Abstract:
A mobile advertising system including a vehicle and a support structure mounted on the vehicle. The support structure extends substantially from the cab of the vehicle to the rear end of the vehicle and houses at least one light source. At least one translucent display panel is mounted to the support structure so that the light source illuminates the display panel from behind.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/190,117, entitled “MOBILE BILLBOARD SYSTEM” filed on Nov. 12, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,850. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for displaying an advertisement or similar graphic on a moving object such as a truck, van or trailer and for a medium for displaying the advertisement wherein the advertisement may be changed periodically without having to remove the display, repaint the display or use another similarly cumbersome and/or expensive process. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are currently a great variety of different types of displays that can be used to exhibit advertising on the sides of moving vehicles such as vans, buses or trucks. The deficiencies inherent in many of the current display means are the lack of permanency of them. Many are fabricated by painting the advertisement directly on the surface of the vehicle, or by applying sign panels to the vehicle using adhesives. These displays are expensive, difficult to install, and difficult to change in a timely fashion. In addition, their useful life is limited by constant exposure to the elements even when not in use. A painted display may fade or the paint can fleck off. Rigid signs or signs with protective enclosures are more impervious to the elements, but are cumbersome and limited in size and can often be prohibitively heavy, weighing down the vehicle on which they are installed. 
     There are also prior means for displays using tensioning panels which may be adapted for use on mobile surfaces. These systems offer the ability to change the display in a more timely manner, and the ability to roll up the panel for storage helps reduce environmental wear. However, the tensioning frames are typically complex to assemble and often quite costly. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,361 to Hillstrom et al. discloses a tensioning frame which employs edge rails with integral spring tensioners to apply tension to the periphery of an advertising panel. This system, however, is complex to assemble and prone to mechanical failure after prolonged environmental exposure. Moreover, the edge rails protrude significantly from the mounting surface and may be unusable with some vehicles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an advertising medium with the benefits of mobility and non-permanent display which can be quickly and easily changed when different products or services are desired to be promoted. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a mobile advertising medium with a long useful life. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mobile advertising medium with a display that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a mobile advertising system including a vehicle and a support structure. The support structure extends substantially from the cab of the vehicle to the rear end of the vehicle and houses at least one light source. At least one translucent display panel is mounted to the support structure so that the light source illuminates the display panel from behind. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a truck utilizing the mobile advertising system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is a rear view of the truck shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2B is a top view of the truck shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2C is a front view of the truck shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3A is a more detailed drawing of a display panel for the mobile advertising system which is mounted on the side of the motor vehicle. 
     FIG. 3B is a more detailed drawing of the display panel of the mobile advertising system which is mounted the rear of the motor vehicle. 
     FIG. 4A is a side view of the interior of the truck showing the backlighting used to light a side display panel. 
     FIG. 4B is a top view of the interior of an alternate embodiment of the truck with a mounting structure having a trapezoidal cross-section. 
     FIG. 4C is a rear view of the interior of the truck showing the lighting used to backlight a rear display panel. 
     FIG. 4D illustrates mounting brackets used to mount the lighting assemblies. 
     FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a vehicle embodying an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7A is rear view of the vehicle of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7B is a rear view of the interior of vehicle of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a mounting bracket for holding display panels in place. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements. 
     The mobile advertising system of the present invention overcomes the deficiencies inherent in prior designs for mobile advertising in that the medium is such that it will not deteriorate due to exposure to the outside environment, it is relatively easy to change the message on the display by changing the back-lighting, and once the display panels are mounted on the motor vehicle, there is no further assembly required. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a truck with a side display panel  10 A of the mobile advertising system of the present invention mounted thereon. FIG. 3A illustrates the side display panel  10 A. As shown, each side display panel  10 A can be comprised of a plurality of individual sections of panel material  10 A′. Each individual panel section  10 A′ can measure up to a maximum of 48 inches in width. Using four panel sections  10 A′ of 41 {fraction (3/16)} inches width each allows a side display panel  10 A to be divided into four sections, of equal dimension with the entire side panel  10 A having a 91 inches by 163 inches visible area dimension. Each side panel  10 A also includes a 1¾ inch border around all four sides. A rear display panel  10 B, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 3B, may also be mounted on a truck. Preferably the dimensions for such rear display panel  10 B measure 24 inches by 81 inches for the visible area with a 1½ inch border around each side of the rear display panel  10 B. The display dimensions for both display panels  10 A and  10 B may be varied depending upon the dimensions of the chassis for the vehicle onto which such display panels are to be mounted. 
     The visible area for both the side display panel  10 A and the rear display panel  10 B is comprised of lexan, plexiglass or other similar transparent or translucent, but resilient material. Each display panel  10 A and  10 B is mounted on top of support boxes, or frames, which are affixed to the vehicle. 
     The support boxes are attached to a support structure, which is attached to the bed or chassis of the vehicle. The support structure may be a box composed of a plurality of vertical and horizontal supports extending from the bed or chassis of the vehicle and defining first and second side walls, a rear wall, a front wall, and a roof. Each wall supports one or more of the display panels. The roof may incorporate an opaque roof panel, rather than a display panel and may include a plurality of support ribs extending between the top of the first side wall and the top of the second side wall to provide additional structural integrity. In one embodiment, the support structure may have angled side walls such that the support structure is comparatively narrow near the cab of the vehicle and the width of the support structure increases as it nears the rear of the vehicle, defining a trapezoidal cross section (See FIG.  4 B). 
     The backlighting used to light the display panels, such as  10 A and  10 B, is illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4D. A side view of the backlighting used for a side display panel  10 A is shown in FIG.  4 A. As shown, a side display panel  10 A, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, is backlit by use of a plurality of long double-tube fluorescent lights  15 . In the current example, 12 eight feet long fluorescent lights are used. They are mounted on a light mounting body  20  which is comprised of a rectangular frame and which includes a plurality of mounting brackets  30 , shown in FIG. 4D, for securing the light mounting body  20  to the chassis frame of the vehicle. The light mounting body  20  may be spaced from the support structure holding the display panels. Preferably, the mounting brackets  30  are comprised of ABS steel and suitable insulation material because the mounting brackets  30  should be insulated from the aluminum of the vehicle chassis for safety reasons. The light mounting body  20  includes a plurality of aluminum support channels  25  into which each fluorescent light  15  is to be secured. In one embodiment, channels  25  may comprise a plurality of rigid vertical members, as shown. An angle clip is welded to structure  20  and bolted to each support channel  25  to provide additional support for maintaining the position of each fluorescent light  15 . A single flat bar support  27  is welded in a diagonal manner to each light support channel  25 . A top view of the interior of a vehicle which haw tow side display panels  10 A and a rear display panel  10 B mounted therein is shown in FIG.  4 B. Alternate backlighting configurations are possible (See FIG.  7 B). 
     A rear view showing the backlighting used for a year display panel  10 B is shown in FIG.  4 C. The rear backlighting assembly  40  comprises a bar assembly which is bolted to the two side light mounting bodies  20 . Assembly  40  includes a plurality of aluminum support channels  25  into which each fluorescent light  15  is to be secured. Assembly  40  also includes a plurality of angle clips similar to those discussed above with respect to structure  20  to support the channels  25 . 
     The interior of the vehicle will also house the generator which will supply current to power the fluorescent lights. The power supply for such generator can be a typical 110 volt DC alternator power supply or a 24 volt battery. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternate embodiment of the invention having a support structure with a trapezoidal cross-section. This variation in support structure provides greater visibility for the side display panels to viewers in front of the vehicle. Vehicle  50  has a cab  50 A and a bed  50 B. Support structure  51  is anchored to the bed  50 B or the vehicle chassis  50 C. Support Structure  51  is comprised of four vertical support posts  51 A,  51 B,  51 C, and  51 D and six horizontal cross members,  51 E,  51 F,  51 G,  51 H,  51 I, and  51 J. The vertical support posts and horizontal cross members define a plurality of rectangular frames for supporting display panels  52 A,  52 B, and  52 D. The horizontal cross members also define a roof panel (not shown). Support Structure  50  may also include a door  53  including a rectangular frame  53 A supporting a display panel  52 C. The door  53  may be hinged to vertical support post  51 C and latch to vertical support post  51 B. FIG. 7A shows a rear view of the vehicle with door  53  closed and FIG. 7B shows a rear view of the vehicle with door  53  in an open position (door  53  is only partially shown). 
     FIG. 7B shows an interior view of the vehicle including an alternate backlighting configuration. A plurality of light fixtures  60  are attached to ceiling  54 . In one embodiment, light fixtures  60  include fluorescent light bulbs disposed in aluminum support channels. The light fixtures  60  are arranged to provide backlighting for the various display panels, the backs of which are shown in FIG.  7 B. In one configuration, three fixtures are arranged parallel and adjacent to display panel  52 B, three fixtures are arranged parallel and adjacent to display panel  52 D, one fixture is arranged parallel and adjacent to display panel  52 A, and one fixture is arranged parallel and adjacent to door  53  (in its closed position). The interior surfaces, such as ceiling  54 , floor  55 , and half wall  56  may be reflective or lightly colored in order to reflect the light generated by light fixtures  60 . The space defined within support structure  51  may house a power source  59  for light fixtures  60  and/or may be used for general storage transport, such as for spare display panels. 
     FIG. 7C shows a bracket for detachably affixing the display panels to support structure  51 . While a single bracket is shown, a plurality of brackets lining horizontal cross beams and/or vertical support posts. As shown, display panel  70  includes a display area  70 A and a frame  70 B. Frame  70 B fits into the space defined by the vertical support post  71 A and horizontal cross beam  71 B of support structure  71 . Bracket  72  may be a spring loaded plunger designed to apply force to the frame  70 B and hold it against a lip (not shown) on support structure  71 . Bracket  72  may include a shaft  72 A, with a handle  72 B, a stop  72 C, a spring  72 D, and a contact member  72 E. The shaft  72 A is placed through a bracket guide  72 F with the stop  72 C and handle  72 B on one side and the tensioned spring  72 D and contact member  72 E on the other side. Plunger  72 A may be drawn back from display panel  70  by pulling handle  72 B so as to overcome the force applied by the spring  72 D. Bracket  72  provides a simple way to rapidly release and remove the display panel  70 . Other types of brackets or other connectors are feasible, such as threaded fasteners, clamps, clips, magnetic fasteners, adhesive fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, and other releasable connectors. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the mobile advertising system of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover such modifications and variations of the invention, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their legally entitled equivalents.