Overhead highway billboard and marketing method

• US 7,124,526 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eckley Keach
• Original Assignee: Eckley Keach
• Inventors: Keach, Eckley
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US10/758,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 406/12, 406/071.1, 406/061.8
• US Class Current: 40/612
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like

Abstract

A billboard advertising system is disclosed. The billboard advertising system includes an overhead sign structure at least partially traversing a roadway, said overhead sign structure having forward and rearward faces relative to oncoming vehicle traffic of the roadway. The forward face of the overhead sign structure has traffic information as part of a government regulated traffic information system directed in a primary orientation toward the oncoming vehicle traffic. The rearward face of the overhead sign structure on an opposing side from the forward face has a secondary orientation with respect to other traffic flow different from the oncoming vehicle traffic. A billboard advertisement is positioned on the rearward face of the overhead sign structure with visual exposure to the other traffic flow.

Claims

1. A method of billboard advertising, comprising the steps of:

a. identifying a roadway having an overhead sign structure at least partially traversing the roadway, wherein the overhead sign structure has a forward face directed in a primary orientation toward oncoming vehicle traffic and bearing traffic information as part of a government regulated traffic information system and a rearward portion on an opposing side from the forward face; and

b. placing a billboard advertisement on the rearward portion of the overhead sign structure,

whereby the advertisement on the rearward portion is capable of being seen by traffic, and wherein the advertisement contains at least some information on the billboard as a mirror image enabling normal viewing through a rearview mirror of traffic.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an overhead traversing section of the overhead sign structure is supported by at least a central support beam.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an overhead traversing section of the overhead sign structure is supported by at least one lateral support beam.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the roadway is an expressway or a freeway.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein speed limits associated with the roadway are about 45 miles per hour or higher.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the rearward portion is directed toward oncoming traffic of an adjacent lane of the roadway.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the rearward portion is directed toward oncoming traffic of a different, nearby roadway.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the overhead sign comprises a securely fastened frame to affix the advertisement, the frame allowing the advertisement or message to be placed on the rearward portion of the overhead sign, and wherein the frame allows the insertion or replacement of the advertisement without removing the frame.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the advertisement is present on the surface of a replaceable product.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the advertisement is placed on a vinyl, plastic, partially plastic, or canvas surface.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertisement is displayed from an electronic screen.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the image on the electronic screen is controlled remotely.

13. A method of advertising, comprising the steps of:

a. identifying an overhead sign structure at least partially traversing a roadway associated with oncoming vehicle traffic and having a forward face bearing traffic information as part of a government regulated traffic information system;

b. affixing a securely fastened frame on a rearward portion of the overhead sign structure on an opposing side from the forward face; and

c. connecting the billboard advertisement to the frame affixed to the rearward portion of the overhead sign structure, said billboard advertisement being visible to traffic flow different from the oncoming vehicle traffic or visible from an orientation different from that of the oncoming vehicle traffic, and wherein said advertisement contains at least some information as a mirror image enabling normal viewing through a rearview mirror of traffic.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising remotely controlling the content of the advertisement.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising replacing the advertisement connected to the frame.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the advertisement is placed on a vinyl, plastic, partially plastic, or canvas surface.

17. A billboard advertising system, comprising:

a. an overhead sign structure at least partially traversing a roadway, said overhead sign structure having forward and rearward faces relative to oncoming vehicle traffic of the roadway;

b. the forward face of the overhead sign structure having traffic information as part of a government regulated traffic information system directed in a primary orientation toward the oncoming vehicle traffic;

c. the rearward face of the overhead sign structure on an opposing side from the forward face having a secondary orientation with respect to other traffic flow different from the oncoming vehicle traffic; and

d. a billboard advertisement positioned on the rearward face of the overhead sign structure, an wherein said advertisement contains at least some information as a mirror image enabling normal viewing through a rearview mirror of traffic.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the advertisement can be replaced.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the advertisement is displayed from an electronic screen.