CA2943744A1 - Display holder and combination of display holder and display for use on a tailgate of a truck - Google Patents

Abstract

A display holder for mounting on a tailgate of a truck is provided, the holder comprising a front consisting of a rollable and foldable transparent plastic polymer sheet, a back opposing the front, the back comprising a flexible, rollable, foldable water resistant material, a binding attached to the front and continuous with the flexible, rollable, foldable water resistant material, the binding attached to the front proximate a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the binding, front and back defining an opening, a flap continuous with the back or the front, a closure extending substantially a length of the display holder, a first half of the closure attached to an underside of the flap, a second half of the closure attached to an outer surface of the front or back proximate to or in the vicinity of a top edge, and an at least three adjustable straps, a first adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the first side edge, a second adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the second side edge and the third adjustable strap centrally located on the back, each adjustable strap including a clip buckle. A combination comprising the holder and the display is also provided.

Description

DISPLAY HOLDER AND COMBINATION OF DISPLAY HOLDER
AND DISPLAY FOR USE ON A TAILGATE OF A TRUCK
FIELD
The present technology is a display holder that can be releasably attached to the tailgate of a truck. More specifically, it is an envelope that has a transparent front and when closed, releasably retains a display such that it is visible to other vehicles.
BACKGROUND
There are a number of different approaches to signage on the back of trucks.
United States Patent No. 5,255,464 discloses a removably attachable sign for use on a vehicle tailgate. The sign is generally rectangular and made of a flexible, durable material. The sign can contain apertures or cutaway areas for accommodating various hinges and handles commonly found on vehicle tailgates. The tailgate sign is easily secured to a tailgate by means of straps, clips, belts, snaps, hooks, bars, sheaths, or the like. Top edge and lower edge each preferably wrap over the top and lower edges of the tailgate, respectively, to provide wind resistance and a neat appearance, concealing the attachment means on the inside of the tailgate. The sign is not displayed in a display holder, hence the sign is subjected to rain, dirt and the like. If the sign is fabric, as suggested, it will get wet and dirty. As would be known to one skilled in the art, exposure of the sign to the elements limits the materials that can be used for the sign. Further, the fact that the attachment means are directly affixed to the sign further limits the materials that can be used for the sign. Still further, each sign must be supplied with the attachment means, increasing materials costs and manufacturing costs. If the message is to be changed, the entire sign must be changed.
United States Patent No. 8,998,288 discloses a tailgate cover that includes at least one pocket to securely fit over a tailgate. In some embodiments, the tailgate cover includes two or three pockets. The tailgate cover is made of stretchable material such as a stretchable fabric which enables the cover to be stretched securely over the tailgate. To further secure the tailgate cover over the tailgate, any coupling device is able to be used. The tailgate cover is able to include any graphic and/or text. This device does not allow for the display material to be changed. As it fits over the entire tailgate, the inner section on the inner side of the tailgate would be subject to wear and would be easily soiled. The sign is not displayed in a display holder, hence the sign is subjected to rain, dirt and the like. If the sign is fabric, as suggested, it will get wet and dirty. As would be known to one skilled in the art, exposure of the sign to the elements limits the materials that can be used for the sign. Further, the fact that the cover is stretched over the tailgate further limits the materials that can be used for the sign.
United States Patent No. 6,749,250 discloses a tailgate cover that includes a flexible panel having a first side, a second side, a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge.
The first and second edges are positioned opposite of each other. A bisecting line extends through the first and second edges and divides the panel into a first portion and a second portion. Each of a first elongated strap and a second elongated strap is attached to and extends along a length of a respective one of the first and second edges such that a respective first portion and a second portion of the first and second straps is defined. The first side of the panel is positionable on a tailgate. A securing assembly releasably secures the first and second portions of the first strap together and the first and second portions of the second strap together. Hence the outside, inside and top of the tailgate are covered. As it fits over the entire tailgate, the inner section, which is proposed to be fabric, on the inner side of the tailgate would be subject to wear and would be easily soiled. The sign is not displayed in a display holder, hence the sign is subjected to rain, dirt and the like. As would be known to one skilled in the art, exposure of the sign to the elements limits the materials that can be used for the sign. The cover obviously has a limited life span and then has to be changed in its entirety.
United States Patent No. 6,484,427 discloses a tailgate sign which is removably attachable onto a pre-existing tailgate and is used for display of signs thereon, or the like.
Also, in one embodiment the sign may be reversible or rotated between a first display position and a second display position, etc. The tailgate sign is a sleeve that envelopes the tailgate interior surface, top, bottom and exterior surface. A display may be printed directly on the sign or may be housed in a compartment on the exterior surface of the sign. The compartment is weather-

2 proof, transparent and is closed with a zip lock type closure. These closures have a limited life span and are generally not replaceable once broken. The tailgate sign fits over the entire tailgate, hence the inner section on the inner side of the tailgate would be subject to wear and would be easily soiled. Further, as it is made to retro fit any tailgate it would necessarily need to have some stretch to it, hence fabrics such as spandex are suggested.
United States Patent No. 6,789,833 discloses a tailgate advertising assembly that includes a tailgate and a billboard. The tailgate is for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and an open position as for loading and unloading, and has an upper extremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face, and an outer face. The billboard is engaged to the tailgate, and overlies the outer face of the tailgate. The billboard supports advertising indicia. The advertising may be disposed between a transparent cover and a back (which is attached to the tailgate), both which are attached to a frame which is watertight.
This allows for the advertising to be changed, however, the billboard is permanently or semi-permanently affixed to the vehicle. Attachment of the billboard damages the back of the vehicle. Changing the advertising requires disassembling the assembly.
What is needed is a display holder that is easily attached to and removed from the tailgate of a truck. It would be advantageous if it was foldable, for easy storage and for merchandising. It would be also of an advantage if the display holder was water resistant or waterproof, as this would allow for a wide range of materials to be used for the display. It would be of further advantage if the display could be readily changed with little effort and without damaging the vehicle. It would be of further advantage if the holder did not envelop the tailgate or cover the inner surface of the tailgate. It would be preferable if the display was rollable and was both able to adjust to the shape of the tailgate, and be rigid enough to not collapse when in the holder. It would also be preferable if the combination was rollable for storage. It would be of further advantage if there was a strap attached to the back to hold the roll closed for storage.
SUMMARY

3 The present technology is a display holder that is easily attached to and removed from the tailgate of a truck. It is foldable, for easy storage and for merchandising.
The display holder is water resistant. This feature allows for a wide range of materials to be used for the display.
The display can be readily changed with little effort and without damaging the vehicle. Further, as the display and holder are separate components, manufacturing of the display is relatively inexpensive and simple, as there is no need for straps or other attachment means to be put on the display. The holder does not envelop the tailgate or cover the inner surface of the tailgate, hence it does not suffer from wear, nor does it get soiled. The display is rollable and is both able to adjust to the shape of the tailgate, and is rigid enough to not collapse when in the holder.
The combination is also rollable. A strap attached to the back allows the roll to be held closed.
The features of the display and holder allow a user to attach the combination to the tailgate, for example, at a work site and then roll it up and put it away at the end of the day, ready for use the next day.
In one embodiment, a display holder for mounting on a tailgate of a truck is provided, the holder comprising a front consisting of a rollable and foldable transparent plastic polymer sheet, a back opposing the front, the back comprising a flexible, rollable, foldable water resistant material, a binding attached to the front and continuous with the flexible, rollable, foldable water resistant material, the binding attached to the front proximate a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the binding, front and back defining an opening, a flap continuous with the back or the front, a closure extending substantially a length of the display holder, a first half of the closure attached to an underside of the flap, a second half of the closure attached to an outer surface of the front or back proximate to or in the vicinity of a top edge, and an at least three adjustable straps, a first adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the first side edge, a second adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the second side edge and the third adjustable strap centrally located on the back, each adjustable strap including a clip buckle. A combination comprising the holder and the display is also provided.
In the display holder, the closure may extend the length of the opening.

4 In the display holder, the closure may be a hook and loop closure.
The display holder may further comprise a roll strap, the roll strap normal to the adjustable straps and attached to the back.
In another embodiment, a combination for releasably mounting on a tailgate of a truck is provided, the combination comprising a flexible, rollable, substantially planar display, and a holder, the holder comprising a front consisting of a flexible transparent plastic polymer sheet, a back opposing the front, the back comprising a flexible water resistant material, a binding attached to the front and the back proximate a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the binding, front and back defining an opening, a flap continuous with one of the back or the front, a closure extending substantially a length of the display holder, a first half of the closure attached to an underside of the flap, a second half of the closure attached to an outer surface of the front or back, proximate to or in the vicinity of a top edge, and an at least three adjustable straps, a first adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the first side edge, a second adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the second side edge and the third adjustable strap centrally located on the back, each adjustable strap including a clip buckle.
In the combination, the flap may be continuous with the back.
In the combination, the binding is continuous with the flexible water resistant material of the back.
In the combination, the display is about 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm thick.
In the combination, the display comprises a laminate including a layer of high impact polystyrene and a reflective layer.
The combination may further comprise a roll strap, the roll strap normal to the adjustable straps and attached to the back.
The combination may further comprise the tailgate, the adjustable straps releasably retaining the combination on the tailgate.

In yet another embodiment, a method of removably displaying a display on a tailgate is provided, the method comprising attaching the combination of claim 5 to the tailgate.
The method may further comprise removing the combination.
The method may further comprise rolling the combination for storage.
FIGURES
Figure 1 is a front view of the display holder of the present technology.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the display holder and display combination of the present technology on a tailgate of a truck.
Figure 3 is a rear view of the combination of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of the combination of Figure 3, rolled.
Figure 5 is a face view of an alternative embodiment.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the display of the present technology.
Figure 7 is a face view of the banner of the present technology.
DESCRIPTION
Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description, claims and drawings): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms "a", "an", and "the", as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term "about" applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method;
(d) the words "herein", "hereby", "hereof", "hereto", "hereinbefore", and "hereinafter", and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) "or" and "any" are not exclusive and "include" and "including" are not limiting. Further, The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.
To the extent necessary to provide descriptive support, the subject matter and/or text of the appended claims is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.
As shown in Figure 1, a display holder, generally referred to as 10 is mounted on the tailgate 12 of a truck. A sign 14 or other display is retained in the holder 10. The display 14 is substantially planar. The display holder has a top edge 16, a bottom edge 18, a first side edge 20 and a second side edge 22. The bottom edge 18, the first side edge 20 and the second side edge 22 are sealed with a binding 24 that is continuous with the back 36. In other words, the material used for the back 36 is folded over the front 34 and is stitched onto the front 34 proximate the edges 18, 20, 22. This can be seen in Figure 2. Returning to Figure 1, adjustable straps 26 are used to hold the display holder in place. There are at least three adjustable straps, with four being preferable. The adjustable straps 26 are webbing. As shown in Figure 1, if there are four adjustable straps 26, one is proximate the first side edge 20, one is proximate the second side edge 22, and two are centrally located, evenly spaced across the holder 10.
As shown in Figure 2, the straps 26 are attached, preferably with stitching, along the full height 28 of the back 36, and are sized to extend under the bottom 30, the top 32 and the inside 33 of the tailgate 12. The display holder 10 has a transparent front 34 and a back 36, which is preferably non-light transmitting. The front 34 and back 36 are stitched together to define an opening 38 for the display 14. A flap 40 that is continuous with the back 36 has a first half of a hook and loop closure (Velcro ) 42 on an underside 44 and the front 34 has the second half of a hook and loop closure 46 on the outer surface 48. The second half of the hook and loop closures 46 is preferably proximate the top edge 50 of the front 34 or in the vicinity of the top edge 50 of the front 34. The hook and loop closure 42, 46 runs substantially the length 52 (Figure 1) of the display holder 10 and preferably the length of the opening 38. The two halves 42, 46 are stitched on. Clip buckles 56 are on the adjustable straps 26 to allow both the adjusting and the closing of the straps 16. As shown in Figure 3, there is also a roll strap 60 that is stitched in place to be normal to the adjustable straps 26. This strap 60 has a clip buckle 56 and is adjustable. As shown in Figure 4, when the display holder 10 and sign 14 are rolled into a roll 62, this strap 60 retains the roll 62. The roll strap 60 includes advertising 64 for the display holder 10.
The transparent front 34 is a plastic polymer film that is flexible and is readily foldable and rollable. Suitable plastic polymers include, but are not limited to polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polyvinylchloride (PVC). The preferred material is 100% PVC
(Super2clear30 WP
from Jennis Fabrics). Similarly, the back 36 is flexible and is readily foldable and rollable. The preferred material has a 100% PVC face and 100% non-woven polyester back and is 24 ounce (Phantom from Jackson). It is water resistant.
In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5, snaps 50 are used to close the flap 40 to the front 34.
The dimensions of the display holder are as follows: the large holder is about 63.00"Wide x about 23.00"High, and about 24.00"High in open position, preferably about 60.00"Wide x about 20.00"High, and about 21.00"High in open position and most preferably about 63.75"Wide x about 24.00" High and about 25.00"High in open position; and the small holder is about 50.00"Wide x about 20.00"High, and about 21.00"High in open position), preferably about 53.00"Wide x 23.00"High, and about 24.00"High in open position, and most preferably about 53.75"Wide x about 24.00"High and about 25.00"High in open position.
As shown in Figure 6, the display is a plastic laminate. The display 14 is preferably flexible enough to allow it to be rolled, while having enough rigidity to maintain its shape and not wrinkle, crease or be otherwise damaged by the tailgate 12 or holder 10. An exemplary display 14 is a flexible retro-reflective sheeting (200 m) 80 with a removable, positionable, pressure activated adhesive (3M ScotchliteTM Removable Reflective Graphic film with Comply Adhesive) laminated with 3M ScotchcalTM Optically clear overlaminate 8914 (50 p.m) 82, on a high impact polystyrene sheet 84 (500 m), which is laminated with 3M ScotchcalTM
Optically clear overlaminate 8914 (50 m) 82. The total thickness of the display is about 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm, preferably about 0.6 mm to about 0.9 mm, and most preferably 0.8 mm. Non-reflective sheeting may also be used.
In alternative embodiments, the display can be made of materials such as, but not limited to corrugated plastic sheets (Coroplast ) and polyethylene sheets.
In use, a user may unfold the holder 10, place the sign 14 in the holder and close the holder 10, then attach it to the tailgate 12 using the adjustable straps 26 to snug the display 14 and holder to the tailgate 12. The display has sufficient flexibility that it adjusts to the contours of the tailgate 12 without creasing, wrinkling or damaging the sign 14. At the end of the workday, the user can simply detach the combination of the holder 10 and display 14, roll it into a roll 62 and strap the roll 62 closed with the roll strap 60. The next day, when the user requires the sign 14 to be displayed, they unroll the roll 62 and attach the combination to the tailgate 12. This is especially useful for contract workers on highways and other roadways that are required to use signage that displays the municipality, city, province, state or the like while working, but are not to display the signage when they are not working.

In an alternative embodiment, the display holder 10 with a display 14 is used as a banner. In this embodiment, all the features remain the same except that the adjustable straps 26 need not have a clip buckle and need not be adjustable. The straps 26 may also be attached to the corners 100 of the display holder 10 as shown in Figure 7.
While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein.

Claims (14)

1. A display holder for mounting on a tailgate of a truck, the holder comprising a front consisting of a rollable and foldable transparent plastic polymer sheet, a back opposing the front, the back comprising a flexible, rollable, foldable water resistant material, a binding attached to the front and continuous with the flexible, rollable, foldable water resistant material, the binding attached to the front proximate a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the binding, front and back defining an opening, a flap continuous with the back or the front, a closure extending substantially a length of the display holder, a first half of the closure attached to an underside of the flap, a second half of the closure attached to an outer surface of the front or back proximate to or in the vicinity of a top edge, and an at least three adjustable straps, a first adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the first side edge, a second adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the second side edge and the third adjustable strap centrally located on the back, each adjustable strap including a clip buckle.

2. The display holder of claim 1, wherein the closure extends the length of the opening.

3. The display holder of claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure is a hook and loop closure.

4. The display holder of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a roll strap, the roll strap normal to the adjustable straps and attached to the back.

5. A combination for releasably mounting on a tailgate of a truck, the combination comprising a flexible, rollable, substantially planar display, and a holder, the holder comprising a front consisting of a flexible transparent plastic polymer sheet, a back opposing the front, the back comprising a flexible water resistant material, a binding attached to the front and the back proximate a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, the binding, front and back defining an opening, a flap continuous with one of the back or the front, a closure extending substantially a length of the display holder, a first half of the closure attached to an underside of the flap, a second half of the closure attached to an outer surface of the front or back, proximate to or in the vicinity of a top edge, and an at least three adjustable straps, a first adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the first side edge, a second adjustable strap attached to the back proximate the second side edge and the third adjustable strap centrally located on the back, each adjustable strap including a clip buckle.

6. The combination of claim 5, wherein the flap is continuous with the back.

7. The combination of claim 5 or 6, wherein the binding is continuous with the flexible water resistant material of the back.

8. The combination of any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the display is about 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm thick.

9. The combination of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the display comprises a laminate including a layer of high impact polystyrene and a reflective layer.

10. The combination of any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising a roll strap, the roll strap normal to the adjustable straps and attached to the back.

11. The combination of any one of claims 5 to 10 further comprising the tailgate, the adjustable straps releasably retaining the combination on the tailgate.

12. A method of removably displaying a display on a tailgate, the method comprising attaching the combination of claim 5 to the tailgate.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising removing the combination.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising rolling the combination for storage.