Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a rotary device for external attachment to a vehicle, thereafter being operable for visually attracting attention to all or part of the vehicle, particularly when the vehicle is moving. In the most preferred embodiment, the rotary device attracts the attention of a casual observer via wind-driven rotational motion. In addition to the visual attraction caused by rotational motion, the rotary device can be shaped, decorated and strategically mounted to satisfy the particular attention-getting intent.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a rotary device for attracting visual attention to a vehicle. 
   2. Prior Art 
   The smooth surface of a vehicle is an attractive palette for many things, ranging from the fantastical visions of bodywork artists to the more functional purpose of advertising for a business. However, a flat palette is a static structure and, more often than not, the creative effort spent on its adornment is wasted. In the case of purely artistic designs, the lack of attention results in a mere loss of vanity nourishment. Nevertheless, for more functional purposes such as the advertising of a business, a lack of attention is equivalent to a loss of potential customers and consequently, has a direct bearing on the development and maintenance of a business. The point is driven home if one considers the number of vehicles encountered by an observer during an average day and the fact that rarely do observers remember even a single advertisement. Clearly, there is a need for a means of enhancing visual attraction to advertisements affixed to the side of a vehicle. 
   SUMMARY 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide means for enhancing visual attraction to advertisements affixed to the side of a vehicle. This objective is realized by a rotary device adapted for attachment to a vehicle wherein the rotary device spins when the vehicle is in motion. The rotary device comprises a mounting bracket having mounting means operable for attachment of the rotary device to the vehicle, an axle depending from the mounting bracket at a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and a solid conical block rotatably mounted on the axle. At least two rotary blades are attached to the solid conical section and lie substantially within an imaginary conical plane defined by a projection of a conical outer surface on the solid conical section. 
   The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However the invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the most preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows the preferred configuration of the rotary device of the present invention in relation to a horizontal mounting plane of the vehicle. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the geometrical parameters characterizing the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1–2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the axle and mounting bracket shown in phantom. 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a left side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a right side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 4–7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   2. IDENTIFICATION OF NUMBERS USED IN THE DRAWINGS 
     10 —vehicle with rotary device of the present invention attached thereto 
     11 —rotary device 
     12 —mounting surface for attachment of rotary device 
     13 —advertisement 
     20 —axle 
     30 —conical assembly 
     31 —phantom conical surface characterizing overall shape of rotary device 
     32 —rotary blades 
     33 —solid conical mounting block 
     40 —mounting bracket 
     50 —cord 
   3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning first to  FIG. 1 , the rotary device  11  of the present invention is illustrated in its functional environment attached to the underside  12  of a vehicle  10 . The rotary device  11  has an axle  20  that provides a physical axis of rotation as indicated in  FIG. 2 . The axle is tilted at an angle θ with respect to the horizontal plane of the mounting surface of the vehicle underside  12 . θ ranges between about 50–60 degrees depending on the clearance available for the rotary device  11  to turn. 
   The basic geometrical parameters of the rotary device  11  are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The rotary device  11  is essentially a hollow conical assembly  30  axially mounted to a bracket  40 , shown in  FIGS. 4–5 , wherein part of the conical surface is shaped to form blades  32 , thereby enabling the rotary device to spin when a stream of air impinges thereon. The rotary device  11  comprises a hollow cone  31 , shown partially in phantom, having a solid conical mounting block  33 . The full angular width A of the cone  31  is between 45 and 90 degrees, preferably about 70 degrees. The length of the conical axis L is approximately 12 to 15 inches long. The solid conical mounting block  33  is shaped like the frustum of a cone and has a thickness T of about 2 to 3 inches. The mounting block  33  is displaced a distance D of about 1 to 2 inches from the apex. The entirety of the conical surface  31  is removed above the solid conical mounting block  33 , from the apex to about 1.5 inches. The conical surface  31  below the mounting block  33  is cut and shaped to form the blades  32  of the rotary. 
   The blades  32  are shaped to form an amusing or otherwise eye-catching contour. In the most preferred embodiment, the blades are configured to resemble the shape of a human foot. Although only two blades are indicated in the drawings, in principle any number can be used subject to the limitations of available space and surface area. The solid conical mounting block  33  provides a support for the blades  32  as well as means for attaching the blades to the axle  20 . 
     FIGS. 4–9  show several perspective views of the rotary device  11 . The axle  20 , solid conical mounting block  33  and rotary blades  32  are commonly indicated in each illustration. Turning now to  FIGS. 4–5 , the rotary device is shown with the axle and mounting bracket  40  in phantom. The bracket  40  can be attached to the underside  12  of the vehicle using any means necessary to withstand the rigors of road travel such as clamps, adhesives or thumbscrews. The axle can be fixed with respect to the bracket or free to rotate along with the mounting block  33  and attached blades  32 . The blades are constructed from a pliable material and, as such, tend to rotate in a plane rather than a cone as their angular frequency increases. Consequently, a compression means such as a light cord  50 , is attached to opposing blades in order for the rotary device  11  to retain its approximately conical shape when under the duress of centrifugal forces. 
     FIGS. 6–7  show left and right views of the rotary device  11 . The foot shape of the blade is particularly evident in  FIG. 6 . The relationship of the cord  50  to each of the blade members is again indicated in  FIG. 7 .  FIGS. 8–9  show top and bottom views where the relationship of the solid conical mounting block  33  to the rotary blades  32  is easily seen. 
   In the most preferred embodiment, the rotary device  11  is mounted to the underside of a vehicle as shown in FIG.  1 . The rotary device  11  is located such that it draws attention to a part of the vehicle adorned with advertising  13 , such as beneath a door. When the vehicle moves forward, wind driven forces are produced that engage the curved surface of the blades. If the blades are cut to an amusing shape such as human feet, the observer is nudged into a positive frame of mind. Being mentally primed in this manner, the observer&#39;s attention is drawn to the advertisement on the vehicle due to its close visual proximity to the rotating rotary device. 
   In summary, this invention is a rotary device adapted for attachment to a vehicle wherein the rotary device spins when the vehicle is in motion. The rotary device comprises a mounting bracket having vehicle mounting means operable for attachment of the rotary device to the vehicle, an axle depending from the mounting bracket at a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane, and a solid conical block rotatably mounted on the axle. At least two rotary blades are attached to the solid conical section and lie substantially within an imaginary conical plane defined by a projection of a conical outer surface on the solid conical section. 
   While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.