Abstract:
A message display system includes a support base removably mounted to a window using suction disks and a rod. The rod supports a message device (such as a banner) and is preferably secured to a rod support. The rod support is pivotably secured about the support base using a fastener such that the orientation of the rod may be easily made level. The fastener preferably includes a threaded fastener that engages a cap or the like. The rod may optionally be telescopic such that the length of the rod may be adjusted. The message device preferably includes a cavity disposed along an outer edge that is sized and shaped to accept at least a portion of the rod.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to message display systems and more particularly, relates to an apparatus for releaseably securing a message to an object.  
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0002]     In many situations, it is desirable to be able to hang pictures, banners, advertisements, messages, menu and the like to a window or in front of a window. Traditionally, tape or adhesives placed in the corners of the message being hung on the window have been used. However, tape and adhesives suffer from several drawbacks. For example, it is often difficult to ensure that the message is hung level. Additionally, replacing the message requires the message to be removed. This often results in damage to the message since the tape or adhesive must also be removed.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus for hanging a message to a window or the like that is easy to level. The message should also be easily hung and removed without damaging the message. It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     According to one embodiment, the present invention features a message display system including a display device, a rod (for example a telescopic or curved rod), a support base, and a fastener. A first surface of the support base includes at least one removable mount such as a plurality of suction cups or a hook and loop fastener. The rod is pivotably secured to a second surface of the support base by the fastener such that the rod pivots about the support base in a direction substantially parallel to the second surface of the support base. The fastener may include a threaded fastener and may engage a cap.  
         [0005]     The display device preferably includes a cavity disposed proximate a top edge. The cavity sized and shaped to around at least a portion of the rod. According to another embodiment, at least a portion of the display device is translucent. The message display system may also include a rod base. The rod is secured to the rod base and the rod base is pivotably secured to the support base.  
         [0006]     According to another embodiment, the present invention features a mounting device for supporting a display device. The mounting device includes a support base having at least one removable mount (such as one or more suction disks) secured to a first surface thereof. A rod (for example a telescopic or curved rod) is adapted to support the display device and is pivotably secured to a second surface of the support base such that a longitudinal axis of the rod pivots about the support base in a direction substantially parallel to the second surface of the support base. The mounting device also includes means for locking the position of the rod relative to the support base such as a threaded fastener that engages a threaded cap. The rod is optionally secured to a rod base that pivots relative to the support base about the means for locking the position of the rod.  
         [0007]     According to a further embodiment, the present invention features a message display system. The message display system includes a display device for displaying a message and a rod sized and shaped to support the display device. A support base includes at least one removable mount (such as a suction disk or the like) secured to a first surface of the support base. The rod is secured to a rod base such that the rod extends outwardly generally parallel to a second surface of the support base. The rod base is pivotably secured to a second surface of the support base such that a longitudinal axis of the rod pivots about the support base in a direction substantially parallel to the second surface of the support base. The message display system also includes means for locking the position of the rod relative to the support base. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of one embodiment of the message display system according to the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the message display system according to the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the message display system shown in  FIG. 1  taken along lines III-III;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the message display system according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the locking device according to the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the leveling device according to the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the message display system according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is an end view of one embodiment of the clip for holding the message display from the rod according to the present invention; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is an end view of another embodiment of a clip for holding the message display from the rod according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]     The present invention features a message display system  10 ,  FIG. 1 , including a mounting device  12  and a message display  14  for securing the message display  14  to an object such as, but not limited to, a window (automotive, commercial, or residential window). According to one embodiment, the message display  14  includes any device known to those skilled in the art for communicating a message and contains an image or indicia  16  disposed thereon. For exemplary purposes only, the indicia  16  may include a “HELP/ASSISTANCE NEEDED” message, a motivational message, self improvement message, personal goal, inspirational message, family picture, or may include an advertisement message for a particular product.  
         [0019]     The message display  14  may include a banner, a photobanner, an advertisement, or the like and is preferably at least partially translucent. Alternatively, the message display  14  includes a sunshade/blocking device for reducing the amount of light transmitted. This embodiment is particularly useful in automotive applications and storefront applications.  
         [0020]     According to the preferred embodiment, the message display  14  includes a cavity  15  sized and shaped to fit around at least a portion of the rod  22  of the mounting device  12  as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. Alternatively, the message display  14  may be secured to the rod  22  using one or more clips  87 ,  FIGS. 7-9 . The clips  87  may includes two or more legs  89 ,  FIG. 8 , biased towards each other that press against the front and rear of the message display  14  and hold the message display  14  in place. Alternatively, the clips  87 ,  FIG. 9 , may include one or more hooked regions  91  that fit within apertures  91  disposed in the message display  14 . The present invention also features any other device known to those skilled in the art for securing the message displace  14  from the rod  22  including, but not limited to, adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, fasteners, buttons, or the like. The message display  14  optionally also includes a weight  17  preferably disposed proximate the bottom of the message display  14 . The weight  17  aids in preventing air currents or the like from disturbing the message display  14 .  
         [0021]     The message display  14  may optionally include an opening  77  forming a pouch or the like. The opening  77  is sized to allow a user to insert an object to be suspended within the pouch. The message display  14  may also include fastening device  79 . The fastening device  79  includes any device known to those skilled in the art for closing the opening including, but not limited to, a flap, a zip lock, adhesive, or the like.  
         [0022]     The mounting device  12  includes a base  18  and a rod  22  pivotably secured to the base  18 . The base  18  may have any shape and includes at least one releasable mount  26 . In the preferred embodiment, the releasable mount  26  includes a plurality of suction cup/disk  26  disposed about a bottom surface  30  of the base  18 . Alternatively, the releasable mount  26  may include one or more hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, magnets, clips, fasteners, or the like.  
         [0023]     The message display system  10  may function as a stand-alone-unit and feature one or more cavities or apertures  99  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) such that the message display system  10  can be secured to the frame of a stand  101 . In the preferred embodiment, the cavity  99  is disposed in the base  18  of the message display system  10 , though this is not a limitation of the present invention and the cavity  99  may also be disposed in the rod support  20  as will be explained hereinbelow. The cavity  99  is preferably sized to accept at least a portion of the frame of the stand  101 , and is preferably secured to the frame  101  using one or more fasteners  102  such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, magnets, or the like.  
         [0024]     As discussed above, the rod  22  supports the message display  14 . In the preferred embodiment, the rod  22  and/or the cavity  15  are sized and shaped such that at least a portion of the rod  22  fits at least partially within the cavity  15  of the message displace  14 . The rod  22  is optionally telescopic such that the length L of the rod  22  may be adjusted to fit a wide variety of different width messages  14 .  
         [0025]     The rod  22  is secured to the base  18  using a locking device  24  and pivots about an axis A of the base  18  parallel to the base  18  in the direction of arrow B. In use, rod  22  is orientated in the desired position and the locking device  24  locks the position of the rod  22  relative to the base  18 . As will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, the locking device  24  includes any means known to those skilled in the art to allow the rod  22  to pivot about the base  18  and to be secured in a desired position.  
         [0026]     According to one embodiment, the rod  22 ,  FIG. 2 , is pivotably secured directly to the base  18  by locking device  24 . The locking device  24  is preferably disposed at least partially within an aperture  51  of the rod  22  and generates a force against rotation between the base  18  and the rod  22 . According to another embodiment, the rod  22 ,  FIGS. 3 and 4 , is secured/supported directly to a rod support  20 . The rod  22  may be removable from the rod support  20  such that various lengths of rods  22  may be used to accommodate a wide variety of message devices  14 . In any event, the rod support  22  is secured to the base  18  by the locking device  24  and pivots with respect to the base  18 .  
         [0027]     According to one embodiment, the locking device  24 ,  FIG. 3 , may include a fastener  32  such as a bolt or the like disposed through an aperture  33  in the rod support  20  (or rod  22  in the embodiment wherein the rod support  20  is not used) and which threadably engages a threaded region  34  of the base  18 . The fastener  32  preferably includes a head or cap  35  sized and shaped to facilitate the threading of the fastener  32  into the threaded region  34  of the base  18 .  
         [0028]     Alternatively, the locking device  24 ,  FIG. 4 , includes a fastener  40  such as a bolt/pivot screw or the like disposed through a first aperture  42  in the base  18  and a second aperture  44  in the rod support  20  (or rod  22  in the embodiment wherein the rod support  20  is not used). The fastener  40  threadably engages a cap  46  having a threaded region  48 .  
         [0029]     According to a further embodiment, the locking device  24 ,  FIG. 5 , includes at least one magnet  81 . In the preferred embodiment, both the base  18  and the rod support  20  include a magnet  81  arranged with poles opposite each other such that the magnets  81  attract each other. Alternatively, either the base  18  or the rod support  20  may include a magnet  81  and opposite side may include a magnetically active material.  
         [0030]     The base  18  also preferably includes a post  83  or the like extending generally outwardly. The rod support  20  includes an aperture  85  sized and shaped to accept the post  83 . The combination of the post  83  and the aperture  85  increases the load capacity of the message display system  10 .  
         [0031]     The present invention optionally includes a leveling device  90 ,  FIG. 6 . In the preferred embodiment, the leveling device  90  includes a body  91  having at least one aperture  92 . The aperture  92  is sized and shaped to fit over at least one a portion of the end of the rod  22 . The body also includes a leveling window  93 , preferably having a plurality of leveling indicia  94 . In use, the user places the leveling device  90  over the end of the rod  22  while the locking device  24  is loose and secures the message display system  10  to the support surface. Using the leveling device  90 , the user adjusts the rod  22  to the desired setting and tightens the locking device  24 .  
         [0032]     Accordingly, the present invention allows a message device to be easily hung and leveled. Additionally, the present invention allows the message device to be removed without damaging the message device or the receiving surface (for example, but not limited to, a window, wall, or the like). As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the claims when interpreted in accordance with breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.