Rotating message panel apparatus

A device for displaying indicia thereon, the device comprising:

• a base comprising a first base stop projecting from the base, a second base stop projecting from the base, a third base stop projecting from the base, and a clip adapted to enable the device to be mounted to a top edge of a vehicle window;
• a pole affixed to or integral with and projecting upward from the base, a reduced diameter area being defined in a portion of the pole adjacent a top end of the pole;
• a panel hingedly attached to the pole, the panel having opposing sides for receiving indicia on one or both opposing sides, the panel comprising a panel stop projecting from the panel;
• and
• a hollow tube affixed to or integral with the panel for receiving the pole to enable attachment of the panel to the pole, a top end of the tube comprising a ledge closing off a portion of the top end of the tube;
• wherein the panel is rotatable about the pole between a first position and a second position;
• and
• wherein the panel is biased toward the first position when the panel is in the second position or between the first position and the second position;
• wherein the panel stop contacts the first base stop when the panel moves to the first position to stop the panel from moving past the first position in a direction opposite from the second position;
• wherein the panel stop contacts the second base stop when the panel moves to the second position to stop the panel from moving past the second position in a direction opposite from the first position;
• wherein the panel is rotatable about the pole between a third position and a fourth position;
• wherein the panel is biased toward the third position when the panel is in the fourth position or between the third position and the fourth position;
• wherein the panel stop contacts the first base stop when the panel moves to the third position to stop the panel from moving past the third position in a direction opposite from the fourth position;
• wherein the panel stop contacts the third base stop when the panel moves to the fourth position to stop the panel from moving past the fourth position in a direction opposite from the third position;
• wherein a bottom end of the tube is angled and a surface of the base is angled such that the angle of the tube cooperates with the angled surface of the base to move the panel upward as the panel moves from the first position to the second position or from the third position to the fourth position;
• wherein the upward movement of the panel biases the panel toward the first position or toward the third position;
• and
• wherein the ledge engages with the reduced diameter area of the pole to retain the panel in place attached to the pole.

A method for displaying indicia on a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

• (a) obtaining a device for displaying indicia thereon, the device comprising:
• a base comprising a clip adapted to enable the device to be mounted to a top edge of a vehicle window;
• a pole affixed to or integral with and projecting upward from the base;
• and
• a panel hingedly attached to the pole, the panel having opposing sides for receiving indicia on one or both opposing sides;
• wherein the panel is rotatable about the pole between a first position and a second position;
• wherein the panel is biased toward the first position when the panel is in the second position or between the first position and the second position;
• wherein the panel is rotatable about the pole between a third position and a fourth position;
• and
• wherein the panel is biased toward the third position when the panel is in the fourth position or between the third position and the fourth position;
• (b) attaching the clip to the top edge of the motor vehicle window;
• and
• (c) positioning the panel into the first position if the motor vehicle window is on a first side of the vehicle or positioning the panel into the third position if the motor vehicle window is on a second side of the vehicle opposite from the first side.