Systems and methods for displaying LED signs

Abstract

Systems and methods for displaying LED signs and indicia are disclosed. The method specifically allows for the display of LEDs from the exterior of a vehicle using different connection means not envisioned in the art. Receiving means of a vehicle's trailer hitch, a trailer socket, a license plate receiving area, or other acceptable areas may facilitate connection of the system to the vehicle. The system may also allow for the replacement of the LED display for different events, such as sporting events, concerts, or in roadside emergency situations. The portability of the LED display may provide different usage examples - vehicle mounting, signaling on a vehicle, wall mounting, etc. - that allow for illuminated signs displayed by a user.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to applications in which foreign or domestic priority claims are identified in an application data sheet filed with or subsequently amended to this application, which applications having identified foreign or domestic priority claims are hereby incorporated by reference pursuant to 37 CFR § 1.57. For clarity, this application cross - references and claims priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 16 / 821,636, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to systems and methods for displaying LED signs, and more particularly to systems and methods for displaying LED signs on the exterior of a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] Vehicle owners generally have an interest in decorating the exterior of their vehicles in a manner that does not permanently modify the vehicle. Window coatings, bumper stickers, license plate covers, wheel covers, and antenna toppers are all examples of such decorations known in the art.

[0005] Many vehicles are equipped with a trailer hitch receiver to enable the vehicle to tow a trailer behind the vehicle. However, when not in use, the trailer hitch can be unsightly and pose a safety hazard. The hitch is typically at the exact height of a person's shin and is usually made of metal, and the hitch can injure a careless pedestrian. Thus, when not in use, vehicle owners typically remove the trailer hitch leaving the receiver exposed. There are some attachments designed to utilize the empty trailer hitch receiver, such as storage boxes, bike racks, etc. However, attaching these devices to the hitch receiver causes problems of their own and generally does not remain attached indefinitely.

[0006] As such, the receiver and adjacent power outlets are rendered useless and remain unsightly as an unadorned hole at the rear of the vehicle.

[0007] Like unoccupied trailer hitch receivers and trailer sockets on vehicles, license plates on vehicles can also be unsightly; laws require that every vehicle have at least one license plate, and the license plate is a label for simply identifying the vehicle, which does not mean adding any aesthetic value to the vehicle. As another way to decorate the vehicle and address the unsightliness of the license plate, license plate covers have become increasingly popular in recent years. A license plate cover is a stylized "frame" that surrounds the license plate and allows the license plate to be stylized and attached to the license plate receiving area of the vehicle. These covers are typically made of plastic or metal and can display images or logos of car dealerships or favorite sports teams. However, at night, it is difficult to see these covers, and there is a need in the art for license plate covers that allow for visibility both at night and during the day and are more aesthetically pleasing in appearance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure achieves technical advantages over systems and methods currently known in the art as a system and method for displaying LED signs. Specifically, the LED display can be replaced within the system, thus achieving versatility. The present disclosure also enables the display of LED signs from the trailer hitch rather than from an empty hitch receiver, eliminating the need to remove the trailer hitch from the receiver to display the LED device. The LED device can also be non-stationary in position and can be displayed at a number of heights that can be selectively adjusted by the user. The portability of the LED device provides different usage examples - vehicle mounting, over vehicle signaling, wall mounting, etc. - that allow for illuminated signs displayed by the user.

[0009] Generally, a trailer hitch is a device designed to fit into a hitch receiver and assist in attaching a trailer to the rear of a vehicle. The hitch can include a hollow rod of a specific size designed to fit into a receiver on the vehicle, with a trailer ball disposed at the end of the rod to which a trailer can be connected outside the receiver. The trailer ball on the trailer hitch for trailer attachment is typically fixed to the rod of the hitch via a nut; the bottom of the ball has a threaded link extending downward that fits through a horizontal hole in the end of the rod, and the nut can be tightened onto the threaded rod to secure the ball to the hitch. Trailer hitch receivers are typically located below the rear bumper of the vehicle and are of a consistent size.

[0010] The coupling device can be a modular attachment removably connected to the vehicle via a receiver. The coupling device and the receiver can have small holes that, when the rod of the coupling device is inserted into the receiver and the small holes of the coupling device and the receiver are aligned, allow a trailer coupling device pin to pass through, thereby fixing the coupling device within the receiver. To remove the coupling device, the pin is pulled out of the hole, and then the coupling device can be pulled out of the receiver. Near the coupling device receiver, the vehicle has sockets designed to receive a wired plug extending from the trailer, and these sockets can supply power to the trailer lights via a trailer power adapter or controller (either always statically or selectively dynamically). The trailer power adapter or controller can be a standard component in the vehicle or an aftermarket retrofit. Although the trailer socket is typically the only socket used by the trailer, the vehicle has other sockets arranged within the vehicle's cab to supply power to different devices; most vehicles have several cigarette lighter sockets, and many vehicles have a common power socket ("wall socket") that is typically set in a stationary structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a lighting device for displaying an LED device from the exterior of a vehicle. The lighting device includes a display and a rod. The display includes an LED device, a stylized cover, a plate, and wires. The LED device is operably coupled to a fixture configured to support the LED device; the stylized cover is coupled to the fixture and covers the LED device; the plate is fixed to the back of the fixture and is configured to support the fixture; the wires are connected to the LED device at a first end and include a plug at a second end, where the plug removably engages a vehicle socket; the rod is configured to engage a receiver. A hole in the rod is aligned with a receiver hole in the receiver to allow a pin to be inserted into the aligned rod hole and receiver hole, thereby removably fixing the rod within the receiver. The rod is removably coupled to the plate using an attachment mechanism and extends laterally from the display, where the wires of the display extend through and out of the rod.

[0012] In another embodiment, the present disclosure includes a lighting system for displaying an LED device from the exterior of a vehicle. The lighting system includes a telescoping coupling device adapter and a display. The display includes an LED device, a stylized cover, a plate, wires, and a rod. The LED device is operably coupled to a fixture configured to support the LED device; the stylized cover is coupled to the fixture and covers the LED device; the plate is fixed to the back of the fixture and is configured to support the fixture; the wires are connected to the LED device at a first end and include a plug at a second end, where the plug removably engages a vehicle socket; the rod is configured to engage the telescoping coupling device adapter. The rod is coupled to the plate and extends downward from the display. The rod is removably coupled to the telescoping coupling device adapter; and the telescoping coupling device adapter is removably coupled to a trailer coupling device.

[0013] In another embodiment, the present disclosure includes a method for displaying an LED device on an exterior of a vehicle. The method includes the steps of removably coupling a displayer to the exterior of the vehicle and removably engaging a plug with a vehicle socket. The displayer includes an LED device, a stylized cover, a plate, and a wire. The LED device is operably coupled to a fixture configured to support the LED device; the stylized cover is coupled to the fixture and covers the LED device; the plate is fixed to a back of the fixture and configured to support the fixture; the wire is connected to the LED device at a first end and includes a plug at a second end, wherein the plug is configured to removably engage the vehicle socket. The displayer is removably coupled to the exterior of the vehicle via a system selected from the group consisting of a rod, a link, and a loop; the rod is removably coupled to the plate and configured to engage a receiving member of the vehicle; the link is permanently attached to the plate and configured to be coupled to a telescopic coupling device adapter that removably engages a trailer hitch device; the loop is disposed on the displayer and configured to facilitate removably coupling the displayer to a license plate receiving area, wherein the displayer is configured to frame the license plate.

[0014] In another embodiment, the present disclosure includes a lighting device for displaying an LED device on an exterior of a vehicle. The lighting device includes a displayer. The displayer includes an LED device, a stylized cover, a plate, and a wire. The LED device is operably coupled to a fixture configured to support the LED device; the stylized cover is coupled to the fixture and covers the LED device; the plate is fixed to a back of the fixture and configured to support the fixture; the wire is connected to the LED device at a first end and includes a plug at a second end, wherein the plug removably engages the vehicle socket. The displayer is configured to frame a license plate of the vehicle; and the displayer is removably coupled to the exterior of the vehicle via a loop disposed on the displayer. The loop is configured to facilitate removably coupling the displayer to a license plate receiving area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 One embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which a displayer of a lighting device can be attached to a hollow rod capable of connecting to a trailer hitch device receiver of a vehicle;

[0016] Figure 2A Another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which a displayer of a lighting device can be separated from the hollow rod and can be temporarily connected to the rod.

[0017] Figure 2B A displayer removably attached to a hollow rod according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 2C Illustrates the replaceability of a display on a device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein one display can be removed and replaced by a different display;

[0019] Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the lamp system includes a lamp device disposed on a telescopic coupling device adapter that can be attached to a trailer coupling device within a trailer coupling device receiver of a vehicle;

[0020] Figure 4 Illustrates the lamp system of Figure 3 mounted on a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 Illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the lamp device can be a license plate cover that can be attached to a license plate receiving area of a vehicle and powered by a socket of the vehicle;

[0022] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the LED device of the lamp device is powered by a battery, and a switch is disposed on the back of the display to turn the device on or off.

[0023] Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment according to the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7A Is a front view of a lamp device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 7B Is a rear view of a lamp device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 7C Is a side view of a lamp device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 7D Is a cross-sectional side view of a lamp device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, which shows the internal components of the lamp device; and

[0028] Figure 8 Is a cross-sectional side view of a lamp device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which shows the internal components of the lamp device. Detailed Description

[0029] The preferred versions of the present disclosure, along with its various features and advantageous details, presented in the following written description will be more fully explained with reference to the non-limiting examples included in the accompanying drawings and will be explained in detail in the subsequent description. Descriptions of well-known components have been omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the main features described herein. The examples used in the following description are intended to facilitate an understanding of the ways in which the present disclosure can be implemented and practiced. Accordingly, these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Specifically, any dimensions identified on any of the drawings are preferred embodiments, and other embodiments may have different dimensions and capabilities, such that the dimensions should not be a limitation on the claims unless specifically recited therein.

[0030] The present disclosure provides at least the following advantages: 1) the ability to display various illuminated designs from the exterior of a vehicle; 2) the designs can be replaceable such that a user can pick and choose the design to be displayed at any given time; 3) these designs can also be displayed from a trailer hitch receiver by replacing the trailer hitch, from a commercially available trailer hitch, rather than replacing the hitch itself, or from a license plate receiving area.

[0031] Figure 1 A lighting device 10 is shown that can be mounted on a vehicle's hitch receiver. The device 10 has a display 12 and a hollow rod 14 which, in this embodiment, extends laterally from the back of the display 12 and is designed to fit directly into the vehicle's hitch receiver. The display 12 has an LED device (not shown) on a fixture 16 which is depicted here as a hollow compartment. A stylized cover 18 can be fitted over the fixture 16 and the LED device, and the cover can have transparent, translucent, and opaque components which are colored or colorless such that, when the LED device is activated, the light can shine through the cover 18. The back of the fixture 16 is attached to a plate 20 which is sized such that the surface area of the plate matches the surface area of the back of the fixture 16, and at least one wire 22 connected to the LED device passes through holes in the fixture 16 and the plate 20 and protrudes from the back of the display 12. The wire 22 has a length such that it can reach a trailer socket (or other socket) on the vehicle in the case where the lighting device 10 is mounted on the vehicle. In this embodiment, the display 12 is fixed to the hollow rod 14 using a permanent attachment mechanism such as welding (not shown in Figure 1 ), and the wire 22 extends through the hollow rod 14.

[0032] The plug 24 at the end of the electrical wire 22 can engage with a trailer socket (not shown) or otherwise be designed to engage with another socket of a vehicle, such as a cigarette lighter socket or a wall socket. The plug can also be adapted to engage with a bulb socket, such as a bulb socket that receives a license plate bulb on a vehicle, and the plug can also be configured to allow the bulb to be coupled to the plug such that both the plug and the bulb receive power from the bulb socket. Alternatively, an adapter can be removably attached to the plug to operably couple the plug to a power source, such as an AC / DC power source. Additionally, the lighting device can be adapted to receive solar energy, such as solar energy from a solar panel and a battery, capacitor, or other power storage device, and the plug can be adapted to engage with the solar panel and the battery, capacitor, or other power storage device. The hollow rod 14 is equipped with a hole 26 that allows the device 10 to be fixed to a trailer hitch receiver via a trailer pin or other suitable component. In this embodiment, the hollow rod 14 protrudes from the display 12 in a straight line such that the device 10 extends from the vehicle at a height commensurate with the height of the receiver, and the hollow rod 14 is mounted within the receiver. In another embodiment, the rod 14 can be curved, bent, or angled such that the device 10 can be displayed at a height that is not commensurate with the height of the receiver, and the rod 14 is mounted within the receiver.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows Figure 1 the lighting device 10, but the display 12 can be removably attached to the hollow rod 14 via a temporary attachment mechanism. According to one embodiment, the attachment mechanism can be a pull latch.

[0034] Figure 2A shows the display 12 separated from the rod 14, while Figure 2B shows the display 12 engaged with the rod 14. As an exemplary embodiment, the hinge 28 and the blade 30 of the pull latch are located on the hollow rod 14, and the retainer 32 is located on the plate 20 of the display 12 such that the hinge 28 and the blade 30 can engage the retainer 32 to fix the display 12 to the hollow rod 14. Any attachment mechanism that can removably fix the display 12 to the rod 14 can be used, and the attachment mechanism includes a tongue latch, a spring latch, a strike latch, a cam lock, a Norfolk latch, a Suffolk latch, a crossbar, and a casement stay, or other suitable components. The attachment mechanism used can also be equipped with a locking mechanism to keep the display 12 fixed to the hollow rod 14. Additionally, cushioning material can be disposed on the plate 20 or on the end of the hollow rod 14 to cushion the contact between the plate 20 and the rod 14.

[0035] From Figure 2CIt can be seen that when the first display 12 is removed, a different display 34 can be attached to the hollow rod 14. In one embodiment, the plate 20 of the display 12 has a raised lip dimensioned to restrict the rod 14 to increase the stability of the device 10 when the display 12 is attached to the rod 14. In another embodiment, the display 12 may further include one or more rings (not shown) disposed at the top edge of the display 12 and designed to receive, for example, screws or nails such that the display 12 (in the case where the display 12 is separated from the rod 14) can be suspended, such as on a wall or ceiling. In another embodiment, the plate 20 has one or more holes (not shown) configured to receive and removably couple to, for example, a nail or screw head such that the display can be suspended on a wall or the like.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a lighting system 40 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure that can be mounted on a trailer hitch. The telescoping hitch adapter 42 can have an attachment mechanism 44 (here, a threaded link dimensioned to receive a nut of a trailer ball that can be inserted into a trailer ball socket, which is the socket in the trailer hitch that normally receives a link extending from the trailer ball) to attach the adapter to the trailer hitch. The attachment mechanism can include any suitable mechanism or device capable of securing the adapter 42 to the hitch, including but not limited to the threaded link discussed above, or a trailer ball receiver equipped with a latching mechanism or tightening mechanism that secures the adapter 42 around the trailer ball (i.e., the end of the adapter 42 can fit over the top of the trailer ball, and an internal latching or tightening mechanism can secure the adapter 42 and the attached display 52 to the trailer ball such that the adapter 42 can be prevented from falling off the trailer ball). The adapter 42 can have an extended wire 46 disposed within the adapter 42, where at one end there is a trailer socket plug 48 and at the other end there is a mating plug 50 to engage an LED display 52 similar to those shown in Figure 1 and FIG. 2.

[0037] Similar to Figure 1 and FIG. 2, the display 52 can have a hollow rod or hollow link, but the rod extends downward and can be inserted into the top of the adapter 42. The wires 54 of the display 52 can exit the display 52 above the hollow rod as shown, or alternatively, the wires 54 can exit from within the hollow rod (similar to Figure 1(similar to FIG. 2), and mating plug 50 of suitable adapter 42 holds the joined wires 46, 52 within adapter 42. As with FIG. 2, display 52 can be removed from adapter 42 and replaced with a different display. Display 52 can be disconnected from extension wire 46, and the hollow rod can be removed from the top of adapter 42, allowing a different adapter to subsequently be connected to extension wire 46 and inserted into adapter 42.

[0038] In another embodiment, adapter 42 can be of any design that allows the adapter 42 to extend upward to a maximum height and contract downward by itself to a set minimum height. In one embodiment, telescoping hitch adapter 42 can extend above the roof of a vehicle. In one embodiment, adapter 42 can have a bottom section 56 that is slightly larger than middle section 58, which is similarly slightly larger than top section 60, allowing middle section 58 and top section 60 to contract into bottom section 56. By contracting or extending sections 56, 58, and 60, the height of adapter 42 can be varied. More or fewer sections can be added to vary the maximum height of adapter 42. Additionally, the height of each of sections 56, 58, and 60 can be predetermined to be suitable for the size of the vehicle or other considerations. Adapter 42 can secure each section in its extended form of adapter 42 by any means known in the art; in this exemplary embodiment, spring-loaded rivets 62 hold middle section 58 secured and extending from bottom section 56, and hold top section 60 secured and extending from middle section 58. Rivets 62 can be pushed inward to allow top section 60 and middle section 58 to partially contract downward into bottom section 56.

[0039] Figure 4 FIG. 3's lighting system 40 installed on vehicle 64 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Trailer hitch 66 can be installed in hitch receiver 68 of vehicle 64, and telescoping hitch adapter 42 can be attached to hitch 66; adapter 42 is either installed above the trailer ball via a trailer ball receiver as discussed above, or the trailer ball is removed to allow insertion of a threaded link as discussed above. Extension wire 46 of adapter 42 engages trailer socket 70 at one end and display wire 54 (not shown in Figure 4 to power system 40 at the other end.

[0040] In another non-limiting embodiment, Figure 5 is shown as being in Figures 1 to 4A lamp device 72 similar to those depicted in [description], wherein the display 74 may include the same components (i.e., LED devices, fixtures, plates, wires, and covers), but is sized to frame a license plate at the license plate receiving area on the exterior of the vehicle. A wire 76 with a plug 78 extends from the display 74 and may be attached to a socket in the vehicle. Figure 5 The lamp device 72 can be attached around the vehicle's license plate by any conventional license plate receiving area attachment mechanism known in the art, which includes but is not limited to an adhesive backing or strip, a clip, a latch, or most preferably, a ring configured to receive a screw, such as those used to attach a conventional license plate holder to a vehicle. Here, the license plate receiving area attachment mechanism is a set of rings 88 that align with holes in the vehicle's license plate receiving area to receive screws. In one embodiment, the lamp device can be designed such that the display depicts text or an image on either side of the license plate, rather than above and below the license plate. The thickness of the lamp device 72 can preferably not exceed 1 / 4 - 1 / 2 inch.

[0041] In another non - limiting embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a lamp device 80 having a display 82 that is similar to the displays discussed in the previous figures. However, the device 80 here has a battery (not shown), an on / off switch 84, and a charging socket 86. The battery is disposed within the display 82 to power the LED device, the on / off switch 84 is disposed on the plate to control the LED device, and the charging socket 86 can receive any conventional charging cord, such as a cord for a cell phone. The cord can be inserted into the charging socket 86 at one end and into a vehicle socket (such as a trailer socket) at the other end. The plate of the display 82 further has an attachment mechanism for securing the device 80 to a desired target. The attachment mechanism can be a magnet such that the device 80 can adhere to the exterior of the vehicle. Alternatively, as shown here, the attachment mechanism can be a pin such that the device 80 can be fixed to a housing. In one embodiment, the lamp device 80 can be clearly seen from 15 - 20 feet away and emits a soft light without any blurriness.

[0042] In another preferred and non - limiting embodiment, FIG. 7 shows a lamp device 90 similar to Figure 1 the lamp device described. The front view of the device 90 can be seen in Figure 7A wherein the display 92 is connected to a hollow rod 94 via a frame 104, which is shown here as being permanently attached to the display 92. Here, the display is separated into two pieces (one piece shown here displays the word "Merry" and the other displays the word "Christmas", symbolically represented as "display part A" and "display part B" respectively).

[0043] Figure 7B shows a rear view of the device 90, where the frame 104 can be seen as being welded 106 to the display 92, and Figure 7C shows a side view of the device 90. Figure 7D shows a cross-sectional side view of the device 90, where the components of the display 92 can be seen more clearly. The LED device 98 is arranged on the upper part (top) of the fixing member 96, which is depicted here as a flat plate, and the stylized cover 100 is fitted above the fixing member 96 and the LED device 98 to allow the LED device 98 to emit light through the cover 100 in a stylized manner. The fixing member 96 (flat plate) is used here for a purpose similar to that of the fixing member (hollow compartment) in Figure 1 Figs. 5 to 6, except that the hollow compartment encloses and houses the LED device, and here the flat plate has the LED device 98 arranged on the upper part of the flat plate, and the stylized cover 100 can be fitted above the LED device 98 and surround the LED device 98 with the sides surrounding the LED device 98. The fixing member 96 can be arranged on the upper part of the plate 102, which facilitates the connection of the frame 104. The hollow rod 94 is connected to the display 92 via the frame 104, and the frame 104 can be connected to the plate 102 of the display 92 via the attachment mechanism 106, which is shown here as one or more welds 106. The wire 108 passes through the fixing member 96 to connect to each component of the display 92 and exits from the hollow rod 94 to be inserted into a vehicle socket.

[0044] In one embodiment, the fixing member 96 is a flat plate of ABS resin with a thickness of 5 mm; the plate 102 is stainless steel and has a thickness of 1.5 mm; the stylized cover 100 is a special brightness resin with a straight cut and a thickness of 20 mm, which has coated sides; the frame 104 is stainless steel and is coated in a customized manner; and the hollow rod is circular and made of stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, these thicknesses can vary according to the application.

[0045] Figure 8FIG. 0 shows a cross-sectional side view of a lamp device 110 similar to the lamp device of FIG. 7 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The lamp device 110 has a display 112 connected to a hollow rod 116 via a frame 114. However, different from the device of FIG. 7, the display 112 of the device 110 here includes only one component; that is, if the device 110 is observed from the front, it will have only a single row of displays, such as "Merry" or "Christmas", but not both. The LED device 118 is arranged on the upper part of a fixing member 120, which is depicted here as a flat plate as in FIG. 7, and a stylized cover 122 is assembled above the fixing member 120 and the LED device 118 to allow the LED device 118 to emit light through the cover 122 in a stylized manner. As in FIG. 7, the fixing member 120 is arranged on a plate 124 to allow connection to the frame 114 via an attachment mechanism 126 (here, a weld). The hollow rod 116 is connected to the frame 114, and the frame 104 is welded to the plate 124 and thus connected to the display 92. At least one wire 128 passes through the fixing member 120 to connect to the display 112 and exits from the hollow rod 116 to be inserted into a vehicle socket.

[0046] In these specific embodiments of FIG. 7 and Figure 8 , the preferred thickness of the stylized covers 100, 122 is 20 mm; the preferred thickness of the fixing members 96, 120 is 5 mm; and the preferred thickness of the plates 102, 124 is 1.5 mm, such that the thickness of the entire displays 92, 112 is 26.5 mm each, as seen in Figure 7C FIG.. Additionally, the thickness of the frames 104, 114 is preferably 25 mm, and the displays 92, 112 are arranged on the frames 104, 114 in such a way that the thickness of the entire devices 90, 110 is 45 mm, as seen in Figure 7C FIG.. In this preferred embodiment, the length of the device 90 of FIG. 7 is 505.8 mm and the height is 201 mm (excluding the hollow rod 94). However, suitable alternative dimensions can be envisaged.

[0047] For example, the stylized cover can be of any thickness as long as light can propagate through the cover; the fixing member can be of any thickness that allows the LED device to be fixed to the fixing member; the plate can be of any thickness for supporting the display; the frame can be of any thickness for fixing the display to the hollow rod; and the hollow rod can be of any thickness for attaching the hollow rod to a trailer hitch receiver or a telescopic hitch adapter. Additionally, the display can have any desired height or any desired length. The hollow rods 94, 116 of the devices 90, 110 can alternatively extend laterally (instead of downward) from the displays 92, 112 and be essentially rectangular to be directly assembled in a trailer hitch receiver, as inFigure 1 as shown in FIG. 2

[0048] FIG. 7 and Figure 8 The lighting devices 90, 110 can be attached to a trailer hitch receiver of a vehicle via an adapter, such as via the telescopic hitch adapter disclosed herein and an attached trailer hitch, to a trailer hitch receiver of a vehicle. Alternatively, the hollow rods 94, 116 of the devices 90, 110 can be equipped with an attachment mechanism as discussed with respect to the telescopic hitch adapter (i.e., the bottom of the hollow rods 94, 116 can have a threaded link that can receive a nut, or alternatively, the bottom of the hollow rods 94, 116 are sized to fit over a trailer ball and have a tool to secure the devices 90, 110 to the trailer ball) and be directly assembled onto the trailer hitch.

[0049] In the embodiments discussed herein, it is preferred to use the trailer socket of the vehicle because the socket is positioned closest to the display and is located outside the vehicle. However, other vehicle sockets can also be used, which include cigarette lighter sockets and wall sockets disposed inside or outside the vehicle. The wires powering the LED devices can have any suitable length to reach any of the sockets described herein. Additionally, multiple displays can be connected to a single hitch receiver, such as in the case where the rod is bifurcated or split to allow attachment of multiple displays. All embodiments discussed herein are capable of displaying 3D effects or other lighting displays having a certain depth; the stylized cover can be textured, colored, have raised and lowered surfaces, or be modified in any way that allows the LED lights disposed behind the cover to pass through the cover and illuminate the design. The cover, fixture, and plate can work together to provide a depth effect or 3D effect to the embodiment, as the light from the LED device can be reflected from the fixture and plate, or refracted or emitted through the cover to show the desired design. Additionally, the hollow rod can be shaped, angled, or formed such that the lighting device is secured in many positions or many angles. For example, the hollow rod can be L-shaped such that the display is positioned above or below the plane of the trailer hitch receiver.

[0050] In the embodiments disclosed herein, it is contemplated that the LED devices of the lighting device are attached to the fixture in any manner known in the art. For example, the LED device can be attached to the fixture using an adhesive, screws, or any other means that can successfully secure the LED device to the fixture. Additionally, the stylized cover can be secured to the fixture in any manner known in the art, preferably using an adhesive.

[0051] In one embodiment, with respect to an LED display, such display is intended to produce soft, bright illumination so as to be visible from 25 feet away, wherein clear definition of text and / or images is achieved by the stylized cover. The depictions of the stylized cover are spaced apart with sufficient spacing so that illumination from one section of the cover will not interfere with illumination from any other section. The stylized cover is configured to disguise the interior of the display and house the LED device while enabling the display to emit clear illumination that defines the image and text of the stylized cover. In one embodiment, two LED devices may be used, and the text or display images of the stylized cover will not interfere with each other or otherwise obscure the display of the device; such an embodiment may be visible from 25 feet away without being dazzling to the naked eye. Exemplary embodiments of the device are intended to be used in all weather conditions and maintain clarity in such elements.

[0052] In one embodiment, the illumination of the light fixture may be static and constant, or conversely, the illumination may modulate, pulse, or flicker while maintaining clarity of the display when illuminated. In one embodiment, the materials used, such as those used for the stylized covers or fixtures, will not change or modify the color of the LEDs in the LED fixture to ensure clarity in changing weather conditions. In one embodiment, components of the display, such as the stylized covers and fixtures, may be transparent or translucent to allow the LEDs to project illumination through the top and sides of the display, thereby increasing clarity of the display at a distance and reducing any blur or haziness.

[0053] The present disclosure achieves at least the following advantages:

[0054] 1. A replaceable LED display that connects to the trailer hitch receiver;

[0055] 2. Portable LED demonstrators that provide different use cases – vehicle mounted, on-vehicle demonstration, wall mounted, etc.

[0056] 3. Be capable of being displayed from the trailer hitch itself, rather than removing the hitch to attach the display; and

[0057] 4. Display the LED device from an adjustable elevated position at the rear of the vehicle.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that these advantages (and the advantages pointed out in the Summary of the Invention) and objectives of the system would not be possible without the specific combination of the structural components and mechanisms assembled in the device of the present invention and described herein. Without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present disclosure, the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms. For example, each of the new structures described herein may be modified to accommodate specific local variations or requirements while retaining their basic configuration or the structural relationship between each other or while performing the same or similar functions described herein. Therefore, this embodiment is considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is determined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Therefore, all changes within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included therein. In addition, the individual elements of the claims are not well-known, conventional, or routine. Instead, the claims are directed to the unconventional inventive concepts described in the specification.

Claims

1. A lighting device for externally displaying an LED device of a vehicle, the lighting device comprising: A display device, wherein the display device includes: An LED device operably coupled to a fixture configured to support the LED device; A stylized cover coupled to the fixture and covering the LED device; A plate fixed to the back of the fixture and configured to support the fixture; A wire connected to the LED device at a first end and including a plug at a second end, wherein the plug is configured to removably engage a vehicle socket; and A rod configured to engage a receiving member, wherein a rod hole in the rod is aligned with a receiving hole in the receiving member to allow a pin to be inserted into the aligned rod hole and receiving hole to removably fix the rod within the receiving member; Wherein the rod is removably coupled to the plate using an attachment mechanism and extends laterally from the display device, and wherein the wire of the display device extends through and out of the rod, Wherein the attachment mechanism includes a pull latch, and Wherein a vane and a hinge are located on the rod and a retainer is located on the display device.

2. The lamp device according to claim 1, wherein, The attachment mechanism further includes a locking mechanism.

3. A method for externally displaying an LED device on a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: Removably coupling a display device to the exterior of a vehicle, wherein the display device includes: An LED device operably coupled to a fixture configured to support the LED device; A stylized cover coupled to the fixture and covering the LED device; A plate fixed to the back of the fixture and configured to support the fixture; A wire connected to the LED device at a first end and including a plug at a second end, wherein the plug is configured to removably engage a vehicle socket; and Removably engaging the plug with the vehicle socket; Wherein the display device is removably coupled to the exterior of the vehicle via a system selected from the group consisting of: A rod removably coupled to the plate and configured to engage a receiving member of the vehicle, wherein the rod is removably coupled to the plate via a pull latch, wherein a vane and a hinge are located on the rod and a retainer is located on the display device, and a rod hole in the rod is aligned with a receiving hole in the receiving member to allow a pin to be inserted into the aligned rod hole and receiving hole to removably fix the rod within the receiving member; A link permanently attached to the plate and configured to be coupled to a telescopic coupling device adapter that removably engages a trailer coupling device; and A loop disposed on the display device and configured to facilitate removably coupling the display device to a license plate receiving area, wherein the display device is configured to frame a license plate.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The pull latch includes a locking mechanism.

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