Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This invention relates to mounting solutions for visual communications. More specifically, it provides a platform that facilitates dissemination of readily observable information in a spatially efficient manner to surrounding observers. It involves a device and method for mounting visual communications, including text, pictures, logos, team insignia, advertisements or other indicia, to a vehicle.
The invention described herein comprises a mounting solution through which visual information can be placed for observers, including pedestrians, bystanders and occupants of other vehicles. The device can be placed on the front or rear of a vehicle without obscuring legally required identification information. Utilization of the device and method presented alleviates certain performance issues inherent in existing designs for vehicle-mounted information display, including but not limited to reduction of aerodynamic drag and potential height clearance issues, and improves overall aesthetic appeal.
The present invention is directed to a method of communication that can be tailored to the individual user. It provides the ability for the user to individually select and modify messages, logos, advertisement, public service announcements or indicia. The method incorporates a device comprising a frame with panels either continuously connected or attachably and removeably mounted to the frame in a streamlined fashion in order to increase visual appeal, minimize aerodynamic drag, and reduce or eliminate potential clearance issues. It utilizes the existing front or rear space of a vehicle, and in a preferred embodiment is mounted within the license plate recess, thereby reducing force on the device from airflow around the vehicle. This placement also renders the device less obstructed and reduces potential vulnerability to environmental elements relative to currently available designs. Utilization of the device within the license plate recess also improves energy efficiency and reduces wear on the surfaces used for visual communication by minimizing or avoiding high speed impacts of small objects, such as but not limited to road debris and insects.
The device and method described also avoids potential operating issues inherently imposed on vehicle operation due to currently existing methodologies. Typical examples of current methodologies involve upright, often triangular surfaces, which are mounted vertically with respect to the plane of the road and placed on the highest surface of a vehicle. In certain circumstances, current methodologies increase the effective height of a vehicle, causing potentially unforeseen and unfortunate damage or inconvenience. This can occur particularly in scenarios which are adversely affected by adding to vehicle height, such as with placement on a truck driven through a zone with height restrictions, including but not limited to small tunnels or bridges, or when being loaded for shipping. Damage to the present invention would, in most cases, require a much more localized and violent event to compromise the integrity of the device.
The present invention is also superior to methodologies involving communications utilizing the surface of rear or side facing glass, as these methodologies potentially limit and obscure the visual field of the operator. It also provides advantages over methodologies involving affixing indicia to a bumper, such as bumper stickers or magnets, in that it is higher in the visual field of observers, and less susceptible to damage. Furthermore, positioning of the invention around the license plate within the recess protects it from visual obstruction.
Another meaningful benefit of this device and method involves taking advantage of common regulations regarding existing vehicle identification mounting. In virtually all instances, governing bodies, at minimum, require placement of identification information unique to each vehicle to the rear and in plain view. Such requirements and the desire to prevent possible theft or misuse of said identifying information have led vehicle manufacturers to provide rather robust “hard points” on which to mount such identification. No such comparable points are commonly located in positions where current methodologies are typically placed. In utilizing this mounting solution, an element of security and reliability is introduced.
The mounting solution disclosed herein incorporates panels and a frame anchored to the front or rear of a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the frame surrounds the vehicle's license plate, and incorporates readable text, images, designs or other indicia printed on the frame's panels. These panels have sufficient surface area to communicate with potential bystanders or occupants of other vehicles without adversely affecting the operational capability of any reasonably expected systems utilized by a vehicle during normal operation. The frame and panels incorporate sufficiently rigid, rugged material to allow the invention to withstand typical wear and tear suffered during regular use while not presenting any foreseeable additional hazard or issue in the event of a collision. The panels may be removeably attached to the frame or continuously incorporated onto the frame directly. Means of removeably attaching the panels to the frame include, but are not limited to, spreadable clip fasteners, slides, or hooks; one skilled in the art would recognize that a variety of attachment or connection methods could be used and would be consistent with the specification herein.
The invention further contemplates utilization of a more sophisticated communication delivery system incorporating electronic methods of display, including but not limited to technologies using powered screens controlled by integrated circuitry, digital circuitry, or other means. These technologies offer an opportunity for application of more sophisticated and dynamic messaging while preserving the essence of the mounting location and rationale for placement. Such geometrically similar systems would be capable of utilizing the same core mounting hardware without need for significant additional modification.
The invention disclosed comprises a central component 30 consisting of a frame fitted to surround a license plate. One or more panels incorporate one or more communication surfaces 10; the panels are either continuous with, or releaseably attached to one or more sides of the central component 30. The communication surface or surfaces 10 provide an area for removeable or changeable placement of messages, logos, advertisement, public service announcements or indicia. The central component's frame includes attachment apertures for mounting the device on a vehicle. Since vehicles often contain built in “hard points” for attachment of license plates, the frame can be attached utilizing the existing license plate attachment means at the vehicle and license plate interface as more fully described below.
A perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device is shown in
The designs depicted in
The device provides a communication surface or surfaces in order to deploy communications in the form of messages, logos, advertisement, public service announcements or indicia by their placement upon said communication surface or surfaces 10 when mounted upon a vehicle. The placement itself can be removeable or fixed. In the removeable embodiment, removeable placement is accomplished through use of a preprinted tile that can slide into the panel through a slotted opening, or be pressed into or onto a framed panel surface. Magnets are also contemplated for use with appropriate panel materials. In this way, messages or other indicia can be easily changed by the user. In the fixed embodiment, fixed placement is accomplished by gluing, sticking, fusing or adhering preprinted messages onto the communication surface or surfaces 10, or by printing directly logos, advertisement, public service announcements or indicia onto the communication surface 10. The fixed placement can be made of materials such as laminates or decals to impart a flat surface or materials can include raised lettering or three-dimensional images upon the communication surface.
Vehicles as contemplated in this invention include cars, buses, trucks, taxis, limousines, bicycles, drones, boats, trains, planes, or other navigable craft as defined by federal regulation as a vehicle.
The visual communication device presented is also capable of technical expansion to include illumination. More specifically, the communication surface, the central component, or both, are capable of being lighted. It is contemplated that LED strips or other lighting could be incorporated by attachment to the frame and removeable panels of the invention.
While the description above discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that numerous variations and modifications of the invention are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the claims that follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. patent Application No. 62/105,014, filed Jan. 19, 2015.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1575950 | Thorn | Mar 1926 | A |
2093620 | Roessler | Sep 1937 | A |
2135191 | McBrady | Nov 1938 | A |
3908296 | Harrison | Sep 1975 | A |
4445291 | Easley | May 1984 | A |
5027537 | Freeman | Jul 1991 | A |
5503420 | Consiglio | Apr 1996 | A |
6526680 | Yu | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6748682 | Sims | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6796060 | Meester | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6848204 | Nowak | Feb 2005 | B1 |
6892483 | Parenti | May 2005 | B2 |
6962013 | Perrin | Nov 2005 | B1 |
7142104 | Blueford | Nov 2006 | B1 |
7154387 | Boomershine, III | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7168194 | Yen | Jan 2007 | B2 |
7225569 | Pitt | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7350323 | Basos | Apr 2008 | B1 |
7430822 | Combs | Oct 2008 | B1 |
7535343 | Pinckney | May 2009 | B1 |
7877908 | Collins | Feb 2011 | B2 |
8291627 | Spencer | Oct 2012 | B1 |
8533982 | Rousey et al. | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8544198 | Iverson | Oct 2013 | B2 |
8578640 | Krankkala | Nov 2013 | B1 |
8850727 | Malina | Oct 2014 | B2 |
9082327 | Jefferson, Jr. | Jul 2015 | B1 |
9141973 | Mendoza | Sep 2015 | B2 |
9199593 | Fritsch | Dec 2015 | B2 |
9211850 | Marko, Jr. | Dec 2015 | B2 |
9221406 | Angara | Dec 2015 | B2 |
9270407 | Dandrow | Feb 2016 | B2 |
9283889 | Baker | Mar 2016 | B1 |
9315149 | Fairchild | Apr 2016 | B1 |
9352685 | Abramowitz | May 2016 | B1 |
9381874 | Knapschaefer | Jul 2016 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20160207478 A1 | Jul 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62105014 | Jan 2015 | US |