DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Overview

[0032] The mounting display devices 10 , 100 and 200 for flags 20 F, pennants 120 P and banners 220 B of the first, second and third embodiments, respectively, of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 7 of the patent drawings. The mounting display device 10 of the first embodiment is mounted to a vehicle 12 , such that when the flag 20 F is magnetically attached to the vehicle 12 , the flag 20 F produces a “flying flag” effect when the vehicle 12 is moving, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings.

[0033] The mounting display device 100 of the second embodiment is mounted to a metal structure 14 , for example a football goalpost (see FIG. 4A ), a sailboat mast, metal decking or metal fencing (see FIG. 4B ), such that when the pennant(s) 120 P is magnetically attached to the metal structure 14 the prevailing wind will produce a “flying pennant” effect to the one or more pennants 120 P attached to the stationary metal structure 14 , as shown in FIG. 4A of the drawings.

[0034] The mounting display device 200 of the third embodiment is mounted to a metal structure 16 , for example a bridge or tunnel overpass (see FIG. 6A ), a metal facade and a lamp post (see FIG. 6B ) and the like, such that when the banner 220 B is magnetically attached to the bridge structure 16 the prevailing wind will also produce a “flying banner” effect to the banner 220 B attached to the bridge structure 16 , as depicted in FIG. 6A of the drawings. The banner 220 B can include indicia 18 for use in advertising, announcements and the like which can be easily secured and attached to such metal structures 16 .

[0035] The mounting display devices 10 , 100 and 200 use means for magnetically attaching the flag 20 F, the pennant 120 P or the banner 220 B to the vehicle 12 and/or metal structure 14 , 16 . The means for magnetically attaching include a pair of flexible rubberized magnetic strips or magnetic members 40 and 50 , or a single magnetic strip 140 or a rigid magnetic strip/bar 240 . The mounting display devices 10 , 100 and 200 can vary in overall size, shape, design, color and configuration depending upon its consumer/commercial use.

First Embodiment 10

[0036] The mounting display device 10 and its component parts of the first embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1, 1A , 1 B through 3 of the patent drawings. The mounting display device 10 is used in conjunction with a flag 20 F having a pair of magnetic strips 40 and 50 thereon for mounting the device 10 on to any type of vehicle 12 , such as cars (see FIG. 1B ), motorcycles, pick-up trucks, vans (see FIG. 1A ), SUVs, buses, RVs, tractor-trailers, car trailers and other magnetic surfaces so as to also hang the display device 10 vertically. The flag 20 F, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , includes a mounting section 22 positioned at the proximal end 24 of flag 20 F. The mounting section 22 includes a first mounting section contact side or first mounting side 26 , a second mounting section contact side or second mounting side 28 and perimeter edges 30 a , 30 b , 30 c and 30 d . Flag 20 F can have a geometric configuration selected form the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a semi-circle and a

[0037] polygon. The mounting section 22 has a substantially rectangular shape. The flag 20 F and mounting section 22 can be made from materials such as cotton, rayon, nylon, polyester, linen, felt, wool and combinations thereof.

[0038] The first magnetic strip 40 includes a first contact surface 42 , a second contact surface 44 and perimeter edges 46 a , 46 b , 46 c and 46 d . The first contact surface 42 can include securing means 48 thereon in the form of adhesives 48 a , glues 48 b , epoxy cements 48 c , laser welding/fusing 48 d , stapling 48 e , stitching 48 f or combinations thereof.

[0039] The second magnetic strip 50 includes a first contact surface 52 , a second contact surface 54 and perimeter edges 56 a , 56 b , 56 c and 56 d . The first contact surface 52 can also include the aforementioned securing means 48 in the form of adhesives 48 a , glues 48 b , epoxy cements 48 c , laser welding/fusing 48 d , stapling 48 e , stitching 48 f or combinations thereof. Each of the magnetic strips 40 and 50 has a substantially rectangular shape. Magnetic strips 40 and 50 can have other geometric shapes such as a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a semi-circle, an arc shape and other polygonal shapes, or non-geometric shapes.

[0040] In forming the mounting display device 10 , as shown in FIG. 3, a part or all of the first contact surface 42 of the first magnetic strip 40 having adhesive, glue or epoxy cement 48 a , 48 b or 48 c , respectively, thereon is then adhered to the first mounting side 26 of mounting section 22 , as defined by the perimeter edges 30 a to 30 d of mounting section 22 , and a part of the first contact surfaces 52 of the second magnetic strip 50 having adhesive, glue or epoxy cement 48 a , 48 b or 48 c thereon which is then adhered to the second mounting side 28 of mounting section 22 , as defined by the perimeter edges 30 a to 30 d of mounting section 22 . It is understood that the first contact surfaces 42 and 52 of magnetic strips 40 and 50 , respectively, can also be adhered or joined together by laser welding/fusing, stapling or stitching or combinations thereof. The aforementioned procedure encloses and layers the mounting section 22 between each of the magnetic members 40 and 50 , as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, thus forming the mounting display device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0041] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , an optimum width W _M of the magnetic strips 40 and 50 as compared to the width W _S of the mounting section 22 is used for maximizing the holding strength of the magnetic strips 40 and 50 on the moving vehicle 12 . This holding strength ratio of W _M to W _S has a ratio of 4:1. For example, if mounting section 22 has a width measurement W _S of 1 inch, the width measurement of W _M of magnetic strips 40 and 50 has a width measurement W _M of 4 inches, as depicted in FIG. 3 .

Second Embodiment 100

[0042] The mounting display device 100 and its component parts of the second embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 4, 4A , 4 B and 5 of the patent drawings. The mounting display device 100 is used in conjunction with a pennant 120 P having a single magnetic strip/magnetic member 140 thereon for mounting the device 100 onto a metal structure 14 , such as a goalpost (see FIG. 4A ), a metal fence (see FIG. 4B ), metal decking and the like. The pennant 120 P, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , includes a mounting section 122 positioned at a proximal end 124 of pennant 120 P. The mounting section 122 includes a first mounting side 126 , a second mounting side 128 and perimeter edges 130 a , 130 b , 130 c and 130 d.

[0043] The magnetic member 140 includes a first contact surface 142 , a second contact surface 144 and perimeter edges 146 a , 146 b , 146 c and 146 d . The first contact surface 142 can also include securing means 48 thereon in the form of adhesives 48 a , glues 48 b , epoxy cement 48 c , laser welding/fusing 48 d , stapling 48 e , stitching 48 f or combinations thereof. Magnetic member 140 has a substantially rectangular shape. Magnetic member 140 can have other geometric shapes such as a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a semi-circle, an arc shape and other polygonal shapes, or non-geometric shapes.

[0044] In forming the mounting display device 100 , as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 , a part or all of the first contact surface 142 of the magnetic member 140 having securing means 48 thereon (such as staples 48 e and/or stitching 48 f ) is then attached and connected to the first mounting side 126 of mounting section 122 of pennant 120 P as defined by the perimeter edges 130 a to 130 d of mounting section 122 . It is understood that the second contact surface 144 of magnetic member 140 can have the aforementioned securing means 48 thereon and attached/adhered to the second mounting side 128 of mounting section 12 of pennant 120 P instead of using the first mounting side 126 of mounting section 122 . The aforementioned procedure layers one of the mounting sides 126 or 128 of mounting section 122 to either one of the contact surfaces 142 or 144 of magnetic member 140 , as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 , thus forming the mounting display device 100 in a single continuous layered structure 102 .

Third Embodiment 200

[0045] The mounting display device 200 and its component parts of the third embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 6, 6A , 6 B and 7 of the patent drawings. The mounting display device 200 is used in conjunction with a banner 220 B having a single, rigid magnetic strip/bar member 240 thereon for mounting the device 200 to a metal structure 16 , such as a bridge overpass (see FIG. 6A ), a metal facade of a building, a lamp post (see FIG. 6B ) and the like. The banner 220 B, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , includes a mounting section 222 positioned at a proximal end 224 of banner 220 B. The mounting section 222 includes a first mounting side 226 , a second mounting side 228 and perimeter edges 230 a , 230 b , 230 c and 230 d.

[0046] The rigid magnetic bar member 240 includes a first contact wall surface 242 , a second contact wall surface 244 and perimeter edges 246 a , 246 b , 246 c and 246 d . The first contact wall surface 242 also includes securing means 48 thereon in the form of adhesives 48 a , glues 48 b , epoxy cements 48 c , laser welding/fusing 48 d or combinations thereof.

[0047] In forming the mounting display device 200 , as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a part or all of the first contact wall surface 242 of magnetic bar member 240 includes adhesive 48 a , glue 48 b or epoxy cement 48 c thereon is then adhered to the first mounting side 226 of mounting section 222 , as defined by the perimeter edges 230 a to 230 d of mounting section 222 . In an alternate configuration (not shown), the first contact wall surface 242 of magnetic bar member 240 is fused or laser welded 48 d to the first mounting side 226 of mounting section 22 , as defined by the perimeter edges 230 a to 230 d of mounting section 222 . Also, the first contact wall surface 242 of magnetic bar member 240 can be adhered and/or fused with either of the mounting sides 226 or 228 of mounting section 222 . The aforementioned procedure layers one of the mounting sides 226 or 228 of mounting section 222 to either one of the contact wall surfaces 242 or 244 of magnetic bar member 240 , as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 , thus forming the mounting display device 200 in a double layered laminated composite structure 202 . Magnetic bar 240 can have other geometric shapes such as a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a semi-circle, an arc shape and other polygonal shapes, or non-geometric shapes.

Operation of the Present Invention

[0048] In operating the mounting display devices 10 , 100 and 200 of the present invention, the user simply cleans a surface area 12 s on vehicle 12 or a surface area 14 s or 16 s on metal structures 14 or 16 in which to better adhere the contact surfaces 54 , 142 or 244 of magnetic members 50 , 140 or 240 , respectively, to the aforementioned vehicle 12 or metal structures 14 , 16 . If the vehicle 12 , or metal structures 14 or 16 have a curved surface 12 s , 14 s or 16 s the magnetic members 40 , 50 and 140 are flexibly received to that contoured and curved surface 12 s or 14 s , such that the contact surface 54 or 142 of magnetic members 50 or 140 are in full contact (flush) with surfaces 12 s or 14 s of vehicle 12 or metal structure 14 , respectively, as depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B , 4 A and 4 B. The user now simply applies and adheres the contact surfaces 54 , 144 or 244 of magnetic members+ 50, 140 or 240 to the appropriate location/position on the vehicle surface 12 s or metal structure surface 14 s or 16 s in which to detachably mount and display the flag 20 F, the pennant 120 P or the banner 220 B appropriately on vehicle 12 or metal structures 14 or 16 , as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B , 4 A, 4 B, 6 A and 6 B of the drawings. When removing the above mounting display devices 10 , 100 or 200 , the user simply dislodges the contact surface 54 , 142 or 244 of magnetic members 50 , 140 or 240 from the surfaces 12 s , 14 s or 16 s of the vehicle 12 , or metal structures 14 or 16 , respectively.

Advantages of the Present Invention

[0049] Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device for flags, banners, pennants, ensigns, pennons, and the like having magnetic members thereon for mounting on vehicles and other metallic structures.

[0050] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device having each of the magnetic members being attached by securing means to each of the mounting section surfaces at one end of the flag.

[0051] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device that allows the magnetic members to be attached to the mounting section surfaces of the flag by securing means in the form of adhesives, glues, epoxy cements, laser welding, stapling, stitching and fusing or as a lamination in order to make the magnetic member(s) an integral part of the construction.

[0052] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device that allows the stitching of the magnetic member(s) to the flag and/or other types of displays.

[0053] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device that uses a magnetic member(s) in the form of a flexible rubberized magnetic strip(s) or a rigid magnetized bar/strip(s) for attaching to the mounting section surface(s) of the flag.

[0054] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device that allows the magnetic members to be magnetically attached to the vehicle which then produces a “flying flag” effect when the vehicle is moving.

[0055] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a mounting display device of varying sizes, shapes, designs and configuration for use on cars, motorcycles, pick-up trucks, vans, SUVs, buses, tractor trailers, as well as for use on metal doors, ceilings and posts.

[0056] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device is capable of withstanding everyday wear and tear, easy to use and is aesthetically pleasing when mounted to the vehicle or other metal structure as well as eliminating the use of tape, wire or string to display and then remove without leaving marks or mars.

[0057] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an interchangeable advertising device on vehicles, store fronts and other metal structures.

[0058] A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a mounting display device that can be mass produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the consumer, and used as a device to display their beliefs.

[0059] A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.