APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR VEHICLE MOUNTED DISPLAY DEVICE

• US 20110032484A1
• Filed: 08/04/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trevor Seal
• Original Assignee: Trevor Seal
• Inventors: Seal, Trevor
• Granted Patent: US 8,696,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/13
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/145 Housing details, e.g. position adjustments thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/30 adapted to collapse or fold, e.g. for portability

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a vehicle mounted display device which can be easily attached to a vehicle and is removable. The projector can conveniently be plugged into the trailer light power source to give the device power to project an image onto a vehicle. The projector may be digital allowing the owner to choose an image from inside the vehicle. A magnetic or adhesive screen may be placed on the vehicle to allow the image to function properly and effectively on dark paint or other finishes that prevent a clean image. The apparatus comprises an adjustable mounting unit, an adjustable arm, and a projector which can all be adjusted to provide an efficient angle to project the image onto the vehicle.

Claims

1. An apparatus to display images on a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

an adjustable mounting unit which is removably attachable to a vehicle;

an adjustable arm connecting the mounting unit and projector, the adjustable arm extending outward from the mounting unit and adjustable in the vertical direction; and

a projector coupled to the adjustable arm, the projector attached to the vehicle through the adjustable mounting unit and projecting an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an image cartridge is placed within a projector housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting unit further comprises a connector arm, an intermediate arm, and a projector arm, the connector arm comprising at least one set of holes, and the connector arm further comprising a hitch pin which fits within at least one set of holes to secure the adjustable mounting unit to a typical trailer hitch receiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the connector arm, intermediate arm, and projector arm extends outward telescopically.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projector is movably coupled with the adjustable mounting unit such that the projector can be positioned in relation to the adjustable mounting unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projector comprises a focusing mechanism configured to focus an image produced by the projector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image cartridge is swappable by the user by removing the image cartridge from the projector and replacing the image cartridge with a new image cartridge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projector is a digital image projector which can be controlled, changed, and updated from inside the vehicle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projector further comprises at least one lens and at least one LED light source.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic screen which may be placed on different areas of the vehicle to allow the image to function properly and effectively on dark paint and other types of vehicle finishes that prevent a clean image.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus folds into itself compactly.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable mounting unit further comprises compressed foam rubber to act as a collar configured to further secure the adjustable mounting unit to a trailer hitch receiver of the vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unit is telescopic and retracts completely into the receiver shaft of the vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is battery-powered and attachable to the vehicle with suction cups.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projector further comprises a rear surface, a dial on the rear surface, and a light housing, such that the dial on the rear surface causes the light housing to move in order to focus the projector.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a light sensor which adapts the brightness of the light to use for both day and night.

17. An apparatus to display images on a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

an adjustable mounting unit which is removably attachable to a vehicle, the adjustable mounting unit comprising connection means to attach to a receiver hitch;

an adjustable arm connecting the mounting unit and projector, the adjustable arm extending outward from the mounting unit and adjustable in the vertical direction; and

a projector coupled to the adjustable arm, the projector attached to the vehicle through the adjustable mounting unit and projecting an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a power connector which is configured to connect with a typical trailer light power source.

19. A system to project an image onto the exterior surface of a vehicle, the system comprising:

an adjustable mounting unit which is removably attachable to a vehicle;

an adjustable arm connecting the mounting unit and projector, the adjustable arm extending outward from the mounting unit and adjustable in the vertical direction;

a projector coupled to the adjustable arm, the projector attached to the vehicle through the adjustable mounting unit and projecting an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle;

an image cartridge disposed within the projector; and

a focusing mechanism on the rear surface of the projector that focuses the image on the vehicle.

20. A method for projecting an image onto an outer surface of an vehicle, the method comprising:

providing an adjustable mounting unit which is removably attachable to a vehicle;

providing an adjustable arm connecting the mounting unit and projector, the adjustable arm extending outward from the mounting unit and adjustable in the vertical direction;

providing a projector coupled to the adjustable arm, the projector attached to the vehicle through the adjustable mounting unit and projecting an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle;

providing an image cartridge disposed within the projector;

securing the image cartridge within the projector;

attaching the adjustable mounting unit to a trailer hitch receiver; and

orienting the projector and the adjustable mounting unit such that an image is projected onto the outer surface of the vehicle.