WO2000016295A2

WO2000016295A2 - Attention drawing device

Info

Publication number: WO2000016295A2
Application number: PCT/US1999/021283
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ike Chris
Original assignee: Ike Chris
Priority date: 1998-09-17
Filing date: 1999-09-17
Publication date: 2000-03-23
Also published as: AU6250699A; WO2000016295A3

Abstract

An attention drawing device (14) includes a body (18) and a sleeve (22). The sleeve (22) is attached to the body (18) and configured to mount onto a support (16). In a preferred embodiment, the attention drawing device (14) includes an inflatable body (18) having an internal sleeve (22) configured to mount onto an antenna (16) of a vehicle. The device (14) is particularly suitable for drawing the attention of potential buyers to the sales lot of an automobile dealership.

Description

Title of the Invention

ATTENTION DRAWING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

There are an infinite number of situations in which it is desirous to draw the attention of others. For example, sellers desire to draw the attention of potential buyers.

Persons in distress desire to draw the attention of rescuers. Children of all ages enjoy toys which attract the attention of other children and adults. The present invention is directed to a device for drawing attention.

Background of the Invention

In today's marketplace, there is an abundance of advertising. To remain

competitive, a seller of goods and/or services must constantly be looking for new and cost

effective ways to attract the attention of buyers.

Automobile dealers have used many methods to attract buyers to the sales lot.

Since the general configuration of an automobile is relatively constant, the simple side-by-

side arrangement of vehicles on the dealership sales lot provides an aesthetically pleasing site which may attract some customers. Another manner in which buyers are attracted to the sales lot is through the use of items which indicate that a celebration or sale is taking place. For example, oftentimes a rope carrying pennants of different colors is suspended

along the perimeter of the dealership. Some dealerships even employ the services of a costumed individual to stand and wave in front of the dealership as an attraction to draw in passers by. Examples of such costumes include the 500 pound gorilla and, more conventionally, the clown.

Another device popular among dealerships for attracting potential buyers is the

balloon. Typically, helium filled balloons are tied down at many different sites throughout the dealership. It is common for dealerships to tie a helium filled balloon to the same location on each vehicle in the sales lot, thereby creating a uniform display which complements the side-by-side arrangement of the vehicles discussed above.

However, there are a number of problems with the use of helium filled balloons. For example, since each balloon must be filled with helium, a tank of helium must be maintained at the dealership. Second, each balloon must be individually filled from the

tank. Third, the process of securing a tie to the balloon and then to a vehicle is tedious and

time consuming. Fourth, helium filled balloons are typically configured for a single time

use only. Fifth, the cost of helium adds to the expense of using helium filled balloons.

Summary of the Invention

It is a first object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device. It is a second object of the present invention to provide an improved attention

drawing device.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device which may be configured for a multitude of purposes.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device

for use by sellers to draw the attention of potential buyers.

It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device

which is configured for use on an automobile dealership.

It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device

for use by a person in distress.

It is a seventh object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device which is configured for use as a toy.

It is an eighth object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing

device including a sleeve configured to mount onto a support.

It is a ninth object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device which is configured to mount onto an antenna. It is a tenth object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing device including a body and a sleeve which is configured to mount onto a support.

It is an eleventh object of the present invention to provide an attention drawing

device including an inflatable body and an internal sleeve defining a longitudinal axis of

said body and having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion of the sleeve including a first rim portion which is attached to an inner surface of the device and the bottom portion of the sleeve including a second rim portion which is attached to the inner surface of the device.

It is a twelfth object of the present invention to provide a method of drawing

attention to a vehicle including the step of sliding an internal sleeve of an inflatable body of an attention drawing device onto at least a portion of an antenna of the vehicle to removably mount the device thereto.

The present invention provides an attention drawing device. In a preferred

embodiment, an attention drawing device according to the present invention includes an inflatable body and an internal sleeve defining a longitudinal axis of the body. Preferably, a set of streamers extends from the bottom of the device.

The attention drawing device of the present invention is preferably used to attract

the attention of potential buyers to vehicles on the sales lot of an automobile dealership.

The inflatable body of the device is inflated and the sleeve of the device is slid over the antenna of a vehicle. The depth to which the sleeve is mounted onto the antenna is preferably adjusted such that the bottom edge of the streamers contact the surface of the vehicle proximal to the antenna base.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig.1 shows a preferred embodiment of an attention drawing device according to the present invention in use on a vehicle.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 4 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the top portion of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of an attention drawing device according to the present invention. Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an attention drawing device according

to the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of an attention drawing device according

to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of an attention drawing device 14

according to the present invention. In Fig. 1, device 14 is shown in use on a vehicle 10,

specifically, an automobile. Generally, an attention drawing device 14 according to the

present invention includes a body 18 and mounting structure 20 for mounting device 14

to a support, preferably, an antenna 16.

The preferred embodiment of an attention drawing device 14 according to the

present invention shown in Figs. 1-3 includes a body 18 shaped substantially similarly to

an aerial passenger balloon and configured to be manually inflatable. A pullout "beach

ball" type valve 36 is preferably provided near the top of body 18 as shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Figs. 1-5, device 14 is provided with mounting structure in the form of an internal sleeve 22 which is configured to receive at least a portion of an antenna 16 as shown in detail in Fig. 3. As is further shown in Figs. 1-3, device 14 is preferably configured such that a longitudinal axis 38 thereof is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of antenna 16 when device 14 is mounted thereon.

Device 14 is also preferably provided with streamers 24 connected to and

extending from the bottom thereof. Note that streamers 24 are configured to surround

antenna 16 and to contact the surface 24 of vehicle 10 proximal to antenna base 28. Thus, when device 14 is mounted to antenna 16 according to the present invention, view of

antenna 16 and antenna base 28 is at least partially, and preferably, fully obstructed, thereby creating a display to the effect that the aerial shaped passenger balloon shaped body 18 is aloft and unsupported by preferably unseen antenna 18. An attention drawing device 14 so configured and mounted is particularly suitable for drawing the attention of

potential customers, in an aesthetically pleasing manner, to the sales lot of an automobile

dealership.

As shown in the exploded view of Fig. 2, body 18 of device 14 is preferably

composed of sections 30. Each section 30 is preferably constructed from a separate sheet

of vinyl and each sheet 30 is configured such that when connected side by side, body 18

takes the shape of an aerial passenger balloon as further shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Preferably, alternately colored sections 30 are heat welded together at the edges 32 thereof to form an airtight seal 34 therebetween, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Sleeve 22 of device 14 is also preferably made of vinyl. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and in detail in Fig. 4, a top portion 42 of sleeve 22 includes a cuff portion 44 which defines a rim portion 46. Note from Fig. 4 that rim portion 46 provides a large amount of surface area for heat welding sleeve 22 to a center portion 50 of a vinyl disk shaped top joiner portion 40, to provide an improved surface for creating an airtight seal

therebetween.

Top joiner portion 40 creates an end wall 41 to the passageway 62 defined by sleeve 22. As shown in Fig. 3 end wall 41 may contact antenna head 68 to prevent device 14 from moving excessively in one direction axially relative to antenna 16. In other

words, end wall 41 prevents device 14 from "sliding down" antenna 16.

As further shown in detail in Fig. 4, a top end portion 48 of each body section 30 is heat welded to an edge portion 52 of joiner portion 50. A substantial overlap of each top end portion 48 over joiner edge portion 52 is provided for allowing "rough cutting" of the edge 49 of each top end portion 48 and for ensuring that the heat weld

therebetween is of sufficient surface area to provide an air tight seal. Note that the top

portion of device 14, specifically, of body 18 is configured to have a radius of curvature

consistent with that of an aerial passenger balloon.

The details of the construction of the bottom portion of device 14 are shown in

Figs. 2 and 3 and in detail in Fig. 5. A bottom portion 54 of sleeve 22 includes a cuff portion 44 which defines a rim portion 46. A first bottom joiner portion 56 includes a circular hole 58. Bottom portion 54 of sleeve 22, and specifically, rim portion 46 thereof

is heat welded to first bottom joiner portion 56 such that circular hole 58 communicates with sleeve passageway 60. Each section 30 of body section 18 further includes a bottom

portion 62 which, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, overlaps the outer surface of first bottom

joiner portion 56 and is heat welded to an edge portion thereof so as not to interfere with

circular hole 58. Note that each bottom portion 62 is configured such that when device

14 is constructed, a substantially flat end face 70 of device 14 is formed when the same

is inflated, as shown in Fig 5.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, device 14 further includes a second bottom joiner

portion 72 having a circular hole 74. Second bottom joiner portion 72 is heat welded to

the outer surface of each bottom portion 62 of sections 30. Vinyl streamers 24 are heat

welded to second bottom joiner portion 72 to complete the construction of device 14.

Note that streamers 24 are provided in pairs, specifically, one strip of vinyl is used to create two streamers 24 thus allowing for greater vinyl surface area to be utilized in heat welding each streamer forming strip to second bottom joiner portion 72. A circular hole

76 provided through each streamer forming strip communicates with circular hole 74,

circular hole 58, and ultimately with sleeve passageway 60 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

In use, valve 36 is opened and air is introduced to body 18, either manually or with the aid of an inflation device, so as to inflate body 18. The device is then placed in

position proximal to an antenna. Specifically and as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, circular hole 76 is placed onto antenna head 68. Device 14 is then moved such that antenna head 68

passes through hole 74, hole 58 and into sleeve 16. The extent to which antenna 16 is inserted into sleeve 22 is preferably adjusted, as discussed above, such that the end of each streamer 24 contacts the surface of the vehicle proximal to antenna base 28. Preferably, sufficient air pressure is created within device 14 such that the outer surface of sleeve 22

is substantially compressed against the surface of antenna 16, thereby preventing device 14 from moving out of the preferred position.

The present invention thus provides an aesthetically pleasing attention drawing

device which is particularly suitable for attracting the attention of potential buyers to the sales lot of an automobile dealership. However, it is important to note that an attention drawing device 14 according to the present invention may be configured for other purposes wherein it is desirous to attract the attention of others. For example, an

attention drawing device according to the present invention may be configured so as to function as a beacon for a motorist in duress. Specifically, body 18 of device 14 may be provided with a large display of the word, "HELP", for example, or as another example,

device 14 may be provided with a battery operated light (not shown) within sleeve 22. As another example, body 18 may be configured for use on a parade vehicle or an ice

cream truck..

Further, device 14 need not be mounted onto an automobile antenna. For example, device 14 may be mounted onto any suitable antenna like support, for example, onto a wooden dowel or rod for use by a child as an attention drawing device to prevent

the child from being lost in a crowd and/or for use as a toy. As another example, device 14 may be configured for use as a campaign banner. As still another example, an attention drawing device according to the present invention may be mounted to a support proximal to a parcel of real estate for sale to draw attention to the parcel.

It is important to note that an attention drawing device according to the present

invention may have other configurations. For example, body 18 may have other shapes for, example, spherical, or polygonal. Body 18 also need not necessarily be made of vinyl, for example, body 18 may be constructed of other materials such as plastic.

Further, body 18 need not necessarily be inflatable. For example, body 18 may be

configured to be a semi-rigid to rigid structure. As another example, body 18 may be configured to be foam filled.

For the purposes of illustration various other possible embodiments of an attention

drawing device according to the present invention are shown in Figs. 6 - 7. Fig. 6 shows a set of two (2) attention drawing devices 141 according to the present invention mounted

onto an antenna 16 of an automobile. The body 181 of each device 141 is provided in a

spherical configuration. Further, sleeve 221 of each device 141 is integral to body 181

and is provided with an opening at both the top and bottom thereof.

Another alternative embodiment of an attention drawing device 142 according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 7. Attention drawing device 142 includes a rigid sleeve 222 having an open bottom end and a closed top end. Sleeve 222 is connected externally to a non-spherically shaped body 182. Note that the attention drawing devices shown in Figs. 6 and 7 do not include streamers according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of an attention drawing device 143 according to the present invention including a spherical body 183 and a sleeve 223 which partially extends into body 183. Note that a super support 161 is provided for mounting

multiple attention drawing devices 143 at an elevation greater than that of antenna head

68. Specifically, note that antenna head 68 is allowed to penetrate super support 161 only

to internal stop 80.

Although there has been hereinabove described an attention drawing device in

accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it will be appreciated that the invention is not

limited thereto. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations, or equivalent

arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art should be considered to be within

the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. An attention drawing device, comprising:

a body; and,

a sleeve attached to said body and configured to mount onto a support.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said sleeve is internal to said body.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said sleeve defines a longitudinal axis of said body.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said sleeve includes a first end which is open and a second end which is

closed.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein

a top portion of said sleeve includes a first rim portion which is attached

to an inner surface of said body and a bottom portion of said sleeve includes a second rim

portion which is attached to an inner surface of said body.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said first end of said sleeve is open and said second end of said sleeve is open.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said sleeve is integral to said body.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said sleeve is externally attached to said body.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said sleeve is rigid.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said body is inflatable and includes a valve for filling and emptying said

body.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein

said outer surface of said sleeve is compressed against said support when said body is inflated for maintaining said device in position on said support.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein

at least one streamer is attached to said body.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said support is an antenna.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein

said support is a rod.

15. A method of drawing attention to a vehicle, comprising the step of:

sliding an internal sleeve of an inflatable body onto at least a portion of an

antenna of said vehicle to removably mount said inflatable body thereto.