Abstract:
An easily assembled trophy assembly system in which columns are friction fitted into slots or recesses in a base and provides for adhesives to secure the columns and bases together and alignment means to ensure proper alignment and orientation of columns on bases. The disclosed system provides attachment means to work with trophies that uses wooden, marble and composite bases.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/264,425 filed Dec. 08, 2015, the contents and disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field of the invention 
         [0003]    The invention pertains to assembly of awards trophies, specifically methods for friction fitting trophy columns to bases. 
         [0004]    Background 
         [0005]    Manufacturers and wholesalers need to be able to ship component parts to retailers and other customers that are easily assembled, customizable and efficient to ship but fully assembled trophies are awkward and expensive to ship and are not easily customized. Typical conventional trophy assemblies consists of a base, a lower lid, a column, an upper lid and a figure or other top structure symbolic of the achievement or award. Larger trophy assemblies may comprise additional columns mounted in a way to create multi-level trophies with the figure on the top with other decorative elements elsewhere in the assembly. Historically, trophies utilizing columns have been assembled using threaded rods that run through the base, the lower lid, the column, and the upper lid, and then attach to the figure using a coupler. A nut is then used to secure the base to the rod and compress the base, lower lid, column, upper lid, and figure together, thereby creating a rigid assembly. 
         [0006]    The conventional threaded rod design has several disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the nut, threaded rod, coupler, and lids (the “hardware”) contribute more than about 50% of the number of components of a typical small trophy. This impacts the cost and weight of the final assembly, increases inventory and freight expenses, and requires substantial space for inventory. More importantly, assembling even the smallest of such trophies is labor intensive, typically requiring many discrete steps, including rotations and alignments of components. Accordingly, the average awards dealer must incur high labor costs, often necessitating the hiring of part time employees and payment for numerous overtime hours, to repeatedly complete this laborious process in order to have a sufficient number of awards ready in time for awards ceremonies during peak season. These disadvantages arise primarily from the structural design being based on threaded rods and compression for structural rigidity. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,496 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) discloses a trophy assembly having a base with an integral lower clip structure, a column with interior column ribs, in which the lower clip is adapted (as by slots) to engage the column ribs, thereby joining the base and the column when the column is placed over the clip and rotated. The patent discloses a plastic base for use in a trophy assembly having a base and a column, wherein the base has in integral clip structure adapted to engage slots on the interior surface of the column. Further, the patent discloses a similar means to attach a figure (or other adornment or structure) to the top of a tubular column for use in a trophy assembly. The patent is restricted to having a connecting structure made as an integral part of a plastic base. U.S. published application 2009/0146025, for which U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,496 is a continuation-in-part application discloses basically the same system but with the attachment structure being a non-integral component attached to the base by a variety of means. The disclosed system requires an integral connection of the attachment means to the base it is limited to plastic bases and plastic bases represents only about 45% of the market. 
         [0008]    What is needed is an inexpensive easily customizable, means to assembly trophies to allow easy customization and to provide minimum volume for shipping. The present invention is such a means. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    This invention is a trophy assembly system in which columns are friction fitted into slots or recesses in a base. It also provides for adhesives to secure the columns and bases together and alignment means to ensure proper alignment and orientation of columns on bases. Some of the advantages of the disclosed system are that it provides attachment means to work with the 55% of trophies that uses wooden, marble and composite bases. It also provides a trophy assembly that can be assembled quickly and easily without the need for the threaded rods and associated hardware. 
         [0010]    It also provides, in some embodiments, a method of assembling trophies that eliminates the need for steps involving the use of a threaded rod. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an assembled trophy of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an assembled trophy of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing how a column fits into a base slot. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing how a column fits into a base recess. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of a trophy base of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a side plan view of a trophy base and column of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3C  is a top plan view of a trophy base of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3D  is a side plan view of a trophy base and column of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a column of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a column of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a column of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of a column of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5D  is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the invention showing means to prevent rotation of the column. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the invention showing an adhesive ring in the base recess bottom. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a base of an embodiment of the invention showing an adhesive ring in the base recess bottom. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7A-7D  are top plan views of various configurations of base recesses. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a flat trophy assembly of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a multi-column assembled trophy of an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    In broad scope the invention is, in some embodiments, a trophy column/trophy base connecting system that relies on a friction fit between the walls of a trophy column and the walls of a recess or slot(s) in the trophy base. The system is suitable for use with polymer, metal, stone or wooden columns and with polymer, (plastic), wooden (particularly medium density fiberboard (MDF)), stone, (marble) and glass bases. Most current connecting systems are restricted to one type base material such as connecting means for stone or wooden bases or polymer bases. Most complicated systems are designed to work only with polymer bases and columns. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , there is illustrated a trophy of an embodiment of the invention. The trophy consists of a base,  102  a column (riser)  202  a top lid,  104 , and a top figure,  110  (also known as a figurine), with a connector,  106 , for connecting the figure to the lid. As illustrated the lid is friction fitted to the top of the column. The bottom of the column is friction fitted into a recess in the base,  102 , as illustrated and described in  FIGS. 2-7 . As shown  FIG. 2  the column  201  is friction fitted into recess  104  of base  102 . The base may be polymer, wood, stone (such as marble) or glass. The diameter (or other dimensions if not circular) of the recess will be very slightly greater than the outside dimension of the column so the column will fit tightly into the base recess. The recess may suitably be made with computer assisted routers for wood and polymer bases. Since many columns are printed it is desirable to have means to orient the column (particularly cylindrical columns) in the base. In general, the friction fit will hold the column in the desired orientation.  FIGS. 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B  illustrate other orientation means that may be needed for cylindrical columns. Non-cylindrical columns will not need special orientation means - the recesses will be places in the base in position that will give the desired orientation of the column. In  FIG. 4A  the column has tabs  262  spaced around the circumference of a hollow cylindrical column  240 . The tabs fit into matching recesses  264  cut into the bottom of the recess  204  in base  241 . In  FIG. 5A and 5B  the column  310  has side projections  312  that fit into matching slots  314  cut into recess  304  in base  302 . Columns described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/696,770 filed May 27, 2015 have ridges inside the hollow column that are used to make suitable connections. Stops disposed in the bottom of the base recess can be used to contact these ridges to prevent turning. These internally ridged columns can also be used to facilitate a top figures (figurines) connection as described below. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B  illustrate a friction fit system that has slots in the base ( 122 ) for fitting hollow columns. It is like the system with a recess but has a center structure,  126 , in the recess that will contact the inside walls,  124 , of a hollow columns to provide a secure friction. The width of the slots,  125 , will be very slightly larger than the thickness of the hollow column walls ( 124 ) so the column can be inserted with the column inside walls in contact with the inside wall of the recess and the outside wall of the center structure. The slots may be cut into the base  122 , as with a computer guided router or the slots may be constructed by providing a recess in the base (as in the embodiments with recesses) and disposing a center structure ( 126 ,  286  and  386 ) in the recess. The center structure may be made of the same material as the base or of different material. For example, a wooden base may have a polymer center structure, or a stone base may have a polymer or wooded center structure. All combinations are within the scope of the invention. The use of different material for the center structure can have some advantages in providing a secure fit and in structural variation. Using a separate center structure make it easier to tailor the structure to specific needs. Cutting a slot in the base as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is the simplest and most expedient means of providing the friction fit but makes it more difficult the configure the center structure with specific features. With a separate structure the center structure can be made with a taper to be smaller at the top than at the bottom, it can have a rounded top structure, it can be the height so that the top is level with the top of the base or it may be taller or shorter than the recess in the base. A center structure somewhat taller than the recess depth can have advantages. Separate center structures can be attached to the bottom of the recess by any suitable means—it can be glued to the base with adhesive, secured with screws or bolts, pegged or any other like means. The center structure may be solid or hollow. Polymer center structures can be made with side grooves (or slots) for disposing pressure sensitive adhesive. There may be slotted (slits cut into sides) or split structures to allow them to be compressed to accept a hollow column but circumferentially expand to securely contact the inside column wall. The center structure can also have grooves configured to accept the ridges shown on the inside walls in columns disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/696,770 filed May 27, 2015, the disclosure and Figures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5C and 5C  illustrates means to aid in securing the column into a base by a pressure sensitive adhesive ring (tube or the like)  146  disposed in the bottom to the recess  144  in base  142 . When the column is inserted it contacts the pressure sensitive adhesive and spreads the adhesive over the bottom and sides of the recess. When set the column is securely attached to the base. This is particularly effective with solid columns (as opposed to hollow tube columns) such as those illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Alternatively, pressure adhesive or pressure adhesive tape may be wrapped around the bottom section of the column or attached to the walls of the recess to secure the base/column connection. Pressure sensitive adhesives are well known and many types are described and are available from such suppliers as Nova Film USA—see web site www.novafilmsusa.com. The friction fit may also be tightened by shims pushed between the column wall and the recess walls. Similar rings of adhesive will be suitably disposed in the bottom of the slots of slotted bases. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  there are positioning aids  287  and  288  in base  282  for column  280 . Similarly in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  there are positioning tabs,  383 , and tab recesses,  384 , in base  382 . The column  380  fits into slot  386  and is held in proper position by the tabs and tab recesses.  FIG. 6A  shows base  170  with slot  174  in base  172  with pressure sensitive adhesive in the bottom a of the slot. 
         [0037]    The columns described above are generally hollow cylinders, but they do not have to be so. They may be solid cylinders such as wood, polymer, glass or stone. Moreover, columns come in a variety of shapes and friction fit connections of the present invention can easily be adapted for alternatives shapes. Some shapes are shown in  FIGS. 7A-7D . These are illustrative only and not intended to be exclusive of the many shapes available. These shapes are illustrative of bases with a recess but also show the general outside configurations of slotted bases (but do not show the center structure). 
         [0038]    The friction fit connection works particularly well with flat wooden, polymer or acrylic trophies as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In these type trophies pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied into the bottom surface of the recess. Referring to  FIG. 8  the flat trophy  285  has a bottom section  288  with straight sides and walls that fit into recess  284  in base  282 . Printing and construction of flat wooden trophies are disclosed in pending U.S. application 62/213,023 filed Aug. 01, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Flat trophies of clear near transparent, acrylic trophies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,904, issued Mar. 28, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such trophies can also be made of glass. The connection means of these disclosed connection means are restricted to polymer bases. 
         [0039]    The top of the column (riser) will generally have a lid (cap)  104  that may be friction fitted on the column together with a suitable connector  106  for a top figure or figure(s),  110 . Suitable connectors are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,520, issued Aug. 11, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable connectors for the top of the column are disclosed in US 2011/0165349 published Jul. 07, 2011 and in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/696,770 filed May 27, 2015. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  illustrates a multicolumn trophy. The lid (or topper) is a solid structure into which and two columns  212  and  214  are friction mounted in base  210  in recesses  216  and  218  and in recesses in the bottom of the topper. The lid is structured much like another base on which to mount additional columns (risers) the top of the columns  212  and  214  that may be friction fitted into recesses  226  and  228  in the bottom of the topper structure  220 . Optionally, additional column(s)  224  may be mounted on top of the structure in the same manner as connecting the column to the base as described herein. The top figure will be mounted as described for  FIG. 1  with the top  FIG. 225  connected by connector  223  to a top lid  221 . It will be apparent (without need for additional drawings) that the friction fits of  FIG. 9  (for fit with recesses) will also be suitable where the base and top structure are made with slotted friction fit configuration as explained above for single column trophies. 
         [0041]    The columns may be supplied in standard lengths (such as 24 or 36 inch) and customized by the dealer/user by cutting to any desired length. For those columns with special orientation fitting the top would be cut to obtain a desired length. 
         [0042]    The invention is also, in some embodiments, a kit comprising a base with precut recess or slots, a column of matching shape and optionally a lid, top figure and suitable connector. For some embodiments there is provided a base with recess and center structure. For multiple tier trophies the kit may contain the requisite number of columns, a base with appropriate recesses, and a topper also with appropriate recesses on top and bottom and a top lid and figure for the topmost column(s). 
         [0043]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.