Abstract:
The invention is directed toward a display holder for displaying and storing one or more items on the interior side of a vehicle windshield. The display holder includes a walled container with at least an upper opening for placing and removing items and an aperture window for viewing the items.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a display holder attached to the interior of a vehicle windshield that allows placement, display and storage of different shaped and sized items 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Vehicle drivers require a convenient and accessible means for storing and displaying a wide variety of printed items such as parking receipts, especially “pay and display” coupons and receipts. 
         [0004]    Also, radio frequency identification tags (RFID) are becoming commonplace and often require ready access to be read properly. 
         [0005]    The subject device provides a convenient and useful storage and display tool. These improvements will be appreciated by drivers and will work successfully in both private and commercial vehicles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A display holder is affixed to the interior side of a vehicle windshield, the display holder comprises a left side wall and a corresponding right side wall where the left side wall is essentially parallel to the right side wall; a back wall positioned between the left side wall and the right side wall; a front wall which includes a left portion and a corresponding right portion, the left portion being essentially parallel to the right portion; and a bottom wall which connects the front wall to the back wall which creates a container for one or more items to be displayed therein. 
         [0007]    The invention further includes a method for using the display holder. This method may include affixing the display holder to the interior side of the windshield. This can include use of a fastener such as an adhesive or hook-and-loop fastener. Secondly, one or more items may be positioned within the display holder, where at least one item is capable of being viewed from (and through) the exterior side of the windshield. When affixed to the windshield, the most-current item may be placed and displayed first through the windshield. As yet a third step, these items may be arranged through use of an aperture or simply removed for accounting purposes or for disposal. These three steps may be repeated to display and organize the various items as needed. 
         [0008]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the invention are considered with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not limiting sense as follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the subject apparatus. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is front elevation view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the subject apparatus mounted on a windshield and including an example parking receipt. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts display holder  10  having front wall  12  having a display window there through defined by opening edge  14 , through which rear wall  16  can be seen. The front and rear walls are offset by respective side walls  18  and  20 . A bottom wall is not shown. Each side of front wall  12  also has fastener standoffs  22  and  24 . In this embodiment, each standoff has a fastener boss  26  and  28  suitable for affixing a suction cup or similar fastener. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a rear view of holder  10  seen in  FIG. 1  where similarly numbered elements are the same. Also seen in  FIG. 2  is cut-out edge  30  in rear wall  16  which facilitates insertion or removal of items from display holder  10 . It will be recognized in this embodiment that five separate walls define the enclosure for display holder  10 . 
         [0016]    Conventional suction cups can be utilized in conjunction with display holder  10  as well as other fasteners such as hook-and-loop fasteners or adhesives such as glue, epoxy or the like. 
         [0017]    Moreover, the display holder  10  is preferably manufactured out of a thermoplastic polymer resin or composite capable of being injection molded. It can also be manufactured of suitable paperboard, i.e., capable of maintaining the holder&#39;s shape. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  depicts display holder  10  having rear wall  16  seen through the window defined by edge  14 . In this view, fastener bosses  26  and  28  are engaged with flexible suction cups  32  and  34  respectively. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates how the display holder  10  and a sample parking receipt  36  can be viewed through the exterior side of a vehicle windshield  38 . In this figure, suction cups  32  and  34  have been affixed to the interior of windshield  38  via seals  40  and  42 . 
       EXAMPLE 1 
       [0020]    A display holder was injection molded from polyethylene resin and had front and rear walls 2.375 inches high by 3.25 inches wide, opposite side walls 2.375 inches high by 0.375 inches wide and a bottom wall 3.25 inches long by 0.375 inches wide. Each opposite side wall had a fastener standoff having a round fastener boss approximately 0.24 inches high to which was attached a flexible plastic suction cup having a diameter of approximately 0.75 inches. The rear wall of the display holder had a 0.625 inch cutout at its top edge to facilitate insertion and removal of items therein. The front wall hade an opening aperture of approximately 2.75 inches by 2.0 inches. In other embodiments, the aperture opening can be covered with a transparent film window. In operation, the display holder was affixed to the interior surface of a vehicle windshield and proved effective for displaying or storing a plurality of items therein. 
         [0021]    The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention set forth herein.