US20060151950A1

US20060151950A1 - Two-sided novelty product simulating sport object

Info

Publication number: US20060151950A1
Application number: US11/031,342
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Buckley
Original assignee: Puttential Unlimited
Current assignee: Puttential Unlimited
Priority date: 2005-01-10
Filing date: 2005-01-10
Publication date: 2006-07-13

Abstract

A sport themed novelty item includes a disc member having a first side and a second side. The first side has at least one of a surface material or a texture relating to the sport, and the second side includes an indentation or “worry groove.” In use, a user holds the disc member in the holder's fingers with a first side down while rubbing the “worry groove” in the second side with the holder's thumb, thereby having a soothing and stress-relieving effect.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(Not Applicable)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sport themed novelty item or “worry coin” and, more particularly, to a disk member generally in the shape of a coin including a first side with a surface material or texture relating to a sport and a second side including an indentation or “worry groove.”
There are many stress and worry relief items on the market today. The items endeavor to embrace a clinically proven concept that a steady repetitive stroke or motion has a soothing or calming effect. An example of such a product is a squeeze ball intended to relieve stress through steady squeezing and releasing of a resilient ball. Another product includes a pair of spherical members that can be held in one hand. The stress-relieving motion is a steady manipulation of the spheres in the user's hand.
Playing and/or watching sports often have participants worried about a particular outcome, play, move, game result, or the like. The very definition of a sports “fan” accurately suggests that people can become quite emotional when watching or playing sports.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would thus be desirable to provide a sport themed item that can assist with stress and worry relief. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a sport themed novelty item includes a disc member having a first side and a second side. The first side is provided with at least one of a surface material or a texture relating to the sport, and the second side has an indentation. The first side of the disc member may further include an image relating to the sport. Preferably, the indentation is generally oval-shaped and larger than an adult thumbprint.
In one example, the sport is golf, and the first side has a golf ball texture.
The disc member may be formed of many different material types, including, but not limited to, metal, wood, rubber, and leather or imitation leather. Any sport theme can be accommodated, including, but not limited to golf, hockey, baseball, soccer, football and racing.
Preferably, the disk member is sized generally corresponding to a U.S. half-dollar.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a worry-relief coin has a first side and a second side, with the first side having at least one of a surface material or a texture relating to a sport, and the second side having a worry groove sized to receive a holder's thumb. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of assisting in stress and worry relief utilizes the worry-relief coin of the invention. The method includes the steps of holding the worry-relief coin in a holder's fingers with the first side down, and rubbing the worry groove in the second side with the holder's thumb.
In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a novelty coin includes a disc member formed of a material related to a sport, where the disc member has a first side simulating an object of the sport and a second side having an indentation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the worry coin according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a side view thereof; and
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the FIGURES, the item according to the present invention is generally in the form of a disc member 10 preferably sized corresponding to about a U.S. half-dollar. The coin or disc member 10 includes a first side 12 that embodies either a surface material and/or a texture relating to a sport theme of the disc member 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary sport theme is golf, and the first side 12 includes dimples that simulate the texture of a golf ball. The first side 12 may also be formed using a material relating to the sport such as the material of a golf ball. Additionally, the first side 12 may include an image 14 relating to the sport. In the golf example, the sport image 14 may be a particular professional golfer, a manufacturer's logo, a depiction of “golf gods,” or the like.
The disc member 10 also includes a second side 16 having an indentation 18 therein. As shown, the indentation is generally oval-shaped, preferably larger than an adult thumbprint.
The disc member 10 may be formed of any suitable material and is preferably formed of a material relating to a particular sport. In the golf example, the disc member 10 may be formed of a metal material, simulating the material of golf clubs or irons, or a wood material, simulating older persimmon drivers. Alternatively, the disc member 10 may be formed of a rubber material, simulating the material of a hockey puck, racing tire, steering wheel or the like, or formed of a leather or imitation leather material, simulating a football, soccer ball or other sports ball. In the football example, the leather or imitation leather material may also be provided with the texture of a standard football. Other sports, materials and textures would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the application is not necessarily meant to be limited to the noted examples.
In use, the user may hold the disc member 10 in their fingers with the first side 12 down while rubbing the indentation or “worry groove” 18 in the second side 16 with the holder's thumb. In this manner, the user can relate to a specific sport by feeling a texture or a material relating to that sport with their fingers while rubbing the “worry groove,” resulting in a soothing and stress-relieving effect.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sport themed novelty item comprising a disc member having a first side and a second side, the first side having at least one of a surface material or a texture relating to the sport, and the second side having an indentation.

2. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the first side of the disc member further comprises an image relating to the sport.

3. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the indentation is generally oval-shaped.

4. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 3, wherein the indentation is larger than an adult thumbprint.

5. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the sport is golf, and wherein the first side has a golf ball texture.

6. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the disc member is formed of a metal material.

7. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the disc member is formed of a wood material.

8. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the disc member is formed of a rubber material.

9. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the disc member is formed of a leather or imitation leather material.

10. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the sport is one of golf, hockey, baseball, soccer, football and racing.

11. A sport themed novelty item according to claim 1, wherein the disk member is sized generally corresponding to a U.S. half-dollar.

12. A worry-relief coin having a first side and a second side, the first side having at least one of a surface material or a texture relating to a sport, and the second side having a worry groove sized to receive a holder's thumb.

13. A method of assisting in stress and worry relief using the worry-relief coin of claim 12, the method comprising holding the worry-relief coin in a holder's fingers with the first side down, and rubbing the worry groove in the second side with the holder's thumb.

14. A novelty coin comprising a disc member formed of a material related to a sport, the disc member including a first side simulating an object of the sport and a second side having an indentation.

15. A novelty coin according to claim 14, wherein the sport is golf, and wherein the first side comprises dimples that simulate a golf ball.