License Plate Cover

Abstract

A license plate cover made from a non-translucent fabric for use by police departments, fire departments, and/or other municipal, state or federal government authorities that can be releasably positioned over a license plate and removed there from without the use of tools.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a license plate cover for use by police departments, fire departments, and/or other municipal, state or federal government authorities, and in particular a flexible, non-translucent cover that can be releasably positioned over and removed from a license plate without the use of tools.

BACKGROUND

It has become increasingly easy to obtain private or confidential information about individuals in today's high tech society. Credit card numbers, addresses, home and cell phone numbers, and even social security numbers can all be hacked from or quickly found on the Internet. For a small fee, citizens can perform background checks of individuals and find criminal records, vehicle information, work history, and other personal information with relative ease.

One particular situation in which personal information can be obtained relatively easy is at a crime scene involving at least one vehicle. License plate information can be taken from the vehicle(s) and entered into a computer program or database, which retrieves the vehicle owner's name, address and phone number. The confidentiality of this information may be vital to a criminal investigation or for safety reasons. Therefore, it is apparent that this information should be protected.

License plate cover devices are well known in the art but typically require hardware installation. Moreover, since the covering of a license plate to restrict one's view of the information contained thereon is illegal for routine use, the license plate covers known in the art are made from translucent or clear plastic and merely serve to protect the face of license plate from damage. However, no previous design discloses an opaque license plate cover that can be releasably positioned over a license plate to be used by police departments, fire departments, or other municipal, state, or federal government agencies.

Although the art has many examples of license plate covers, none address the protection of information without the need for installation of the cover onto the vehicle. Thus, there is a long-felt but unmet need for a license plate cover that is non-translucent, can be releasably positioned over a license plate to hide the license plate information from view, and is also disposable when no longer needed. Such a device would prevent interference by the public into criminal or other types of investigations at a time when the identity of those involved should be protected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a non-translucent license plate cover that can quickly and easily cover and be removed from a license plate without the use of tools, for official use by municipal, state, or federal government agencies, for example, police departments, fire departments, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), in order to deter and prevent the public from obtaining the personal information about individuals that may be garnered from a license plate during a criminal investigation, traffic incident, or other official investigation.

Generally, the license plate cover of the present invention is positionable over a license plate without the use of tools. The cover is generally rectangular in shape and is made from a sheet of non-translucent material. Non-translucent material is used so that the license plate information is not readily observed through the cover. A securing mechanism is attached around the perimeter of the bottom surface of the material. Attachment of the securing mechanism to the sheet of material forms an outer rim along the bottom surface of the cover, which outer rim defines a cavity to receive a license plate. Indicia may be placed along the top surface of the cover to identify the particular governmental agency utilizing the cover.

A method for covering a license plate without the use of tools in order to hide the license plate information from view is also disclosed. The method involves stretching the securing mechanism attached to the bottom surface of the cover over the license plate and wrapping the cover around the edges of the license plate, so that the securing mechanism secures the cover to the license plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the license plate cover.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the license plate cover.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the license plate cover surrounding a license plate.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the license plate cover surrounding a license plate.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the license plate cover surrounding a license plate.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a pre-cut sheet of material used to make the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a license plate cover 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the one embodiment of the license plate cover 10. It should be recognized that while the cover 10 may be configured in a variety of different shapes and sizes, the cover 10 has a generally rectangular shape and is dimensioned for covering a standard vehicle license plate 30. Specifically, the cover 10 has a generally convex top surface 12 and a corresponding generally concave bottom surface 14 that defines an opening for receiving a license plate 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the cover 10 is preferably constructed from a single sheet 16 of flexible material having two opposing elongated sides 18A, 18B, and two opposing short sides 18C, 18D. To form the cover 10 as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, a securing mechanism 20 is attached directly to the edges on the reverse side of the sheet 16 along each of the four sides 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D through any means known in the art, including but not limited to, stitching, staples, adhesive, fabric rivets, etc. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the securing mechanism 20 is a single elastic cord.

In alternative embodiments, the securing mechanism 20 may include more than one elastic cord, or a non-elastic cord with a securing device to keep the cord taut. In additional embodiments, the material itself may be the securing mechanism, such as, for example, a plastic window cling decal, and, in such case, a separate securing mechanism as described above will not be employed. In those alternative embodiments where the securing mechanism 20 is a non-elastic cord with a securing device, the securing device may include a tying mechanism, a locking mechanism, or any other device known in the art to tighten and secure a non-elastic cord at a desired position.

Once the securing mechanism 20 is attached to the reverse side of the sheet 16, the bottom surface 14 of the cover 10 is formed. FIG. 2 illustrates the bottom surface 14 of the cover 10 with the securing mechanism 20 in a relaxed state. In this relaxed state, the bottom surface 14 of the cover 10 is generally concave and the securing mechanism 20 is positioned about an outer rim 15 of the cover 10. The outer rim 15 defines a cavity 22 in which to receive a license plate 30. The bottom surface 14 further comprises four pockets 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D located in each of the four corners on the bottom surface 14 of the cover 10.

FIG. 1 illustrates the top surface 12 of the cover 10 in a relaxed state after the securing mechanism 20 has been attached. The top surface 12 of the cover 10 is generally convex when the securing mechanism 20 is in a relaxed state. Preferably, the top surface 12 of the cover 10 contains indicia 26, as depicted in FIG. 3. The indicia 26 is imprinted on the top surface 12 such that it is easily read after the cover 10 is placed over a license plate 30. In one embodiment, the indicia 26 is imprinted across the center of the cover 10. Alternative embodiments may contain the indicia 26 in other locations on the top surface 12 of the cover 10 other than the center. FIG. 3 depicts the indicia 26 on the top surface 12 of the cover 10 as the word “POLICE.” The indicia 26 should clearly identify the particular municipal, state, or federal governmental agency utilizing the cover, and alternative embodiments may contain indicia 26 such as “POLICE,” “FIRE DEPT,” “FBI”, “HIGHWAY PATROL”, “HWP”, or any other name to accurately identify a governmental agency authorized to investigate a crime scene or traffic incident.

Other embodiments may not contain indicia 26 on the top surface 12 of the cover 10. The indicia 26 may also be imprinted in more than one language on the top surface 12. Alternative languages would allow for easy identification of the particular authority using the cover 10 in areas where English is not commonly spoken. Preferably, the color of the indicia 26 should be such that it is in contrast with the color of the cover 10 so that it is easily viewed at various times of day and in various weather conditions, including but not limited to dusk, dawn, night, day, sunlight, rain, fog, snow, etc.

In one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the top surface 12 may further contain a blank area 28 underneath or above the indicia 26. The blank area 28 may be utilized by an agency to contain specific handwritten identifying information about the scene or incident in which a vehicle was involved. The blank area 28 may take the shape of a rectangle, square, circle, triangle, or any other shape that is sized sufficiently to fit on the top surface 12 of the cover 10 and have adequate space to hold handwritten information. The color of the blank area 28 may match the color of the indicia 26 or it may be in a different color. Alternative embodiments may not contain a blank area 28 beneath the indicia 26.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate various views of the cover 10 in an unrelaxed state wherein the securing mechanism 20 has been stretched over the edges of a license plate 30 and the license plate has been placed within the cavity 22 on the back surface 14 of the cover 10. When the securing mechanism 20 is taut over a license plate 30, the cover 10 conforms to the shape of the license plate 30, as shown in FIG. 3. The four pockets 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D fit securely around the corners of a license plate 30 and the securing mechanism 20 fits around the edges of the license plate 30 so as to wrap around the plate 30 and “hug” the back of the license plate 30, as illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 depicts the side view of the cover 10 when secured around a license plate 30.

The license plate cover 10 may be constructed from a variety of materials that are known in the industry to be lightweight, durable, and flexible. Examples of such material include, but are not limited to, rubber, plastic, cloth, paper, nylon, mesh, polymer, elastic, or any combination of these materials. In a preferred embodiment, the cover 10 is constructed from a single sheet 16 of non-translucent or semi-translucent thin material, such as a polymer selected from the group consisting of nylons, polyesters and mixtures thereof. Such material provides durability and flexibility to cover a license plate and be reusable. The material is also preferably non-translucent and does not allow light to pass through, thereby shielding the license plate 30 information from plain view. In alternative embodiments, the cover 10 may be comprised of a material that is semi-transparent, transparent, semi-translucent, or translucent.

The dimensions of the cover 10 are such that it can be securely but releasably fitted around the edges of a standard license plate 30 without the use of tools, whether the license plate is U.S. or foreign, automobile or motorcycle. Preferably, the cover 10 dimensions will be such that the cover 10 can easily fit over a standard automobile license plate 30 having dimensions of twelve inches by six inches. Alternative dimensions may be employed to cover a variety of license plate sizes. Further embodiments may also be employed to provide cover 10 of appropriate dimensions that is an adhesive window cling decal to cover those license plates that may be placed in a vehicle's window.

A method for using the cover 10 is also disclosed. Preferably, the cover 10 is to be positioned directly over and onto the license plate 30. The securing mechanism 20 is stretched and held taut while placing the four pockets 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D over and around the four corners of the license plate 30. The securing mechanism 20 is then wrapped around the edges of the license plate 30 so as to wrap around the plate 30 and “hug” the back of the license plate 30. Once in place, the securing mechanism 20 is released and is permitted to relax slightly in order to conform around the license plate 30. The securing mechanism 20 remains in an unrelaxed state over the license plate 30 until it is desired to remove the cover 10.

To remove the cover 10, the securing mechanism 20 is stretched and pulled up and over the license plate 30. Each pocket 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D is removed from around the corners of the license plate 30. Stretching the securing mechanism 20 in such manner enables the cover 10 to be slipped off from the license plate 30. The cover 10 can then be easily lifted from the license plate 30 and either discarded or used at another time.

Thus, there has been described a license plate cover. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications to the license plate cover are possible, and also such changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A license plate cover positionable over a license plate without tools, the cover comprising:

a. a sheet of non-translucent material; and

b. a top surface and a bottom surface of the material, the bottom surface defining a cavity to receive the license plate.

2. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein indicia is imprinted on the top surface of the cover.

3. The license plate cover of claim 2, wherein the indicia identifies a municipal, state, or federal governmental agency.

4. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein the material is stretchable.

5. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein the material is flexible.

6. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, plastic, cloth, paper, nylon, mesh, polymer, elastic, or any combination of these materials.

7. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein the material is generally rectangular in shape.

8. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a securing mechanism positioned along the perimeter of the bottom surface.

9. The license plate cover of claim 8, wherein the securing mechanism is an elastic cord.

10. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is disposable.

11. The license plate cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is reusable.

12. A license plate cover positionable over a license plate without tools, the cover comprising:

a. a sheet of non-translucent material;

b. a top surface and a bottom surface of the material, the bottom surface defining a cavity to receive the license plate; and

c. a securing mechanism proximate to the perimeter of the bottom surface.

13. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein the securing mechanism comprises an elastic cord.

14. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein indicia is imprinted on the top surface of the cover.

15. The license plate cover of claim 14, wherein the indicia identifies a municipal, state, or federal governmental agency.

16. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein the material is stretchable.

17. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein the material is flexible.

18. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, plastic, cloth, paper, nylon, mesh, polymer, elastic, or any combination of these materials.

19. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein the material is generally rectangular in shape.

20. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein the cover is disposable.

21. The license plate cover of claim 12, wherein the cover is reusable.

22. A method for covering a license plate having a plurality of edges without the use of tools to hide the license plate information from view, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a non-translucent cover comprising a securing mechanism, wherein the securing mechanism is positioned in an outer rim of the cover;

b. stretching the securing mechanism over the plurality of edges of the license plate; and

c. wrapping the cover around the plurality of edges of the license plate, wherein the securing mechanism secures the cover to the license plate.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising concealing the license plate.

24. The method according to claim 22, further comprising stretching the securing mechanism and removing the cover from the license plate.