Abstract:
A signage display for a vehicle having a hitch receiver is provided that includes a frame defining a placard receiving area. A tongue is coupled to the frame that extends rearwardly from the frame and away from the receiving area. The tongue is adapted to be received within the hitch receiver of the vehicle. A placard is removably coupled to the frame within the placard receiving area of the frame. The signage display may thus be removably coupled to the hitch receiver of the vehicle. The vehicle owner may change the placard within the receiving area to display a variety of messages, thus alleviating the problem associated with conventional bumper stickers. In one embodiment, the frame is provided with a light socket and light that allow the placard to be illuminated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to signage displays for vehicles. More specifically, the invention is directed to a signage display for a vehicle that is adapted to be received within the hitch receiver of the vehicle and that allows the particular display to be replaced as desired by the vehicle owner. 
     Many vehicles today are equipped with hitch receivers. These hitch receivers allow the owners and operators of the vehicles to tow trailers, boats and other items when necessary. The typical hitch receiver is located below the rear bumper of the vehicle and has a generally square opening therein. The opening accommodates a ball hitch for trailers or other towed items having a mating towing arrangement. 
     When a hitch is not received within the opening of the hitch receiver, it is exposed to roadway dirt and grime. This dirt and grime can partially obstruct the hitch receiver opening, making it more difficult to properly install a towing hitch when desired. Prior art devices exist that do offer some protection to the hitch receiver opening. These devices, however, also suffer from a number of drawbacks. 
     The typical prior art device operates to plug the hitch receiver opening when a hitch is not coupled to the vehicle. Some of these prior art devices also offer a display of some kind, such as a particular brand of vehicle. The display, however, is not lighted and is therefore not as visible during night driving as may be desired by the driver of the vehicle. Further, the prior art devices have not offered any adjustment mechanism to accommodate vehicles having different sizes of hitch receiver openings. Therefore, when using these prior art devices, the vehicle owner must purchase and use a device that corresponds exactly to the hitch receiver of the vehicle. Thus, these prior art devices are not readily transferable from one vehicle to another, making their use somewhat limited. 
     The prior art devices have also heretofore not been equipped with any mechanism offering protection to the electrical connector of the vehicle. Many vehicles equipped with a hitch receiver are also equipped with an electrical connector that is used to provide power to the trailer being towed by the vehicle. Typically, this power allows the turn signals, brake lights and other lighting on the trailer to be operated by the vehicle performing the towing. When the vehicle is not towing anything, the electrical connector is not coupled to anything, leaving it exposed to possible damage. As stated above, the prior art devices designed to be installed within the hitch receiver do not have any mechanism offering protection to this electrical connector when it is not in use. 
     Prior art devices also offer no mechanism for changing the display of the device without installing a completely new device. It would be desirable to allow the owner or operator of the vehicle to change the display. For example, the display could be changed to reflect a different sports team according to the change in season. As another example, a particular political message could be displayed and changed if desired. Prior art “bumper stickers” do allow a variety of messages to be displayed on a vehicle. However, the use of bumper stickers is also problematic due to the relative permanence of the sticker. In other words, bumper stickers cannot be changed as easily as is desired by many vehicle owners. 
     Therefore, a signage display for a vehicle is needed that overcomes the above drawbacks and disadvantages existing in the prior art. More specifically, a signage display is needed that protects the hitch receiver and electrical connector of the vehicle. Further, a signage display is needed that can be illuminated and that allows the particular display to be changed according to the desires of the vehicle owner. Still further, a signage display is needed that is adaptable for use on vehicles having varying sizes of hitch receivers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a signage display for a vehicle that protects the hitch receiver from roadway grime and debris and that provides protection for the electrical connector of the vehicle as well. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a signage display for a vehicle that allows a placard to be removably coupled to the display so that the placard can easily be changed by the owner or operator of the vehicle. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a signage display that may be adjusted to compensate for vehicles that have differing hitch receiver openings. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a signage display that may be illuminated so as to better display a placard thereon. 
     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are attained by a signage display for a vehicle having a hitch receiver. The display includes a frame defining a placard receiving area. A tongue is coupled to the frame that extends rearwardly from the frame and away from the receiving area. The tongue is adapted to be received within the hitch receiver of the vehicle. A placard is removably coupled to the frame within the placard receiving area of the frame. The signage display may thus be removably coupled to the hitch receiver of the vehicle. The vehicle owner may change the placard within the receiving area to display a variety of messages, thus alleviating the problem associated with conventional bumper stickers. In one embodiment of the invention, the fame is provided with a light socket and light that allow the placard to be illuminated. 
     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the signage display of the present invention, shown installed within the hitch receiver of a vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the display of FIG. 1 installed within the hitch receiver of a vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the display of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the display of FIG. 1, with parts being broken away to show particular details of construction; 
     FIG. 5 is a view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the use of an adapter to accommodate a larger hitch receiver. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to FIG. 1, a vehicle signage display according to the present invention is broadly designated in the drawings by the reference numeral  10 . Display  10  is shown in FIG. 1 installed on a vehicle  12  generally below the rear bumper  14  of the vehicle. Vehicle  12  is provided with a hitch receiver  16 , as best seen in FIG.  4 . Receiver  16  typically has a generally square or rectangular opening  18 , into which may be installed a towing hitch or the display  10 . As best seen in FIG. 4, receiver  16  is also equipped with at least one retaining hole  20 , the importance of which is more fully described below. 
     Display  10  includes a frame  22  that includes an outer wall  24 . As best seen in FIG. an inner lip  26  extends inwardly from wall  24  below a top surface  28  of wall  24 . Outer wall  24  and lip  26  define a placard receiving area  30 . Area  30  accommodates a placard  32 , as is more fully described below. As best seen in FIG. 2, extending inwardly from wall  24  and spaced from lip  26  are a plurality of retaining ears  34 . While only one ear  34  is shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment each of the four comers of area  30  has an ear  34 . It should be understood that more or fewer than four ears  34  may be provided, so long as placard  32  is retained within area  30 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 2, lip  26  is also spaced from a rear wall  36  of frame  22 . As best seen in FIG. 3, rear wall  36  is equipped with a plurality of reinforcing ribs  38 . Ribs  38  are preferably integrally molded with wall  36  and offer structural stability to frame  22 . Rear wall  36  has a tongue  40  extending outwardly therefrom. Preferably, tongue  40  is integrally molded with frame  22 , but could be coupled to rear wall  36  with any suitable attaching mechanism, such as by welding, bonding or through the use of adhesives. Tongue  40  is molded to a shape and size that matches that of opening  18  in hitch receiver  16 . Further, although tongue  40  is shown as being a generally hollow member, it should be understood that tongue  40  could also be a solid member. As best seen in FIG. 5, tongue  40  has a number of retaining holes  42  disposed therethrough. Preferably, a pair of holes  42  is provided at each location, the holes being aligned with one another. A series of holes  42  may be provided along the length of tongue  40  to allow display  10  to be moved inwardly or outwardly as desired. As shown in FIG. 5, two pairs of holes  42  are provided. Tongue  40  is preferably offset from the vertical center of frame  22 . This placement of tongue  40  allows for some flexibility in the location of the display relative to the vehicle on which it is placed, such as may be needed for clearance of a bumper. 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, located above tongue  40  on wall  36  is a connector socket  44 . Socket  44  is preferably molded integrally with rear wall  36  and protrudes outwardly therefrom. It should be understood that socket  44  could be molded separately and coupled to wall  36  with any suitable attaching mechanism, such as by welding, bonding or through the use of adhesives. Socket  44  is of a size and shape that accommodates an electrical connector  46  of vehicle  12 , as best seen in FIGS. 3,  5  and  6 . Connector  46  can be protected when not in use by installing the connector within socket  44 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, frame  22  is provided with lights so that placard  32  can be illuminated. Rear wall  36  of frame  22  therefore has a pair of light sockets  48  coupled thereto. Preferably, sockets  48  are integrally molded into wall  36 , but could also be manufactured and installed separately. Sockets  48  are formed to accommodate a light bulb  50 , as best seen in FIG.  2 . Each socket  48  has electrical wiring  52  associated therewith, as is known in the art. Preferably, wiring  52  is supplied with power from vehicle  12 , so that a separate power source is not needed. As shown, a pair of sockets  48  and bulbs  50  are provided. It should be understood that a single socket and bulb could be used, and that more sockets and bulbs could also be used as desired. 
     As described above, a placard  32  is installed on frame  22  within receiving area  30 . Placard  32  is preferably made from a molded plastic material and is made to carry a design, message or graphic of some kind. This graphic could be imprinted directly on placard  32 , or may be applied to placard  32 , such as by an adhesive. For example, placard  32  could carry a particular political message, by indicating support for a particular candidate, or could carry a message or design indicating support for a particular athletic team. Alternatively, placard  32  could indicate the brand of the vehicle or dealership. It should be understood that the invention is not in any way limited to the type of message, design or graphic being displayed, as placard  32  could carry a variety of messages, designs or graphics. Placard  32  is made of a material, such as plastic, that allows the placard to be slightly bowed or bent and installed under retaining ears  34 . Once disposed below ears  34 , placard  32  is held in place on frame  22 . Mechanisms other than ears  34  could be used to removably hold placard  32  in place. For example, screws or a hook-and-loop fastening device could be employed. Placard  32  merely needs to be easily removed by the vehicle owner or operator while remaining in place during normal use. 
     An alternative embodiment for display  10  is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. In this embodiment, a number of adjusting clips  54  are provided. Each clip  54  is generally u-shaped and has an outer dimension matching that of opening  18  in hitch receiver  16 . Clips  54  are used when tongue  40  is of a smaller outer dimension that opening  18 , and operate to maintain display  10  securely on vehicle  12 . The inner legs of each clip  54  have a locking tab  56  located generally midway along the leg. Below each tab  56 , the legs are tapered to allow the tab to be easily installed on tongue  40 . As best seen in FIG. 5, tongue  40  has a pair of spaced locking slots  58  disposed therethrough. Slots  58  are provided to hold clips  56  in place. As best seen in FIG. 6, when tongue  40  is of a smaller outer dimension that opening  18  in hitch receiver  16 , clips  54  are used to fill the space between tongue  40  and opening  18 . 
     Clips  54  are installed on tongue  40  by first aligning the clip with a slot  58 . The clip is thereafter pushed onto tongue  40 , with the taper in each leg of clip  54  operating to cam the leg slightly outwardly. Each clip  54  is pushed onto tongue  40  until locking tabs  56  are within locking slots  58 . Clips  54  are made of a slightly resilient material, such that when tabs  56  are in alignment with slots  58 , the tabs will move inwardly and be held in place by slots  58 . As can be understood, clips  54  therefore allow display  10  to be used on a variety of hitch receivers  16  having a variety of openings  18 . Alternative clips  54  could also be used to adapt tongue  40  to the size of the hitch receiver  16 . For example, a sleeve dimensioned to fit over tongue  40  and within hitch receiver  16  could be used. Such a sleeve is preferably made from a slightly resilient material, such as rubber. In other words, clips  54  are used to adapt tongue  40  to different sizes of hitch receivers. 
     Display  10  can easily be installed in hitch receiver  16  by placing tongue  40  within opening  18 . If tongue  40  does not fit snugly within receiver  16 , clips  54  are first installed on tongue  40 . Tongue  40  is located within hitch receiver  16  such that retaining holes  42  of tongue  40  are aligned with retaining holes  20  of receiver  16 . Thereafter, a retaining pin  60  is placed through holes  42  and  20  to retain display  10  in place within hitch receiver  16 . As described above, if display  10  is equipped with lights  50 , the electrical wiring  52  is connected as is known in the art. To facilitate easy connection of this wiring, a quick-disconnect type connector may be used for wiring  52 . Further, if vehicle  12  is equipped with an electrical connector  46 , it may be placed within socket  44  to protect the connector from possible damage. Placard  32  containing the desired message, design or graphic may be installed within receiving area  30  and will be held in place by ears  34 . 
     It can therefore be understood that the invention provides a signage display that protects the hitch receiver of the vehicle and that provides protection for the electrical connector of the vehicle as well. The invention further provides a display with a placard that can be removed and changed as desired, and that can be illuminated for better visibility. Still further, the invention may be adjusted to accommodate varying sizes of hitch receiver openings. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
     Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.