Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for marketing automobiles. The device comprises a receptacle (preferably tubular) that may be attached to the automobile without risk of damage to the automobile. The receptacle may be used to contain documents providing information about the automobile to prospective purchasers.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention is in the field of automobile marketing. Traditionally automobile dealerships have relied upon salespeople to provide consumers with information about one or more vehicles that the consumer may be interested in purchasing. It is often advantageous to provide consumers with such information in a tangible form that a consumer may take with them for comparison shopping and consideration. Such information allows comparison of vehicle features and options between multiple automobiles of a particular model or between different makes and models within a particular segment. One form in which salespeople have provided information is in the form of manufacturer&#39;s brochures for new automobiles. Salespeople have also provided individualized information, such as customized data sheets detailing optional equipment, particularly on pre-owned automobiles for which manufacturer&#39;s brochures are no longer available.  
         [0002]     However, for a variety of reasons, relying on salespeople to deliver tangible information about a particular vehicle is not always possible. One reason is that some customers choose to visit an automobile dealership outside the dealership&#39;s normal operating hours. This may be because of consumer scheduling constraints or because of consumer preference. Additionally, some states and/or localities have “blue laws” that require the dealership to be closed on certain days, and thus consumers shopping for vehicles on those days do not have the benefit of receiving information about an automobile in tangible form.  
         [0003]     Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a means whereby an automobile dealership could provide tangible information about one or more automobiles to a consumer even when a salesperson is not available.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present invention relates to a means whereby an automobile dealership can provide tangible information about one or more automobiles to a consumer when a salesperson is not available. Particularly, as described herein is a novel automobile marketing device that comprises a receptacle that may be attached to the automobile. The receptacle may be used to contain documents providing information about the automobile to prospective purchasers. The receptacle may also be attached to the automobile without risk of damage to the automobile. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automobile marketing device incorporating certain teachings of the present invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bracket used with an automobile marketing device incorporating certain teachings of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0007]     A novel automobile marketing device is described herein. The following embodiments of the invention are illustrative only and should not be considered limiting in any respect.  
         [0008]     An automobile marketing apparatus  100  according to certain teachings of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The automobile marketing apparatus  100  comprises a tube body  101 , which is illustrated as being circular in cross-section (i.e., cylindrical) although other shapes may also be used. For example, although the marketing apparatus described herein is of a shape that the documents stored therein are going to be rolled or folded, the device may also be configured such that it is generally rectangular and allows sheets to be stored flat therein. The tube body  101  may be formed from any variety of materials, although the inventors have found that a transparent or translucent plastic material is preferable, particularly in the case where the documents are stored flat, so that they may be read through the tube body. Examples of suitable tube bodies are the extruded plastic tubes manufactured by VisiPak Corporation of Arnold, Mo., such as those made from a PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Copolymer) material or alternatively a butyrate material.  
         [0009]     As to the dimensions of the tube body  101 , a variety of sizes of tube bodies may be used. The inventors have found that a tube body having an outside diameter of approximately 3 inches and a wall thickness of approximately 0.025 inches is particularly suitable. Similarly, although a variety of lengths of tube body  101  may be used, the inventors have found that a tube body length of approximately 11½ inches is preferable.  
         [0010]     Tube body  101  has a first end  102  and a second end  103 . At least one end (for example, first end  102 ) of the tube body  101  must be open so that documents containing, for example, information about a particular automobile may be inserted therein. Thus second end  103  may be permanently sealed, for example by the molding process of tube body  101 . An example of such a tube, which is particularly adapted to the present invention is the PermaSeal™ containers manufactured by VisiPak.  
         [0011]     To provide protection from the elements for the documents contained within tube body  101  a removable endcap  104  should be provided for first end  102 . As an alternative to sealing second end  103  by a piece unitary with tube body  101 , a removable endcap  105  may be provided for second end  103 . Endcap  105  may be truly removable or may be permanently affixed to the second end  103  using an adhesive appropriate for the materials used. The endcaps are preferably molded from a suitable plastic material, and a variety of suitable endcaps are also available from the VisiPak Corporation, as well as the Caplugs subsidiary of Protective Industries LLC of Buffalo, N.Y. Although not essential, it is preferred to provide a tether  106  for affixing the endcap  104  to tube body  101  so that it does not become lost and separated from the apparatus  100 . Such a tether may be a plastic strap or other affixing means, a variety of which would be known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0012]     Critical to the present invention are brackets  107 , which allow the apparatus  100  to be attached to an automobile. Brackets  107  are discussed in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 2 , but, in general, the bracket features a distal end having a hook adapted to be clipped over the top of a window of an automobile. The window may then be “rolled up” providing a secure means of attaching the apparatus  100  to the automobile. Brackets  107  also features a proximal end that is curved with a circumference substantially corresponding to the circumference of tube body  101 . If tube body has a cross-sectional shape other than circular, the proximal end of bracket  107  may be shaped accordingly. This proximal end is affixed to the tube body  101 . A variety of techniques may be used, including adhesives, rivets and the like. The inventors have found that a double-sided adhesive tape  108 , such as 3M part number 06382 or comparable, is a particularly advantageous means of securing bracket  107  to the tube body  101 .  
         [0013]     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , bracket  107  is illustrated in greater detail. As noted above, bracket  107  includes a distal end  201  and a proximal end  202 . Distal end  201  comprises a hook  203 , which is formed so as to be placed over the top portion of an automobile window. Surface  205  then rests on an outer face of the automobile window, which is rolled up to securely attach the apparatus  100  to the automobile. It is noted that the attachment means just described provides substantially no risk of damage to the automobile.  
         [0014]     Bracket  107  also includes a proximal end  202 , of which an inner surface  204  is attached to tube body  101  as described above. Bracket  107  further includes a plurality of ribs  206 ,  207 , and  208 , which are positioned so as to provide a suitable level of strength to the ribs. Bracket  107  is preferably formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene, by an injection molding process. Although bracket  107  is preferably a single, unitary molded piece, it may be molded as multiple pieces, which may then be affixed together using adhesives or fasteners, such as screws, rivets, or the like.  
         [0015]     Use of the apparatus for marketing of automobiles is a fairly straightforward process. An automobile dealer or salesman attaches the apparatus  100  to the window of a car and rolls up the window, thereby securing apparatus  100 . The dealer or salesperson then inserts into the apparatus one or more copies of information pertaining to the automobile or the dealership/salesman, for example, specifications, optional equipment, contact information, etc. A consumer who encounters the vehicle, for example, by visiting the dealership after business hours, and is interested in the vehicle may access the information provided and may take a copy for comparison shopping and/or reminder purposes.  
         [0016]     While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, numerous modifications and variations will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such variations and modifications fall with in the scope of the following claims.