Vehicle-mountable data display device

• US 10,326,962 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2015
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Heath Hamilton
• Original Assignee: Carl Heath Hamilton
• Inventors: Hamilton, Carl Heath
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Zaihan
• Application Number:
  US14/750,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20150381922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/043 supported by tyres
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/007 Displays with power supply provided by solar cells or photocells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/645 Mounting of picture tube on chassis or in housing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/655 Construction or mounting of chassis, e.g. for varying the elevation of the tube

Abstract

A device for displaying data is disclosed. The device includes a mount, and enclosure with two outward-sloped walls, and two video displays within the enclosure each facing outward through windows in the outward-sloped walls of the enclosure. A shield optionally couples to the enclosure via a post. Also, optionally, a solar battery couples to the solar cell to store energy from the solar cell. Further, a panel optionally couples to the enclosure, e.g., via a hinge, track system, etc. so the panel may selectively cover and not cover at least one of the video displays in the windows of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A device for displaying information, the device comprising:

a mount;

an enclosure coupled to the mount, the enclosure including;

a first outward-sloped wall with a window therein;

a second outward-sloped wall with a window therein, wherein the second outward-sloped wall is positioned opposite the first outward-sloped wall, wherein the outward-sloped walls are oriented such that;

an upper edge of the first outward-sloped wall is further from a centerline of the enclosure taken along a length dimension compared to a lower edge of the first outward-sloped wall; and

an upper edge of the second outward-sloped wall is further from a centerline of the enclosure taken along a length dimension compared to a lower edge of the second outward-sloped wall; and

a top coupled between the first outward-sloped wall and the second outward-sloped wall;

a first video display inside the enclosure, wherein a screen of the first video display faces the window of the first outward-sloped wall;

a second video display inside the enclosure, wherein a screen of the second video display faces the window of the second outward-sloped wall;

a memory device that stores information to be displayed on the first video display and the second video display;

at least one post coupled to the top of the enclosure, wherein the at least one post extends vertically from the top of the enclosure;

a shield coupled to the enclosure via the at least one post, wherein;

the shield overhangs the first outward sloped wall and the second outward sloped wall;

the shield provides shade to the video displays; and

the shield is spatially separated above the top of the enclosure;

a solar cell; and

a solar battery electrically coupled to the cell and electrically coupled to at least one of the first video display and the second video display.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the shield has an awning that extends over an upper edge of the outward-sloped walls, and includes a lip that bends downward.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shield disperses heat from sunlight such that the heat from the sunlight does not adversely affect operation of the first video display and the second video display.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first panel coupled to the enclosure such that the first panel is positioned in a select one of a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the first panel does not obscure the screen of the first video display, and in the second position, the first panel obscures the screen of the first video display.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising:

a hinge coupled to the first panel, which enables the first panel to transition between the first position and the second position.

6. The device of claim 4 further comprising:

a track system along the first outward-sloped wall that enables the first panel to be slid into the second position.

7. The device of claim 4 further comprising:

a container positioned along an upper portion of the first outward-sloped wall that includes the first panel to be unfurled so define the second position, and furled into the container to define the first position.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein:

the first video display is active when the first panel covers the first video display such that the first video display acts as a backlight for the first panel.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller programmable by a user to adjust a brightness of the first and second video displays.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communications device coupled to the memory device via a controller, wherein the wireless communications device is operative to receive a message including data to be displayed on the first video display.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communications device coupled to the memory device via a controller, wherein the wireless communications device is operative to transmit a message via a short range transmitter, wherein the first video display indicates information as to how to tune into the message transmitted by the short range transmitter.

12. A device for displaying information, the device comprising:

a mount;

an enclosure coupled to the mount, the enclosure including;

a first outward-sloped wall with a window therein;

a second outward-sloped wall with a window therein, wherein the second outward-sloped wall is positioned opposite the first outward-sloped wall, wherein the outward-sloped walls are oriented such that;

an upper edge of the first outward-sloped wall is further from a centerline of the enclosure taken along a length dimension compared to a lower edge of the first outward-sloped wall; and

an upper edge of the second outward-sloped wall is further from a centerline of the enclosure taken along a length dimension compared to a lower edge of the second outward-sloped wall; and

a top coupled between the first outward-sloped wall and the second outward-sloped wall;

a first video display inside the enclosure, wherein a screen of the first video display faces the window of the first outward-sloped wall;

a second video display inside the enclosure, wherein a screen of the second video display faces the window of the second outward-sloped wall;

a first panel coupled to the enclosure such that the first panel may be positioned in a select one of a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the first panel does not obscure the first video display, and in the second position, the first panel obscures the first video display;

a second panel coupled to the enclosure such that the second panel may be positioned in a select one of a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the second panel does not obscure the second video display within of the enclosure, and in the second position, the second panel obscures the second video display;

a post coupled to the top of the enclosure, wherein the post extends vertically from the top of the enclosure;

a shield coupled to the post, wherein;

the shield is larger than the top of the enclosure and includes an awning;

the shield provides shade to the video displays; and

the shield is spatially separated above the enclosure;

a solar cell coupled to the shield; and

a solar battery electrically coupled to the cell and electrically coupled to at least one of the first video display and the second video display.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the shield disperses heat from sunlight such that the heat from the sunlight does not adversely affect operation of the first video display and the second video display.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein:

the first video display is active when the first panel obscures the first video display such that the first video display acts as a backlight for the first panel.

15. The device of claim 12 further comprising a select one of:

a hinge that enables the first panel to transition between the first position and the second position;

a track system along the first outward-sloped wall that enables the first panel to be slid into the second position; and

a container positioned along an upper portion of the first outward-sloped wall that includes the first panel to be unfurled so define the second position, and furled into the container to define the first position.

16. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

an inverter coupled between the first video display and the solar battery; and

a fuse coupled between the inverter and the solar battery.

17. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

a wireless communications device coupled to a memory device, wherein the wireless communications device is operative to receive a message including data to be video displayed on the first video display.

18. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

a wireless communications device coupled to a memory device, wherein the wireless communications device is operative to transmit a message via a short range transmitter, wherein the first video display indicates information as to how to tune into the message transmitted by the short range transmitter.

19. A device for video displaying information, the device comprising:

a mount;

an enclosure coupled to the mount, the enclosure including;

a first outward-sloped wall with a window therein;

a second outward-sloped wall with a window therein, wherein the second outward-sloped wall is positioned opposite the first outward-sloped wall, wherein the outward-sloped walls are oriented such that;

an upper edge of the first outward-sloped wall is further from a centerline of the enclosure taken along a length dimension compared to a lower edge of the first outward-sloped wall; and

an upper edge of the second outward-sloped wall is further from a centerline of the enclosure taken along a length dimension compared to a lower edge of the second outward-sloped wall; and

a top coupled between the first outward-sloped wall and the second outward-sloped wall;

a first video display inside the enclosure, wherein the first video display faces outside the enclosure through the window of the first outward-sloped wall;

a second video display inside the enclosure, wherein the second video display faces outside the enclosure through the window of the second outward-sloped wall;

a first panel coupled to the enclosure such that the first panel may be selectively positioned in a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the first panel does not cover the first video display within of the enclosure, and in the second position, the first panel covers the first video display within of the enclosure;

a second panel coupled to the enclosure such that the second panel may be selectively positioned in a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the second panel does not cover the second video display within of the enclosure, and in the second position, the second panel covers the second video display within of the enclosure;

a post coupled to the top of the enclosure wherein the post extends vertically from the top of the enclosure;

a shield coupled to the post, wherein;

the shield provides shade to the video displays;

the shield is larger than the top of the enclosure and includes an awning; and

the shield is spatially separated above the top of the enclosure;

a solar cell; and

a power-distribution and control system having;

a solar battery electrically coupled to the solar cell;

at least one direct current power source electrically tied in parallel with the solar battery;

a memory device that stores information to be displayed on the first video display and the second video display;

a controller coupled to the memory; and

a transceiver coupled to the controller.