Patent Publication Number: US-2011061275-A1

Title: System and method of advertising and advertisement display device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     A claim of priority is hereby made to currently pending U.S. Design patent application having Ser. No. 29/308,326 filed on Jun. 10, 2008, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119 to a Dominican Republic application for an industrial design having Serial No. D2007-0034 filed on Dec. 11, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for presenting “one-to-one” advertising within a vehicle parking spot, and a corresponding advertisement display device cooperatively structured and configured for use as a parking block or wheel stop disposed in or proximate an end of one or more vehicle parking areas, parking spaces or parking spots. In particular, the “one-to-one” advertising, as used herein, refers to an advertising system, method and/or technique which uses an advertisement or other message that is directed, geared or tailored toward a specific, single, or small group of intended recipient(s) at any given time, for example, a driver (and its passengers) who are expected to park in a particular associated parking spot given the surrounding store(s), business(es), residence(s), college(s), school(s), etc. In contrast, billboards, commercials, newspaper and magazine prints, etc., represent advertising media, which at any particular time, is simultaneously directed to or read by a large group of people or recipients. 
     Moreover, the system, method and device of the present invention comprises at least one illuminated advertisement message displayed and directed toward an associated vehicle parking spot. The illuminated advertisement message is disposed on at least one corresponding and cooperatively structured advertisement display device preferably positioned at or proximate an end of the parking spot. In particular, the illuminated advertisement message comprises indicia, which is at least partially tailored toward an intended recipient, such as an individual who is expected to park his or her vehicle in the parking spot, depending upon, for example, the neighboring businesses, stores, residences, universities, stadiums, etc. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Most commercial and residential buildings, structures, and locations comprise one or more large, open parking lots or parking garages which generally include a plurality of vehicle parking spaces or parking spots. Specifically, the plurality of parking spots are generally positioned and used to direct, maintain, define, or control desired spacing, orientation, and alignment of vehicles parked therein. Each one of the various parking spaces may comprise a parking block mounted or secured to the pavement or other parking surface, and disposed within the confines of the parking space, or at least near or proximate an end thereof. Oftentimes, opposing or facing parking spaces may share a single parking block disposed between them. 
     Either way, each parking space may comprise a parking block that generally comprises a bulky concrete slab or plastic block that is generally not aesthetically pleasing. In addition, oftentimes each one of the parking blocks may be individually marked with permanent black ink or paint, for instance, with an apartment number, “Guest,” home address, or employee name identifying the current, designated, and authorized owner of the corresponding parking spot. Additionally, it is common for a plurality of businesses or residences to share a single, common parking garage or parking lot, wherein each of the parking blocks disposed within the common parking lot may be marked with ink or paint so as to designate where a particular customer or resident for one of the businesses may park his or her vehicle. 
     Again, these parking blocks are not aesthetically pleasing, and do not grab the attention of drivers or passengers within the vehicles parking in the corresponding parking space or otherwise driving within a visible distance relative to the parking blocks. Ideally, parking blocks should be aesthetically pleasing, attention grabbing, and be capable of displaying a plurality of colors, indicia, etc. Such parking blocks would ideally comprise an internal illumination assembly structured to direct a path of light through one or more at least partially translucent or transparent display members connected to or supported by a housing. The display members and/or illumination assembly may be used to identify an authorized owner or customer who may utilize the parking space via one or more particular colors and/or indicia disposed on the display member, such as names, numbers, logos, pictures, drawings, etc. 
     It would also be ideal if the display devices comprise advertising indicia disposed thereon, which is visible, readable, and aesthetically pleasing via the use of an illumination assembly structured to direct a path of light though the display member(s). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As described in greater detail hereinafter, the present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting “one-to-one” advertising within a vehicle parking spot, and a corresponding advertisement display device disposed in or proximate an end of one or more vehicle parking areas, parking spaces or parking spots. In particular, as will be described in greater detail below, the advertisement display device may but need not be constructed and/or positioned to function as a parking block or parking stop which is generally used to maintain, define, or control desired spacing, orientation, and/or alignment of one or more parked vehicles. Moreover, the parking block and/or advertisement display device of at least one embodiment includes a housing which is structured to define an at least partially hollow interior portion sufficiently dimensioned to contain or otherwise house certain operative features and structures therein. The housing of at least one embodiment comprises a substantially elongated configuration and is composed of an at least partially rigid and/or durable material cooperatively constructed in order to facilitate practice of the present invention in the intended manner. 
     In addition, and as will become apparent from the following detailed description, the display device of at least one of the various embodiments is also structured and configured to display one or more illuminated, back lit panels or display members. The display member(s) of at least one embodiment may comprise an LED panel, LCD panel, and/or other panel structured to display an illuminated message. In yet another embodiment, however, the display members may comprise a material that is structured to or capable of at least partially transmitting light therethrough, such as, for instance, from a position within the housing to a position exterior of the housing. Such embodiments of the display members may therefore be clear, smoked, fogged, stained, colored, etc. The display members may therefore be at least partially translucent or transparent, and may further bear indicia thereon in the form of ink, paint, etching, etc., including, but certainly not limited to, advertising indicia, an individual&#39;s name, a business name, picture(s), drawing(s), logo(s), etc. 
     In order to effectuate the back light, or illumination of the display members, the at least one embodiment of the parking block or advertisement display device comprises an illumination assembly disposed at least partially within the interior portion of the housing. The illumination assembly comprises at least one illumination source, such as one or more light bulbs, lamps, tubes, high-intensity discharge lamps, LED&#39;s, neon lamps, etc., disposed or mounted within the interior portion of the housing and cooperatively structured and positioned so as to direct a path of light to an exterior of the housing at least partially through the one or more display member(s). The illumination source may also comprise any one or more colors or shades, for instance via color filters, or one or more different colored illumination sources. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the parking block display device as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the parking block display device illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of the parking block display device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the parking block display device as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the parking block display device as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side interior elevation view of the parking block display device illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is top view of at least one embodiment of the present invention disposed proximate an end of at least two parking spots. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of at least one embodiment of the present invention disposed proximate and end of one parking spot. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting “one-to-one” advertising within a vehicle parking spot, and a corresponding parking block and/or advertisement display device. As shown in the accompanying drawings, at least one embodiment of the advertisement display device is generally referenced as  10 . In particular, the system and method comprises at least one illuminated message, such as an illuminated advertisement message, displayed and directed toward an associated vehicle parking spot  11 . The illuminated message is disposed on at least one corresponding and cooperatively structured advertisement display device  10 . In particular, and as will become apparent from the following discussion, the illuminated message may comprise a message or other indicia displayed on a display panel  30  which may comprise an LCD panel, a plurality of LEDs, and/or a back-lit or at least partially transparent or translucent panel structured to allow a path of light to pass therethrough. 
     Moreover, the illuminated message of at least one embodiment comprises indicia at least partially corresponding to and tailored toward an intended recipient expected to park a vehicle within the associated parking spot  11 . For exemplary purposes only, depending upon the location of the parking spot  11 , such as, at or near a school, shopping mall, stores, and other residences or businesses, the intended recipient may be defined as an individual or group of individuals who are expected to visit the neighboring or proximate locations. Accordingly, the illuminated message may be specifically tailored to target the intended recipient via “one-to-one” advertisement within a particular vehicle parking spot  11 . Furthermore, as will become apparent from the following discussion, the illuminated advertisement message displayed on the advertisement display device  10  and/or display panel(s)  30  is interchangeable with different illuminated messages. For instance, the display panel  30  may be removed and replaced with a different display panel  30  bearing different indicia, or in the case where the illuminated message is digitally programmed or embedded within the display panel  30 , the message or display panel may be reprogrammed or reconfigured to display the different or interchanged message. 
     In addition, at least one embodiment of the system and method of the present invention comprises a plurality of illuminated messages, each being displayed and directed toward a different one of a plurality of vehicle parking spots  11 . For example, the plurality of illuminated messages may be disposed on a single or common display device  10 , as generally illustrated in  FIG. 7 . However, the system and method may comprise a plurality of display devices  10  each corresponding to a single or a pair of distinct vehicle parking spots  11 . 
     Furthermore, the display device  10  of at least one embodiment of the present invention is cooperatively structured and configured for use as a parking block and/or wheel stop disposed in, and/or proximate an end of, one or more vehicle parking areas or other spaces  11  generally used to maintain, define, or control desired spacing, orientation, and/or alignment of a parked vehicle. In addition, and as generally mentioned above, the display device  10  is also structured and configured to display or otherwise exhibit or present one or more illuminated or back lit panels or display members, which may, in at least one embodiment, bear indicia thereon, including, but certainly not limited to, advertising indicia, an individual&#39;s name, a business name, picture(s), drawing(s), logo(s), etc. 
     Moreover, as shown in the various Figures, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the parking block display device  10  includes a housing  20  comprising an at least partially hollow interior  12  sufficiently dimensioned to contain or otherwise house certain operative features and structures therein, as will be explained in greater detail below. The housing  20  of at least one embodiment comprises a substantially elongated configuration dimensioned to fit or be disposed within the lateral width of a particular associated vehicle parking area  11 . The housing  20  is in no way, however, limited to such a configuration and may instead comprise virtually any length, width, or dimension which is structured to facilitate the practice of the present invention in the intended manner. Further, the housing  20  comprises an at least partially rigid and/or durable material cooperatively constructed in order to facilitate the intended purposes of the present invention described herein, and may include, but is certainly not limited to, concrete, metal, metal alloys, plastic, rubber, etc., or any combination thereof. 
     In addition, the housing  20  and/or the parking block display device  10  may be secured or anchored to a supporting surface, such as the ground, concrete, black top, mounting blocks, poles, or other stable and/or secure surface(s) or object(s) so as to maintain the display device  10  in an intended position or orientation. Accordingly, the present invention may, but need not necessarily comprise an attachment assembly  16 , including, but not limited to, one or a plurality of attachment members, such as screws, bolts, washers, or other mechanisms or devices structured to either fixedly or removably secure the display device  10  in its intended and operative orientation within the vehicle parking area. 
     Furthermore, the parking block display device  10  of at least one embodiment comprises at least one or more faces or panels structured and disposed to at least partially define the housing  20  and/or the interior portion  12  thereof. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , the display device  10  of at least one embodiment comprises a top face  22 , at least two substantially opposing longitudinal faces  23 , and at least two opposing end faces  24 . As also illustrated in  FIG. 1 , at least one, but more practically both of the substantially opposing longitudinal faces  23  are disposed in an at least partially upward angled configuration relative to the ground or supporting surface so as to enhance the visual display or recognition of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, and still referring to  FIG. 1 , when the parking block display device  10  of the present invention is disposed in an operative orientation, e.g., disposed in an overlying or secured relation with the surface of the vehicle parking area  11 , the plurality of faces  22 ,  23 ,  24  of the housing  20  are structured to at least substantially close off and thereby isolate the interior portion  12  from the outer elements such as the weather and other conditions and debris. However, it is contemplated that the housing  20  may comprise one or more open ends or other exposed portions thereof. For instance, the display device  10  of at least one embodiment may have at least partially open end faces  24  thereby at least partially exposing the interior portion  12 . 
     Moreover, as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bottom face  25  which is structured to be operatively disposed in a confronting and/or overlying relation with the surface of the vehicle parking area. The bottom face  25  may comprise one or more apertures, holes, or other structures  26  to facilitate the securing or attaching of one or more internal components of the present invention, such as the illumination assembly  40 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Furthermore, the parking block display device  10  of the various embodiments comprises at least one display member  30  disposed in an at least partially communicative relation with the interior portion  12  of the housing  20 , and being visible from a position exterior to the housing  20 . In particular, at least one of the plurality of faces  22 ,  23 ,  24  may comprise or be connected in a supporting relation with one or more display members  30 . For instance, the display member  30  may, in at least one embodiment, encompass an entire face  22 ,  23 ,  24  of the housing  20 , a portion of a face  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and/or span across or onto several faces  22 ,  23 ,  24 . As illustrated in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the display members  30  each comprise a portion of the corresponding face  23 , and thus, the display member  30  may be connected to the corresponding face  23  in either a fixed, permanent, or removable relation. For instance, the display member  30  may be integrated, molded, or attached to the corresponding face  23  with adhesive or other agent. In at least one embodiment, however, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the display member(s)  30  may be removably connected to the housing and/or corresponding face(s) via a mounting assembly  32 . The mounting assembly  32  includes, but is certainly not limited to, one or more clips, brackets, frames, screws, etc., extending around or connected to at least a portion of the display member  30 , for instance, on the interior portion  12  of the housing  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The mounting assembly  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , comprises a plurality of elongated channels disposed at opposite longitudinal ends of the display member  30 . Accordingly, the channels are dimensioned to slidingly receive the longitudinal ends of the display member  30  therein in a supporting and removable relation. 
     Moreover, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , the parking block display device of the present invention may comprise a plurality of display members  30 , each connected to, and visible from an exterior of, the housing  20 . In addition, at least two of the display members  30  may be disposed on substantially opposite facing sides of the housing  20 , as illustrated at  23 ′ and  23 ″ in  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, a single parking block display device  10  may comprise multiple display members  30  each bearing the same or different indicia thereon and being visible from different positions. For instance, a single parking block display device  10  may be disposed between two facing parking spaces, wherein the single parking block display device  10  comprises at least two oppositely disposed display members  30  each visibly disposed from a direction positioned in a different one of the two facing parking spaces. 
     Furthermore, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the display member(s)  30  of at least one embodiment may be disposed in an angular orientation relative to the surface of the vehicle parking area (not shown), or otherwise relative to the supporting surface to which the parking block display device  10  of the present invention is secured or anchored. Such an angular orientation of the display member(s)  30  facilitates an optimum visual identification by a driver or operator of an approaching, parking, or parked vehicle. 
     Additionally, the parking block display device  10  of the various embodiments of the present invention comprises an illumination assembly  40  disposed at least partially within the interior portion  12  of the housing  20 . In particular, the illumination assembly  40  comprises at least one illumination source  42  disposed or mounted within the interior portion  12  and structured and oriented to direct a path of light to an exterior of the housing  20  at least partially through the display member(s)  30 . 
     The illumination assembly  40  comprises or is otherwise connected to a power source (not illustrated) so as to direct power or electricity to the illumination source  42 . The power source may be disposed within the housing  20  and comprise one or more rechargeable and/or removable batteries or battery packs. However, the power source may instead or additionally be integrated with or disposed substantially external to the housing and may include various structures such as a conventional power socket or outlet, power generator, solar panels, etc. In addition, the present invention further comprises a power control assembly including one or more power switches, control boxes or circuitry, timers, daylight or nighttime sensors, etc., disposed within the interior portion  12  and/or external to the housing  20  and structured to selectively, manually, or automatically control the power to illumination assembly  40  and/or illumination source  42  so as to turn the illumination source  42  on and/or off. 
     Further, the illumination source(s)  42  of the various embodiments may comprise virtually any structures or devices capable of emitting a path of light, including, for example, incandescent light bulbs or lamps, gas-discharge lamps, fluorescent light bulbs, lamps, or tubes, high-intensity discharge lamps, light-emitting diodes (“LED&#39;s”), neon lamps, etc. The illumination source  42  may also comprise any one or more colors or shades, for instance via color filters, or one or more different colored sources. 
     Accordingly, the one or more display members  30  are disposed in an illuminating relation with the illuminating assembly  40  to the extent that the illumination assembly  40  is capable of directing a path of light at least partially through the display member  30  and to an exterior of the housing  20 . As such, the display member  30  of at least one embodiment comprises a material that is capable of at least partially transmitting light there through from a position on the interior of the housing  20  to a position exterior to the housing  20 . The display member  30  may thus comprise an at least partially translucent, transparent, tinted, colored, or stained material, including, but in no way limited to, plastic or glass. 
     Furthermore, the display member  30  of at least one embodiment comprises indicia disposed thereon, such as, for example, alphanumeric characters, symbols, logos, designs, photographs, drawings, etc., which are visible from an exterior position relating to the housing  20 . The indicia may thus include advertising for any one or more businesses and/or identifying indicia associated with the particular vehicle parking spot. The indicia may therefore include an individual&#39;s name belonging to the parking spot and/or a business name indicating where certain customers for that particular business may park their vehicles. Moreover, in at least one embodiment the indicia is permanently etched, drawn, or embedded onto the associated display member  30 , however, the indicia may be removably disposed via removable ink, stickers, etc., either disposed on the interior or exterior face of the display member  30 . 
     Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
     Now that the invention has been described,