This invention relates to advertising/promotional display systems and, more particularly, to advertising/promotional display systems having movable display panels for providing visually exciting and interest generating products.
With the ever-increasing quantity of products and services being offered to consumers, substantial interest has been given to promotional systems for advertising such products and services. In this regard, a wide variety of advertising displays and promotional literature has been created and distributed to consumers. However, due to the deluge of material to which average consumers are constantly exposed, greater emphasis has been placed on developing eye-catching visual displays and promotional material which stand out as being visually unique in order to receive consumer attention.
Although various novelty products and printed displays have been created in an attempt to satisfy this demand, these prior art products have failed to provide the desired interest generating result with production costs which advertisers are capable of justifying. In attempting to generate a unique advertising display, some prior art products have employed complex folding systems which produce a three-dimensional display when activated or unfolded. However, in spite of the unique visual appearance generated by such products, the overall cost of production and complexity of the assembly of these systems has prevented such prior art systems from becoming popular.
Other prior art displays have attempted to generate consumer interest by providing unique visual images or other indicia as an integral part of the display. However, these prior art attempts have also failed to generate the consumer interest being sought, largely due to an inability to physically involve the consumer in the promotion or display operation.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a printed advertising or promotional product which is capable of being produced at a reasonable cost and provides an exciting, interest generating display.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product having the characteristic features described above, which enables the consumer to physically control the presentation of the display in a unique, hands-on manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product having the characteristic features described above, which is capable of mass production and assembly.
A further object in the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product having the characteristic features described above, which provides a unique, eye-catching, exciting and surprising visual change which is produced in response to action taken by the consumer.
Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.
By employing the present invention, all of the difficulties and inabilities of the prior art are eliminated and a unique, hands-on, printed, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product is attained. This desirable and previously unattainable result is realized in the present invention by providing a unique, pre-printed housing within which a plurality of windows are formed and positioned for cooperating with a plurality of longitudinally movable arm members or sliders. In the preferred embodiment, each window incorporates a transparent panel for overlying the visual image contained in the window, as well as preventing the user from obtaining access to the visual information contained therein.
By constructing each of the plurality of longitudinally movable arm members/sliders in an overlying manner, a unique construction is realized which enables the movement of one arm member/slider to effectuate a change in the visual display of a window element which is not directly adjacent the arm member or slider. In this way, a unique, surprising and interest generating result is attained. In the preferred construction, four separate and independent window elements are formed in the housing, in combination with four separate and independent, longitudinally movable arm members/sliders.
In one preferred embodiment, a separate and distinct visually exciting and interest generating indicia or visual display is printed in association with each window member of the housing, with one longitudinally movable arm member/slider being constructed for cooperative association with one window element. In the preferred construction, the longitudinal movement of the arm member/slider transforms a first visible image into a second visual image. This transformation may be achieved either by employing transparent overlying members with visual images printed thereon or by actually printing a first image on the arm members/slider which is moved away from the window via the movement of the arm member.
In addition, in the preferred construction of the present invention, each longitudinally movable arm member/slider incorporates printed indicia formed on the exposed surface of the arm member which is revealed as the arm member is advanced outwardly from the housing. In this way, a unique, specific, targeted message can be conveyed to the consumer which is specifically related to the visual image being displayed by the movement of that particular arm member. In this way, the consumer has an active role in creating and enjoying the display being presented, as well as being informed with desired information the sponsor of the advertising/promotional product wishes to convey.
The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
By referring to
In
In accordance with the present invention any desired number of windows and any desired number of arm members/sliders can the employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the preferred construction, the incorporation of four windows and four arm members/sliders has been found to provide an optimum visual display, which is capable of generating consumer interest while also being visually exciting. However, any desired number of windows and arm members/sliders can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In constructing visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product 20, a plurality of alternate configurations can be employed. However, in the preferred construction, as in depicted in
In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, interior panel 33 of housing 21 incorporates four separate and independent printed zones 42, 43, 44, and 45 formed thereon, each of which are positioned for being viewable through one of the windows 22, 23, 24, and 25. In addition, each of the printed zones 42, 43, 44, and 45 incorporates a desired visual and/or alphanumeric message desired by the sponsor of advertising/promotional product 20. For purposes of convenience and complete disclosure,
In order to enhance the visual excitement and interest generated by advertising/promotional product 20, each elongated, longitudinally extending arm member/slider 26, 27, 28, and 29 incorporates two separate and independent zones in which precisely desired printed indicia are formed. As shown, arm member/slider 26 incorporates printed zones 47 and 48, while arm member/slider 27 incorporates printed zones 49 and 50. Similarly, arm members/slider 28 incorporates printed zones 51 and 52, while arm member/slider 29 incorporates printed zones 53 and 54.
As discussed above in regard to the printed zones formed on interior panel 33, printed zones 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 of the arm members/sliders each comprise separate and independent indicia 40 printed therein. In this way, a wide variety of visual and/or alphanumeric information is capable of being conveyed to the consumer in a unique manner. By employing the present invention, the consumer is able to experience a hands-on interaction with advertising/promotional product 20 in order to cause all of the indicia contained in the printed zones to be fully displayed.
In accordance with the present invention, any desired printed indicia 40 can be formed in the receiving zones of advertising/promotional product 20. In this regard, indicia 40 may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of messages and/or displays which consists of alphanumeric, visual, pictorial, graphic, symbols, logos, pictures, and/or color coded information. As a result, by employing advertising/promotional product 20 of the present invention, any message or display desired by a sponsor for being conveyed to a consumer is easily achieved in a unique, visually exciting and interest-generating manner.
In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, each arm member/slider 26, 27, 28, and 29 is constructed and is cooperatively engaged with housing 21 for enabling one printed zone thereof to be continuously visible through one of the four windows of front panel 31 when the arm member/slider is fully engaged with housing 21. In addition, whenever the arm member/slider is longitudinally extended outwardly from housing 21, the previously visible printed zone is moved into a position in which the printed zone is no longer visible, while the second printed zone thereof becomes visible as the arm member/slider is fully extended outwardly from housing 21. This operation is best seen in
As shown in
Similarly, each of the arm members/sliders 27, 28, and 29 all operate in an identical manner, with one printed zone thereof being continuously visible through an associated window whenever the arm member/slider is engaged with housing 21. However, whenever the arm member/slider is moved outwardly from housing 21, the previously visible printed zone becomes hidden while the second printed zone thereof becomes visible as the printed zone of the arm member/slider extends outwardly from housing 21.
In addition, the printed zone of interior panel 33 which is positioned below the associated window of front panel 31 becomes visible as the first printed zone of the arm member/slider moves into its hidden position. By referring to
As shown in
In the preferred construction, as best seen in
By employing this construction, printed zone 47 of arm members/slider 26 is continuously visible through window 22 when arm member/slider 26 is engaged with housing 21. However, whenever arm members/slider 26 is advanced outwardly from housing 21, printed zone 47 passes below printed zone 43 of interior panel 33, preventing printed zone 47 from being visible. Simultaneously therewith, printed zone 48 of arm member/slider 26 becomes visible as printed zone 48 extends outwardly from housing 21. Furthermore, printed zone 42 of interior panel 33 becomes visible as printed zone 47 of arm member/slider 26 is withdrawn from covering printed zone 42, revealing indicia 40 contained in printed zone 42.
Each of the remaining arm members/sliders 27, 28, and 29 are constructed in an identical manner in order to control the display of all of the remaining printed zones of interior panel 33 as well as the printed zones of each of the arm members/sliders. In this way, the desired controlled visual display of the plurality of printed zones formed in advertising/promotional product 20 is achieved and a unique, eye-catching, visually stimulating, interest generating product is realized.
In order to assure a smooth, continuous, and easily repeated operation, each arm member/slider 26, 27, 28, and 29 incorporates stop means to control the movement of each arm member/slider when fully extended from housing 21. In this way, assurance is provided that each arm member/slider is easily, repeatedly inserted into housing 21, as well as withdrawn therefrom, with only the desired indicia being displayed, while preventing unwanted, complete removal of any arm member/slider from housing 21.
In this regard, in order to achieve the desired result, in an efficient and easily manufactured construction, each arm member/slider 26, 27, 28, and 29 incorporates outwardly extending abutment stop flanges 65 and 66 formed on opposed side edges thereof at the juncture between the adjacent printed zones thereof. As shown in
In addition, in the preferred construction, each slot 62 formed on interior panel 33 cooperates with a pair of locking fingers 67 which are formed directly adjacent slot 62 and extend along a portion of slot 62, positioned in juxtaposed, facing relationship to each other. By incorporating locking fingers 67 in association with slot 62, abutment stop flanges 65 and 66 are able to be quickly and easily inserted through slot 62 for cooperative sliding engagement with housing 21. In addition, this construction prevents each arm member/slider from being fully withdrawn from housing 21 due to the contacting interengagement of abutment stop flanges 65 and 66 with locking figures 67.
In this way, whenever an arm member/slider is moved from its first, retained position in housing 21 to its second, extended position, as shown in
In addition to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in
As depicted, in this embodiment, as with the embodiment detailed above, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product 20 comprises housing 21 which comprises front panel 31, rear panel 32, and interior panel 33. In the preferred construction, front panel 31 comprises frame 34 which establishes four separate and independent window members 22, 23, 24, and 25. In addition, housing 21 also incorporates enlarged sheet 35 formed of transparent material which is affixed to the inside surface of front panel 31 in association with window members 22, 23, 24, and 25. Finally, advertising/promotional product 20 also incorporates four separate and independent elongated arm members or sliders 26, 27, 28, and 29.
In this embodiment, each arm member/slider 26, 27, 28, and 29 is formed with two cooperating, adjacent surfaces or zones 71 and 72, with zone 71 preferably being devoid of any printed material or indicia, while zones 72 incorporates any desired printed indicia formed thereon. Furthermore, in this embodiment, transparent sheet 35 is constructed with printed indicia 70 formed thereon.
As a result, by employing this construction, zone 71 of arm members/sliders 26, 27, 28, and 29 provides a background or emphasizing panel which enhances the visual display of indicia 70 printed on transparent sheet 35. Furthermore, by forming any desired indicia on zones 72 of arm members/sliders 26, 27, 28, and 29, any desired message or indicia including colors, images, slogans, logos, alphanumeric designations, and the like, are able to be displayed and communicated to the user upon activation.
By employing this embodiment of the present invention, a uniquely constructed, visually exciting, and interest generating display is realized. In particular, by printing indicia 70 on transparent sheet 35 and employing zones 71 of arm members/sliders 26, 27, 28, and 29 as a background for enhancing or emphasizing the appearance of indicia 70, a unique, visually exciting and interest generating construction is realized. If desired, zones 71 may be formed as a plain, white, or opaque backgrounds devoid of any color for use in emphasizing indicia 70 of transparent sheet 35. Alternatively, zones 71 may be formed with identical or different colored surfaces for providing a different, visually distinctive impression and emphasis to indicia 70 formed on transparent sheet 35. However, regardless of which configuration is preferred, this embodiment of the present invention differs from the embodiment detailed above by eliminating specific printed indicia formed in zones 71 of arm members/sliders 26, 27, 28, and 29.
In this embodiment, similar to the embodiment detailed above, interior panel 33 of housing 21 incorporates four separate and independent printed zones 42, 43, 44, and 45 formed thereon. Each of the printed zones formed on panel 33 is positioned for being viewable through one of the window members 22, 23, 24, and 25, whenever arm member/slider associated therewith has been axially withdrawn from housing 21. By placing, printing, or otherwise positioning the desired indicia for display on interior panel 33 of housing 21 in alignment with window members 22, 23, 24, and 25, the desired visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product 20 is attained. In addition, as is further detailed below, this visual excitement and interest is further enhanced by employing cooperating indicia, images, and the like on transparent panel 35 and printed zones 42, 43, 44, and 45. In this way, a strikingly unique and interest generating construction is realized.
In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, indicia 70 printed on transparent panel 35 of housing 21 preferably comprises an outline or basic element for display, which is devoid of any color, detail, or emphasis. For exemplary purposes, this is depicted in
In order to provide the visual excitement and generate substantial interest in advertising/promotional product 20 of the present invention, printed zones 42, 43, 44, and 45 incorporate the identical indicia 70 printed on transparent panel 35 along with enhancements associated therewith. In the depiction provided in
By employing the construction detailed above, a visually unique presentation is produced. In this regard, as each arm member/slider 26, 27, 28, and 29 is longitudinally withdrawn from housing 21, background panel 71 of each arm member/slider is moved, causing the associated printed zone 42, 43, 44, and 45 to be revealed. However, since indicia 70 is printed on transparent sheet 35 and is duplicated in panels 42, 43, 44, and 45, along with visually distinctive and enhancing elements, the movement of arm members/sliders 26, 27, 28 and 29 causes the user to observe a seemingly magical addition of color or other elements appearing as panel 71 is withdrawn from view.
Since panel 71 comprises no indicia and merely emphasizes indicia 70 as printed on transparent sheet 35, the movement of panel 71 causes the magical appearance of color or other elements simultaneously with the movement of panel 71. This unique construction stimulates the visual senses and achieves a mystical, interest generating presentation which has been incapable of being achieved in prior art constructions.
As best seen in
In most applications, advertising/promotional product 20 of the present invention is constructed as a separate stand-alone product which is distributed to consumers or users the sponsor of product 20 wishes to receive and enjoy. However, as depicted in
As shown in
By employing this embodiment of the present invention, wherein housing 21 of advertising/promotional product 20 is secured to support base 80, advertising/promotional product 20 is capable of being supportingly held in a raised and easily accessible position, completely resting on any desired table or surface.
By employing this construction, any user is able to employ advertising/promotional product 22 and enjoy the eye-catching and visually distinctive presentations provided thereby without physically holding advertising/promotional product 20. In this way, ease and convenience of use is attained. Furthermore, as shown in
In an alternate embodiment, as depicted in
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/645,971, filed Jan. 20, 2005 entitled ADVERTISING/PROMOTIONAL DISPLAY SYSTEM.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060168851 A1 | Aug 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60645971 | Jan 2005 | US |