Patent Abstract:
An advertising device capable of publicizing a business, especially a business related to a vehicle, by mounting the advertising device on a vehicle, preferably in the license plate area, is secured to a vehicle with or without framing a license plate.

Full Description:
This invention relates to an advertising device, and more particularly to an advertising device capable of publicizing a business, especially a business related to a vehicle, by mounting the same on a vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   As is well known, a vehicle dealer likes to advertise. This is done by putting the dealership name on a vehicle in some fashion. The dealer hopes that new customers can be developed by seeing the name on the vehicle. Typical manners of so doing include putting a dealer name plaque on the vehicle itself or putting the dealership name on a frame mounted around a license plate. 
   With the dealer plaque on the vehicle itself, problems can arise. That dealer may not sell the vehicle. Whatever dealer does sell the vehicle cannot possibly appreciate having another dealer&#39;s name on the vehicle being sold. Such a plaque must be removed and replaced with one from the selling dealer. This procedure complicates the selling of a vehicle. 
   Two problems with the frame around a license plate are that the frame lacks durability and has a limited function, especially with regard to advertising. The limited function advertising is due to the small space available therefore. 
   The frame around a license plate, for example, can only be used with a license plate. This frame cannot be used without the plate. Thus, if a dealership desires to use the same, it must store the frames and attach them to the vehicle as the vehicle sells. 
   It is desired to minimize the problems associated with this storage of the frames. If a way can be found to store the frames efficiently and have a flexible use of the frames while at the same time providing the additional advertising or additional use of the frames, great advantages are obtained. 
   One item providing many functions for a vehicle dealer offers many advantages. However, it is difficult to provide this multi functioned item and keep the cost reasonable and the device simple, while granting these advantages. Any efforts in this area can be greatly appreciated by an auto dealer or a similar business. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of an adaptable advertising sheet having the shape of a license plate. 
   A further objective of this invention is the provision an adaptable advertising plate capable of fitting with a variety of license plates. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of an adaptable advertising sheet capable of being easily stored. 
   A still further objective of this invention is the provision of an adaptable advertising sheet capable of being efficiently used. 
   Another objective of this invention is the provision of an adaptable advertising sheet having an adjustable advertising area. 
   These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing an advertising device capable of publicizing a business, especially a business related to a vehicle, by mounting the advertising device on a vehicle with or without framing a license plate. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a front plan view of advertising device  100  of this invention showing a first embodiment  120 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front plan view of advertising device  100  of this invention showing a second embodiment  140 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of FIG.  3 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a front plan view of advertising device  100  of this invention showing still another and a third embodiment  150 . 
   

   Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   This invention relates to an advertising device in the form of a generally rectangular plate. Around the plate is a frame. Within the frame, thereby completing the plate, is a center section adapted to be punched out or removed from the frame as desired. The frame contains the necessary apertures for securing the device to a vehicle with or without a center portion. 
   The center portion is removably secured therein by cutting or other mechanisms. When the center portion is cut out or otherwise removed, the appropriate parts of the license plate can be seen through the frame. For example, some states have a requirement that the lower center portion of the plate be viewed in order for an add on tag to be adhesively secured to the plate, while avoiding the changing of the plate. Another plate requires that the upper right or left hand corner thereof be viewed in order to reveal the tags that belong there, depending on the style of tag or plate as used. 
   With this in mind, the center portion can be cut or adapted to be removed as required. Thus, if the upper corners are needed, the inner portion can be cut to expose that area. Because the sheet is flat, the entire sheet may be used to advertise the dealership. The center portion can contain advertising, which is usable for advertising until a license plate must be attached to the vehicle. 
   The sheet is applied to a vehicle thereby affixing a dealer&#39;s name to the vehicle in a simplified fashion. When it comes time to sell the vehicle and put license plates on it, it becomes a simple matter to punch out the center portion and secure the frame around the plate. Not only does the center portion of the device have advertising for the dealer, but the outside frame does too. Thus, with the device secured to the vehicle, the storage problem for license plate frames is avoided. Not only is advertising placed on a vehicle with this device, but this device is kept directly with the vehicle until the vehicle is sold and a license plate has to be more securely attached thereto than the device of this invention. The device may then be modified to support the plate. 
   In a preferred form the device may have one short tab on each of the four sides of device. Tabs may be added or reduced as desired depending on the structure desired. If a harder separation of the center from the frame is desired, the slits are shorter and the tabs are more numerous. However, the harder separation be desired in order to have a sturdier device. Such determinations can easily be determined, by considering this application as a whole. 
   Referring now to FIG.  1  and  FIG. 2 , the first embodiment  120  of advertising device  100  has low tag plate frame  122  with low tag plate  124  removably secured therein. Low tag plate  124  is partially separated from low tag plate frame  122  by long slits  126 . Separating one of long slits  126  from another of long slits  126  by short tabs  130 . Breaking or cutting of short tabs  130 , separates low tag plate  124  from frame  122  and leaves each frame apertures  134  free to receive a fastener (not shown) and to thereby secure frame  122  around a license plate (not shown). Low tag area  136  permits a license plate to receive the appropriate sticker (not shown) and be visible. 
   Referring now to FIG.  3  and  FIG. 4 , the second embodiment  140  of advertising device  100  has upper tag plate frame  142  with upper tag plate  144  removably secured therein. Upper tag plate  144  is partially separated from upper tag plate frame  142  by long separations  146 . Separating one of long separations  146  from another of long separations  146  by short tabs  130 . Breaking or cutting of short tabs  130 , separates upper tag plate  144  from upper tag frame  142  and leaves frame apertures  134  free to secure frame  142  around a license plate for a vehicle. This upper tag frame  142  permits the appropriate sticker to be displayed in a corner of a license plate if required. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a third embodiment  150  depicts still another front plan view of advertising device  100 . Third embodiment combines elements of FIG.  1  and FIG.  3 . With dual frame  152  and dual purpose plate  154  having upper flap  160 , upper corners of dual frame  152  provide for corner tags due to the shape of dual tag plate. With lower flap  156 , low tag area  136  is also provided therein. 
   Upper tag plate  144 , dual purpose plate  154 , and lower tag plate  124  can be modified as desired depending on the type of license plate and where the yearly sticker for the license plate must be seen. Long separations  146  or long slits  126  are cut, molded, or otherwise formed in advertising device  100 . Advertising device  100  is preferably formed from a flexible, durable, break-resistant plastic. 
   This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
   Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6