ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an entertainment device for enhancing entertainment at sporting events. The device is formed of a sleeve having an opening at one end. The sleeve can be received over a hand of the user. A second sleeve can be placed over the other hand of the user. The user can clap the one or two sleeves together to make a noise effect. The entertainment device enhances the volume of clapping. Alternatively, the user can wave the entertainment device to create a visual effect. The sleeve can have a substantially flat surface to provide a surface for indicia. For example, the indicia can include marketing indicia or sports team related indicia. The entertainment device can be used for marketing and/or visual distraction for crowd based events, such as sporting events or concerts.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sporting event entertainment device.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional devices have been used for sporting event entertainment. Devices distributed at sporting arenas and concert venues have included towels for waving to create a visual effect, inflatable batons to hit together for noise effect and to wave for visual effect, and other items that are non-recyclable in nature. It is desirable to provide an improved device that provides entertainment at a sporting event and is also recyclable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an entertainment device for enhancing entertainment at sporting events. The device is formed of a sleeve having an opening at one end. The sleeve can have a size which is larger than a hand of a user. In one embodiment, the sleeve is greater than about twelve inches in both width and height. The sleeve can be received over a hand of the user. A second sleeve can be placed over the other hand of the user. The user can clap the one or two sleeves together to make a noise effect which is louder than clapping without the entertainment device. Accordingly, the entertainment device enhances the volume of clapping. Alternatively, the user can wave the entertainment device to create a visual effect.

The sleeve can have a substantially flat surface to provide a surface for indicia. For example, the indicia can include marketing indicia or sports team related indicia. The entertainment device can be used for marketing and/or visual distraction for crowd based events, such as sporting events or concerts.

Preferably, the sleeve is formed of a recyclable material, such as paper, cardboard or plastic. After use of the sleeve at an event, the sleeves can be collected for recycling.

In a method for manufacturing the entertainment device, a blank is formed of a predetermined size. The blank can include a cut-out on one edge thereof. The blank can be folded on an edge opposite to the cut-out to form a top edge. The side edges of the folded blank and the bottom edge of the blank adjacent to the cut-out can be sealed to one another. In one embodiment, the blank can be shipped in a flat form. Thereafter, the edges of the blank can be sealed together as described above for forming the entertainment device. The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an entertainment device is accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a blank in an open position before forming the entertainment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of entertainment device 10. Entertainment device 10 includes sleeve 12. Sleeve 12 includes front surface 14 and rear surface 16. Cavity 17 is formed between front surface 14 and rear surface 16. Top edge 20 of front surface 14 and top edge 21 of rear surface 16 are coupled or integral to one another. Side edge 22 of front surface 14 and side edge 23 of rear surface 16 are coupled to one another.

Bottom side edge portion 24a of front surface 14 and bottom side edge portion 24b of rear surface 16 are coupled together. Bottom side edge portion 26a of front surface 14 and bottom side edge portion 26a of rear surface 16 are coupled to one another. Opening 29 is formed in bottom edge 27 between bottom side edge portion 24a, 24b and bottom side edge portion 26a, 26b. Opening 29 can have a size to receive a hand. For example opening 29 can be in the range of about 4 to about 5 inches. In one embodiment, cut-out 30 is formed at opening 29.

Sleeve 12 can have a substantially flat surface 40 to provide a surface for indicia 42. Indicia 42 can be printed or embossed on front surface 14 or rear surface 16 of sleeve 12. For example, indicia 42 can include marketing indicia or sports team related indicia. Preferably, sleeve 12 is formed of a recyclable material such as paper, cardboard or plastic. Sleeve 12 can have a width W₁ in the range of about 6 to about 24 inches and a height H₁ in the range of about 6 to about 24 inches. In one embodiment, sleeve has a width W₁ and a height H₁ of greater than about 12 inches. Sleeve 12 can have a rectangular or square shape. Alternatively, sleeve 12 can have an elliptical shape or circular shape or a variety of shapes.

Device 10 can be constructed by folding blank 50 shown in FIG. 2 in half at line 60, and affixing respective edges 22, 23 and bottom side edge portions 24a, 24b, and 26a, 26b at the outer perimeter with an adhesive on inner surface 52 while leaving opening 29 on the perimeter large enough to slide a human hand into. A suitable adhesive includes glue, heat, or pressure sensitive adhesive tabs. Front surface 14 and rear surface 16 can be imprinted with any color, logo, or text to make device 10 appropriate for its desired use.

During use, the user would simply clap while wearing the device on one or two hands to create a louder sound than typically created with bare hands. The user can also wave with the device on their hand to create a visual effect when done en masse at the arena/stadium.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An entertainment device comprising:

a sleeve, said sleeve being formed of a front surface and a rear surface and a cavity formed between said front surface and said rear surface, a top edge of the front surface and the rear surface is coupled or integral to one another, a side edges of the front surface and side edge of the rear surface are coupled to one another, a first bottom side edge portion of the front surface being coupled to a bottom side edge portion of the rear surface, a second bottom side edge portion of the front surface being coupled to a second bottom side edge portion of the rear surface, and an opening is formed in bottom edge between the first bottom side edge portion and the second bottom side edge portion, wherein the opening has a size adapted to receive a hand.

2. The entertainment device of claim 1 wherein the opening is at least about 4 inches wide.

3. The entertainment device of claim 1 wherein the height and the width of the device are at least about twelve inches.

4. The entertainment device of claim 1 wherein a cut out is formed in the sleeve adjacent the opening.

5. The entertainment device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is formed of paper, cardboard or plastic.

6. The entertainment device of claim 1 wherein the device can be recycled.

7. The entertainment device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a square shape.

8. The entertainment device of claim 1 wherein the sleeve has a rectangular shape.

9. The entertainment device of claim 1 further comprising indicia printed on a surface of the sleeve.

10. A method for manufacturing of an entertainment device comprising the steps of:

providing a blank of material,

folding said blank in half;

adhering side edges of a front and a rear surface of the blank to one another, and

adhering a portion of a bottom of the front and the rear surface of the blank to one another to form a sleeve in which an opening is formed between the portion of the adhered bottom of the front and the rear surface of the blank.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said blank is formed of a recyclable material.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the blank includes printed indicia.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the opening is at least about 4 inches wide.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the height and the width of the device are at least about twelve inches.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein a cut out is formed in the sleeve adjacent the opening.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the sleeve is formed of paper, cardboard or plastic.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the sleeve has a square shape.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the sleeve has a rectangular shape.