Patent Publication Number: US-2015068076-A1

Title: License plate holder system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to license plate holder systems, and in particular, to self-locking license plate holder systems that allow for the quick and convenient installation of license plates and other identification tags. 
     BACKGROUND 
     State laws require all vehicles to display some type of identification tag or license plate while in operation. 
     This includes vehicles that are being operated for demonstration and evaluation purposes, such as, for example, vehicles that are being test driven by prospective buyers. Moreover, some state laws require different identification tags to be displayed on a vehicle depending on whether the vehicle is being operated by a prospective buyer during a test drive for demonstration and evaluation purposes, the dealer personnel during transit, or the buyer during use prior to receipt of permanent license plates. 
     Most vehicle dealers typically affix license plate holders to vehicles in their inventory that serve to hold such identification tags and later the buyer&#39;s license plate. Such license plate holders also serve to provide advertising for the dealer by displaying the dealer&#39;s name and/or logo. While some conventional license plate holders allow for the display of identification tags, most typically require that tools such as screw drivers be used each time a different identification tag or license plate must be affixed to the vehicle. 
     Moreover, such conventional license plate holders fail to provide any protection for temporary paper identification tags from the elements, road debris, or during car washes. Typically identification tags are inserted in a plastic cover to provide a small level of protection, however, such covers are flimsy and fail to provide durable protection and often require replacement after a vehicle is sold. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide self-locking license plate holder systems that allow for the quick and convenient installation and removal of license plates and other identification tags. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a license plate holder system that may include a frame having a back plate and an edge extending perpendicularly from the back plate around the perimeter of the back plate, and a cover plate having at least one tab to attach to the frame creating a moisture resistant seal when attached. The edge may include at least one friction bump that disposes against the at least one tab to provide increased traction and removeably lock the cover plate to the frame. The edge may also include grooves to elevate a license plate or identification tag. The edge may also include an indention to press and remove the cover plate from the frame. The back plate may include a spacer block that supports a license plate against the cover plate. The spacer block may include advertising indicia that may be removed or replaced. The cover plate may also include advertising indicia that may be removed or replaced. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may further provide a self-locking frame system that may include a frame having an edge extending perpendicularly from the frame around the perimeter of the frame, a cover plate having a first surface and a second surface, a plurality of tabs extending perpendicularly from the first surface, and advertising indicia disposed on the second surface. The edge may include a plurality of friction bumps disposed against the plurality of tabs when the cover plate is attached to the frame, and grooves. The edge may also include a manipulation mechanism to allow access to remove the cover plate from the frame. The manipulation mechanism may be an indention, clip, clasp hook and/or plug. 
     Other embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a license plate holder system that may include a frame coupled to a vehicle, the frame having a back plate and an edge extending perpendicularly from the back plate around a perimeter of the back plate, a spacer block coupled to the back plate having a first advertising indicia disposed thereto, a cover plate having a first surface and a second surface, a band coupled to the second surface having a second advertising indicia disposed thereto, an alignment mechanism that aligns a license plate and the cover plate, and a locking mechanism that removeably secures the cover plate to the frame. The alignment mechanism may include grooves that are disposed along the edge. The locking mechanism may include a plurality of friction bumps disposed along the edge. The first surface may include a plurality of tabs disposed against the friction bumps further securing the cover plate to the frame. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a self-locking license plate holder system comprising a frame that may be employed to fixedly couple to a vehicle and a cover plate that may be employed to removably secure a license plate or identification tag for display without the use of tools. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a license plate holder system that is easily and conveniently operable by a user, wherein a user simply removes the cover plate from the frame without the use of any tools. The user may then insert, remove or replace a license plate or identification tag within the frame. Finally, the user replaces the cover plate in the frame, thereby locking the license plate holder and securing the license plate or identification tag in place between the frame and the cover plate. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure further provides a multi-functional advertising medium. In an embodiment, when a license plate or identification tag is not required, advertising or other suitable indicia located on the back plate may be seen through the cover plate. Advertising or other suitable indicia located on the cover plate may be viewable independent of whether or not a license plate or identification tag is present. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a durable license plate holder system which can withstand the elements, road debris, car washes and other similar wearing events. Thus, the present disclosure provides a license plate holder system which may be repeatedly used, thereby reducing replacement costs and plastic waste. 
     Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a license plate holder system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the license plate holder system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a collapsed perspective view of the license plate holder system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of the license plate holder system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged illustration of the locking mechanism components of the license plate holder system of  FIG. 4  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary illustration of the license plate holder system of  FIG. 1  while being used to secure a license plate on a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally provides a durable, self-locking license plate holder system that allows for the quick and convenient installation and removal of license plates and other identification tags without the use of tools. 
       FIG. 1  generally illustrates a license plate holder system  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. System  100  may comprise frame  120  that may be employed to fixedly couple system  100  to a vehicle, and cover plate  160  that may be employed to removably secure license plate or identification tag  200  (referred to herein as “tag  200 ”) for display within system  100 . 
     In an embodiment, frame  120  may generally include back plate  122  having interior surface  126  and edge  124  having inside surface  128  connected thereto. Edge  124  may extend generally perpendicular to back plate  122  and around the entire perimeter of back plate  122 . 
     In an embodiment, back plate  122  may be connected or coupled to a vehicle in any suitable manner that allows frame  120  to be fixedly secured to a vehicle, such as, for example, via screws  130  through ports  132 , or any other suitable method including using male and female coupling adapters, a nut and bolt attachment, a ball and socket attachment, a clip or pin attachment, a brass ring and chain attachment, or using other suitable coupling materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, screws smaller than screws  130  may be employed to provide an even more seamless and sleek design. In such embodiment, those smaller screws would fit into smaller ports to provide for a substantially greater water resistant finish. 
     In one embodiment, back plate  122  may further comprise spacer block  134  upon which advertising or other indicia may be disposed. Spacer block  134  may display any suitable name, logo, words or phrases. Spacer block  134  may be employed to provide advertising for the dealer, manufacturer or any other suitable product, service, product provider or service provider when tag  200  is not present. 
     In some embodiments, spacer block  134  may be integrally formed with interior surface  126 . In other embodiments, spacer block  134  may be removably coupled or connected to interior surface  126  to create interchangeability in advertising without the need to purchase multiple license plate holder systems. Such interchangeability of spacer block  134  may also allow for the display of team spirit, political affiliation, or other suitable non-commercial advertising without departing from the present disclosure. 
     Edge  124  may comprise an alignment mechanism, such as grooves  136 , coupled or otherwise connected to inside surface  128 . It should be understood that system  100  may include any suitable number, size, shape or configuration of alignment mechanisms, such as grooves  136 , and such that alignment mechanisms may be disposed in any suitable manner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Spacer block  134  and grooves  136  may be employed in conjunction with cover plate  160  to elevate and secure tag  200  in place. In particular, grooves  136  may be employed to align and lift tag  200  to a height so that tag  200  may be displayed and viewed unobstructedly. Spacer block  134  may be employed to provide a backing so as to support tag  200  against cover plate  160 . Spacer block  134 , grooves  136  and cover plate  160  further ensure that tag  200  is secure so as to prevent any movement or rattling of tag  200  while the vehicle is in operation or at rest. 
     Edge  124  may further comprise a locking mechanism, such as friction bumps  138 , coupled or otherwise connected to inside surface  128 . It should be understood that system  100  may include any suitable number, size, shape or configuration of locking mechanisms, such as friction bumps  138 , and that such locking mechanisms may be disposed in any suitable manner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Friction bumps  138  may be employed in conjunction with cover plate  160  to removeably secure tag  200  and lock system  100  in place. 
     In one embodiment, cover plate  160  may include tabs  162 , which may be employed in conjunction with friction bumps  138  to further secure system  100  in place. Tabs  162  may extend generally perpendicular to cover plate  160 . It should be understood that system  100  may include any suitable number, size, shape or configuration of tabs  162  and that tabs  162  may be aligned in any suitable manner without departing from the present disclosure. 
     Optionally, cover plate  160  may further comprise advertising band  164  disposed along the outside surface of cover plate  160 . Advertising band  164  may be employed to provide advertising for the dealer, manufacturer or any other suitable product, service, product provider or service provider independent of whether tag  200  is present within system  100 . In one embodiment, advertising band  164  may be disposed along cover plate  160  such that tag  200  may be viewed unobstructedly. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, advertising band  164  may be integrally formed with cover plate  160 . In other embodiments, advertising band  164  may be removably coupled or connected to cover plate  160  to provide for interchangeability in advertising without the need to purchase multiple license plate holder systems. Such interchangeability of advertising band  164  may also allow for the display of team spirit, political affiliation, or other suitable non-commercial advertising without departing from the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, frame  120  may include a manipulation mechanism, such as indention  140 , which may be employed to allow a user to access system  100  to insert, remove or replace tag  200  by allowing the user to easily remove cover plate  160  and/or tag  200  from within frame  120 . 
     It should be understood that system  100  may include any suitable number, size, shape or configuration of manipulation mechanisms, such as indentions  140 , and that the manipulation mechanisms may be aligned in any suitable manner without departing from the present disclosure. For example, in one embodiment, indention  140  may have an angled surface that creates a valley in frame  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . This configuration may allow a user to easily access the edge of cover plate  160  and pull the edge of cover plate  160  to remove the cover plate  160  from frame  120 . 
     In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a clip, clasp, plug, hook, other suitable manipulation mechanisms or a combination thereof may be employed to allow for the removable installation of tag  200  without the use of tools. 
     In operation, the user may remove cover plate  160 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , from frame  120  of system  100 , which may be secured to a vehicle, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The user next may remove, insert or replace tag  200  within the frame  120 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Spacer block  134  and grooves  136  may assist the user in guiding and retaining tag  200  in place within system  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of locking mechanism components  5  of  FIG. 4 . Grooves  136  may lift tag  200  to the proper elevation vertically, as shown in  FIG. 5 , while spacer block  134  may support tag  200  to the proper angle horizontally, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The user then may replace cover plate  160  locking system  100  in place, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In particular, when cover plate  160  is inserted into the frame  120 , the tabs  162  slide in between tag  200  and edge  124 , securely encompassing tag  200 . In such configuration, tabs  162  of cover plate  160  may align with friction bumps  138  of edge  124 . When tabs  162  are disposed against friction bumps  138 , the coefficient of friction and resulting increased traction locks system  100 , thereby securing tag  200  within system  100 . 
     It should be understood that the operational steps described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable method or sub-method could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of the steps described herein according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the steps described herein could be performed in any suitable order or manner. 
     In one embodiment, the overall shape and configuration of system  100 , as well as its method of locking may provide a license plate holder system that allows for the quick and convenient installation and removal of tag  200  without the use of tools. The locking mechanism, as well as the materials used in the construction of system  100  may provide a leak proof, water and moisture resistant seal to protect tag  200  from wear and distress caused by the elements, road debris, car washes, and other similar outside events, environmental effects or contaminants. 
     It should be appreciated that system  100 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may provide a multi-functional advertising medium. In an embodiment, when tag  200  is not required, or is not in use, advertising or other suitable indicia located on spacer block  134  may be visible through cover plate  160 . Advertising or other suitable indicia located on advertising band  164  may be seen independent of whether or not tag  200  is present. The advertising or other suitable indicia located on spacer block  134  may be different from or similar to the advertising or other suitable indicia located on advertising band  164 . 
     It should be understood that system  100  according to embodiments of the present disclosure is durable and may withstand, without chipping and with substantially little wear, the elements, road debris, car washes and other similar wearing events. Thus, system  100  according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be repeatedly used by a vehicle dealer on multiple vehicles, thereby reducing replacement costs and substantially reducing plastic waste. In other embodiments, system  100  may also be repeatedly used by a vehicle owner on the same or various vehicles, thereby also reducing replacement costs and substantially reducing plastic waste. 
     It should be appreciated that system  100  according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed and affixed to other objects, such as, for example, a door to a room. It also should be appreciated that system  100  according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided in any suitable size or shape depending on the desired purpose. 
     In one embodiment, any of back plate  122 , edge  124 , screws  130 , ports  132 , spacer block  134 , grooves  136 , friction bumps  138 , cover plate  160 , tabs  162  and/or advertising band  164  may be made of ABS plastic, UV-resistant material, acrylic material, polycarbonate material, plastic, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, light edge steel tubing, metal, wood, nylon, plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester, high-gloss polyester, laminate, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plexiglass, polymer, glass, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In an embodiment, back plate  122 , edge  124 , screws  130 , ports  132 , spacer block  134 , grooves  136 , friction bumps  138 , cover plate  160 , tabs  162  and/or advertising band  164  may include any number of suitable coatings and layers to substantially reduce scratching or injury to a vehicle, as well as to any surface engaged by system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the coatings and layers applied to back plate  122 , edge  124 , screws  130 , ports  132 , spacer block  134 , grooves  136 , friction bumps  138 , cover plate  160 , tabs  162  and/or advertising band  164  may be made of ABS plastic, UV-resistant material, acrylic material, polycarbonate material, plastic, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, light edge steel tubing, metal, wood, nylon, plastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester, high-gloss polyester, laminate, synthetic rubber, natural rubber, plexiglass, polymer, glass, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, any of grooves  136 , friction bumps  138  and/or tabs  162  may be made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polymer, natural fiber, synthetic fiber, polyester, nylon, cotton, cotton mesh, vinyl, other suitable material, or any combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, back plate  122 , edge  124 , spacer block  134 , cover plate  160  and/or advertising band  164  may be embellished with different colors, patterns, camouflage patterns, novelty items, ornamental items, stickers, removable stickers, paints, stencils, embossed, engraved, text, logos, designs, images, other decorative materials, or any combination thereof to enhance or otherwise achieve a desired design. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.