Universal License Plate Bracket for Horizontal Grilles
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing license plate mounting solutions require drilling holes into vehicle bumpers, which many owners wish to avoid, and alternative methods like using zip ties or dashboard placement may be illegal or unsafe, while current brackets are often specific to certain vehicle makes and models.
Innovation Solution
A universal front license plate bracket with gripping clamps that securely attach to a vehicle's horizontal grille, eliminating the need for hole drilling, featuring adjustable and L-shaped clamp designs to accommodate various grille geometries and materials like metals and plastics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drilling holes into the front bumper is used to fasten license plate, then the license plate can be securely fastened, but the vehicle body is damaged and owners lose aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting bracket as an intermediary component that attaches to the vehicle grille without drilling into the bumper. The bracket serves as a mediator between the license plate and the vehicle body, providing secure fastening while preserving the vehicle's aesthetic appearance by avoiding direct penetration of the bumper surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a bracket that attaches to the grille and a license plate holder that secures the plate. This segmentation allows the bracket to be installed on the grille structure without damaging the bumper, while still providing reliable license plate attachment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If zip ties are used to strap down license plates on the grill, then drilling holes is avoided, but the license plate mounting becomes unreliable and may not meet traffic laws
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces disposable zip ties with a reusable, durable mounting bracket designed for long-term use. The bracket provides a permanent, reliable mounting solution that meets traffic law requirements while avoiding the need to drill holes into the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp features a curved gripping surface that conforms to the shape of horizontal grille bars, providing secure contact and reliable fastening without requiring penetration or damage to the vehicle structure.
3Ease of operation
If pre-drilled holes are made in factory to comply with license plate laws, then installation is simplified, but vehicle buyers lose the option to avoid holes in their new vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with universal adaptability to fit various vehicle grille types (mesh, horizontal, vertical) without requiring vehicle-specific modifications. This universality provides vehicle owners with the flexibility to choose hole-free installation while maintaining ease of installation across different vehicle models.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates adjustable and movable components that allow adaptation to different grille geometries and materials, providing installation flexibility while maintaining a consistent hole-free mounting approach across various vehicle types.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a universal bracket design is used to fit various grille types, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases to accommodate different geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp features adjustable parameters including movable gripping surfaces and adjustable clamp positions that can be configured to accommodate different grille types (mesh, horizontal, vertical). These parameter changes allow a single bracket design to adapt to various geometries without requiring multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket incorporates nested components where the license plate holder is integrated into the bracket structure, and the clamp mechanisms are integrated into the holder assembly. This nesting reduces overall system complexity while maintaining universal adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A license plate mounting bracket for vehicles having horizontal grilles A license plate mounting bracket for vehicles having mesh or horizontal grilles includes a license plate holder, a first L-shaped backing having a forward-facing horizontal portion and a vertical portion, the vertical portion including a plurality of vertically-aligned threaded holes, and a first male-to-female standoff including an axial threaded hole at a female end thereof, a shoulder, and a male threaded portion extending from the shoulder, the male threaded portion of the first male-to-female standoff engaging one of the vertically-aligned threaded holes in the first L-shaped backing. The shoulders of the first male-to-female standoff are coupled to the license plate holder.