Advertising and item identification apparatus and method

Abstract

A two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker facilitates placing advertising, recognition or identification information on an item having a marker receiver. The advertising, recognition and identification marker includes, among other elements, a disc-like base unit, a disc-like insert unit, and affixing devices and applied adhesive materials. The disc-like base unit has a top surface, a bottom surface and an angular lateral bevel. The bevel bears advertising, recognition or identification information. The disc-like insert unit has a flat surface to bear advertising, recognition or identification information. The affixing devices and applied adhesive materials permit the insert unit to be affixed to the base unit and the base unit to be affixed to the item. A method for advertising comprises, among other steps, a step of affixing a logo or brand name or other advertising information on a two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker, and a step of removably affixing the advertising, recognition and identification marker to an item.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the presentation of advertising, recognition and identification information on personal items such as cameras, personal computers, binoculars, golf clubs, tennis rackets and fishing gear.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,337 describes a golf ball position marking device that attaches to the golf club grip solely for the purpose of ball position marking. Its design is such that it cannot be adapted to include engraved or imprinted information. As such, this device cannot be used for advertising or recognition purposes. And it would have no application to other expensive, personal use items such as cameras, personal computers, binoculars, golf clubs, tennis rackets and fishing gear.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,052 describes a golf club identification marker that attaches to the golf club grip solely for the purpose of club identification and ball position marking. Its design is such that it cannot be adapted to include advertising or recognition information and only provides limited (name and phone number) identification information. As such, this device cannot be used for advertising or recognition purposes. And it cannot be adapted to other expensive, personal use items such as cameras, personal computers, binoculars, golf clubs, tennis rackets and fishing gear.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,039 describes golf ball position marking assembly that provides a golf ball marker as part of a decorative accessory item. It does not attach to the golf club itself but is attached to a pendant, belt, key ring, buckle or divot tool. As such, this device cannot be used for item identification purposes.

[0007] Advertisers have long taken note of the fact that buyers of expensive, personal use merchandise, such as cameras, personal computers, binoculars, golf clubs, tennis rackets and fishing gear, generally have larger net worth and larger disposable incomes than the general population. Accordingly, advertisers of both these and similar products and services have taken a variety of approaches to reaching this market. However, marketing of such expensive, personal use products and services to high-net worth individuals remains a challenge.

[0008] A need thus exists in the prior art for a method and apparatus for presenting advertising, recognition and identification information on personal items such as cameras, personal computers, binoculars, golf clubs, tennis rackets and fishing gear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Briefly, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a personal identification marker allows a marketer to advertise a product or service to a consumer. The marker will be a two-piece assembly wherein the first piece, the base unit, which affixes to the item, is designed to include an approximately ⅜″ information bezel which can be engraved or imprinted with advertising or recognition information. The second piece, the insert unit, which affixes to the base unit and is approximately the size, shape and weight of a coin, is designed with a flat circular or polygonal information surface which can be engraved or imprinted with personal identification, as well as with additional advertising or recognition information.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a user may engrave or imprint identification information onto the marker (generally the insert unit). The offer of engraved or imprinted identification information, such as name, address, phone number and/or e-mail address, provides the motivation for a consumer to use these markers. Some consumers may choose to purchase them free of advertising for identification labeling only.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a user may engrave or imprint recognition information onto the marker (generally onto the base unit information bezel). The offer of recognition information, such as ‘2003 Club Champion’, ‘2003 Fisherman of the Year’, or ‘Salesman of the Month’ provides further motivation for the consumer to affix the marker to the item and accept the imbedded advertising.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an advertiser may engrave or imprint advertising information onto the marker. As such, an advertiser may place a logo, brand name or other advertisement on the marker (likely on the base unit bezel) prior to, or at the time that, the item is sold to the consumer. Or the advertiser may choose to give away the markers as promotional material at golf tournaments, fishing tournaments, corporate outings or other events.

[0013] Once affixed, the marker is thereafter visible to the user each time the user looks at or uses the product. The constant and repeated viewing of the marker reinforces the brand name, logo or other advertisement in the user's mind. Not only will the user see the logo or other advertisement, but other people with whom the user interacts will also see the brand name, logo or advertisement.

[0014] Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. For purposes of summarizing the present invention, certain aspects, advantages and novel features of the present invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such aspects, advantages or features will be embodied in any particular embodiment of the present invention. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the advertising, recognition and identification marker that can be affixed with an applied adhesive material to any flat surface on an item.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the advertising, recognition and identification marker with an affixing device for use in aligning the marker through the grip vent hole at the end of a golf club, fishing pole, tennis racket or other similar item.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of three markers showing possible locations of advertising, recognition and identification information on both the base and insert units.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the identification marker affixed to binoculars in accordance with FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the identification marker affixed to a laptop computer in accordance with FIG. 1

[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the identification marker affixed to a golf club in accordance with FIG. 2.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the identification marker affixed to a tennis racket in accordance with FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the advertising, recognition and identification marker that can be affixed with an applied adhesive material to any flat surface on an item wherein the marker is round.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the advertising, recognition and identification marker with an affixing device for use in aligning the marker through the vent hole at the end of a golf club, fishing pole, tennis racket or other similar item wherein the marker is round.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

[0025] Although the disclosure herein refers to certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example and not by way of limitation. The intent of the following detailed description, although discussing exemplary embodiments, is to be construed to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is to be understood and appreciated that the process steps and structures described herein do not cover a complete process flow for the manufacture of the advertising, recognition and identification markers. The present invention may be practiced in conjunction with various manufacturing and installation techniques that are conventionally used in the art, and only so much of the commonly practiced process steps are included herein as are necessary to provide an understanding of the present invention.

[0026] Base Unit

[0027] Each of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-9 includes a disc-like body, referred to as the base unit (2), that has an upper surface and a lower surface. The base unit may be polygonal (FIGS. 1-7) or circular (FIGS. 8-9) in shape and is composed of molded plastic. If desired, the molded plastic may be replaced with a different material or with a combination of materials. The base unit (2) will have a circular raised edge (7) on the top surface. In other words, along the peripheral edge on the top of the base unit (2), the disc-like body has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of a portion of the disc-like body that is not along the edge. This raised edge (7) creates a circular indentation on the top surface of the base unit (2) into which the insert unit (1) described below may be inserted and affixed. The base unit (2) including the exterior portion of the raised edge (7) will provide and contain an approximately ⅜″ lateral information bezel (3) onto which advertising, recognition or identification information can be engraved or imprinted.

[0028] Insert Unit

[0029] The embodiments of FIGS. 1-9 also include a second disc-like body, referred to as the insert unit (1), that also has an upper surface and a lower surface. The insert unit (1) will be comprised of bass. If desired, the brass may be replaced with a different metal or material or with a combination of materials. The upper surface of the insert unit (1) will contain an information surface (8), which can be engraved or imprinted with advertising, recognition or identification information.

[0030] Identification Information

[0031] In each of the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-9, advertising, recognition or identification information will be engraved or imprinted onto either the information bezel (3) of the base unit (2), or onto the information surface (8) of the insert unit (1), or both. Advertising information may include an advertiser's logo, brand name or other advertisement. As such, such information may be useful for “persistence marketing” and may, through repeated viewing, encourage purchases of products identified by the advertising information. Recognition information may include personal achievement information, such as ‘2003 Club Champion’, ‘2003 Fisherman of the Year’, or ‘Salesman of the Month’, thus providing further motivation for the consumer to affix the marker to the item and accept the imbedded advertising. Personal identification information such as name, address, phone number or e-mail address provides the motivation for a consumer to use these markers. Some consumers may choose to purchase them free of advertising for identification labeling only. Others may receive them as gifts or as promotional items with imbedded advertising.

[0032] Anchors and Adhesives

[0033] In all applications, as depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9, the insert unit (1) will contain a flat bottom surface that will be coated with an applied adhesive material (4) to permit the insert unit (1) to be affixed to the base unit (2).

[0034] For some applications, as depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8, the base unit (2) will contain a flat bottom surface and will be coated with an applied adhesive material (4) to permit the base unit (2) to be affixed to the item.

[0035] For other applications, as depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 9, the base unit (2) will contain a recessed bottom surface (9) and a circular alignment stem (5) projecting downward from the bottom surface of the base unit (2) to permit the marker to be aligned to the item. The base unit (2) will be affixed to the item with an applied adhesive material (4) on the recessed bottom surface (9) of the base unit (2). The alignment stem (5) and the base unit (2) will be a unitary structure, molded or formed from the same material.

[0036] Applications

[0037] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 4 is a set of binoculars bearing an advertising, recognition and identification marker in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembled advertising, recognition and identification marker (10) is affixed by pressing the adhesive coated bottom surface of the marker to an appropriate flat surface on the binoculars (15).

[0038] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 5 is a laptop computer bearing an advertising, recognition and identification marker in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The assembled advertising, recognition and identification marker (10) is affixed by pressing the adhesive coated bottom surface of the marker to an appropriate flat surface on the laptop computer (16).

[0039] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 6 is a golf club bearing an advertising, recognition and identification marker in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A golf club (20) has a golf club shaft (21) and a golf club grip (22). The golf club grip (22) has a vent hole (23). The assembled advertising, recognition and identification marker (10) is installed onto the golf club grip (22) by inserting the alignment stem (11) through the vent hole (23) and affixing with applied adhesive material (12).

[0040] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 7 is a tennis racket bearing an advertising, recognition and identification marker in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A tennis racket (30) has a grip (31) with a vent hole (32). The assembled advertising, recognition and identification marker (10) is installed onto the tennis racket (30) by inserting the alignment stem (11) through the vent hole (32) and affixing with applied adhesive material (12).

[0041] Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the advertising, recognition and identification marker wherein the shape of the base unit (2) is round and not polygonal.

Claims

1 A two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker for placing advertising, recognition or identification information on an item having a marker receiver, the advertising, recognition and identification marker comprised of:

A disc-like base unit with a top surface, a bottom surface and an angular lateral bevel, said bevel to bear advertising, recognition or identification information; and

A disc-like insert unit with a flat surface to bear advertising, recognition or identification information; and

Affixing devices and applied adhesive materials to permit the insert unit to be affixed to the base unit and the base unit to be affixed to the item.

2 A two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

The disc-like insert unit contains a flat bottom surface with an applied adhesive material to permit the insert to be affixed to the base unit; and

The disc-like base unit contains a recessed bottom surface and a circular alignment stem projecting downward from the bottom surface to permit the base unit to be affixed to the item with an applied adhesive material.

3 A two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

The disc-like insert unit contains a flat bottom surface with an applied adhesive material to permit the insert to be affixed to the base unit; and

The disc-like base unit contains a flat bottom surface with an applied adhesive material to permit the base unit to be affixed to the item.

4 A two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

The disc-like base unit is circular or polygonal in shape and is molded from plastic, metal, clay or wood; and

The disc-like insert is circular or polygonal in shape and is formed from brass, plastic, or other material suitable for engraving or imprinting.

5 A two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker as set forth in claim 1 wherein the item is a golf club, tennis racket or fishing rod and the marker receiver is a golf club, tennis racket or fishing rod grip having a vent hole, the affixing devises include:

A disc-like insert unit containing a flat bottom surface with an applied adhesive material to permit the insert to be affixed to the base unit; and

The disc-like base unit contains a recessed bottom surface and a circular alignment stem projecting downward from the bottom surface to permit the base unit to be affixed to the item with an applied adhesive material.

6 A two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker as set forth in claim 1 wherein the item is a camera, laptop computer, binoculars, portable calculator, tennis racket, fishing reel or briefcase; and the marker receiver is a flat surface on the camera, laptop computer, binoculars, portable calculator, tennis racket, fishing reel or briefcase, the affixing devises include:

A disc-like insert unit containing a flat bottom surface with an applied adhesive material to permit the insert-to be affixed to the base unit; and

A disc-like base unit containing a flat bottom surface with an applied adhesive material to permit the base unit to be affixed to the item.

7 A method for advertising comprising steps of:

Affixing a logo or brand name or other advertising information on a two-piece advertising, recognition and identification marker; and

Removably affixing the advertising, recognition and identification marker to an item.

8 A method for installing a marker unit wherein:

An alignment stem is used to center the marker on an item vent hole; and

The marker is removably affixed to the item an applied adhesive material.

9 A method of two component advertising wherein:

One component contains advertising information; and

A second component contains personal recognition or identification information.