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[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.
[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.
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[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
[0028] Insert Unit
[0029] The embodiments of
[0030] Identification Information
[0031] In each of the embodiments depicted in
[0032] Anchors and Adhesives
[0033] In all applications, as depicted in the embodiments of
[0034] For some applications, as depicted in the embodiments of
[0035] For other applications, as depicted in the embodiments of
[0036] Applications
[0037] Referring more particularly to the drawings,
[0038] Referring more particularly to the drawings,
[0039] Referring more particularly to the drawings,
[0040] Referring more particularly to the drawings,
[0041] Referring more particularly to the drawings,