License plate frame for vehicles

Abstract

The present invention is to provide a frame for license plate (30) for vehicles comprising: a rear support plate (10); an elastic frame (20) has a rectangular shape with a U-shaped cross-section; a transparent hood (40) comprising a cap (42) having the shape of a hollow rectangular body without a bottom wall and a brim (44) extending from the lower edges of the cap (42); wherein the elastic frame (20) secures the brim (44) of the transparent hood (40) and the license plate (30) between its two U-shaped arms; an outer frame (60) has a rectangular shape with an L-shaped cross-section, with outer edges having protrusions (62) that can be bent inwards about 90 degrees, so as to capture and hold the rear support plate (10), the elastic frame (20), the license plate (30) and the transparent hood (40) inside it.

Description

LICENSE PLATE FRAME FOR VEHICLESFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of license plate. More specifically, the present invention relates to a license plate frame with many light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on its perimeter for holding and displaying license plates of vehicles.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] To participate in traffic, vehicles must have a license plate (registration plate or number plate) issued by a State agency. However, license plates can become dusty, rusty, or smudged or blurred under the influence of environmental factors such as sun, rain, dust, mud, etc. makes the license plate easily deformed or blurred. As a result, the vehicle driver may be fined, or even have to spend time applying for a new license plate in case of damage.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to have a solution that can avoid license plates from having environmental impacts.

[0004] The present invention provides a solution to meet this need.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The first purpose of the invention is to provide a frame to help preserve license plates of vehicles against environmental impacts.

[0006] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a frame able to easily assemble with the license plate, while providing a clear and sharp image of the vehicle number during use.

[0007] The invention achieves the above purposes by providing a license plate frame including:

[0008] a rear support plate is in the form of a flat plate with holes to fix it to the vehicle;

[0009] an elastic frame has a rectangular shape with a U-shaped cross-section including a lower branch and an upper branch;

[0010] a transparent hood has the shape of a rectangular cap including a hollow rectangular cap with no bottom and a brim extending from the lower edges of the hollow rectangular cap;

[0011] wherein the elastic frame covers the brim of the transparent hood and the license plate between its two branches;

[0012] an outer frame rectangular with L-shaped cross-section, with outer edges having protrusions that can be bent inwards about degrees, so that after assembling the parts together, the license plate is protected closely and tightly inside the license plate frame.

[0013] The advantages of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the various drawing figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a disassembled perspective drawing illustrating the basic parts of the license plate frame according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the elastic frame of the license plate frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-section drawing A-A in FIG. 2;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the transparent hood of the license plate frame according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-section drawing B-B in FIG. 4;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross-section drawing illustrating the arrangement of the components of the license plate frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective drawing illustrating the license plate frame according to the present invention after assembling the components; and

[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective drawing illustrating the license plate frame in FIG. 7 after folding the edges of the outer frame to complete the assembly.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the drawings, the license plate frame and its components according to the present invention are shown in a horizontal state to facilitate illustration and explanation. In practice, the license plate frame and its components according to the present invention are in an upright state during use.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a license plate frame 30 for vehicles according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises:

[0025] a rear support plate 10 is in the form of a flat plate with holes 12 used for fixing the license plate frame to vehicles;

[0026] an elastic frame 20 has a rectangular shape with a U-shaped crosssection, including a lower branch 22 and an upper branch 24;

[0027] a transparent hood 40 has the general shape of a rectangular cap, comprises a cap 42 having the shape of a hollow rectangular body without a bottom wall and a brim 44 extending from the lower edge of the cap 42;

[0028] wherein the elastic frame 20 secures the brim 44 of the transparent hood 40 and the license plate 30 between its two U-shaped branches;

[0029] an outer frame 60 has a rectangular shape with an L-shaped cross-section, with outer edges having protrusions 62 that can be bent inwards about 90 degrees, so as to capture and hold the rear support plate 10, the elastic frame 20, the license plate 30, and the transparent hood 40 inside it.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a plan view of the elastic frame 20, and FIG. 3, a cross-section view A-A of the elastic frame 20 in FIG. 2, the elastic frame 20 is rectangular with a U-shaped cross-section comprising the lower branch 22 and the upper branch 24.

[0031] The elastic frame 20 can be made from rubber or poly vinyl chloride (PVC) 80% oil granules, a recyclable alternative to rubber commonly used in motorbike accessories, suitcase wheel covers, and washers. The elastic properties of the elastic frame 20 allow for the insertion of the license plate 30 and / or the transparent hood 40 into the elastic frame 20 so that the elastic frame 20 secures the brim 44 of the transparent hood 40 and the license plate 30 in its two U-shaped branches.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a plan view of the transparent hood 40 of the license plate frame, and FIG. 5, a B-B cross-section view of the transparent hood 40 in Figure 4, the transparent hood 40 has a rectangular hat shape including the cap 42 in the shape of a hollow rectangular without a bottom wall and the brim 44 extending from the lower edges of the cap 42.

[0033] The transparent hood 40 ensures that the license plate 30 is clearly visible, while also protects the license plate 30 against external environmental influences.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the transparent hood 40 is manufactured by pressing a luminescent material sheet. According to one embodiment of the invention, the luminescent material sheet is a polycarbonate plastic sheet with a layer of reflective ink printed in the shape of polka dots or perpendicular lines to best allow light to pass through the entire sheet of material. The material may also be referred to as light-diffusing mica, light-diffusing mica, light-emitting mica, or lighttransmitting mica. The characteristics of light-dissipating mica are that it has a smooth, flat surface, so it is dust-proof, water-resistant, easy to clean, has high light transmittance of up to 95% and produces sharp images. Additionally, light-diffusing mica demonstrates excellent heat and fire resistance, along with durability to withstand external impacts, rain, wind, sun exposure, and acidic environments, all while maintaining its aesthetic appeal and color stability over its lifespan of up to 10 years. Furthermore, light-diffusing mica is lightweight, flexible, and competitively priced.

[0035] Given the relatively simple shape and standard size of a license plate, production molds and forming presses for the transparent hood 40 can be easily manufactured from diffused mica or similar material.

[0036] The layout of the components of the license plate frame according to the present invention along with the license plate 30 is illustrated in FIG. 6 which is a cross-section drawing at one corner of the license plate frame when in use state. The transparent hood 40 covers the upper surface of license plate 30, and the elastic frame 20 covers the edges of the license plate 30 and the brim 44. On the other hand, the outer frame 60 secures the elastic frame 20 and the rear support plate 10. Additionally, the elastic properties of the elastic frame 20 help these components maintain close contact at all times, ensuring a tight fit for the license plate 30 within the elastic frame.

[0037] A gasket could be inserted between the elastic frame 20 and the outer frame 60 to increase tightness. However, this approach would make assembly inconvenient. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the elastic frame 20 utilizes a ring 26 positioned on the upper surface of the upper branch 24. With its elastic properties, the ring 26 functions as a seal to help ensure the tightness of the license plate frame. Specifically, after placing the components in position as illustrated in FIG. 7, the ribs 62 are bent inward approximately 90 degrees to form structures that hold components of the license plate frame together as shown in FIG. 8.

[0038] One disadvantage of polycarbonate sheet material is its low scratch resistance. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, an anti-scratch film 50 is disposed on the transparent hood 40. Specifically, the anti-scratch film 50 is applied to the upper surface of the cap 42 of the transparent hood 40. The anti-scratch film 50 is an extremely thin layer of thermoplastic polyurethane. The anti-scratch film 50 also has anti-UV effect to help protect the internal components of the license plate frame. The anti-scratch film 50 may also have other functions such as preventing condensation.

[0039] The anti-scratch film 50 may be applied to the transparent hood 40 before or after assembling the license plate frame according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the rear support plate 10 has an edge that is bent approximately 90 degrees or rolled up, causing the other components of the license plate frame to be fixed in the correct position during assembly, while increasing the tightness between components in contact with each other.

[0041] Due to the elastic frame 20 and the assembly method as mentioned above, the license plate frame can effectively absorb and dissipate the energy of strong impact forces, such as collisions, protecting the license plate 30 and surrounding components.

[0042] Although according to traffic operating regulations, license plates must be illuminated when the vehicle is operating at night, they can also be illuminated to increase the aesthetic effect of the vehicle. Therefore, in another embodiment of the invention, the light-emitting diode (LED) array 70 is arranged on an upper or lower edge, such as the lower edge of the transparent hood 40 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the transparent hood 40 is made from a luminescent sheet. This allows the light from the LEDs to be evenly dispersed across the entire license plate 30, creating a superior aesthetic effect compared with regular license plates.

[0044] The electrical wire 80 that supplies power to the LED array 70 can be obtained from a separate source or from a vehicle. For example, wire 80 can be connected to the brake power supply so that when braking, the LED array 70 lights up and the entire license plate is clearly illuminated.

[0045] In this embodiment, the rear support plate 10 may have additional holes 14 to pass the electrical wire 80 through. The wires 80 can be threaded through the holesand then through the elastic frame 20, or inserted into the interface between the elastic frame 20 and the outer frame 60 while still ensuring the tightness of the frame.

[0046] There are no limitations to the use of license plate frames according to embodiments of the present invention. In other words, the license plate frame can be used for road, waterway and rail vehicles.

[0047] The results achieved by the invention:

[0048] The license plate frame according to the invention's plan protects the license plate against the effects of environmental factors and impact (if any).

[0049] With components that have a simple structure and are easy to manufacture and assemble, the license plate frame according to the invention can help protect the license plate against external impacts, while also bringing a certain aesthetic effect for vehicles.

[0050] Other embodiments of the present invention

[0051] It should be noted that the above description represents the essence of the invention and on the basis of the content disclosed above, a person with an average level of skill in the technical field of the invention can easily calculate other options such as changing the shape of the contacting parts of the components, change the profile of the elastic inner frame to increase protection for waterproof license plates or facilitate easier assembly.

[0052] On the other hand, the back plate may have a recessed section to avoid impact of the bolt or screw head on the license plate frame.

[0053] Such plans are also within the scope of patent protection.

[0054] The flow diagrams depicted herein are just one example. There may be many variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order or steps may be added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A license plate frame for vehicles comprising: a rear support plate (10) in the form of a flat plate with holes (12) used for fixing the license plate frame to vehicles; an elastic frame (20) having a rectangular shape with a U-shaped cross-section, including a lower branch (22) and an upper branch (24); a transparent hood (40) having the shape of a rectangular cap, comprising a cap (42) having the shape of a hollow rectangular body without a bottom wall and a brim (44) extending from the lower edges of the cap (42); wherein the elastic frame (20) securing the brim (44) of the transparent hood (40) and the license plate (30) between its two U-shaped arms; an outer frame (60) having a rectangular shape with an L-shaped cross-section, with outer edges having protrusions (62) that can be bent inwards about 90 degrees so as to capture and hold the rear support plate (10), the elastic frame (20), the license plate (30) and the transparent hood (40) inside it.

2. The license plate frame for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic frame (20) has a ring (26) on the upper surface of the upper branch (24).

3. The license plate frame for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that further comprising an additional anti-scratch film (50) arranged on the transparent hood4. The license plate frame for vehicles according to claim 1 , characterized in that the rear support plate (10) has edges bent about 90 degrees or rolled up.

5. The license plate frame for vehicles according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that further comprising an light-emitting diode array (70) arranged on the upper or lower edge of the transparent hood (40).

6. The license plate frame for vehicles according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transparent hood (40) is made from a sheet of polycarbonate luminescent material.

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