Abstract:
A foam body is made in the form of a letter. Opposing portions of the foam body include confronting, head engaging, inside surfaces, spaced apart a distance less than the width of a person&#39;s head. The foam body is constructed from a springable form that stores spring energy when bent and allows the spaced apart portions to be sprung apart, and when released to move back towards each other. The spaced apart portions of the form body are sprung apart and a person places his/her head between these portions. Then the spaced apart portions are released so that they will spring back towards their static positions and clamp onto the person&#39;s head, so as to secure the letter display onto the person&#39;s head.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 09/669,150, filed Sep. 25, 2000, and entitled “Head Mounted Letter “M” Display.” 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a novelty item for showing fan support for a sports team. More particularly, it relates to a foam plastic letter display that is adapted to be self-securing onto the head of a person.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Fan interest for sports teams goes beyond merely watching the teams perform. The fans come to games wearing clothing and other items, and/or carrying signs or other displays showing their support for their team. Fan worn displays include replicas of team hats, jerseys, etc. and other items that are created by or for the fans.  
           [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a display that is adapted to be mounted onto the head of a fan and which is provided with the shape of a letter that has some association with a particular team. For example, the Seattle Mariners baseball team is commonly referred to as the “M&#39;s.” It is an object of the invention to provide a display in the shape of a “M” that is adapted to be self-secured to the head of a fan, so that, for example, the fan can wear it to a game or elsewhere. Herein, the term “letter display” includes both a single letter and two or more letters.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The letter display of the present invention is basically characterized by a foam body having the shape of a letter and including a pair of laterally spaced apart side portions and an interconnecting portion. The side portions depend from the interconnecting portion and define a space between them, below the interconnecting portion. The side portions of the foam body also form the side parts of the letter.  
           [0006]    According to an aspect of the invention, the side portions of the foam body include confronting, temple engaging, inside surfaces, spaced apart a distance less than the temple-to-temple width of a person&#39;s head. The foam body is constructed from a springable foam that stores spring energy when bent and allows the side portions to be sprung apart, and when released moved back towards each other. The side portions of the foam body can be sprung apart so as to enable a person to place his/her head between the side portions. Then, the side portions can be released so that they will spring back towards their static positions and clamp onto the person&#39;s head. In this manner, the letter display is secured to the person&#39;s head.  
           [0007]    Preferably also, the foam body is compressable and when compressed will store spring energy. When the letter display is clamped onto a person&#39;s head, there will be some compressing of the side portions of the foam body. This compression will store further spring energy that will act together with the bending spring energy to clamp the display onto the person&#39;s head. In preferred form, the foam body is constructed from a flexible polyurethane foam. The side portions of the foam body are squared members and the inside surfaces of the side portions are substantially planar and parallel to each other.  
           [0008]    Accordingly to a further aspect of the invention, the foam body is provided with at least one color that is a color associated with a particular sports team. For example, the color blue is a color that is associated with the Seattle Mariners. In preferred form, the foam body includes a border outlining the letter “M” that is a first color that is associated with a particular sports team. Within the border, the foam body is covered with a second color that is associated with the same team. For example, the first color may be the color gold and a second may be the color blue. Both of these colors are associated with the Seattle Mariners.  
           [0009]    The present invention is not limited to the letter “M” but relates to a substantial number of other individual letters and also to combinations of letters. Example individual letters are the letters “A”, “H”, “O”, “C”, “N”, “U”, “R”, “V”, “U”, “Y”, “G”, “J” and “D”. A typical pair of letters are two letters “T”, for example, for the Tennessee Titans.  
           [0010]    Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description of the best mode set forth below, from the drawings, from the claims and from the principles that are embodied in the specific structures that are illustrated and described. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0011]    Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view taken from above and looking towards the front, top and one side of a letter “M” display mounted on a head of a wearer;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the letter “M” display shown on the head of a wearer;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the letter “M” display shown on the head of a wearer;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the letter “M” display shown on the head of a wearer;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the letter “M” display shown on the head of a wearer;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is an elevational view, taken from either the front or the rear, of the letter “M” display;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6 but showing the side portions of the “M” being spread apart so as to widen the space between them;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 6 showing the side portions of the “M” both spread apart and compressed slightly on the their inner sides, exemplifying the configuration they would take when a wearer&#39;s head is between them;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 6, but showing a display having a border of a first color and an inside-the-border portion that is a second color;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a view like FIG. 2 but showing a letter “A” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a view like FIG. 10, but showing the letter “H” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a view like FIGS. 10 and 11, but showing the letter “O” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 12, but showing the bottom portion of the “O” split to make it easier to spread apart the side parts of the display;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 13  but of a letter “C” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 14  but of a letter “N” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 15  but of a letter “U” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 16  but of a letter “R” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 17  but of a letter “V” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 19 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 18  but of a letter “G” display on the head of a wearer;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 20 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 19  but of a letter “J” display on the head of wearer;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 21 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 20  but of a two letter “T” display on the head of a wearer; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 22 is a view like FIGS.  10 - 21  but of a letter “D” display on the head of a wearer.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , the letter “M” display  10  is shown mounted onto the head  12  of the fan “F”. As shown by FIGS. 1, 2 and  5 - 9 , the display  10  is composed of a pair of side portions  14 ,  16  and an interconnecting upper central portion  18 . Together, portions  14 ,  16 ,  18  form the shape of a “M”. The upper central portion  18  by itself has a substantially “V” shape.  
         [0035]    The display  10  is cut from a single piece of foam plastic.  
         [0036]    A suitable plastic is flexible polyurethane foam CAS#9009-54-5, manufactured by Foamex International Inc., having a business address at 1000 Columbia Avenue, Linwood, Pa. 19061. This foam is a fully cross-linked reaction product of polyhydroxy polyol, toluene di-isocyanate, catalyst, surfactants, pigments and water. Polyurethane foam product is a polymeric material consisting of repeating units of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. This is a preferred foam material but other foam materials can be used in its place, e.g. foam latex, polyethylene, vinyl polymers, polystyrene, epoxy and polyvinyl chlorides.  
         [0037]    By way of example, the side portions  14 ,  16  may have an outside height H of about ten and one half inches (10½ in.), and inside height h of about six and one half inches (6½ in.), a width w of about four inches (4 in.) and a depth D of about three-four inches (3-4 in.). The total width W of the display  10  is about thirteen and one-half inches (13.5 in.). The head space width w′ is about five and one half inches (5½ in.) The head space height h′ is about five inches (5 in.). All of these dimensions can vary somewhat but the most critical dimensions are the head height h′ and the head width w′ dimensions. of these two dimensions, the more critical is the head width dimension w′. However, to some extent this dimension fixes the other dimensions of the display  10  for the reason that it is desirable to have the letter “M” as realistic looking as possible. The letter “M” itself establishes proportions that must exist in order for the “M” to have a realistic appearance. This being said, it would still be possible to provide the letter “M” with a wider total width W, a taller total height H and then make the width dimensions w of the side portions  14 ,  16  wider and the dimension d larger, while maintaining the head space w′.  
         [0038]    The foam body is resilient in two ways. The first is in “flexure.” The second is in “compression.” Referring to FIG. 6, the side portions  14 ,  16  are in effect cantilever beams. They depend from the upper central portion  18 . Their connection to the upper central portion  18  in effect fixes their upper ends. In their extents below the interconnecting portion  18 , the side portions  14 ,  16  can “flex.” They can be grasped near their lower ends and pulled apart slightly, into the positions shown by solid lines in FIG. 7. This bending or flexing of the side parts  14 ,  16  stores spring energy in them so that they will behave as leaf springs. The fan, or a helper, pulls the side portions  14 ,  16  apart and sets the display  10  down onto the head  12  of the fan. Then, the side portions are released. This causes the stored spring energy to want to move the side portions  14 ,  16  back to their static positions shown in FIG. 6. However, this is prevented because the fan&#39;s head  12  is in the space between the side portions  14 ,  16  and below the upper portion  18 . As a result, the spring energy moves the side portions  14 ,  16  into a clamping engagement with the upper side portions of the fan&#39;s head  12 .  
         [0039]    The head space width w′ may also be described as being a dimension that is less than the temple-to-temple width of a person&#39;s head. As a result, the side portions  14 ,  16  must be spread apart in order for the head  12  to be received between them.  
         [0040]    There is a second way in which spring energy is stored in the body of the display  10 . That is by some compression of the foam material itself. This is shown in FIG. 8 where the inside surfaces  20 ,  22  of the side portions  14 ,  16  are shown to have a slightly concave shape. When the stored spring energy in the side portions  14 ,  16  moves the side portions  14 ,  16  against the head  12 , the side portions of the head  12  will slightly compress the foam material in the regions  20 ,  22 . This compression stores spring energy in the form that wants to return the foam back to its original shape. Both types of spring energy help to hold the letter “M” on the head  12  of the fan F.  
         [0041]    In preferred form, a body of foam plastic of an appropriate thickness, e.g. three-four inches (3-4 in.) is produced and cut to form the letter “M”. Cutting equipment is available to cut the foam very precisely and provide it with true surfaces where cut. Preferably, the letter “M” is cut so that all of the surfaces that extend from one face of the letter “M” to the other are perpendicular to both faces. Also, the horizontal surfaces should be perpendicular to the vertical surfaces. Thus, the surfaces at the tops and bottoms of the side portions  14 ,  16  are preferably made to be perpendicular to the inside and outside side surfaces of the side portions  14 ,  16 . This form of cutting results in the side portions of the foam body being “squared members”. It results in the inside surfaces of the side portions  14 ,  16  being substantially planar and parallel to each other.  
         [0042]    The letter “M” display  10  may display a single color that is one of the colors associated with a given team, e.g. the color “blue” for the Mariners. Referring to FIG. 9, the letter “M” may be provided with a border  24  that is of a first color associated with the team and a second color in the region  26  inside the border  24  that is of a second color associated with the team. For example, border  24  may be “gold” and the insider-the-border portion  26  may be colored blue.  
         [0043]    A colored composition may be used to form the foam. Or, the foam can be formed and then painted or otherwise coated to provide the color. Also, it may be desirable to coat the outer surface of the foam with a plastic film coating or “skin.” A metalized coating or film may be applied to the letter “M”. Also, it may be desirable to provide it with a glow-in-the-dark coating or film.  
         [0044]    The embodiments of FIGS.  10 - 22  may have a similar side elevational appearance as FIG. 3 and a top plan appearance as shown by FIG. 5. The rear view of each of the embodiments shown by FIGS.  10 - 22  will be a mirror image of the front view. The foam material used may be the same foam material that is described above in connection with the preferred embodiment. Also, the embodiments of FIGS.  10 - 22  may be provided with a color that is associated with a given team color. Also, the letter may be provided with a border that is colored with a first color associated with the team and a second color that is associated with a team may be provided inside the border.  
         [0045]    By way of typical and therefore non-limitive examples, the “A” letter display shown by FIG. 10 may be associated with the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The lower inside portions of the letter “A” may be curved inwardly so that when the “A” is placed on a wearer&#39;s head, the head will move the curved material outwardly. This construction can help provide a better grip of the letter “A” on the wearer&#39;s head.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 11, showing the letter “H”, may be associated with the “Washington Huskies”, or some other team like the Atlanta Hawks, for example.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIGS. 12 and 13 show two different ways of constructing a letter “O” display. FIG. 12 shows a solid letter “O”. The wearer places his or her head into the center opening in the letter. The head contacts the side portions of the letter and springs them apart and/or compresses the foam. FIG. 13 includes a split  30 . When this construction is used, the side parts are connected together at their tops and they will spread apart somewhat due to the presence of the split  30 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 14 shows the top and bottom portion  32 ,  34  of the letter “C” gripping top and bottom portions of the wearer&#39;s head. Also, gripping contact is made with the head at regions  36 ,  38 , and perhaps  40  and  42 . The side opening  44  allows the upper and lower portions  32 ,  34  of the letter “C” to spread somewhat so as to store spring energy in the foam material.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 15 shows a gripping arrangement of the letter “N” with the wearer&#39;s head that is very similar to the gripping arrangement of the letters “M”, “A”, “H”, and “O” as shown in FIG. 13.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 16 shows the letter “U” clamped onto a wearer&#39;s head. Inwardly projecting regions  46 ,  48  may serve as a lock to hold the letter on the wearer&#39;s head. The clamping action here is similar to the clamping action of the letter “O” as shown in FIG. 13, due to the ability of the side parts of the letter to spread apart where they are not connected.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 17 shows a letter “R” held by the lower side portions of the letter. The gripping action is similar to the gripping action in the letters “M”, “A”, “H”, “O” (FIG. 13), “N” and “U”.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 18 shows the letter “V” provided with head contacting members  50 ,  52 . These members may have substantially parallel inside surfaces or inside surfaces that slope downwardly and outwardly from their tops to their bottoms. Preferably, members  50 ,  52  are of a different color than the letter “V” so that they will not affect the displayed “V” shape. This method of securing the letter to the wearer&#39;s head could also be used with the letter “Y”.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 19 shows the letter “G” clamped to a wearer&#39;s head. It is clamped much the same way that the letter “C” is clamped on to a wearer&#39;s head.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 20 shows the letter “J” clamped to a wearer&#39;s head by the regions  54 ,  56 . Region  54  may extend inwardly towards the wearer&#39;s head. Region  56  may curve inwardly as side portion  58  extends upwardly. Also, a small triangular retainer may be used above the head on the right side portion  58 , such as piece  52  shown in FIG. 18.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 21 is representative of a number of possible two letter combinations. This display shows a pair of “T&#39;s” with their tops connected together. Vertical portions of the letters are situated on the opposite sides of the head of the wearer. With this arrangement, it is not always necessary that the portions of the letters that contact the wearer&#39;s head be straight.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 22 shows a letter “D” display on a wearer&#39;s head. This display is held on the head much the same way that the letter “O” is held. It may also be provided with a split, such as possessed by the letter “O” that is shown by FIG. 13.  
         [0057]    The illustrated embodiments are only examples of the present invention and, therefore, are non-limitive. It is to be understood that many changes in the particular structure, materials and features of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the letter “M” may be provided with a head strap against which the forehead of the wearer presses. The side portions of the head strap may go rearwardly through the head space and be glued or otherwise attached to the inside surfaces of the side portions  14 ,  16 . Behind the display, the straps may have end portions that are connectable together by a Velcro type fastener or by a button and opening fastener of the type used to make baseball caps adjustable. Also, it may be desired to provide the display  10  with a tether. An opening may be formed through a portion of the display  10  and one end portion of the tether pushed through the opening and then brought around and secured to another portion of the tether. The opposite end of the tether may be provided with a safety pin or the like that can be secured to an article of clothing worn by the fan F.  
         [0058]    Therefore, it is my intention that my patent rights not be limited by the particular embodiments illustrated and described herein, but rather determined by the following claims, interpreted according to accepted doctrines of claim interpretation, including use of the doctrine of equivalents and reversal of parts.