Patent Publication Number: US-2019183274-A1

Title: Trophy and adapter part therefor

Description:
The invention relates to a trophy comprising a first trophy part and a second trophy part, and a coupling whereby the first trophy part and the second trophy part are coupled to each other. the invention further relates to an adapter part whereby the first trophy part and the second trophy part can be coupled to each other. 
     A trophy is traditionally assembled from a base and one or more trophy parts connected thereto, which are mutually connected with a screw thread connection. Although successive trophy parts can in each case be mutually connected using separate screw thread connections, in such situations a construction is often opted for wherein a rod provided with screw thread extends through a number of successive trophy parts. 
     The conservative trophy market is very attached to such screw thread connections which, in addition to the advantage of providing a very reliable connection, also have several significant drawbacks. A very important drawback is that such screw thread connections are labour-intensive. During assembly a nut is twisted onto a rod provided with screw thread, usually a bolt, until this nut clamps the different parts of the trophy relative to each other. Fastening of the nut creates a relative rotation force between the trophy parts, which may displace the trophy parts relative to each other. The relative orientation of successive trophy parts is generally critical, especially when a continuous decoration or print is present. 
     The American patent applications US-A1-2010/129574 and US-A1-2011/183150 both disclose a trophy wherein a rapid-action coupling is fixed with a screw thread connection (bolt-nut connection) to a first trophy part. The rapid-action coupling couples the first trophy part to a second trophy part, making a conventional connection with a rod provided with screw thread unnecessary. According to US-A1-2011/183150, it is possible owing to the lack of a continuous rod to give a trophy part a wholly or partially transparent form. 
     US-A1-2010/129574 forms the closest prior art, and at least the measures of the characterizing part of claim  1  are new relative to this document. 
     The invention now has for its object to provide a trophy of the above described type, wherein said drawbacks do not occur, or at least do so to lesser extent. 
     Said object is achieved according to the invention with the trophy and the adapter part according to the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention form the subject of the dependent claims. 
     The trophy according to the invention comprises: a first trophy part, a second trophy part, a coupling whereby the first trophy part and the second trophy part can be coupled to each other, wherein the coupling comprises a rapid-action coupling which lacks a screw thread, and wherein the coupling further comprises a screw thread connection whereby the first trophy part and the second trophy part can be coupled to each other. 
     The trophy thus comprises a coupling whereby the first trophy part and the second trophy part can be coupled to each other, wherein the coupling comprises on the one hand a rapid-action coupling which lacks a screw thread and the coupling on the other hand further comprises a screw thread connection whereby the first trophy part and the second trophy part can be coupled to each other. The screw thread connection forms part of the coupling between the first trophy part and the second trophy part and thus forms an additional coupling to the rapid-action coupling. 
     Because the trophy additionally comprises a conventional screw thread connection, this can if desired be utilized in addition to the rapid-action coupling to couple the first and the second trophy part. The first trophy part and/or the second trophy part can further be provided with a screw thread on which can engage a nut which is configured to function as locking nut for the rapid-action coupling. If a conventional screw thread connection is present, a user can thereby of course connect the first trophy part and the second trophy part as desired. The trophy parts can for instance be connected to a conventional base, which is not configured to engage with a rapid-action coupling according to the invention. 
     The invention provides on the one hand a rapid-action coupling whereby a desired relative orientation of the trophy parts can be ensured, so that a continuous print can for instance be aligned over multiple trophy parts. The relative orientation of successive trophy parts is generally critical, especially when a continuous decoration or print is present. 
     The screw thread connection, for instance in the embodiment of a bolt-nut connection, provides on the other hand an additional locking of the trophy. The rapid-action coupling in turn prevents a relative rotation force, which is created between the trophy parts during tightening of the nut, from being able to displace the trophy parts relative to each other. 
     In contrast to the prior art, a rapid-action coupling and a conventional screw thread connection can be applied simultaneously in the trophy according to the invention. This provides for respectively a good mutual alignment of the trophy parts and a reliable mutual connection between the trophy parts. The trophy parts can be coupled both by the rapid-action coupling and by the screw thread connection, which guarantees a dependable coupling. The screw thread connection then forms as it were a locking for the rapid-action coupling. 
     The coupling comprises both a rapid-action coupling and a screw thread connection whereby the first trophy part and the second trophy part can be coupled. It is noted that, although the two can be applied simultaneously, as elucidated above, this is of course not always necessary. Both types of coupling, i.e. rapid-action coupling and screw thread connection, are however always available. During assembly the trophy according to the invention gives the user multiple options for effecting a coupling between the first trophy part and the second trophy part:
         simultaneously applying a rapid-action coupling and a screw thread connection;   applying only a rapid-action coupling, wherein the screw thread connection is present but unused; and   applying only the screw thread connection, wherein the rapid-action coupling is present but unused.       

     The above stated penultimate and final options of respectively leaving the screw thread connection or the rapid-action coupling unused also make it possible to combine the trophy parts with conventional trophy parts as desired. It is thus possible to envisage a trophy being constructed wherein only one of the first trophy part and the second trophy part is provided with a rapid-action coupling, and this is combined with a conventional part which lacks a corresponding rapid-action coupling. In this case a user is free to couple the first trophy part and the second trophy part with the likewise present screw thread connection. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the second trophy part, which also forms the superstructure, comprises the screw thread connection. By providing figurines, as superstructure, with a rapid-action coupling and a screw thread connection they can be coupled both to a conventional base and to a base provided with a corresponding rapid-action coupling. 
    
    
     
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention are further elucidated in the following description with reference to the drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trophy according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the trophy according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective bottom view of a second trophy part of the trophy shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are perspective views of respectively an exploded and an assembled state of a second trophy part with an adapter according to a first preferred embodiment of the adapter; and 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are perspective views of respectively an exploded and an assembled state of a second trophy part with an adapter according to a second preferred embodiment of the adapter; and 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views of an assembled and exploded state of a trophy according to a further preferred embodiment, wherein a coupling part of the rapid-action coupling can be fixed to the first and to the second trophy part using an arresting element; 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  show an assembled and exploded state of a trophy part (dish part) with an arresting element according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  shows an exploded state of a trophy part (dish part) with an arresting element according to a second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view in which a coupling part of the rapid-action coupling can be fixed to a first trophy part using an arresting element. 
     
    
    
     Trophy  1  comprises a first trophy part  10  and a second trophy part  20 , wherein first trophy part  10  forms in the shown embodiment a base  12  and second trophy part  20  forms a superstructure  22 . For a sporting trophy, superstructure  22  can depict for instance a number, a player, a characteristic of a game, or another figure. Trophy  1  further comprises a rapid-action coupling  30  whereby first trophy part  10 , i.e. base  12 , and second trophy part  20 , i.e. superstructure  22 , can be mutually coupled. Applying a rapid-action coupling  30  makes assembly of such a trophy  1  less labour-intensive than when the different trophy parts  10 ,  20  are mutually connected using a screw thread connection. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  second trophy part  20  is assembled from a foot part  26  and one superstructure part  24 . It is however likewise possible to envisage that in a further preferred embodiment (not shown) second trophy part  10  comprises at least two superstructure parts  24  in addition to a foot part  26 , wherein provided between superstructure parts  24  is a further rapid-action coupling (not shown) whereby superstructure parts  24  can be coupled. It is noted that such a further rapid-action coupling can be constructed in the same way as rapid-action coupling  30 . 
     Although rapid-action coupling  30  and/or the further rapid-action coupling itself lacks a screw thread, first trophy part  10  and/or second trophy part  20  can further be provided with a (conventional) screw thread  4  on which a nut  6  can engage. Screw thread  4  can for instance form part of a bolt. Such a bolt can be received in a slot  48 . By providing a rib  50  a chamber can be formed in which a head of a bolt can be received, wherein the form of the chamber preferably prevents rotation of the bolt head in this chamber. 
     Nut  6  can be employed as locking nut for rapid-action coupling  30  in cases where the user requires an extra reliable connection. Screw thread  4  is in that case engaged by a nut  6  of a coupling part lying opposite. The (conventional) screw thread  4  can also be used when a connection has to be effected to a conventional base which lacks measures for co-action with rapid-action coupling  30  according to the invention. 
     If a (conventional) screw thread  4  is provided in addition to rapid-action coupling  30 , rapid-action coupling  30  and/or the further rapid-action coupling and screw thread  4  are arranged substantially concentrically relative to each other. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, rapid-action coupling  30  and/or the further rapid-action coupling (not shown) comprises two co-acting coupling parts  34 ,  44 , wherein a first coupling part  34  corresponds to first trophy part  10  and wherein a second coupling part  44  corresponds to second trophy part  20 . 
     In an assembled state of trophy  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the two co-acting coupling parts  34 ,  44  are brought into a coupling position by a relative rotation. A stop  38  is provided which limits the relative rotation of the two co-acting coupling parts  34 ,  44  in the coupling position, this ensuring a desired alignment of the different trophy parts  10 ,  20  ( FIG. 2 ). In such a case nut  6  can if desired be employed as locking nut for rapid-action coupling  30 , and the screw connection preferably has a screw thread which produces a rotation force in the direction of stop  38  during tightening, so that the coupling position remains secured during tightening of nut  6 . 
     In the shown embodiment the rapid-action coupling comprises a bayonet closure  32 . A bayonet closure  32  can be assembled in very simple and rapid manner and can likewise provide a desired alignment. Such a bayonet closure can likewise be applied for the further rapid-action coupling (not shown). 
     First coupling part  34  comprises a recess  36  and the second coupling part comprises one or more than one protruding part  46  which engages with recess  36  of first coupling part  34 . A contact surface  40  of recess  36  of first coupling part  34  with the one or more than one protruding part  46  of second coupling part  44  is provided with a protrusion  42 , wherein the orientation of the two co-acting coupling parts  34 ,  44  in the coupling position is preserved. 
     According to the first preferred embodiment, the rapid-action coupling and/or the further rapid-action coupling are manufactured from plastic, and are preferably injection-moulded parts. 
     In the shown embodiment rapid-action coupling  30  is integrated with first trophy part  10  and with second trophy part  20 . The further rapid-action coupling (not shown) can be integrated with at least two superstructure parts of second trophy part  20 . 
       FIGS. 4-7  show two embodiments of an adapter part  60 ,  70 . Such adapter parts  60 ,  70  enable a rapid-action coupling  30  according to the invention to be applied with already existing second trophy parts  20 . This means that the current moulds can continue to be used and that it is not per se necessary to make a new mould in order to enable application of a rapid-action coupling  30  according to the invention. Rapid-action coupling  30  and/or the further rapid-action coupling (not shown) can thus be provided with an adapter part  60 ,  70  which is independent of first trophy part  10  and second trophy part  20 , and wherein adapter part  60 ,  70  engages with screw thread  4  of first trophy part  10  and/or second trophy part  20 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a preferred embodiment of an annular adapter part  60  which is provided with a recess  62  whereby it is displaceable over screw thread  4 . If according to a preferred embodiment the inner diameter of recess  62  is slightly greater than the outer diameter of screw thread  4 , annular adapter part  60  can be slid over screw thread  4  in longitudinal direction. Sliding arrangement in this manner is less labour-intensive than if annular adapter part  60  were to be screwed over screw thread  4 , which can of course also be possible according to an alternative embodiment. By providing resilient slats  64 , which extend inward from the inner diameter of recess  62  and into the pitch of screw thread  4 , an axial locking can be obtained which prevents an undesired axial displacement of adapter part  60  along screw thread  4 . 
     In the shown embodiment annular adapter part  60  is provided with two protruding parts  66  which can fulfil the function of the protruding parts  46  of first coupling part  34  of rapid-action coupling  30 . 
     A relative rotation between adapter part  60  and second trophy part  20  is prevented in that adapter part  60  is provided with a rotation limiting protrusion  68 , which in assembled state ( FIG. 5 ) engages with recess  48 . This ensures the orientation of protruding parts  66  relative to second trophy part  20 . 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, a horseshoe-shaped adapter part  70  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  can be applied instead of the annular adapter part  60  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The horseshoe-shaped adapter part  70  is distinguished from annular adapter part  60  by the presence of a slot  72 . Because this slot  72  extends in radial direction from the peripheral wall and to drilled hole  62 , horseshoe-shaped adapter part  70  can be slid over screw thread  4  in radial direction. The legs of the horseshoe shape are preferably resilient to some extent, and clamp screw thread  4 . The slats arranged in drilled hole  62  prevent an axial shift of the adapter part along screw thread  4 . The other measures of horseshoe-shaped adapter part  70  are identical to annular adapter part  60 , as a result of which the description thereof is not repeated here. 
     The protruding parts  46 ,  66  of rapid-action coupling  30  can alternatively (not shown) be distributed non-uniformly over the periphery, which makes the coupling between first trophy part  10  and second trophy part  20  possible in only a single position, this securing a desired relative orientation of these trophy parts  10 ,  20 . 
     According to further embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 8-13 , a coupling part  34 ,  44  of rapid-action coupling  30  can be fixed to first trophy part  10  or second trophy part  20  using an arresting element  76 . A rapid-action coupling  30 , such as a bayonet closure  32 , consists of two co-acting coupling parts  34 ,  44 . In  FIGS. 1-7  these coupling parts  34 ,  44  of rapid-action coupling  30  are in each case shown integrated with a trophy part  10 ,  20 . Arranging a coupling part  34 ,  44  of rapid-action coupling  30  on a trophy part  10 ,  20  using an arresting element  76  makes it possible to also equip conventional trophy parts with a coupling part  34 ,  44  of a rapid-action coupling  30 . 
     The fact that conventional trophy parts can also be equipped with a coupling part  34 ,  44  of a rapid-action coupling  30  has significant advantages. Existing stocks of trophy parts can thus be provided with a coupling part  34 ,  44 , for instance in a transitional stage, so that they can be constructed into a trophy  1  using a rapid-action coupling  30  according to the invention. In addition, existing moulds and injection moulds need not be replaced. 
     A further advantage is that a trophy part  10 ,  20  of a material which is difficult to process can also be provided with a coupling part  34 ,  44  of a rapid-action coupling  30  in simple manner. The choice is thus often made, particularly for the European market, to embody base  12  from a hard material which is difficult process, including types of rock such as marble or granite. A base  12  of glass or wood is also possible. By fixing a coupling part  34 ,  44  of a rapid-action coupling  30  thereto using an arresting element  76 , trophy parts of such materials which are difficult process can also be used for a trophy  1  according to the invention which can be constructed in rapid and comfortable manner. 
     In the shown embodiment first trophy part  10  or second trophy part  20  comprises a recess, more preferably a drilled hole  14 ,  28 , in which or through which the coupling part  34 ,  44  of rapid-action coupling  30  can be fixed to first trophy part  10  or second trophy part  20 . 
     First trophy part  10  and/or second trophy part  20  can be (optionally partially) manufactured from a non-synthetic material. First trophy part  10  and/or second trophy part  20  can thus be manufactured from a material from the group comprising: rock, glass, wood, metal and resin. In the case of types of rock, first trophy part  10  and/or second trophy part  20  is preferably manufactured from a type of rock from the group comprising: marble, granite and bluestone. These types of rock can if desired be used in a composite with resin, for instance a marble/resin composite. 
     Second trophy part  20  can be assembled from a foot part  26 , a first superstructure part in the form of a figurine part  24  and a dish  27  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Such dishes  27  can be manufactured from a metal, wherein a coupling part  44  of rapid-action coupling  30  can be fixed to dish  27  with an arresting element  76 , through a drilled hole  28  in metal dish  27 . A first embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , while  FIG. 12  shows a second embodiment. 
     In  FIGS. 10 and 11  a resilient cap  78  is inserted through drilled hole  28  as arresting element  76 . This cap  78 , which can for instance be manufactured from rubber, is clamped in second coupling part  44  and clamps metal dish  27  between cap  78  and second coupling part  44 . Because of the elasticity of cap  78  it closes drilled hole  28 , this making dish  27  optionally suitable for drinking from. 
     According to the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the arresting element is a bolt provided with screw thread and second coupling part  44  is provided with a corresponding internal screw thread. 
     First trophy part  10  can for instance be a base  12  manufactured from marble and provided with a drilled hole  14 . A coupling part  34  of rapid-action coupling  30  can be fixed to base  12  through this drilled hole  14  using an arresting element  76  ( FIG. 13 ). 
     In  FIG. 13  coupling part  34  comprises a bushing  84  which can be arranged in drilled hole  14  of base  12 , wherein bushing  84  is provided at a first outer end with a flange  86  whereby coupling part  34  can be arranged against a wall  16  of base  12 . Rapid-action coupling  30  can engage on the side of flange  86  remote from bushing  84 . Bushing  84  is provided at or close to an outer end lying opposite flange  86  with a clamp  88  with which base  12  can be clamped between clamp  88  and flange  86 . 
     It is possible to envisage bushing  84  being provided at or close to the outer end lying opposite flange  86  with an external screw thread on which a nut  90  can engage as clamp  88 . Tightening of nut  90  clamps base  12  between nut  90  and flange  86 . 
     Although they show preferred embodiments of the invention, the above described embodiments are intended solely for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and not to limit the scope of the invention in any way. When measures in the claims are followed by reference numerals, such reference numerals serve only to contribute toward understanding of the claims, but are in no way limitative of the scope of protection. It is particularly noted that the skilled person can combine technical measures of the different embodiments. The rights described are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.