Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/452,727 filed Mar. 15, 2011 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to display devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to display devices attached to wheeled conveyances. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Transportation vehicles are frequently a means of self-expression, regardless of the type of vehicle (motorized or unmotorized). Particular models, styles, colors, or manufacturers are marketed to and purchased by particular categories or types of individuals. However, with mass produced goods, there is a limit to the amount of personalization that can be done prior to a sale. Once purchased, vehicles are frequently further personalized through the use of bumper stickers, vanity plates, antennae balls, magnets and decals. Such items are used to convey a variety of messages or statements about an individual whether it is a particular set of beliefs, opinions, political leanings, affiliations, jokes, business information, support for a cause, or other such information. 
     Bumper stickers, vanity plates, antennae balls, magnets and decals all have differing degrees of visibility, interchangability and permanence and thus different advantages and disadvantages which make them more or less suitable for personalization of a vehicle. Bumper stickers are inexpensive and widely available, but they are difficult to remove completely without damaging the finish of a vehicle and therefore frequently remain on a vehicle even when they are faded, out of date, or otherwise obsolete. Magnets and decals are easier to remove, but correspondingly do not always remain where they are placed and can be difficult to read from a distance. They additionally require a smooth surface, limiting their placement and visibility. Antennae balls are small and require that someone recognize the symbol in order for a message to be conveyed. Vanity plates are expensive and the type and length of the message that can be included is limited. License plate holders are small and difficult to read. Additionally, vanity plates, license plate holders and bumper stickers are generally displayed below eye level, decreasing the visibility and impact of a particular message. Writing messages on the car using glass marker, shoe polish, wax, or soap or window paint is messy, difficult to do well, and does not withstand the elements. 
     There is therefore an unmet need for a means of displaying a message, logo, and/or graphical image which is visible to others, stays in place until removed, and which can be easily removed or altered at the user&#39;s discretion. 
     SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Provided herein is a display device for displaying a written and/or graphical message on a wheeled conveyance including, but not limited to, a car, a bicycle, a moped, a motorized bicycle, a motor home, a truck, a motorcycle, a wagon, a stroller, a baby carriage, motor scooter, a camper, a snowmobile, or a cart such that the written and/or graphical message is visible to those not riding in or on the vehicle and which can be easily removed or altered at the wheeled conveyance owner&#39;s discretion. The display device may be stationary or mobile and may be attached to any part of the wheeled conveyance including, but not limited to, a rear windshield wiper, a front windshield wiper, a headlamp wiper, an antenna, a post, a seat rail, or a frame. In some embodiments, the display device is attached to a stationary part of the wheeled conveyance. In other embodiments, the display device may be attached to an independently moving part of a wheeled conveyance such as a rear windshield wiper. 
     The display for the written and/or graphical message may be any shape or material desired. In some embodiments it is a flat surface, in other embodiments it is multi-dimensional. In some embodiments it may be rigid, in other embodiments, it may be more flexible. In some embodiments it is a standard shape such as a rectangle, circle or square. In further embodiments, the display is shaped to match the message, graphics and/or logo depicted on the display. Messages, graphics and/or logos may be imprinted on, displayed on, part of, or otherwise attached to a first side of the display. In some embodiments, the message may be enhanced visually using three dimensional, lenticular, or reflective materials. The message may be altered in a myriad of ways when desired. In some embodiments, the display may be interchanged for another display when the user desires to change the message on the display. In other embodiments, graphical and/or written messages may be fastened to the display, either replacing or on top of the previous message. In yet another embodiment, graphical and/or written messages may be printed or written directly on the display by the user. In a further embodiment, the message may be displayed or altered electronically, i.e. the message may be composed using LED lights, LCD, plasma technology or other electronic forms. In other embodiments, the message may be enhanced visually using three dimensional, lenticular, or reflective materials. In some embodiments the message is removable. In other embodiments the display is interchangeable for another display. In further embodiments, the display and the message are removable. 
     A second side of the display on the back of the first side of the delay containing the message is attached to an attachment point of a wheeled conveyance. In some embodiments, the display device is fastened directly to one or more attachment points of a wheeled conveyance through attachment sites on the display using any means generally used including, but not limited to, nuts, nails, pins, screws, bolts, adhesives, cables, plastic ties, plastic cables, zip ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the display device may comprise a display and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may be flexible or rigid. In some embodiments it may wrap around the attachment point of the wheeled conveyance. In other embodiments, the mounting bracket may sit flat against the attachment point of the wheeled conveyance. In yet another embodiment, the mounting bracket may contain a groove for the attachment point of the wheeled conveyance. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may be attached to the wheeled conveyance using a backing bracket placed behind an attachment point such as a windshield wiper. In other embodiments, the mounting bracket may be attached to the wheeled conveyance using a spacer between the mounting bracket and an attachment point. 
     The mounting bracket may be attached to the wheeled conveyance at attachment sites by any means generally used including, but not limited to, nuts, nails, pins, screws, bolts, adhesives, cables, plastic ties, plastic cables, zip ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve, or a combination thereof. The mounting bracket may be attached at one or more points, such as two, three, four or more points to the wheeled conveyance. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket is attached to the wheeled conveyance such that it may be removed from the wheeled conveyance by the user when desired. In other embodiments, the mounting bracket is permanently attached to the wheeled conveyance. In additional embodiments, the attachment mechanism for the mounting bracket may be adjustable, allowing the attachment mechanism to be tightened or loosened as needed. For example, in some embodiments, the attachment mechanism may comprise a ratcheting device. 
     The attachment between the mounting bracket and the display may be permanent or temporary. In some embodiments, the display and mounting bracket may be joined together using a joint, side release buckle, bayonet clip or other similar device including but not limited to, hooks and loop type fasteners, clasps, buckles, zippers, snaps, buttons, magnets, screws, nuts and bolts, adhesives, releasable adhesives or other suitable fasteners. For example, in some embodiments, the mounting bracket may comprise a bayonet clip or side release buckle that has spring arms biased to the out position which when depressed can slide into rails on the display and lock in place. In some embodiments, one or more of the spring arms may have a retaining block that terminates on the front end and helps lock the arms in place. In other embodiments, the retaining block on the spring arms may lock around a stop mechanism on the display. 
     In another embodiment, the attachment between the mounting bracket and the display may be a joint including, but not limited to, a ball and socket joint, a screw joint, pin joint, hinge, swivel joint, ball detent, a bolted joint, a welded joint, hirth joint, or revolute joint. In some embodiments, the joint may be a separate piece or pieces that attach to the display and/or mounting bracket; in other embodiments, the joint or piece(s) of the joint may be part of the display and/or mounting bracket. In embodiments where the joint is separate from the display and/or mounting bracket, the one or more pieces of the joint may attach to the display and/or mounting bracket by any means generally used. In some embodiments a part of the joint may thread through the display and/or mounting bracket, may snap onto the display and/or mounting bracket, may screw into the display and/or mounting bracket, may be glued to the display and/or mounting bracket, may attach using a locking mechanism, for example a screw-threaded type, a bayonet-type, or a friction lock type of locking mechanism, or attach by any other means generally used. In some embodiments, the display device is attached to the wheeled conveyance both directly and through the use of the mounting bracket. 
     In some embodiments, the attachment between the mounting bracket and the display may allow the display to pivot, rotate and/or tilt to achieve the desired viewing angle for the display. The amount of rotation of the display may be any amount up to and including 360°. The display may additionally pivot or tilt +/− about 5 to +/− about 45 degrees. Once the display device is placed at the desired angle, it maintains its orientation until it is altered by the user. In additional embodiments, the display device rotates to maintain its position relative to the road surface regardless of the motion of the wheeled conveyance or attachment point. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following sections. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a view of an embodiment of a display device mounted on the rear windshield wiper of a motorized vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of an embodiment of a display device mounted at multiple exemplary points on a bicycle. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a display portion of a display device. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of a flexible mounting bracket of a display device. 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device. 
         FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment of a rigid mounting bracket of a display device. 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a display device. 
         FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a display device. 
         FIG. 9  shows an assembled view of an embodiment of a joint of a display device. 
         FIG. 10  shows an assembled view of an embodiment of a mounting bracket and joint of a display device. 
         FIG. 11  shows a view of an embodiment of a spacer for use with a display device. 
         FIG. 12  shows a top view of an embodiment of a display device. 
         FIG. 13  shows a side view of an embodiment of a display device. 
         FIG. 14  shows an embodiment of an exemplary mounting bracket of a display device. 
         FIG. 15  shows an exemplary display of an embodiment of a display device. 
         FIG. 16  shows an assembled view of an embodiment of a display device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the display device is shown generally at  100 . The display device  100  comprises a display  105  and an attachment mechanism  112 . 
     The display device  100  may be attached at any point on a wheeled conveyance including, but not limited to, a rear windshield wiper, a front windshield wiper, a headlamp wiper, post, an antenna, seat rails, the frame, the luggage rack, or seat post. In  FIG. 1 , the display device is permanently or removably attached to a wiper arm  110  which is part of a wiper assembly  120 . Wiper assembly  120  includes wiper arm  110  which is pivotally connected at  130  to a wiper motor (not shown) such that when the wiper arm  110  moves in the arc  140 , the display device  100  moves with it. In some embodiments the display device  100  may pivot so that it maintains an upright position perpendicular to the road, regardless of the movement of the wiper arm  110 . 
     The display  105  may be directly attached to the wiper arm  110  using an attachment mechanism  112  attached to an attachment site (not shown) on the display or may be attached to the wiper arm  110  through a mounting bracket (not shown). The attachment mechanism  112  may be any means generally used, including, but not limited to, nuts, pins, nails, screws, bolts, adhesives, cables, plastic ties, zip ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve, or a combination thereof. 
     The display  105  made of any rigid material including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber or metal. For exemplary purposes, the display is shown as being rectangular, but it may be in any shape desired. In some embodiments it is a flat surface, in other embodiments it is multi-dimensional. In some embodiments it is a standard shape such as a rectangle, circle or square. In further embodiments, the display is shaped to match the message, graphics and/or logo depicted on the display. In other embodiments, the message may be enhanced visually using three dimensional, lenticular, or reflective materials. A message, logo, or graphical image may be displayed, printed on, part of, or otherwise affixed to a first surface  115  of the display  105  facing away from the wheeled conveyance to which it is attached. In some embodiments, the display  105  may be interchanged for another display when the user desires to change the message on the display  105 . In other embodiments, graphical and/or written messages may be fastened to the first surface of the display  115 . In some embodiments, the graphical and/or written messages may be replaced or a new message may be put on top of an existing graphical and/or written message on the first surface of the display  115 . In yet another embodiment, graphical and/or written messages may be written or printed directly on the first surface of the display  115  by the manufacturer or user. In a further embodiment, the message on the first surface of the display  115  may be displayed or altered electronically, i.e. it may be an LED, LCD, plasma or other electronic type of display. In some embodiments the display may be removable and replaceable. In other embodiments the message may be removable and replaceable. In further embodiments both the message and the display may be removable and replaceable. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the display device is shown generally at  200 . The display device  200  may be attached to a seat post  202  or a luggage rack  204  of a bicycle  208 , or any other attachment point. The display device  200  may be removably or permanently attached to the bicycle  208  through an attachment site (not shown) by any means generally used, including, but not limited to, nuts, pins, nails, screws, bolts, adhesives, cables, plastic ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the display device  200  is attached through the use of a mounting bracket (not shown). 
     The display  205  may made of any rigid material including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber or metal. For exemplary purposes, the display is shown as being rectangular, but it may be in any shape desired. In some embodiments, a first surface  210  of the display is flat or substantially flat. In other embodiments, the first surface  210  of the display may be raised or three dimensional. A message, logo, or graphical image may be displayed, printed on, part of, or otherwise affixed to the first surface  210  of the display facing away from the wheeled conveyance to which it is attached. In some embodiments, the message may be enhanced visually using three dimensional, lenticular, or reflective materials. In other embodiments, the message may be created and displayed on the first surface in an electronic or digital form using for example, LED, LCD or plasma technology. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment of a display which can be attached to a mounting bracket is shown. In  FIG. 3 , the display  300  has a female ball socket  302  on the back of the display designed to connect with a ball plug associated with a mounting bracket. The socket  302  may be on the display as shown, or, in other embodiments, the female ball socket  302  may be on the mounting bracket and a plug may be on the display. The display  300  may be attached to a mounting bracket through any type of socket/plug or other clip combination generally used. In some embodiments, the female socket or male plug may be halves of a screw joint, pin joint, ball-and-socket joint (as shown), ball detent and socket, swivel joint, ball detent, a bolted joint, a welded joint, hirth joint, hinge, or revolute joints. 
     An exemplary embodiment of flexible mounting bracket  310  which may be used to attach the display to the wheeled conveyance is shown in  FIG. 4 . The mounting bracket  310 , may contain one or more apertures or attachment sites  312 , including two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more apertures. Such apertures  312  may be any shape desired. In some embodiments they may be round as shown. In other embodiments they may be square, rectangular, oval or any other regular or irregular shape that is useful. The presence of two or more apertures allows the mounting bracket  310  to attach to different sized attachment points on a wheeled conveyance by placing a fastener or other attachment mechanism through different apertures as required by the size of the attachment point or to allow multiple fasteners to be used if desired. The mounting bracket  310  is attached to the display portion of the device using a ball half  314  of a ball and socket joint though any type of joint may be used including, but not limited to, a screw joint, pin joint, swivel joint, ball detent, a bolted joint, a welded joint, hirth joint, hinge, or revolute joint. In other embodiments, the mounting bracket may be attached to the display portion of the device using a clip such as a side release buckle, bayonet clip or other similar device including but not limited to, hooks and loop type fasteners, clasps, buckles, zippers, snaps, buttons, magnets, screws, nuts and bolts, adhesives, releasable adhesives or other suitable fasteners. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the ball half  314  of the joint may comprise the ball  316 , a stand  318  and a base  320 . The base  320  may be any regular or irregular shape desired. In some embodiments, it is round, square, rectangular, or any other shape that will not interfere with binding the mounting bracket  310  to the attachment point. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket  310  may have a recess in which the base  320  sits so that the back of the mounting bracket  310  forms a substantially smooth surface. The ball half  314  of the joint may be threaded through an opening  322 . In some embodiments, the ball half  314  of the joint may be part of the mounting bracket  310 , i.e. they may be fused together. In other embodiments, they may be two separate pieces as shown. The socket and plug components that form the attachment between the display and the mounting bracket may be formed of any material generally used, including but not limited to, molded plastic, rubber or metal. 
     As shown in an exploded view of an embodiment of the display device in  FIG. 5 , the flexible mounting bracket  310  is wrapped around the attachment point W of the wheeled conveyance. The attachment point W of the wheeled conveyance may be any attachment point around which the mounting bracket  310  can wrap including, but not limited to, a rear windshield wiper, a front windshield wiper, a headlamp wiper, post, an antenna, seat rails, the frame, the luggage rack, or a seat post. The ends  324  and  326  of the mounting bracket  310  may be fastened by any means generally used to permanently or removably fasten such devices including but not limited to, fasteners such as nuts, pins, nails, screws, bolts, adhesives, cables, plastic ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, zip ties, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve, or a combination thereof. A fastener or attachment mechanism  328  may thread through the one or more apertures  312 . In some embodiments, the mounting bracket  310  and the attachment mechanism  328  may be trimmed in order to better fit or avoid protruding material. In other embodiments, the fastener may be adjusted in order to secure the mounting bracket through a ratcheting or other mechanism  329  used to tighten fasteners. The fastener provides a secure, stable connection of the mounting bracket  310  to the attachment point such that the display will remain in place despite the movement of the wheeled conveyance or the attachment point. In some embodiments, a piece of adhesive, spacer or compressible material (not shown) may be placed between the mounting bracket  310  and the attachment point W to aid in securing the mounting bracket  310  to the wheeled conveyance. 
     The mounting bracket  310  attaches to the display  300  by any means applicable. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the mounting bracket  310  may attach to the display  300  using a joint mechanism such as a ball-and-socket joint. In some embodiments the ball half of the joint  314  is associated with the mounting bracket  310  as shown in  FIG. 4  and the socket half of the joint  302  is on the display  300  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In other embodiments the ball is on the display and the socket is on the mounting bracket. In further embodiments, the mounting bracket  310  attaches to the display  300  using a different type of joint including, but not limited to, a screw joint, pin joint, swivel joint, ball detent, a bolted joint, a welded joint, hirth joint, hinge, or revolute joint. In yet another embodiment, the joint may be a separate piece or pieces that attaches to the display  300  and mounting bracket  310  joining them together. 
     In some circumstances, it may be desirable to alter the angle of the display so that it is more easily visible while maintaining the position of the mounting bracket. In some embodiments the connection between the mounting bracket  310  and the display  300  allows the display  300  to pivot or tilt. In other embodiments, the connection between the mounting bracket  310  and the display  300  is fixed. The display  300  may pivot in one or more directions. In some embodiments it may rotate. In other embodiments it may tilt. In yet another embodiment it may pivot, rotate and/or tilt in any combination. The amount of rotation of the display may be any amount up to and including 360°. The display may additionally pivot or tilt +/− about 5 to +/− about 45 degrees, +/− about 5 to +/− about 40 degrees, +/− about 10 degrees to +/− about 35 degrees, +/− about 20 to +/− about 30 degrees, +/− about 10 to +/− about 20 degrees perpendicular to the road surface. In some embodiments, the display  300  may be pivoted and fixed in place by the user. In other embodiments, the display  300  may rotate to maintain the same orientation regardless of the movement of the wheeled conveyance and/or the attachment point. In additional embodiments, the display  300  may be fixed at a particular angle by the user and rotated so that it maintains the same orientation regardless of the movement of the wheeled conveyance and/or the attachment point. For example, the angle of the display  300  may be fixed using a set screw. The orientation of the display  300  may change relative to the wheeled conveyance based on the movement of the wheeled conveyance or attachment point while the angle of display and the viewability of the display to someone outside of the wheeled conveyance remains the same. 
     The display  300  may made of any rigid material including, but not limited to, plastic, rubber or metal. For exemplary purposes, the display is shown as being rectangular, but it may be in any shape desired. In some embodiments, a first surface  330  of the display is flat or substantially flat. In other embodiments, the first surface  330  of the display may be raised or three dimensional. A message, logo, or graphical image may be displayed, printed on, part of, or otherwise affixed to the first surface  330  of the display facing away from the wheeled conveyance to which it is attached. In some embodiments, the message may be enhanced visually using three dimensional, lenticular, or reflective materials. In other embodiments, the message may be created and displayed on the first surface in an electronic or digital form using for example, LED, LCD or plasma technology. In some embodiments, the message may be removable and the display  300  may be permanently affixed to the mounting bracket  310 . In other embodiments, the message may be permanently affixed to the first surface of the display  330 , but the display  300  is removable. In one embodiment, a written and/or graphical message is printed or written on the first surface of the display  330 . In yet further embodiments, the display  300  and the message are removable. In yet another embodiment, a replacement message may be placed over the original message. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are an embodiment of a rigid mounting bracket ( FIG. 6 ) and exploded view of a display device with a rigid mounting bracket ( FIG. 7 ). The mounting bracket  400  as shown in  FIG. 6  has a socket end  402  which can be used to attach it to a display  411  and an aperture or attachment site  403  through which a fastener  404  can be threaded to affix the mounting bracket to an attachment point W on a wheeled conveyance. Fasteners include, but are not limited to, nuts, screws, bolts, adhesives, cables, zip ties, plastic ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, springs, spring biased clips, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, sleeve, or any combination thereof. The fastener  404  wraps around the attachment point W of the wheeled conveyance as shown in  FIG. 7 ; in this instance, the attachment point is a rear windshield wiper arm. In some embodiments, an adhesive, spacer and/or compressible cushion  405  may placed against one or more surfaces of the attachment point W to aid in the placement and securing of the mounting bracket  400 . In some embodiments, the fastener  404  may additionally thread through a backing plate  408 . The fastener  404  may be tightened by any means generally used, for example a ratcheting mechanism or other tightening device  409  is used to adjust the tightness of the fastener. The fastener  404  provides a secure, stable connection of the mounting bracket  400  to the attachment point W such that the display device  401  will remain in place despite the movement of the wheeled conveyance or the attachment point. The adjustability of the fastener  404  allows the mounting bracket  400  to fasten to attachment points W of a variety of sizes. Such attachment points may be a rear windshield wiper as shown in FIGS.  6  and  7 , or a post, an antenna, seat rails, the frame, the luggage rack, or seat post or other such attachment points on a wheeled conveyance. 
     The display  411  is attached to the mounting bracket  400  by any means generally used. As shown in  FIG. 7 , it may be attached using a ball detent mechanism  412 . The ball detent  412  is biased to the open position, but may be compressed to allow it to connect with the socket  402  at which point it releases locking the display onto the mounting bracket  400  until released. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket  400  may attach to the display  411  using a different type of joint including, but not limited to, a screw joint, pin joint, swivel joint, bolted joint, welded joint, ball and socket joint, hirth joint, or revolute joint. In other embodiments, the display  411  and the mounting bracket  400  may be attached using a clip or buckle such as a side release buckle, bayonet clip or other similar device including but not limited to, hooks and loop type fasteners, clasps, buckles, zippers, snaps, buttons, magnets, adhesives, screws, nuts and bolts, releasable adhesives or other suitable fasteners. 
     For exemplary purposes, the display is shown as being rectangular, but it may be in any shape desired. For example, in some embodiments, the display shape may mimic the shape of the message, logo or graphical image. In some embodiments, a first surface  410  of the display is flat or substantially flat. In other embodiments, the first surface  410  of the display may be raised or three dimensional. A message, logo, or graphical image may be displayed, printed on, part of, or otherwise affixed to the first surface  410  of the display facing away from the wheeled conveyance to which it is attached. In some embodiments, the message may be enhanced visually using three dimensional, lenticular, or reflective materials. In some embodiments, the message may be removable and the display  411  may be permanently affixed to the mounting bracket  400 . In other embodiments, a message may be permanently affixed to or part of the display, but the display  411  is removable. In yet another embodiment, both the display  411  and the message are removable. In one embodiment, a written and/or graphical message is printed or written on the display  411 . In another embodiment, a replacement message may be placed over the original message. In yet another embodiment, the message may be created and displayed on the first surface of the display  410  in an electronic or digital form using for example, LED, LCD or plasma technology. In some embodiments, the display  411  may include a sleeve or channel into which a message, logo, and/or graphical image may be inserted. 
     The display  411  may pivot in one or more directions in relation to the wheeled conveyance. In some embodiments it may rotate. In other embodiments it may tilt. In yet another embodiment it may pivot, rotate and/or tilt in any combination. The amount of rotation of the display may be any amount up to and including 360°. The display may additionally tilt +/− about 5 to +/− about 45 degrees, +/− about 5 to +/− about 40 degrees, +/− about 10 degrees to +/− about 35 degrees, +/− about 20 to +/− about 30 degrees, +/− about 10 to +/− about 20 degrees perpendicular to the road surface. In some embodiments, the display  411  may be pivoted and fixed in place by the user. In other embodiments, the display  411  may rotate to maintain the same orientation regardless of the movement of the wheeled conveyance and/or the attachment point. In additional embodiments, the display  411  may be fixed at a particular angle by the user and rotate so that it maintains the same orientation regardless of the movement of the wheeled conveyance and/or the attachment point. For example, the angle of the display  411  may be fixed using, for example, a set screw. The orientation of the display  411  may change relative to the wheeled conveyance based on the movement of the wheeled conveyance or attachment point while the angle of display and the viewability of the display to someone outside of the wheeled conveyance remains the same. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 8  and assembled views in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the mounting bracket  520  and the display  510  of the display device  500  are connected by a ball and socket joint  560  ( FIG. 9 ) which are separate pieces from the display  510  and the mounting bracket  520 . The socket half  530  and ball half  540  of the joint  560  may be connected to the display and/or mounting bracket in either order. For example, in some embodiments, the female part attaches to the display and the male part attaches to the mounting bracket. In other embodiments, the male part attaches to the display and the female part attaches to the mounting bracket. In yet another embodiment, one part may be permanently affixed and the other may be removably affixed, both pieces may be permanently affixed or both pieces may be removably affixed to the display or mounting bracket. In some embodiments, one piece may form part of the mounting bracket  520  or display  510  and the other part of the joint  560  may be detachable. 
     Turning to the exploded view  500  as shown in  FIG. 8 , the display  510  has a first surface  512 . In some embodiments, the display  510  may have one or more first flanges  514  on the second surface  513  of the display  510  which may be used to connect a joint  560  with the display  510 . The two halves of the joint  560  may be attached in any order, i.e. the socket half  530  may attach to the display  510 , or the ball half  540  may attach to the display  510 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the socket half  530  is connected to the display. A second set of flanges  532  on the socket  530  may twist or lock into place with the first flanges  514  on the display  510 . As will be evident to those of skill in the art, other means of attaching the socket  530  to the display  510  may also be used. For example, it may be attached by snapping in place, screws, adhesives, nuts, bolts, tapes, clips, fusing, or pins. In some embodiments, the separate socket and/or plug may attach to the display using a locking mechanism, for example, a screw-threaded type, a bayonet-type, or a friction lock type of locking mechanism. In some embodiments, it may be permanently attached. In other embodiments it may be removably attached. 
     The pieces  530  and  540  of the joint  560  may be connected as shown in  FIG. 9  with the ball half  540  (male part) and the socket half  530  (female part) of a ball-and-socket joint connected to each other. The joint may be a ball detent, ball-and-socket (as shown), a screw joint, pin joint, swivel joint, bolted joint, welded joint, hirth joint, revolute joint or any type of joint generally used to connect objects. 
     In some embodiments, it may be desirable to lock the display  510  at a particular angle. This may be accomplished by any means generally used. In some embodiments, the ball  542  of the ball half  540  may contain small protrusions (not shown) that fit into indentations in the socket half  530  which would retain the desired angle of pivot for the display. In another embodiment, the socket half  530  may contain small protrusions (not shown) that fit into indentations in the ball  542  allowing the joint to retain the desired angle of pivot for the display. In other embodiments, a set screw (not shown) from the display to the socket  530  may fix the angle of the display device  510  relative to the ball  542 , once the user has determined the desired pivot position of the display device. 
     The ball half  540  of the joint  560  threads through a first aperture  524  in the mounting bracket  520  to connect with the socket as shown in  FIG. 10 . In some embodiments, the base  544  of the ball half of the joint  540  may sit in an indentation in the mounting bracket to form a substantially flat surface with the back of the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket  520  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10  may contain one or more second apertures or attachment sites  522  including two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more apertures which can be used to adjust the fit of the mounting bracket  520  onto an attachment point of a wheeled conveyance. Such apertures  522  may be of any shape desired including, but not limited to, round, square, oval, rectangular, or an irregular shape. A fastening mechanism may be threaded through one or more of the second apertures  522  to fasten the mounting bracket to the attachment point of the wheeled conveyance. In some embodiments, a fastening mechanism may be threaded through an aperture on one end of the mounting bracket  526 , around the attachment point and through the other end  527  of the mounting bracket. In another embodiment, multiple fasteners may thread through an aperture  522  individually. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may be attached to the attachment point of the wheeled conveyance by threading a fastening mechanism through an opening  546  in the joint, around the attachment point and attach to the other end of the fastener threaded through the opening  546  in the joint. Such fastening mechanisms may be multi-purpose ties, nuts, nails, pins, screws, bolts, adhesives, cables, zip ties, plastic ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ends  526  and  527  of the mounting bracket  520  may be trimmed for better fit. 
     On some wheeled conveyances, the attachment point may be narrower than the minimum size the mounting bracket accommodates. In such a case, a spacer  550  may be used to aid in securing the mounting bracket to the attachment point. In some embodiments the spacer is permanently attached. In other embodiments, the spacer is removably attached. The spacer is seated firmly against the mounting bracket  520  by means of nubbins  552  on the spacer  550  that insert into indentations (not shown) on the underside of the mounting bracket  520 . In some embodiments, the spacer attaches to the attachment point of the wheeled conveyance by means of small flaps or flexible flanges  554  on the underside of the spacer  550 . As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 , the flanges  554  wrap around an attachment point Y on a wheeled conveyance attaching the spacer to the attachment point. In some embodiments the flanges  554  of the spacer  550  may be separated by a small gap. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the mounting bracket  520  to which the display  510  has been attached as described above wraps around the spacer  550  fastened to an attachment point Y. The side view  13  of the same devices provides additional detail. As shown in  FIG. 13 , a fastener  548  may be threaded through an opening  546  in the ball half of the joint  540  instead of or in addition to threading a fastener through the mounting bracket  520 . The fastener  548  may be any type generally used included, but not limited to, fasteners such as, adhesives, cables, plastic ties, zip ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve, or any combination thereof. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the fastener  548  may wrap around the mounting bracket  520  which in turn is wrapped around the spacer  550 , if needed, attached to an attachment point Y. 
       FIG. 14  depicts another embodiment of a mounting bracket  600  for a display device. The mounting bracket  600  comprises a bayonet clip or side release buckle which has spring arms  622  biased to the out position. When depressed, the spring arms  622  can slide into rails on the display  640  as shown in  FIG. 15  and lock in place as shown in  FIG. 16 . In some embodiments, the two spring arms  622  may have a retaining block  620  that terminates on the front end and helps lock the arms in place. In other embodiments, the retaining block on the spring arms may lock around a stop mechanism  645  at a first end of the rails  640  on the display. The mounting bracket  600  sits on an attachment point Z of the wheeled conveyance using a groove  625 . The mounting bracket  600  is fastened to the attachment point Z of the wheeled conveyance using one or more fasteners  605 . The fasteners  605  may be any type generally used included, but not limited to, fasteners such as, adhesives, cables, plastic ties, zip ties, multi-purpose ties, tapes, elastic bands, clips, Velcro®, clamps, rivets, wire, string, soldering, a sleeve, or any combination thereof. The fastener is threaded through an aperture or attachment site  610 , wrapped around the attachment point Z of the wheeled conveyance and threaded through the opposite aperture or attachment site  612  or vice versa. The mounting bracket  600  is shown with two pairs of apertures  610  and  612  for exemplary purposes. In some embodiments, the device may have one, two, three, four or more pairs of apertures or attachment sites which may be used to attach the mounting bracket at the attachment point Z of the wheeled conveyance. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the display  630  comprises two slides or rails  640  for use in attaching to the mounting bracket. In some embodiments, the display may further comprise one or more stops  645  to hold the clip portion of the mounting bracket in place and one or more additional attachment sites  635  to assist in attachment to attachment point Z. Attachment sites  635  may be located on the same or different sides of the display. For example, they may be on opposite sides of the back of the display as shown in  FIG. 15 , or on the same side of the back of the display as shown in  FIG. 16 . In some embodiments, the display  630  is attached using the attachment sites  635  without the mounting bracket  600 , i.e. a first end of a fastener is threaded through a first attachment site  635 , around an attachment point Z and then the first end of the fastener and a second end of the fastener are fastened together, holding the display  630  in place on the attachment point Z or a single fastener may be threaded through both attachment points  635 , around an attachment point Z and then the ends of the fastener fastened together (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the mounting bracket  600  slides between the rails  640  on the display  630 , locking into place and holding the display  630  securely to the attachment point. A written and/or graphical message may be displayed on or affixed to the side  632  of the display  630  facing away from the wheeled conveyance to which it is attached. For exemplary purposes, the display is shown as being rectangular, but it may be in any shape desired. For example, all or part of the display may be in the shape of the message, logo or graphical image to be displayed. In some embodiments, the message may be enhanced visually using three dimensional, lenticular, or reflective materials. In some embodiments, the message may be removable and the display  630  may be permanently affixed to the mounting bracket  600 . In other embodiments, message may be permanently affixed to or part of the display, but the display  630  is removable. In yet another embodiment, both the display  630  and the message are removable. In one embodiment, a written and/or graphical message is printed or written on the display  630 . In another embodiment, a replacement message may be placed over the original message. In yet another embodiment, the message may be created and displayed on the display  630  in an electronic or digital form using for example, LED, LCD or plasma technology. In some embodiments, the display  630  may include a sleeve or channel into which a message, logo, and/or graphical image may be inserted. 
     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. 
     All publications and patents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the materials and methodologies that are described in the publications, which might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications discussed above and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

Technology Category: 3