WO2013073953A1

WO2013073953A1 - Advertising and storage device

Info

Publication number: WO2013073953A1
Application number: PCT/NO2012/050227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harald HESTHOLM
Original assignee: Hestholm Harald
Priority date: 2011-11-18
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2013-05-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to an advertising and storage device (1) to be mounted on a pole (7), such as a beach parasol or umbrella, with an exterior surface with one or more advertising/branding areas (4). The device (1) includes a storage box with a first opening for a pole (7), a fastening device (5) in the lower portion of said storage box for fastening the device to the pole (7), and a lid or door component (2) with a second opening for the pole (7).

Description

Advertising and Storage Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a secure storage box combined with an exterior surface for advertising, to be mounted on a pole.

Background of the Invention

On many beaches, umbrellas are provided for the use of guests or public visitors. Umbrellas often have advertising material printed on the exterior of the umbrella fabric, however this is not in the view of the guest sitting under the umbrella. It is advantageous to provide a platform for advertising to be mounted on the pole in the shade of the umbrella and in view of the guest.

Often no storage areas are available on a beach. Personal items must be left unprotected on a beach chair or in a personal backpack etc. It is highly preferred that personal items (eg mobile phones, wallets) are concealed from general view, and even better if they can be secured to a larger item that is difficult to remove (such as the beach umbrella). Backpacks and bags must generally be placed on the sand or on the user's chair, it would be an advantage to suspend them above the sand to keep them as clean as possible.

From WO 00/58588 there is known a safety container for beach umbrellas. The container includes a circular top portion and a corresponding bottom portion that are mounted around the umbrella pole. The portions fit together to form an internal chamber.

Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose device that can be mounted on a pole (primarily the central pole of a beach umbrella) combining both an area for the storage of personal items and a surface for advertising material. This is achieved in a device as defined in the appended claims. In particular, the invention includes an advertising and storage device to be mounted on a pole with an exterior surface with one or more advertising/branding areas, said device including a storage box with an upper portion and a lower portion, at least one side wall and a bottom wall closing the lower portion of the storage box, the bottom wall including a first opening for the pole, a fastening device in the lower portion of said storage box for fastening the device to the pole, and a removable lid or door component for closing the upper portion of the storage box, the lid or door component including a second opening for the pole. The storage box includes at least two identical or nearly identical base components mounted together enclosing the pole.

Advertising printed on the umbrella's exposed fabric surface is often subject to degradation by the sun (fading). Placing an advertising platform under the umbrella will provide protection from the sun's rays. The advertising platform of the current invention provides space for one or more advertising panels, and allows for easy exchange of these panels. It is intended that the advertising material be printed on either plastic or paper panels, and that these can be inserted into recesses in the device. Removal of these panels should require the removal of the device's lid, it then being possible to slide the panels vertically upwards. A puzzle system may be employed, with tabs on the advertising panels sliding into slots in the storage device to hold them fast.

The device also functions as a storage area for personal items. In the simplest form the storage area has a lid or door that will hide these items, but does not secure them beyond that. In a more advanced form a locking device is utilized to secure the lid or door with the items secured inside the storage area. Thus the user/guest can leave the items there temporarily while swimming for example. The umbrella can of course be stolen as a whole unit, or the storage device destroyed and opened, however the likelihood of casual theft is greatly reduced. A false or intermediate floor is employed to prevent personal items being placed so deep within the storage area that the user has trouble removing them.

The device is configured such that it is mounted on the umbrella by aligning the central hole with the umbrella pole, and sliding the device on to the desired height on the pole. The device will then be fixed in place by a clamping system or other method as described below. A hook device is included to allow the user to hang bags/towels/clothing etc from the device to keep them free of sand or allow them to dry.

It is envisaged that the advertising storage device can be used in many different markets, for example beach umbrellas, golf green hole marker poles, tent/pavilion support struts, and lighting poles.

Brief Description of the Drawings Further features and advantages of the inventive advertising and storage device will appear from the appended drawings, in which :

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the advertising storage device mounted on a pole in its closed position,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the advertising storage device mounted on a pole in its open position,

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the advertising storage device box,

Fig. 4 is a partial exploded view of a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5 shows a detail view of the hoseclamp mounting arrangement of said second embodiment,

Fig. 6 is a partial exploded view of a third embodiment of the invention including a lid with locking arrangement,

Fig. 7 is a top view of a lid with locking arrangement in the locked position,

Fig. 8 is an underside view of a lid with locking arrangement in the locked position,

Fig. 9 is a top view of a lid with locking arrangement in the unlocked position, Fig. 10 is an underside view of a lid with locking arrangement in the unlocked position. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

In its preferred embodiment the advertising storage device is comprised of four main components and four advertising panels mounted on the outside surfaces. Fig 1 shows the storage device 1 mounted in its η-use' position on a pole 7. The enclosed storage area is achieved by assembling a pair of base components 3 against each other to create a storage space enclosed on all but one side. The assembled base components 3 form a storage space with at least one side wall and a bottom wall. In the bottom wall there is a first central opening for the pole. A lid or door component 2 provides the means to seal the storage area, protecting any items placed in this interior space from view and protecting them from the outdoor elements and sand. The lid includes a second central opening for the pole. A locking device 6 may be utilized to lock the lid 2 to the base components 3. In this embodiment the locking device is removable and of the type commonly referred to as a 'padlock'. In this embodiment a hook component 5 (locking ring) is used to both affix the entire device to the central pole 7, and also to provide hook protrusions that the user may utilize to hang items such as bags, towels and clothes from. Large shallow recesses 3C are provided on the outer surfaces of the base 3 components to accommodate the insertion of four advertising panels 4.

Fig 2 shows the advertising storage device 1 with lock 6 removed and lid 2 raised to allow the insertion or removal of items in the storage area.

Fig 3 shows an exploded view of the advertising storage device 1. In this embodiment the locking system is achieved as follows. A recess 2A is incorporated in lid 2 to create an overlapping area that shrouds a protrusion 3D from part 3. A hole 2B that travels through the outer walls of part 2 on the recess side aligns with a similar hole positioned through the protrusion 3D in part 3. This allows the insertion of a padlock or other removable locking system through the assembly of parts 2 and 3, and prevents the lid 2 from being opened. A protrusion 2C extends downwards from the top surface of lid 2, and sits closely around the pole 7. This means a single locking point can be sufficient to prevent a vertical disengagement of the lid 2 from the base 3. It is also possible to create protrusion 2C in a conical form, with vertical slits to allow an interference fit around the central pole 7. This allows the lid 2 to be raised, and left at a height above the lower half of the device while the user places or removes items from inside the storage area. Other embodiments are envisaged whereby the lock can be integrated into either the lid 2 or base 3 construction, as a non-removable part of the device. It is advantageous that lid 2 extends beyond and over the top edge of parts 3 so that it aids in preventing the ingress of sand and water inside the storage area.

Two examples of base part 3 are assembled against each other as shown and affixed to each other with screws 8. It is also possible to affix these parts by another method, for example ultrasonic welding, glue or a barbed snap locking system. It is also envisaged that the enclosed area created by assembling parts 3 could be achieved with a single 'bucket' type open topped moulding that would replace parts 3.

In this embodiement a hook component 5 is used to both affix the entire device to the central pole 7, and also to provide hook protrusions 5A that the user may utilize to hang items such as bags, towels and clothes from. In this embodiment, where two identical base components 3 are assembled to each other to form a storage area, a threaded protrusion 3A provides a threaded cylinder, extruding below the main storage area. Hook 5 contains a centrally threaded hole 5B that can be screwed onto the threaded protrusion 3A to tighten and lock the device at a preferred position on the central pole. In this embodiment where two identical components 3 are assembled and provide the threaded protrusion 3A, it is important that the thread is pitched so that the pitch is half that employed in hook 5B, or vice versa. A sleeve part 9 sits within the threaded protrusion 3A, providing a higher level of friction against the central pole 7, and also allowing the device to be mounted on poles of differing diameter. Several sleeve parts 9 of differing thickness may be provided with the device to function with very much larger or smaller diameters of pole 7. The sleeve part 9 is produced in a soft, high friction material, for example silicone, thermoplastic elastomer or other rubberlike material. It is also envisaged that an alternative mounting system can be employed, utilising for example a hose clamp or a set or grub screw to affix the device 1 at the desired height. Other possible mounting systems are screw/band, spring or hose type clamps. Alternatively, an over centre cam clamp system could be employed to set the device at the desired height on the pole 7. The device may also be mounted on the pole by means of friction, press or interference fit.

It is also possible to integrate the function of hook 5 into part 3, by moulding hook protrusion at either the base or top of part 3. This will reduce the number of component parts, but may complicate the moulding process more than desired. Base part 3 also contains a false floor level 3B that prevents items placed inside from falling deeper into the storage area and beyond the user's reach. Floor 3B has the additional function of stabilizing the device around the pole 7 and preventing lateral swaying of the device 1. Two recesses 3C are provided on the outer surfaces of the base 3 components to accommodate the insertion of advertising panels 4. These recesses 3C prevent the accidental removal of the advertising panels due to the user inadvertently knocking the device. Advertising panel 4 has a series of puzzle type tabs 4A on two sides. Four slots 3E are provided in the sides of each recess to allow the insertion of tabs 4A into these slots, thus holding the panels in position. Once lid 2 is assembled into its closed position, the top portion of advertising panel 4 is inaccessible, and thus the panels 4 are fixed in place. It is advantageous that the assembly screws 8 are hidden by the advertising panels 4 and inaccessible until these panels are removed. In this embodiment, advertising panels 4 would be created in a sun/element resistant plastic, and would be printed on the inside or outside surface with advertising/branding material. It is envisaged that these panels 4 could also be produced in card or paper and coated to protect them from the elements. It is also envisaged that the panels 4 could be produced in a clear plastic, designed to protect a printed paper advertising panel positioned behind the clear plastic. In yet another possible embodiment, parts 3 can be moulded in a transparent plastic, and the advertising panels 4 positioned inside the storage space, and thus protected from the elements. It would also be possible to replace panels 4 with adhesive backed advertising material, although this is not preferred as it becomes more difficult to exchange the advertising content. It is also possible to employ a mounting system whereby one or more screws are used to fasten the base components 3 directly to the pole. These would be positioned so as to be hidden and inaccessible when the advertising panels 4 are mounted to the base components 3. This increases the inherent security of the device in that the lid 2 must first be unlocked before it is possible to loosen the device from the central pole 7.

Fig. 4 illustrates a partial exploded view of a second embodiment of the invention wherein the base components 3 of the storage box are fastened to the pole with hose clamps 10, 11. The base component 3 includes a false bottom 3B designed with a recess 3F shaped to accept and hold a central mounting component 12. The central mounting component 12 includes a series of slotted protrusions 13 arrayed around a central hole for the pole. A first hose clamp 10 is mounted around these protrusions 13. A second example of this same assembly of component 12 and hoseclamp 10 is utilized again, closer to the base of the storage box, in the inverted position. The base component 3 is equipped with several ribs 3G that hold the second central mounting component 12 fixed in position. An advantage of this arrangement is that due to the slotted nature of the protrusion 13 the central hole for the pole 7 can adapt to match differing pole diameters. A further advantage is that the pole will remain centralized within the array of slotted protrusion 13, thus keeping the storage box 1 aligned with the pole. The base component is equipped with holes 19, 20 for accessing the hose clamps. In this embodiement it is envisaged that the assembled storage box would be threaded onto the pole, and that the hoseclamps 10 would be tightened to fix the storage box to the pole at the desired height. Once the hoseclamps have been tightened, the advertising panels 4 can be inserted, thus covering the holes 19, 20 and making them inaccesable to prevent removal of the storage box. It is also envisaged that in some situations a single hoseclamp may provide sufficient retention, and that the second lower example of component 12 would be utilized without a hoseclamp. In this scenario the second component 12 would be assembled in the same orientation as the first example above (not inverted.) In this embodiement hooks 5 have been replaced with an integrated hook 3H moulded into the form of base component 3. Two additional screws 16 are used at the base of hooks 3H to strengthen the assembly.

Fig. 5 shows a detail view of the hoseclamp mounting arrangement of this second embodiment, with the hoseclamp 10 assembled to component 12. The hose clamp 10 is held between hooks 14 and stops 15. In a third embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 6 - 10, it is envisaged that an additional rotating disc component could be added inside the lid to create additional locking points around the underside of the lid. In this embodiment the padlock could be inserted through a slot 27 in the rotating disc 21, and further through the lid 2 and base parts 3 to add an additional level of security. By this means it would be increasingly difficult to pry the lid open from the outside. The rotating disc 21 is mounted to the lid with screws 22 through spacer 17 and so through arched slots 23, 24. Spacer 22 could alternatively be formed as a flat washer. The arched slots 23 & 24 define the movement of disc 21. Guide ribs 32 are formed into the underside of lid 2 further aid and constrain the discs rotation around the central hole. The disc 21 includes locking lugs 25, 26 adapted to engage matching lugs 18 in each of the base components 3. The disc is operated (rotated) by means of a tab 29 at the rim of the disc. The tab 29 is accessible through an opening 30 in the lid 2. The padlock is inserted through the slot 27 and hole 28 in the lid (and a corresponding hole in the storage box). The disc 21 is preferably of metal construction, but will also function if formed in plastic or similar material. In this embodiement an additional hole 31 has been included in each of the base

components 3 to allow the user to insert a finger and thus help in removing and exchanging the advertising material.

The embodiments above describe the storage device suited to four panels of advertising material 4. It is envisaged that the device could also be successfully produced to suit for example, three or five such panels, or alternatively with a single large conical/cylindrical outer surface to maximize the possible display area . Further an embodiement comprising two curved convex outer panels is also possible.

Additionally, it is envisaged that a battery powered light source could be inserted into the storage opening, and used to illuminate the advertising panels from within. This would be not be necessary during the day and normal use, however could be very effective advertising during twilight and evening use. Alternatively the light source could be solar powered to charge during the day and illuminate at night. This could be realized by mounting a solar panel composed of one or more solar cells on the storage device. The solar panels could charge an electric storage device, such as a battery or large capacitor, for powering a light source.

In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the openings for the pole are placed central in the storage device and lid. Optionally, the openings may be placed asymmetric (eccentric), i.e. towards one of the sides, in order to provide a larger continuous storage space. It is also possible to assemble the storage box from more than two base components.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. An advertising and storage device to be mounted on a pole with an exterior surface with one or more advertising/branding areas, said device including a storage box (1) with an upper portion and a lower portion, at least one side wall and a bottom wall closing the lower portion of the storage box, the bottom wall including a first opening for the pole (7), a fastening device (3A, 5, 12) in the lower portion of said storage box (1) for fastening the device to the pole (7), and a removable lid or door component (2) for closing the upper portion of the storage box, the lid or door component including a second opening (2C) for the pole (7), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the storage box (1) includes at least two identical or nearly identical base components (3) mounted together enclosing the pole.

2. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1 wherein the lid or door component (2) can be secured with a removable or integrated locking device (6).

3. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1 wherein the locking device includes a rotating disc (21) inside the lid, said locking disc including locking lugs (25, 26) adapted to engage matching lugs (18) in the storage box.

4. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1 wherein the fastening device includes a locking ring (5) adapted to engage a threaded screw (3A) integrated in the base components.

5. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1 wherein the fastening device includes a mounting component (12) surrounding an opening for the pole (7), the mounting component being fastened to one or more of the base components (3), a hose clamp (10) surrounding the mounting component clamping the base components to the pole.

6. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1 wherein the box is fastened to the pole by means of a set or grub screw, a screw/band combination, a spring, wire or eccentric cam clamp.

7. An advertising and storage device according to one of the preceding claims wherein the locking ring (5) or the base components (3) includes one or more protruding hooks (5A, 3H).

8. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1 wherein said first and second openings are arranged centrally or asymmetrically in the storage device.

9. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1, wherein said storage box (1) includes recesses (3C) for accommodating one or more interchangeable advertising panels (4), the advertising panels being held fixed by the lid or door component (2) when this is in a closed position.

10. An advertising and storage device according to claim 9, wherein said panels (4) are made in a transparent material and wherein advertising information is printed on said panels, or on sheets to be located behind said panels.

11. An advertising and storage device according to claim 1, wherein a light source is arranged to illuminate said advertising/branding areas from within the storage box.

12. An advertising and storage device according to claim 11, wherein a solar panel is arranged to charge an electric storage device, the electric storage device powering the light source in the absence of external light.

13. An advertising and storage device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the fastening device is mounted inside the storage box making the fastening

inaccessible when the lid or door is locked to the storage box.