Patent Publication Number: US-2016242575-A1

Title: Club Display Hanger

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to display hangers used by merchandise retailers. More specifically, this disclosure relates to releasably fastening handles of golf clubs to display hangers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Retailers generally display sporting equipment products, such as golf clubs, racquets, lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks and/or bats, on display racks on a sales area floor. The display racks rest on the floor taking up large amounts of space and often include dedicated slots configured to receive a handle or shaft of a product. Each display rack may display multiple products, inhibiting the ease by the retailer to individually label each product for promotion to potential consumers. To promote the products, retailers often have to affix promotional information, such as individual price tags and/or product descriptions, to surfaces of each product. It is often difficult, however, for consumers to locate the affixed promotional information due to awkward placement upon the surfaces of the products and congestion among the multiple products being displayed. 
     Displaying individual golf clubs by using a clamshell casing surrounding the head of the golf club hampers a potential consumer&#39;s ability to view the head of the golf club. Likewise, inserting features of a hanger through a deformable hole in a handle of a golf club to engage an interior surface of the golf club causes the deformable hole to stretch upon repeated inserting and removing the feature into and out of the deformable hole. As a result of the deformable hole stretching, durability is lost, and the golf club is caused to slip from being suspended by the display hanger. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure provides a display hanger releasably fastenable to a tubular handle of an article of merchandise. The display hanger includes a display member and a hollowed sleeve fastener. The display member has a top end and a bottom end, the top end associates with a hanging member being removably supported by a stationary support member. The hollowed sleeve fastener is releaseably fastenable to the tubular handle of the article of merchandise to support a weight of the article of merchandise. The sleeve fastener includes a first end coupling to the bottom end of the display member, a second end having an opening removably receiving the tubular handle, and a radial wall defining an outer diameter of a hollowed region formed between the first and second ends. The radial wall is releasably fastenable to the circumferential surface of at least a portion of the tubular handle when at least the portion of the tubular handle is inserted into the hollowed region through the opening of the sleeve fastener. 
     Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the display member is substantially planar. The display member may exhibit display indicia. In some examples, the hanging member includes a retaining cavity formed through the display member at a location offset below the top end, the retaining cavity having a suspension surface removably supported by the stationary support member when the stationary support member is received at the retaining cavity. The hanging member may further include an elongated L-shaped receiving channel formed through the display member and having an inlet opening at the top end removably receiving the stationary support member, the elongated L-shaped receiving channel extending from the inlet opening to the receiving cavity. In some examples, the hanging member extends from the top end of the top end of the display member and is substantially hooked-shaped. 
     In some implementations, the radial wall of the sleeve fastener fastens to the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle by an interference fit when at least the portion of the tubular handle is inserted into the hollowed region. The opening at the second end of the sleeve fastener may include a diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the circumferential surface of the tubular handle. In some examples, the radial wall further includes one or more integrally formed protrusions extending radially inward from the radial wall. The one or more protrusions may include at least one of the following: a threaded ridge formed in a helix on the radial wall; one or more annular ridges on the radial wall; at least two ridges circumferentially spaced on the radial wall; or at least two ridges axially spaced on the radial wall. In some examples, the radial wall of the sleeve fastener fastens to the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle by an interference fit between the one or more protrusions and the circumferential surface when at least the portion of the tubular handle is inserted into the hollowed region. At least a portion of the one or more protrusions may compress from contact by the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle when at least the portion of the tubular handle is inserted into the hollowed region. In some examples, the one or more protrusions define an inner diameter of the hollowed region of the sleeve fastener, the inner diameter of the hallowed region being smaller than a largest diameter of the circumferential surface of the tubular handle. 
     In some implementations, the sleeve fastener includes one or more tapered slots circumferentially spaced around the radial wall, the one or more tapered slots extending axially away from the second end toward the first end of the sleeve fastener. In some examples, the display member further includes a substantially planar tab extending from the bottom end attaching to the sleeve member at the first end. In some implementations, the one or more gusset members reinforce the coupling between the first end of the sleeve fastener and the bottom end of the display member. The article of merchandise may include at least one of a golf club, a racquet, a hockey stick, a lacrosse stick, or a bat. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for releasably fastening a tubular handle of a golf club to a display hanger. The method includes positioning an axial center of a hollowed sleeve fastener of the display hanger to align with an axial center of a distal end of the tubular handle, the hollowed sleeve fastener comprising a radial wall defining an outer diameter of a hollowed region. The method also includes, when the axial center of the hollowed sleeve fastener is aligned with the axial center of the distal end of the tubular handle, receiving, within the hollowed region, at least a portion of the tubular handle, wherein the radial wall fastens to the circumferential outer surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle received within the hollowed region. The method also includes receiving, at a hanging member of the display hanger, a stationary support member. The stationary support member supports the display hanger and the weight of the golf club when the hanging member receives the stationary support member and when the radial wall fastens to the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle. 
     This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the hanger member is formed in a display member of the display hanger, the display member being substantially planar and exhibiting display indicia. In some examples the hollowed sleeve fastener attaches to the display member and the radial wall of the sleeve fastener fastens to the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle by an interference fit between one or more protrusions and the circumferential surface when at least the portion of the tubular handle is received within the hollowed region. The one or more protrusions may extend radially inward from the radial wall and optionally include at least one of the following: a threaded ridge formed in a helix on the radial wall; one or more annular ridges on the radial wall; at least two ridges circumferentially spaced on the radial wall; or at least two ridges axially spaced on the radial wall. In some examples, the one or more protrusions define an inner diameter of the hollowed region of the hollowed sleeve fastener, the inner diameter of the hallowed region being smaller than a largest diameter of the circumferential surface of the tubular handle 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a prospective view of an example display hanger fastening to a tubular handle of a golf club. 
         FIG. 1B  is a detailed view of a hollowed sleeve fastener of the display hanger of  FIG. 1A  releaseably fastening to the tubular handle. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of an example display hanger. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of an example display hanger. 
         FIG. 3A  is a sectional view of the example display hanger along line  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3B  is a sectional view of the example display hanger along line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of an example display hanger including a substantially hook-shaped hanging member. 
         FIG. 4B  is a front view of an example display hanger including a retaining cavity in the form of an aperture through a display member of the display hanger. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an example method for releasably fastening a tubular handle of a golf club to an example display hanger. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in some implementations, a display hanger  10  includes a display member  100  and a hollowed sleeved fastener  200 . The display member  100  and the hollowed sleeve fastener  200  of the display hanger  10  may be formed from one or more plastic materials such as, but not limited to, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene (PP). 
     The display member  100  may include a top end  110  associated with a hanging member  112  being removably supported by a stationary support member  30 . For example, the stationary support member  30  may include a rod or bar extending from a merchandize peg wall or may include a rod or bar of a display rack oriented in parallel with respect to a floor surface and at a height above the floor surface sufficient for hanging and suspending a golf club  22  via the hanging member  112  therefrom. The display member  100  may be substantially planar, and in the example shown, the display member  100  is substantially rectangular shaped. In some examples, however, the display member  100  may be trapezoidal shaped, circular shaped, oval shaped or any polygonal shape. In some implementations, the display member  100  exhibits display indicia  60 . The display indicia  60  may include promotional information related to the product being displayed, such as, but not limited to, a product description, a price tag, or a universal product code. The display indicia  60  may be printed or formed upon surfaces of the display member  110  or affixed to the display member  100  using adhesives. In some examples, the display member  100  may affix security tags or beacon transmitters configured to wirelessly transmit the product information to mobile devices of shoppers proximate to the corresponding product. 
     In some implementations, the hollowed sleeve fastener  200  (e.g., sleeve fastener) releasably fastens to a tubular handle  20  of the golf club  22  to support the weight of the golf club  22  when the stationary support member  30  is received by the hanging member  112  and supporting the display hanger  10 . While the examples provided herein refer to a tubular handle  20  of a golf club  22 , implementations herein are directed toward the sleeve fastener  200  releasably fastening to a tubular handle  20  of any article of merchandise, such as, but not limited to, a racquet, a hockey stick, a lacrosse stick or a bat. The term “tubular handle” refers to a tube-shaped handle or polygonal-shaped handle having rounded corners. The tubular handle may encompass end caps of sticks or shafts. In the example shown, the sleeve fastener  200  releaseably fastens to an outer circumferential surface of at least a portion of the tubular handle  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the sleeve fastener  200  includes a first end  202  coupling to a bottom end  120  of the display member  100 . In some implementations, the display member  100  includes a substantially planar tab  150  extending from the bottom end  120  that attaches to the sleeve fastener  200  at the first end  202 . One or more gusset members  152  may be provided to reinforce the coupling between the first end  202  of the sleeve fastener  200  and the bottom end  120  of the display member  100 . The sleeve fastener  200  further includes a second end  204  having an opening  220  removably receiving the tubular handle  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , front ( FIG. 2A ) and top ( FIG. 2B ) views of the display hanger  10  are shown. In the examples shown, the width of the display member  100  is sectioned in half with respect to a longitudinal axis  1  defining a center axis C of the sleeve fastener  200 . The display member  100  may present the display indicia  60  within an interior border  160  offset inwardly from an outer perimeter of the display member  100 . 
     In some implementations, the hanging member  112  includes a retaining cavity  114  formed through the display member  100  at a distance D 1  below the top end  110 . The retaining cavity  114  removably receives the stationary support member  30 , and includes an opening large enough for the stationary support member  30  to reside therein. The retaining cavity  114  is defined by a suspension surface  116  removably supported by the stationary support member  30  when the stationary support member  30  is received at the retaining cavity  114 . The suspension surface  116  may be located a distance D 2  below the top end  110  of the display member  100 . In some examples, the suspension surface  116  includes a radius, r, selected for receiving the outer circumference of the stationary support member  30 . In the example shown, the retaining cavity  114  is centered about the longitudinal axis  1  enabling the display member  100  to be centered when the display hanger  10  is being supported by the stationary support member  30 . As used herein, the display hanger  10  being supported by the stationary support member  30  refers to the display hanger  10  hanging from the stationary support member  30 . 
     The hanging member  112 , in some examples, includes an elongated L-shaped receiving channel  118  formed through the display member  100 . The L-shaped receiving channel  118  removably receives the stationary support member  30  at an inlet opening formed in the top end  110  of the display member  100  and operatively guides the stationary support member  30  to the receiving cavity  114 . In the example shown, the inlet opening of the receiving channel  118  is located at the top end  110  of the display member  100  and offset from the longitudinal axis  1 ; however, the inlet opening may be formed at one or both of the sides of the display member  100 . The receiving channel  118  may slant from the inlet opening toward the longitudinal axis  1  at any angle, a, sufficient for guiding the stationary support member  30  to the receiving cavity  114 . Referring to  FIG. 4A , in some implementations, the hanging member  112  is substantially hooked-shaped, and extends from the top end  110  of the display member  100 . For example, the hook-shaped hanging member  112  defines the retaining cavity  114  and the suspension surface  116  at a location above the top end  112  of the display member  100 . In some implementations, as shown in  FIG. 4B , the hanging member  112  only includes a retaining cavity  114  without the receiving channel  118  formed through the display member  100 . For example, the retaining cavity  114  may include an aperture or other opening formed through the display member  100  sufficient to receive a leading edge of the stationary support member  30  through the retaining cavity  114 . 
     In some implementations, the sleeve fastener  200  extends below the bottom end  120  of the display member by a distance D 3  and includes a length, corresponding to distance D 4 , from the first end  202  to the second end  204 . The sleeve fastener  200  may include one or more tapered slots  230  circumferentially spaced around the sleeve fastener  200 . The slots  230  may extend axially away from the second end  204  toward the first end  202  of the sleeve fastener  200 .  FIG. 3A  shows a sectional view along the line  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 2A , wherein the sleeve fastener  200  includes a radial wall (e.g., interior surface) defining an outer diameter θ 1  of a hollowed region  222  between the first and second ends  202 ,  204 , respectively. In some examples, the one or more tapered slots  230  permit the outer diameter θ 1  of the hollowed region  222  to expand when the tubular handle  20  is inserted therein. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the sleeve fastener  200  may include one or more cross members  224  disposed at the first end  202  extending through the center axis C and oriented perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis  1 . In some examples, one cross member  224  attaches to the tab  150  and another cross member  224  attaches to the one or more gussets  152 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , in some implementations, the radial wall  210  releaseably fastens to the circumferential surface of at least a portion of the tubular handle  20  when at least the portion of the tubular handle  20  is inserted into the hollowed region  222  through the opening  220  of the sleeve fastener  200 . For example, the radial wall  210  of the sleeve fastener  200  fastens to the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle  20  by an interference fit. In some examples, the radial wall  210  includes one or more integrally formed protrusions  240  additionally providing the fastening to the circumferential surface of the tubular handle  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , a sectional view along the line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 2A  shows two protrusions  240  extending radially inward from the radial wall  210 . The one or more protrusions  240  define an inner diameter θ 2  of the hollowed region  222  of the sleeve fastener  200 . The inner diameter θ 2  of the hollowed region  222  may be smaller than a largest diameter of the circumferential surface of the tubular handle  20 . In some examples, the opening  220  at the second end  204  of the sleeve fastener  200  includes a diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the tubular handle  20 . The one or more protrusions  240  may include at least one of a threaded ridge formed in a helix on the radial wall  210 , one or more annular ridges on the radial wall  210 , at least two ridges circumferentially spaced on the radial wall  210 , or at least two ridges axially spaced on the radial wall  210 . In the example shown in  FIG. 3B , the protrusions include two annular ridges axially spaced from each other on the radial wall  210 . In some examples, the radial wall  210  fastens to the tubular handle  20  by an interference fit between the one or more protrusions  240  and the circumferential surface of the tubular handle  20  when at least the portion of the tubular handle  20  is inserted into the hollowed region  222 . In some implementations, at least a portion of the one or more protrusions  240  compress from contact by the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle  20  when at least the portion of the tubular handle  20  is inserted into the hollowed region  222 . 
       FIG. 5  is flowchart of an example method  500  for releasably fastening the tubular handle  20  of the golf club  22  to the display hanger  10  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4B . The flowchart starts at operation  502  where the axial center of the hollowed sleeve fastener  200  is positioned to align with an axial center of a distal end of the tubular handle  20 . The hollowed sleeve fastener  200  includes the radial wall  210  defining the outer diameter θ 1  of the hollowed region  222 . In some examples, the radial wall  210  includes the one or more integrally formed protrusions  240  extending radially inward from the radial wall  210  and defining the inner diameter θ 2  of the hollowed region  222 . At operation  504 , when the axial center of the hollowed sleeve fastener  200  is aligned with the axial center of the distal end of the tubular handle  20 , the hollowed region  222  receives at least a portion of the tubular handle  20 , wherein the radial wall  210  fastens to the circumferential (outer) surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle  20  received within the hollowed region  222 . In some examples, the radial wall  210  fastens to the circumferential surface by an interference fit between one or more protrusions  240  and the circumferential surface when at least the portion of the tubular handle  20  is received within the hollowed region  222 . For example, the one or more protrusions  240  extend radially inward from the radial wall  210  to define the inner diameter θ 2  of the hollowed region  222  being smaller than the largest diameter of the circumferential surface of the tubular handle  20 . In some implementations, the tubular handle  20  is removed from the hollowed region  220  by pulling the hollowed sleeve fastener  200  and the tubular handle  20  away from one another causing the interference fit to release. At operation  506 , the hanging member  112  of the display member  100  receives the stationary support member  30 . The stationary support member  30  may support the display hanger  10  and the weight of the golf club  22  when the hanging member  112  receives the stationary support member  30  and when the radial wall  210  fastens to the circumferential surface of at least the portion of the tubular handle  20 . 
     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.