Abstract:
A sports banner twirling device for retaining a sports banner or towel with a grasping mechanism located at the end of an extension arm clipped to a spindle projecting upward and axially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the handle held by the user. The extension arm can be articulating or non-articulating and houses at its distal end a sports banner grasping mechanism for receiving and retaining a portion of the sports banner for twirling until manually removed. Sports team indicia can also be mounted to the side faces of said handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Banner waving at sporting events is considered to be an ancient rite where people attending sporting events cheered on the favored sports person or team by waving colored flags or banners in support of the athletes. In more recent times, professional sports teams have renewed interests in banners being waved by sports fans attending the contest in the form of rectangular banners carrying the team logo or the team colors. This recent advent of bringing back and waving the banners had its start with the Pittsburgh Steelers football team in 1975 with the “Terrible Towel” that was provided to fans for cheering on their team while in the stadium. The “towels” have now become prominent at a great many more sporting events and have migrated to other sports contests as well as football. 
         [0002]    The rally towels or banners have become a commonplace fan requirement such as team clothing, hats with team logos, etc. However, one of the problems with the rally towel is for the fan to initially get the towel to twirl and then to retain the towel in a twirling motion. Manually twirling a towel by using one&#39;s hand and arm is a difficult maneuver to maintain without injury or tiring of the arm. Also, the towel, due to the type of spinning or twirling by the individual fan, may fold over on itself or curl over itself as the towel is held in only one corner. 
         [0003]    In order to alleviate the tedium and difficulty of the repetitive motion, and to spread the towel open, devices have been conceived that purport to permit an easier motion and unfurl the towel. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,940 [Pratt] provides a disk having a clip for retaining one corner of the rally towel. However, the ability to hold the disk between one&#39;s thumb and forefinger while attempting to spin or twirl the towel is difficult and tiring. Although the clip rotates freely about an axle or pin extending perpendicularly outward from the circumference of the disk, the small repeating circular motion of the wrist and the inward clamping of the thumb and forefinger holding onto the disk is tiresome and can result in injury to the wrist if continued for long periods. 
         [0005]    Another concept is put forward in U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2011/0028065 A1 [Arcovio] that provides a handgrip or handle beneath a capture mechanism for retaining a rally towel attached to the handle. In this conception the rally towel has a hole and grommet inserted into one corner and that corner is attached to the handle for free rotation about the axis of the handle. This device is easier to manipulate and may not cause the same physical fatigue as the earlier disk. However, the attachment element is cumbersome and the rally towel must either be manufactured with the hole and protective grommet or be converted to accept the grommet otherwise operation becomes relatively impossible. Further, the clamping mechanism appears to be press-fitted that will tend to open and let go if the twirling activity continues for a longer period of time without resetting the clamping mechanism to its required retention position. 
         [0006]    Still another concept is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2011/0173851 A1 [Cohen] that also provides a handle beneath a capture mechanism for retaining the rally towel attached to the handle. In this case, the handle suffers that same deficiency as the disk in that the handle is quite small and difficult to grasp with one&#39;s hand. Further, the capture mechanism also requires the towel to be perforated in a corner, a grommet-like ring placed around the opening, and the combination attached to the handle spinner. The clamping mechanism also appears to be press fitted and will tend to loosen after repeated twirling motions. As in the case of the disk as a holding point, the small handle with the repeating circular motion of the wrist and the inward clamping of the hand around a relatively small diameter handle is a tiresome activity and can result in injury to the wrist if continued for long periods. 
         [0007]    Another concept is a do-it-yourself twirling concept made available through an Internet purchase as the Towelspinner™. This device appears to be a round noise maker with a small handle, similar to those used on New Year&#39;s Eve, to which is attached a clip for holding the towel at a point midway along one side of the towel after a cooperating hole is placed in the towel. As shown, the handle is only capable of being grasped by two fingers and the thumb which creates a difficult grasping position to be retained for any lengthy period of time. Further, the self-created hole in the towel may fray over time with use without peripheral support in the form of a grommet or similar reinforcing means. This concept suffers from the same deficiencies as the others and is not believed to create a solution to the problem of retaining the rally towel unfurled and in a twirling position while in use. 
         [0008]    It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a twirling device that is easy to grasp and to continue to hold during use without fatigue to the user. It is a further object to not require any alteration or modification to the rally towel or banner but to merely provide a clip for easy attachment and detachment from the handle. 
         [0009]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide both ease of axial spinning about the transverse axis of the handle and, at the same time, to permit the rally towel to be twirled at any outward angle rather than be limited to a 90° fixed angle of rotation. It is a further object to permit the rally towel to be easily detached from the handle for storage and the handle clip to be folded away against the handle for easier carrying and storage. 
         [0010]    It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a hand grip that configures to the user&#39;s hand such that all of the fingers and thumb easily are capable of grasping the handle in a comfortable arrangement. It is yet a further object to provide one or more places on the handle for sports team regalia such as team logos in the team colors. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a handle insert in the form of a bottle opener for use in a “tailgating” setting. Other objects will appear hereinafter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The sports banner or towel twirling device is comprised of a handle for ease of gripping by a user. The handle has a capped spindle mounted at its top end that is axially aligned with its longitudinal axis to which an articulating arm is attached by a spring clip. The articulating arm is comprised of the proximal spring clip, a distal sports banner or towel grasping means, and an articulating joint therebetween. The articulating joint changes the motion of the arm from perpendicular to the axis of the spindle to a range of angular positions approaching parallelity with the axis of the spindle. The grasping means includes a hook-like clip with a shaft and opposing arm with a sports banner or towel receiving space therebetween. In the receiving space and located on both the shaft and arm of the hook-like clip are a plurality of teeth with opposing cooperating recess for capturing the portion of the sports banner or towel inserted therein and retaining the banner or towel in that position until manually removed. The spring clip is curved to match the circumference of the spindle so as to provide an unimpeded rotational motion of the articulating arm about the spindle. 
         [0012]    Additionally, the handle has opposing face recesses for containing sports team indicia and may contain a bottle opener at the end farthest from the spindle. The twirling apparatus may be produced in sports team or league colors and is made from polymer or plastic solids. 
         [0013]    A second embodiment of the sports banner or towel twirling apparatus has a non-articulating arm and a differently configure grasping means. The second embodiment has the same handle and spindle relationship, component features and functions. The non-articulating arm connects to the spindle mounted at the top of the handle by a similar spring clip that is dimensioned and curved to match the circumference of the spindle to provide for unimpeded rotational motion. The grasping means includes a first larger opening for insertion of a portion of the banner or towel, e.g., a corner, and a smaller distally tapering opening having a series of teeth along each sidewall for grasping the banner or towel therebetween. The opposing series of teeth will retain the sports banner or towel inserted therein until manually removed. 
         [0014]    The sports banner or towel twirling device is easily grasped by the user and the twirling motion is initiated and continued easily by a flick of the wrist and a continuing swirling motion of the wrist and hand. The banner or towel tends to unfurl as the rotational motion is continued and will not unintentionally wrap around the users hand or arm as the arm of the twirling device moves the towel away from immediate contact with the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the twirling handle and associated sports banner of a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional top view of the first embodiment of the twirling handle and sports banner attachment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention showing the rotation of the sports banner attachment element rotating about the axis of the twirling handle. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention showing the rotation of the sports banner attachment element rotating about the axis of the twirling handle and the vertical angular movement capability of the attachment element extension clip. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is another side plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention showing the sports banner attachment element and the attachment element extension clip at rest with a bottle opener element inserted into the twirling handle. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention showing the sports banner attachment element attached to the twirling handle. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention showing the sports banner attachment element attached to the twirling handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer to like parts or elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  the hand-held twirling apparatus  10  of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The twirling apparatus  10  is composed of a handle  12 , a spindle  14 , and an articulating arm  16  that has at its distal end a grasping mechanism  18  for holding the rally towel or banner  20  in place at the end of the arm  16 . The handle  12  has a length sufficient for the complete gripping by the hand of a user having a normal grasping force. The handle may be of any form, or may have a hollowed out portion  22  to house and retain sports team regalia in the form of logos, team names, team colors and the like. At the top of the handle  12  is the spindle  14  that is aligned along the longitudinal axis of the handle  12 . The spindle  14  has an enlarged section at its distal or topmost end in the form of a cap  24 . This cap  24  is present to retain the spring clip  26  of the articulating arm  16  in its position around the spindle such that the clip  26  cannot fly off the end of the spindle  14  when the twirling apparatus  10  is in use. The spring clip  26  is sized to match the circumferential dimension of the spindle  14  such that the curvature of the clip  26  radially expands slightly as it is snap fitted into position around the spindle  14 . The curved surfaces of the spindle  14  and the spring clip  26  cooperate to permit the free spinning of the clip  26 , and thus the arm  16 , around the spindle  14 . See,  FIG. 3  and further description below. 
         [0026]    At a distance along the arm  16  sufficient in length to extend beyond the widest dimension of the handle  12  an articulating joint  28  is attached to the distal end of the spring clip  26 . The articulating joint  28  permits the clip  26  to remain in a perpendicular position to the spindle  14  while the remainder of the arm  16  can be extended at the same angle, or any upward or downward angle for a full angular range of 180°. Referring to  FIG. 4 , one can view the full range of angular motion (shown by the arrow) by the grasping mechanism  18  extending beyond the articulating joint  28 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the grasping mechanism  18  is in a folded fully downward position lying against the handle  12  for ease of carrying and storage. 
         [0027]    The distal end of the arm  16  carries the grasping mechanism  18  for grabbing onto and retaining the banner or “towel” in position in the twirling apparatus  10 . The grasping mechanism  18  is composed of a hook-like clip  30  having a banner receiving opening  32  between the shaft  34  and opposing arm  36  of the hook  30 . On the internal facing surfaces of the shaft  34  and arm  36  of the hook  30  are a series of opposing teeth  38  for gripping the fabric of the banner or towel  20  therebetween. Directly opposite each of the teeth  38  is a tooth receiving indentation  40  to better grip and hold the banner or towel  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the teeth  38  grip a corner of the banner or towel  20  between them so that the banner  20  remains firmly gripped by the hook-like clip  30  when the apparatus  10  is being twirled or is at rest. The banner or towel  20  must be manually removed from the hook-like clip  30  by slightly spreading the arm  36  away from the shaft  34  and sliding the banner or towel  20  over and away from the teeth  38  and out of the opening  32 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the range of rotational motion of the articulating arm  16  about the spindle  14  is shown by the arrow. The articulating arm  16  is capable of a complete 360° rotation about the spindle  14  without impediment. With the banner or towel  20  firmly gripped in the grasping mechanism  18  located at the distal end of the arm  16 , the towel  20  acts as a weight to raise the arm outward and upward from the handle  12  as the twirling motion is initiated, and as it continues. Regardless of the angle of the handle to the ground, the articulating arm  16  provides an outward extension so that the banner or towel  20  will not wrap around the handle  12 , or the hand or arm of the user. Further, the banner or towel  20  can unfurl away from the hand or small gripping means of twirling assistance devices and the indicia on the banner  20  can be seen as the twirling motion continues. 
         [0029]    An additional feature that may be added to the twirling apparatus  10  is a bottle opener  42  that can be positioned in the base of the handle  12  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The shape of the handle  12  is slightly altered to accommodate the bottle opener  42  creating a slightly larger base than in the other examples. The slightly larger base does not affect the ability of the user to grasp the apparatus  10 . 
         [0030]    An alternative embodiment of the twirling apparatus  10  substitutes a non-articulating arm  16   a  attached to the spindle  14  atop the handle  12  instead of the articulating arm  16  described above. Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the non-articulating arm  16   a  has a spring clip  26  for fitting around the spindle  14  with similar cooperating curvature for a secure fit. The cap  24  prevents the non-articulating arm  16   a  from flying off the spindle  14  as described above. The cooperation of the spring clip  26  snap-fitted around the spindle  14  provides an almost frictionless capability to freely rotate without impediment. 
         [0031]    At the distal end of the non-articulating arm  16   a  is a different grasping mechanism  18   a  composed of an aperture or banner receiving opening  44  adjacent the spring clip  26  and extending outward approximately half the distance of the non-articulating arm  16   a  for receiving a corner of the banner of towel  20 . One corner of the banner or towel  20  is inserted into the banner receiving opening  44  located approximately midway along the non-articulating arm  16   a . Once positioned within the receiving opening  44 , the corner portion of the sports banner or towel  20  is slid away from the handle end of the non-articulating arm  16   a  and into a distally tapering opening  46  located between opposing series of teeth  48  arrayed along both sidewalls of the tapered opening  46 . Once tightly inserted between the opposing series of teeth  48 , the banner or towel  20  is retained therebetween until manually removed. 
         [0032]    The non-articulating arm  16   a  is also capable of a complete 360° rotation about the spindle  14  without impediment. With the banner or towel  20  firmly gripped in the grasping mechanism  18   a  located at the distal end of the arm  16   a,  the non-articulating arm  16   a  provides an outward extension so that the banner or towel  20  will not wrap around the handle  12 , or the hand or arm of the user. Further, and as described above, the banner or towel  20  can unfurl away from the hand or small gripping means of twirling assistance devices and the indicia on the banner  20  can be seen as the twirling motion continues. 
         [0033]    The sports banner twirling apparatus can be manufactured from a variety of plastic or polymer solids by a process known as blow molding. Each of the component parts are dimensionally sized to cooperate and function with the other parts. The twirling apparatus can be manufactured in sports team colors, sports league colors, or any single or combination of colors of team indicia. Additionally, a sports team name or nickname can be molded into the handle along its outer portions or in the recess  22 . 
         [0034]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as indicating the scope of the invention as well as all modifications which may fall within a range of equivalency which are also intended to be embraced therein.