Display apparatus

• US 5,864,975 A
• Filed: 01/25/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AllOver Media, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alvern ASA
• Inventors: Alvern, Stein
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US08/590,407
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 40/299, 40/661, 40/609, 40/611, 40/5, 248/683, 222/23, 141/392, 141/98, 141/206
• US Class Current: 40/299.01
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/06 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/425 including components powered by electricity or light
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/426 including means for displaying information, e.g. for advertising B67D7/425 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/0083 on petrol dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/08 Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/16 by clamps

Abstract

A display apparatus is removably attachable to the filler gun of a fuel pump, where the filler gun includes in series connection, a gun nozzle having a forward discharge end, and a rear end, a gun head having both a forward end portion which connects with the rear end of the gun nozzle; and a rearward handle portion whose forward end connects to the rear of the gun nozzle and a rearward handle portion whose forward end connects to the rear end of the gun head. The display apparatus includes a carrying body adapted to fit onto the filler gun and to extend from approximately a first junction between the rear end of the gun nozzle and the forward end of the gun head to approximately a second junction between the rear end of the gun head and the forward end of the handle. The carrying body has an upper surface defining an elongate display surface for messages, and includes a first member and a second member where there are various techniques for releasably interconnecting the first and second members. The first and second members are shaped to generally conform, when interconnected, to enclose the sides, bottom, and upper portions of the gun head, and through various techniques pivotally connect to the upper surface of the carrying body for supporting a replaceable message card placed on the display surface.

Claims

1. Display apparatus removably attachable to a fluid pump filler gun, the filler gun including a nozzle and a gun head, said display apparatus comprising:

a substantially hard carrying body comprising a lower member and an upper member releasably engageable with said lower member, said lower member having two side panels, a bottom element and means connecting said side panels with said bottom element, said lower member when two side panels and said bottom element are brought to lie against the gun head substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head, and side panels having at a top region thereof a first lock device, and said upper member defining a cap fitting over the upper part of the gun head, and having an upper surface and a second lock device releasably engaging said first lock device on said lower member, where said first lock device includes a male element, and said second lock device includes a female element receiving and releasably engaging themale element; and

a top member releasably engageable with said upper member, space being provided between the upper surface of said upper member and a portion of said top member for locating a replaceable message card when said top member and said upper member engage.

2. Display apparatus removably attachable to a fluid pump filler gun, the filler gun including a nozzle, a gun head having an internally located valve with a valve outlet communicating with the nozzle and a valve inlet communicating with a fluid supply extending through a handle of the gun, the handle having a lever operatively connected to the valve, the display apparatus comprising:

a carrying body for displaying a graphic message viewable by a user, said carrying body being adapted to fit over the filler gun;

said carrying body comprising a lower member and an upper member releasably engageable with said lower member, said lower member having two side panels and a bottom element connected with the side panels, said lower member when said two side panels and said bottom element are brought to lie against the gun head substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head, and said side panels having at respective top regions thereof a first interlock, and said upper member defining a cap fitting over the upper part of the gun head, and having an upper surface and a second interlock for releasably engaging said first interlock on said lower member;

a top member releasably engageable with said upper member, space being provided between the upper surface of said upper member and a portion of said top member for locating a replaceable message card when said top member and said upper member engage, said top member being a lid with a transparent face portion for viewing a message therethrough when said message card is located at the space, and a peripheral skirt portion depending from said face and having means for releasably engaging an upper peripheral portion of said upper member; and

said upper member having a first hinge portion and said top member having a second hinge portion engageable with said first hinge portion for pivotable attachment of said top member to said upper member, wherein said first hinge portion is a cylindrical sleeve, and wherein said second hinge portion is a male member which fits into said cylindrical sleeve for releasable engagement therewith.

3. Display apparatus removably attachable to a conventional fluid pump filler gun, the filler gun including a gun head adapted to be covered by a protective boot of rubber or plastic material, said display apparatus comprising:

a substantially hard carrying body comprising a lower member, and an upper member releasably engageable with said lower member, said lower member having two side panels, a bottom element and means connecting said side panels with said bottom element, said lower member when said two side panels and said bottom element are brought to lie against said gun head and its protective boot substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head, and said side panels having at a top region thereof a first interlock, said upper member being formed as a cap to fit over an upper part of the gun head and its protective boot, and having a second interlock for releasably engaging said first interlock on said lower member, wherein said first interlock is formed as male elements in the form of snap hooks, and said second interlock is formed as female elements having means for receiving and releasably engaging said hooks; and

a top member releasably engageable with said upper member;

said upper member and said top member being dimensioned to provide a space between an upper face of said upper member and a portion of said top member for locating a replaceable message card when said top member and said upper member engage.

4. Display apparatus removably attachable to a fluid pump filler gun, the filler gun including a nozzle, a gun head adapted to be covered by a protective boot of rubber or plastic material, said gun head having an internally located valve with a valve outlet communicating with the nozzle and a valve inlet communicating with a fluid supply extending through a handle of the gun, the handle having a lever operatively connected to the valve, comprising:

a carrying body for displaying a graphic message viewable by a gun user, said carrying body while attached to the filler gun, without said protective boot having been removed, being adapted to fit over the filler gun;

said carrying body comprising a lower member and an upper member releasably engageable with said lower member, said lower member having two side panels and a bottom element connected with said side panels, said lower member when said two side panels and said bottom element are brought to lie against said gun head and its protective boot substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head, and said side panels having at respective top regions thereof a first interlock and said upper member being formed as a cap to fit over an upper part of the gun head and its protective boot, and having a second interlock for releasably engaging said first interlock on said lower member, and a first hinge portion; and

a top member having a second hinge portion pivotally engaging the first hinge portion of said upper member, wherein said first hinge portion is a female member in a form of a cylindrical sleeve, and wherein said second hinge portion is a male member which fits into said female member for releasable snap engagement therewith, space being provided between an upper face of said upper member and a portion of said top member for locating a replaceable message card when said top member and said upper member engage.

5. Display apparatus removably attachable to a conventional fluid pump filler gun, the filler gun including a gun head adapted to be covered by a protective boot of rubber or plastic material, said display apparatus comprising:

a substantially hard carrying body comprising a lower member, and an upper member releasably engageable with said lower member, said lower member having two side panels, a bottom element and means connecting said side panels with said bottom element, said lower member when said two side panels and said bottom element are brought to lie against said gun head and its protective boot substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head, and said side panels having at a top region thereof a first interlock, said upper member being formed as a cap to fit over an upper part of the gun head and its protective boot, and having a second interlock for releasably engaging said first interlock on said lower member; and

a top member releasably engageable with said upper member;

said upper member and said top member being dimensioned to provide a space between an upper face of said upper member and a portion of said top member for locating a replaceable message card when said top member and said upper member engage, wherein said upper member has a first hinge portion and said top member has a second hinge portion engageable with said first hinge portion for pivotable attachment of said top member to said upper member, wherein said first hinge portion is a female member in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, and wherein said second hinge portion is a male member which fits into said female member for releasable snap engagement therewith.

6. Display apparatus removably attachable to a filler gun of a fluid pump, the filler gun including a fuel gun nozzle, a gun head having an internally located valve with a valve outlet communicating with the nozzle and a valve inlet communicating with a fluid supply extending through a handle of the gun, the handle having a lever operatively connected to the valve, the display apparatus comprising:

a carrying body for displaying a graphic message viewable by a user, said carrying body being adapted to fit over the filler gun,

said carrying body comprising a lower member and an upper member releasably engageable with said lower member, said lower member having two side panels and a bottom element connected with said side panels, said lower member when said two side panels and said bottom element are brought to lie against the gun head substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head, and said side panels having at respective top regions thereof interlocking male elements, and said upper member defining a cap to fit over an upper part of the gun head, and having an upper surface and an interlocking female element for receiving and releasably engaging the interlocking male element on said lower member, and

a top member releasably engageable with said upper member, a space being provided between the upper surface of said upper member and a portion of said top member for locating a replaceable message card when said top member and said upper member engage.

7. Display apparatus removably attachable to a filler gun of a fluid pump, the filler gun including a fuel gun nozzle, a gun head adapted to be covered by a protective boot of rubber or plastic material, said gun head having an internally located valve with a valve outlet communicating with the nozzle and a valve inlet communicating with a fluid supply extending through a handle of the gun, the handle having a lever operatively connected to the valve, said apparatus supporting on its upper surface means for displaying a graphic message readily viewable by a gun user, comprising:

a carrying body for displaying a graphic message viewable by a user, said carrying body while attached to the filler gun, without said protective boot having been removed, being adapted to fit over the filler gun,

said carrying body comprising a lower member and an upper member releasably engageable with said lower member, said lower member having two side panels and a bottom element connected with side panels, said lower member when said two side panels and said bottom element are brought to lie against said gun head and its protective boot substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head, and said side panels having at respective top regions thereof a snap hook, and said upper member defining a cap to fit over an upper part of the gun head and its protective boot, and having a female element for receiving and releasably engaging the snap hook on said lower member, and

a top member releasably engageable with said upper member, a space being provided between an upper face of said upper member and a portion of said top member for locating a replaceable message card when said top member and said upper member engage.