Abstract:
A mobile video display unit comprises a rear projection unit that projects at least one image onto a collapsible screen that surrounds the projection unit to permit viewing within a 360 degree radius of the unit. The collapsible screen can be perforated to permit air to diffuse through its surface and thereby providing resistance to wind loading.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application having Application No. 60/829,647 filed Oct. 16, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to mobile advertising displays for mounting on a vehicle. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Mobile advertising billboards are ubiquitous and can be seen installed on the back of flatbed trucks, towed behind vehicles, or integrated into vehicles of all types. These mobile forms of advertising have become an integral part of our daily lives and now represent an important method of mass communication. Mobile billboards are seen in various other forms such as vinyl banners affixed to the side of a truck, billboard trailers towed by vehicles, and plastic illuminated two-sided signs on the top of a taxicabs. 
         [0006]    Certain taxicab advertising billboards integrate programmable mini-electronic billboards that can display a static message, a dynamic message, or a string of messages depending on how the sign is programmed. Larger scale versions of these electronic billboards can be found on the sides of blimps. 
         [0007]    Another variation on the mobile electronic billboard is the mobile electronic billboard truck. These trucks utilize the latest in video technology such as large projection TVs, plasma screens, and Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to deliver video advertisements to consumers on the street. Implementation of these video technologies as mobile billboards is commonly seen in the form of a truck having one or more large screens permanently affixed to it. Having LCD, projection, and/or plasma screens installed as a permanent fixture of a vehicle has some drawbacks however. Firstly, a permanent mobile electronic billboard installation on a truck is not portable and does not permit the billboard to be transported from one vehicle to another if needed (as in the case of a vehicle breaking down). Another drawback of a permanently installed mobile video billboard is that the type of vehicle being utilized may not be complementary to specific billboard advertisements (such as an advertisement for Ford on a GM video billboard truck). Moreover, in a permanent installation, moving the billboard between markets is costly and unwieldy since the entire vehicle has to be relocated to each market where an advertising initiative is being executed. 
         [0008]    Lastly, if a mobile billboard is permanently installed as part of a vehicle, views of the billboard are restricted to only three possible pedestrian viewing sides (i.e. the rear, left side and right side of the vehicle) because the front cab of the truck prevents a front viewing angle. 
         [0009]    There is a need, therefore, for a mobile video billboard that obviates these and other drawbacks of existing mobile video vehicle billboard installations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a mobile image display unit that comprises a self-contained, rear-projection display unit that can be temporarily affixed to the top of a vehicle providing at least about a  360  degree circumferential view of a displayed image, thereby instantly transforming the vehicle into a mobile image display vehicle. Moreover, the mobile image display unit of the present invention can be quickly dismantled for ease of transportation and storage when not in use, or installation on a different vehicle when required. Preferably, the screens are all porous to wind to allow for use in windy conditions. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1 . depicts a side view of a vehicle with the frame of a mobile image display unit in accordance with the present invention mounted on it; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a top view of a vehicle with the frame, projectors and screens of a mobile image display unit in accordance with the present invention mounted on it; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  depicts a side view of a completed installation of a mobile image display unit in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The present invention is directed toward a self-contained, portable, collapsible mobile image display unit. In a preferred embodiment, the display unit is adapted for mounting on top of a car, Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), van or other suitable vehicle. When assembled, the mobile image display unit of the present invention creates a display that can be viewed within at least about a 360 degree circumference of the unit and can project an image on one or more viewing screens. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a mobile image display unit in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame  101  adapted for mounting on a vehicle  100 . Frame  101  comprises a lower portion  103  comprising a sub-frame  105 . To attach frame  101  to vehicle  100 , mounting bars  102  are first attached to vehicle  100  by a suitable method such as anchoring mounting bars  106  to the roof rails of vehicle  100 . Mounting bars  102  are then attached to lower portion  103  by straps  107 , thereby anchoring frame  101  to vehicle  100 . The mounting surface of vehicle  100  is protected from scratches and abrasions from direct surface contact with frame  101  by rubberized caps attached to the extremities of lower portion  103 . Frame  101  is designed to be quickly and easily disassembled, thereby permitting rapid setup and takedown of the mobile image display unit. 
         [0016]    Once frame  101  is anchored in place on vehicle  100 , the projection and screen elements of the mobile image display unit of the present invention can be installed.  FIG. 2  depicts the projection elements of the present invention as installed on a vehicle  100 . As depicted therein, once frame  101  is installed, one or more image projection units  201  are mounted on mounting plate  203 . Preferably four separate projection units  201  are utilized for maximum flexibility in programming. Projection units  201  can be adapted for various types of images including still and video images. A single image producer can be used with the ability to project circumferentially. 
         [0017]    Following installation of projection units  201 , screens  202  are inserted into their respective positions within frame  101  as shown. Preferably, the screen is at least two feet in height and most preferably  3  feet high. With this large surface area, preferably screens  202  comprise a porous flexible material that permits air to flow through its surface thereby reducing wind loading on the image display unit. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the use of four screens  202  affords a view of the image display within at least a  360 -degree circumference of vehicle  100 . Referring now to  FIG. 3 , depicted therein is a fully assembled mobile video billboard  300 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , once the frame assembly  101  is erected and projection units  201  and screens  202  are installed, covers  301  and  302  are installed to shield projection units  201  from the elements. Preferably, covers  301  and  302  are constructed from semi-rigid material that allows water to drain off the top of the assembled unit  300  and prevent infiltration into the projection units  201  housed therein. Alternatively, cover  301  can be replaced by a screen similar to screens  202 , thereby allowing an image or video to be projected on top of the image display unit which can be viewed from above the vehicle  100 . In operation, the mobile display unit  300  is powered by the vehicie&#39;s  100  battery operating in conjunction with a power inverter or generator and is adapted to operate whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion. 
         [0018]    While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. For example frame  101  can be adapted to rotate instead of remaining fixed in place atop vehicle  100 . Alternatively, a curved, circular screen can be used, or a three (or more) sided screen. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.