Apparatus, system, and method for vehicle mounted display device

• US 8,696,130 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2010
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trevor Seal
• Original Assignee: Trevor Seal
• Inventors: Seal, Trevor
• Primary Examiner(s): Legasse, Jr., Francis M
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROOKS, JERRY L.
• Application Number:
  US12/850,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20110032484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 353 12- 14, 701/201, 340/438, 404/51, 280/186, 280/406.2
• 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:

connector arm comprising a first end insertable into a vehicle hitch receiver, and a second end;

an intermediate arm pivotally coupled with the connector arm, via the second end of the connector arm, such that a first end of the intermediate arm is positionable vertically with reference to the vehicle hitch receiver;

a projector mount pivotally coupled to a second end of the intermediate arm, the projector mount configured to receive a projector such that the projector is positionable at least one of vertically or horizontally with reference to the intermediate arm;

wherein the projector is configured to project an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle; and

an image cartridge removably insertable into a projector housing of the projector, the image cartridge positionable with reference to a lens to adjust a focus of the image on the vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector arm comprises at least one set of holes for receiving a hitch pin to secure the connector arm to the vehicle hitch receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the connector arm, intermediate arm, and the projector mount extends outward telescopically.

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

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

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic screen positionable on the vehicle to display the image.

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

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

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

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the projector further comprises an outer surface and a dial on the outer surface such that the dial on the outer surface causes the image cartridge to move with reference to the projector.

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

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

a connector arm comprising a first end insertable into a vehicle hitch receiver of a vehicle, and a second end;

an intermediate arm pivotally coupled with the connector arm, via the second end of the connector arm, such that a first end of the intermediate arm is positionable vertically with reference to the vehicle hitch receiver;

a projector mount pivotally coupled to a second end of the intermediate arm, the projector mount configured to receive a projector such that the projector is positionable at least one of vertically or horizontally with reference to the intermediate arm; and

wherein the projector is configured to project an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an image cartridge removably insertable into a projector housing of the projector, the image cartridge positionable with reference to a lens to adjust a focus of the image on the vehicle.

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

a connector arm comprising a first end insertable into a vehicle hitch receiver of a vehicle, and a second end;

an intermediate arm pivotally coupled with the connector arm, via the second end of the connector arm, such that a first end of the intermediate arm is positionable vertically with reference to the vehicle hitch receiver;

a projector mount pivotally coupled to a second end of the intermediate arm, the projector mount configured to receive a projector such that the projector is positionable at least one of vertically or horizontally with reference to the intermediate arm;

wherein the projector is configured to project an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle; and

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

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

providing a connector arm comprising a first end insertable into a vehicle hitch receiver of a vehicle, and a second end;

providing an intermediate arm pivotally coupled with the connector arm, via the second end of the connector arm, such that the first end of the intermediate arm is positionable vertically with reference to the vehicle hitch receiver;

providing a projector mount pivotally coupled to a second end of the intermediate arm, the projector mount configured to receive a projector such that the projector is positionable at least one of vertically or horizontally with reference to the intermediate arm;

wherein the projector is configured to project an image onto an outer surface of the vehicle; and

orienting the projector such that an image is projected onto the outer surface of the vehicle.