US20060252573A1 - Graphically designed protective system for sports equipment - Google Patents

Graphically designed protective system for sports equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
US20060252573A1
US20060252573A1 US11/406,596 US40659606A US2006252573A1 US 20060252573 A1 US20060252573 A1 US 20060252573A1 US 40659606 A US40659606 A US 40659606A US 2006252573 A1 US2006252573 A1 US 2006252573A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
graphically
protective system
sports equipment
back side
designed protective
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/406,596
Inventor
Terry Fenimore
Donald Dart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fenimore Terry Dwight
Original Assignee
Fenimore Terry Dwight
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fenimore Terry Dwight filed Critical Fenimore Terry Dwight
Priority to US11/406,596 priority Critical patent/US20060252573A1/en
Publication of US20060252573A1 publication Critical patent/US20060252573A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/06—Handles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/06—Handles
    • A63B60/08—Handles characterised by the material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/06—Handles
    • A63B60/10—Handles with means for indicating correct holding positions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
    • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
    • B44C1/16—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects for applying transfer pictures or the like
    • B44C1/165—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects for applying transfer pictures or the like for decalcomanias; sheet material therefor
    • B44C1/17—Dry transfer
    • B44C1/1712—Decalcomanias applied under heat and pressure, e.g. provided with a heat activable adhesive
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
    • G09F23/0066—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on sports articles, e.g. golf clubs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/24—Ice hockey
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/10—Characteristics of used materials with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
    • A63B59/20—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B59/00—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
    • A63B59/70—Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 with bent or angled lower parts for hitting a ball on the ground, on an ice-covered surface, or in the air, e.g. for hockey or hurling

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the field of grips or handles for sports equipment having a gripping end, such as hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, golf clubs and tennis rackets.
  • the present invention relates to the means for incorporating a printed media or design element into grips for sporting equipment such as hockey sticks and lacrosse sticks.
  • the present invention meets this need by allowing users to customize their sports equipment with unique graphics that not only allows the user to personalize the equipment, but also provides improved grip of the equipment, thus increasing control of the sports equipment and subsequently the object in play. Moreover, the present invention meets the need of sports teams desiring to unify the team by allowing users to customize their sports equipment to contain the team's logo, mascot, color, and/or design.
  • the present invention overcomes the previous product disadvantages by offering the user/athletic participant a customized, specialized, easy-to-use product.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a customized graphic designed sports equipment protection system with two components.
  • the first component includes a customized graphical design that is created by a graphic artist and is then printed onto a vinyl, adhesive-backed material (decal).
  • the second component is a heat-shrinkable polymer tube that is slipped over the piece of sporting equipment on top of the vinyl, adhesive-backed first component that has been attached to the piece of sporting equipment. Once the heat-shrinkable polymer tube is in place, it is reduced in size to a customized fit by using any commercially available hand-held hair dryer.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a customized graphical design that is created by a graphic artist and is then printed onto a vinyl, adhesive-backed material (“decal”).
  • the decal also contains a protective layer of polymer material on the top portion of the decal, thus providing the decal with the desired protection. The decal is then applied to the user's equipment.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the adhesive-backed graphically designed and printed vinyl material as it would be applied to a hockey stick;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the polymer tube as it would be applied to a piece of sporting equipment, in this instance a hockey stick;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the adhesive backed graphically designed and printed vinyl material as it would be applied to a lacrosse stick;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the polymer tube as it would be applied to a piece of sporting equipment, in this instance a lacrosse stick.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the Graphically-designed adhesive-backed vinyl material (decal) with a protective layer of polymer material
  • FIGS. 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 there is shown a preferred embodiment of a graphically designed protective system for sports equipment generally shown at 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • the present invention includes a graphically-designed adhesive-backed vinyl material (decal) 10 having a front side 18 and back side 22 and at least a pair of ends.
  • a back side 22 is affixed to the to the sports equipment by use of an adhesive layer 20 .
  • a heat-shrinkable polymer tubing 12 having an interior void extending the length of the tube and having at least two ends with similar openings is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 .
  • the alternative embodiment of the invention does not include a heat-shrinkable polymer tubing 12 having an interior void extending the length of the tube and having at least two ends with similar openings. Rather, the alternative embodiment includes a protective layer of polymer material 26 pre-manufactured onto the graphically designed protective system for sports equipment having a front side 24 and back side 30 and at least a pair of ends, but still providing improved grip, control, and protection for the user.
  • the method of using the graphically designed protective system for sports equipment 10 is as follows. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 the user first positions the back side 22 of the graphically designed protective system against a piece of sports equipment such as a hockey stick or lacrosse stick, so the graphically designed protective system fits over the portion of the sports equipment where the user desires it to be placed. Next, the user peels off the back side 22 of the graphically designed protective system revealing an adhesive layer 20 . The user then applies the graphically designed protective system by pressing it onto the piece of sports equipment such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the equipment. The user then takes the heat-shrinkable polymer tubing 12 and slides it over the piece of equipment, such that it covers the top layer 18 of the graphically designed protective system.
  • a method for applying the alternative embodiment consists of the user positioning the back side 30 of the graphically designed protective system against a piece of sports equipment such as a hockey stick or lacrosse stick, so the graphically designed protective system fits over the portion of the sports equipment where the user desires it to be placed.
  • the user peels off the back side 30 of the graphically designed protective system revealing an adhesive layer 28 .
  • the user then applies the graphically designed protective system by pressing it onto the piece of sports equipment such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the equipment.

Abstract

A graphically-designed protective system for customizing and protecting sports equipment including a customized vinyl decal having a front and back side, a first and second end, an adhesive layer on the back side, and a polymer heat-shrinkable protective tubing. In an alternative embodiment, the graphically-designed protective system contains a customized vinyl decal having a front and back side, a first and second end, an adhesive layer on the back side, and a protective layer of polymer material on the front side. Suitably sized, the system provides customized sports equipment with additional protection from damage for the equipment. In addition to protection and customization, the system provides the user with increased control in sporting events.

Description

  • This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/673,161, filed Apr. 20, 2005.
    • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates generally to the field of grips or handles for sports equipment having a gripping end, such as hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, golf clubs and tennis rackets. In particular, the present invention relates to the means for incorporating a printed media or design element into grips for sporting equipment such as hockey sticks and lacrosse sticks.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Many participants in athletic events desire to customize the tools of their sports by applying decals and other informative means, such as inscribing their name or adding a particular design. The present invention meets this need by allowing users to customize their sports equipment with unique graphics that not only allows the user to personalize the equipment, but also provides improved grip of the equipment, thus increasing control of the sports equipment and subsequently the object in play. Moreover, the present invention meets the need of sports teams desiring to unify the team by allowing users to customize their sports equipment to contain the team's logo, mascot, color, and/or design.
  • There is a need in the local sporting clubs, schools, private sporting organizations, and major sporting franchises for an effective yet easy to use graphically-designed protective system that allows users to customize their equipment. Other inventions and patented items require users to take apart their equipment and add decorative label, thus forcing the user to spend more time preparing the equipment than actually using it. Still other inventions and patented items require special manufacturing processes to allow users to customize their equipment. The present invention overcomes these disabilities by providing the user a simple, effective, and decorative product that any user can apply without difficulty.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention overcomes the previous product disadvantages by offering the user/athletic participant a customized, specialized, easy-to-use product.
  • A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a customized graphic designed sports equipment protection system with two components. The first component includes a customized graphical design that is created by a graphic artist and is then printed onto a vinyl, adhesive-backed material (decal). The second component is a heat-shrinkable polymer tube that is slipped over the piece of sporting equipment on top of the vinyl, adhesive-backed first component that has been attached to the piece of sporting equipment. Once the heat-shrinkable polymer tube is in place, it is reduced in size to a customized fit by using any commercially available hand-held hair dryer.
  • Another embodiment of the invention includes a customized graphical design that is created by a graphic artist and is then printed onto a vinyl, adhesive-backed material (“decal”). The decal also contains a protective layer of polymer material on the top portion of the decal, thus providing the decal with the desired protection. The decal is then applied to the user's equipment.
  • Accordingly, several objectives and advantages of the invention are to provide an easily customizable, easy-to-use, and easy to apply product that allows the user to customize his/her equipment, protects the equipment from normal wear and tear, and provides a better gripping surface on the equipment, thus providing the user better control. Further objectives and advantages will become apparent from a study of the description and accompanying drawings.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the adhesive-backed graphically designed and printed vinyl material as it would be applied to a hockey stick;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the polymer tube as it would be applied to a piece of sporting equipment, in this instance a hockey stick;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the adhesive backed graphically designed and printed vinyl material as it would be applied to a lacrosse stick;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the polymer tube as it would be applied to a piece of sporting equipment, in this instance a lacrosse stick.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the Graphically-designed adhesive-backed vinyl material (decal) with a protective layer of polymer material
    • DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS
  • 10 Graphically-designed adhesive-backed vinyl material (decal)
  • 12 Heat-shrinkable polymer tubing
  • 14 Graphically-designed adhesive-backed vinyl material (decal)
  • 16 Heat-shrinkable polymer tubing
  • 18 Front side
  • 20 Adhesive layer
  • 22 Back side
  • 24 Front side.
  • 26 Protective layer of polymer material
  • 28 Adhesive layer
  • 30 Back side
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a graphically designed protective system for sports equipment generally shown at 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the present invention includes a graphically-designed adhesive-backed vinyl material (decal) 10 having a front side 18 and back side 22 and at least a pair of ends. Preferably, a back side 22 is affixed to the to the sports equipment by use of an adhesive layer 20. A heat-shrinkable polymer tubing 12 having an interior void extending the length of the tube and having at least two ends with similar openings is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.
  • Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the graphically designed protective system for sports equipment invention. As discussed above, the alternative embodiment of the invention does not include a heat-shrinkable polymer tubing 12 having an interior void extending the length of the tube and having at least two ends with similar openings. Rather, the alternative embodiment includes a protective layer of polymer material 26 pre-manufactured onto the graphically designed protective system for sports equipment having a front side 24 and back side 30 and at least a pair of ends, but still providing improved grip, control, and protection for the user.
  • The method of using the graphically designed protective system for sports equipment 10 is as follows. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 the user first positions the back side 22 of the graphically designed protective system against a piece of sports equipment such as a hockey stick or lacrosse stick, so the graphically designed protective system fits over the portion of the sports equipment where the user desires it to be placed. Next, the user peels off the back side 22 of the graphically designed protective system revealing an adhesive layer 20. The user then applies the graphically designed protective system by pressing it onto the piece of sports equipment such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the equipment. The user then takes the heat-shrinkable polymer tubing 12 and slides it over the piece of equipment, such that it covers the top layer 18 of the graphically designed protective system. The user then heats the heat-shrinkable polymer tubing 12 with a commercially available hand-held hair dryer to the point where the tube will shrink onto the sports equipment. A method for applying the alternative embodiment consists of the user positioning the back side 30 of the graphically designed protective system against a piece of sports equipment such as a hockey stick or lacrosse stick, so the graphically designed protective system fits over the portion of the sports equipment where the user desires it to be placed. Next, the user peels off the back side 30 of the graphically designed protective system revealing an adhesive layer 28. The user then applies the graphically designed protective system by pressing it onto the piece of sports equipment such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the equipment.
  • Having thus described the present invention, various modifications and improvements will become apparent to those having skill in the art that do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A graphically-designed protective system for customizing and protecting sports equipment, comprising:
(a) a decal with a front side and back side and at least a pair of ends; and
(b) protective tubing.
2. The graphically-designed protective system of claim 1 wherein said decal is comprised of vinyl material.
3. The graphically-designed protective system of claim 1 or 2, further including an adhesive layer on the back side of said decal.
4. The graphically-designed protective system of claim 1, wherein said protective tubing is comprised of a polymer heat-shrinkable material.
5. The compression device of claims 1 or 4, wherein said protective tubing has an interior void extending the length of the rod.
6. The compression device of claims 1 or 4, wherein said protective tubing has at least two ends.
7. A graphically-designed protective system for customizing and protecting sports equipment, comprising:
(a) a decal with a front side and back side and at least a pair of ends.
8. The graphically-designed protective system of claim 7 wherein said decal is comprised of vinyl material.
9. The graphically-designed protective system of claim 7 or 8, further including an adhesive layer on the back side of said decal.
10. The graphically-designed protective system of claim 7, 8, or 9 wherein said front side contains a layer of protective material comprised of polymer.
11. A method for using a graphically-designed protective system for customizing and protecting sports equipment, comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning the back side of said graphically-designed protective system against a piece of sports equipment;
(b) peeling off the back side of the graphically designed protective system revealing an adhesive layer;
(c) applying the graphically designed protective system by pressing it onto the piece of sports equipment such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the equipment;
(d) sliding the heat-shrinkable polymer tubing over the piece of sports equipment, such that it covers the front side of the graphically designed protective system; and
(e) heating the heat-shrinkable polymer tubing with a commercially available hand-held hair dryer to the point where the tube will shrink onto the sports equipment.
12. Another method for using a graphically-designed protective system for customizing and protecting sports equipment, comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning the back side of said graphically-designed protective system against a piece of sports equipment;
(b) peeling off the back side of the graphically designed protective system revealing an adhesive layer; and
(c) applying the graphically designed protective system by pressing it onto the piece of sports equipment such that the adhesive layer makes contact with the equipment.
US11/406,596 2005-04-20 2006-04-19 Graphically designed protective system for sports equipment Abandoned US20060252573A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/406,596 US20060252573A1 (en) 2005-04-20 2006-04-19 Graphically designed protective system for sports equipment

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67316105P 2005-04-20 2005-04-20
US11/406,596 US20060252573A1 (en) 2005-04-20 2006-04-19 Graphically designed protective system for sports equipment

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070240799A1 (en) * 2006-04-14 2007-10-18 Hansen Greggery Eric Golf shaft protector
US20080000411A1 (en) * 2006-07-03 2008-01-03 Tyler Easterwood Protective barrier for a golf course flag stick
US9656374B2 (en) 2014-01-16 2017-05-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Automotive assembly line body chip and scratch reducing bumper

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3364049A (en) * 1964-04-27 1968-01-16 Du Pont Self-destructible decal with adhesive on one surface and indicia covered by a vinyl addition polymer on the other
US3616176A (en) * 1967-11-07 1971-10-26 Gen Mills Inc Polyamide decal
US5525383A (en) * 1993-03-09 1996-06-11 Witkowski; Daniel D. Container for diplaying transitory moving images

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3364049A (en) * 1964-04-27 1968-01-16 Du Pont Self-destructible decal with adhesive on one surface and indicia covered by a vinyl addition polymer on the other
US3616176A (en) * 1967-11-07 1971-10-26 Gen Mills Inc Polyamide decal
US5525383A (en) * 1993-03-09 1996-06-11 Witkowski; Daniel D. Container for diplaying transitory moving images

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070240799A1 (en) * 2006-04-14 2007-10-18 Hansen Greggery Eric Golf shaft protector
US20080000411A1 (en) * 2006-07-03 2008-01-03 Tyler Easterwood Protective barrier for a golf course flag stick
US9656374B2 (en) 2014-01-16 2017-05-23 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Automotive assembly line body chip and scratch reducing bumper

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