BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the vehicle spare tire cover-repository-display combination of the invention, in perspective, mounted upon a spare tire of an otherwise conventional, generic, sports utility vehicle (SUV);
FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partially in cross-section, of the tire cover-repository-display combination of the invention illustrating an envelope type repository affixed to a tire cover according to the invention;
FIG. 3 depicts a whimsical “smiley face” graphics display on a placard which is insertable into the repository affixed to the tire cover, all according to the principles of the invention;
FIG. 4 shows, in cross-section, an alternate embodiment of a combination cover-repository-display of the invention affixed to a tire, wherein the repository is accessible only from the inside of the cover, that is, through an opening extending from the inside of the installed tire cover into the repository, thereby prohibiting easy access to the graphics display externally of the vehicle and providing a deterrence to theft of the display;
FIG. 5 is an elevational perspective view, partially broken away, of the combination depicted in FIG. 4 taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a familiar display of a sports team logo which may be displayed as the graphics display (with permission of the owner of such logos);
FIG. 7 is a depiction of a possible humorous phrase which may form the display of the invention;
FIG. 8 depicts an envelope type repository affixed to a tire cover according to the invention, wherein the envelope has a flap-type closure having a zippered-type closing means;
FIG. 9 shows an envelope type repository affixed to a tire cover wherein an opening extends from inside the cover into the repository through which a graphics display can be inserted;
FIG. 10 shows a single transparent panel affixed to a tire cover by adhesive, thermal welding or other means, the assembly having an opening from the inside of the tire cover into the repository space between the panel and the cover through which opening the graphics display is inserted into the repository to effect display of the graphics thereon from the rear of the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
A cover for an externally mounted spare tire for a vehicle is provided, the cover having a repository affixed thereto, the repository having at least one opening thereinto and having at least one transparent window therein, and optionally including a removable graphic display which, upon placement within the repository, is displayed externally of the vehicle through the transparent window. Preferred is the complete combination, including the graphic display. The removable, interchangeable graphic display may carry an informative theme, a political theme, a sports or automotive theme, a humorous theme, a religious theme, a photograph, or virtually any other display of one's choosing and capable of representation in two dimensions.
A detailed description of the invention and preferred embodiments is best provided with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 depicts a generic sports utility vehicle (SUV) 10 having a spare tire (not seen) mounted on the rear thereof. The spare tire itself is covered by a cover 12 having affixed thereto a transparent panel 14 through which an inserted graphics display 16, indicated by “LOGO”, is displayed and visible from the rear of the vehicle 10 as shown.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the spare tire cover-repository-display combination of the invention covering spare tire 11 mounted on vehicle 10 by mounting means 18, wherein the cover 12, having inside surface 19 (shown for completeness), has an envelope type repository 14 affixed to the outside of the cover 12. The envelope 14 may be made entirely of a transparent plastic, or may have a transparent panel facing rearwardly. The envelope 14 has optional closure 15, which may be a flap as shown. A graphic display 16, of one's choice, is inserted through the upper, flapped opening and into the repository 14 as shown. Pull ties 13, or elastic cords, may be used to keep the cover 12 snug over the tire 11, as with conventional tire covers.
FIG. 3 depicts one possible graphic display 16, i.e., a placard 16 with a “smiley face” 17 displayed thereon.
Possible such displays clearly include any two-dimensional representation of anything which is capable of being depicted in two dimensions. Preferred displays may be informative, such as advertising for the particular vehicle or the dealership from which it was purchased, or they may carry a political theme, or promote a sports theme or an automotive (“NASCAR”) theme, display a photograph, carry a religious theme, or depict a humorous phrase. Those old enough may recall and reminisce on humorous “Burma Shave” highway signs of the 1940's and 1950's, where the sometimes tedious monotony of long distance driving was interspersed with tension-relieving humor of “Burma Shave” parables and advertisements. Such road humor is also available here.
A particular advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the display theme may be changed, quickly and at will or whim. The sports fan can display a baseball theme in summer and a football theme in the fall. Political assertions and preferences may be addressed and varied for different election cycles. And suitable original displays may be created on one's home PC printer, providing placard displays generally of a size of 11×17 inches or less. The possibilities for adopting a preferred display at any given time are, in fact, endless.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the envelope or other repository 14 may be made of any suitable material, all known to those skilled in this art. Preferred materials include transparent plastics, the repository having at least one transparent panel therein of such material, although the entire envelope 14 may be a transparent plastic envelope. Suitable plastics can include, without limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl, acrylic and polyesters.
The display inserts 16 also may be made of several suitable materials known to those skilled in the art, on which graphic displays have heretofore been placed, by means such as printing or screening or the like, such as plastic, paper, cardboard, or other similar substrate.
The repository component of the invention 14 may be affixed to the tire cover 12 of the invention by suitable attachment means, also known to those skilled in the art, which may vary depending on the materials of construction employed. Among the possible attachment means are included adhesive means, mechanical means, i.e., stitching, and thermal means. The latter, thermal welding, is especially suitable when employing thermoplastic repository materials affixed to synthetic plastic, i.e., vinyl, tire covers. However, it will be clear that any suitable means of attachment may be used, and will fall within the scope of the appended claims, as long as the objective of the rearward display of the desired graphic in the cover-repository-display is achieved as described herein.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the cover-repository-display combination of the invention wherein, once assembled and oriented to display the logo 17, the graphic display can not be accessed externally of the vehicle without removing the cover completely from the tire. Human nature being what it is, such an embodiment may make it sufficiently difficult for vandals to remove or deface the display 16 as to thwart such activities. In this embodiment, the tire cover 12 covers tire 11, the whole assembly being affixed to vehicle 10 by mounting means 18, and the cover being held in place on the tire by ties 13. Affixed as shown to cover 12 is the transparent repository pouch or pocket 14′, affixed by suitable means described above. An opening 20, such as a slot or a slit, extends from inside the cover 12 into the space formed in the repository 14′, into which the display 16 is inserted through the opening 20. Thus, passers-by, for example, have no easy access, externally, to the display 16.
FIG. 5 depicts, in elevation, partly broken away, and taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, the combination cover-repository-display according to the invention. Therein, the display 16 is shown inserted through slot 20 into the transparent pouch or pocket 14′, all affixed to the tire cover 12 by suitable means 22, depicted schematically, which means 22 can include adhesives, thermal welding, various mechanical means, or any other suitable attachment means.
FIG. 6 shows one display 16′ having a familiar sports logo 17′.
FIG. 7 shows one display 16″ having a humorous phrase 17″ thereon.
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 depict alternate, possible, but in no way limitative, embodiments of the cover-repository-display of the invention, for comparisons side-by-side. FIG. 8 shows an envelope repository 14 having a securable flapped closure such as a zippered flap 15′. Other well-known closures may be employed such as the “zip lock” used on plastic freezer bags, or “Velcro” hook and loop type closures, all known to those skilled in the art.
FIG. 9 is substantially identical to FIG. 4, and illustrates access into pouch 14′ only through slot 20 from the inside of cover 12. And FIG. 10 depicts a further embodiment, perhaps the simplest configuration to produce in quantity, wherein a single transparent panel 14″ is affixed to cover 12 by suitable adhesive or thermal or other means at peripheral, integral flange-like extensions 15″ extending peripherally around the panel 14″ as shown, with display 16 being inserted into the pouch or pocket therein through slot 20 from inside the cover 12.
While the invention has been disclosed herein in connection with certain embodiments and detailed descriptions, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that modifications or variations of such details can be made without deviating from the gist of this invention, and such modifications or variations are considered to be within the scope of the claims hereinbelow.
Patent Application
20080023507
