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Convertible pompon systemConvertible pompon system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070190270, Convertible pompon system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001]The invention relates to pompons (also referred to as poms), which generally take the form of balls of fluffy material attached to handles and waved by cheerleaders, dancers, and sports fans, and more particularly, the invention relates to pompons with baton style handles in which fluffy materials are attached to opposite ends of handles. BACKGROUND [0002]Pompons, as attention gathering devices flourished by cheerleaders and others, feature ornamental arrays, generally in the form of fluffy balls formed by a multitude of strands or streamers that can be visually coordinated with school colors, uniforms, costumes, or other performance requirements. For example, the strands or streamers are available in different, lengths, widths, colors, and materials and can be assembled in various combinations into fluffy balls. The strands are attached to a core piece, which also generally includes a handle for gripping the pompons. [0003]One type of pompon features fluffy projections (e.g., strands) supported from opposite ends of a baton handle. Typically, the fluffy projections combine to form two halves a single fluffy ball that can be gripped at its center. Such fluffy projection halves can be similar or different from each other. Different color fluffy projection halves can be arranged for matching school, uniform, or performance colors. However, similar colored fluffy projection halves may be preferred for other routines or circumstances. In addition, with the possibilities for mixed colors and different length or material strands, the fluffy projection halves provide increased versatility to suit occasions. [0004]Although the fluffy projection halves can be factory assembled in a variety of different combinations, each new combination of the fluffy projection halves requires the purchase of a new pompon. The cost of purchasing sets of pompons with different combinations of fluffy projection halves can be expensive. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005]According to one or more preferred embodiments of the invention, convertible pompons can be constructed with interchangeable fluffy projection halves that can be used individually or in different combinations within the convertible pompons. Each of the pompon halves has an ornamental array such as a fluffy projection supported from a handle half, which can be gripped for flourishing the individual halves. However, the handle halves can also be coupled together to form baton handles of convertible pompon assemblies so that the pompon halves can be flourished together. [0006]Thus, the invention among its objects provides a more efficient use of the fluffy projection halves of pompons with baton style handles. Each such fluffy projection half is preferably usable on its own or in combination with another fluffy projection half. Preferably, the handle halves can be connected and disconnected easily and reliably so that the fluffy projection halves can be used individually or in various combinations within the same performance or event. Both increased versatility and reduced pompon costs can be realized. [0007]One version of the invention as a convertible pompon assembly includes both a first ornamental array projecting from a first handle half and a second ornamental array projecting from a second handle half. The first and second handle halves incorporate a coupling mechanism having a coupling facility for interconnecting the first and second handle halves, thereby forming a unitary baton handle between the first and second ornamental arrays. The coupling mechanism also has an uncoupling facility for disconnecting the first and second handle halves, thereby allowing one of the first and second handle halves to be interconnected with a handle half of another ornamental array. [0008]The coupling mechanism is preferably formed integrally with the handle halves without requiring additional moving parts and is preferably engaged and disengaged by relative motion between the handle halves. For example, the coupling mechanism can include a male fitting associated with the first handle half and a female fitting associated with the second handle half. The male fitting preferably projects from the first handle half, and the female coupling is preferably formed within the second handle half. The male and female fittings can include mating threads for engaging and disengaging from each other. [0009]Alternatively, the coupling mechanism can include a detent mechanism that provides snap-fit engagements and disengagements or a latch mechanism that can be engaged and disengaged by relative motions. For example, the latch mechanism can be formed with a catch that is movable relative to the first and second handle halves. [0010]The handle halves preferably include end surfaces that abut one another for forming the unitary baton handle. The handle halves also preferably include peripheral surfaces that are arranged side-by-side to form a substantially uninterrupted peripheral surface of the baton handle. The matching surfaces are preferably easy to grip both individually as handle halves and collectively as a baton handle. The coupling mechanism can be used to draw the end surfaces of the handle halves into engagement with each other. A detachable strap can be used for loosely connecting the two handle halves as a further grip aid when the handle halves are together or as a tie for storing individual pompons in pairs. [0011]Another version of the invention as a convertible pompon system includes a plurality of pompon halves, each having fluffy projections supported from a handle half. The handle half of a first of the pompon halves is engageable with the handle halves of more than one of the plurality of other pompon halves for forming convertible pompons from different pairings with the first of the pompon halves. In addition, the handle half of the first of the pompon halves is disengageable from the handle half of a second of the pompon halves and is engageable with the handle half of a third of the pompon halves for switching between different pairings of the pompon halves. [0012]The engageable handle halves preferably form a unitary baton handle between the pompon halves. The engageable handle halves also preferably include a first end supporting the fluffy projections and a second end that incorporates portions of a coupling mechanism for engaging and disengaging the handle halves of other pompon halves. [0013]The coupling mechanism can be formed integrally with the engageable handle halves without requiring additional moving parts and is engaged and disengaged by relative motion between the engageable handle halves. A male fitting can be associated with the handle half of the first pompon half and a female fitting can be associated with the handle halves of the second and third pompon halves. [0014]Alternatively, the engageable handle halves can incorporate a coupling mechanism that includes a detent mechanism that provides snap-fit engagements and disengagements or a latch mechanism that can be engaged and disengaged by relative motions of the handle halves alone or in combination with other parts such as a catch. [0015]The engageable handle halves preferably include end surfaces that abut one another and peripheral surfaces that are arranged side-by-side to form a substantially uninterrupted peripheral surface of the baton handle. The fluffy projections preferably differ among at least the second and third pompon halves to support the assembly of differently appearing convertible pompons from the plurality of pompon halves. [0016]A plurality of end caps can be supplied with mating features for completing the coupling mechanisms of the various handle halves to complete the handle halves for use flourishing the individual pompon halves. For example, end caps with female fittings can be coupled to handle halves with mating male fittings to complete the handles of the individual pompons. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disassembled convertible pompon in the form of two pompon halves with half handles arranged for coupling the pompon halves together. [0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the disassembled convertible pompon partly in cross section with partly cutaway ornamental arrays. [0019]FIG. 3 is a similar side view of the assembled convertible pompon with partly cutaway ornamental arrays. [0020]FIG. 4 is a side view of one of the pompon halves having a male fitting along with a cross-sectional view through an end cap having a female fitting for completing the handle of the one pompon half. Continue reading about Convertible pompon system... Full patent description for Convertible pompon system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Convertible pompon system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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