Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a portable device, operable for being displayed, that facilitates autographing keepsakes items from an event, such as replica flags, and the method of making and using of the device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to autographing. More particularly, this invention relates to a device and method for autographing which results in a durable, displayable memorabilia that commemorates an event.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     More and more, people are attending sporting events and wanting to have a keepsake or memory of attendance. This may be in the form of purchasing a flag signifying a specific sporting event. For example, a replica of a golf course pin flag, a racing flag or team flag may be purchased. Additionally, a fan may have this replica flag autographed or signed by a celebrity at the event. After the fan gains one or more celebrity autographs, the fan may decide to display the autographed flag at home or at the office, sometimes by having to go to the extra expense of having it framed, sometimes by hanging it unframed.  
         [0003]     However, present devices suffer from several drawbacks. Items such as a replica flag are usually purchased as a single item, without a protective cover and without a marking device. The process of carrying the replica flag around exposes it to the elements, allowing it to get dirty and wet. Obtaining an autograph on the replica flag can be awkward, due to not having a convenient suitable surface on which to place the replica flag prior to signing, not having a suitable pen, or both. In order to display the replica flag, additional devices are generally required, such as a mat, a frame, etc. Other obstacles exist.  
         [0004]     Improvements are needed to facilitate the transport of the replica flag, improve the autograph process; protect the replica flag from the elements and provide a permanent display of the replica flag. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an event autographing device that overcomes these and other obstacles.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The aforementioned and other objects were achieved, and the above-mentioned disadvantages overcome, by the present invention, by providing an event autographing device designed to be display-ready, portable and easy to sign.  
         [0006]     The present invention is comprised of an autograph member, that is disposed for signing, e.g., a replica flag. The present invention is further comprised of a support member that is positioned behind the keepsake member and is roughly the same dimensions. The present invention is further comprised of a protective holding assembly that is made from flexible see-through material, e.g. vinyl or plastic, where the protective holding assembly is dimensioned to snugly contain the keepsake member and support member, yet allow for removal of either. The protective holding assembly is further comprised of means for releasable closing, e.g. hook and loop fasteners, corresponding male and female snaps, clasps, ties and the like. Means for holding a writing instrument is affixed to the protective holding member, e.g. a cavity operable for holding a writing instrument. A description or brand tag may be enclosed as a separate member in the protective case. The protective holding assembly may be further comprised of means for carrying, e.g. a handle. This means for carrying may also serve as means for hanging when the fan elects to display the keepsake member. The present invention may also include an informational member giving information about the event, e.g. a card stating the date, place, event title, etc.  
         [0007]     The general design is for the present invention to protect the item to be autographed, facilitate easy access to the item to be autographed, facilitate the autographing process and facilitate later display of the autographed item.  
         [0008]     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means of instrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The accompanying drawings illustrate a complete embodiment of the invention according to the best modes so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows front plan view of an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a front plan view of a holder base used to form an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a front plan view of a top strip used to form an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a front plan view of a U-Strip used to form an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a front plan view of a pen holder used to form an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a front plan view of the assembled holder base, top strip, U-strip and pen holder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a back plan view of an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a front plan view of a support member used to form an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a front plan view of the assembled holder base, top strip, U-strip, pen holder and support member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  shows a front plan view of an autograph member used to form an event autographing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  shows a front plan view of an event autographing device in a folded and closed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  show a back plan view of a holder base used to form an event autographing device, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     The drawings show aspects of the invention. As the drawings are described, reference will be made to the present preferred embodiments of the invention. The terminology used herein to describe the present preferred embodiments is for the purpose of clarification. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used. Terminology used to describe each element should be understood to include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.  
         [0023]     The present invention is described in relation to an event autographing device. Nonetheless, the characteristics and parameters pertaining to various embodiments the device and methods described herein may be applicable for other uses.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as device  1 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 12 , holder base  10  is shown, generally comprising front side  10 A, back side  10 H, bottom side  10 B, top side  10 E, lower right side  10 C, upper right side  10 D, lower left side  10 G and upper left side  10 F. Holder base  10  is preferably made from a clear flexible vinyl material enabled for folding top side  10 E towards bottom side  10 B. Holder base  10  is further comprised of right hole  20 , right grommet  30 , left hole  40  and left grommet  50 . Top side  10 E is preferably about ½″ shorter than bottom side  10 B.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , top strip  60  is formed from a clear flexible vinyl material. Top strip  60  is dimensioned to align with top side  10 E, upper right side  10 E and upper left side  10 F. Top strip  60  is further comprised of female snap  70 , which is secured to top strip  60  in roughly the position shown in  FIG. 3 , with the engaging end of female snap  70  frontward facing. The assembly of top strip  60  and female snap  70  is then affixed to front side  10 A by aligning top strip  60  with top side  10 E, with the engaging end of female snap  70  frontward facing.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , U-strip  80  is formed from a clear flexible plastic material. U-strip  80  is further comprised of U-strip bottom side  80 A, U-strip left outside  80 H, U-strip top left side  80 G, U-strip left inside  80 F, U-strip bottom inside  80 E, U-strip right inside  80 D, U-strip top right  80 C, U-strip right outside  80 B, U-strip front side  80 I and u-strip back side  80 J (not shown). U-strip  80  is further comprised of male snap  90 , which is secured in roughly the position shown in  FIG. 4 , with the engaging end facing frontward, and positioned for operably engaging female snap  70 . The assembly of U-strip  80  and male snap  90  is then affixed to front side  10 A by aligning U-strip  80  with bottom side  10 B, lower left side  10 G and lower right side  10 C with the engaging end of male snap  90  frontward facing. Only a small portion of the edges of U-strip right outside, U-strip left outside and U-strip bottom side are affixed to front side  10 A, in order to form a retainer for suitably shaped inserted objects.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , pen holder  100  is formed from a clear flexible vinyl material of a size and shape that will accommodate an indelible marking pen that can be used for autographing, e.g., the material is bowed to accommodate a pen, with the largest degree of bow being at pen holder top side  10 A.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the affixing of the U-strip assembly and the top strip assembly to the holder base  10  forms a protective holding assembly. Pen holder  100  is affixed to U-strip  80 , preferably by a heat seal process, in roughly the position shown, with all sides of pen holder  100  being affixed to U-strip  80  except for pen holder top side  100 A, thus forming a cavity for the holding of an indelible marking pen.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , handle  110  is comprised of a flexible, preferably woven, material, e.g. rope-like cord made from cotton or synthetic material. Handle  110  is passed through right hole  20  and left hole  40  from back side  10 H and made operable for being secured to front side  10 A, e.g. by tying a knot in each end of handle  110 , with each knot being of sufficient size that the size precludes removal of handle  110 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , support member  120  is dimensioned to fit within the space created by the affixing of U-strip  80  to front side  10 A. Support member  120  can be made from any suitable material that will provide support for the autographing process, e.g. cardboard.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , support member  120  is placed within the space created by the affixing of U-strip  80  to front side  10 A.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 1 , autograph member  130  is made of a material conducive for autographing, e.g. cloth, plastic, metal and the like. Autograph member  130  is preferably comprised of autograph area  130 E, logo area  130 A, at least one flag hole  130 B, at least one flag grommet  130 C and seam  130 D. Autograph member  130  is placed within the space created by the affixing of U-strip  80  to front side  10 A and on the forward facing side of support member  120 .  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , holder base  10  is folded such that female snap  70  operably engages male snap  90  and forms an envelop like structure with back side  10 H now being forward facing, just as is front side  10 A. An indelible writing pen  140  (not shown) is then placed in pen holder  100 .  
         [0035]     The process of making device  1  is as follows: 
        Obtaining a sheet of flexible clear vinyl,     Forming a base member from the sheet of vinyl,     Forming a top strip from the sheet of vinyl,     Forming a U-strip from the sheet of vinyl,     Forming a pen holder from the sheet of vinyl,     Forming an autograph support member from cardboard,     Obtaining a snap enclosing device comprising a female snap portion and a male snap portion,     Securing the female snap portion to the top strip in the forward facing position to form a top strip assembly,     Securing the male snap portion to the U-strip in the forward facing position to form a U-strip assembly,     Affixing the top strip assembly to the top front of the base member,     Affixing the U-strip assembly to the bottom front of the base member to form a receiving area,     Affixing the pen holder to the front of the U-strip assembly,     Obtaining a support member dimensioned to fit into the receiving area,     Placing the support member into the receiving area,     Obtaining an autograph member dimensioned to fit into the receiving area in front of the support member,     Placing the support member into the receiving area in front of the support member,     Placing an indelible marker into the cavity of the pen holder, and     Inserting the male snap into the female snap until closure is obtained.        
 
         [0054]     The process of using device  1  is as follows: 
        Obtaining device  1 ,     Targeting a subject to sign the autograph member,     Getting agreement by the subject to sign the autograph member,     Opening the device by disengaging the female snap from the male snap,     Removing the indelible marker from the pen holder,     Having the subject sign the autograph member,     Placing the indelible marker into the pen holder, and     Closing the device by engaging the male snap into the female snap.        
 
         [0063]     The above description and drawings are only illustrative of preferred embodiments which achieve the objects, features and advantages of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited thereto. Any modification of the present invention which comes within the spirit and scope of the following claims is considered part of the present invention.  
         [0064]     Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only.