Patent Description:
Many types of aerial displays, such as conventional outdoor billboards, are comprised of large structures permanently installed in high-traffic areas alongside streets and highways. They are commonly provided having a relatively large footprint, such as, for example, twelve feet by twenty-four feet.

On the other hand, many advertising and other aerial displays constructed having varying sizes, unusual shapes and three-dimensional geometries, are commonly employed at local events and attractions, such as fairs, festivals, retail establishments and sporting events. Oftentimes, such aerial displays may be placed at particular locations on a temporary basis supported on mobile carts and trailers. In addition to billboards, temporary lighting, temporary mechanical truss structures, and other large aerial displays are often desired at specific locations, often for relatively brief periods of time.

<CIT> describes a variable signboard apparatus comprising an electric signboard, a pole on which the electric signboard is movably mounted, a lifting and rotating unit which is formed between the pole and the electric signboard to lift the electric signboard on the pole or to rotate the electric signboard around the pole, and a rotary fixing unit which rotationally fixes the electric signboard on the lifting and rotating unit.

An important advantage of outdoor billboard advertising displays over these other smaller advertising displays is the greater success that outdoor billboard advertising displays have in attracting and catching the attention of passing pedestrians and drivers. This is likely due to their greater height placement and enhanced visibility. However, the permanency of installation of outdoor billboard advertising displays is likely one factor in unduly limiting the scope of their potential utilization.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide a means for efficiently and effectively attaching/engaging billboards and any other aerial structures in a manner enabling the structure to be mobilized to a given desired location on a temporary as-needed basis.

The present invention is directed to an innovation that overcomes the deficiencies of the past approaches and the problems that remain unsolved by providing an aerial advertising display or other aerial structure or apparatus facilitating the movement and positioning of the structure from one location to another location with relative ease. The apparatus may incorporate a ground-supported platform or base, which may be mobile, with a lift mechanism mounted thereon, and an attachment mechanism for quickly and easily attaching and detaching a mounting frame of an advertising display (or other non-advertising mechanical structure) to and from the lift mechanism. The mounting frame may support a conventional two-dimensional billboard, or a more customized three-dimensional object, such as artistic representations of brands and logos, which may further incorporate light-emitting diode (LED) and other illumination means.

In an aspect of the invention, an aerial advertising display apparatus includes:
an attachment mechanism supported above a support surface by an upper end portion of an aerial lift mechanism being actuatable to change the elevation of the aerial lift mechanism upper end portion, and the attachment mechanism therewith, above the support surface, the attachment mechanism including: a rearward component attached to the upper end portion of the aerial lift mechanism, the rearward component including an upright rearward member having at least one coupling site thereon; a forward component attached to and disposed rearwardly of an advertising display mounting frame, the forward component including an upright forward member having at least one coupling site thereon, the respective coupling sites of the upright rearward and forward members being configured to enable coupling and decoupling the upright rearward and forward members, and thereby the rearward and forward components, respectively to and from one another, and at least one elongated link configured to detachably attach with the respective coupling sites on the upright rearward and forward members so as to couple and decouple the upright rearward and forward members with and from one another to thereby correspondingly enable attaching and detaching the advertising display mounting frame to and from the upper end portion of the aerial lift mechanism.

In another aspect not encompassed by the wording of the claims but considered useful for understanding the presently claimed invention, the rearward component of the attachment mechanism may also include a rear-mounting structure disposed forwardly of the upright rearward member of the rearward component and rearwardly of the upright forward member of the forward component, the rear mounting structure being configured to permit the at least one elongated link to pass by and extend in opposite fore and aft directions from the rear mounting structure to the respective coupling sites on the upright rearward and forward members of the rearward and forward components.

In another aspect of the disclosure not encompassed by the wording of the claims but considered useful for understanding the presently claimed invention, an aerial advertising display apparatus may include: at least one advertising display mounting frame including upper and lower brace portions being spaced apart from one another; and an attachment mechanism supported above a support surface by an upper end portion of an aerial lift mechanism being actuatable to change the elevation of the aerial lift mechanism upper end portion, and the attachment mechanism therewith, above the support surface, the attachment mechanism including a rearward component attached to the upper end portion of the aerial lift mechanism, a forward component attached to the upper and lower brace portions of the advertising display mounting frame, the forward component including an upright member having at least one coupling site thereon for enabling coupling and decoupling the forward component respectively to and from the rearward component, a pair of first elongated members laterally spaced apart from one another and extending in a transverse relationship and being attached, to the upper and lower brace portions of the at least one display mounting frame, and a pair of second elongated members laterally spaced apart and extending fore-and-aft and respectively interconnecting the upright member and the pair of first elongated members.

In another aspect not encompassed by the wording of the claims but considered useful for understanding the presently claimed invention, each of the upper and lower brace portions of the at least one advertising display mounting frame may include a plurality of elongated rods and a multiplicity of trusses. The elongated rods may be spaced-apart and extend parallel to one another so as to define a top, a bottom and a pair of opposite sides of each of the brace portions. The trusses extend between, and are attached to, the elongated rods defining the top, bottom and pair of opposite sides of each of the brace portions. Also, the at least one advertising display mounting frame further may include right and left brace portions, each including another plurality of the elongated rods and another multiplicity of the trusses, extending between and interconnecting corresponding opposite ends of the upper and lower brace portions.

In another aspect of the disclosure not encompassed by the wording of the claims but considered useful for understanding the presently claimed invention, a mobile aerial advertising display apparatus includes: at least one advertising display mounting frame including upper and lower brace portions being spaced apart from one another; a ground-supported mobile chassis; a lift mechanism including a telescopic boom support on the mobile chassis and being actuatable to undergo rotational movement clockwise and counterclockwise directions horizontally and vertically relative to the mobile chassis so as to change the elevation of an upper end portion of the lift mechanism above the ground; and an attachment mechanism supported above the ground by the upper end portion of the lift mechanism, the attachment mechanism including:
a rearward component attached to the upper end portion of the lift mechanism, the rearward component including an upright rearward member having spaced apart coupling sites thereon, a forward component attached to and disposed rearwardly of the upper and lower brace portions of the at least one advertising display mounting frame, the forward component including an upright forward member having spaced apart coupling sites thereon being correspondingly paired with the spaced apart coupling sites on the upright rearward member, the respective correspondingly paired coupling sites of the upright rearward and forward members being configured to enable coupling and decoupling the upright rearward and forward members, and thereby the rearward and forward components, respectively to and from one another, and elongated links configured to detachably attach with the respective correspondingly paired coupling sites on the upright rearward and forward members so as to couple and decouple the upright rearward and forward members with and from one another to thereby correspondingly attach and detach the advertising display mounting frame to and from the upper end portion of the lift mechanism.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. " Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. The implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "rear", "right", "front", "vertical", "horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in <FIG>. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of an aerial advertising display apparatus, generally designated <NUM>, in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus <NUM> basically includes a support base <NUM> placed on a support surface G, a lift mechanism <NUM> mounted on the support base <NUM>, and an attachment mechanism <NUM> supported by an upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM>. The lift mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> is actuatable, or capable of being actuated, to change the elevation above the support surface G, such as the ground, of the upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM> and thus the elevation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> and an advertising display <NUM> supported by the attachment mechanism <NUM>. The advertising display <NUM> may employ LED illumination and include an advertising display mounting frame <NUM> that may carry, by way of example but not limitation, a conventional two-dimensional billboard made of canvas or other panel material, preferably <NUM> x <NUM> feet in size, or a more customized three-dimensional object, such as artistic depictions of brands and logos. The advertising display mounting frame <NUM> can be made of aluminum, steel or any other suitable materials.

The support base <NUM> and lift mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>, by way of example but not limitation, may be basic components incorporated by an aerial lift vehicle <NUM> that may be mobile and either self-propelled or towed by a motor-driven vehicle. The support base <NUM> may include a chassis <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> supported on wheels <NUM> and having a plurality of outrigger stabilizers <NUM> extendable from the chassis <NUM> to prevent tip-over of the vehicle <NUM> during its use. The support base <NUM> also may include a counterweighted turntable <NUM> mounted for rotation on the chassis <NUM> about a vertical axis. The lift mechanism <NUM> may be a telescopic boom <NUM>. The telescopic boom <NUM> typically includes an outer boom section <NUM> pivotally mounted at one end to the turntable <NUM>, and a plurality of inner boom sections <NUM> being telescopically slidably received within one another and within the outer boom section <NUM> and terminating in the upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM>. The upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM> is moved between different elevations above the ground G by extending and retracting the inner boom sections <NUM>, relative to one another and to the outer boom section <NUM>, using one or more hydraulic cylinders (not shown) and/or by rotatably or pivotally moving the outer boom section <NUM> in clockwise or counterclockwise directions upwardly and downwardly relative to the turntable <NUM> using a hydraulic cylinder <NUM>. Suitable controls (not shown) located in a cab <NUM> supported on the turntable <NUM> may be manipulated by an operator in the cab <NUM> to operate such functions as lift mechanism angle and extension, and rotation of the lift mechanism <NUM> about a vertical axis, along with engine, steering and braking controls. It should be understood that the lift mechanism of the aerial advertising display apparatus may take any one of various forms, such as that of a telehandler or a crane, by way of example but not limitation. The various embodiments of the attachment mechanisms disclosed herein may readily accommodate being supported by any of these forms of the lift mechanism, such as the telehandler or crane, in accordance with the present invention. Further, each advertising display <NUM> may have multiple telehandlers support it at the same time.

Referring now to <FIG>, the attachment mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> basically includes a forward component <NUM> and a rearward component <NUM>. The forward component <NUM> is attached to and disposed rearwardly of the advertising display mounting frame <NUM>. The rearward component <NUM> is attached to the upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM>. The forward and rearward components <NUM>, <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> are configured to interfit with one another, so as to attach with, and detach from, one another to correspondingly couple and decouple the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> to and from the upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM>.

More particularly, as best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> includes a mounting structure <NUM> and a pair of elongated tubular members <NUM>. The mounting structure <NUM> is attached at a rear side to forward ends of the tubular members <NUM> and is configured at a front side to detachably attach to the advertising display mounting frame <NUM>. The mounting structure <NUM> includes an elongated beam <NUM> extending in a transverse relationship to the tubular members <NUM> and a plurality of connectors in the form of a plurality of plates <NUM> attached on, and projecting forwardly from, the front side of the beam <NUM>. The plates <NUM> are attached respectively to sides of laterally spaced apart upright members <NUM> of the advertising display mounting frame <NUM>. For example, fasteners <NUM> are inserted through apertures <NUM> in the plates <NUM> and tightened into holes <NUM> in the upright members <NUM> aligned with the apertures <NUM>.

The elongated tubular members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> project rearwardly from the elongated beam <NUM> of the mounting structure <NUM>. The tubular members <NUM> are laterally spaced apart and extend fore-and-aft and parallel to one another. The forward component <NUM> also includes braces <NUM> extending between and attached to the elongated beam <NUM> and the tubular members <NUM> so as to reinforce the structural integrity of the forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM>.

Also, as best seen in <FIG>, the rearward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> includes an upright rear mounting structure <NUM> pivotally mounted to the upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM> and an actuator <NUM>, such as a hydraulic cylinder, pivotally mounted to the upper end portion 104A of the lift mechanism <NUM> and coupled to the rear mounting structure <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is selectively operable to pivotally move the rear mounting structure <NUM> upwardly and downwardly relative to the lift mechanism <NUM> in order to place the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> in a desired elevated orientation. The rearward component <NUM> also includes a pair of right-angled members <NUM> having upper portions <NUM> that maintain the rearward component <NUM> stationarily mounted to the rear mounting structure <NUM>. The right-angled members <NUM> also have lower portions in the form of forwardly-projecting tines <NUM> extending forwardly from the lower ends of the upper portions <NUM> and parallel to one another such that the tines <NUM> are configured to slidably insert into and interfit with the rearwardly-projecting elongated tubular members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM>.

The attachment mechanism <NUM> further includes a plurality of fasteners <NUM> and aligned pairs of apertures <NUM>, <NUM> formed respectively in the tubular members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and in the tines <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM>. The fasteners <NUM> are insertable through selected ones of the pairs of apertures <NUM> through the tubular members <NUM> and selected ones of the pairs of apertures <NUM> through the tines <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM> when the selected pairs of apertures <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned with each other as a result of the tubular members <NUM> and tines <NUM> being interfitted with one another.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated an exemplary alternative embodiment of an aerial advertising display apparatus, generally designated <NUM>, in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus <NUM> basically includes a support base <NUM> placed on a support surface G, a lift mechanism <NUM> mounted on the support base <NUM>, and an attachment mechanism <NUM> supported by an upper end portion 204A of the lift mechanism <NUM>. The lift mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> is actuatable to change the elevation above the support surface G, such as the ground, of the upper end portion 204A of the lift mechanism <NUM> and thus the elevation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> and an advertising display <NUM> supported by the attachment mechanism <NUM>. The advertising display <NUM> includes an advertising display mounting frame <NUM> that may support, by way of example but not limitation, a conventional two-dimensional billboard, or a more customized three-dimensional object, such as artistic representations of brands and logos.

The support base <NUM> and lift mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>, by way of example but not limitation, may be basic components incorporated by a mobile lift truck or vehicle <NUM>. The support base <NUM> may include a chassis <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> supported on wheels <NUM>. The lift mechanism <NUM> may be a telescopic upright channel structure <NUM> mounted to the chassis <NUM>. The telescopic channel structure <NUM> typically include an outer elongated channel section <NUM> pivotally mounted at one end to the chassis <NUM>, and at least one inner elongated channel section <NUM> being telescopically slidably received within the outer channel section <NUM> and terminating in the upper end portion 204A of the lift mechanism <NUM>. The upper end portion 204A of the lift mechanism <NUM> is moved between different elevations above the ground by extending and retracting the inner channel section <NUM> relative to the outer channel section <NUM>, using one or more hydraulic cylinders <NUM> and/or by rotatably or pivotally moving the outer channel section <NUM> upwardly and downwardly relative to the chassis <NUM> using hydraulic cylinders <NUM>. Suitable controls (not shown) located in a cab <NUM> may be manipulated by an operator in the cab <NUM> to operate such functions as lift mechanism angle and extension, and rotation of the lift mechanism <NUM> about a vertical axis, along with engine, steering and braking controls.

The attachment mechanism <NUM> supported by the upper end portion 204A of the lift mechanism <NUM> includes a forward component <NUM> attached to an advertising display mounting frame <NUM>, and a rearward component <NUM> attached to the upper end portion 204A of the lift mechanism <NUM>. The forward and rearward components <NUM>, <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> are the same as the forward and rearward components <NUM>, <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>. Thus, a detailed description of the forward and rearward components <NUM>, <NUM> of apparatus <NUM> need not be repeated herein; instead attention is directed to the detailed description of the forward and rearward components <NUM>, <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> set forth earlier with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated another exemplary alternate implementation of an attachment mechanism, generally designated <NUM>, of aerial advertising display apparatus of the present invention, in which the rearward and forward components <NUM>, <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM>, as seen <FIG>, are replaced by rearward and forward components, generally designated <NUM>, <NUM>. As will be described hereinafter, the forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> is now capable of accommodating a wider advertising display mounting frame <NUM>. The forward component <NUM> includes an upright front mounting structure <NUM> and a pair of spaced-apart parallel left and right tubular members <NUM> extending rearwardly from a main cross body <NUM> of the front mounting structure <NUM>. Each of the tubular members <NUM> includes respective apertures 172a extending vertically therethrough. A pair of corresponding spaced-apart, left and right angled tubular members <NUM> is provided extending in a rearward and downward angle from an upper end of main cross body <NUM> and terminating at a cross brace <NUM> supported upon and spanning right and left tubular members <NUM>. The forward component <NUM> also includes an upright forward stabilizing member or plate <NUM>, spaced rearwardly from the upright front mounting structure <NUM>, which upright forward member or plate <NUM> at a lower end thereof interfaces with and fixedly mounts on an upper surface of cross brace <NUM>. The upright forward member <NUM> has spaced-apart, horizontally-disposed apertures 176a extending completely therethrough for a purpose explained further hereinbelow. The front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> further includes pairs of spaced-apart right and left upwardly and downwardly extending vertical elongated beams <NUM>, <NUM>. The right elongated beam <NUM> has corresponding pairs of connector plates <NUM> and the left elongated beam <NUM> has corresponding pairs of connector plates <NUM> at upper and lower ends thereof. Each of the connector plates <NUM>, <NUM> has a plurality of aligned apertures extending therethrough. Furthermore, right and left pairs of connector plates <NUM> respectively extend forwardly from a front surface of main cross body <NUM> of the front mounting structure <NUM>, each also having a plurality of aligned apertures extending therethrough.

The forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM>, as just described, is thus configured to attach with a somewhat wider aerial advertisement display mounting frame, generally designated <NUM>. The mounting frame <NUM> has a rectilinear geometry made up of contiguous frame segments 190a-190d and a pair of vertically-disposed, spaced-apart, right and left interior braces <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, extending between interior-facing surfaces of upper frame segment 190a and lower frame segment 190b, each having a respective plurality of brace apertures 195a, 196a extending therethrough. Furthermore, two sets of apertures <NUM>, <NUM> are provided extending through upper frame segment 190a, and two corresponding aligned sets of apertures <NUM>, <NUM> are provided extending lower frame segment 190b.

During assembly of the forward component <NUM> to the display mounting frame <NUM>, from the unassembled condition shown in <FIG> to the assembled condition shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper connector plates <NUM>, <NUM> receive the upper frame segment 190a, such that the apertures in the upper connector plates <NUM>, <NUM> align with corresponding upper apertures <NUM>, <NUM>. Likewise, the lower connector plates <NUM>, <NUM> receive lower the frame segment 190b, such that the apertures in the lower connector plates <NUM>, <NUM> align with corresponding lower apertures <NUM>, <NUM>. Furthermore, during such assembly of the forward component <NUM> to the display mounting frame <NUM>, the connector plates <NUM> receive the upright frame braces <NUM>, <NUM> such that the apertures in the connector plates <NUM> align with corresponding apertures 195a, 196a. Subsequently, conventional fastener hardware, such as bolts and nuts, are inserted through the aligned apertures to securely fasten the forward component <NUM> to the display mounting frame <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the forward component <NUM> of <FIG> is shown fully assembled and fixedly attached to the display mounting frame <NUM>. As can be seen, in this exemplary implementation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> of the aerial lift vehicle, the rearward component <NUM> includes an upright rearward stabilizing member or plate <NUM> supported thereon, in addition to an upright rear mounting structure <NUM> spaced forwardly from the upright rearward member <NUM> and fixedly secured thereto by brackets 185a. As described above, the forward component <NUM> has the forward stabilizing member or plate <NUM> fixedly attached to the left and right tubular members <NUM> and left and right angled tubular members <NUM>. The upright rearward member <NUM> and upright forward member <NUM> are coupled together so as to provide increased stability of the display mounting frame <NUM>. More specifically, left and right rigid links <NUM>, such as in the form of fastener rods, extend through at least one and preferably plural corresponding coupling sites 184a, 176a, such as apertures, in the upright rearward and forward members <NUM>, <NUM>. The sites or apertures 184a, 176a are aligned with one another to enable the fixedly coupling and decoupling of the upright rearward and forward members or plates <NUM>, <NUM> to one another using any known conventional hardware. For example, the links <NUM> may comprise large rigid bolts extending through and past the rear upright mounting structure <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM>, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, and then fastened in place using nuts. Also, as in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the rearward component <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, also includes an upright rear mounting structure <NUM> having a pair of right-angled members <NUM> having upper portions <NUM> attached to the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> and lower portions in the form of forwardly-projecting tines <NUM> extending forwardly from the lower ends of the upper portions <NUM> and parallel to one another such that the tines <NUM> are configured to slidably insert into and interfit with the rearwardly-projecting elongated tubular members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, there is illustrated yet another exemplary alternative implementation of an attachment mechanism, generally designated <NUM>, of an aerial advertising display apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The attachment mechanism <NUM> is supported above a support surface (not shown) by the upper end portion 104A of the aerial lift mechanism <NUM>. The lift mechanism <NUM> may be actuated to change the elevation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> above the support surface. This implementation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> is similar to that of <FIG> and <FIG>; however, to arrive at the attachment mechanism <NUM>, the lower portions or tines <NUM> of the rear component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> would be omitted and the rear portions of the tubular members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> extending rearwardly beyond the upright forward member or plate <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> would be omitted. With the omission of these two features, the upright forward member or plate <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and the mounting structure <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM> would now be placed adjacent to and engaged with one another. Other than those two differences, the basic makeup of the attachment mechanism <NUM> remains substantially the same as that of the attachment mechanism <NUM>.

Thus, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the attachment mechanism <NUM> basically includes a rearward component <NUM> and a forward component <NUM>. The rearward component <NUM> is attached in any suitable manner to the upper end portion 104A of the aerial lift mechanism <NUM>. The rearward component <NUM> includes an upright rearward member or plate <NUM> supported thereon, in addition to an upright rear mounting structure <NUM> spaced forwardly from the upright rearward member <NUM> and fixedly secured thereto by brackets 308a. The forward component <NUM> is attached to and disposed rearwardly of the advertising display mounting frame <NUM>, as described hereinbefore. The forward component <NUM> has an upright front mounting structure <NUM>, an upright forward member or plate <NUM>, a pair of right and left elongated members <NUM> and a pair of right and left angled members <NUM> disposed and aligned above the corresponding right and left elongated members <NUM>. The right and left elongated members <NUM> are respectively laterally spaced apart and extend fore-and-aft and parallel with one another. The right and left angled members <NUM> are likewise respectively laterally spaced apart and extend fore-and-aft and parallel with one another. The respective right and left members <NUM>, <NUM> are fixedly attached at front ends to a rear side of the upright front mounting structure <NUM>, whereas the upright forward member <NUM> extends transversely between and is fixedly mounted proximate to rear end portions of the right and left elongated members <NUM> and rear ends of the right and left angled members <NUM>.

The upright forward member <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM> are now placed adjacent to and engaged with or pressed against one another. The upright rearward member <NUM> and the upright forward member <NUM> each has at least one and preferably a corresponding plurality of coupling sites 306a, 312a thereon. The respective coupling sites 306a, 312a of the upright rearward and forward members <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to enable coupling and decoupling the upright rearward and forward members <NUM>, <NUM>, and thereby the rearward and forward components <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively to and from one another. The coupling and decoupling of the upright rearward and forward members <NUM>, <NUM> to one another are enabled by extending through and past and in opposite fore and aft directions from the rear upright mounting structure <NUM> and fastening to and unfastening from the respective members <NUM>, <NUM> at the respective coupling sites 306a, <NUM>12a thereon at least one and preferably a corresponding plurality of elongated links <NUM> so as to correspondingly enable attaching and detaching the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> to and from the upper end portion 104A of the aerial lift mechanism <NUM>. The coupling sites 306a, 312a in the respective upright rearward and forward members <NUM>, <NUM>, by way of example but not limitation, may take the form of apertures extending through the respective members <NUM>, <NUM>. The elongated links <NUM>, by way of example but not limitation, may take the form of fasteners alignable with and extendible through the apertures in the respective upright rearward and forward members <NUM>, <NUM>.

The upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> at a front side of the structure <NUM> is detachably attached to the advertising display mounting frame <NUM>. The upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> and their attachment together is the same as that described above with respect to <FIG> and so a detailed description need not be repeated herein.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated another exemplary embodiment of an advertising display mounting frame assembly, generally designated <NUM>, and a partially illustrated another exemplary embodiment of an attachment mechanism, generally designated <NUM>, of an aerial advertising display apparatus of the present invention. The advertising display mounting frame assembly <NUM> is made up of at least one and preferably a pair of advertising display mounting frames <NUM>, being alternatives to that of the advertising display-mounting frame <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The advertising display mounting frames <NUM> of the mounting frame assembly <NUM> are spaced from, and extend parallel to, one another and are interconnected by pluralities of links <NUM> spanning between and attached to the mounting frames <NUM> at the respective corresponding corners thereof.

More particularly, each of the mounting frames <NUM> includes upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> spaced apart from one another, and right and left end brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> spaced apart from one another and extending between and interconnecting the upper and lower brace portions at the opposite ends thereof. Each of the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> and each of the right and left end brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the advertising display mounting frames <NUM> includes a plurality of elongated rods <NUM> spaced apart and extending parallel to one another and connected together in rectangular configurations so as to define the top, bottom and opposite sides of each of the mounting frames <NUM>. Also, each of the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> and each of the right and left end brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the advertising display mounting frames <NUM> includes a multiplicity of reinforcing trusses <NUM> extending between and attached to the elongated rods <NUM>. Further, each of the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective mounting frames <NUM> has a respective plurality of end and intermediate connector plates <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> attached along opposite ends and spaced apart intermediate sections of the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

The attachment mechanism <NUM> is supported above a support surface by an upper end portion of an aerial lift mechanism of an aerial advertising display apparatus, the same as disclosed hereinabove in reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, being actuatable to change the elevation of the aerial lift mechanism upper end portion, and the attachment mechanism <NUM> therewith, above the support surface. The attachment mechanism <NUM> includes a rearward component (not shown, but the same as seen in <FIG> or <FIG>) attached to the upper end portion of the aerial lift mechanism, and a forward component <NUM> attached to the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the advertising display mounting frames <NUM>. The forward component <NUM> includes a front upright member (not shown, but the same as seen in <FIG> or <FIG>) coupled to a rear upright member of a rearward component (not shown, but the same as seen in <FIG> or <FIG>) The forward component <NUM> also includes a pair of upright elongated members <NUM> laterally spaced apart from one another and extending in a transverse relationship, and being attached, to the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the advertising display mounting frames <NUM> from midway along the same corresponding side thereof. Each of the upright elongated members <NUM> has a pair of connector flanges <NUM>, <NUM> protruding forwardly therefrom at opposite upper and lower ends thereof such that upon placement of the upright elongated members <NUM> adjacent to the respective side of the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the advertising display mounting frames <NUM> the connector flanges <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to overlap and fasten to the intermediate connector plates <NUM>, <NUM> of the upper and lower braces <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated the same advertising display mounting frame assembly <NUM> as seen in <FIG> but now together with an attachment mechanism <NUM> only slightly modified from that shown in <FIG> in order for the attachment mechanism <NUM> of <FIG> to accommodate approaching the mounting frame assembly <NUM> from an end orientation rather than from the side orientation. <FIG> shows front and rear views of an exemplary use of a display mounting frame assembly <NUM> similar to that <FIG> for simultaneously displaying multiple advertisements.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is fragmentarily illustrated a mobile aerial advertising display apparatus which includes an advertising display mounting frame <NUM> and an attachment mechanism <NUM> having a front component <NUM> (being substantially the same as the front component <NUM> in <FIG>) and a rear component (not shown, also being substantially the same as the rear component <NUM> in <FIG>). The advertising display mounting frame <NUM> has upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> spaced apart from one another and a logo L extending between and mounted to the brace portions. The forward component <NUM> has a pair of upright elongated members <NUM> laterally spaced apart from one another and extending in a transverse relationship, and being attachable, to the upper and lower brace portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> from the same corresponding side thereof to thereby correspondingly detachably attach the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> thereto.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is illustrated another exemplary alternative implementation of an attachment mechanism, generally designated <NUM>, of an aerial advertising display apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The attachment mechanism <NUM> is supported above a support surface (not shown) by the upper end portion 104A of the aerial lift mechanism <NUM>. The lift mechanism <NUM> may be actuated to change the elevation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> above the support surface. This implementation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> is generally similar to that of <FIG> and <FIG>; however, to arrive at the exact construction of the attachment mechanism <NUM>, the following seven modifications would need to be made to the attachment mechanism <NUM>: first, the pair of vertical beams (the same as beams <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>) of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> would be separate from the pair of right and left elongated members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>; second, the pair of right and left angled members <NUM> are omitted; third, the separated right and left elongated members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> would be pivotally, rather than fixedly, mounted to the upright forward member or plate <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>; fourth, the right and left elongated members <NUM> would be hollow or tubular in structure and open at their front ends; fifth, the downwardly extending halves of the vertical beams (the same as beams <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>) of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> would be omitted leaving only the upwardly extending halves of the vertical beams thereof sixth, the remaining upper halves of the vertical beams of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> would be relocated rearwardly from the display mounting frame <NUM> so as to leave a gap therebetween for allowing the pivotally mounted tubular right and left elongated members <NUM> to insert upwardly over the upper halves of the vertical beams of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>; and, seventh, the elongated links <NUM> would be increased in length allowing them to extend from coupling sites in the interfitted tubular right and elongated members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and the upper vertical beam halves of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>, past the upright forward member or plate <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> (and brackets 308A) of the rearward component <NUM> to coupling sites in the upright rearward member or plate <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM>. With these seven modifications, the assembled arrangement and relationship of the modified components implemented by the attachment mechanism <NUM> would be as described below with reference to <FIG>.

Thus, as seen in <FIG>, the attachment mechanism <NUM> generally includes a rearward component <NUM> and a forward component <NUM>. The rearward component <NUM> is attached in any suitable manner to the upper end portion 104A of the aerial lift mechanism <NUM>. The rearward component <NUM> includes an upright rearward member or plate <NUM> supported thereon, in addition to an upright rear mounting structure <NUM> spaced forwardly from the upright rearward member <NUM> and fixedly secured thereto by brackets 908a. The forward component <NUM> is attached to and disposed rearwardly of the advertising display mounting frame <NUM>, as described hereinbefore. The forward component <NUM> has an upright front mounting structure <NUM>, an upright forward member or plate <NUM>, and a pair of right and left elongated members <NUM>.

More particularly, the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> has a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical beams <NUM> and a corresponding pair of upper tabs <NUM> affixed to and extending forwardly from upper ends of the vertical beams <NUM>. The upper tabs <NUM> when attached to the upper frame segment 190a of the display mounting frame <NUM> space the pair of vertical beams <NUM> of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> rearwardly from the display mounting frame <NUM>, thereby leaving a gap <NUM> therebetween. The right and left elongated members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> are respectively laterally spaced apart and extend fore-and-aft and parallel with one another. Also, they are tubular in structure, open at their front ends and pivotally mounted at their rear ends to the lower end of the upright front member or plate <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>.

The right and left elongated members <NUM> are pivoted approximately ninety degrees from their horizontal position in <FIG> and <FIG> to their vertical position in <FIG> where they are disposed below and in alignment with the vertical beams <NUM> of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>. The right and left elongated members <NUM> are then elevated and inserted over the vertical beams <NUM> and through the gap <NUM> to the position shown in <FIG>. The right and left elongated members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>, the vertical beams <NUM> of the upright front mounting structure <NUM>, the upright forward member <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>, the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> (optionally, with brackets 908a) of the rearward component <NUM> and the upright rearward member or plate <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM> are all now placed adjacent to and against one another.

The right and left elongated members <NUM>, the vertical beams <NUM>, the upright forward member <NUM>, and the upright rearward member <NUM> each has at least one and preferably a corresponding plurality of coupling sites 914a, 916a, 912a, 906a thereon. These respective coupling sites are configured to enable coupling and decoupling these components respectively to and from one another. The coupling and decoupling of these components to one another are enabled by extending through and past and in opposite fore and aft directions from the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> (optionally, with its brackets 908a) and fastening to and unfastening from the respective members at the respective coupling sites thereon one or more elongated links <NUM> so as to correspondingly enable attaching and detaching the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> to and from the upper end portion 104A of the aerial lift mechanism <NUM>. Thus, the elongated links <NUM> extend from coupling sites 914a, 916a in the interfitted tubular right and elongated members <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and the upper vertical beams <NUM> of the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM>, through coupling site 912a of the upright forward member or plate <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and past the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> (and brackets 908a) of the rearward component <NUM> to coupling sites 906a in the upright rearward member or plate <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM>. The coupling sites in the respective members, by way of example but not limitation, may take the form of apertures extending through the respective members. The elongated links <NUM>, by way of example but not limitation, may take the form of fasteners alignable with and extendible through the apertures in the respective members.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many variations to the present structure are possible while still accomplishing the desired functionality, and without departing from the intended scope of the invention. For example, referring to <FIG>, rearward bracket(s) 908a could be completely eliminated without negatively affecting the functionality of the apparatus. For instance, the forward member plate <NUM> may be coupled together by means of elongated links <NUM>, directly to the rearward member <NUM>, such that the supporting structure of bracket(s) 908a is completely removed from the rear mounting structure of <NUM>, such that the forward member plate <NUM> and rearward member <NUM> are flush with rear mounting structure <NUM> (<FIG>). It will also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that one or more rearward mounting plates <NUM> (<FIG>) may be coupled to any of a number of different areas/portions of the rear mounting structure <NUM>. Coupling sites on the rear mounting structure <NUM> are not to be limited by the particular sections (e.g., horizontal members, vertical members, center, back, bottom and front) of the structure <NUM> that rearward member(s) <NUM> can be coupled to.

The upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> at a front side of the structure <NUM> is detachably attached to the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> by suitable fasteners. The upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> and the advertising display mounting frame <NUM> and their attachment together is the same as that described above with respect to <FIG> and so a detailed description need not be repeated herein.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, there is illustrated yet another exemplary alternative implementation of an attachment mechanism, generally designated <NUM>, of an aerial advertising display apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The attachment mechanism <NUM> is supported above a support surface (not shown) by the upper end portion 104A of the aerial lift mechanism <NUM>. The lift mechanism <NUM> may be actuated to change the elevation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> above the support surface. This implementation of the attachment mechanism <NUM> differs from that of <FIG> in that an alternative way is employ to couple the forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> to the display mounting frame <NUM>, the elongated members <NUM> and the upright front mounting structure <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM> with one another and also with the rearward component <NUM> of the attachment mechanism <NUM>.

More particularly, the upright forward member <NUM> has affixed thereto a pair of connectors <NUM> disposed above and between the elongated members <NUM>. The connectors <NUM> extend forwardly so as to align with and be detachably attachable to complementary portions (apertures) 195a, 196a of the advertising display mounting frame <NUM>. The vertical beams <NUM> of the front mounting structure <NUM>, the elongated members <NUM> pivotally mounted to the upright forward member <NUM> and the connectors <NUM> extending forwardly from the upright forward member <NUM> have respective coupling sites 1016a, 1014a, 1024a thereon being configured to align with one another when the vertical beams <NUM> and elongated members <NUM> are in the vertical interfitted position. Another elongated link <NUM>, being separate from the elongated links <NUM>, is configured to detachably attach the coupling sites 1016a and 1014a on the vertical beams <NUM> and elongated members <NUM>, when in the vertical interfitted position, to the coupling sites 1024a on the connectors <NUM> separately from the coupling of the upright forward member <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> to the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> and upright rearward member <NUM>. Still another link <NUM>, being separate from the links <NUM>, <NUM>, is used to connect the upright forward member <NUM> of the forward component <NUM> to the upright rear mounting structure <NUM> of the rearward component <NUM>. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, although rod, or link <NUM>, is depicted extending in one direction it is clearly within the scope of the present invention to incorporate a link <NUM> extending in both directions and having couplings at opposite ends to attach directly to, for example, an aluminum truss or other structure. Still other variations and alternatives are contemplated including, for example, utilization of a crane boom extension as an attachment location for the adapter (which may, for example, require the addition of solid support plates or other additional structural support elements).

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An aerial display apparatus, comprising:
a support base (<NUM>) for placing on a support surface;
a display mounting frame (<NUM>);
an aerial lift mechanism (<NUM>) mounted on the support base (<NUM>) and being actuatable to change the elevation of an upper end portion (104A) of the lift mechanism above and relative to the support base (<NUM>);
an attachment mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) supported by the upper end portion (104A), the attachment mechanism comprising:
a forward component (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed rearwardly of the display mounting frame (<NUM>) and comprising a mounting structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a front side and rear side; and
a rearward component (<NUM>, <NUM>) attached to the upper end (104A);
characterized in that:
the forward component further comprises at least two rearwardly-projecting tubular members (<NUM>, <NUM>) being laterally spaced apart and extending fore-and-aft and parallel with one another, each rearwardly projecting member having a forward end;
the rearward component (<NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises at least two forwardly-projecting tines (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the at least two forwardly-projecting tines are configured to slidably insert into and interfit with the at least two rearwardly-projecting tubular members (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the mounting structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) is attached at the rear side to the forward ends of the at least two rearwardly-projecting members and is configured at the front side to detachably attach to the display mounting frame (<NUM>);
the forward component (<NUM>, <NUM>) and rearward component (<NUM>, <NUM>) are configured to interfit with one another so as to reversibly attach with and detach from one another, thereby reversibly coupling and decoupling the display mounting frame (<NUM>) to and from the upper end (104A) of the lift mechanism; and
the aerial lift mechanism (<NUM>) is actuatable to change the angle of the upper end (104A) of the lift mechanism relative to the support base (<NUM>).