Abstract:
A manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price (MSRP) label printed on transparent material, such that the text may be read, but the background is relatively clear. Once applied to a car window, the relatively clear background on the label allows a driver to see through a majority of the label and drive more safely.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/293,892, filed May 24, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to the application of labels to motor vehicles and, in particular, the application of Manufacturer&#39;s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) labels to vehicle windows.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0005]    When displaying a new or used motor vehicle at a vehicle dealership, most dealerships display a label on one of the windows of the vehicle indicating the price and features of the vehicle. In particular, new car dealers are required by Federal law to affix to a window of the car a label, often referred to as a “Monroney Sticker.” The Monroney sticker typically includes the base price of the vehicle, the manufacturer&#39;s installed options, the manufacturer&#39;s transportation charge, and the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price (MSRP). Additionally, for economy and convenience, other information is also typically included on the Monroney sticker. For example, the sticker may also include information related to the percentage of parts of the vehicle that were manufactured in the United States and the percentage of parts of the vehicle manufactures in foreign countries. The sticker may include information related to the fuel economy of the vehicle. For example, the sticker may include the Gas Mileage Guide for that vehicle, as distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). As used herein, the term MSRP label will be used to indicate a sticker inclusive of the Monroney Sticker and any other information, such as that described above.  
           [0006]    Given the quantity of information displayed, MSRP labels are fairly large. Indeed, the typical MSRP label is larger than a square foot in size. As such, MSRP labels typically occupy a significant portion of the window to which they are affixed.  
           [0007]    In order to see the lettering on the MSRP label, the MSRP label is typically printed with dark type on a light-colored background. For example, the MSRP label is most often printed with black lettering on a white, opaque background composed of paper or other opaque material.  
           [0008]    One drawback associated with the MSRP labels printed on an opaque material is that during a test drive of the car, the MSRP label may limit the driver&#39;s field of vision, thus causing a safety hazard. One solution to this problem is to place the MSRP label on a window, such as a rear passenger-side window, where the label will least limit the driver&#39;s field of vision. Unfortunately, the rear passenger-side windows of many vehicles are not sufficiently large to accommodate the MSRP label. Furthermore, many vehicles, such as some pick-up trucks, do not even have rear passenger-side windows.  
           [0009]    When a vehicle does not have a sufficiently large rear window to accommodate an MSRP label, or when a vehicle does not have a rear passenger-side window, the MSRP label is often placed on a front passenger-side window or on a front driver-side window. Unfortunately, placement of the MSRP sticker on the front driver-side window or the front passenger-side window greatly limits the driver&#39;s field of vision, thus causing a safety hazard.  
           [0010]    Additionally, with respect to some automobiles, such as convertibles, the MSRP label is typically placed on the windshield so that the convertible may be displayed with the windows down. However, the placement of the MSRP label on the windshield severely limits the driver&#39;s field of vision during a test drive, thus making it virtually impossible to test drive the convertible with the MSRP label in place.  
           [0011]    Another solution to the above mentioned problems is to remove the MSRP label from the vehicle&#39;s window during the test drive. This practice, although safer than leaving the MSRP label in place, is not satisfactory, since the labels go through significant wear and tear during the continuous removal and replacement of the labels. Moreover, with respect to automobiles, Federal law prohibits the removal of the label prior to the delivery of the automobile to the ultimate purchaser. Such a requirement is difficult if not impossible to follow while test driving an automobile having prior art MSRP labels.  
           [0012]    It is with respect to these and other problems that the present invention has been made.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    An embodiment of the present invention relates to an MSRP label printed on transparent material, such that the text may be read, but the background is relatively clear. Once applied to a car window, the relatively clear background on the label allows a driver to see through a majority of the label and drive more safely.  
           [0014]    In accordance with certain aspects, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a label for displaying manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price information for a motor vehicle on a window of the motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the label comprises a substantially transparent information sheet having the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price of the vehicle printed in text on the label, such that the text is visible through the window when the label is affixed to the window of the motor vehicle.  
           [0015]    Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a label for displaying manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price information for a motor vehicle on a window of the motor vehicle having a substantially transparent information sheet having text providing the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price information of the vehicle printed thereon, such that the text is visible through the window of the motor vehicle when the label is affixed to the window of the motor vehicle. Also include in this embodiment is a substantially opaque base sheet. The base sheet is formed from a material exhibiting static-cling properties, thereby permitting the base sheet to be removably affixed to the information sheet when the information sheet is affixed to the window of the motor vehicle.  
           [0016]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to a label for displaying manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price information for a motor vehicle on a window of the motor vehicle having a substantially transparent information sheet having text providing the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price information of the vehicle printed thereon, such that the text is visible through the window of the motor vehicle when the label is affixed to an exterior surface of the window of the motor vehicle. Also include in this embodiment is a substantially opaque base sheet formed from a material exhibiting static-cling properties, thereby permitting the base sheet to be removably affixed in a position opposite the information sheet on an interior surface of the window when the information sheet is affixed to the exterior surface of the window.  
           [0017]    A more complete appreciation of the present invention and its improvements can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly summarized below, to the following detail description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and to the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior-art, non-transparent MSRP label placed on a car window.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention showing a transparent MSRP label placed on a car window.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 illustrates an information sheet of a transparent MSRP label in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 4, 5,  6 , and  7  illustrate alternative placement locations on a car for the MSRP label shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 illustrates an information sheet of a transparent MSRP label in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 illustrates the placement on a window of the MSRP label shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 illustrates an information sheet of a transparent MSRP label in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 illustrates the placement on a window of the MSRP label shown in FIG. 10. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior-art MSRP label  10  affixed on a window  12  of an automobile  14 . As is typical, the MSRP label  10  has black or dark colored text  16  written on an white or light colored, opaque, contrasting background. As shown in FIG. 1, the MSRP label  10  occupies a significant portion of the window  12 , thus limiting the field of vision of a driver  18  of the automobile  14 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 illustrates a transparent MSRP label  20  of the present invention positioned on a window  22  of an automobile  24 . As shown in FIG. 2, the label  20  is placed on the driver-side window  22  of the automobile  24 . However, as discussed below, the label  20  may be placed on any of the windows of the automobile  24 . Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of the label  20  is not limited to its use on automobiles, but may be used on any vehicle having a window sufficient in size to accommodate the label  20 .  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 3, the label  20  includes a information sheet  21  having text or writing  28  thereon. The information sheet  21  is composed of a substantially transparent material that allows clarity of vision through the base sheet  21 , enabling the eye to focus on objects viewed through the base sheet  21 . The label material may be made of many different transparent materials. In an embodiment, a relatively thin and flexible plastic or plastic-like material is used. This plastic material may be, without limitation, a static-cling type material designed to adhere to glass without the use of an adhesive, such as a vinyl static-cling type material formed from a polyvinyl chloride material. Alternative embodiments incorporating other materials may be used for the information sheet  21 , so long as these materials are flexible enough to conform to the contour of a vehicle window, substantially transparent, and capable of being affixed to a vehicle window.  
         [0029]    The text  28  is embedded in, or printed on, the information sheet  21  in a color that allows the text  28  to be visible when viewing the label when it is affixed to a window of a vehicle. As will be understood to one skilled in the art, any number of methods may be used to embed the text in, or print the text on, the label  20 . For example, the text may be printed on the information sheet  21  by screen printing, offset lithography, flexographic printing, UV letter press, thermal transfer, etc.  
         [0030]    The text  28  may be of a light color, such as white, so that the text will be contrasted against the dark or shaded interior of a vehicle when the text is viewed from outside of the vehicle. Alternatively, the text  28  may be of a dark color so that it is contrasted with a light vehicle interior. Indeed, many colors may be used on the transparent label. However, the color of the text  28  should be selected such that it is easily viewable from outside of the vehicle, but does not significantly impair the vision of a driver while driving the vehicle. In one embodiment the text  28  of the label  20  is white and the letters of the text are sufficiently small and well spaced, such that the vision of a driver of the vehicle is not excessively impaired when looking through the label  20 .  
         [0031]    The content of the text  28  on the label  20  may vary. However, with respect to the use of the label  20  on a new motor vehicle, the text will include information related to the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price  40 . For example, the information related to the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price may be Federally mandated information related to the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price. The label  28  may also include information related to the percentage of parts of the vehicle that were manufactured in the United States and the percentage of parts of the vehicle manufactures in foreign countries  42 . The label may also include information related to the fuel economy of the vehicle  44 . For example, the information related to the fuel economy of the vehicle may include the Gas Mileage Guide, as distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In addition, the label may include other text, such as, without limitation, information related to other features of the vehicle, information related to the manufacturer of the vehicle, and/or information related to the sales or marketing of the vehicle.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the label  20  shown on a windshield  30  of an automobile  24 . Since the label is relatively transparent, the label may remain on the windshield, either on the passenger-side, as shown in FIG. 4, or on the driver-side, as shown in FIG. 5, while test driving the automobile. Although it is not preferred to have the driver drive the automobile while the label  20  is placed on the driver-side (FIG. 5), as the text is not transparent and may partially impair the driver&#39;s vision, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 illustrates that the automobile may be driven with the label in this position.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate alternative placement locations for label  20 . In FIG. 6, the label  20  is placed on the driver-side window  32 , as in FIG. 2 described above. In FIG. 7, the label  20  is placed on the passenger-side window  34 . Of course there are many other possible locations for the label  20  on a vehicle. Indeed, if the vehicle has other windows, such as windows  36  and  38  (FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively), then these locations may be preferred, as they may provide the least distracting location for the label  20 . However, as described above, many vehicles do not have these windows, such that the other locations, depicted in FIGS. 4, 5,  6  and  7  may be used. Moreover, even when positioned in alternative locations, such as on windows  36  and  38  (FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively), the transparent nature of label  20  enables the driver to still substantially see through the windows  36  or  38  while driving.  
         [0034]    Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, a label  50  includes a flexible, predominantly transparent information sheet  52 , including text  54  printed thereon, and a flexible, opaque base sheet  56 . As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in one embodiment, the information sheet  52  is affixed to the interior surface  58  of a vehicle window  60 , such that text  54  is visible through the window from an exterior surface  62  of the vehicle window  60 . The opaque base sheet  56  is then removably affixed to the vehicle window  60  and a back surface  64  of the information sheet  52 . Configured in this manner, the opaque base sheet  56  and the information sheet  52  may remain affixed to the vehicle window  60  when the vehicle is being displayed, thus providing optimal viewing of the text  54  of the information sheet  52 . Then, when the vehicle is to be driven, the opaque base sheet  56  may be removed, leaving only the information sheet  52  on the vehicle window. In this way, the field of vision of a driver of the vehicle will be improved.  
         [0035]    In this embodiment, the text  54  and the opaque base sheet  56  have different, contrasting colors, such that the text  54  “stands out” when viewed against the contrasting background of the opaque base sheet  56 . For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the text  54  is black in color and the opaque base sheet  56  is white in color.  
         [0036]    The information sheet  52  may be made of any number of different transparent materials. In one embodiment, a relatively thin and flexible plastic or plastic-like material is used. This plastic material may be, without limitation, a static-cling type material designed to adhere to glass without the use of an adhesive, such as static-cling vinyl. Alternative embodiments incorporating other materials may be used for the base, so long as these materials are flexible, substantially transparent, and capable of being affixed to a window. The text may be printed on the information sheet  52  by any number of processes, such as, without limitation, screen printing, offset lithography, flexographic printing, UV letter press, thermal transfer, etc.  
         [0037]    The base sheet  56  may be made of any number of different opaque materials. In one embodiment, a relatively thin and flexible plastic or plastic-like material is used. This plastic material may be, without limitation, a static-cling type material designed to adhere to glass without the use of an adhesive, such as static-cling vinyl. Alternative embodiments incorporating other materials may be used for the base sheet  56 , so long as these materials are flexible, substantially transparent, and capable of being affixed to a window.  
         [0038]    The content of the text  54  on the label  50  preferably includes information related to the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price of the vehicle  66 . The label  50  may also include information related to the percentage of parts of the vehicle that were manufactured in the United States and the percentage of parts of the vehicle manufactures in foreign countries  68 . The label may also include information related to the fuel economy of the vehicle  70 . For example, the information related to the fuel economy of the vehicle may include the Gas Mileage Guide, as distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In addition, the label may include other text  54 , such as, without limitation, information related to other features of the vehicle, information related to the manufacturer of the vehicle, information related to the parts content of the vehicle, and/or information related to the sales or marketing of the vehicle.  
         [0039]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a label  80  includes a flexible, predominantly transparent information sheet  82 , including text  84  printed thereon, and a flexible, opaque base sheet  86 . In this embodiment, the information sheet  82  is affixed to the exterior surface  88  of a vehicle window  90 , such that text  84  is visible on the exterior surface  88  of the vehicle window  90 . The opaque base sheet  86  is then removably affixed to the interior surface  92  of the vehicle window  90 . Configured in this manner, the opaque base sheet  86  and the information sheet  82  may remain affixed to the vehicle window  90  when the vehicle is being displayed, thus providing optimal viewing of the text  84  of the information sheet  82 . Then, when the vehicle is to be driven, the opaque base sheet  86  may be removed from the interior surface  92  of the window  90 , leaving only the information sheet  82  on the vehicle window. In this way, the field of vision of a driver of the vehicle will be improved.  
         [0040]    The content of the text  84  on the label  80  preferably includes information related to the manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price of the vehicle  96 . The label  80  may also include information related to the percentage of parts of the vehicle that were manufactured in the United States and the percentage of parts of the vehicle manufactures in foreign countries  98 . The label may also include information related to the fuel economy of the vehicle  100 . For example, the information related to the fuel economy of the vehicle may include the Gas Mileage Guide, as distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In addition, the label may include other text  94 , such as, without limitation, information related to other features of the vehicle, information related to the manufacturer of the vehicle, information related to the parts content of the vehicle, and/or information related to the sales or marketing of the vehicle.  
         [0041]    The present invention significantly improves upon previous methods of displaying MSRP and other information on a vehicle. The present invention provides a way to display MSRP and other information on a vehicle without significantly limiting the field of vision of a driver of a vehicle. Thus, the MSRP label may remain on the vehicle during a test drive. Keeping the label on the vehicle during the test drive allows vehicle dealers to comply with requirements that the label not be removed until delivered to the ultimate purchaser, while providing a safer driving experience.  
         [0042]    Various embodiments of the invention have been described with a degree of particularity. This description has been made by way of various examples. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims, and should not necessarily be limited by the detailed description of the various embodiments and examples set forth above.