Patent Publication Number: US-2007113444-A1

Title: Motorcycle Jacket License Display

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a motorcycle jacket that has a vinyl pouch on the back which houses the motorcycle license plate in order to keep the custom motorcycle tag-free.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Motorcycle enthusiasts may spend much time and money decorating and customizing their motorcycles. They may add elaborate detailing, logos and/or designs with various colors.  
      Some enthusiasts who customize their vehicles may not like the fact that the license plate is mounted onto the back of the motorcycle. For one thing, the plate may detract from the overall look that the user is trying to achieve; when a motorcyclist has spent hours adding detailing and color to his vehicle, he/she may dislike that the license plate clashes with the design or draws attention away from the customized elements. However, the license plate must still be plainly visible. There is a need to place the license plate in a visible location where it will not detract from the rest of the motorcycle. Placing the license plate on clothing is a possible solution to this problem.  
      Relevant art to the present invention has disclosed patents that allow for illuminated clothing or displays worn on the person to a) indicate turn signals and/or other signaling systems; b) be used for entertainment/advertising purposes. There is also relevant art that is intended for use as safety apparel specifically for a motorcyclist.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,191, issued to Davila on Jul. 22, 1986, discloses a jacket with programmable lights for entertainment or advertising purposes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,307, issued to Branom on Nov. 24, 1987, is clothing with illuminated display. U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,469, issued to Kincheloe on May 2, 1989, is wearable motorcycle safety apparel, which inflates as an airbag would, when a user suffers an accident. U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,756, issued to Allen on Mar. 25, 1997, is clothing with a pouch for an illuminating device. This pouch is intended for use on various clothing (pant leg or shirt, for example) and is not large enough to accommodate a license plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,411, issued to Vernon Jackman on Nov. 25, 1997, describes a wearable vehicular signaling system for pedestrians, runners, highway workers, etc. that allows oncoming traffic to anticipate in which direction the user will be going. U.S. Pat. No. 6,538,567, issued to Robin Stewart on Mar. 25, 2003, is a motorcycle jacket with illuminated turn signals that correspond with the taillights of the user&#39;s motorcycle.  
      These previous patents are designed to facilitate the clarity of the user&#39;s intentions of forward motion, stopping, or moving laterally to the rest of traffic, or intended for use as entertainment or advertisement devices, or used as safety apparel. However, they do not accommodate the aesthetic purposes of a motorcyclist who desires to keep his motorcycle tag-free and the practical purposes of displaying the license plate clearly.  
      Indeed, there is a need to provide a space for the displaying of the license plate that will not detract from the overall style of the motorcycle and its customized elements, but the license plate must still be in plain view of traffic. The license plate must also be raised above the back wheel of the motorcycle in order to provide better visibility. For example, in rainy conditions the proximity of the license plate to the back tire may obstruct a clear view of the license plate. Placing the plate above the wheel, directly on the jacket, puts the license plate in a more visible position to other drivers.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention would provide a way for motorcycle enthusiasts who have heavily-customized motorcycles to keep their vehicles in a pristine, tag-free condition while still displaying the license plate in plain view of other drivers.  
      The present invention consists in placing a transparent vinyl pouch on the back of the motorcycle jacket. The vinyl pouch is sewn, buttoned or fastened onto the back of the jacket and therefore is made available from the original jacket manufacturers. The vinyl pouch accommodates the license plate of the motorcycle and is secured by a zipper or by a hook-and-loop closure. The plates may also be interchangeable; if the user so desires he/she can install a design plate (which is sold separately) that accentuates and complements the color/design of the helmet or the motorcycle. In this fashion, the user can further customize the vehicle to their taste.  
      While the present invention is aesthetically useful, it also serves a practical purpose wherein the positioning of the motorcycle&#39;s license plate on the back of the jacket provides better visibility. In generally bad weather conditions, the back wheel of the motorcycle may splatter rainwater, mud, or debris onto the license plate, causing it to become dirty and obstructing the plate number. Therefore, positioning the license plate at a higher level on the back of the jacket increases visibility.  
      An alternative embodiment to the present invention is a pouch with hooks attached to the jacket, under the vinyl pouch. The license plate can be hooked and zippered into the pouch, thereby guaranteeing a more secure fit. Another unique feature of the license plate is that should the rider have an accident, the plate will serve as an added protective device. The tag provides some level of protection to the rider&#39;s back should the rider fall off of the motorcycle. The hooks would secure the plate inside the pouch and therefore augment the protective capability of the jacket.  
      An additional alternative embodiment to the present invention is the use of small lights in order to illuminate the license plate on the back of the jacket so the license plate is still easily seen at night and in foggy or rainy weather. Unlike previous designs where lights on clothing are used as an entertainment device, the illumination of the plate does not detract from the plate itself but enhance it and increase visibility of the plate. The lights are centered near the plate and directed towards the plate. They do not detract from the plate but make it more evident.  
      A similar embodiment would be the use of reflective numbers used for the license plate number, or there may be reflective paint applied directly to the plate. In this fashion the plate would be easily seen in inclement weather and at nighttime. The present invention can be combined with the various alternative embodiments or used without the lights or the hooks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a view of the present embodiment as placed upon the motorcycle jacket.  
       FIG. 2  is a close-up view of the present embodiment.  
       FIG. 3  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention with hooks.  
       FIG. 4  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention with lights. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      The components of the present invention include: a pouch  10 , plate  11 , stitching  13 , closure  17 , hooks  18 , lights  19 , and jacket  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pouch  10  measures six inches by ten inches and is made of transparent vinyl. The pouch  10  is mounted in the lower section of the back of the motorcycle jacket  20  with industrial-strength stitching  13 . The plate  11  is mounted on the lower section, or “small” of the back, in order to ensure that other drivers can easily see the plate  11 . The license plate  11  or other customized plate  11  is inserted into the pouch  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a fastening device  17  (for example, a zipper or hook-and-loop closures) on the right side of the pouch  10  securely encloses the license plate  11  within the pouch  10 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the zipper  17  contains a locking mechanism that will prevent loss or theft of the license plate  11  from the pouch  10 . The pouch  10  can be situated along the back of the jacket  20  from below the user&#39;s shoulder blades so as not to interfere with the user&#39;s movement of shoulders. Preferably, the pouch  10  is positioned on jacket  20  near the tailbone of the user. In case of an accident, it is contemplated that the user&#39;s tailbone would be protected by the license plate  11  housed in pouch  10 , should pouch  10  be positioned near the tailbone of the user.  
      Alternative embodiments of the present invention include hooks  18  on the interior of the pouch  10 , which serve as additional support for the license plate  11 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A second alternative embodiment of the present invention is the addition of lights  19  centered about the pouch  10  in order to increase visibility of said plate  11 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The lights  19  are preferably LED&#39;s, but can be any conventional light source, and lights  19  can be powered in any conventional manner, such as battery-operated. The lights  19  protrude through the garment near the license plate  11  and pouch  10 . Reflective paint on the plate  11  would be an additional feature to increase visibility of the plate  11 .  
      Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and should be interpreted as any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.