Abstract:
This disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for providing and using concealable license plate mounting systems. Specifically, the present invention is a license plate mounting system that provides an aesthetically pleasing and aerodynamically efficient bumper surface in states not requiring front license plates, while simultaneously allowing the simple and secure affixing of a license plate in states requiring the display of a front license plate.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A. Field of Invention 
     This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for mounting vehicle license plates. 
     B. Description of the Related Art 
     The United States, and many other countries around the world, do not currently have standardized rules regarding the placement of vehicle license plates on the front of automobiles; for example, only about two-thirds of the jurisdictions in the United States require motorists to display both a front and rear license plate. To produce vehicles for consumers who live in different states and countries, automakers have thus far been forced to either provide front bumpers  1  with a flat license plate attachment section (“carved-out” of an otherwise curved bumper)(See  FIG. 1 ), or design bumpers that accommodate the attachment of a separate license plate bracket assembly. 
     Unfortunately, these solutions require automakers to sacrifice the aesthetic and aerodynamic properties of their front bumpers, while simultaneously increasing manufacturing and materials costs. A bumper with an empty carved out attachment section is more expensive to manufacture, aerodynamically inferior, and aesthetically displeasing when it is driven in a state where a front license plate is not required. Similarly, separate license plate bracket assemblies add unnecessary materials costs, impart unwanted aerodynamic properties, are susceptible to damage and failure due to road debris, and leave unsightly abrasion marks if the vehicle is subsequently licensed in a state that does not require front license plates. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a prior art bumper structure. By way of non-limiting examples, the typical prior art front bumper  1  includes a mounting frame  5  that attaches the bumper  1  to the vehicle frame (not shown), and a plastic bumper cover (not shown) or bumper structure  3  that encases bumper components—such as reinforcing bars or ribs, bellows, and/or foam (shown in  FIG. 2  as  7 )—designed to absorb energy in the event of a collision. Prior art bumper configurations are susceptible to the problems described above. 
     There is a need in the art, therefore, for a license plate mounting system that is concealed—and aerodynamically unimposing—when the vehicle is used in a state not requiring front license plates, but that is easily and adaptably configured to accept front license plates in states with such requirements. Additionally, there is a need on the art for a concealable license plate mounting system that is inexpensive to manufacture while maintaining an aesthetically appealing appearance. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a new and improved concealable license plate mounting system is provided for an associated vehicle bumper having an outer surface, a recess within the outer surface of the vehicle bumper, and at least two guide holes for receiving and guiding the movement of license plate connectors within the recess. The concealable license plate mounting system comprising a first license plate connector, having a proximal end and a distal end with a receiving cavity that operatively receives a first license plate fastener, wherein the first license plate connector is positioned entirely within the vehicle bumper recess in a storage position, and at least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper in an engagement position; a second license plate connector, having a proximal end and a distal end with a receiving cavity that operatively receives a second license plate fastener, wherein the second license plate connector is positioned entirely within the vehicle bumper recess in a storage position, and at least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper in an engagement position; and first and second fasteners, operatively mated with the receiving cavities of the first and second license plate connectors when the license plate connectors are in the engagement position. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the concealable vehicle license plate mounting system comprises a vehicle having at least a frame, suspension, and vehicle body with a front bumper; the front bumper having an outer surface, at least two guide holes for receiving and guiding the movement of license plate connectors within a recess, a recess within the outer surface of the vehicle bumper, at least two cap ports, and a vertically disposed support member positioned within the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess and having at least two guide holes for receiving and guiding the movement of the license plate connectors within the recess; a first license plate connector, having a proximal end and distal end and a receiving cavity that operatively receives a first license plate fastener, wherein the first license plate connector is slidably positioned within a vehicle bumper guide hole and a support member guide hole, and wherein the first license plate connector is positioned entirely within the bumper recess in a storage position, and at least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper in an engagement position; a second license plate connector, having a proximal end and distal end and a receiving cavity that operatively receives a second license plate fastener, wherein the second license plate connector is slidably positioned within a vehicle bumper guide hole and a support member guide hole, and wherein the second license plate connector is positioned entirely within the bumper recess in a storage position, and at least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper in an engagement position; first and second fasteners, wherein the first and second fasteners are at least partially positioned within the receiving cavities of the first and second license plate connectors in both the storage and engagement positions; and cover caps operatively affixed within the bumper&#39;s cap ports when the first and second license plate connectors are in a storage position. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a concealable vehicle license plate mounting system, comprises the steps of: A) providing a vehicle with: 1) a front bumper, the front bumper having an outer surface, at least two guide holes, a recess within the outer surface of the vehicle bumper, at least two cap ports, and a vertically disposed support member positioned within the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess and having at least two guide holes; 2) first and second license plate connectors, having proximal ends with a locking mechanism and distal ends with receiving cavities; 3) first and second fasteners; 4) cover caps; and 5) an associated license plate with at least two mounting apertures; B) assembling the concealable license plate system into a storage position, wherein no portion of the concealable license plate system extends beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper, by: 1) horizontally positioning the first and second connectors within the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess, vehicle bumper&#39;s guide holes, and support member&#39;s guide holes in a manner wherein the distal ends are distal to the vehicle engine; 2) operatively attaching the first and second fasteners to the first and second connectors, wherein the fasteners are at least partially positioned within the receiving cavities on the distal ends of the connectors; 3) operatively affixing the cover caps within the cap ports to conceal the fasteners and license plate connectors and create a substantially planar outer surface on the vehicle bumper; and C) activating the concealable license plate system by: 1) removing the cover caps; 2) moving the first and second connectors into an engagement position wherein they are least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper; 3) triggering the lock mechanisms to secure the connectors in the engagement position; 4) removing the first and second fasteners from the connectors&#39; receiving cavities; 5) positioning the associated license plate onto the connectors so that the mounting apertures align with the connectors&#39; receiving cavities; and 6) inserting the fasteners through the license plate&#39;s mounting apertures and operatively securing the fasteners within the connectors&#39; receiving cavities. 
     One advantage of this concealable license plate mounting system invention is that it provides an aesthetically pleasing, and reduced cost, solution to problems in the prior art. Using this invention maintains the aesthetic appearance of vehicles driven in states where front license plates are not required, while simultaneously providing the versatility needed to drive, or sell, the vehicle in a state requiring a front license plate to be displayed. 
     Moreover, another advantage of the invention arises because the license plate mounting system is concealed behind cover caps—that, when installed, provide a substantially uniform appearance to the bumper. 
     Another advantage of the invention, related to the concealment of the system within the vehicle bumper, is that the system components are safely positioned within the vehicle&#39;s bumper&#39;s recess in a manner that protects the system from road debris and the weather elements. 
     Yet another advantage of the invention is that, because the system does not require the addition of either aerodynamically inferior brackets or a bumper carve-out section, the front bumper structure can maintain its aerodynamic appearance. 
     Another advantage is that the absence of a supplemental bracket avoids the materials costs associated with providing a separate bracket structure. 
     Additionally, the invention is advantageous because the license plate mounting system secures the associated license plate in a position not contacting the vehicle bumper while in the engagement position, thus, the bumper is not scarred by either temporary or long-term affixing of front license plates. 
     Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a known vehicle bumper configuration; particularly, a bumper with a license plate “carve-out” mounting section. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a known vehicle bumper configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional plan view of a demonstrative vehicle bumper configuration according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional plan view of a concealable license plate mounting system in a storage position. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional plan view of a concealable license plate mounting system in an engagement position. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional plan view of a concealable license plate mounting system, using a nut style license plate fastener, in an engagement position. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional plan view of a concealable license plate mounting system in an engagement position; wherein the connectors and bumper guide holes are threaded devices; in this illustration, a bolt. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional plan view of a concealable license plate mounting system in an engagement position; wherein the connector selectively telescopes between the storage and engagement positions. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional plan view of a concealable license plate mounting system in an engagement position; wherein the connector&#39;s proximal end has a lock mechanism. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional plan view of a vehicle bumper of the concealable license plate mounting system; wherein the cover cap is mated within the cap port by a hinge connector, and is selectively movable between a first and second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5  show one embodiment of the concealable license plate mounting system of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , in various embodiments of the invention the concealable license plate mounting system can be used with a vehicle having a frame, suspension, and vehicle body with a vehicle bumper  1 ,  100 ; or merely with an associated bumper  100  having an inner surface  102  and an outer surface  104 . It should be understood that the term vehicle is broad, and could include by way of non-limiting examples, trucks, sport-utility vehicles, and/or passenger vehicles. For the purposes of this patent application, it should also be noted that the phrase “outer surface” is of such ordinary meaning in the industry that it is meant to reference whichever bumper component—whether a cover cap, plastic bumper cover, or other bumper structure—that would be construed by a person of ordinary skill in the art as the bumper&#39;s exterior surface. Subject to certain exceptions, detailed below, the inner surface  102  of the vehicle bumper  100  defines, either in whole or in part, a recess  110  where bumper components (such as connectors  200 ,  202 ) may be located. In its broadest sense, the vehicle bumper recess  110  is merely the interior of the vehicle bumper, as defined by the substantially planar outer surface  104  of the vehicle bumper  100 , or the bumper&#39;s outer surface  104  having assembled cover caps  400  (both embodiments being described in greater detail below). In some embodiments of the invention, the vehicle bumper  100  of the concealable license plate mounting system must be located on the front of the vehicle. 
     The vehicle bumper  100  of the present invention further includes at least two guide holes  106 ,  108  that receive and guide the movement of first and second license plate connectors  200 ,  202  within the bumper&#39;s recess  110 . The license plate connectors  200 ,  202  are assembled into a horizontal position within the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess  110 , and are selectively moveable, through the bumper&#39;s guide holes  106 ,  108 , between a first storage position (SP) and a second engagement position (EP). In the storage position SP, the first and second license plate connectors  200 ,  202  are positioned entirely within the bumper&#39;s recess  110 . In the engagement position EP, the first and second license plate connectors  200 ,  202  are moved out of the storage position SP through the bumper&#39;s guide holes  106 ,  108  into a position at least partially extending beyond the outer surface  104  of the vehicle bumper  100 . In the engagement position EP, a license plate  500  is placed on the license plate connector&#39;s distal ends  208 ,  210  in a manner that aligns the license plate&#39;s mounting apertures  502  with the license plate connectors&#39; receiving cavities  212 ,  214 . In this configuration, the license plate fasteners  300 ,  302  are passed through the mounting apertures  502  and secured within the receiving cavities  212 ,  214  to operatively press and secure, in a manner well known in the art, the license plate  500  between the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  and fasteners  300 ,  302 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , license plate connectors  200 ,  202  can be of any variety—with some non-limiting examples being screws, bolts  802 , studs  804 , or telescoping devices  806 —chosen in the sound engineering judgment of a person of ordinary skill in the art. When assembled according to the present invention, the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  have first ends  204 ,  206  that are proximal to the vehicle engine as compared to the connectors&#39; second ends  208 ,  210  which are distal to the vehicle engine. In some embodiments of the invention, generally demonstrated in  FIG. 6 , the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  are bolts with threads, and the bumper&#39;s guide holes  106 ,  108  are also threaded to receive and control the movement of the connectors  200 ,  202  between the storage position SP and engagement position EP. In one embodiment of the invention, shown generally in  FIG. 7 , selectively telescoping license plate connectors  806  move between the first storage position SP and the second engagement position EP, and possibly even various positions in between the storage and engagement positions. In some embodiments of the present invention, the concealable license plate mounting system includes at least four vehicle bumper guide holes  106 ,  108 , license plate connectors  200 ,  202 , and fasteners  300 ,  302 ; all of which operate in a manner similar or identical to the descriptions contained herein. 
     The license plate connectors  200 ,  202  also have receiving cavities  212 ,  214  on or in their distal ends  208 ,  210  that are adapted to operatively receive first and second license plate fasteners  300 ,  302 . Receiving cavities  212 ,  214  can be of any configuration known by a person of skill in the art to be capable of being releasably mated with a fastener  300 ,  302 ; including by way of one non-limiting example, female threads. 
     The license plate fasteners  300 ,  302  can be of any variety—with some non-limiting examples being screws, bolts, studs, or as shown in  FIG. 5A , nuts  910  secured to a threaded stud inserted in the connectors&#39; receiving cavity—chosen in the sound engineering judgment of a person of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and second license plate fasteners  300 ,  302  are only operatively mated with the license plate connectors&#39; receiving cavities  212 ,  214  when the connectors  200 ,  202  are in the engagement position EP. In other embodiments, the fasteners  300 ,  302  are at least partially positioned within the receiving cavities  212 ,  214  of the connectors  200 ,  202  when the connectors  200 ,  202  are both in the storage and engagement positions (SP and EP). In still other embodiments, the fasteners  300 ,  302  are positioned entirely within the receiving cavities  212 ,  214  of the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  in the storage position SP, while being only at least partially positioned within the receiving cavities  212 ,  214  in the engagement position (so as to mate the fasteners  300 ,  302  within the connectors&#39; receiving cavities  212 ,  214  and press the license plate  500  into operative engagement). 
     In another embodiment of the invention, cover caps  400  are operatively affixed to the distal ends  208 ,  210  of the first and second license plate connectors  200 ,  202  when the connectors  200 ,  202  are in the storage position SP. The cover caps  400 , which can be of any material chosen in the judgment of a person of ordinary skill in the art, are designed to cover the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  and fasteners  300 ,  302  in a manner that conceals the license plate mounting components whilst in a storage position SP. The cover caps  400  can be releasably mated with (i.e. removable from) the vehicle bumper  100 , or selectively movable into different positions (as described below), in any manner contemplated by a person or ordinary skill in the art. In a one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess  110  is at least partially defined by a cap port  120  that contains the guide holes  106 ,  108 , is indented from the bumper&#39;s outer surface  104 , and is—in at least some embodiments of the invention—adapted to releasably mate (or otherwise operatively affix) with cover caps  400  of a substantially similar shape and size. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  are in a storage position SP, the cover caps  400  are releasably fitted/mated to and/or within the cap port  120  in an operative first position wherein the outer surface  104  of the vehicle bumper  100  is a substantially planar surface consisting of portions of the both the vehicle bumper  100 ,  104  and the cover cap  400 . For the purposes of this patent application, it should be clarified and understood that the recess  110  is meant to include any areas of the vehicle bumper  100  that reside within the outer surface of the bumper  100 . Thus, because the exterior surface of the bumper can be substantially planar when the cover caps  400  are installed, a person of ordinary skill in the art would construe the installed cover caps  400  and bumper outer surface  104  to comprise the exterior surface of the bumper. Similarly, although the indented portion of the recess  110  referenced as the cap port  120  is defined by a cutout portion of the bumper&#39;s outer surface  104 , because it is concealed by the assembled cover caps  400 , it would be construed by a person of ordinary skill in the art—and thus is defined in this application—as a portion of the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess  110 . 
     On other embodiments of the invention, the cover caps  400  are releasably mated to and/or within the cap ports  120  by a hinge connector  800  (generally demonstrated in  FIG. 9 ) that is designed to selectively move the cover caps  400  from the first position where the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  and fasteners  300 ,  302  are concealed within the bumper recess  110 , into a second position where the cover caps are selectively moved into a position that permits the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  to move between a first storage position SP and a second engagement position EP. 
     As generally demonstrated in  FIG. 4 , in still other embodiments of the present invention, the proximal ends  204 ,  206  of the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  (in one specific embodiment, a stud) additionally comprise a stop component  900  that is designed to prevent the connectors  200 ,  202  from being removed from the associated vehicle&#39;s bumper  100  through the guide holes  106 ,  108 . In other embodiments, the vehicle bumper  100  additionally comprises a vertically disposed support member  140 ,  142  with horizontally positioned guide holes  144 ,  146 . When the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  are horizontally positioned within the vehicle bumper&#39;s guide holes  106 ,  108  and the support member&#39;s horizontally positioned guide holes  144 ,  146 , the connectors  200 ,  202  are slidably positioned and guided by the guide holes  106 ,  108 ,  144 ,  146  as they move between the storage position SP and the engagement position EP. Moreover, the stop component  900  contacts the support member  140  in the engagement position EP to both prevent the removal of the connectors  200 ,  202  through the guide holes  106 ,  108 ,  144 ,  146  and control the length that the connectors  200 ,  202  extend beyond the outer surface  104  of the bumper  100 . As generally illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in some embodiments of the invention the stop component  900  is a lock mechanism  902  that is designed to engage the support member  140  or bumper guide hole  106 ,  108  so as to selectively secure the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  in either a storage position SP or engagement position EP. In yet other embodiments of the invention, various arrangements, combinations, and configurations of the components listed and described above are utilized. 
     With reference now to all of the FIGURES, the operation of the concealable license plate mounting system will now be described. The starting point for the methods claimed herein is a vehicle with a front bumper  100 , having an outer surface  104 , at least two guide holes  106 , 108 , a recess  110  within the outer surface of the vehicle bumper, at least two cap ports  120 , and a vertically disposed support member  140  positioned within the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess  110  and having at least two guide holes  144 ,  146 . Such a bumper  100  is additionally used in conjunction with first and second license plate connectors  200 ,  202 , having proximal ends  204 ,  206  with a lock mechanism  902  and distal ends  208 ,  210  with receiving cavities  212 ,  214 , and first and second fasteners  302 ,  304 , cover caps  400 ,  402 , and an associated license plate  500  with at least two mounting apertures  502 . 
     The assembly of the concealable license plate system, into a storage position wherein no portion of the concealable license plate system extends beyond the outer surface  104  of the vehicle bumper  100 , is accomplished by various steps. First, the license plate connectors  200 ,  202  are horizontally positioned within the vehicle bumper&#39;s recess  110 , vehicle bumper&#39;s guide holes  106 ,  108 , and support member&#39;s guide holes  144 ,  146  in a manner wherein the connectors&#39; distal ends  208 ,  210  are distal to the vehicle engine. Next, the first and second fasteners  300 ,  302  are operatively attached to the first and second connectors  200 ,  202 , wherein the fasteners  300 ,  302  are at least partially positioned within the receiving cavities  212 ,  214  on the distal ends  208 ,  210  of the connectors  200 ,  202 . Finally, the cover caps  400  are operatively affixed within the cap ports  120  so as to conceal the fasteners  300 ,  302  and license plate connectors  200 ,  202  and create a substantially planar outer surface  104  on the vehicle bumper  100 . 
     The concealable license plate mounting system is then activated by removing the cover caps  400  from the cap ports  120 , moving the first and second connectors  200 ,  202  into an engagement position EP wherein they are least partially extended beyond the outer surface  104  of the vehicle bumper  100 , and triggering the lock mechanisms  902  to secure the connectors  2002 ,  202  in the engagement position EP. Next, the first and second fasteners  300 ,  302  are removed from the connectors&#39; receiving cavities  212 ,  214 , and the associated license plate  500  is positioned onto the connectors  200 ,  202  so that the mounting apertures  502  align with the connectors&#39; receiving cavities  212 ,  214 . Finally, the fasteners  300 ,  302  are re-inserted through the license plate&#39;s mounting apertures  502  and mated within the receiving cavities  212 ,  214 . 
     The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.