Apparatus for securely yet removably installing an ornament onto a substantively planar surface

• US 20040037635A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Swicherz, LLC
• Original Assignee: Craig Janik, John Wadsworth, Tom Viscount
• Inventors: Janik, Craig, Wadsworth, John, Viscount, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,147,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/348
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/062 Slalom gate poles, posts or marking sticks for sport fields
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/04 with bayonet catch
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7005 Lugged member, rotary engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7007 Bayonet joint

Abstract

An apparatus for attaching ornaments onto substantially planar surfaces comprising, a mounting base with an aperture, a coupling device with attachment means and an ornament. The mounting based has a curved surface and is securely attachable to a substantially planar surface. The coupling device is securely or detachably attachable to the mounting base and the ornament is securely or detachably attachable to the coupling device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching novelty ornaments onto a substantially planar surface of an outdoor sports equipment, comprising:

(a) an elastomeric mounting base comprising an aperture and a flattened bottom surface for mounting on said outdoor sports equipment;

(b) a coupling device having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having structures to detachably attach in said aperture of said mounting base;

(c) at least one novelty ornament attached to said upper portion of said coupling device;

wherein said mounting base has a convex horizontal upper surface and a generally circular planar undersurface securely attachable to a substantially planar surface, said coupling device is detachably attachable to said mounting base, and said ornament is securely detachably attachable to said coupling device.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said convex upper surface of said mounting base extending beyond said aperture creating a lip, within said aperture comprises a rib, two diametrically opposed gaps at each end of said rib, wherein said rib is in line with said diametrically opposed gaps, and said coupling device is detachable to said mounting base.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said coupling device comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion of said coupling device having an opening wherein said ornament securely detachably attaches, a circular shape having horizontal extensions rotatably connected to said lower portion of said coupling device, said horizontal extensions engaging said lips of said mounting base.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said generally planar undersurface of said mounting base securely attaches to said substantially planar surface by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said generally planar undersurface of said mounting base securely attaches to said substantially planar surface by screws or other mechanical fasteners.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said substantially planar surface is securely attached to another substantially planar surface by a rubber band.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is double sided tape.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is a hook and loop fastener.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said sports equipment is a vehicle.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said ornament is made of a rigid material.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said coupling device is made of a flexible material.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said vehicle is snowboard or skateboard.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said curved upper surface of said mounting base extending beyond said aperture creating a lip, within said aperture comprises a rib, two diametrically opposed gaps at each end of said rib, wherein said rib in line with said diametrically opposed gaps, said coupling device detachable to said mounting base.

14. A decorative combination for adorning an outdoor sporting good, comprising:

a plurality of ornaments of different shapes and sizes for adornment of the outdoor sporting good which can be used outside while so adorned, each of said ornaments having a neck portion, said neck portion being of a resilient nature so as to readily bend in the event of a person falling upon the ornament and neck;

a convex-shaped base of a polymeric material having a generally low profile with an aperture generally located on its top surface to receive said neck of an ornament dimensioned so as to lockingly engage, but removably disconnect so as to receive one of any of the other plurality of ornaments depending upon the user'"'"'s preference of the moment, said base mountable to a generally flat surface of the outdoor sporting good;

wherein the combination of one of said plurality of ornaments in assembly with said base is dimensioned sufficiently small to avoid interference with the use of the sporting good while still allowing for adornment.

15. A decorative combination for adorning an outdoor sporting good, comprising:

a plurality of weather-resilient ornaments of different shapes and sizes, each having a flexible, non-rigid exterior so as not to represent any risk of injury if fallen upon, each of said ornaments having a neck portion integrally formed to the ornament and descending from a bottom surface of the ornament, said ornaments of a variety of shapes and sizes for adornment of the outdoor sporting good which can be used outside while so adorned, said neck portion being of a resilient nature so as to readily bend in the event of a person falling upon the ornament and neck;

a convex-shaped base of a polymeric material having a generally low profile with an aperture generally located on its top surface to receive said neck of an ornament dimensioned so as to lockingly engage, but removably disconnect so as to receive one of any of the other plurality of ornaments depending upon the user'"'"'s preference of that moment, said base having an adhesively-mountable undersurface to receive double-faced tape or adhesive to adhere to a generally flat surface of the outdoor sporting good;

wherein the combination of one of said plurality of ornaments in assembly with said base is dimensioned sufficiently small and being less than one foot in height to avoid interference with the use of the sporting good while still allowing for adornment.