Abstract:
A novel award trophy that includes a supporting base, a riser member superimposed over the supporting base, a first uniquely configured connector member having a plurality of securement legs for inter-connecting the riser member with the supporting base, a trophy superimposed over the riser member and a second uniquely configured connector member having a plurality of securement legs for inter-connecting the trophy with the riser member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to achievement awards. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel award trophy that includes a supporting base, a riser member carried by the supporting base, a display support member carried by the riser member and disposed in a generally horizontal plane and display member for displaying award indicia connected to the periphery of the display support member and extending generally perpendicular relative thereto. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0007]    Achievement awards of various types are frequently given to individuals and athletic teams for outstanding achievements in sports such as golf, bowling, tennis, baseball, basketball and the like. These awards include medals, plaques and a number of different types of small statues of which frequently take the form of a decorative member of an appropriate design that is mounted on a supporting base. 
         [0008]    Exemplary of one type of achievement award is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,834,073 issued to Greenblat and the present inventor. This latter patent discloses an achievement award which comprises a substantially transparent, injection molded acrylic plaque, and a supporting base. The transparent plaque has a decorative design or image, which appears to be embedded in the central portion of the plaque. The central portion of the plaque includes a front face and a rear face wherein the fossil-like image is formed in the rear face. At the base of the central portion is a three-dimensional insert which is also injection molded. This insert connects the central portion to the base. 
         [0009]    Another type of achievement award is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,034 issued to the present inventor. This latter patent discloses an award construction that includes a decorative member, a supporting base for supporting the decorative member and an alternate means for interconnecting the decorative member with the supporting base. More particularly, in one form of the invention the base portion of the decorative member includes a peripheral portion having a locking rim that can be lockably interconnected with a yieldably deformable locking assembly that is affixed to and extends upwardly from the upper surface of the supporting base. In another form of the invention, the identical base portion of the decorative member can be interconnected with the support base by means of a threaded rod which is threadably received within a threaded bore formed in the base portion of the decorative member. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel award trophy construction that includes a supporting base, a riser member carried by the supporting base, a display support member of novel construction carried by the riser member and disposed in a generally horizontal plane and display member of novel construction connected to the periphery of the display support member and extending generally perpendicular with respect thereto. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a trophy or award construction of the aforementioned character that has several alternate configurations. For example, in one form of the invention the riser member is circular in cross-section and the display support member that is uniquely designed to interconnect the display member with the award and the display member itself are also circular. In another form of the invention, the riser member is oval in cross-section and the display support member that is uniquely designed to interconnect the display member with the award and the display member itself are also oval. In still another form of the invention, the riser member is rectangular in cross-section and the display support member and the display member itself are also rectangular. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide an award trophy construction of the character described in the preceding paragraphs in which the display support member that functions to support the display member, and the display member itself, are of a unique fanciful design. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide an award trophy construction of the class described in which the display member includes a planar surface to which a decorative, adhesive stamp can be affixed 
         [0014]    These and other objects of the invention will be realized from the apparatus illustrated in the drawings and described in the paragraphs that follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a generally perspective, exploded view of the award trophy shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged side elevational, exploded view, partly in cross-section of the award trophy shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is a generally perspective, exploded view of an alternate form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is generally perspective, exploded view of another form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a generally perspective, exploded view of still another form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a generally perspective exploded view of yet another form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  is a generally perspective exploded view of still another form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a generally perspective exploded view of another form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a generally perspective exploded view of still another form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a generally perspective exploded view of yet another form of the award trophy of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , one form of the award trophy of the present invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  18 . In this form of the invention the award trophy comprises a supporting base  20  having an upper surface  22 , a lower surface  24 , a central bore  26  and a counter bore  28  ( FIG. 3 ). Superimposed over and resting on the upper surface  22  of the base, is a riser member  30 . Riser member  30  has an upper portion  30   a,  a lower portion  30   b  and a side wall  30   c,  defining an interior space  32 . 
         [0027]    Connected to base  20  and extending through interior space  32  of riser member  30  is a threaded rod  34 . As best seen in  FIG. 3  of the drawings, threaded rod  34  has a first threaded end  34   a  and a second threaded end  34   b  that is receivable within the central bore  26  of the supporting base. For a purpose presently to be described, an internally threaded coupler  36  is connected to the threaded end  34   a  of the threaded rod. 
         [0028]    Also connected to threaded coupler  36  is a connector member  40 . Connector member  40  has a body portion  40   a  and an externally threaded shaft  40   b  that extends downwardly from the body portion  40   a.    
         [0029]    Positioned between connector member  40  and riser member  30  is the important display support member  42  of the invention that functions to support the display member  44  of the invention. Display support member  42 , which is disposed within a first, generally horizontal plane “HP” ( FIG. 3 ), is located between connector member  40  and the upper portion of the threaded coupler  36 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, display support member  42  has a peripheral portion  42   a  that is provided with a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced decorative facets  45 . Display support member  42  is also provided with a central aperture  47  for receiving the threaded shaft portion  40   b  of the connector member  44  ( FIG. 2 ). Display support member  42  and display member  44  comprise a portion of the display assembly  48  of the invention for displaying award indicia of various types. 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3  of the drawings, display member  44  is connected to the peripheral portion  42   a  of the display support member and is disposed within a second, generally vertical plane “VP” that is generally perpendicular to the first plane, within which the display support member is located. As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, display member  44  has a peripheral portion  44   a  and a generally planar, central display portion  44   b.  Affixed to the central display portion  44   b  and forming a part of the display assembly  48  of the invention, is an indicia-carrying member  50 , here provided in the form of an adhesive backed stamp. In the present form of the invention the peripheral portion  44   a  of the display member is provided with a multiplicity of circumferential spaced decorative elements  52 , here shown as five point stars. 
         [0031]    In the form of the award trophy of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  of the drawings, the peripheral portion  44   a  of display support member is curved as is the side wall  30  of the riser member  28 . More particularly, the peripheral portion  44   a  of display support member is round and the riser member  28  is round in cross-section. 
         [0032]    In assembling the award trophy of the present form of the invention with the component parts, the device in the configuration shown in  FIG. 3  of the drawings, the first step in the assembly process is to insert the second threaded end  34   b  of the threaded rod into the central bore  26  of the supporting base  20 . Next, the threaded rod is secured to the supporting base by means of the threaded nut  53 . This done, the internally threaded coupler  36  is connected to the threaded end  34   a  of the threaded rod. Next, the riser  30  is positioned over the assemblage made up of a threaded rod and the coupler so that the bottom of the riser rests on the upper surface  22  of the base  20 . The display assembly  48  which is made up of the display support member  42 , the display member  44  and the indicia carrying member  50 , is then positioned over the riser. This done, the threaded shank portion  40   b  of the connector member  40  is inserted through the central aperture  47  formed in the display support member and is mated with the internally threaded coupler. Rotation of the connector member  40  will then securely interconnect the display assembly  48  with the riser  30 . With the assembly thusly completed, the component parts of the award trophy are securely interconnected to form the award trophy depicted in  FIG. 1  of the drawings. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3A  of the drawings, an alternate form of the award trophy of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  58 . This alternate form of the invention is similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and like numerals are used in  FIG. 3A  to identify like components. More particularly, in this latest form of the invention, the base  22 , the riser member  30 , the threaded rod  34 , the internally threaded coupler  36 , the connector member  40  and the display support member  42  are of substantially identical construction and operation to those previously described. The primary difference between this latest form of the invention and the earlier form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  concerns the configuration of the display member which is here designated by the numeral  60 . Display member  60 , rather than being circular, is rectangular in configuration. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, display support member  42  is disposed within a first, generally horizontal plane, and is located between connector member  40  and the upper portion of the threaded coupler  36 . Display member  60  is connected to the peripheral portion  42   a  of the display support member and is disposed in a portrait configuration and within a second, generally vertical plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane within which the display support member  42  is located. As indicated in  FIG. 3A , display member  60  has a peripheral portion  60   a  and a generally planar, central display portion. Affixed to the central display portion and forming a part of the display assembly  62  of this latest form of the invention, is an indicia-carrying member  64 , here provided in the form of an adhesive backed stamp. As before, the peripheral portion  60   a  of the display member is provided with a multiplicity of circumferential spaced decorative elements  66 , here shown as five point stars. 
         [0034]    Turning next to  FIG. 3B  of the drawings, still another form of the award trophy of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  70 . This alternate form of the invention is similar in most respects to that shown in  FIG. 3A  and like numerals are used in  FIG. 3B  to identify like components. More particularly, this latest form of the invention is substantially identical to the form of the invention shown in  FIG. 3A  save for the fact that display member  60 , which is connected to the peripheral portion  42   a  of the display support member, is disposed in a landscape configuration. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, yet another form of the award trophy of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  74 . This alternate form of the invention is also similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B  of the drawings and like numerals are used in  FIG. 4  to identify like components. More particularly, in this latest form of the invention the base  22 , the threaded rod  34 , the internally threaded coupler  36 , the connector member  40 , the display member  44  and indicia carrying member  50 , are of substantially identical construction and operation to those previously described. The primary difference between this latest form of the invention and the earlier form of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , concerns the configuration of the riser  76  and the display support member  78 , both of which are rectangular in configuration. Display support member  78  is provided with a central aperture  78   a  that is adapted to receive the threaded shank portion  40   b  of connector member  40  so that the award trophy of this latest form of the invention can be assembled in the manner previously described. 
         [0036]    As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, display support member  78  is disposed within a first, generally horizontal plane and is located between connector member  40  and the upper portion of the threaded coupler  36 . Display member  44  is connected to the peripheral portion  78   a  of the display support member and is disposed within a second, generally vertical plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane within which the display support member  78  is located. As indicated in  FIG. 4 , the peripheral portion  78   a  of the display support member is provided with a multiplicity of circumferential spaced decorative elements  80 , here shown as five point stars. 
         [0037]    Considering next  FIG. 4A  of the drawings, this drawing shows yet another form of the award trophy of the invention which is generally designated by the numeral  84 . This latest form of the invention is also similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B  of the drawings and like numerals are used in  FIG. 4  to identify like components. More particularly, in this form of the invention the base  22 , the threaded rod  34 , the internally threaded coupler  36  and the connector member  40  are of substantially identical construction and operation to those previously described. The primary difference between this latest form of the invention and the earlier forms of the invention, concerns the configuration of the riser  86 , which is rectangular in cross-section, and the configuration of the display support member  88  and the display member  90 , both of which are rectangular in configuration. Display support member  88  is provided with a central aperture  88   a  that is adapted to receive the threaded shank portion  40   b  of connector member  40  so that the award trophy of this latest form of the invention can be assembled in the manner previously described. 
         [0038]    As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, display support member  88  is disposed within a first, generally horizontal plane and is located between connector member  40  and the upper portion of the threaded coupler  36 . Rectangular display member  90  is connected to the peripheral portion  88   a  of the display support member and is disposed within a second, generally vertical plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane within which the display support member  88  is located. As indicated in  FIG. 4A , the peripheral portions of both the display support member and the display member are provided with a multiplicity of circumferential spaced decorative elements shown as five point stars. 
         [0039]    The form of the award trophy of the invention shown in  FIG. 4B  of the drawings, which is generally designated by the numeral  94 , is similar in many respects to the award trophy shown in  FIG. 4A  and like numerals are used in  FIG. 4B  to identify like components. More particularly, display  94  is substantially identical to the award trophy  84  save for the fact that display member  90 , which is connected to the peripheral portion  88   a  of the display support member, is disposed in a portrait rather than a landscape configuration. 
         [0040]    Turning now to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, still another form of the award trophy of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral  98 . This alternate form of the invention is also similar in many respects to that shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3B  of the drawings and like numerals are used in  FIG. 5  to identify like components. More particularly, in this latest form of the invention the base  22 , the threaded rod  34 , the internally threaded coupler  36  and the connector member  40  are of substantially identical construction and operation to those previously described. The primary difference between this latest form of the invention and the earlier form of the invention concerns the configuration of the riser  100  and the display support member  102  both of which are oval in configuration. Display support member  102  is provided with a central aperture  102   a  that is adapted to receive the threaded shank portion  40   b  of the connector member so that the trophy can be assembled in the manner previously described. 
         [0041]    As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, display support member  102  is disposed within a first, generally horizontal plane and is located between connector member  40  and the upper portion of the threaded coupler  36 . Display member  104 , which here is rectangular in configuration, is connected to the peripheral portion  102   b  of the display support member and is disposed within a second, generally vertical plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane within which the display support member  102  is located. As indicated in  FIG. 5 , the peripheral portions  102   b  and  104   a  of the display support member and a display member are provided with a multiplicity of circumferential spaced decorative elements  103  and  105 , here shown as five point stars. 
         [0042]    The award trophy of the invention shown in  FIG. 6  and generally designated by the numeral  108  is similar in many respects to the award trophy shown in  FIG. 5  of the drawings and like numerals are used in  FIG. 6  to identify like components. More particularly, in this latest form of the invention the base  22 , the threaded rod  34 , the internally threaded coupler  36 , the connector member  40 , the riser  100 , and the display support member  102  are of substantially identical construction and operation to those previously described. The primary difference between this latest form of the invention and the earlier form of the invention concerns the configuration of the display member  44 , which is of the character shown in  FIG. 4  of the drawings and is round rather than rectangular in shape. As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, display support member  102  is disposed within a first, generally horizontal plane and is located between connector member  40  and the upper portion of the threaded coupler  36 . Display member  44  is connected to the peripheral portion  102   b  of the display support member and is disposed within a second, generally vertical plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane within which the display support member  102  is located. 
         [0043]    The award trophy of the invention shown in  FIG. 6A  and generally designated by the numeral  114  is similar in many respects to the award trophy shown in  FIG. 6  of the drawings and like numerals are used in  FIG. 6A  to identify like components. More particularly, in this latest form of the invention the base  22 , the threaded rod  34 , the internally threaded coupler  36 , the connector member  40 , and the display support member  102  are of substantially identical construction and operation to those previously described. The primary differences between this latest form of the invention and the earlier form of the invention concerns the configuration of the riser  110  which, while still being oval in cross-section, is somewhat longer than riser  100 . Additionally, the display member  116  as well as the indicia-carrying member  118  are rectangular in shape rather than being round. As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, display support member  102  is disposed within a first, generally horizontal plane and is located between connector member  40  and the upper portion of the threaded coupler  36 . Display member  116  is connected to the peripheral portion  102   b  of the display support member and is disposed within a second, generally vertical plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane within which the display support member  102  is located. Once again, award trophy  114  is assembled in the same manner as previously described. 
         [0044]    Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.