US3473247A

US3473247A - Display device for sportsmen

Info

Publication number: US3473247A
Application number: US652258A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack E La Favor; Donald B Mcglenn
Original assignee: DONALD B MCGLENN; JACK E LA FAVOR
Current assignee: DONALD B MCGLENN; JACK E LA FAVOR
Priority date: 1967-07-10
Filing date: 1967-07-10
Publication date: 1969-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 1986-10-21

Description

Oct. 21, 1969 .1. E. LA FAVOR ETAL 3,473,247

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR SPORTSMEN Filed July 10, 196'? JACK E. LA FAVOR DONALD B. MGGLENN IM-EM QR.

3,473,247 DISPLAY DEVICE FOR SPORTSMEN .lack E. La Favor, 805 11th St. NW., and Donald B. McGlenn, 208 S. Meridian St., both of Puyallup, Wash. 98371 Filed July 10, 1967, Ser. No. 652,258 Int. Cl. G09f 19/00, 1/12; A44c 3/00 lU.S. Cl. 40--126 3 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE SUMMARY The invention relates generally to the art of display and/or gift articles for Sportsmen. More particularly does it relate to the type of display or gift articles for golfers which carries with it an element of humor as well as esthetic appeal. The invention is considered to have special attraction for golf enthusiasts in that it is an item or article which can be openly displayed about the home or oiiice. The invention has, as one of its features, the provision of a display article which is uniquely appealing, inexpensive to manufacture and which is simple in construction. It is a further feature of this invention to furnish a display and gift article which has space provided thereon for things such as calendars, inscriptive information and the like which are appropriate for reference purposes on tables and desks.

These, together with other features, objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction as more fully hereinafter described and claimed. Reference will be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals will refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a view in perspective showing that the invention has upstanding support means, space for indicia, and a sportsmans display item;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the article of FIG. l further illustrating details thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the display article shown in FIGS. l and 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the invention showing a modified form of the mounting for the tee and ball;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view showing another embodiment or type of mounting which may be used for the ball and tee;

FIG. 6 shows the ball and tee in a slightly different configuration of the supporting surface and an alternative mounting means for the tee;

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention wherein indicia means are shown to be on each side of the ball and tee with a different form of mounting means for the tee; and

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3 to further illustrate construction and details of the display ball and tee.

"nited States Patent O DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the display device includes a dat supporting surface 10 which is generally rectangular in configuration. Supporting surface 10 may be made of cardboard, plastic, wood or metal with the lower edge thereof resting on the desk or table top. It will be seen that surface 10 is supported at an angle by conventional supporting leg or brace 12 attached to the rear side of supporting surface 10.

Surface 10 has secured thereto a display golf ball and a golf tee. The golf tee, designated by the number 14, can be made of wood or plastic, and may be of regulation size or perhaps slightly smaller. Mounted on the tee is golf ball 16, preferably made of light plastic material such as a polyurethane or a polystyrene foam. The outside of the ball would be dimpled as a conventional golf` ball is, and be painted or otherwise covered on the surface so as to resemble as closely as possible, at least externally a regulation ball. Alternatively, ball 16 could be made of a hollow plastic material also formed to resemble as closely as possible a regulation golf ball. The light plastic foam or hollow plastic material makes the ball extremely light in weight. The ball has on the front thereof facing away from the supporting surface 10 a prominent indicia numeral 18. The ball also has located near the upper end of indicia numeral 18 a hole 20 of sufficient diameter to be readily visible when the invention is viewed from the front and to a lesser extent when viewed from an angle to either side. In the case of a plastic foam type ball, the hole 20 need not be of any specified depth. Dimensions of indicia numeral 18 and hole 20 will be such as to make them clearly visible. Location of hole 20 preferably is in close proximity to the upper portion of the numeral, though other locations thereof are not precluded. The ball and tee could be made integrally if desired, though it is contemplated that a conventional plastic or wood tee will be used to which the ball, being made separately, will be adhered by glue or other adhesive. Surface 10 will have space located to one or both sides, above or below the tee and ball for inscriptive material and/or a calendar if desired. The inscriptive space 22 is of no specied dimension or configuration. Shape of surface 10 and the size, location and outline shape of inscription space will be governed more by esthetic considerations than the specic physical limitations.

The tee and ball will be attached to supporting surface 10 by mounting 24. It will be appreciated that mountings such as 24 may take an infinite variety of forms and shapes and that numerous kinds of materials may be used therefor. It is contemplated that a foam plastic would be most useful because of its minute cost and because the weight which it must support is extremely light. It will be appreciated, however, that other materials, such as wood, solid plastic, or even metal, could be employed. Limitations on the configuration of mounting 24 are again determined mostly by esthetic considerations. Mounting 24 in FIGS. l to 3 is small and inconspicuous. However, it may also be more prominent if desired. Other general types of mounting for the tee and ball are discussed below with respect to alternative embodiments of various features set forth in FIGS. 4 through 7.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative mounting means for the tee and ball which could be used in those instances where the supporting surface 30 is made of cardboard or the like. In such a form of the invention a fold-out supporting leg or brace 32 is located in the rear for supporting surface 30 at the desired angle. On the front of supporting surface 30 may be located fold-out

tabs

34 and 36 which may be pre-formed or pre-cut during manufacture. At the time the article is assembled,

tabs

34 and 36 can be folded out and the tee inserted through appropriate holes therein and glued in position if necessary or desired. In like manner, in FIG. 5, supporting surface 38 having supporting rear leg 40 may have attached to the front thereof a glue-on type mounting means 42 having end or margin portions 44 and 46 joined by angularly disposed mounting

arms

48 and 50 with appropriate holes therein for receiving tee 14.

FIG. 6 shows not only a diierent shape or configuration for the supporting surface, but also illustrates another type of mounting for the tee and ball. Surface 52 is in the shape of a shield or plaque. Mounting S4 illustrates that tee 14 may be embedded in mounting 54 and yet be visible to a person observing the display. It will be seen that nscriptive space 56 is located above the tee and ball. It will be appreciated that the supporting surfaces of the various embodiments may not only be used on desks and tables, but may also be hung on walls. A supporting surface form such as that shown in FIG. 6 would be particularly appropriate for hanging on walls.

FIG. 7 illustrates a backing or supporting surface 60 having calendar space 62 on one side of the tee and ball and other inscriptive. space 64 on the opposite side of the tee and ball. Another modification of the mounting of the ball and tee on the supporting surface is also shown in mounting 66. Regardless of the general form of mounting 66, the point or lower end section of the tee is actually embedded therein.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that numerous modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. Hence, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and improvements may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A sportsmans display and gift article comprising:

(a) a golf tee;

(b) generally spherical imitation golf ball of light weight material such as hollow or foam plastic 5ecured to said tee, said tee with said ball thereon being adapted to be mounted on a display holding means so that said ball substantially does not touch said holding means;

(c) indicia marked on said ball; and

(d) hole means in said ball in proximity to said indicia so that both said hold and said indicia are generally visible together.

2. The sportsmans article according to claim 1 and in which said ball is made integrally with said golf tee.

3. A sportsmans display and gift article comprising:

(a) a golf tee;

(b) a generally spherical imitation golf ball of light weight material such as hollow or foam plastic :secured to said tee;

ic) indicia marked on said ball;

(d) hole means in said ball in proximity to said indicia so that both said hole and said indicia are generally in front; and

(e) a supporting surface including a mounting means to which said tee is attached for supporting said tee and ball so that said tee and ball thereon substantially do not touch said supporting surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,541,504 6/1925 Hunter 40-l26 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner WENCESLAO I. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. --l.5, 160