Signals and indicators – Vehicle – Curb feelers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-18
2001-06-19
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Vehicle
Curb feelers
C116S209000, C040S591000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247423
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to ornaments installable on motor vehicle antennas and, more specifically, to a sports helmet-shaped ornament for a motor vehicle antenna.
2. Description of the Related Art
The ornament of the present invention preferably has a football helmet configuration, although other configurations are possible. My invention concerns primarily a mechanism for quickly and easily attaching a sports helmet-shaped ornament to a conventional automobile antenna without special tools or adhesives. The attachment mechanism is designed so that the ornament body can be easily and quickly removed from the antenna, without harm to the antenna. Ornaments embodying this invention can be manufactured at relatively low cost; consequently such ornaments can have a relatively small overall volume, such that-charges for packaging, transportation and point-of-sale display can be relatively low.
Several patents disclose various ornaments for automobile antennas. For example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 383,137 issued on Sep. 2, 1997 to Eddie Gamble, Jr. et al. describes an ornamental design for an automobile antenna ornament. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 387,772 issued on Dec. 16, 1997 to Dale A. Steinberg describes an ornamental design of a football for an antenna topper. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 390,567 issued on Feb. 10, 1998 to Eddie Gamble, Jr. et al. describes a mask-shaped ornamental design for an automobile antenna ornament. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 404,739 issued on Jan. 26, 1999 to Mark Augusta describes an ornamental design of a football player antenna-topper.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,550 issued on Nov. 29, 1988 to George E. Chadima, Jr. describes a front hood ornament antenna. U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,795 issued on Nov. 27, 1990 to Timothy A. Mace describes an antenna marker device for enhancing visibility of an individual's automobile as the device is secured to an uppermost terminal end of the antenna. U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,964 issued on Dec. 18, 1990 to James Castille describes an ornament installable of on an automotive vehicle antenna to achieve a colorful light reflecting effect at night. U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,438 issued on Sep. 9, 1997 to Inita Lee et al. describes an antenna accessory for vehicle identification. U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,230 issued on Apr. 7, 1998 to Daniel R. Romesburg describes an apparatus for supporting flags on automobile antennas. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,261 issued on Nov. 17, 1998 to Delores M. Sutton describes a vehicle antenna topper. The antenna topper includes an ornamental element which is capable of being secured to the antenna of a vehicle.
However, none of the aforementioned inventions describe an eye-catching antenna cover having a sports team logo imprinted thereon for promoting a favorite sports team. None of the aforementioned inventions describe an antenna cover possessing streamers in a plurality of colors for promoting the colors of a recognized sports team. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a helmet-shaped antenna cover solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an antenna cover apparatus for securement to a vertically oriented antenna of an associated vehicle. The antenna cover apparatus includes an exterior casing portion, an insert apparatus, and at least one streamer portion. The exterior casing portion is configured in the shape of a sports helmet and defines an interior cavity for promoting a favorite sports team. The insert apparatus is snugly fitted inside of said interior cavity for enabling the antenna cover apparatus to be slid onto the antenna. The at least one streamer portion is attached to said insert portion for adding flare to said antenna cover apparatus to provide a more eye-catching promotion than conventional antenna covers.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an eye-catching antenna cover configured to promote a favorite sports team.
It is another object of the invention to provide an antenna cover having an eye-catching design.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an antenna cover that can be easily attached to an automobile antenna.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an antenna cover that is reasonably quiet when an automobile is in motion.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 383137 (1997-09-01), Gamble, Jr. et al.
patent: D. 387772 (1997-12-01), Steinberg
patent: D. 390567 (1998-02-01), Gamble, Jr. et al.
patent: D. 404739 (1999-01-01), Augusta
patent: 3036545 (1962-05-01), Legg
patent: 4788550 (1988-11-01), Chadima, Jr.
patent: 4876981 (1989-10-01), Barnhart
patent: 4960067 (1990-10-01), Currie
patent: 4964360 (1990-10-01), Henry
patent: 4972795 (1990-11-01), Mace
patent: 4978964 (1990-12-01), Castille
patent: 4989536 (1991-02-01), Liming et al.
patent: 5078075 (1992-01-01), Liming et al.
patent: 5572225 (1996-11-01), McCarthy
patent: 5665438 (1997-09-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5735230 (1998-04-01), Romesburg
patent: 5836261 (1998-11-01), Sutton
patent: 2037467 (1980-07-01), None
Benefield Fred E.
Ingram Susan A.
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Litman Richard C.
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