GB2471507A

GB2471507A - Seat back advertising display device attachable to headrest or grab handle.

Info

Publication number: GB2471507A
Application number: GB0911483A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Shepherdson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-02
Filing date: 2009-07-02
Publication date: 2011-01-05
Also published as: GB0911483D0

Abstract

A seat back advertising display device attachable to a seat, comprises a bracket 9 for attaching the device to the seat, in particular a grab handle 5 or a headrest provided on the seat, and front and back panels 11, 12 between which an advertisement 15 is held. The device is adapted so that when attached to the seat the front and back panels are inclined from the vertical away from the seat, thereby presenting the advertisement at a comfortable viewing angle to a passenger sitting in a seat behind. In particular, an extension 10 from the device is provided which is adapted to rest against the backrest of the seat to maintain the inclination of the device. One of the panels may be hinged 16 to the other to allow advertisements to be changed and a locking arrangement 14 may be provided to hold the panels together.

Description

Bus Seat Advertising Device

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an device for displaying advertisements on seats in public transport vehicles.

Background of the Invention

Over the years, advertising has become a ubiquitous form of communication. It is primarily used by companies to inform customers about their products and services, and to boost sales through the creation and reinforcement of brand image and loyalty. However, advertising is also used by organisations that do not have a product or service to sell, including government bodies, political parties, interest groups, religious organisations and recruitment agencies, as well as non-profit organisations such as charities. In these cases the publicity is used to attract new members, improve public relations, generate awareness and gain support.

Today, adverts can be seen in most parts of the world and use every major medium to deliver their message. Essentially advertising is found anywhere that there is a captive audience. One area where the level of advertising has grown considerably is public transport, where taxis, buses, trains, planes and boats provide a valuable means for reaching a target audience. Despite this growth, however, there is an inherent problem. On buses for example, much of the information conveyed does not have sufficient impact because the adverts are located in places that do not address the passengers intensively enough, typically on the outside of the bus or high up on the inside of the window, at ninety degrees to the line of sight of most passengers. To be effective, passengers must have time to study the content in detail, otherwise the money spent on the advert is wasted.

A more suitable location for an advert on public transport is on the back of seats. This enables passengers sitting behind the seat to read the details of the advert throughout the duration of their journey. However, one important consideration is how the information is to be presented.

Currently flat screen monitors display full colour adverts in electronic format, but this option is expensive to set up, can be stolen or damaged and is costly to replace. Another option is to attach physical adverts directly to the seat, but this is not suitable for advertising that must be changed regularly, as is usually the case. Ideally a means should be provided that is cost effective and suitable for temporary adverts. Several ideas have been proposed to address this issue, three of which are briefly described below: GB2434479 describes an advertising device that can be fitted to the headrest of a vehicle seat by means of holes, loops or hoops through which the posts of the headrest are inserted. The advertising literature is inserted from the back of the device and displayed to the rear passenger through a transparent window. The literature itself can be changed as required, and is sealed inside the device by hook and loop fasteners attached to a flap of material. An elastic cord is used to secure the device firmly to the seat to prevent it from moving and injuring the rear passenger.

This invention is cost effective and relatively easy to implement, but it is only suitable for use on seats with headrests, and more specifically, seats with headrests that attach to seats using posts.

Although this type of seat is found in taxis, one-piece seats and seats without a headrest are commonplace in other modes of public transport. This invention is also vulnerable to damage. An elastic cord is too flimsy for fixing this type of device to a seat and would likely become detached over time. In addition, hook and loop fasteners are not a secure enough means for sealing the advertising literature inside the device and would allow anyone access. This leaves the advert open to vandalism and theft and is therefore unsuitable for use on public transport.

I

A-

A more secure system is described in WO 2007/121766 which incorporates advertising literature into either a recess in the back of a seat or on the underside of a fold-away table which is attached to the back of a seat. The device consists of a transparent cover plate facing the rear passenger and a supporting wall spaced from the cover plate and sealed thereon except along the upper edge where an insertion opening for the introduction of the advert is provided. A tab or flange which is inserted into a slot in the recess or table is also included to seal the device once the advert is in place. This system cannot be added to existing seats, however, but instead must be incorporated into the manufacture of the seat.

A rigid display holder for receiving and locating information sheets in a vehicle is described in CA2344804. This device comprises top, back and front sections and incorporates an aperture to receive the headrest support of a seat. The top section is coupled to the back section at an acute angle such that in use, the device fits snugly against the seat to limit its movement. Whilst this feature is useful in preventing the contents of the device from coming loose or the rear passenger from being injured, the angle of the transparent front section with respect to the vertical could make it difficult for the rear passenger to read the front of an information sheet when it is contained within the device. If the passenger cannot see clearly what is in the display holder, he is less likely to want to pick up a copy of the information sheet. This problem also affects adverts located on the backs of seats.

A device for displaying advertisements on the back of a seat in public transport vehicles and which overcomes or alleviates at least some of these problems would be advantageous. Ideally the device would be suitable for use on seats that have headrests as well as those that do not, and be able to display the information in such a way that it is easy for the rear passenger to read. The device should be strongly securable to the seat to prevent said device from coming loose and injuring a passenger, and be sufficiently robust to withstand a reasonable level of force. It would also be beneficial if the advertisement was contained in a lockable compartment to prevent theft or vandalism. Advantageously, the device should be capable of being attached to existing seats, eliminating the requirement for new, specially designed seats to be made.

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to an device for displaying advertisements on seats, particularly in public transport vehicles.

On public transport, grab handles, poles and loops are often provided to offer passengers support when the vehicle is moving. Grab handles are commonly attached to the tops of seats, and can be found more frequently on seats that do not have headrests. One feature of the present invention is that the device can be fitted to grab handles, facilitating use on seats without headrests.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an advertising display device attachable to a seat, comprising a bracket for attaching the device to the seat, and front and back panels of material between which an advertisement may be inserted, wherein the shape of the device is adapted such that when attached to the seat the front and back panels are inclined backward of the vertical with respect to the seat to which the device is attached, thereby presenting the advertisement to a passenger sitting in the seat directly behind the seat fitted with said device at a comfortable viewing angle.

Preferred features of the invention are specified in the claims dependent on Claim 1, and in

the description and drawings herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are by way of

example:

Figure la is a perspective view of a seat with a grab handle but no headrest; Figure lb is a perspective view of a seat with a headrest but no grab handle; Figure 2a is a side view of one embodiment of the invention as attached to the grab handle of the seat shown in Figure la; Figure 2b shows the invention in Figure 2a from the view point of the rear passenger; Figure 2c is an exploded view of a part of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2a; Figure 3a is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention as attached to the headrest of the seat shown in Figure lb; Figure 3b shows the invention in Figure 3a from the view point of the rear passenger; and Figure 3c illustrates an alternative construction of the second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figure la, there is shown one type of seat 1 commonly installed in public transport vehicles. The seat consists of a cushion 2, a back 3, a base 4 and a grab handle 5. The grab handle 5 may be held by the passenger sitting in the seat behind, but can also be used to support passengers climbing into or out of a seat. Further, grab handles 5 are useful for preventing standing passengers from losing their balance when the vehicle is moving. The type of seat shown here 1 has no headrest.

Referring now to Figure lb, there is shown a second type of seat 6 commonly installed in public transport vehicles. This seat includes a headrest 7 to support the head of the passenger sitting in the seat 6, but this may also be used as a grab handle by other passengers. In modern vehicles, this type of seat 6 may be fitted with grab handles at one side of the headrest 7. The seat 6 shown in this figure has no grab handle, however.

Referring now to Figures 2a and 2c, in one embodiment of the invention there is shown an device 8 for displaying advertisements on seats 1 with grab handles 5 but no headrests 7. The device 8 comprises brackets 9, a support 10, a back section 11 and a display panel 12 inset into a front panel 32, along with a means 13 for securing the device to the grab handle 5 and another 14 for locking the advertisement 15 inside the device 8. The front panel 32 of the device 8 and connects to the back section 11 by hinges 16. The back section 11 is a single piece of moulded material which extends to form the bracket 9. The support 10 is fixed to the back section 11. The display panel 12 is free to pivot about the hinges 16 when an external force is applied, providing a space between the display 12 and back section 11 into which the advertisement 15 can be placed. Once the advertisement 15 is placed between the display panel 12 and back section 11, the display 12 is pushed flat against the back 11 and locked using a screw 17 and plate 18 mechanism 14. This helps to prevent the advertisement 15 from being stolen or vandalised. The bracket 9 of the device 8 is used to attach the device 8 to the grab handle 5 of the seat 1. A fixing screw 13 must first be loosened sufficiently to allow the front 19 and back 20 sections of the bracket 9 to be separated. Following this, the grab handle 5 is inserted such that the bracket 9 is clamped tightly around the handle 5 before the fixing screw 13 is tightened to secure the device 8 in place. The shape of the bracket 9 can be varied to suit the shape of the grab handle 5 and/or a lining material 21 such as foam or another compressible material may be used to take up the difference in shape between the bracket 9 and the grab handle 5.

The back 3 of a seat 1 is often tilted away from the vertical for comfort. For this reason, an advert 15 placed flat against the back 3 of the seat 1 may be difficult for the rear passenger to read.

One aspect of the present invention 8 attempts to overcome this difficulty by providing a display panel 12 which engages the rear passenger face-on. This is achieved by the arcuate shape of the display 12 and back section 11 but also by the shape of the brackets 9 and the way in which the brackets 9 attach to the grab handle 5. Once the brackets 9 are connected to the seat I and locked in place, the weight of the device 8 positions the device such that the back section of the bracket 20 and the lining material 21 are in direct contact with the upper edge 3 of the seat 1 and grab handle 5 respectively, thus preventing the display panel 12 from moving any closer to the back 3 of the seat 1.

With this arrangement the advert 15 is presented in the direct line of vision of the passenger to the rear which increases the impact of the advert 15. Further, the support 10 at the rear of the device 8 is provided to help prevent breakage in case the device 8 is knocked. This section 10 is inserted through the moulded back 11 or otherwise attached to the moulded back 11, and rests against the back 3 of the seat 1. Without this support 10 the device 8 may be vulnerable to being snapped as a result of its shape.

Referring now to Figure 2b, there is shown the device 8 in Figure 2a from the view point of a passenger sitting in the seat behind that on which the device in mounted. From this view point it can be seen that the width of the display panel 12 and back section 11 are greater than the width of the brackets 9. This provides a large advertising area without consuming more of the grab handle 5 than is absolutely necessary. In fact, the part of the grab handle 5 between the brackets 9 remains available for use as a grab handle. As is also evident from this figure, the display panel 12 overlaps the back section 11 at the edges 22 of the device 8. This can be seen in the cross-section 23 and is intended to prevent the advert 15 from slipping out of or being removed from the sides 24 of the device 8. Essentially, once the advertising 15 is inserted and the locking plate 18 is in the locked position, the advert 15 cannot be tampered with unless the device 8 is damaged.

Referring now to Figure 3a, in another embodiment of the invention there is shown an device 25 for displaying advertisements 15 on seats 6 with headrests 7 but no grab handles 5. The device 25 comprises a bracket 26, a support 10, a back section 11, a front panel 32 and a display panel 12 inserted into the front panel 32, along with a means 27 for securing the device 25 to the headrest 7 and another 14 for locking the advertisement 15 inside the device 25. The only major structural diffcrence between this embodiment and that shown in Figure 2 is the bracket 26 and means 27 for securing the device 25 to the seat 6. Tn this embodiment, the device 25 is attached to the headrest 7 by a strap, which may comprise an adjustable band 28 which is looped around the headrest 7 itself or the headrest posts (not shown). The band 28, which may include a worm drive clip 29, is attached to the device 25 via protruding loops 30 on the bracket and is adjusted in length to fit neatly around the headrest or posts and then secured in place. In addition, the angle of the back panel 11 with respect to the bracket 26 is such that the advert 15 is presented in the direct line of vision of the passenger to the rear which increases the impact of the advert 15. The other device features are as described in the previous embodiment.

Referring to Figure 3c, there is shown an alternative arrangement of the hinges 16 and the support 10, the back section 11 and the front panel 32 being hinged at their respective lower edges.

Further, rather than the support 10 being a continuation of the back section 11, the support extends rearward from the back surface of the back section 11.

Referring now to Figure 3b, there is shown the device 25 in Figure 3a from the view point of a passenger sitting in the seat behind that on which the device is mounted. In this embodiment, the back section 11 is of the same as the width of the bracket 26. As is also evident from this figure, the front panel 12 overlaps the back section 11 at the edges 22 of the device 25. This can be seen in the cross-section 31 and is intended to prevent the advert 15 from slipping out of or being removed from the sides 24 of the device 25. Essentially, once the advertising 15 is inserted and the locking plate 18 is in the locked position, the advert 15 cannot be tampered with unless the device 25 is damaged.

Claims

Claims 1. An advertising display device attachable to a seat, comprising a bracket for attaching the device to the seat, and front and back panels of material between which an advertisement may be inserted, wherein the shape of the device is adapted such that when attached to the seat the front and back panels are inclined backward of the vertical with respect to the seat to which the device is attached, thereby presenting the advertisement to a passenger sitting in the seat directly behind the seat fitted with said device at a comfortable viewing angle.
2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the bracket attaches to a grab handle on the seat.
3. A device according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the shape of the bracket is adapted to accommodate the shape of the grab handle.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket incorporates a compressible lining material to take up any difference in shape between the bracket and the grab handle.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket is a loop of material that can be opened or closed.
6. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the bracket is attachable to a headrest on the seat.
7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein the bracket incorporates a band of adjustable length which may be looped around the headrest or headrest posts.
8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the band is a worm drive clip.
9. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a means for securing the device to the seat once the bracket is attached.
10. A device according to Claim 9, wherein the securing means are screws inserted in such a way that the loop of material according to Claim 5 may be opened or closed by loosening or tightening said screws respectively.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the front panel is attached to the back panel by hinges, such that the front panel is free to pivot about said hinges.
12. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a means for locking the front panel to the back panel, such that the front and back panels cannot be separated whilst the lock is in use.
13. A device according to Claim 12, wherein the locking means is a screw and plate mechanism, wherein a screw inserted through the front panel of the device connects to a plate, said plate housed in the space between the front and pack panels and free to rotate in this space.
14. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the width of the front and back panels is greater than the width of the bracket.
15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the front panel overlaps the back panel at the panel edges.
16. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a section of material at the rear of the device configured to rest against the back of the seat to which the device is attached.
17. An advertising display device substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.