Abstract:
A motorcycle license plate frame having an illuminated message bar is provided. The message bar has transparent optical apertures in the shape of symbols and/or alphanumeric characters that form a message. The message is illuminated by a light source located behind the message bar and connected to the motorcycle&#39;s electrical system. The color of all or portions of the message can be altered with tinted filters placed between the light source and the optical apertures. The message bar is made from a structural material and can be easily removed allowing replacement of the message without the expense and trouble of replacing the entire unit.

Description:
This invention relates to motorcycles and, more specifically, to a motorcycle license plate housing having an interchangeable illuminated message bar. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, a license plate is attached directly to a motor vehicle. Recently, the use of license plate frames to mount license plates to motor vehicles has gained popularity, especially with regards to motorcycles. License plate frames are increasingly popular with motorcycle enthusiasts, both as decorative accessories and as added protection for the license plate. One popular decorative enhancement contributed by some license plate frames is in the form of an illuminated message. While license plate frames including illuminated messages are known in the art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,887,087 to Frizner), such frames include the message as an integral part of the frame. However, the entire frame must be replaced in order to change the message. Hence, there is a need for an improved license plate frame capable of displaying any one of a number of illuminatable messages without the waste and expense of having to replace the entire frame each time the message is changed. The present invention is directed toward meeting this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, this invention is a system for displaying interchangeable illuminatable messages adjacent a license plate mounted on a motor vehicle. The system includes a license plate holding frame portion and at least one message bar portion adapted to couple to the frame portion. The frame portion also includes a light source and the message bar portion includes a series of optically transparent or translucent characters through which the light source may shine. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the frame portion is a chromed aluminum member adapted to be attached to a motorcycle and fitted to hold and display a standard motorcycle license plate. This preferred embodiment further includes a slot formed in the frame portion and a string of LED light sources positioned in the slot and electrically connected to the motorcycle&#39;s headlight system, such that the LEDs are energized when the motorcycle lights are energized. In this preferred embodiment, a chromed aluminum message bar having a series of alphanumeric or symbol characters cut therethrough is secured in the slot, such that the alphanumeric characters are illuminated when the LEDs are energized. 
     In some embodiments, a tinted mask is positioned between the LEDs and the characters. In these embodiments, the message is colored by the light from the LEDs filtering through the tinted mask. 
     In other embodiments, the light source is one or more incandescent bulbs positioned in the slot. In these embodiments, the incandescent bulbs are chosen to be compatible with the voltage parameters of the power source. 
     In still other embodiments, the frame and message bar portions are formed from plastic. In these embodiments, the frame and message bar portions may be chromed or chrome plated for the appearance of being metallic. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a motorcycle license plate holder embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the frame portion of the license plate holder embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded partial perspective view of a message bar and slot of the motorcycle license plate holder embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a motorcycle license plate holder embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the message bar of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the message bar of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Specific language is used in the following description and examples to publicly disclose my invention and to convey its principles to others. No limits on the breadth of my patent rights based simply on using specific language are intended. Any alterations and modifications to this description that should normally occur to one of average skill in creating board games are also included. 
     FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a first preferred embodiment license plate holder system  10  of the present invention. As is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the license plate holder system  10  consists of a frame portion  12  and an interchangeable elongated message bar portion  14 . The frame portion  12  is sized and shaped to connect to a motor vehicle while securing the vehicle&#39;s license plate therein. Preferably, the frame portion  12  is adapted to fit a motorcycle or an automobile, although the frame portion  12  may be adapted to fit other motor vehicles, such as trucks and recreational vehicles. 
     As can be best viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame portion  12  includes an elongated recessed slot  20 . The slot  20  is sized and shaped to receive the elongated message bar  14  therein. Preferably, the slot  20  has a depth slightly less than the thickness of the message bar  14  and a length and width slightly greater than the respective length and width of the message bar  14 , such that when the message bar  14  is inserted into the slot  20  the message bar  14  rests loosely in the slot  20  and a portion of the message bar  14  protrudes from the slot  20 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the message bar  14  has a form suitable for insertion into slot  20  and is preferably secured in the slot  20  by connectors  22 , such as screws, extending through connector apertures  24  opening into the slot  20 . Electrical connections into the slot  20  may be made through an electrical connector aperture  26 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the rear of the frame portion  12 . The frame portion  12  includes a sized and shaped license plate recess  28  adapted to receive a standard vehicular license plate. Preferably, the recess  28  is adapted to receive a motorcycle license plate, but may also be adapted to receive a standard automobile license plate or a license plate of any desired size. The frame portion  12  also includes one or more mounting members such as for example mounting slots  30  for securing the frame portion  12  to a vehicle. Preferably, the mounting slots  30  are adapted to match the standard pattern of license plate connectors common to the vehicle the frame portion  12  is desired to be attached to. More preferably, in the case of a license plate holder  10  intended for use with a motorcycle, the frame portion  12  includes four slots  30  oriented at the corners of a substantially three by six inch rectangle, although the number and orientation of slots  30  may vary as desired. 
     Referring back to FIG. 3, a light source  36  is electrically connected in the slot  20 . The light source  36  is preferably a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in electric communication with a power source (such as the vehicle battery or an independent battery, not shown). The light source  36  is more preferably a string of 1.5 volt LEDs. The electrical connection wires  38  provide connectors which extend from the LEDs  36  to the power source through the electrical connection aperture  26 . Preferably, the light source  36  is electrically connected to a circuit controlling the light system of the vehicle, such that energization of the vehicle&#39;s headlight(s) or running lights likewise actuates energization of the light source  36 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the message bar  14  in detail. The message bar  14  preferably includes one or more threaded apertures  46  positioned to match the connector apertures  24  formed through the slot  20 . The message bar  14  is preferably secured in the slot by threaded screws  22  extending through the apertures  24  and threadedly engaging the threaded apertures  46 , although any other convenient connection means (such as, for example, an interference fit between the message bar  14  and the slot  20 , a flexible gasket fitting, spring loading, or the like) may be selected. 
     The message bar  14  further includes a series of optically transparent or translucent character apertures  48  formed therethrough in the shape of letters or other symbols. The character apertures  48  are preferably formed as empty windows cut through the message bar  14 , although the apertures may be filled with an optically transparent or translucent solid material, such as glass or plastic. In other words, the character apertures  48  are typically cut through the message bar  14  and left as empty holes, such that a fluid could travel freely therethrough. 
     The message bar  14  may also contain a tint mask  50  overlaying the character apertures  48 . The tint mask  50  is preferably a strip of colored optically transparent or translucent (i.e., non-opaque) glass or plastic material positioned on the interior of the message bar  14  and covering all of the character apertures  48 , but may likewise be positioned on the exterior of the message bar  14  or positioned to cover only some of the character apertures  48 . The tint mask  50  may have a uniform color or may be multicolored, as desired. 
     In use, the license plate holder system  10  provides both added protection to a license plate and enhanced aesthetic appeal. Also, the illuminated message bar  14  provides extra visibility to other motorists after dark. In practice, a variety of pre-selected message may be provided to the consumer, along with the option of having any desired message custom cut into a message bar  14 . 
     The frame holder system  10  may be formed from any convenient structural materials, such as aluminum, steel, plastic, or wood. The frame portion  12  and message bar portions  14  are preferably metallic, are more preferably substantially formed from aluminum, and are still more preferably from chromed aluminum. The connectors  22  are preferably screws, but may be any convenient connectors. The frame holder system  10  is preferably adapted to be connected to or mounted on a motorcycle, but may also be adapted to be connected to or mounted on any desired vehicle. The character apertures  48  are preferably cut completely through the message bar  14  by a laser or water jet cutting process, but may otherwise be formed by any convenient and commercially advantageous means. 
     Applicant&#39;s novel illuminated license plate holder can be utilized for displaying an illuminated message from a motorcycle, the method comprising the steps of: 
     a) providing a license plate frame made from a structural material and having an elongated recess formed therein; 
     b) positioning a light source in the recess; 
     c) providing at least one elongated substantially opaque message bar made from a structural material having windows formed therein for displaying a predetermined message; and 
     d) removably connecting the at least one elongated message bar in the elongated recess. Once mount and connected to the motorcycle&#39;s electrical system, the light source can be energized to illuminate and display the message. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described in detail and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.