Low speed electric vehicle mobile advertising system

• US 7,287,349 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoflex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Autoflex Incorporated
• Inventors: MacDonald, Luis D., Perry, Randy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, SHIN H
• Application Number:
  US11/104,458
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 406/10, 406/061.4, 406/061.5, 406/061.6, 405/90, 405/91, 405/92, 405/88, 296/21
• 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

This system comprises a small advertising assembly that can be easily mounted onto the bed of a Low-Speed Electric Vehicle. The assembly includes an advertising display and a frame. The system allows for the advertising display to be attached in multiple positions such as: upright for viewing and stowed flat for transport. The advertising display has an internal light source and removable translucent advertising panels. This Low Speed Electric Vehicle Mobile Advertising System provides an advertising system that is mobile for both on- and off-road conditions, generates little or no noise or air pollution, and operates at pedestrian-friendly speeds to promote maximum exposure of the message being advertised.

Claims

1. A mobile advertising display system comprising:

(a) a mobile platform having a bed surface;

(b) a reconfigurable display assembly disposed on said mobile platform for displacement relative thereto between at least first and second positions, said display assembly including at least one replaceable display panel, said display assembly in said first position maintaining said display panel transversely upright on said bed surface, and in said second position stowing said display panel in substantially overlaying manner over said bed surface; and

,

(c) at least first and second coupling assemblies for releasably locking said display assembly to said mobile platform respectively in said first and second positions, at least one of said first and second coupling assemblies including;

i. a flange portion extending from one of said display assembly and mobile platform, and a receptacle portion extending from the other of said display assembly and mobile platform for matedly receiving said flange portion; and

,

ii. first and second sleeve portions extending respectively from said display assembly and mobile platform for coaxially aligned securement one with the other.

2. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 1 wherein the other of said first and second coupling assemblies includes an engagement portion extending from one of said display assembly and mobile platform for mated engagement with one of said flange and receptacle portions extending from the other of said display assembly and mobile platform.

3. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 2 wherein each said receptacle portion is formed to extend from said mobile platform, and said flange and engagement portions are each formed to extend from said display assembly.

4. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 2 wherein the other of said first and second coupling assemblies further includes a mounting portion extending from one of said display assembly and mobile platform for fastener attachment to the other of said display assembly and mobile platform.

5. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 2 wherein said display assembly includes:

at least a pair of said display panels disposed on opposed sides thereof, each said display panel having a translucent portion; and

,

a light source disposed between said display panels for illuminating each said display panel.

6. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 5 wherein said display assembly further includes:

a frame defining a pair of slotted track peripheral portions slidably receiving respective ones of said display panels through an open end; and

,

a pair of retainer members detachably coupled to said frame for enclosing said open end, said retainer members respectively retaining said display panels in said peripheral portions of said frame.

7. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 6 wherein:

said frame of said display assembly includes front and back panels extending between to laterally space said display panels one from the other;

said receptacle portion is formed on said mobile platform; and

,

said flange and engagement portions are formed on said front panel for alternatively engaging said receptacle portion, said engagement portion being angularly offset in orientation from said flange portion.

8. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 7 wherein one of said flange and engagement portions is disposed adjacent a bottom lateral periphery of said front panel, and the other of said flange and engagement portions is disposed adjacent a longitudinal periphery of said front panel.

9. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 7 wherein a mounting portion extends from said back panel for fastener attachment to said mobile platform.

10. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 7 wherein a spaced pair of said first sleeve portions extends from at least one of said retainer members for coaxial securement to a respective pair of said second sleeve portions extending from said mobile platform.

11. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 1 wherein said bed surface is substantially planar, and said display assembly defines a substantially planar side face extending transversely upright from said bed surface in said first position;

said substantially planar side face in said second position bearing substantially against said bed surface.

12. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 1 wherein said mobile platform includes a four-wheeled low-speed electric vehicle having a top speed rating within the approximate range of 20-25 miles per hour, said four-wheeled low-speed electric vehicle being compliant with federal safety standards specified in 49 C.F.R. 571.500.

13. The mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 12 wherein said four-wheeled low-speed electric vehicle is dimensionally within approximately 6 feet in a height parameter, 13 feet in a length parameter, and 5 feet in a width parameter.

14. A reconfigurable low-speed electric powered mobile advertising display system comprising:

(a) a low speed electric mobile platform having a utility bed surface, said mobile platform including at least first and second fixed coupling portions;

(b) a reconfigurable display assembly disposed on said mobile platform for displacement relative thereto between at least first and second positions, said display assembly including;

i. a frame;

ii. at least one replaceable display panel coupled to said frame to define therefor a substantially planar side face, said substantially planar side face in said first position extending transversely upright from said utility bed surface, and in said second position stowing in substantially flush manner against said utility bed surface;

iii. a pair of first coupling portions disposed on said frame offset one from the other for alternative mated engagement of said first fixed coupling portion when respectively in said first and second positions; and

,

iv. at least one second coupling portion for releasably locked securement to said second fixed coupling portion when in one of said first and second positions;

one of said display assembly and mobile platform including a mounting portion extending therefrom for fastener attachment to the other of said display assembly and mobile platform in one of said first and second positions.

15. The reconfigurable low-speed electric powered mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 14 wherein said first fixed coupling portion includes a receptacle member formed on said utility bed surface, and said first coupling portions of said display assembly each include a flange member extending from said frame for slidable insert into said receptacle member, said first coupling portions being mutually offset in angular orientation.

16. The reconfigurable low-speed electric powered mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 14 wherein said second coupling portion and said second fixed coupling portion include respective sleeve members for coaxially aligned securement one with the other.

17. The reconfigurable low-speed electric powered mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 14 wherein said display assembly further includes:

at least a pair of said display panels disposed on opposed sides thereof, each said display panel having a translucent portion; and

,

a light source disposed between said display panels for illuminating each said display panel.

18. The reconfigurable low-speed electric powered mobile advertising display system as recited in claim 17 wherein said frame of said display assembly defines a pair of slotted track peripheral portions slidably receiving respective ones of said display panels through an open end;

and, a pair of retainer members detachably coupled to said frame for enclosing said open end, said retainer members respectively retaining said display panels in said peripheral portions of said frame.

19. A collapsible low-speed electric vehicle advertising display system comprising:

(a) a low speed electric vehicle having a utility bed surface, said vehicle having formed thereon at least one receptacle portion and at least one sleeve portion respectively disposed about said utility bed surface;

(b) a reconfigurable display assembly collapsibly disposed on said utility bed surface of said mobile platform for reconfiguration relative thereto between at least an upright position and a flat stowed position, said display assembly including;

i. a frame;

ii. at least one replaceable display panel coupled to said frame to define therefor a substantially planar side face, said substantially planar side face in said upright position extending transversely upward from said utility bed surface and in said flat stowed position overlaying said utility bed surface;

iii. a pair of flange portions disposed on said frame offset one from the other for alternative mated engagement of said receptacle portion when respectively in said upright and flat stowed positions; and

,

iv. at least one sleeve portion for releasably locked securement to said sleeve portion of said vehicle when in a first of said upright and flat stowed positions;

one of said display assembly and vehicle further including a mounting portion extending therefrom for fastener attachment to the other of said display assembly and mobile platform in a second of said upright and flat stowed positions.

20. The collapsible low-speed electric vehicle advertising display system as recited in claim 19 wherein:

(a) said display assembly further includes;

i. at least a pair of said display panels disposed on opposed sides thereof, each said display panel having a translucent portion; and

,

ii. a light source disposed between said display panels for illuminating each said display panel; and

,

(b) said frame of said display assembly defines a pair of slotted track peripheral portions slidably receiving respective ones of said display panels through an open end; and

, a pair of retainer members each detachably coupled by a plurality of screw fasteners to said frame for enclosing said open end, said retainer members respectively retaining said display panels in said peripheral portions of said frame.