Abstract:
A vehicle message display device for delivering messages from a vehicle includes a set of display cards wherein each display card contains text and, optionally, a graphic relating to the text. A spiral binding keeps the set of display cards organized, and tabs with identifying text aid the vehicle occupant in the selection of an appropriate display card.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a set of display cards for use in communications between vehicles. Certain display cards bear messages used to notify other motorists of vehicle problems and potential safety hazards. Other display cards may notify passers by of a need for gas or other assistance. Still other display cards bear messages which may be nothing more than a form of friendly greeting.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion  
         [0004]     While traveling on roads and highways, vehicle drivers and passengers often encounter vehicles with problems. One vehicle may have a loose wheel, a low tire, a partially open door, or an open gas cap. Another vehicle may be emitting smoke, while yet another driver may have a flashing turn signal (sometimes also called a “blinker” herein) or a light that isn&#39;t illuminated. Many travelers have noticed a coat dragging the pavement or a load which is being lost. Sometimes the driver of the other vehicle is aware of the problem. On other occasions, the driver is not aware of the problem but would take corrective action if the problem were known. Although many drivers have cellular phones, the cellular phone is of no use without a number.  
         [0005]     From time to time, almost every driver has run out of gas or been stranded due to a mechanical failure. Cellular phones are helpful in such circumstances, yet some drivers do not have cellular phones or, for long-distance travelers, help may be far away.  
         [0006]     Stories abound of road rage and violence committed by one driver towards another. In this environment, the ability to communicate a warm greeting to another driver has value.  
         [0007]     A loose wheel is a safety hazard not only to the occupants of the vehicle but also to other drivers on the road. A low tire affects steering and maneuvering capabilities and affects fuel economy. A low tire can come apart if ignored, thereby creating a safety hazard and littering the environment. A smoking car sacrifices fuel economy and pollutes the environment. Even something as minor as a dragging chain could generate a spark and start a fire.  
         [0008]     The present invention enables a driver or passenger to communicate with the occupants of another vehicle—to warn of an existing or potential safety problem, to advise of a general vehicle malfunction, or merely to ask for assistance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Applicant&#39;s invention provides a set of display cards bearing messages which are useful in communicating with the driver or passengers in another vehicle. The display cards are bound together by spiral binder or by rings and tabbed to facilitate selection of an appropriate message.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a view of the applicant&#39;s invention displayed from a vehicle window.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a display card template in accordance with applicant&#39;s invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is another display card.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is another display card.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is another display card.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is another display card.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is another display card.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is another display card.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is another display card.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is another display card.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is another display card.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is another display card.  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is another display card.  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is another display card.  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is another display card.  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is another display card.  
         [0026]      FIG. 17  is another display card.  
         [0027]      FIG. 18  is another display card.  
         [0028]      FIG. 19  is another set of display cards according to the applicant&#39;s invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     In the following description of the present invention, like numerals and characters designate like elements throughout the figures of the drawings.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a set of display cards  50  according to applicant&#39;s invention is displayed from within vehicle  52  by a driver  54 . The set of display cards  50  includes display cards  100 ,  150 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 ,  350 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  550 ,  600 ,  650 ,  700 ,  750 ,  800 ,  850 ,  900  bound together with a binder  56  (see  FIGS. 3-17 ). The display card  250  being displayed is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0031]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the display card  250  of the set of display cards  50  is displayed by the driver  54  through the driver&#39;s window  58  of the vehicle  52 . The display card  250  of the set of display cards  50  may be displayed in any window by the driver or by any passenger (not shown).  
         [0032]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , it would be understood by one skilled in the art that the binder  56  may be, without limitation, a spiral binder, a three-ring binder, or other binder which permits display of a selected display card.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a display card template  100  has a message text portion  102 , a graphic  104 , a tab  106 , a content area  116 , and a binding area  118 . The display card template  100  has a top edge  108  and a bottom edge  110 . The binding area  118  is located along the top edge  108  and contains binder holes  112  to allow spiral binding of display cards  150 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 ,  350 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  550 ,  600 ,  650 ,  700 ,  750 ,  800 ,  850 ,  900 . The content area  116  contains the text portion  102  and the graphic  104 . The tab  106  is located along the bottom edge  110 . The tab  106  contains identifying text  114  to allow the user to easily locate the appropriate display card  150 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 ,  350 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  550 ,  600 ,  650 ,  700 ,  750 ,  800 ,  850 ,  900 .  
         [0034]     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , it would be understood by one skilled in the art that the message text  102  can show any legible message, and the graphic  104  can display any graphic related to the message text  102 . It would further be understood that both the message text  102  and the graphic  104 , either independently or cooperatively, communicate a pre-selected message (for example, “You have a low tire” or “I need gas”).  
         [0035]     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the message text  102  and the graphic  104  can be arranged in any logical fashion within the content area  116  display card template  100 . The message text  102  can be superimposed on the graphic  104  (see  FIGS. 15 &amp; 17 ). The binder holes  112  located within the binding area  116  along the top edge  108  of the display card template  100  receive the spiral binder  56 .  
         [0036]     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , 8 different tab positions are shown as follows: a first tab position  120 , a second tab position  122 , a third tab position  124 , a fourth tab position  126 , a fifth tab position  128 , a sixth tab position  130 , a seventh tab position  132 , and an eighth tab position  134 . Each display card  150 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 ,  350 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  550 ,  600 ,  650 ,  700 ,  750 ,  800 ,  850 ,  900 ,  950  has a tab in specific tab position (see  FIGS. 3-17 ).  
         [0037]     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the display card template  100  includes dimensions for a card width  136 , a card height  138 , a content area height  140 , a binding area height  142 , a tab height  144 , and a tab width  146 . For purposes of illustration, the card width  136  is approximately 12 inches, the card height  138  is approximately 9 inches, the content area height  140  is approximately 8 inches, the binding area height  142  is approximately 0.5 inches, the tab height  144  is approximately 0.5 inches, and the tab width  146  is approximately 1.5 inches.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a display card  150  includes a message text  152 , a graphic  154 , a tab  156 , a content area  158 , and a binding area  160 . The display card  150  has a top edge  162  and a bottom edge  164 . The binding area  160  is located along the top edge  162  and contains binding holes  166 . The content area  158  contains the message text  152  and the graphic  154 . The tab  156  is located along the bottom edge  164  in the first tab position  120 .  
         [0039]     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the message text  152  on the display card  150  is the phrase “Flash Help” and the graphic  154  is a representation of a car. The tab  156  includes identifying text  170  which is the phrase “Flash Help” to aid the user in locating the display card  150  within the set of display cards  50 . The display card  150  serves as a cover when bound together with display cards  200 ,  250 ,  300 ,  350 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  550 ,  600 ,  650 ,  700 ,  750 ,  800 ,  850 ,  900 ,  950 .  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a display card  200  includes a message text  202 , a graphic  204 , a tab  206 , a content area  208 , and a binding area  210 . The display card  200  has a top edge  212  and a bottom edge  214 . The binding area  210  is located along the top edge  212  and contains binding holes  216 . The content area  208  contains the message text  202  and the graphic  204 . The tab  206  is located along the bottom edge  214  in the eighth tab position  134 .  
         [0041]     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , the message text  202  on the display card  200  is the phrase “Loose Wheel” and the graphic  204  is a representation of a loose wheel. The tab  206  includes identifying text  218  which is the phrase “Loose Wheel” to aid the user in locating the display card  200  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a display card  250  includes a message text  252 , a graphic  254 , a tab  256 , a content area  258 , and a binding area  260 . The display card  250  has a top edge  262  and a bottom edge  264 . The binding area  260  is located along the top edge  262  and contains binding holes  266  to allow binding of display card  250 . The content area  258  contains the message text  252  and graphic  254 . The tab  256  is located along the bottom edge  264  in the second tab position  122 .  
         [0043]     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the message text  252  on the display card  250  is the phrase “Low Tire” and the graphic  254  is representation of a low tire. The tab  256  includes identifying text  268  which consists of the word “Tire” to aid the user in locating the display card  250  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a display card  300  includes a message text  302 , a graphic  304 , a tab  306 , a content area  308 , and a binding area  310 . The display card  300  has a top edge  312 , and a bottom edge  314 . The binding area  310  is located along the top edge  312  and contains binding holes  316 . The content area  308  contains the message text  302  and graphic  304 . The tab  306  is located along the bottom edge  314  in the seventh tab position  132 .  
         [0045]     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , the message text  302  on the display card  300  is the phrase “Door Jar” and the graphic  304  is a representation of an open door. The tab  306  includes identifying text  318  which is the word “Door” to aid the user in locating the display card  300  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0046]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a display card  350  includes a message text  352 , a graphic  354 , a tab  356 , a content area  358 , and a binding area  360 . The display card  350  has a top edge  362  and a bottom edge  364 . The binding area  360  is located along the top edge  362  and contains binding holes  366  to allow binding of the display card  350 . The content area  358  contains the message text  352  and the graphic  354 . The tab  356  is located along the bottom edge  364  in the third tab position  124 .  
         [0047]     Still referring to  FIG. 7 , the message text  352  on the display card  350  is the phrase “Blinker On” and the graphic  354  is a representation of a flashing light. The tab  356  includes identifying text  368  which is the word “Blinker” to aid the user in locating the display card  350  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a display card  400  includes a message text  402 , a graphic  404 , a tab  406 , a content area  408 , and a binding area  410 . The display card  400  has a top edge  412  and a bottom edge  414 . The binding area  410  is located along the top edge  412  and contains binding holes  416 . The content area  408  contains the message text  402  and graphic  404 . The tab  406  is located along the bottom edge  414  in the sixth tab position  130 .  
         [0049]     Still referring to  FIG. 8 , the message text  402  on the display card  400  is the phrase “Leaking Fluid” and the graphic  404  is a representation of spilled liquid. The tab  406  includes identifying text  418  which is the word “Leak” to aid the user in locating the display card  400  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0050]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a display card  450  includes a message text  452 , a graphic  454 , a tab  456 , a content area  458 , and a binding area  460 . The display card  450  has a top edge  462  and a bottom edge  464 . The binding area  460  is located along the top edge  462  and contains binding holes  466 . The content area  458  contains the message text  452  and graphic  454 . The tab  456  is located along the bottom edge  464  in the forth tab position  126 .  
         [0051]     Still referring to  FIG. 9 , the message text  452  on the display card  450  is the phrase “Gas Cap” and the graphic  454  is a representation of a gas tank. The tab  456  includes identifying text  458  which is the phrase “Gas Cap” to aid the user in locating the display card  450  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0052]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a display card  500  includes a message text  502 , a graphic  504 , a tab  506 , a content area  508  and a binding area  510 . The display card  500  has a top edge  512  and a bottom edge  514 . The binding area  510  is located along the top edge  512  and contains binding holes  516 . The tab  506  is located along the bottom edge  514  in fifth tab position  128 .  
         [0053]     Still referring to  FIG. 10 , the message text  502  on the display card  500  is the phrase “Need Gas” and the graphic  504  is a representation of a gas tank. The tab  506  includes identifying text  518  which is the word “Gas” to aid the user in locating the display card  500  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0054]     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a display card  550  includes a message text  552 , a graphic  554 , a tab  556 , a content area  558  and a binding area  560 . The display card  550  has a top edge  562  and a bottom edge  564 . The binding area  560  is located along the top edge  562  and contains binding holes  566  to allow binding of the card  550 . The tab  556  is located along the bottom edge  564  in sixth tab position  130 .  
         [0055]     Still referring to  FIG. 11 , the message text  552  is the phrase “Light Out” and the graphic  554  is a representation of an illuminated light and a non-illuminated light. The tab  556  includes identifying text  568  which is the phrase “Light Out” to aid the user in locating the display card  550  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0056]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a display card  600  includes a message text  602 , a graphic  604 , a tab  606 , a content area  608  and a binding area  610 . The display card  600  has a top edge  612  and a bottom edge  614 . The binding area  610  is located along the top edge  612  and contains binding holes  616 . The tab  606  is located along the bottom edge  614  in the fourth tab position  126 .  
         [0057]     Still referring to  FIG. 12 , the message text  602  on the display card  600  is the phrase “Call Police” and the graphic  604  is a representation of a cellular phone and the number 911. The tab  606  includes identifying text  618  which is the number “911” to aid the user in locating the display card  600  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0058]     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a display card  650  includes a message text  652 , a graphic  654 , a tab  656 , a content area  658  and a binding area  660 . The display card  650  has a top edge  662  and a bottom edge  664 . The binding area  660  is located along the top edge  662  and contains binding holes  666 . The tab  656  is located along the bottom edge  664  in sixth tab position  130 .  
         [0059]     Still referring to  FIG. 13 , the message text  652  on the display card  650  is the phrase “Chain Dragging” and the graphic  654  is a representation of a dragging chain. The tab  656  includes identifying text  668  which is the word “Chain” to aid the user in locating the display card  650  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0060]     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a display card  700  includes a message text  702 , a graphic  704 , a tab  706 , a content area  708  and a binding area  710 . The display card  700  has a top edge  712  and a bottom edge  714 . The binding area  710  is located along the top edge  712  and contains binding holes  716 . The tab  706  is located along the bottom edge  714  in the third tab position  124 .  
         [0061]     Still referring to  FIG. 14 , the message text  702  on the display card  700  is the phrase “Car Smoking” and the graphic  704  is a representation of a smoking car. The tab  706  includes identifying text  718  which is the word “Smoke” to aid the user in locating the display card  700  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0062]     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a display card  750  includes a message text  752 , a graphic  754 , a tab  756 , a content area  758  and a binding area  760 . The display card  750  has a top edge  762  and a bottom edge  764 . The binding area  760  is located along the top edge  762  and contains binder holes  766 . The tab  756  is located along the bottom edge  764  in the seventh tab position  132 .  
         [0063]     Still referring to  FIG. 15 , the message text  752  on the display card  750  is the phrase “Losing Load” and the graphic  754  is a representation of a falling load. The tab  756  includes identifying text  768  which is the word “Load” to aid the user in locating the display card  750  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIG. 16 , a display card  800  includes a message text  802 , a graphic  804 , a tab  806 , a content area  808  and a binding area  810 . The display card  800  has a top edge  812  and a bottom edge  814 . The binding area  810  is located along the top edge  812  and contains binding holes  816 . The tab  806  is located along the bottom edge  814  in the second tab position  122 .  
         [0065]     Still referring to  FIG. 16 , the message text  802  on the display card  800  is the phrase “Got Milk?” and the graphic  804  is a representation of a glass of milk. The tab  806  includes identifying text  818  which is the word “Milk” to aid the user in locating the display card  800  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0066]     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , a display card  850  includes a message text  852 , a graphic  854 , a tab  856 , a content area  858  and a binding area  860 . The display card  850  has a top edge  862  and a bottom edge  864 . The binding area  860  is located along the top edge  862  and contains binding holes  866 . The tab  856  is located along the bottom edge  864  in tab position  8   132 .  
         [0067]     Still referring to  FIG. 17 , the message text  852  on the display card  850  is the phrase “Coat Dragging” and the graphic  854  is a representation of a dragging coat. The tab  856  includes identifying text  868  which is the word “Coat” to aid the user in locating the display card  850  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0068]     Referring now to  FIG. 18 , a display card  900  includes a message text  902 , a graphic  904 , a tab  906 , a content area  908  and a binding area  910 . The display card  900  has a top edge  912  and a bottom edge  914 . The binding area  910  is located along the top edge  912  and contains binding holes  916 . The tab  906  is located along the bottom edge  914  in first tab position  120 .  
         [0069]     Still referring to  FIG. 18 , the message text  902  on the display card  900  is the phrase “Grin Again” and the graphic  904  is a representation of a wide grin. The tab  906  includes identifying text  918  which is the word “Grin” to aid the user in locating the display card  900  within the set of display cards  50 .  
         [0070]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-18 , the tab positions of the display cards  150 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 ,  350 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  550 ,  600 ,  650 ,  700 ,  750 ,  800 ,  850 ,  900  allow for select cards either to be attached to each other back to back or, if desired to minimize the thickness of the set of display cards  50 , the display cards can be printed on opposite sides of the same print media. When the display cards  150 ,  200 ,  250 ,  300 ,  350 ,  400 ,  450 ,  500 ,  550 ,  600 ,  650 ,  700 ,  750 ,  800 ,  850 ,  900  are bound together the tabs  156 ,  206 ,  256 ,  306 ,  356 ,  406 ,  456 ,  506 ,  556 ,  606 ,  656 ,  706 ,  756 ,  806 ,  856 ,  906  are arranged progressively from left to right (see  FIGS. 3-17 ). The display card  150  and the display card  200  can be attached back to back so the tabs  156  and  206  align to form one double-sided tab. The following display cards may be attached together resulting in tab alignment: display card  250  and display card  300 , display card  350  and display card  400 , display card  450  and display card  500 , display card  550  and display card  600 , display card  650  and display card  700 , display card  750  and display card  800 , display card  850  and display card  900 .  
         [0071]     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , another set of display cards  950  uses rings  952  to bind together individual display cards  1000 ,  1050 ,  1100 ,  1150 ,  1200 ,  1250 ,  1300 ,  1350 . The display card  1000  includes a message text  1002 , a graphic  1004 , a tab  1006 , a content area  1008 , a binding area  1010 . The display card  1000  has a top edge  1012  and a bottom edge  1014 . The binding area  1010  is located along the top edge and contains three binding holes  1016  which receive the rings  952 . The content area  1008  contains the message text  1002  and the graphic  1004 . The tab  1006  is located along the bottom edge  1014  in the first tab position  120 . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the message text and graphic are the same as the display card  900  shown in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0072]     Still referring to  FIG. 19 , the display card  1050  has a tab  1056  (“Milk”) visible in the second tab position  122 . The display card  1100  has a tab  1106  (“Smoke”) visible in the third tab position  124 . The display card  1150  has a tab  1156  (“911”) in the fourth tab position  126 . The display card  1200  has a tab  1206  (“Gas”) in the fifth tab position  128 . The display card  1250  has a tab  1256  (“Leak”) in the sixth tab position  130 . The display card  1300  has a tab  1306  (“Door”) in the seventh tab position  132 . The display card  1350  has a tab  1356  (“Lose Wheel”) in the eighth tab position  134 . Only the tabs  1006 ,  1056 ,  1106 ,  1156 ,  1206 ,  1256 ,  1306 ,  1356  are visible because the content area and the binding area of each of the cards  1000 ,  1050 ,  1100 ,  1150 ,  1200 ,  1250 ,  1300  are hidden behind the content area  1008  and the binding area  1010  of the display card  1000  (“Grin Again”).  
         [0073]     The set of display cards according to the applicant&#39;s invention can be of any convenient size. For the purpose illustration and visibility, the set of display cards described are 9 inches by 12 inches. It would be understood by one skilled in the art that the dimensions could be larger or smaller as long as the message text can be read from a nearby car or person passing-by.  
         [0074]     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.