# US 6,718,697 B2 · Sponsored small vehicle storage device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,718,697 B2 - Document ID: US6718697B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/341,513 - Filed: 2003-01-13 - Published: 2003-05-29 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 1998-09-08 - Assignees: Bikelid Systems LLC - Inventors: Stephen C. Voorhees - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6718697B2 ## CPC - B62H 3/00: Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles (cycle supports used during maintenance B25H; building aspects E04H) - B62J 19/00: Parking covers for cycles - B65D 2585/686: vehicles - B65D 2585/6862: bicycles - B65D 2585/6865: motor cycles - Y10S 52/14: Shelter shaped to article configuration - B62H: CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES - B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A durable, secure small storage device that protects small vehicles from the elements and theft, as well as provides a platform upon which sponsors can advertise. Sponsors can include any entity that seeks to advertise or convey a specialized message such as corporations, universities, non-profit organizations, individuals, or governmental entities. The storage device includes a frame having a cross rod component and an upwardly extending rod component for laterally supporting a vehicle. A rigid shell is pivotally connected to the frame at the cross rod component and provides shelter and protection for the vehicle stored inside. The invention further includes an advertising means for displaying advertisements of sponsors. In another aspect, the invention comprises a method of providing site owners with such small vehicle storage devices at little or no cost using funds received from advertisers in return for advertising space in conjunction with the devices. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An enclosure for a vehicle comprising: a frame having a cross rod component terminating at first and second ends, and an upwardly extending rod component connected to said cross rod component, said upwardly extending rod component being shaped so as to flank a side of the vehicle for lateral support thereof; a rigid shell pivotally mounted to the cross rod component between said cross rod component's first and second ends to swing between an open position for insertion and removal of the vehicle, and a closed position wherein said shell is lowered to at least substantially enclose the vehicle to resist theft of the vehicle or components thereof; and, means, connected to said enclosure, for displaying advertisements. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a skirt frame pivotally connected to said cross rod component and extending around an inner periphery of a bottom edge of said rigid shell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The enclosure of claim 2 wherein said frame further comprises a shell support component connected to said skirt frame and extending upwardly into said rigid shell to provide support thereof and further protect the vehicle from theft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The enclosure of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said skirt frame extends below said bottom edge of said rigid shell for defining a gap between the said shell and base for permitting inspection of the contents of the enclosure to deter illicit activities. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said upwardly extending rod component comprises two opposing smooth radius curves and a first terminus and second terminus, said first terminus being connected to said cross rod component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The enclosure of claim 5 further comprising an assist mechanism for raising said rigid shell to said open position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The enclosure of claim 6 wherein said assist mechanism comprises a spring-loaded actuator arm extending between said second terminus of said upwardly extending rod component and a pivot component that pivotally connects said rigid shell to said cross rod component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a lockable latching mechanism for securing said rigid shell to said upwardly extending rod component. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said advertising means comprises a box for displaying advertisements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The enclosure of claim 9 wherein said box is illuminated for displaying advertisements in dark conditions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The enclosure of claim 10 wherein said box comprises a door including a frame and a window connected to said box by at least one hinge, a light source located within said box, and a diffuser panel located between said light source and said door wherein said advertisements are attached to an inner surface of said window. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The enclosure of claim 11 wherein said advertisements are attached by static adhesion to said window. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said advertising means comprises a display window including a front window and a back window, said front and back windows being displaced to create a space therebetween for receiving advertisements. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said advertising means comprises a rigid display banner attachable to said enclosure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said advertising means comprises a pressure-sensitive vinyl coating covering said rigid shell for displaying advertisements. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said advertising means comprises a surface on said rigid shell for receiving and aligning advertisements. ### Claim 17 An enclosure for a vehicle comprising: a base for supporting the vehicle; a shell pivotally mounted to said base and movable between an open position and a closed position, said shell having a peripheral edge; a skirt frame extending around said peripheral edge of said shell; at least one component of said skirt frame extending below said peripheral edge of said shell to support said shell at a position above said base to define a gap therebetween for permitting inspection of the contents of the enclosure to deter illicit; and a shell support component connected to said skirt frame and extending upwardly into said shell to provide support thereof and further protect the vehicle from theft. ### Claim 18 An enclosure for a vehicle comprising: a base for supporting the vehicle; a shell pivotally mounted to said base and movable between an open position and a closed position, said shell having a peripheral edge at least a portion of which lies above said base creating a gap for inspection of the contents of the enclosure to deter illicit activities; a shell support component connected to said shell and extending upwardly into said shell and spaced apart from said shell to provide support thereof and further protect the vehicle from theft; and means connected to said enclosure for displaying advertisements. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The enclosure of claim 18 wherein said advertising means comprises a box for displaying advertisements. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The enclosure of claim 19 wherein said box is illuminated to increase the visibility of advertisements. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The enclosure of claim 20 wherein said box comprises a door including a frame and a window connected to said box by at least one hinge, a light source located within said box, and a diffuser panel located between said light source and said door wherein said advertisements are attached to an inner surface of said window. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The enclosure of claim 21 wherein said advertisements are attached by static adhesion to said window. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The enclosure of claim 18 wherein said advertising means comprises a display window including a front pane and a back pane, said front and back panes being displaced to create a space therebetween for receiving advertising materials. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The enclosure of claim 18 wherein said advertising means comprises a rigid display banner attachable to said enclosure. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The enclosure of claim 18 wherein said advertising means comprises a pressure-sensitive vinyl coating covering said shell for displaying advertisements. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The enclosure of claim 18 wherein said advertising means comprises a surface on said shell for receiving and aligning adhesive advertisements.