Abstract:
A decorative license plate frame assembly, including a partially transparent housing defining a windowed frame for mounting a license plate to a vehicle, a light-emitting array positioned within the housing, and a decorative panel connected to the side of the housing, wherein energization of the light-emitting array illuminates the decorative panel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/663,054, filed on Mar. 19, 2015, which claimed priority to then co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/968,012, filed on Mar. 20, 2014. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The novel technology relates generally to the field of automotive accessories, and, more specifically, to a device for illuminating an embossed figure or symbol on the exterior of a license plate frame. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Automobile accessories are a popular manner in which individuals customize their vehicles, and there is an ever-increasing demand for new and different accessories. Especially favored are devices for providing aesthetic illumination to the vehicle. Some popular illumination accessories include neon lighting for the underbelly of the vehicle, neon detailing around the license plate, and pinpoint illumination of the wheels. 
         [0004]    Although it is known to employ various methods to personalize license plates, such as through the use of illumination or graphic design, an apparatus that allows figures or symbols on the exterior of the frame to become illuminated and/or otherwise visible on or from the sides of the license plate, without obscuring the face of the license plate, does not currently exist. 
         [0005]    There is a need for an improved device for illuminating and personalizing decorative license plate that does not obscure the face of the plate. The present novel technology addresses this need. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of one possible embodiment license plate frame of the present novel technology. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of an alternative possible embodiment view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of an alternative possible embodiment view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1   
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of a second embodiment license plate frame of the present novel technology. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a rear partial perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation schematic view of a third embodiment license plate frame system of the present novel technology. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9A  is a first front elevation view of the system of claim  8  showing a first projected image. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9B  is a second front elevation view of the system of claim  8  showing a second projected image. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a first embodiment of the present novel technology, a decorative license plate frame system  10  for use with a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, motorcycle, or the like, to enable the illumination of embossed figures or symbols  20  (such as the dragon illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the flame illustrated in  FIG. 2 , or the design illustrated in  FIG. 3 , although any design, symbol, or shape may be utilized) through an internal lighting system typically located within a decorative frame  10 . The frame system  10  generally includes a back plate  40 , a flange  43 , and a front cover portion  45  typically made of a suitable lightweight plastic or metal, and generally shaped to surround the perimeter of a standard license plate (although any shape or size may be utilized) without covering identifying numbers or letters of the plate indicia. 
         [0018]    An embossed figure or symbol  20  may be cut from the vertical side member(s)  48  of the front cover portion  45 , or any convenient location on the decorative license plate frame system  10 . The cut-out item  20 , produced through the use of a punch, a laser, a waterjet, or the like, allows light from a lighting assembly  30  that is typically mounted within the frame system  10  to illuminate embossed figures or symbols  20  on the exterior of the frame cover  45 . The lighting assembly  30  preferably includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  24  electrically connected via wires  26  to an electrical power source  28  (such as the vehicle&#39;s battery.) The LEDs  24  are preferably of different colors, and more preferably, some or all of the LEDs  24  may be of the triluminary or multicolored variety, able to generate three (or more) colors on demand. Typically, the internal lighting system  30  may incorporate sequential lighting for effect and/or may generally be actuated directly or by a wireless remote, and may be controlled by an electronic controller to illuminate the individual LEDs  24  in a predetermined or random sequence or pattern. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , a license plate frame assembly  110  having one or more advertising surfaces extending therefrom. The frame assembly no generally includes a back plate  140  and a front cover portion  145  which is typically made of a suitable lightweight plastic or metal, and generally shaped to surround the perimeter of a standard license plate  149  (although any shape or size may be utilized) and define a display window  150  without covering identifying numbers or letters of the plate indicia. The assembly further includes fasteners  147  to securely and removably connect the back plate  140  and the front cover portion  145 . At least one side flange portion  155  extends from the front cover portion  145  away from the window  150 . The side flange portion  155  is typically flat for receiving advertising information, such as a decal or other illustration. The side flange portion  155  may alternately include preprinted, embossed, illuminated or painted visual materials. In one embodiment, seen in  FIGS. 8-9B , the side flange portion  155  includes a programmable LCD or like display screen  160 , which is operationally connected with a power source  165  and a microprocessor  170 , such as by a hardwired or remote or radio connection, to receive and display static or moving images. 
         [0020]    While the novel technology 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 is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.