Method and device for advertising using an airline passenger seat service tray

Abstract

An airline service tray assembly includes a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface and brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal. The service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray. The cavity is preferably provided with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed. The window is preferably located at the bottom surface so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position. The service tray also preferably includes a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity. Directed advertising sheets are placed in the service trays so that they are visible to seated aircraft passengers when the service tray is in its stowed position. The advertising sheets can be selectively removed and retained by the passengers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/250,988 filed on Dec. 04, 2000.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention generally relates to methods and devices for advertising goods and/or services to the general public and, more particularly, to a targeted group of potential customers using an airline service tray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Individuals and large companies spend large amounts of time and money to advertise or market their goods and/or services. Media for advertising goods and/or services vary widely including, for example, old fashioned word-of-mouth, hand distributed or mailed leaflets, newspaper and magazine advertisements, billboards, promotional events and sponsorship thereof, radio and television advertisements, and electronic advertisements on the Internet. The costs of the various forms of advertising vary greatly, as do their success rates, depending on many factors including demographics of the targeted audience, time, place, and duration of the ads, and many other unknown factors. Since society and the economy are always changing, the marketing/advertising industry is always looking for new ways to reach large amounts of potential customers for relatively little cost. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved method of advertising to a targeted group of potential customers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a method and device for advertising which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, a service tray assembly includes, in combination, a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface and brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal. The service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, an airline service tray assembly includes, in combination, a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface and brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal. The service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray. The cavity is provided with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed. The window is located at the bottom surface so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position. The service tray includes a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity.

[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of advertising includes the steps of, in combination, providing a service tray movable between a vertical position and a horizontal position, providing an advertisement sheet having advertising indicia thereon, and placing the advertisement sheet within a cavity in the service tray such that the advertising indicia is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service tray.

[0009] From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology of methods and devices for advertising. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a high quality, reliable, inexpensive, advertising method and device. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of an airline passenger seat having a service tray according to the present invention, wherein the service tray is in an upright and locked position and no ad slick is contained therein;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the service tray of FIG. 1 showing the service tray in an unlocked and intermediate position between the stowed and locked position and a deployed position wherein an ad slick being inserted;

[0013] FIG. 3 is rear elevational view of the service tray of FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the service tray is returned to the upright and locked position and the ad slick is contained therein;

[0014] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the service tray taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 3;

[0015] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4A but showing an alternative embodiment of the service tray according to the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B but showing another alternative embodiment of the service tray according to the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C but showing yet another alternative embodiment of the service tray according to the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the service tray in a deployed position.

[0019] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the airline service tray as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific materials dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of the various components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the service tray illustrated in the drawings. In general, up or upward refers to an upward direction within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 and down or downward refers to a downward direction within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1. In general, rear or rearward refers to a direction toward the right within the plane of the paper in FIG. 2 and front or forward refers to a direction to the left within the plane of the paper in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved advertising method and device disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to a service tray 10 of an airline passenger seat 12. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure such as, for example, other types of service trays and/or other types of vehicles.

[0021] As best shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the airline passenger seat 12 is provided with the seat-back service tray 10. The service tray 10 is located at the rear of the passenger seat 12 for use by a passenger seated in a passenger seat located behind the illustrated passenger seat 10. Preferably, the service tray 10 is generally planar having a generally planar forward or top side or surface 14 and a generally planar rearward or bottom side or surface 16 generally parallel to the forward surface 14. The service tray 12 also has opposed parallel top or rearward and bottom or forward longitudinal edges or sides 18, 20 and opposed parallel right and left lateral edges or sides 22, 24, wherein the longitudinal edges 18, 20 are longer than the lateral edges 22, 24, to form a generally rectangular shape. The service tray 10 is preferably movable between a stowed position or upright position (best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) wherein the service tray 10 is secured or locked to the passenger seat 12 so that the service tray 10 is out of the way of the passenger when not in use and a deployed or down position (best shown in FIG. 5) wherein the service tray is above the lap of the passenger so that the service tray 10 can support items on the top surface 14 during in-flight food and beverage service and/or other desired times. In the upright position, the service tray 10 is generally vertical and parallel to the back or rear surface 26 of the passenger seat 12 with the forward surface 14 facing the rear surface 26 of the passenger seat 12 and the rear surface 16 facing away from the passenger seat 12 and visible to the passenger seated behind the passenger seat 12. In the down position, the service tray 10 is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the rear surface 26 of the passenger seat 12 with the forward surface facing 14 up and the rearward surface 16 facing down.

[0022] The service tray 10 is preferably attached to the passenger seat 12 by a pair of arms or brackets 28 which are adapted allow the service tray 10 to be moved between the upright and down positions. The illustrated brackets 28 are secured to the lateral edges 22, 24 of the service tray 10 and the lateral sides of the passenger seat 12. One end of the illustrated brackets 28 are connected to the passenger seat 12 with pivotable connections so that the brackets are pivotable relative to the passenger seat about a generally horizontal and laterally extending pivot axis30 located at the passenger seat 12. The other end of the illustrated brackets 28 are connected to the service tray 10 with pivotable connections so that the service tray 10 is pivotable relative to the brackets 28 about a horizontally and laterally extending pivot axis 32. With these connections, the service tray 10 is manually pivotable between the stowed and deployed positions.

[0023] Preferably, a latch or other securing device 34 is provided to selectively secure the service tray 10 to the passenger seat 12 when the service tray 10 is in the stowed position. The illustrated latch 34 is pivotally connected to the passenger seat about a generally horizontal and longitudinally extending pivot axis 36. The latch 34 is manually moved from a locking position wherein the latch 36 interferes with outward or rearward pivotable movement of the service tray 10 to hold the service tray 10 in the upright position and an unlocking position wherein the interference with the service tray 10 is removed so that the service tray 10 can move to the down position. It is noted that other types of securing devices 34 can be utilized within the scope of the present invention.

[0024] The service tray 10 as described hereinabove, or a slight variation thereof, is used in almost every commercial passenger plane such as, for example, the Boeing 727, 737, and 737. According to the present invention, these known service trays are altered as described hereinbelow to be used in the manner as described hereinbelow.

[0025] The service tray 10 is provided with a hollow interior pocket or cavity 38 which is at least partially visible through the rearward surface 16. The cavity 38 is sized and shaped for holding an advertising sheet, insert or slick 40 therein so that the advertising slick 40 can be viewed by the passenger seated behind the passenger seat 12 when the service tray 10 is in the upright position. The advertising slick 40 is preferably a rectangular 8.5×11 sheet of paper but can comprise other material, sizes, and forms. Provided on the advertising slick 40 is advertising or promotional indicia 42. The promotional indicia 42 can advantageously include redeemable coupons. The advertising indicia 42 can be such as those located in magazines of commercial airlines. The advertising slick 40 can advantageously be targeted to the passengers by including goods or services located at the departure or arrival city or airport such as, for example, parking facilities, rental car companies, hotels, air port or city restaurants, or tourist locations

[0026] As best shown in FIG. 4A, at least a portion of the rearward surface 16 preferably includes a transparent or translucent material forming a window 42 so that the advertising slick 40 located within the cavity 38 can be viewed through the transparent window 42. Suitable materials for the transparent window 42 are believed to be plexi-glass, Styrene, or like materials. The transparent window 42 can be co-molded with the remainder of the service tray 10 or separately formed and secured to the service tray 10. Preferably, the transparent window 42 is sized and shaped so that an advertising area of about 8.5 inches by about 11 inches is viewable.

[0027] As best shown in FIG. 4B, the rearward surface can alternatively be provided with at least one opening or aperture forming an open window 44 so that the advertising slick 40 within the cavity can be viewed through the open window 44. It should be noted that a transparent sheet could also be located within the cavity 38 to cover the open window 44 in a manner such as the transparent window 42described above.

[0028] While the cavity 38 is preferably formed in the original construction of the service tray 10 as described hereinabove, the cavity 38 can alternatively be formed by an add-on device or member which is secured to an existing service tray. In this manner, existing service trays can be easily retrofitted to incorporate the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 4C, a frame member 46 is separately molded from the service tray 10 and secured to the rearward surface 16 of the service tray 10. The cavity 38 is formed between the rear surface of the service tray 10 and the frame member 46. The frame member 46 can be secured to the rearward surface 16 of the service tray 10 by any suitable manner such as, for example, adhesive or thermal welding. The illustrated frame member 46 is provided with a transparent window 42 but can alternatively be provided with an open window 44. The frame member can be formed of any suitable material such as, for example, a rigid or flexible plastic.

[0029] As best shown in FIG. 4D, a pocket member 48 is separately formed from the service tray 10 and secured to the rearward surface 16 of the service tray 10. The cavity 38 is formed between opposed walls of the pocket member 48. The pocket member 48 can be secured to the rearward surface 16 of the service tray 10 by any suitable manner such as, for example, adhesive or thermal welding. The illustrated pocket member 48 is entirely formed of a transparent material but alternatively can be provided with a transparent window 42 of smaller size or an open window 44. The pocket member 48 can be formed of any suitable material such as, for example, a flexible or rigid plastic.

[0030] Preferably, at least one edge of the service tray is provided with a slit or slot 50 that communicates the cavity 38 to the exterior space so that the advertising slick 40 can be easily inserted and removed from the cavity 30. The illustrated service tray 10 has a slot 50 located at the top longitudinal edge 18, that is, the edge 18 which is located at the top when the service tray 10 is in the upright position. With the slot 50 located in this position, the latch 34 retains the advertising slick 40 in the cavity 38 when the service tray 10 is in the upright position so that the advertising slick 40 can only be removed from the cavity 38 when the latch 34 is unlocked. It is noted that the slot 50 can be alternatively located at other edges 20, 22, 24 and other means for retaining the advertising slicks 40 within the cavity 38 can be utilized such as, for example, separate latches, covers, doors, straps or the like. The illustrated service tray 10 is provided with a pair of notches 52 along the slot 50 which are adapted to allow the advertising slick 40 to be easily grasped for removal from the cavity 38. It is noted that while the illustrated embodiment of the present invention permits the passenger to remove the advertising slick 40, the advertising slick 40 can alternatively sealed within the cavity 38 or secured to the service tray 10 such that it cannot be easily removed by the passenger.

[0031] The advertising slick 40 is inserted into the cavity 38 of the service tray 10 through the slot 50 by airline personnel prior to the passengers boarding (similar to airline magazines being placed in the seat pockets prior to take off) the airplane. When the passengers board the airplane and are seated, the passengers are able to see the advertising indicia 42 of the advertising slicks through the window 42 which is directly in front of them on the back of the passenger seat 12 in front of them. As best shown in FIG. 2, the passengers are able pivot the latch 42 so that the service tray 10 can be manually pivoted downward away from the passenger seat 10 about the pivot axis. With the service tray 10 in an intermediate position between the stowed and deployed positions, the passenger is able to remove the advertising slick 40 and take it with them when they depart the aircraft so that they can refer to it at a later time or redeem coupons which may be located on the advertising slick 40. The service tray 10 otherwise operates in a normal fashion so that it is selectively pivotable between the stowed position wherein it is out of the way of the passenger and the advertising slick 40 is visible (Best shown in FIG. 3) and the deployed position wherein the service tray is generally horizontal with the advertising slick 40 facing downward.

[0032] It can be appreciated from the above description that the present invention allows airline owners and/or operators to sell premium advertising spots within the aircraft. Service trays 10 are typically in their upright position for about 90% of each flight. The advertising slick 40 is in full view of the potential customer for the entire duration of the time the service tray 10 is in the upright position. The present invention allows the airline owners and/or operators to generate additional revenue by providing more premium advertising space yet does not require much funding or investment above what is currently spent on existing service trays 10. Additionally, existing service trays 10 can be easily retrofitted. The present invention also provides additional and improved advertising opportunities for marketers of goods and/or services to a targeted audience.

[0033] From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of the present disclosure, that the forward surface 18 can additionally or alternatively be provided with a transparent window to view the advertising slick when the service tray 10 is in the deployed position. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. A service tray assembly comprising, in combination:

a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface;

brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal; and

wherein the service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray.

2. The service tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is provided with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.

3. The service tray assembly according to claim 2, wherein the window includes a transparent material through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.

4. The service tray assembly according to claim 2, wherein the window includes an open through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.

5. The service tray assembly according to claim 2, wherein the window is located at the bottom surface so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position.

6. The service tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the service tray is adapted so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position.

7. The service tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the service tray includes a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity.

8. The service tray assembly according to claim 7, wherein the service tray includes at least one notch at the slot so that the advertising sheet can grasped while in the cavity.

9. The service tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is at least partially formed by a separate member secured to the service tray.

10. The service tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the separate member is secured to the bottom surface of the service tray.

11. The service tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the separate member is in the form of a frame.

12. The service tray assembly according to claim 9, wherein the separate member is in the form of a pocket.

13. An airline service tray assembly comprising, in combination:

a service tray having a top surface and a bottom surface;

brackets adapted to allow the service tray to move between an upright position wherein the top and bottom surfaces generally vertical and a down position wherein the top and bottom surfaces are generally horizontal;

wherein the service tray has a cavity sized and shaped for receiving an advertisement sheet therein and is adapted such that the advertisement sheet located within the cavity is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service of the service tray;

wherein the cavity is provided with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed;

wherein the window is located at the bottom surface so that the advertising sheet can be at least partially viewed when the service tray is in the upright position; and

wherein the service tray includes a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity.

14. A method of advertising comprising the steps of, in combination:

providing a service tray movable between a vertical position and a horizontal position;

providing an advertisement sheet having advertising indicia thereon; and

placing the advertisement sheet within a cavity in the service tray such that the advertising indicia is at least partially viewable from the exterior of the service tray.

15. The method of advertising according to claim 14, wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with a window through which the advertising sheet within the cavity can be at least partially viewed.

16. The method of advertising according to claim 15, wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with the window including a transparent material.

17. The method of advertising according to claim 15, wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with the window on a surface such that the advertising sheet is viewable when the service tray is in the vertical position.

18. The method of advertising according to claim 14, wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray with a slot communicating the cavity to exterior space so that the advertising sheet can be inserted and removed from the cavity.

19. The method of advertising according to claim 14, wherein the step of providing the advertising sheet includes providing at least one redeemable coupon on the advertising sheet.

20. The method of advertising according to claim 14, wherein the step of providing the service tray includes providing a service tray adapted to mount to an aircraft passenger seat.