Tailgate video display

• US 20060191180A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ron Williams, Ted Thacker
• Original Assignee: Ron Williams, Ted Thacker
• Inventors: Williams, Ron, Thacker, Ted
• Application Number:
  US11/067,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20060191180A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/591
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/048 Advertisement panels on sides, front or back of vehicles

Abstract

A video display for a pick-up truck tailgate is disclosed, wherein a video screen is adapted for mounting in a truck bed for rearwardly facing projection of video images such as advertising, promotional video, entertainment, warning or cautionary information, and the like. The display is mounted using a pair of vertical brackets that support the video screen at the rear edge of the truck bed at the tailgate location. A power converter in the truck cabin produces AC power from the truck'"'"'s DC battery that can be used to power the display. Using a plug and socket arrangement, the video screen may be releasably connected to a cross-beam type brace spanning the truck bed to fix the screen in the designated position, allowing for viewing from behind the vehicle.

Claims

1. A video display system for a pick-up truck that includes a truck cabin and a truck bed having a bed floor and first and second bed side walls, comprising:

a horizontal display screen mounted on said bed floor between said first and second bed walls for projecting video information rearwardly;

a mounting frame including first and second brackets disposed in said truck bed for orienting said display screen in a horizontal position;

a locking mechanism for securing said display screen to said mounting frame;

a power converter for driving said display screen using a vehicle electrical power supply; and

a video control unit connected to the display screen for controlling the video output of said display screen.

2. The video display system of claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes a cross beam connecting said brackets, and further comprising a socket on said cross beam positioned to receive a post associated with said display screen, said socket and post further comprising mating holes for receiving a traverse pin for locking said display screen to the cross beam.

3. The video display system of claim 1 wherein said brackets are mounted to respective first and second bed side walls.

4. The video display system of claim 1 wherein said display screen replaces a tailgate of said pick-up truck.

5. The video display system of claim 1 wherein the power converter converts DC power from a vehicle'"'"'s battery to AC power for use in driving said display screen.

6. The video display system of claim 1 wherein said display screen has a flat display surface.

7. The video display system of claim 1 further comprising a GPS tracking device for monitoring the position of the vehicle at all times.

8. The video display system of claim 7 further comprising a web based internet site accessible to retrieve real time positional data of the vehicle display system.

9. The video display system of claim 1 wherein said display screen is an LED display screen.

10. The video display system of claim 1 wherein the display screen is an LCD display screen.