Apparatus, system, and method for displaying content on a vehicle

• US 9,341,307 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2014
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitch Demon, Llc
• Original Assignee: Hitch Demon, Llc
• Inventors: Seal, Trevor
• Primary Examiner(s): WENDELL, MARK R
• Application Number:
  US14/520,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20150108299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 353 12- 14, 701/201, 340/438, 248/205.1, 404/51, 280/186, 280/406.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/30 adapted to collapse or fold, e.g. for portability
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/56 Projection screens
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/02 Signs, boards, or panels, illuminated by artificial light sources positioned in front of the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/18 involving the use of optical projection means, e.g. projection of images on clouds projection apparatus per se G03B
• 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

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for displaying or projecting images on a vehicle are described herein. The system includes a mount bar for engaging a hitch receiver tube of a vehicle, and an intermediate arm having a first end rotationally coupled with the mount bar, where the first end is lockable in a position with respect to the mount bar. The system also includes a projector arm having a first end rotationally coupled with a second end of the intermediate arm, where the first end of the projector arm is lockable in a position with respect to the second end of the intermediate arm.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a mount bar for engaging a hitch receiver tube of a vehicle;

an intermediate arm having a first end rotationally coupled with the mount bar, where the first end is lockable in a position with respect to the mount bar;

a projector arm having a first end rotationally coupled with a second end of the intermediate arm, where the first end of the projector arm is lockable in a position with respect to the second end of the intermediate arm; and

where the intermediate arm and the projector arm together form a conduit for an electrical connection between the projector and the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gear disposed between the first end of the intermediate arm and the mount bar, the gear rotationally coupled with one of the mount bar or the intermediate arm.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a locking arm comprising teeth configured for engaging the gear and locking the position of the intermediate arm with respect to the mount bar.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gear disposed between the second end of the intermediate arm and the projector arm, the gear rotationally coupled with one of the second end of the intermediate arm or the projector arm.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a locking arm comprising teeth configured for engaging the gear and locking the position of the projector arm with respect to the second end of the intermediate arm.

6. The system of claim 1, where the projector arm comprises a second end configured for engaging protrusions of the projector to couple the projector to the second end of the projector arm.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a compressible collar disposed between the mount bar and the hitch receiver tube.

8. The system of claim 1, where the intermediate arm has a length greater than the projector arm.

9. The system of claim 1, where the projector arm is transitionable between a plurality of lockable positions that include an open position and a closed position.

10. The system of claim 9, where the projector arm collapses and engages the intermediate arm when in the closed position.

11. A device comprising:

a mount bar for engaging a hitch receiver tube of a vehicle;

a flexible arm coupled at a first end with the mount bar and extending outward from the mount bar, where the flexible arm comprises gooseneck tubing; and

a projector mounting bracket coupled to a second end of the flexible arm, the projector mounting bracket configured to support a projector.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a compressible collar disposed between the mount bar and the hitch receiver tube.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the flexible arm forms a conduit for an electrical connection between the projector and the vehicle.

14. The device of claim 11, where the length of the gooseneck tubing is in the range of between about 12 and 24 inches.

15. The device of claim 11, where the diameter of the gooseneck tubing is in the range of between about ¼

and 3 inches.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a mount bar for engaging a hitch receiver tube of a vehicle;

an intermediate arm having a first end rotationally coupled with the mount bar, where the first end is lockable in a position with respect to the mount bar;

a projector arm having a first end rotationally coupled with a second end of the intermediate arm, where the first end of the projector arm is lockable in a position with respect to the second end of the intermediate arm, where the intermediate arm and the projector arm together form a conduit for an electrical connection between the projector and the vehicle; and

where at least one of the intermediate arm or the projector arm is telescoping.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a compressible collar disposed between the mount bar and the hitch receiver tube.