GB2489443A

GB2489443A - Trophy or like assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2489443A
Application number: GB201105130A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John-Paul Cowan
Original assignee: TREND INTERNAT GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: TREND INTERNAT GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-28
Filing date: 2011-03-28
Publication date: 2012-10-03
Also published as: GB201105130D0

Abstract

An award assembly 1 such as a sports or other trophy comprises a support rod 2 and a retaining bolt 3. The support rod 2 is threaded at both ends 4, 5 and has a flanged portion 7 adjacent to one of the threaded ends, such that when the support rod 2 receives and is in engagement with a base 11, the flanged portion 7 is in abutment with a surface of the base 13. The body 6 of the support rod 2 is designed to receive at least one further award construction element 21, the award construction elements 21 being held along the body 6 of the support rod 2 and secured in place between the flanged portion 7 and the retaining bolt 3. The bolt is secured in place by a tool such as a hex tool.

Description

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AN AWARD ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to trophies or awards, and in particular to an award assembly for the construction of trophies or awards that consist of a series of components arranged along a support rod.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Trophies, or awards, are tokens of merit, and are often presented to recognise a specific achievement. They may be presented to an individual, a group of individuals or to an organisation, and are most often awarded to the winners of sporting events.

Typically, a trophy is constructed from a plurality of components, of varying size and shapes, which are mounted on a base, and which must be assembled and secured in an appropriate manner in order that the trophy may be presented in one piece to the intended recipient.

The construction of trophies is routinely carried out by an approprjately skilled person in the art. However, this can often be a time consuming and tricky process to accomplish, if there are a number of trophy components to assemble, particularly if some of the individual trophy components are of a substantial size or irregular shape.

This can often slow down the process of trophy construction on an assembly line. In addition, there is no standard means in use at present for securing or connecting multiple individual trophy components together on a large scale.

It would be advantageous therefore to provide an assembly means to enable the construction of trophies to be carried out in a quick and efficient manner, such that the separate trophy components may be combined and mounted on a base with ease. In addition, it would be desirable to provide means for securing the components of trophies together to avoid them separating at a later date. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide an assembly means for the construction of trophies having a common base, to which can be mounted a variety of different shaped trophy tops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides an award assembly comprising a support rod and a retaining bolt; the support rod having first and second threaded ends and having a flanged portion located between the first and second threaded ends; and the retaining bolt configured to receive one of the threaded ends of the support rod.

The support rod preferably has an unthreaded portion located between the first and second threaded ends of the support rod. The flanged portion is preferably positioned adjacent to the first threaded end of the support rod, and is configured to provide abutment to a surface when the support rod is inserted into an aperture. The flanged portion will preferably surround the body of the support rod completely in a continuous fashion at a position adjacent to the first threaded part of the support rod.

The retaining bolt comprises a blind bore configured to receive one of the threaded ends of the support rod. Preferably, the retaining bolt receives the second threaded end of the support rod. The head of the retaining bolt has a multiple sided recess which is shaped and dimensioned to receive an appropriately shaped fastening tool, which may be used to secure the retaining bolt to the support rod.

In a second aspect of the invention, the award assembly is adapted to connect with a base member of an award, which may for example take the form of a stand, mount or plinth. The base member is configured to receive the first threaded end of the support rod through an aperture in a surface of the base member. The flanged portion of the support rod is designed to engage with the surface of the base member, such that when the first threaded end of the support rod is inserted through an aperture in a surface of the base member, the flanged portion and the surface of the base member are in abutment with each other. The first threaded end of the support rod is preferably configured to receive additional locking means, to secure the base member between the flanged portion of the support rod in abutment with the surface of the base member, and the additional locking means, which may for example take the form of a nut or retaining bolt.

In a third aspect of the invention, a plurality of trophy award construction elements are configured to receive the award assembly. The plurality of trophy award construction elements comprising the trophy are mounted on top of each another and receive the unthreaded portion of the support rod. The trophy award construction elements receive the support rod between the flanged portion adjacent to the first threaded end of the support rod, and the retaining bolt. The retaining bolt then secures together the trophy award construction elements received by the support rod.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides an award comprising an award assembly having the separate trophy award components connected and secured thereto.

The aspects of the invention described solve the problems of providing an assembly means for allowing the construction of awards and trophies to be carried out quickly and efficiently on a large scale. In particular, the assembly means may be fitted into a common base such that a variety of differently sized and shaped trophy tops may be secured to the trophy mount with relative ease.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are used to indicate like parts and in which: Figure la is a side view of a support rod of the award assembly; Figure lb is a side view of a retaining bo]t of the award assembly; Figure 1 c is a plan view of the head of the retaining bolt; Figure 2 shows the support rod of the award assembly in the process of engagement with a base; Figure 3 shows in vertical cross-section the support rod of the award assembly in engagement with a base, further showing the alignment of three additional award elements and the retaining bolt to be connected to the support rod; and Figure 4 shows in vertical cross-section the award of Figure 3 as assembly of the components is completed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 a and lb show the component parts of an award assembly generally indicated as 1. The award assembly I forms part of the construction of an award, or trophy, as described in more detail below.

The award assembly I comprises a support rod 2 and a retaining bolt 3. The support rod 2 is preferably formed from any suitable hard material, for example an iron or steel bar. The support rod 2 is threaded at both ends, which are designated the first 4 and second 5 threaded ends, and further has an unthreaded portion 6 located between the first 4 and second 5 threaded ends of the support rod 2.

The flanged portion 7 of the support rod 2 is positioned adjacent to the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2, and is configured to provide abutment to a surface when the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 is inserted into an aperture (not shown).

In the illustrated embodiment, the flanged portion 7 will preferably surround the body of the support rod 2 in a continuous fashion through 360° at a position adjacent to the -5.-first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2. It is anticipated that the flanged portion 7 adjacent to the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 may also be formed in a variety of other embodiments, such as for example, a plurality of discrete flanged unit portions projecting in a radial configuration outwardly from the unthreaded portion 6 of the support rod 2, at a position adjacent to the first threaded part of the support rod 2. Any lateral projection from the support rod 2, or change in diameter of the support rod 2 to form a shoulder, may serve the same function of abutting against a surface when the first end of the support rod 2 is inserted into an aperture in that surface.

The retaining bolt 3 is also preferably formed from any suitable hard metallic material, such as for example, a steel retaining bolt 3. The body 8 of the retaining bolt 3 comprises a conventional blind bore, internally threaded to receive one of the threaded ends of the support rod 2. Preferably, the retaining bolt 3 is configured to receive the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2. The head 9 of the retaining bolt 3 has a multiple sided recess 10, as illustrated in Figure 1 c, shaped and dimensioned to receive an appropriately shaped fastening tool 30, which may be used to turn the retaining bolt 3 to secure the retaining bolt 3 to the support rod 2. The retaining bolt 3 may be provided with altemative means for engaging with a fastening tool 30, for example a conventional hexagonal bolt head for engagement by a spanner or a slot for engagement by a screwdriver. A cover (not illustrated) may be press fitted or otherwise attached over the head of the retaining bolt 3 to improve its appearance in the finished article. When in use, as will be discussed in flrther detail later on, the unthreaded portion 6 of the support rod 2 will receive a plurality of award construction elements 21, which may be secured between the flanged portion 7 of the support rod 2 and the retaining bolt 3.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, there is shown by way of example, an award assembly 1, without the retaining bolt 3, as previously described in engagement with a base member I I. The base member I I, which may be a trophy mount, stand or plinth, is preferably constructed from a suitable hard material such as a wooden, stone or polymeric material. The base member II has a body 12, an upper surface 13 and an opposing lower surface 14, and an aperture 15 in a bore 16 of the upper surface 13 of the base member 11. The aperture 15 is configured to receive the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 through the upper surface 12 of the base member 11, such that the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 exits the bore 16 through the opposing lower surface 14 of the base member II. In this embodiment, the bore 16 through the base member 11 is not threaded and its diameter is slightly greater than the external diameter of the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 so that the first threaded end 4 can pass freely through the bore 16. It will be appreciated that the portion of the first end 4 of the support rod 2 that lies within the bore 16 after assembly need not be threaded, in which case the flanged portion 7 would not be located immediately adjacent to the threaded portion of the first end 4. The first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 emerges from the bore 16 of the opposing lower surface 14 of the base member 11 into a recess 17 formed in the underside of the base member 11. The first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 is inserted into the aperture 15 of the upper surface 13 of the base member 11 such that the flanged portion 7 of the support rod 2 adjacent to the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 contacts and is in abutment with the upper surface 13 of the base member 11. It will be appreciated that the flanged portion 7 of the support rod 2 is dimensioned such that the flanged portion 7 surrounding the unthreaded portion 6 of the support rod 2, limits the penetration of threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 into the bore 16 to a depth equivalent to the distance from the flanged portion 7 of the support rod 2 to the tip of the first threaded end 4. It is also appreciated that the length of the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 emerging from the bore 16 of the opposing lower surface 14 of the base member 11 into the recess 17, will be shorter than the depth of the recess 17.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the bore 16 running through the body 12 of the base member 11 from an upper surface 13 of the base member 11 and emerging at an opposing lower surface 14 of the base member 11, has walls 18 which are smooth in order to receive the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is anticipated that the bore 16 itself may be threaded, to mate with the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2. In a further embodiment, the bore 16 in the base member 11 could be an internally threaded blind bore that is of sufficient depth to receive the whole of the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2, without emerging from the opposing lower surface 14 of the base member 11.

The first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 is configured to receive additional locking means 19, which may be a metallic nut in combination with a washer formed from an appropriate material, or a second retaining bolt 3. In Figure 2 of the illustrations, the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 is shown to receive additional locking means 19, in this case for example, in the form of a nut and washer.

The first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 receives the additional locking means 19, in the direction of arrow A as indicated on Figure 2, such that the additional locking means 19 engage with the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2 and securely fasten against the lower surface 14 of the base member 11 in the recess 17 formed in the base member 11 to clamp the support rod 2 to the base member 11. In the alternative embodiments of the invention, where the bore 16 in the body 12 of the base member Il may itself be threaded, it is anticipated that the additional locking means 19 will not be required.

Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings show an award assembly I of the invention securely connected to a base member 11 of an award, additionally with award construction elements 20 received by the unthreaded portion 6 of the support rod 2.

The support rod 2 that is mounted in an aperture 15 of an upper surface 13 of a base member 11 of an award, is configured to be received by a further single award construction element 20, or a plurality of award construction elements 20, in a manner analogous to that of a base member 11 receiving the first threaded end 4 of the support rod 2. Award construction elements 20 may be shaped and dimensioned from a number of suitable materials such as for example, metals, woods or plastics. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art of trophy making, that the shape, method of fabrication or materials involved in the construction of award elements extends to a wide variety in the number of possible elements which may be used. Therefore, for the purpose of the description of the invention, the exact shape, size and style of individual award construction elements 20 will not be discussed at length.

Each award construction element 20, as shown in Figures 3 or 4, consists of a hollow body or frame 21, a first surface 22 and an opposing second surface 23, with an aperture 24 in the first surface 22 and an aperture 25 in the opposing second surface 23. It is anticipated that in an alternative embodiment the award construction elements 20 may be solid elements with an unthreaded bore running through the body 21 of the award construction elements 20. The second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2 mounted in an aperture 15 of an upper surface 13 of a base member I I, is shaped to be received by an award construction element 20. The aperture 24 in the first surface 22 of the body 21 of the award construction element 20 receives the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2, such that the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2 exits the aperture 25 in the opposing second surface 23 of the award construction element 20. The award construction element 20 receives the support rod 2 such that the unthreaded portion 6 of the support rod 2 is encompassed by the award construction element 20. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art of trophy construction, that the radial dimension of the support rod 2 will be smaller than that of the radial dimension of the apertures 24, 25 in the award construction element 20.

The difference between the two radial dimensions will be small, such that the award construction element 20 may receive the support rod 2 with relative ease, yet at the same time provide a secure fitting for the award construction element 20 encompassing the unthreaded portion 6 of the support rod 2. Although the illustrated support rod 2 has a circular cross-section, it would be possible for the unthreaded portion 6 of the support rod 2 to have a cross-section of a different shape, which is complemented by the apertures 24, 25 of the award construction elements 20 in order to prevent relative rotation between the support rod 2 and the award construction elements 20.

In an aspect of the invention, a plurality of award construction elements 20 are configured to be received by the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2 when an award assembly I has been previously mounted in an aperture 15 of an upper surface 13 of a base member Ii, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. In this aspect, prior to receiving the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2, the plurality of award construction elements 20 are arranged in series. The award construction elements 20 are arranged as follows.

An opposing second surface 23 of a first award construction element 20 is positioned against a first surface 22 of the second award construction element 20, in the direction of arrow B as indicated in Figure 3. The opposing second surface 23 of the second award construction element 20 is positioned against a first surface 22 of a third award construction element 20. This arrangement of aligning consecutive award construction elements 20 is continued until the aperture 26 in a surface 27 of a final award construction element 28 is positioned against the opposing lower surface 23 of the previous award construction element 20. In Figure 3, this is illustrated as the second award construction element 20. In this way, the apertures 24, 25 in the surfaces 22, 23 of consecutive award construction elements 20 are aligned, and are configured to receive the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2, entering first through the aperture 24 in the first surface 22 of the first award construction element 20, and exiting through the aperture 26 in the surface 27 of the final award construction element 28.

The retaining bolt 3 is configured to engage with the second threaded end S of the support rod 2 after a plurality of award construction elements 20 have been received by the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2 as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

The open end of the threaded blind bore of the retaining bolt 3 is received by the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2 and fastened accordingly. The head 9 of the retaining bolt 3 has a multiple sided recess 10 which is shaped and dimensioned to receive an appropriately shaped fastening tool 29, which may be used to rotate the retaining bolt 3 and secure it to the support rod 2. The retaining bolt 3 is tightened, as indicated by the rotational movement of arrow C in Figure 4, until all the award construction elements 20, 28 are clamped firmly between the retaining bolt 3 and the flanged portion 7 of the support rod 2 or the upper surface 13 of the base member 11.

The final award construction element 28 is shaped in a different fashion compared to the other award construction elements 20 as previously described. The final award construction element 28 is typically an open structure, and often comes with decorative handles in order for the recipient to hold the trophy aloft. In other designs of trophy, there may be no award construction element 20 having such an open structure, or there may be one or more award construction elements 20 having such an open structure that occupy positions other than the final position along the support rod 2. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the final award construction element 28 is integral with the retaining bolt 3 such that the second threaded end 5 of the support rod 2 may be received in a threaded blind bore (not illustrated) in the final award construction element 28 comprising retaining means and securely tightened in the manner as previously described.

The various features and configurations of each of the embodiments described herein, including flanged projections, retaining bolts, trophy elements, locking means and the like, may be used in the various combinations other than those illustrated as will be apparent to a skilled person. It will be understood from the foregoing that the embodiments of the invention enable a trophy to be constructed easily, quickly and securely from its constituent trophy elements with the aid of an award assembly 1.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

-II -CLAIMS: I. An award assembly comprising a support rod and a retaining bolt, the support rod having first and second threaded ends and having a flanged portion located between the first and second threaded ends, and the retaining bolt configured to receive one of the threaded ends of the support rod.
2. An award assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flanged portion is adjacent to the first threaded end.
3. An award assembly according to claim 2, wherein the retaining bolt comprises a blind bore configured to receive one of the threaded ends of the support rod.
4. An award assembly according to claim 3, wherein the retaining bolt is configured to receive the second threaded end.
5. An award assembly according to claim 4, further comprising additional locking means configured to receive the first threaded end.
6. An award assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support rod comprises an unthreaded portion between the threaded ends.
7. An award assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining bolt comprises a multiple sided recess suitable for receiving a fastening tool.
8. An award comprising an award assembly as defined by any of the preceding claims, further comprising a base with an aperture to receive the first threaded end of the support rod.
9. An award according to claim 8, wherein the first threaded end of the support bar is designed to engage with the aperture of the base such that a surface of the base is in abutment with the flanged portion.

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10. An award according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the aperture of the base is threaded to securely mate with the first threaded end of the support rod.
11. An award according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the first threaded end of the support rod extends through the aperture of the base and is held securely by additional locking means.
12. An award according to claim 6, further comprising at least one award construction element configured to receive the unthreaded portion of the support rod.
13. An award according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of award construction elements are mounted on top of one another, to receive the unthreaded portion of the support rod.
14. An award according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the award construction elements receive the support rod between the flanged portion and the retaining bolt.
15. An award according to any of claims 12-14, wherein the award construction elements received by the support rod are secured in place by the retaining bolt.
16. An award assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. A method of assembling an award comprising inserting an award assembly into a base member, the award assembly comprising a support rod, the support rod having first and second threaded ends and having a flanged portion located adjacent the first threaded end, the first threaded end of the support rod being inserted into the base member such that the flanged portion is in abutment with a surface of the base member.

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18. A method of assembling an award according to claim 17, where the second threaded end of the support rod is inserted into a plurality of award construction elements.
19. A method of assembling an award according to claim 18, using a retaining bolt to receive the second threaded end of the support bar to secure the plurality of award construction elements between the flanged portion and the retaining bolt.