion.
[0008] Another substantial problem with conventional trophies can
be that there is no computer implemented display element production
system to assist in the production of display elements by the
consumer or recipient of a trophy which can be interchangeably
displayed in the column portion of a trophy.
[0009] The invention described herein addresses the problem of
conventional fixed engagement of trophy elements.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to
provide an inventive trophy having a column element which can be
readily assembled and disassembled in relation to a figurine
element and a base element to allow display elements to be
removably located within the column element.
[0011] Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a
column element which assembles and disassembles in relation to a
figurine element and a base element which avoids the use of an
axial mechanical fastener which passes through the column to draw
the base element and figurine element in relation to the column
element.
[0012] Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a
visually transparent column element in which display elements can
be located for archival, storage or display purposes and visualized
from without.
[0013] Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a
display element production program which matches design elements
against a list of particular embodiments of the column element or
trophy to assist the consumer or recipient of the trophy to prepare
a two dimensional design element field for the production of
display elements for a particular embodiment of the trophy.
[0014] Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed
throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, photographs,
and claims.
III. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exploded view which shows a column element in
which display elements can be established within and can be coupled
to a figurine element and a base element to produce an embodiment
of the inventive trophy.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view which shows a column element
having first column element and a second column element fixed in
co-axial relation which provides an inter-column space in which
display elements can be established and such column element can be
coupled to a figurine element and a base element to produce an
embodiment of the inventive trophy.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Generally, a trophy having a column element disposed between
a base element and figurine element configured to interchangeably
receive display elements.
[0018] Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, which shows an embodiment
of the inventive trophy (1) which comprises a column element (2)
disposed between a pair of trophy elements comprising a figurine
element (3) and a base element (4).
[0019] The term "base element" for the purposes of this invention
refers to a base element (4) which couples to a first end (5) of
the column element (2) and engages a support surface (6) to
establish the second end (7) of the column element (2) a distance
above the support surface (6). While the base element (4) shown in
FIG. 1 provides a substantially planar or flat bottom surface (8)
which engages a correspondingly flat or substantially planar
support surface (6); the invention is not so limited and the base
element (4) can have a bottom surface (8) configured to
sufficiently matingly engage a correspondingly configured support
surface (6). As one non-limiting example, the base element can have
a bottom surface (8) having concave surface to correspondingly mate
a convex support surface. A portion of the base element (4) can be
further configured to provide a column coupling element (9) which
allows a portion of the base element (4) to removably couple with
the first end (5) of the column element (2). Embodiments of the
column coupling element (9) avoid use of a conventional mechanical
fastener (21) which fixedly couples the conventional base portion
(40) to a conventional figurine portion (41) by passing through the
internal volume of the conventional column portion (not shown)
allowing the base portion (40) and the figurine portion (41) to be
drawn toward a conventional column portion disposed between.
[0020] Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, as one non-limiting
example, the column coupling element (9) can provide a cylindrical
recess (10) which receives the first end (5) of a cylindrical
column element (2). The cylindrical recess (10) can have a
plurality of projection elements (11) spaced at intervals about the
circumference of the internal surface (12) of the cylindrical
recess (10). The intervals (13) between the plurality of projection
elements (11) of the column coupling element (9) can be spaced a
sufficient distance apart about the circumference of the column
coupling element (9) to receive a corresponding plurality of column
projections (14) extending outwardly from the external surface (15)
of the column element (2) proximate the first end (5) of the column
element (2). The plurality of column projections (14) can be
disposed at a level below the plurality of projection elements (11)
of the column coupling element (9). The plurality of column
projections (14) can be rotated to engage the upper surface (16) of
the plurality column projections (14) with the bottom surface (17)
of the projection elements (11) of the column coupling element (9)
to substantially prevent axial disengagement. Understandably, a
numerous and wide variety of coupling elements can be utilized to
matingly engage the first end (5) of the column element (2) to the
base element (4) such as: friction fit of the external surface (15)
of the first end (5) of the column element (2) with the internal
surface (12) of the column coupling element (9), mated spiral
thread between the external surface (15) of the first end (5) of
the column element (2) and the internal surface (12) of the column
coupling element (9), mated halves of a snap fitting, or the like.
The configuration of the base element (4) between the bottom
surface (8) and the column coupling element (9) can be of any
constructional form which does not impede engagement of the bottom
surface (8) with the support surface (6) or the column coupling
element (9) with the column element (2).
[0021] The term "figurine element" for the purposes of the
invention refers to a figurine element (3) which couples to the
second end (18) of the column element (2). The figurine element (3)
can include a figurine coupling element (19) having any of the
configurations as above described for the base coupling element
(4). The remaining portion of the figurine element (3) can have any
manner of constructional form and while FIG. 1 shows a figurine
configured as a cheer leader; the invention is not so limited, and
the figurine element (3) can as non-limiting examples be configured
as an automotive vehicle, an animal, or any desired design as one
or a plurality of components in fixed or moveable relation.
[0022] The term "column element" for the purposes of embodiments of
the invention provides a column body (20) disposed between a first
column end (5) and a second column end (7). The first column end
(5) configured to removably engage the base coupling element (9)
and the second column end (7) configured to removably engage the
figurine coupling element (19), each as above described and
including the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 1. The column
element (2) while shown in FIG. 1 as being generally cylindrical;
the invention is not so limited, and embodiments the column element
(2) can be substantially cylindrical proximate the first end (5)
and the second end (7) and can be of any other configuration
between, including for example, triangular, square, rectangular,
oval, trapezoid or other configuration in cross section. As to
other embodiments of the column element (2) the first end (5) and
the second end (7) can be configured to be received by a base
coupling element (9) and a figurine coupling element (19)
configured for external column configurations other than
cylindrical.
[0023] A first prominent advantage of the disengagably coupled
structure of the figurine element (3), column element (2) and base
element (4) as above described is avoidance of a conventional axial
mechanical fastener (21) for coupling the trophy (1) components
together. As a result the inventive trophy (1) provides ready
disassembly of the column element (2) from the figurine element (3)
or the base element (4), or both.
[0024] A second prominent advantage of the disengageably coupled
structure of the figurine element (3), column element (2) and base
element (4) as above described allows the column element (2) to be
in part or in whole visually transparent without having a
conventional axial mechanical fastener (21) in the visual field as
shown for example in FIG. 2, or the like; however, the invention is
not so limited and the column element (2) can be non-transparent if
only the advantage of more ready assembly and disassembly desired.
Additionally, the column element (2) does not have to be clear to
be visually transparent and can have a greater or lesser amount
color as desired. The inventive structure of the inventive trophy
(1) provides an internal space (22) which can be utilized for
locating objects, articles or materials ("display elements (23)")
for archival, storage or display purposes. As to those embodiments
of the inventive trophy (1) having a column element (2) structured
as above described and being visually transparent, display elements
(23) (which can be any one or plurality of similar or dissimilar
objects or articles) can be introduced into either the first end
(5) or the second end (18) of the column element (2). As one
non-limiting example, the display element (23) can be one or a
collection of objects or articles related to the process or
competition for which the trophy was afforded the recipient which
can be located within the column element (2), such as the winner's
ribbon, the jump rope used in a rope jump competition, the marbles
used in a marble shooting competition, or the like. As a second
non-limiting example, the display element (23) can be a thin sheet
material capable of being contoured to engage substantially all or
a portion of the internal surface (24) of the column element (2)
for display and visualization through a visually transparent column
element (2). Non-limiting examples of the thin sheet material can
be a photographic material as shown by the example of FIG. 2, paper
or plastic sheet material with any manner of design elements
affixed or imprinted on the surface of the sheet. A third
non-limiting example, the display material (23) can be an award,
prize, coupon, certificate, earnings, or object related to the
competition for which the inventive trophy (1) was awarded.
Understandably, the display element (23) can be any article(s),
objects or material which can be located within the column element
(2). The display elements (23) can be periodically interchanged to
refresh the look of the column element (2) or inventive trophy
(1).
[0025] Now referring primarily to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the
inventive trophy (1) can provide a first column element (2) as
above described further providing in fixed relation within a second
column element (25). While a particular embodiment of the first
column element (2) and the second column element (25) can be
established in co-axial fixed relation with the internal side wall
(26) of the first column element (2) and the external side wall
(27) of the second column element (25) located a greater or lesser
distance apart. For example, the external side wall (27) of the
second column element (25) can be located to substantially engage
the internal side wall (26) of the first column element (2) or can
be a distance apart in a range of about one thirty second of an
inch to about one-half of an inch depending on the size and
application of the inventive trophy (1).
[0026] The second column element (25) as to certain embodiments can
be non-visually transparent to visually obscure conventional axial
mechanical fasteners (21) joining the figurine element (3), the
column element (2) and the base element (4) as shown in FIG. 2. As
to these embodiments of the inventive trophy (1), the first column
element (2) can be conventionally configured without projection
elements (11) or column projections (14) extending from the
external surface (15) of the column element (2) and the internal
surface of the figurine coupling element (19) and column coupling
element (9).
[0027] Display elements (23) as above described can located between
the internal side wall (26) of the first column element (2) and the
external side wall (27) of the second column element (2). As a
non-limiting example, the display elements (23) can be a sheet of
material contoured to removably insert between the first column
element (2) and the second column element (25). Because the
distance between the first column element (2) and the second column
element (25) can be substantial, the sheet material can have
objects, articles or other materials of substantial thickness
attached or affixed, or design elements imprinted, or all of the
above.
[0028] Now referring primarily to FIG. 2, certain embodiments of
the inventive trophy can further include a computer implemented
display element production system (28). The display element
production system (28) can comprise a conventional computer (28)
with monitor (29) and printer (30). The printer (30) can be
configured to print on a variety of sheet materials as would be
understood by persons of ordinary skill in the computer and
computer printer arts. A computer implemented display element
production program (31) whether operated solely on a conventional
computer (28) such as a personal computer individually or as part
of a local area network (32) or wide area network (35) for example
the Internet (34), or a combination thereof, can function to match
each of a plurality of particular column elements (2) as above
described or otherwise to the particular dimensions or plurality of
dimensions of display elements (23) which can be interchangeably
fitted within a particular one of the column elements (2). The
design element production program (31) can be loaded from any
conventional storage media such as floppy or compact disc, travel
drive, or down loaded over the Internet (34). Accordingly, the
entire design element production program (31) can be stored in
whole on a conventional computer (28) or distributed between a
personal computer and remote computer (33) accessible over a LAN
(32), WAN (35) or Internet (34).
[0029] As one non-limiting example, of the design element
production system (31), a consumer or recipient of an inventive
trophy (1) can load the design element production program (31) to
the memory (36) of a personal computer (28) and operate the
functionalities of the design element production program (31) by a
graphic user interface (37) generated by the program (31) to match
the configuration of trophy (1) to a range of display elements (23)
which can be interchangeably fitted therein. Design elements (38)
selectable through the graphic user interface (37) generated by the
program (31) will be limited to those which can be utilized with
the particular embodiment of the trophy (1); although these will
typically be limited in dimensional relation to the particular
trophy (1) and can included a numerous and wide variety of design
elements (38) which can be utilized individually or collectively,
such as articles, objects, sheet material, photographs, beads,
ribbons, printed material, or the like.
[0030] As will be understood of those of ordinary skill in the art
of computer design programs design elements (38) which can be
included in the two dimensional display field (39) can be stored
locally on a computer (28) or LAN (32) or can be downloaded within
a WAN (35). The design elements (38) can be altered by the
functionalities of a number of conventional design applications
which allow design elements (38) to be presented in a selected
size, color, borders, text, font, weight, contrast, content,
background, foreground, or the like.
[0031] Once the dimensional relationship of the design elements
(38) is established in the two dimensional display field (39) of
the display element (23), the two dimensional display field (39)
can be printed including any photographic images within the field
(39). Articles, objects, and the like can have the location
imprinted on the two dimensional display field (39) and can then be
affixed to the display element (23). The completed display element
(23) can be introduced within the column element (2) whether having
a single wall as shown in FIG. 1 or a double wall as shown in FIG.
2.
[0032] For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be
expressed herein as from "about" one particular value to "about"
another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another
embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other
particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as
approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be
understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It
will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges
are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and
independently of the other endpoint.
[0033] Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the
term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity; for
example, "a column" refers to one or more of the entity. As such,
the terms "a" or "an", "one or more" and "at least one" can be used
interchangeably herein.
[0034] As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic
concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of
ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of an
inventive trophy system which provides a trophy readily assembled
and disassembled for interchangeability of display elements which
can be generated by use of a display element production system
which allows the design of display elements coordinated to the
particular version of the inventive trophy.
[0035] As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the
invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or
tables accompanying this application are not intended to be
limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied
embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents
encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In
addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or
element of the invention may not explicitly describe all
embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly
disclosed by the description and figures.
[0036] It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or
each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or
method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make
explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is
entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all
steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking
that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly,
each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical
element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As
but one example, the disclosure of "display elements" should be
understood to encompass disclosure of the act of "displaying
elements"--whether explicitly discussed or not--and, conversely,
were there effectively disclosure of the act of "displaying
elements", such a disclosure should be understood to encompass
disclosure of "display elements" and even a "means for displaying
elements" Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be
understood to be explicitly included in the description.
[0037] In addition, as to each term used it should be understood
that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent
with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be
understood to included in the description for each term as
contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary,
second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0038] Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at
least: i) each of the trophy configurations herein disclosed and
described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii)
similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these
devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which
accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v)
those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the
functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is
disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step
shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications
enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the
resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix)
methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and
with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various
combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements
disclosed.
[0039] The background section of this patent application provides a
statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains.
This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of
certain United States patents, patent applications, publications,
or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating
information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to
which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any
United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or
other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted,
construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the
invention.
[0040] The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are
hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the
invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use
all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as
additional description to support any of or all of the claims or
any element or component thereof, and the applicant further
expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the
incorporated content of such claims or any element or component
thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as
necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by
this application or by any subsequent application or continuation,
division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain
any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with
the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty,
and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the
entire pendency of this application including any subsequent
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof
or any reissue or extension thereon.
[0041] The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are
further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited
number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to
be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a
complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be
claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further
claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar
application.
* * * * *