U.S. patent application number 11/250307 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for promotional apparatus and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to L&L Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to William J. Barz.
Application Number | 20060083492 11/250307 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36180853 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060083492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barz; William J. |
April 20, 2006 |
Promotional apparatus and method
Abstract
A method and apparatus for promoting the sale of a good or
service including a portion adapted to be elevated above the
air/liquid interface of a body of liquid and which, in service,
holds an elevated volume of the liquid from the body of liquid
above the air/liquid interface of the body of liquid.
Inventors: |
Barz; William J.; (St.
Clair, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOBRUSIN & THENNISCH PC
29 W LAWRENCE ST
SUITE 210
PONTIAC
MI
48342
US
|
Assignee: |
L&L Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36180853 |
Appl. No.: |
11/250307 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60619508 |
Oct 15, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
392/339 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 21/18 20130101;
G09F 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/339 |
International
Class: |
F24H 7/00 20060101
F24H007/00 |
Claims
1. A method for promoting a good or service in a body of liquid,
comprising: providing an apparatus that is positioned on a body of
liquid and which includes a portion that is elevated above the
air/liquid interface of the body of liquid, and which, in service,
holds an elevated volume of the liquid from the body of liquid
above the air/liquid interface of the body of liquid, wherein the
elevated portion is open at its bottom to the body of liquid;
promoting the sale of a good, service or both, using the elevated
portion while the elevated volume of liquid is present in the
elevated portion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion includes a
cylindrical tube.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical tube includes a
transparent portion that is made from a glass, a plastic or any
combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a
plurality of outriggers for supporting the elevated portion.
5. The method claim 4, wherein the outriggers are adapted for
articulation.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the outriggers are fixed in a
single location, wherein the outriggers float, or a combination
thereof.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the standing body of liquid is a
standing body of water selected from a canal, a river, a bay, a
lake, an ocean, a reservoir, a pond, a pool, a fountain or any
combination thereof.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion is
configured to resemble an article being promoted (such as a can, a
bottle, a food package, a food item, a consumer product or the
like).
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the promoting step takes place
adjacent a populated venue.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the populated venue is selected
from a park, a stadium, a restaurant, a bar, a waterpark, theme
park, concert venue, a carnival, a shopping center, an airport, a
dock, a rail station, or a night club.
11. An apparatus for holding a liquid for display, comprising: a
portion adapted to be elevated above the air/liquid interface of a
body of liquid and which, in service, holds an elevated volume of
the liquid from the body of liquid above the air/liquid interface
of the body of liquid, wherein the elevated portion is at least
partially transparent for revealing the elevated volume of the
liquid, and is open at its bottom to the body of liquid; and a
portion for supporting the elevated portion.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the supporting portion
includes at least one outrigger.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the supporting portion
includes a plurality of outriggers.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the elevated portion is
configured to resemble a consumer good.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion includes
a cylindrical tube.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical tube
includes a transparent portion that is made from a glass, a plastic
or any combination thereof.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus includes a
plurality of outriggers for supporting the elevated portion.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the outriggers are adapted
for articulation.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the outriggers are fixed in
a single location, wherein the outriggers float, or a combination
thereof.
20. Use of the apparatus of claim 11 for promoting the sale of a
good or service.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] To the extent applicable, the present invention claims the
benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/619,508, filed Oct. 15, 2004, the contents of which are
incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods and
devices for promoting the sale of goods or services.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many sporting events take place in an area that has standing
bodies of water. Examples of this are many car racing tracks such
as Indianapolis that have ponds designed in their infields. Other
examples are sporting stadiums that have built in water front
locations. San Francisco's SBC stadium is a good example of just
such a stadium.
[0004] In locations where sporting events take place near water it
is felt that an opportunity exists. Due to the large number of
assembled fans and possible television coverage, an opportunity
exists for an external event that will intermittently focus
attention and bring widespread media and fan attention. If this
event commanded significant fan or network attention then it could
be used as a vehicle for advertising.
[0005] It is recognized by its' inventor that there exists very few
new mediums for advertising that are not currently exploited. One
only has to spend a few moments in a baseball park to notice that
nearly every possible open space in the stadium is covered with
company names and logos.
[0006] It is therefore felt that a new form of advertisement with
entertainment could potentially make a company name or logo stand
out from the already crowded typical sports venue. It is further
felt that a standing body of water presents an opportunity for a
display or show that cannot take place on dry land.
[0007] For instance, since human beings cannot breathe under water,
an image or show with a human being under water will command much
attention.
[0008] This presentation of a human under water could represent a
whimsical character such as a Mermaid! Beverage companies,
especially makers of beer and wine often use sexy images to sell
their products. It is thought that an underwater image of a sexy
woman for instance would be in great demand from beverage companies
looking for a new vehicle for advertising.
[0009] An ideal use of the image of a human underwater would be in
the form of a short skit or story. A good example would be to
present an image of a fisherman. This fisherman would try many
different things for bait but gets a mermaid when he uses a certain
brand of beer. When the mermaid is presented underwater, she gets
excited and removes her top. Once removed, it becomes obvious that
the mermaid is a man and the fisherman has been tricked.
[0010] The apparatus employed to display a human underwater
includes a tube full of water that rises above the surface of the
body of water. People such as a mermaid, enter the tube from below
and swim up into the tube for easy viewing by sporting fans. The
apparatus is of course strategically marked with the logo or image
of the company that has paid for such advertising and can be
further enhanced with strategic lighting. The tube full of water
can also be made to look like a beverage container such as a beer
bottle to enhance its' image.
[0011] This utility patent describes the design of the apparatus
that enables a show with a human being underwater for the form of
advertising, attention, and fun. It is intended to rent or sell
this apparatus for use at sporting events such as baseball games
and NASCAR races.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is predicated on a method and
apparatus for promoting the sale of a good or service. In one
configuration, the present invention includes a method for
promoting a good or service in a body of liquid. The method
includes providing an apparatus that is positioned on a body of
liquid and which includes a portion that is elevated above the
air/liquid interface of the body of liquid, and which, in service,
holds an elevated volume of the liquid from the body of liquid
above the air/liquid interface of the body of liquid, wherein the
elevated portion is open at its bottom to the body of liquid. The
method further includes promoting the sale of a good, service or
both, using the elevated portion while the elevated volume of
liquid is present in the elevated portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a tube assembly according to the
teachings of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the tube assembly shown in FIG. 1 in
various stages of operation according to one aspect of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an articulating floating outrigger
assembly according to the teachings of the present invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another articulating floating
outrigger assembly according to the teachings of the present
invention.
[0017] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate yet another articulating floating
outrigger assembly according to the teachings of the present
invention.
[0018] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate still another articulating
floating outrigger assembly according to the teachings of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Reference herein to "water tube" is for illustration only
and is not intended as limiting. The subject matter herein need not
be used only with water, nor is the geometry confined to tubular
structures.
[0020] The water tube includes a clear container that is allowed to
fill up with water while under the surface of a body of water and
then lifted above the surface of the water. With the bottom of the
container open under the surface of the water, swimmers are allowed
to enter and exit from below.
[0021] The water tube is adjustable and has 2 positions. The first
position is the travel position. In the travel position the
complete apparatus is small, much like a closed umbrella, so that
it can be easily transported by truck to sporting events around the
country. The second position is the extended position. The extended
position moves the floats radially outboard away from each other
such that the entire apparatus has a diameter of approximately 60'.
In the full extended position the floats are at maximum distance
from one another and the tube assembly is in its' full up position.
The movement of the outriggers and the tube assembly from the
travel position to the extended position is simultaneous and
resembles opening an umbrella upside down.
[0022] An optional arrangement not explored in this document has
down standing legs to support the tube assembly in a pool where
there is not enough room for the articulating floating outrigger
assembly. This design would have legs resting on the bottom of the
pool sufficient to support the entire water tube apparatus.
[0023] In one configuration, the entire promotional apparatus 10
includes a plurality of sub-assemblies:
[0024] A. Tube assembly 12--The tube assembly provides a water
filled aquarium like viewing stage. It is raised from the initial
position (primarily submerged) to a position mostly above the
surface of the surrounding body of water. It is lifted to the full
up position by the lifting mechanism assembly. Once raised to the
full up position stability is provided by the articulating floating
outrigger assembly.
[0025] B. Articulating floating outrigger assembly 14--The
articulating floating outrigger assembly provides support and
stability for the tube assembly in the full up position. It
includes, for example, 6 sets of 3 arms which are connected by a
pins allowing the floats to move outward from their initial
position while the lifting mechanism lifts the water tube assembly
to the full up position.
[0026] C. Lifting mechanism assembly 16--The lifting mechanism has
2 purposes. It raises and lowers the tube assembly and it provides
the means to move the articulating floating outrigger assembly to
the full outboard position.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, one tube assembly 12 of the present
invention is shown. The tube assembly includes a main tube 18 which
may be a cylindrical, at least partially transparent (e.g.,
acrylic) chamber having a length of approximately 7.5' and a
diameter of 42-44'' with its' bottom end completely open. The size
of the main tube 18 is dictated by the need to display a swimmer
above the water for easy viewing by sport fans and television
cameras. The upper end of the main tube 18 also has a circular
opening that it used to connect it to the air chamber 20.
[0028] Mounted above the main tube 18 is secondary chamber called
the air chamber 20. The air chamber 20 is also a cylindrical
chamber with its' bottom end open. This bottom end is connected and
sealed to the main tube 18 such that a swimming person can fit
their head fully inside the air chamber 20. The purpose of the air
chamber is to provide an air cavity for the swimming person.
[0029] On the top surface of the air chamber 20 is an emergency
water drain valve 22. The emergency water drain valve 22 can be
pushed by a swimming person to vent the entire tube assembly to the
atmosphere thereby draining the water from the tube to the level of
the surrounding body of water.
[0030] Also mounted on the top surface of the air chamber 20 is an
oxygen inlet 24 and a vacuum outlet 26. The function of the vacuum
outlet 26 is to maintain a negative pressure adequate to support
the weight of the water inside the tube assembly. The function of
the oxygen inlet 24 is to provide an oxygen source for respiration
of the swimming person. As a system the oxygen inlet 24 and the
vacuum outlet 26 must be pressure regulated such that the proper
vacuum is maintained to support the weight of the water inside the
tube assembly and to provide sufficient oxygen for respiration of
the swimming person.
[0031] An option to the swimmer breathing in the air chamber is a
breathing mouthpiece. This would be a mouthpiece that the swimmer
inserts into their mouth and breathes in fresh air and exhausts
breaths.
[0032] The main tube 18 & air chamber 20 can be made in whole
or in part from any clear material such as, without limitation, an
acrylic polymer, a polycarbonate polymer or an amorphous glass. The
most desirable properties are that it is very transparent and light
weight.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, one sequence of operation of the
present invention is shown in four stages. It should be appreciated
that these stages are for illustrative purposes only and more or
less stage may be utilized. The initial position of the tube
assembly is such that when placed into the water 28, only the air
chamber 20 is sticking up above the waters' surface. Opening of the
emergency water drain valve 22 allows the water level inside the
tube to equalize with the water level of the surrounding body of
water thus filling the tube assembly up to the bottom edge of the
air chamber 20.
[0034] When raised above the surface of the surrounding body of
water by the lifting mechanism assembly the tube assembly is now
full of water except for the air chamber and gives the appearance
of an aquarium. The water tube assembly aquarium like viewing stage
is now ready for a show by a swimming person or a mermaid 30!
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, one articulating floating outrigger
assembly 14 of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment,
the articulating floating outrigger assembly consists of 7 unique
components. Starting from the outer most components there are 6
floats 32. The floats 32 are a low density volume that displaces a
volume of water to produce a buoyant force. The sum of 6 floats 32
produces enough buoyant force to float the entire water tube
apparatus on the surface of the body of water. The floats 32 can be
an inflatable body such as a rubber tire inner tube, a low density
or foamed plastic material or even a lightweight wood. So long as
the density is significantly lower than that of water it may be a
suitable material for the floats 32.
[0036] The floats 32 are pivotally connected to the outrigger long
pivot arm 34. To allow the outrigger long pivot arm 34 to
articulate from the travel position to the extended position, it is
pivotally connected to the outrigger short pivot arm 36 and the
outrigger upper arm 38. The inner most end of the outrigger short
pivot arm 36 is rigidly connected to the tube base 44. The tube
base 44 is shaped such that an opening exists in the center large
enough for a swimmer to pass through when entering the tube. The
inner most end of the outrigger upper arm 34 is pivotally connected
to the outrigger connecting ring 40. Each outrigger long pivot arm
34 is connected to 2 adjacent outrigger long pivot arms 34 by an
outrigger support cable 42.
[0037] The material of choice for the outrigger long pivot arm 34,
outrigger short pivot arm 36 & outrigger upper arm 38 is any
high strength lightweight such as aluminum, wood, composite
polymers such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. Additionally each of
these members could be made hollow to further reduce weight and
increase buoyancy. The outrigger connecting ring 40 and tube base
44 can be made from any metal such as aluminum or steel, any number
of polymers such as nylon or wood with the desired properties of
high strength and light weight. Other materials may also be used.
The outrigger cable support 42 can be made from any stranded metal
cable such as steel or aluminum or any woven fiberous material such
as nylon, cotton or hemp. The desired properties of the outrigger
cable support 42 are high tensile strength, low weight and water
resistance.
[0038] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the present
invention includes an articulating floating outrigger assembly 14.
In the embodiment shown, the tube assembly 12, connected rigidly to
the tube base 44, is initially in the low or travel position. Since
each outrigger short pivot arm 36 is optionally rigidly connected
to the tube base 44 and each outrigger long pivot arm 34 is
connected as a linkage through the outrigger upper arm 38 to the
outrigger connecting ring 40, movement of all floats 32 and all
outrigger long pivot arms 34 radially away from the center produces
upward movement of the tube assembly as it travels inside the
outrigger connecting ring 40.
[0039] Movement of the water tube apparatus from the travel
position to the extended position can be compared to opening an
upside down umbrella as follows. The tube assembly is analogous to
an umbrella shaft. Movement of the tube assembly upward from the
travel position to the extended position is analogous to the upward
movement of an umbrella shaft while opening it upside down. The 6
outrigger long pivot arms 34, 6 outrigger short pivot arms 36 and
the 6 outrigger upper arms 38 are analogous to the many sets of 3
arms that move radially away from main shaft of an umbrella while
it is being opened. The 6 outrigger cable supports 42, while loose
and under no tension in the travel position, are analogous to the
fabric of an umbrella and are pulled taught in tension in the
extended position.
[0040] The present invention also provides a lifting mechanism
assembly 16. Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, one example of a lifting
mechanism assembly is shown. The lifting mechanism in an inflatable
buoyant float 46 having a hollow body, such as elastomeric, which
is capable of being filled with a preferably non-flammable gas from
a compressed source like a tank or compressor to produce a buoyant
lifting force. The inflatable buoyant float 46 is at least
semi-rigidly connected to the tube base 44. The buoyant force
produced is equal to the weight of the water that the body
displaces.
[0041] In operation, the buoyant lifting force is used to raise the
tube assembly up from the travel position to the extended position.
Likewise, releasing the gas from the inflatable buoyant float 46
will allow the tube assembly to go from the extended position from
the travel position for removal from the water and transport.
Advantages of this system to lift the tube assembly are that it is
simple, has few moving parts, is light weight and requires no power
source. The potential energy required to lift the tube assembly is
stored in the compressed gas. Compressed gas is directed into the
inflatable buoyant float 46 by the fill valve 48 to adjust the
water tube apparatus from the travel position to the extended
position. Releasing of the compressed gas from the inflatable
buoyant float 46 returns the apparatus from the extended position
to the travel position.
[0042] The inflatable buoyant float 46 can be made from an
elastomeric material like rubber or a flexible polymeric material.
Other materials may be used as well.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, another example of a lifting
mechanism assembly 16 is shown. In this embodiment, the lifting
mechanism includes an electric winch 52 having either 2 or 3
electric winch 52 mounted rigidly to the tube base 44. Through a
cable 54, the electric winch 52 produces a tensile force between
the outrigger connecting ring 40 and the tube base 44 through the
base connecting bracket 56.
[0044] Through the motion of the electric winch 52 shortening the
cable 54, the distance between the outrigger connecting ring 40 and
the tube base 44 is also shortened causing the tube assembly to go
from the travel position to the extended position.
[0045] The cable 54 may be woven strand material such as steel,
aluminum or a natural fiber such as hemp or nylon. Other materials
may also be used. The electric winch 52 is an off the shelf item
that will be purchased. Usually they are motor, gear and pulley
assemblies contained inside of a metal case.
[0046] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
promoting the sale of goods or services. In any of the embodiments
disclosed herein, it should be appreciated that one or more of the
assemblies or components of the present invention may include
advertising. Such advertisement may be in the form of a visual
representation (e.g., graphic, decal, painting, embossment,
sculpture, or other two or three dimensional representation) of a
product, service or provider thereof (e.g., design, emblem,
insignia, trademark, copyright, or otherwise). The visual
representations (particularly decals, painting or the like) may be
partially transparent or opaque and may be advantageously placed at
a frequently observed location of the apparatus. Preferably, the
visual representations do not substantially interfere with the
image or show attracting attention.
[0047] For example, it is contemplated that the floats 32 may
include a graphical representation of a product or service or
otherwise be shaped to correspond to the product or service being
advertised. In another example, the tube assembly 12 (e.g., main
tube, air chamber, or otherwise) may also include a partially
transparent or opaque representation of a product or service. Other
configurations are available.
[0048] In another configuration, the apparatus may also include a
sound system configured to provide a sound representation of the
product or service to be promoted. The sound representation may be
included as a component of the apparatus or may be a separate. In
either configuration the sound system may be configured to provide
sound corresponding to the movement or visual representation of the
apparatus.
[0049] While a feature of the present invention may have been
described in the context of only one of the illustrated
embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other
features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will
also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the
unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute
methods in accordance with the present invention.
[0050] It is understood that the above description is intended to
be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as
many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to
those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The
scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with
reference to the above description, but should instead be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The
disclosures of any articles and references, including patent
applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for
all purposes.
* * * * *