Patent Application
20100319228
The present invention relates to magnetic signs. More specifically, this application relates to a magnetic sign with printed information and images that can be magnetically attached to a vehicle and utilized in a system for advertising a property that is for sale.
There are many advertising options available for one who wishes to sell one's home, car, boat, or any other personal property. One may choose to advertise through local real estate magazines, newspaper, internet, or any other local publication. The problem with all current forms of advertising is that the seller must pay a third party to publish their sale.
A seller who wishes to maximize their potential number of buyers must buy many forms of advertising in order to ensure that the property is sufficiently advertised. Advertising using the above mentioned methods has many disadvantages. One's property can easily blend in with the many other seller's listed in the same publication, and may be at risk of going unnoticed by potential buyers.
Further, while the conventional methods of advertising can result in a successful sale, one can become overwhelmed with the many fees associated with advertising their property.
There remains a need for people to efficiently and effectively advertise the sale of their properties at a low cost.
The present invention approaches the issue of convenience by offering a seller the simple method of attaching a sign to their vehicle, advertising the sale of their property. The sign may attach magnetically to any portion of their vehicle that they see fit. Much like any known third party publication, the sign may consist of an image of the property for sale, along with any relevant description or information that goes along with said property, such as, price, quality, quantity, size, condition, etc. The sign may also consist of the seller's personal contact information, such as, phone number, address, email address, picture, etc. With the sign attached to a vehicle, the sale of the property is now advertised to any public which is able to view the sign.
While advertising a business or service on an automobile may be known in the field, the application discloses a novel method of advertising the sale of a property.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a sign that attaches to a vehicle, advertising the sale of a property.
It is another object of the invention to provide a magnetic sign that attaches to the metallic surface of a vehicle, comprising a top surface including indicia relating to the advertisement of a sale of at least one property, wherein the property being sold is a property other than the vehicle said magnetic sign is attached upon, and wherein the indicia includes a description and an image of the property being sold, and contact information of the seller; and a bottom surface including at least one magnetic portion for attachment of said magnetic sign to metallic surface of said vehicle.
It is another object of the invention to exploit serendipitous occurrence of would-be buyers and a vehicle.
It is a further object of the invention to utilize a sign that attaches to a vehicle, as a method of advertising a property.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In general terms, the invention concerns a device and method for advertising a sale of a property to the public. More particularly, the invention seeks to exploit serendipitous proximity of the public and an advertisement that may occur in the course of travel of either the advertisement or the public.
While the present invention and method is described herein with reference to one illustrative embodiment, it should be clear that the present invention should not be limited to the one embodiment.
Referring now to
It should be appreciated that the sign 100 may include a dry-erase portion on the top surface 101. Such a portion would be useful in anticipating properties or sellers with changing information (e.g. changing price or contact information).
Turning now to
When attached to the metal surface 122, the sign 100 will be visible to any passerby of the automobile 120, and will thus, be a valuable form of advertisement.
With the foregoing background in mind, and referring now to the flowchart of
A step 501 is that of an owner/seller's submitting an advertisement to be printed on the magnetic sign 100.
A step 502 is that of the magnetic sign 100 being produced according to the owner/seller's instructions.
A step 503 is that of the seller attaching the magnetic sign 100 to his/her automobile.
Lastly, a step 504 is that of the public being exposed to said advertisement via the automobile.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.
