FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for holding, transporting, and using within a vehicle a transponder device that automatically activates a toll gate on a toll roadway.

BACKGROUND

Automatic toll collection is a modern convenience offered to motorists who travel on certain toll roads, and is a popular feature on many heavily traveled toll routes such as expressways. Automatic toll collection avoids the delay and inconvenience of having to completely stop to pay a fee to an operator at a toll collection booth, which requires single-file progression of cars in toll lanes, and handling of bills or coins by the operator if the motorist does not have the exact change for the toll.

Automatic toll collection involves a sophisticated system of toll prepayment (for example in increments of 10-20 dollars), which is credited to the user's prepaid toll account. Automatic payment of a toll is achieved at the time of passing through a toll lane, by means of a device known variously as a â€œtoll pass detector,â€ â€œtoll pass device,â€ or â€œtoll pass transponder,â€ which the user displays in the vehicle. Each time the toll pass device proceeds through a toll lane, it emits a signal to a detector in an automated toll booth. The detector records the passage of the device through the toll booth, and an amount corresponding to the toll is automatically subtracted from the balance in the toll account owner's account until the funds are depleted.

Toll pass devices must be placed in a vehicle location such as on the interior of the windshield, in order to activate the detector. Many toll pass devices are designed to be removably attached to the vehicle windshield by various fastening means such as connectors sold under the trademark VELCROâ„¢, adhesive strips, or by a supporting frame or flexible case attached by suction cups. However, the appearance of the toll pass device and the fastening means may detract from the aesthetics of the vehicle, as viewed both from the interior and the exterior.

Additionally, there is a tendency to leave a toll pass device behind in a particular vehicle when the device is left in a fixed or mounted position. This can result in theft of the device when the vehicle is left unattended. More commonly, it can lead to inconvenience and additional expense, should the user or another driver (e.g., in a multi-car family) forget to remove the toll pass device in one vehicle before switching to another vehicle.

As will be disclosed below, the present invention circumvents these problems by providing a novel holder for a toll pass device in the form of a compressible filled object that does not require attachment to the vehicle by any form of fastener. The present invention additionally serves as a pleasing decorative object, both when placed in use on a vehicle dashboard, and elsewhere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a combination holder for a toll pass device and decorative object which, in a broad aspect, comprises a body having an exterior surface defining a pillow-like structure and having interior surfaces defining at least one hollow body cavity, and a compressible substance substantially filling the body cavity. The body is sufficiently sized to fit between the dashboard and windshield of an automobile. One or more fasteners positioned for attachment of a toll pass device to an exterior surface of the body are affixed to the body of the holder.

In several preferred embodiments of the invention, the body may take the form of a geometric shape, a creature, or a familiar or thematic inanimate object such as a football, baseball, mascot, building, spiritual symbol, or the like.

Fasteners for attachment of the toll pass device to the holder can include one or more suitably proportioned overlapping straps with snap or interlocking loop closures, adjustable straps with buckle assemblies, one-piece elastomeric loop members such as bands or cords, or strips of synthetic interlocking material.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top and side perspective view of a pillow-shaped holder for a toll pass device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top and side perspective view of a toll pass device holder of the invention, shaped in the form of a football.

FIG. 3 is a top and side perspective view of a toll pass device holder shaped in the form of a creature, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective diagram illustrating a toll pass device holder of the invention in place on the dashboard of an automobile and positioned for hands-free activation of a toll detector in an automated toll booth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and the reference characters marked thereon, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, designated generally as 100. The invention comprises a body 110 having an exterior surface 115 defining a pillow-like structure and interior surfaces defining a hollow body cavity. The overall three-dimensional shape of the body 110 is created by a compressible material (not shown) that is contained in, and essentially fills, the hollow space in the body cavity. The shape and features on the external surface of the body 110 can be further defined by the texture of the material used to construct the body 110. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is pillow-like object with a surface appearance resembling that of a shag carpet.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, when positioned in the holder 100, the toll pass device 130 (shown in dotted lines) is secured to the body 110 by two or more suitably proportioned pairs of straps 120, 122, 124 (three illustrated) with overlapping ends comprising complementary male and female snap members 126 that upon being engaged (snapped together) form a snap closure assembly that holds the toll pass device 130 snugly against the exterior surface of the body 110 of the toll pass holder 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, designated generally as 200. The invention comprises a body 210 having an exterior surface 215 defining a toy-like football-shaped structure, and interior surfaces defining a hollow body cavity. As in the toll pass device holder 100, the three-dimensional shape of the body 210 of the device holder 200 is created by a compressible material that fills the interior hollow cavity. The exterior surface 215 is defined by a fabric covering constructed to evoke the overall shape and contours of a football.

Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that in the holder 200, the toll pass device 230 is held in place on the exterior surface of the body 215 by one or more suitably proportioned and positioned pairs of overlapping straps 220, 222 (two shown) comprising synthetic interlocking loop material that adheres when pressed together with a complementary piece of such synthetic material, one example of such material being marketed under the trademark VELCROâ„¢. The straps can be wholly fabricated from VELCROâ„¢ material, or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the straps may include appropriately placed complementary sections 225 of VELCROâ„¢ or similar interlocking loop material, the sections being affixed to the overlapping ends of the straps 220, 222 and positioned such that the toll pass device 230 is firmly held against the exterior surface of the body 215 upon pressing the complementary interlocking loop sections 225 against one another.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, designated generally as toll pass device holder 300, is shown in FIG. 3. This version of the invention comprises a body having an exterior surface 315 defining a creature-shaped structure (such as a dog, as illustrated), and interior surfaces defining a hollow cavity. As in other embodiments described above, the shape of the body, in this instance resembling that of a reclining puppy, is created by a compressible material that essentially fills the interior body cavity.

As shown in FIG. 3, embodiment 300 of the present invention features one or more suitably proportioned and positioned elastomeric loop members 320, 322 (two shown). Each loop member is affixed at both ends to an exterior surface 315 of the body 310. The lengths of the elastomeric loop members 320, 322 are proportioned so as to snugly hold the toll pass device 330 against the body 310 when the elastomeric members are in their relaxed position, as opposed to their stretched position. As will be readily apparent from viewing FIG. 3, to place the toll pass device 330 into the holder 300 and remove it therefrom, the user merely stretches the elastomeric loops. Advantageously, the design of the holder 300 provides for both simplicity of construction in the manufacturing process, and extreme convenience of use by the consumer. Any suitable type of elastomeric cord or band, made of natural or synthetic material, can be used in the construction of the elastomeric loop members 320, 322 of the holder 300.

The use of a toll pass holder device of the present invention in a vehicle such as a car, truck, or SUV is shown schematically in FIG. 4, which for illustrative purposes depicts a holder 300 as described above. The user secures a toll pass device 330 onto the exterior surface 315 of the body of the toll pass device holder 300 using the fasteners 320, 322 as described above, and places the toll pass device holder 300 on the dashboard 340 of the vehicle, positioning the holder such that the signal emitted by the toll pass device 330 will project through the windshield 350 of the vehicle and will be detected by the detector in the automated toll gate.

Alternatively, being of a compressible nature, the toll pass holder device 300 can be conveniently grasped with one hand, and held such that the attached toll pass device 330 is properly positioned for detection of its emitted signal by the detector at the automatic toll gate. The ease of grasping the holder 300 with one hand from its convenient location on the vehicle dashboard provides a significant ergonomic advantage over the common practice of carrying a toll pass device in a garment pocket, such as a shirt pocket, or in a handbag, which necessitates locating, retrieving, correctly orienting, and then re-stowing the device each time a toll booth is passed.

Slippage of the holder 300 on the dashboard can be minimized by wedging the compressible body of the holder 300 in the sloping space between the windshield 350 and the dashboard 340 of the vehicle. Additionally, toll pass device holders in accordance with the invention can be further configured to include one or more dashboard fastener devices for attaching the toll pass holder 300 to the dashboard of the vehicle. A preferred dashboard attachment device for this purpose is a suction cup, which is preferably affixed to an exterior surface 315 of the holder 300 at a position on the exterior surface 315 that faces the dashboard 340 upon attachment of the toll pass device 330 to the holder 300, and orientation of the device 330 in an operative position for detection of its emitted signal by the automatic toll detector. For example, in the embodiment 300 illustrated in FIG. 4, one or more suction cups (not shown) can be positioned on the undersurface of the reclining dog-shaped body 315. Pressure on the compressible body 315 can release the air from the suction cup(s), causing them to adhere to the dashboard 340 and prevent movement of the holder 300 on the dashboard 340.

Although the principles of the present invention have been illustrated in application to rectangular, football-shaped, and dog-shaped embodiments of the pillow-like toll pass device holders, it should be understood that such shapes have been shown by way of illustration, and are not limitations. It will be immediately apparent that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in view of the teachings above. For example, the shape and size of the pillow-like device holder can be varied to resemble any desired form proportioned to fit on the dashboard of an automobile and configured to permit hands-free detection of the emitted signal from the toll pass device when positioned on the vehicle dashboard.

Any suitable material can be used to fabricate the surface covering of the body of the toll pass device holder. Natural and synthetic cloth fabrics are available in an endless variety of colors and textures that can simulate a desired surface appearance, such as that of an animal fur, a shaggy rug, leather, and so on. Similarly, a wide variety of flexible plastic materials, as well as natural skins and furs, can be used.

The material covering the exterior surface of the holder can itself display, or be further embellished with, any desired design or logo, such as a corporate, institutional, sports, school, team, or personal logo (such as one or more initials, or a family crest or coat of arms). The design or logo can be incorporated directly into the material covering the exterior surface of the body. Alternatively or in addition, the body of the holder can be embellished with a desired design or logo. â€œEmbellished with,â€ as used herein, is meant to broadly refer to the addition by any means of a decorative design or logo, which can be stitched on as a patch (e.g., a crest), embroidered on the surface, attached as a fob, and so on.

Some embodiments of the invention further comprise at least one sleeve for holding a photograph or a paper. In one preferred embodiment, the sleeve is fabricated from a rectangular piece of flexible transparent or translucent plastic material that is affixed to (e.g., sewn onto) an exterior surface of the body. The sleeve can be conveniently used to display a suitably-proportioned image (such as a 3Ã—5 or 4Ã—6 inch photographic print), or any similarly-sized paper sheet, e.g., an index or memo card, a reminder note, a greeting card, or a computer printout of map directions. The capability of inserting a photo or stiff card into the sleeve can also provide a stabilizing effect, by forming a flattened base on an otherwise more rounded body of a pillow-like holder of the invention.

Suitable materials for filling the interior cavity of the toll pass device holder can be any compressible material, including foam or other synthetic materials (e.g., in pre-shaped blocks, chips, or beads), shredded fabric, fleece, batting, stuffing, rags, dried legumes such as peas or beans, beads, pebbles, pellets, wood chips, sawdust, feathers, down, and the like.

In some embodiments, the interior cavity of the toll pass device holder is filled with compressible substances such as water or other liquid, gel, or air.

Variations in the means of fastening the toll pass device to the holder, in addition to those described above, are further within the scope of the invention. For example, other types of overlapping straps can be affixed to the exterior surface of the body, such as straps having ends comprising complementary buckle members that form a buckle assembly when closed. The position of the buckle members on the straps can be adjustable, allowing for a snug fit by tightening the straps around the casing of the toll pass device. Suitable adjustable buckle members are available in many well known forms, including flexible plastic interlocking male and female buckle members, and belt-type buckle assemblies comprising members with tongue-like hardware configured for insertion into a complementary member having a plurality of holes.

Also within the scope of the invention are embodiments configured for use with toll pass devices comprising one or more strips of interlocking synthetic material affixed to a surface of the device (for example to facilitate attaching the device to a vehicle windshield). In place of the straps or elastomeric members as described above, embodiments of holders in accordance with the invention designed to accommodate such devices include suitably proportioned and positioned strips of interlocking synthetic material that are complementary to those affixed to the device. To attach the device to the holder, the user merely aligns the complementary strips on the holder and the device and presses them together, thereby securing the device to the holder.

Embodiments of the invention that include adjustable configurations of the fasteners, such as elastomeric loop members and various types of adjustable straps as described above, further provide the advantage of accommodating toll pass devices of more than one size, or even another type of similarly-sized portable device such as a cellular phone, handheld computer, portable music device, and so on.

It will be appreciated that the fasteners in the form of straps or elastomeric members can be configured in any number and orientation sufficient to provide adequate retention of the toll pass device against the body of the device holder of the invention. For example, in the illustrations shown, straps or elastic cords are oriented at right angles to the longer side of a rectangular toll pass device. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the straps or cords could also be oriented along the long axis of the toll pass device, or in a crisscross fashion, X-pattern, and so on.

Finally, depending upon the type of material used to construct the fasteners (straps, elastomeric members, interlocking loop material), any appropriate method may be used to affix the fasteners to the body of the toll pass device holder. Common techniques include hand stitching, machine sewing, use of glue or adhesives, and the like.

The disclosures of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties.