Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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II - DESCRIPTION:
II-A. BACKGROUND OF TH _F. INVENTION:
Whereas, the demand for the business community to get public
attention to promote or sell respective products has increased the demand
for outdoor advertising, radio, television, print, audio (telephone) and
recently, the Internet Web.
Every businesses that has products to sell or promote wants the
primetime spot to get noticed and public exposure in any media possible,
as evidenced in the recently concluded Super Bowl last January 2003, in
San Diego, CA. Well-known products paid millions of dollars to get the
primetime spot of the year's biggest public exposure for a matter of
seconds or a minute of airtime or in a skimpy banner in a matter of
hours.
Henceforth, the advertising business is thriving simply because
of the basic law of economics, "the law of supply and demand ", wherein
the demand has outgrown the supply.
'Therefore, it is in the interest of the Advertising industry and
the Business companies public and private that the Invention was
conceived. To "Get Noticed", the primetime way.
The Invention, Aerodynamic Flag and Advertiser, as the name
implies, is an outdoor attention-drawer. It draws the attention in a form
of a flag, a banner or simply an aerial advertiser. It draws attention in a
day or nighttime by its illumination, all seasons, any weather, 365 days a
year.
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II-B. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART:
It is a known fact that outdoor advertising has been with the
Advertising industry since marketing was conceived. It has develop from
a simple Outdoor Billboard advertising to the neon lighted signs,
billboard and lately to Digitized Illuminated Outdoor Signs. Though,
most of them are fixed in a rigid stand or buildings, some are mobile due
transported and carried along by public or private conveyances, few are
rotational on vertical axis and seldom are rotational and lighted at the
same time.
To mentioned few of those prior Arts;
1. Canadian Patent# CA02010947 issued to Michael Laprise of
Canada filed in 1990 which presented Advertising sign in a fxed/rigid
stand model.
2. Canadian Patent# CA608070 issued to Greg Huey filed in 1960
(country unknown) which presented Rotatable Advertising Sign. It was
constructed to rotate its signs from its adjustable holders from the base
and designed with practical purpose to get noticed for being mobile to
the observer.
All of which are an early predecessor in Advertising signs in each
field, as rigid or mobile category.
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II-C. SUMMARY OF THF.' INVEN710N:
The Invention was conceptualized to develop the outdoor
Advertising industry through "get noticed" mentality and get notice well
in day or night, rain or shine or in short words, in all seasons.
Through the years, the development of rotational and illuminated
signs are limited due to technical difficulties and high cost of
maintenance.
The Invention is a revolutionized development from the rigid stand
and rotational illuminated outdoor signs combined. It works primarily
based on the basic principles of aerodynamics and principally the same
principles why airplanes fly (Fig. l ) and Fig.2 (B). The only difference is
that airplanes fly and moves from point A to point B. The Invention
never moves from point A to point B, except that it rotates around point
A, in all directions (360 degrees) on its vertical axis but never moves out
of point A. The wings are located at the aft point, (Fig. l . l ), as the wind
blows it creates pressure difference on the lower and upper surface of the
wings. The result of the pressure difference due to wing design is that the
lower surface is always stronger against the upper surface (Fig.2 (B) and
you have a lifting effect on the aft side of the structure (Fig.l.2b). The
stronger wind blowing, the better
Its construction is rigid from its vertical stand up to a point to
maintain strength on its vertical axis to counter the strength of the
strongest wind velocity. On the same note, the display panel with its
wings (Fig. l . I ) or winglets (Fig.S. l 9) will aerodynamically respond with
the wind velocity and direction that instead of counter acting the wind,
the invention will face into the direction of the wind and utilizes wind
speeds and direction to create lift on the display panel on the aft side
creating aerial effect (Fig.l.2b) . . . . .(over)
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The Invention is cost effective due most of earlier rotational and
illuminated models spend most of its electricity on its rotational power
especially if its built top heavy and with so much vertical surface area
that during strong winds it has to counter the high wind velocity by
consuming more electricity to overcome and rotate its vertical axis.
It is cost effective because the construction is simplified with few
moving parts for easy maintenance and repair but strongly built to
withstand strong winds and the harshest Canadian weather.
Most importantly, except for the wings construction and
application on the aft side of the display panel, (Fig.l.l), most features
built-in have been for a while existing technologies incorporated into
other products but have been improved and revised application to work
with this Invention.
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I1-D DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
Fig.l.l, the pair of w~ or winglets (Fig.5.19) is the main
feature of this invention. The design and construction is similar to
aircraft's wings, the function of which is to provide lift of aircraft in
flight. In this invention the wings derive its lifting force through the
passing of wind on top and the bottom. The pressure difference created
by wind velocity creates resultant positive force acting upward against
the lower surface (Fig.2B), creating lift. Lift translates another vertical
support acting on the aft side, as a second leg (Fig.l.2b). Wings are
designed and patterned from NACA airfoil design. As researched and
evaluated, NACA 4415 and NACA 4412 are the most suitable and
adaptable for this Invention, Fig.2(B). The wings (Fig. l . l ) have no
define measurement in this document due they are the variables but are
always in direct proportion with its load structure. In the same manner,
aircraft design is always in direct proportion to its body and designed
payload.
Fig.1.2, the shell holds the display structure together including
the wings, display surfaces and into its rigid stand or post, (Fig.1.4). The
shell is made of aluminum alloy designed to withstand extreme (hot or
cold) outdoor weather. It is constructed strong enough to withstand wind
beating and flapping and heavy rainfall in the unforgiving outdoors. It is
streamlined designed to allow wind passing smoothly without resisting
the wind blowing through its surface, (Fig.4A). In aircraft construction
and design, it is the vertical rudder. The shell construction is solid core
aluminum alloy around the metal structure except; the wings (Fig. l . l ),
the display panel (Fig.1.3), and stand or post (Fig.1.4). . .(over)
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> The whole panel (Figl) is constructed watertight to prevent rain and
moisture inside but allows a breather to release pressure build-up
especially during winter when heat is allowed to build up to defrost the
whole structure and prevent ice build-up anywhere in the structure,
especially on the wings and display surfaces.
Fig.1.2a, the spike is the third leg of the structure. (As in the
tail of the Kangaroo). It allows its weight to rest on it when wind
velocity is between 0 to 5 mph (calm wind). When the wind is blowing,
its wings act as the second leg on the aft side {Fig.1.2b) due to its lifting
force on its lower surface acting upwards. The spike (Fig.l.2a) takes
over as the alternative leg to support its weight during calm wind
conditions. It is made of aluminum alloy and is an integral part of the
shell (Fig.l.2) structure. The spike extends two-thirds (2/3) from its post,
(Fig. 1.4), towards the aft side and curving and phasing out, (Fig.1.2a).
Fig.l.3, the dispdaY surfaces on both sides of the structure
allows the display of images, i.e., advertisements, flag, color or a banner,
on both sides of its surface. The images are replaceable from its display,
periodically as possible. Similar to replacing regular ads signs, slip it
inside and pull it out. Except that, in this invention, either you climb in
mechanical ladder or bring down the structure for replacements and or
maintenance, as shown in (Fig.3) and (Fig.5.20) for the removal of
plastic display (Fig.l.3). The display surface is made of clear Acrylic
plastics that allow clear view of images on the display and is compose of
two (2) layers. The outer layer which is a clear Acrylic plastic to allow
clear view of display and protector from the outdoor elements including
breakage. The inner layer is a translucent Acrylic plastic to diffuse and
even distribution of illumination to the display. And in-between, is the
slip in/out materials for the images; ads, flag, color, banner and the like.>
. . (over please)
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Fig. 1.4, the stand is the first support or the first leg of the
structure. The entire weight of the structure is supported on this stand
when the wind is calm (less than 5 knots) and subsequently becomes on
the aft side (Fig.5.2b) lighter as wind blows greater than 5 knots. Until it
literally floats as wind blows stronger because of the lifting effects of its
wings, (Fig.l.l) and the streamlining of its shell, (Fig.l.2). The stand
may be constructed rigidly on stand-alone post, Fig.l.4) or mobile in
automobiles. And may be also be constructed in a folding post, similar to
airport's windcone stand. Which allows maintenance by folding it down
opened the ground level. The post has to be constructed on strong
materials like steel to support its all up weight of the panel structure and
considering its continuous exposure to all outdoor elements.
Fig.2.6, the trusses support the upper and lower curvature of the
wing structure. It reinforces the horizontal plane of the wing without it,
the wing structure will crumple. Trusses are made from Aluminum alloy
and are lightweight and strong and do not corrode easily.
Fig.2.7, the ribs are the longitudinal reinforcer of the wing
structure. It connects the trusses together from the shell side (Fig.4.2) to
the last set of truss. It is an aluminum alloy wire. Most metals in the
display panel structure are made of aluminum alloy for strength and
lightweight. The wing interior is hollow to allow heat circulation during
winter and prevent ice formations anywhere on its surface. During
summer months, natwal airflow on its surfaces will provide self cooling
effect to prevent overheating when lights are on.
Fig.2(8), the camberline will determine the correct angle attack
settings of the wings thereby creating the maximum lifting effect
necessary for each wing. (over please). . >
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Fig.3.9, the acrylic plastic ribs, reinforces the display panel and
are glued together to the inner side of the clear acrylic plastic. It
strengthens the display panel during wind streaming along its display
surfaces (Fig.4.3) and (Fig.1.3) from the crunching effect of the blowing
wind. The exact number of plastic ribs and dimensions (Fig.3.9) is
proportionate to the size and weight of the display panel placed on each
side.
Fig.3.10, the Fluorescent bulbs are the illuminator of the display
panel at both sides. The bulbs are placed vertically to allow maximum
illumination to the display and easy maintenance and are spaced
accordingly. Proper wattage and length of bulbs are determined with
respective size of display panel, (Fig.1.3).
Fig.3.l 1, the sealed bearin s are the pivotal point on its vertical
axis. It allows unimpeded rotation at all directions (360 degrees) on its
vertical post (Fig.1.4), its first leg. Bearings are located at top and bottom
to restrict its vertical movement (play). Bearings allow rotational
movement on its vertical axis but confine the movement to maintain
stability when rotating.
Fig.3. l2, the slip rims are the mobile contact points that are
attached permanently from its post or stand (Fig.l.4). It is the point of
contact from the main power source to the display panel (Fig.l.3). The
Inventor cannot over emphasize enough the significance of insulation
layer and correct wire gauge at this point and onwards to the last
electrical connection (not shown).
Fig.3.13, the brushes are the contact point relay of the
electrical power from the post (Fig.l.4), to the display panel (Fig.l.3),
which are mobile on the vertical axis. Electrical power supply from this
point is dependent on the brushes. Correct contact pressure is essential
between these points, the brushes and the slip rings (Fig.3.12). . (over) >
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Fig.3.14, the s rin s make sure that the proper contact
pressure is applied to allow needed electricity across from the slip rings
(Fig.3.12) to the brushes (Fig.3.13). Springs are set to the correct
elasticity to maintain correct pressure contact every time and have to be
replaced at first sign of dissipating elasticity.
Fig.3.15, the connectors are the power lines to the panels
(Fig.1.3) electrical supply and other electrical outlets (not shown).
Fig.4.16, the angle o~'attack adjuster, allows adjustment for
the correct angle of attack into the blowing wind. The correct angle of
attack is essential for the aft side of the display panel (Fig.l.3) and
(Fig.4.3) to create lifting effect for correct aerial position resulting to
second leg effect in the aft position (Fig.l.2b). Adjustments are
introduced from the inside the shell (Fig.l .2) and (Fig.4.2) just between
the joints of both wings.
Fig.4.17, the wings point sealer, seals the joint between the
wing side and shell side and on both wings. (Fig.4.17) Sealers are made
of soft metal alloy copper, or the like, that allows being airtight but
strong enough to withstand the pressure difference (flapping effect) on
the upper and lower surface of the wings (Fig.4.1 ).
Fig.4. I 8, the wing ad buster guide, will make sure the
adjustments are correctly calibrated to the correct angle of attack with its
guided calibration and coincide with the other wing (Fig.4.1 ). Both
wings have to be calibrated exactly at the same moment to ensure wing
stability.
