GB2471023A

GB2471023A - Advertising bike / cycle with electronic display

Info

Publication number: GB2471023A
Application number: GB1009799A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Taylor
Original assignee: MEDIA DISPLAYS Ltd
Current assignee: MEDIA DISPLAYS Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-12
Filing date: 2010-06-11
Publication date: 2010-12-15
Also published as: GB0910183D0; GB201009799D0

Abstract

An advertising bike for advertising goods and/or services which includes a housing 2 and a display means 10. Both the housing and the display means are capable of advertising the goods and/or services. The housing is preferably designed to house the display means in the form of a multimedia electronic display such as a flat panel television e.g. LCD display, LED display or plasma display panel. The housing may comprise a fairing defining a cab area 12. The bike may take the form of a recumbent tricycle or four wheeled quadricycle. Audio means may also be provided along with a battery, data processing means and means for transmission or reception of broadcast data. A solar panel may be provided to recharge the battery. The bike may have a motor so that it is electrically assisted.

Description

Cycle Means The present invention relates to cycles powered by one or more persons, such as bicycles and tricycles and the like, which are suitable for advertising and/or promotional purposes and/or the like.

Although the following description refers exclusively to cycles it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the features of the present invention could be used with other pedal powered or person powered apparatuses such as pedalos and/or paddle boats and/or the like.

The use of cycles as a means of advertising and for promotional purposes, is known. Conventionally, the cycles used are tricycles intended for use by one person, with a single wheel at the front and a pair of wheels at the rear. The user is situated on a seat or saddle located towards the front half of the tricycle.

The user controls the direction of travel of the tricycle with handle bars that are connected to the front wheel. In order to provide power for moving the tricycle, the user actuates pedals which are in mechanical communication with at least one of the rear wheels. Typically the mechanical communication involves a chain and a number of gears. For advertising and promotional use there is usually located an A-frame poster-board at the rear of the tricycle, typically between the rear wheels and the user.

The poster-board provides a surface for advertisement and promotiona' posters to be attached to.

The abovementioned cycles for advertising and display purposes have a number of problems. Firstly, advertising campaigns and/or promotional events last for a finite amount of time therefore the poster-boards have to be covered with new posters at the beginning of each new advertising/promotional campaign.

This takes time and costs money. Secondly, it is typically only the posters on the poster board that are part of the advertising/promotional campaign and if, for example, the colour of the cycle or the shape of the board needs to be changed to fit in with a particular promotion, this requires additional time and expense. Thirdly, simply the cycles and the posters themselves are not particularly attention grabbing' methods of advertising or promotion, especially as use of such cycles becomes more commonplace.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to at least reduce one or more of the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a cycle which is a more effective advertising and/or promotional tool over the aforementioned cycles.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cycle means, wherein said cycle means includes a housing and at least one display means.

In one embodiment the cycle means includes a frame and/or one or more sub-frames. Typically the housing substantially forms a shell covering and/or encasing at least part of the frame of the cycle means in use. Further typically the one or more sub-frames are attached to cycle frame in order to provide support or anchorage points for the housing.

In one embodiment at least part of the housing is detachably attached to the frame and/or one or more sub-frames. Typically the housing is of a particular shape and/or appearance and can be removed from the frame and replaced with a housing of a substantially different shape and/or appearance. This can be of particular advantage as one cycle means can have a number of different housing and therefore a number of different appearances and/or shapes. In addition, the appearance of the cycle means can quickly be changed for use from one promotional/advertising activity to another.

Typically, having a detachably attached housing provides a further advantage in that it enables advertisers and/or promoters to buy or rent particular housings. Therefore, they do not have to pay to have a housing redecorated, if there is a period of time between advertising campaigns and/or promotional events.

In one embodiment the housing includes one or more vinyl wraps which substantially cover a surface of the housing.

Typically the vinyl wraps are specific to an advertising campaign and/or brand. Further typically the wraps can be quickly and efficiently removed and replaced so the housing can be used for other promotions.

In one embodiment the housing is provided as a single unit.

Typically at least the housing is moulded from substantially plastics material and/or fibreglass material and/or carbon fibre material. Further typically this ensures that at least the housing is relatively lightweight, as well as being able to be moulded or formed into unusual and/or eye-catching shapes.

In one embodiment the housing includes at least one aperture.

Typically the at least one aperture allows the user to access the cycle means and/or see through the housing when using the cycle means.

In one embodiment at least part of the housing is shaped to form a cab area. Typically the cab area substantially encloses the portion of the cycle means in which the one or more users are located in use.

In one embodiment the housing is shaped to form a secure area.

Typically the secure area is a cabin situated substantially behind the user's cab area. Further typically the cabin includes a door which can be selectively secured to prevent unauthorised access to the cabin area.

Further typically the user gains access to the cab area through one or more apertures in the housing.

In one embodiment at least part of the display means is located inside the secure area.

In one embodiment the at least one display means is located on the frame of the cycle means. Typically, in this arrangement, the display means can be accessed and/or viewed and/or heard through at least one aperture in the housing.

In one embodiment the at least one display means is located on the housing.

In one embodiment the at least one display means are located substantially at the side of the cycle means when the same is viewed substantially head-on, or along the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment the display means includes one or more posters and/or graphics and/or illuminations and/or the like advertising one or more goods and/or services.

In one embodiment the display means are multimedia display means. Typically the multimedia display means are capable of advertising goods and/or services in more than one media format, for example audio and visual formats.

In one embodiment the display means includes one or more electronic displays such as flat panel L.C.D. and/or plasma and/or L.E.D. displays and/or the like. Typically the display means includes at least two televisions.

In one embodiment the display means includes one or more audio systems. Typically the audio systems include audio inputs such as microphones, tape players, compact disc players, mp3 players and/or the like, as well as one or more amplifiers and one or more speakers.

In one embodiment the display means is interactive. Typically the display means is interactive by transmitting and/or receiving data, particularly electronic data, between the display means and other devices in response to certain stimuli. Often the stimuli is simply pressing a button and/or receiving a signal from other devices.

In one embodiment the display means includes one or more broadcast means for the reception and/or transmission of broadcasts. Typically the broadcasts include radio and/or television broadcasts.

In one embodiment the broadcast means allows the reception and/or transmission of electronic data.

Typically the broadcasts and/or electronic data are transmitted wirelessly.

In one embodiment the electronic data includes text and/or audio and/or images and/or video. Typically the electronic data is in the form of SMS text message, MMS text message, JPEG images, MP3 audio, MP4 audio/video, Quicktime (Trade Mark) audio/video, Flash (Trade Mark) audio/video files and/or the like.

In one embodiment the electronic data is received from and/or transmitted to electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, laptops, MP3 players and/or the like.

In one embodiment the display means selectively displays the broadcasts and/or data received by the broadcast means.

In one embodiment the bike means includes at least one data processing and/or computer means. Typically the at least one data processing and/or computer means controls and/or coordinates the display means and/or the output of the same.

In one embodiment the data processing and/or computer means controls how the broadcast and/or electronic data received by the broadcast means are displayed.

In one embodiment the data processing and/or computer means can be used to edit broadcasts and/or data before transmission.

In one embodiment the data processing and/or computer means can be used to edit broadcasts and/or data before display on the display means.

In one embodiment the data processing and/or computer means includes internet communication. Typically the communication is wireless through 3G mobile networks, \X/ifi, and/or the like.

In one embodiment the at least one data processing and/or computer means is used for gaming. Typically one or more users and/or persons accesses a program or game through said computer means and the game is played using display means.

In one embodiment the computer means is at least one laptop.

In one embodiment the cycle means includes one or more batteries. Typically the display means and/or the computer means and/or data processing means draws at least a portion of their power from said one or more batteries.

Typically, cycle means is a wheeled vehicle for transporting at least one person where the energy to move the vehicle originates from that person and/or others. The type of cycle means is determined by the number of wheels the cycle means has. For example, one wheel describes a unicycle, two wheels a bicycle, three wheels a tricycle and so on.

Further typically cycle means includes cycles which are foot pedal powered and/or hand pedal powered and/or the like to supply mechanical energy to the wheels. In addition, cycle means is intended to include conventional cycles powered by one person as well as cycles, for example tandems, which are powered by two or more persons. The mechanical energy is supplied to the wheels typically by a conventional arrangement of a chain and gear system.

In addition, cycle means includes cycles where the one or more users are seated in a conventional manner as well as cycles where the user sits in a recumbent position.

Typically cycle means also includes pedal rickshaw-type tandems where the one or more people provide the power to transport one or more passengers.

In one embodiment the cycle means is a tricycle with either two front wheels and one rear wheel, or vice versa.

Preferably the cycle means has four wheels.

In one embodiment the cycle means includes a motor to form a motori2ed cycle. Typically the motor assists with pedalling and/or moving the cycle means.

In one embodiment the motor is an electric motor. Typically the power for the electric motor comes from the one or more batteries. Further typically the one or more batteries can be at least partially recharged from the pedalling energy from the one or more users.

In one embodiment the one or more batteries can be at least partially recharged from the energy generated from the rotation of one or more of the cycle means' wheels. Typically when the cycle means is travelling downhill or moving with no force being applied to the pedals (freewheeling) at least a portion of the energy generated is used to recharge the one or more batteries.

In one embodiment the cycle means includes one or more solar panels. Typically the one or more solar panels are in electrical communication with the one or more batteries thereby at least partially recharging the same.

In one embodiment the one or more so'ar pane's lie substantially flush with an outer surface of the housing.

In one embodiment the solar panels are substantially located in a recess in the outer surface of the housing.

In one embodiment the cycle means includes one or more fuel cells. Typically the fuels cells can replace the one or more batteries or be used in combination with the same. Further typically the fuel cells supply at least a portion of the power to the display means and/or the computer means and/or the electric motor.

In one embodiment the housing includes one or more compartments. Typically the compartments are used for storage of one or more items in use.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cycle means, wherein said cycle means includes a multimedia display means.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided an advertising cycle means wherein said cycle means includes at least one housing and a multimedia display means.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a housing suitable for detachable attachment to a cycle means in use.

Typically said cycle means includes a frame to which the at least one display means is attached to, and the housing includes at least one aperture through which the display means can be viewed in use.

In a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing a mobile advertising device, said device including a cycle means, wherein said cycle means includes a housing and at least one display means, said method includes the step of attaching said housing to the cycle means.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the following figures, wherein; Figure 1 is a side on illustration of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a rear view illustration of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view illustration of one embodiment of the invention; and Figures 4a and 4b are perspective views of a further embodiment of the invention.

The following description details a cycle for use in advertising and/or promotions.

Turning firstly to figure 1, there is shown a cycle means 2 which includes a frame (not shown) and a housing 4 attached to the frame. The cycle means 2 in this example is a tricycle which has one steered wheel 6 at the front and two wheels 8 at the back.

The housing 4 forms a shell or skin over the frame of the cycle means. This provides the cycle means with a degree of protection from the weather, such as rain and the like whilst also providing the cycle means with distinctive and eye catching appearance. The housing 4 is usually detachably attached to the frame of cycle means and can therefore be swapped or replaced to suit the advertising and/or promotional campaign the cycle means is to be used for. The cycle means 2 also includes a display means which in this example is a flat panel LCD television 10. The LCD television provides a multimedia display which has numerators advantages over traditional advertising posters, including that they are more eye-catching and the content of the same can be readily changed. The aforementioned features produce an advertising vehicle which is versatile and more effective than conventional advertising cycles. The display means 10 can be attached to the cycle frame, a sub frame and/or the housing 4. In this example the display means is attached to the frame and viewed through an aperture 16 in the housing.

It can be seen that in this example the cycle means 2 is divided into a cab portion 12 in which the user sits and a cabin potion 14 which are both defined by the housing. The user, when moving the cycle means, sits in a substantially recumbent position in the cab portion 12 and typically pedals to provide power to the rear wheels. Inside the cabin portion there is usually storage space and one or more batteries to power the display means 10. In some examples the power generated by the user when cycling can be used to recharge the one or more batteries. In some examples the cycling may be power assisted, usually by an electric motor connected to said one or more batteries.

Figure 2 shows a rear view of the cycle means 2 and the cabin portion 14. Access to the inside of the housing 4 and the cabin portion 14 can be gained through a door 18. For security reasons the door can be locked. Inside the cabin portion 14 there is also usually stored a computer, such as a laptop which can be accessed and used to select or edit the media to be shown on the display means. The display means can also include broadcast means whereby television programmes received can be shown on the television and, in some embodiments, the broadcast means can transmit programmes recorded at the cycle means. These activities are usually coordinated by the computer. The broadcast means can also send data wirelessly to other devices, for example to mobile phones by text message or Bluetooth (Trade Mark), usually to persons in the vicinity as part of a advertising/promotional campaign.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the cycle means 2. It can be seen that on the roof of the cabin portion 14 there are located solar panels 20. Typically the solar panels supply power to recharge the one or more batteries. The battery power is then usually used to power the display means and/or the computer means.

Turning to figures 4a and 4b where there is shown a cycle means 24 of a slightly different configuration to that shown in figures 1-3. Firstly, the cycle means shown here includes four wheels and the housing 26 is not readily detachable from the subframe (not shown) to which it is mounted. As such, in this embodiment it is intended that the cycle livery, such as the vinyl wraps and/or decalcomanias can be readily changed for different advertising promotions that the cycle means is involved with.

Furthermore, the cycle means 24 also includes features for the safety of the operator, such as a pair of mirrors 28', 28" and lights 30.

The multimedia content of the advertising is shown through images displayed on the OLED display means 32 and speaker 34 mounted on the side of the housing 26, through apertures therein. The display means 32 could also be an interactive display means by including a touch sensitive display and/or the like.

The cycle means in this embodiment also includes gearing 36 50 that the cycle means can be easily moved by pedalling, as well as brakes and a steering system (not shown). A portion of the sub frame 38 is also visible to which the housing, batteries and other such equipment are mounted. The sub frame is attached to the frame of the cycle.

Claims

Claims 1. A cycle means wherein said cycle means includes a housing and at least one display means.
2. A cycle means according to claim I wherein the cycle means includes a frame and/or one or more sub frames wherein the housing is detachably attached to the frame and/or subframes.
3. A cycle means according to claim I wherein the housing is provided as a single unit.
4. A cycle means according to claim 3 wherein the housing is formed from substantially plastics and/or fibreglass and/or carbon fibre material.
5. A cycle means according to any of claims 1-4 wherein vinyl wraps are applied to the surface of the housing.
6. A cycle means according to claim I wherein the housing is shaped to form a cab area at the front of the cycle means.
7. A cycle means according to claim 6 wherein the housing is shaped to have a secure area behind the cab.
8. A cycle means according to claim I wherein the display means are multimedia display means.
9. A cycle means according to claim 8 wherein the display means is one or more flat panel televisions.
10. A cycle means according to claim 8 wherein the display means includes one or more audio systems.
11. A cycle means according to claim 8 wherein the multimedia display means is interactive.
12. A cycle means according to claim 8 wherein the cycle means includes one or more broadcast means for reception and/or transmission of broadcast data.
13. A cycle means according to claim 12 wherein broadcast data is sent and/or received from electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PDAs and/or the like.
14. A cycle means according to claims 8-13 wherein the cycle means includes a data processing_means to control the output of the display means.
15. A cycle means according to any preceding claim wherein the cycle has four wheels.
16. A cycle means according to any preceding claim wherein the cycle means includes one or more batteries.
17. A cycle means according to claim 16 wherein the batteries are rechargeable batteries and the cycle means includes at least one solar panel for recharging the same.
18. A housing for detachable attachment to a cycle means in use wherein said housing is shaped to receive a display means.
19. A cycle means as herein described with reference to figures 1-4.