Abstract:
A vehicle banner assembly employs a continuous leading edge attachment and elastic bands to stretch and display a banner on the door of a vehicle. The vehicle banner assembly permits easy removal of the banner and is constructed of plastic materials that do not damage the finish of the vehicle. The vehicle banner assembly permits the user to adjust the length of the banner to accommodate variations in the size of vehicle doors.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/220,619 filed Jul. 25, 2000 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/259,118 filed Dec. 29, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to the placement of advertising and signs on vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates generally to advertising display banners that temporarily but securely attach to the door of a motor vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The attendance of professional sporting events including auto racing events and football games is at record levels. Many fans have particular teams, players, brands or drivers whom they follow and support. Various products related to the team, brand, player or driver are available which allow the fan to display their support. These products include T-shirts, bumper stickers, decals, posters, flags, pennants, hats and the like. Frequently, fans attending a particular event purchase event related memorabilia and display that memorabilia in or on their motor vehicle. 
     It is well known to display advertising on the exterior of motor vehicles. Typically the advertising is painted on the exterior. Magnetic signs that stick to the body panels of motor vehicles are also known. Various adhesive backed printed materials, such as bumper stickers, are also known in the art. Painted or adhesive products have the disadvantage of permanently altering the exterior finish of the motor vehicle. Magnetic signs may be bulky and also have the potential to damage the finish of the body panel to which they are applied. 
     Additionally, the bumper sticker or decal typically has a very limited size. The size is limited by the permanent or semi-permanent nature of a decal or sticker. The typical fan does not want to permanently alter the exterior appearance of their car or truck with a large sticker or decal. A large magnetic type sign can be expensive and has the major disadvantage of likely scratching the paint of the body panel to which it is secured. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a large surface area display apparatus that can be securely but temporarily attached to the exterior of a motor vehicle. The display apparatus should not result in damage to the motor vehicle finish and be inexpensive to produce. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a banner and means for affixing the banner to the door of a motor vehicle. The banner may vary in size but is preferably configured to cover most of the door, or at least the upper half of the door. The banner is securely attached to the door at both the hinge edge and the entry edge of the door. At the hinge edge of the door the banner includes a pocket along the leading edge of the banner. A flexible retaining cable is trapped within the pocket. The pocket and retaining cable are inserted between the hinge edge and the trailing edge of the front fender when the door is partially open or closed. Plastic hooks attached or sewn to the banner are hooked over the hinge edge of the door to hold the banner assembly in place while the driver fully opens the door during entry. Closing the door traps the retaining cable between the hinge edge of the door and the trailing edge of the fender, securely retaining the entire leading edge of the banner. The flexible retaining cable and banner material conform to the shape of the door profile, permitting the banner to be displayed in a close fitting relationship with the door. The trailing edge of the banner is equipped with elastic bands and soft plastic hooks that engage the entry edge of the door. 
     Alternatively, a hook is molded or extruded as a continuous, flexible strip similar to an automobile door edge molding. Affixed to the continuous hook are means for engaging the leading edge of the banner. The trailing edge of the banner may be equipped with similar, though shorter, hooks affixed to the banner by elastic bands. The banner is stretched across the door and retained in place by the elastic bands and/or the elastic properties of the banner itself. 
     The advertisement, promotional message or display is printed on thin, flexible material such as plastic film. Similar banners are routinely used in advertising. Textile materials, coated paper or paper-like materials may also be appropriate. Such banners may be mass-produced at low cost per unit. The leading and trailing edges of the banner may provide excess material to accommodate differences in the size and shape of motor vehicle doors. The banner and attachment hooks may be packaged and sold as a kit. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vehicle banner assembly which may be securely affixed to the door of a motor vehicle and easily removed without damage to the motor vehicle finish. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vehicle banner assembly that may be cost effectively produced in large quantities. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vehicle banner assembly which includes a display area approximately the size of a vehicle door. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vehicle banner assembly that may be used with a wide variety of vehicle types, makes and models. 
    
    
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle door displaying a vehicle banner assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a first embodiment of a vehicle banner assembly in accordance with the present invention, partially in phantom and partially broken away; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of a first embodiment of an edge hook for use in conjunction with a vehicle banner assembly in accordance with the present invention, illustrated in functional relationship with a vehicle banner (partially illustrated); 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective side view of a second embodiment of an edge hook for use in conjunction with a vehicle banner assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective rear view of the edge hook of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the edge hook of FIG. 4 partially closed over an edge of a vehicle banner (partially illustrated); 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the edge hook of FIG. 4 completely closed over an edge of a vehicle banner (partially illustrated); 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged top view of a third embodiment of an edge hook for use in conjunction with a vehicle banner assembly in accordance with the present invention, illustrated in functional relationship with a vehicle banner (partially illustrated); 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged front perspective view of an embodiment of a rear hook suitable for use in conjunction with the vehicle banner assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the rear hook of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of the rear hook of FIG. 9, illustrated in functional conjunction with an elastic band as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; and 
     FIG. 12 is a further alternative embodiment of an edge hook for use in conjunction with a vehicle banner assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-7, wherein like numerals refer to similar parts, a first embodiment of the vehicle banner assembly in accordance with the present invention is designated by the numeral  10 . FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle banner assembly  10  installed on a representative door  12  of a motor vehicle. 
     The banner is made of a thin, flexible, inexpensive yet durable material such as polyethylene plastic sheet. Certain textiles, coated paper products or paper-like sheet materials, such as Tyvek® material, may also be appropriate. The sheet material will preferably have some elastic properties as well. A promotional message, symbol and/or advertisement is printed on at least one side of the sheet  20 . The banner has a leading edge  18  secured to the hinge edge  24  of the door  12  and a trailing edge  19  secured to the entry edge  22  of the door. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the vehicle banner assembly  10 . In this embodiment, a pocket  35  is included along substantially the entire leading edge  18  of the banner. An elongate retainer  32  is enclosed in the pocket  35  by stitching  52 . The elongate retainer  32  can be formed of any material that is flexible and retains enough rigidity to become trapped between the hinge edge  24  of the door and the trailing edge of the vehicle fender (not illustrated). Examples of appropriate materials for use as elongate retainers include rubber tubing, electrical cable, foam strips, and the like. Plastic hooks  88  attached or sewn to the banner are hooked over the hinge edge of the door to hold the banner assembly in place while the driver fully opens the door during entry. This method of securing the leading edge  18  of the vehicle banner assembly to the door  12  of a vehicle has proven to be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, adaptable to a wide variety of vehicle styles, and secure yet non-damaging to vehicle finishes. 
     Alternatively, the leading edge  18  of the vehicle banner assembly  10  is secured to the hinge edge  24  by a continuous strip-like edge hook  21 . The edge hook  21  is constructed of tough, flexible plastic material that is soft enough to protect the paint finish of the vehicle door and conform to the contour (bulge) of the door. FIG. 3 is a top view of a first embodiment of an edge hook  21 . The edge hook  21  includes a hook-shaped edge catch  30  and a tubular body  31 . The edge catch  30  is preferably equipped with a flared hook-shape, which allows for easy installation over the hinge edge  24  of the door  12  (particularly when the door is closed). The edge hook body  31  includes an opening  33  that traverses the length of the edge hook  21 . The edge hook  21  preferably has a length equal to the height of the banner  20 , which is approximately 12 to 18 inches and preferably approximately 15 inches. The edge hook may be conveniently formed by known plastic forming techniques, such as extrusion or molding. 
     The vehicle banner assembly illustrated in FIG. 2 may be equipped with the edge hook  21  of FIG.  3 . The leading edge  18  of the banner  20  is formed into a pocket  35  by turning the banner material back and bonding the material together by sewing, heat bonding or similar means. With reference to FIG. 3, the leading edge pocket  35  with its captured elongate retainer  32  is inserted into the hook body  31 . The elongate retainer  32  expands the pocket  35  and secures the leading edge  18  of the banner  20  within the edge hook  21 . 
     Alternatively, the pocket  35  may be left open at one or both ends to permit the leading edge  18  and its pocket  35  to be inserted into the edge hook body  31  through opening  33  and then expanded by insertion of the elongate retainer  32 . In this arrangement, the elongate retainer  32  preferably incorporates a head (not illustrated) or other means sufficient to keep the retaining rod  32  from slipping out of the hollow hook body  31 . 
     Elastic bands  16 , which terminate in rear hooks  14 , extend rearwardly from the trailing edge  19  of the banner  20 . Preferred materials for the elastic bands include polyester/rubber composite elastic in widths of approximately 1 inch. Other materials will also be suitable. 
     FIGS. 9-11 illustrate one possible preferred embodiment of a rear hook  14 . The rear hook  14  is provided with openings  15  through which the elastic band  16  is threaded and adjustably retained. This rear hook configuration permits the length of the elastic bands  16  to be easily adjusted to fit the particular vehicle door on which the banner will be displayed. With the leading edge  18  of the banner  20  secured to the hinge edge  24  of a vehicle door  12 , the elastic bands  16  are stretched and the rear hooks are attached over the entry edge  22  of the door. In this manner, the vehicle banner assembly  10  is easily and securely displayed over a vehicle door. Of course, non-elastic bands may also be used. 
     It should be understood that the configuration of the edge hook edge catch  30 , body  31  and elongate retaining element  32  may assume numerous forms. An alternative configuration of an edge hook is illustrated in FIG.  8 . Edge hook  21   a  includes a rhombus-shaped body  31  in which a similarly shaped retention rod  32  is inserted to retain the leading edge  18  of the banner  20 . An opening  33  traverses the length of the edge hook  21   a  through which a folded edge of the banner material may be inserted. In this alternative configuration, the edge hook body  31  is extruded (or molded) to flexibly clamp over the banner material and the retaining rod  32 . The clamped relationship between the banner  20 , retaining rod  32  and edge hook body  31 , permits the user to configure the overall length L of the installed banner. A pre-formed loop is no longer required. The edge hook body  31  and/or the elongate retaining element  32  may include ribs or other protrusions to further engage the banner material. The elongate retaining element  32  may be tapered at one end to aid in assembly. 
     A yet further embodiment of an edge hook is illustrated in FIGS. 4-7. Edge hook  21   b  includes an edge catch  30  and a hinged body  36   a ,  36   b . The V-shaped body has two wings  36   a ,  36   b  configured to clamp over the folded leading edge  18  of the banner  20 . One wing  36   a  includes retention ribs  39  and protruding engagement posts  40 . The opposed wing  36   b  includes complementary retention ribs  39  and holes  42  for receiving the engagement posts  40 . FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the folded leading edge  18  of a banner  20  inserted between the open wings  36   a ,  36   b  of the edge hook  21   b . The wings  36   a ,  36   b  are then closed over the folded leading edge  18 . When closed together, the opposed, complementary retention ribs  39  engage and retain the folded leading edge  18 . The engagement posts  40  pierce the banner material of the folded leading edge  18  and pass through the holes  42 , further retaining the folded edge  18 . The wings  36   a ,  36   b  are retained in a closed relationship by protrusions  43  on the engagement posts  40 . The wings essentially snap together over the folded leading edge  18  of the banner  20 . This embodiment of edge hook  21   b  ensures the banner is easily custom adjusted for length by the user and securely retained along the entire leading edge  18  within the edge hook  21   b.    
     FIG. 12 illustrates a variation of the edge hook of FIG.  3 . This edge hook  21   c  includes discrete edge catches  30   a  that are attached to the edge hook body  31  by an articulating link  50 . In this edge hook, the edge catch  30   a  is free to rotate and pivot at the articulating link  50 . This flexibility permits the edge catches  30   a  and edge hook body  31  to assume whatever position is dictated by the vehicle structure. The entire edge hook may be constructed of stronger, more rigid materials, because the necessary flexibility is provided by the articulating link  50 . 
     Short versions of the edge hook  21   b  may alternatively be used to secure the trailing edge  19  of the banner  20  to the entry edge  22  of the vehicle door  12 . In such an installation, the elastic properties of the banner material will be relied upon to create tension between the opposed edge hooks to retain the banner on the door. 
     Secure retention of the banner along the entire leading edge is important aerodynamically because the vehicle to which the banner is secured will move through the air as it is driven. If air is allowed between the banner and the door at the leading edge, the banner will be torn from the vehicle. In this regard, the hookless attachment scheme explained in conjunction with FIG. 2 has proven to be simple, secure and non-damaging to the vehicle. Configuring the banner length L and securing the leading edge along the entire banner height H ensure proper retention of the banner on the vehicle. 
     Enabling the user to easily configure the banner length serves two primary purposes. User adjustability permits the production of a one size fits all banner, significantly reducing costs. In addition, the size and shape of vehicle doors vary widely and user adjustability ensures at least the opportunity for every banner to be fitted to the particular door on which it will be used. 
     The edge hooks and banners can be mass-produced very inexpensively. Inexpensive banners could be given away as a promotional tool. The cost of the banners could be defrayed by the sale of advertising on the banners. For example, the sponsors of an auto racing team could distribute banners free, knowing their name and logo will be prominently displayed. Alternatively, banners associated with a particular player or team might be sold as memorabilia that the fan can display on the way to and from an event. Businesses that utilize personal vehicles to deliver products or services may choose to create durable vehicle banners for display by their delivery personnel. 
     The inventive configuration of the vehicle banner assembly creates a large display area of approximately 15×24-30 inches. With the large size of the display area, there is room for driver/player/team identification as well as prominent display of the sponsor name and logo. Such flexibility makes the vehicle banner assembly an attractive promotional tool. The vehicle banner assembly has the additional advantage of securely attaching to the user&#39;s vehicle without damaging the vehicle finish. The vehicle banner is quickly and completely removable, leaving no trace of its use. 
     While preferred embodiments of the foregoing invention have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.