Patent Publication Number: US-2019184906-A1

Title: Commercial Display Holder

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119(e) to the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/437,051, titled “Auto Display Holder,” which was filed on Dec. 20, 2016, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to commercial display holder, and more specifically to an auto-dealership commercial display holder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of various colorful and entertaining objects to attract the attention of customers by auto dealerships is well known. These include from colored flags to traditional helium filled latex balloons or plastic reusable balloons. Each of these methods has significant costs, requires significant labor, and is difficult to maintain. 
     Auto dealerships typically have balloons installed on different vehicles to highlight a particular brand, sale, etc. Helium balloons can easily float away if not secured properly. In addition, some marketed holders may cause damage to a vehicle surface or window over time. Other holders are placed inside a vehicle window for securement which requires turning on the vehicle, lowering the windows, and risking of damaging window seals or the vehicle. A suitable solution is desired. 
     Furthermore, Helium has spiked in prices, thus, the cost of the helium filled latex balloons also increase. Furthermore, latex balloons have a short life, and not reusable. Therefore, there is significant cost in the continuous filling and installing the balloons for an auto dealership advertisement. Labor cost is also high. It takes quite some time to tie and untie a balloon to an auto windshield wiper or mirror. 
     Auto dealerships have tried to use reusable balloons, either made of plastic or PVC, which have a longer life. However, installing the latex balloons throughout the dealership&#39;s parking lot using the traditional methods requires intensive labor. It also requires a comparable amount of time to maintain them. Often, within a few days the plastic balloon deflates and needs to be inflated again. This imposes significant labor costs, since each balloon assembly has to be manually detached from its holder assembly or an automobile, inflated, and, then, re-attached to its holder assembly or the automobile. 
     Therefore, there is a desire and need for a balloon holder assembly that reduces labor costs associated with its installation and maintenance. Thus, the assembly is easy to use, and convenient. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a balloon holder assembly for commercial display for attachment to vehicle. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a balloon holder assembly that does not require a removal of the assembly to carry out the balloon maintenance. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a balloon holder assembly that does not require the use of helium to hold the balloon up. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention, a balloon attachment vehicle apparatus comprising a base wherein the base is comprised of a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the bottom portion is comprised of one or more magnets and one or more contact absorbing pads wherein the one or more contact absorbing pads and the one or more magnets are positioned along a surface area of the bottom portion; a release handle positioned at the top portion of the base where the handle is mechanically connected to the magnet wherein rotating the handle lifts the one or more magnets away from the surface area; an attachment apparatus position on the top portion of the base comprising a connection point. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more contact absorbing pads is made of materials selected from the group consisting of rubber, silicone, plastic, neoprene. In one embodiment, the connection point is a bracket. In one embodiment, the base is square in shape wherein the one or more magnets are located in the center of the base and the one or more contact rubbers are positioned around the edges of the base. In one embodiment, the base is circular in shape wherein the one or more magnets are located in the center of the base and the contact rubber are positioned around the edges of the base. In one embodiment, a balloon holder apparatus comprising a balloon cup, a fill post for engaging a balloon at one end, a fill valve located on the fill post and an attachment apparatus to the connection point. 
     In one embodiment, wherein the balloon cup is in the shape of a funnel. In one embodiment, the balloon cup has a slit along the longitudinal axis of the balloon cup. In one embodiment, the slit is extended to the lip of the balloon cup. In one embodiment, the fill valve is between approximately 2 inches and approximately 10 feet away from the balloon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the invention will not be described with reference to the drawings of certain preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an another embodiment of present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments are described in detail with reference to the related drawings. Additional embodiments, features, and/or advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned by practicing the invention. The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The steps described herein for performing methods form one embodiment of the invention, and, unless otherwise indicated, not all of the steps must necessarily be performed to practice the invention, nor must the steps necessarily be performed in the order listed. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” or “some” embodiment(s) in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
     The present invention has been conceived with the aim of addressing one or more of the current commercial display balloon holders&#39; portability and convenience problems. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for holding down display balloons on a fragile surface, and allowing a convenient maintenance of the balloon without removing the balloon from the holder. Using one or more embodiments of the current invention, automobile dealers and other marketplaces needing a display holder can have a device capable of supporting balloons and other marketing tools with ease. Especially, when the businesses need a display that holds a commercial display down on a fragile surface, the current invention addresses the issue. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of one embodiment  1  of the current invention. The apparatus comprises a first handle  6  that has an elongated body comprises of a long hollow tube  7  that allows an extension connection. The first handle  6  is disposed and attached to the top  5  of a housing base  20  of the apparatus by a pin and hole pattern, similar to a door hinge. The top  5  of the housing base further comprises a second handle  3  that is attached to the top  5  at the opposite end away from the first handle  6 . The second handle  3  further comprises a lever  31  that is disposed inside the housing base, under the top when the apparatus is fully assembled. The top  5  of the housing base is attached to the bottom of the housing base with screws  4 . It is appreciated that the top  5  can be attached to the bottom with other attachment means. The apparatus  1  further comprises a base plate  11  that is disposed inside the housing base, and is attached to the lever  31  of the handle  3  when fully assembled. The base plate  11  is attached to the lever  31  by 2 bars linkage  12  that pivot and move up when the handle  3  is pulled up, so that it pulls the base plate  11  up and causes the base plate  11  pivoted around a hinge  13 . In this manner, the base plate and the magnet, disclosed below, attached to it can be lifted away from the attached surface. The apparatus is uninstalled without causing damage to a fragile surface. At the bottom of the base plate  11 , a magnet  10  is attached by a variety of adhesion methods. When in use, the magnet  10  lies flat on the bottom of the housing base  20 , and provides the adhesive force so that the apparatus adheres to an auto body, commonly the roof top of an automobile, and holds down the display assembly and the balloon or other commercial display. The housing base  20  further comprises a rubber bottom  9  that protects any fragile surface the apparatus adheres to from scratches and other damages. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , another exemplary embodiment of the current invention is shown. The embodiment comprises a round-shape housing base  202  that houses levers, linkage bars, hinges, and other mechanical components of the current invention. This embodiment further comprises an elongated hollow tube  215  that allows an extension to be connected to the apparatus. The tube  215  is disposed and connected to the apparatus via a linked screw  219 . The embodiment further comprises a first lever  203  that is an elongated hollow tube that allows a spring  204  is disposed within. The tube  215  and first lever  203  are both attached down to the housing base  202  on top of the housing base. Via this mechanism, an extension and a balloon or advertisement display could be attached to the apparatus when fully installed. This embodiment further comprises a cap  212  that when the apparatus is fully assembled the cap covers the mechanical parts within the housing base. The cap  212  is fastened to the housing base  202  using screws  214 . This embodiment further comprises a handle  208  that is half exposed outside the housing base  202 , and its covered half further comprises a lever  281  that is disposed within the housing base  202  and attached to a two-bar linkage  210  with pin and screws  206 . This two-bar linkage  210  is, in turn, attached to a base plate  209  with pins and screws  206 . The base plate  209  is attached to the housing base  202  with a pin  221  that allows the base plate  209  to pivot vertically. At the bottom of the base plate  209 , a magnet  201  is attached with screws  207  and nuts  213 . In this manner, when the base plate  209  is pivoted and lifted up the magnet  201  is also removed away the surface underneath, and, thus, the assembly is removed from the surface. This embodiment further comprises rubber O-ring base  218  that sits at the most bottom of the assembly and protects any fragile surface the current apparatus attaches to. Furthermore, for additional protection, this embodiment further comprises rubber seat  211  that are disposed around the perimeter of the housing base bottom when fully assembled to further protect the fragile surface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the current invention accomplishes these goals by providing a Balloon Holder Assembly  310  which in one embodiment comprises of a Balloon Cup  312 , a Tube Top  314 , a Fill Post  318 , and Filling Valve  320 , and an attachment mechanism for attachment of the Balloon Holder Assembly to the base, or other objects for display. The Balloon Cup is preferably funnel shaped to hold a balloon having a balloon opening for inflation, the Balloon Cup having a lip  315 . The Balloon Cup The Tube Top is preferably cylinder shaped and has two portions. A first portion  316 , which is inserted into the balloon and a second portion  317 , which engages the Balloon Cup and Fill Post. The inner surface area of the second portion of the Tube Top releasable engages the outer surface area of the Fill Post. The outer surface area of the second portion of the Tube Top releasable engages the inner surface area of the Balloon Cup. In another embodiment, the Balloon Holder Assembly does not require a Tube Top. In this embodiment, the Fill Post acts to replace the Tube Top and is directly inserted into the balloon opening. 
     The Balloon Cup  312  is preferably made of plastic and is funnel shaped. The funnel portion having a Slit  313  or longitudinal opening along the length of the funnel as shown in  FIG. 1 . It is understood that the opening can be of various lengths and shapes to accommodate removing and replacing the balloon, without comprising the Balloon Cup&#39;s ability to hold the balloon in an upright position. The Balloon Cup is detachable from the tube top and the Fill Post when and if the balloon needs to be replaced. This allows the funnel portion of the Cup to be opened and closed. The Fill Post  318  has a Tube Top at the top end of the Assembly  310  for attachment to the balloon. In an embodiment of the invention, the Balloon Cup is at the opposite end of the Fill Post, from the end of the Fill Post that houses the Fill Valve. The Fill Post is between approximately 2 inches and approximately 10 feet. The Fill Post is preferably between approximately 3 inches and approximately 8 feet. The Fill Post is more preferably between approximately 5 inches and approximately 36 inches. The Fill Post is ideally between approximately 8 inches and 24 inches. The Tube top  314  resides in the neck of the funnel of the Cup and is secured within the neck using traditional tie strap mechanisms. This provides for the secured holding of the balloon within the Cup  312  so that the balloon maintains continuous contact with the Tube Top  314  and is held upright after inflation. 
     The Fill Valve is between approximately 2 inches and approximately 10 feet away from the balloon. The Fill Valve is preferably between approximately 3 inches and approximately 8 feet away from the balloon. The Fill Valve is more preferably between approximately 5 inches and approximately 36 inches away from the balloon. The Fill Valve is ideally between approximately 8 inches and 24 inches away from the balloon. 
     The Airflow tube is hollow, which allows for the passage of air. The bottom end of the Fill Post contains within itself a Filling Valve  320 . The Filling Valve has an opening, which prevents the escape of air and allows for insertion of an air nozzle for inflating the balloon with air. 
     The bottom portion of the Fill Post is attached to a Ball Mount  322 , having a top portion  324  and a bottom portion  326 . The top and bottom portion of the Ball Mount have internal gears, and are secured to each other using a Thumb Screw. Loosening the Thumb Screw allows for the rotation of the Fill Post around the axis of the Thumb Screw, which allows for the positioning of the balloon in a desired position. 
     The bottom portion of the Ball Mount is inserted and secured into a connector  328  usable to connect to the base in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     It is appreciated that embodiments of the current invention can be constructed using plastic and other suitable materials. It may be made in various sizes or shapes in order to accommodate all different uses and preferences.