Abstract: A replaceable license plate frame structure including a front frame and a rear frame in which the front frame is inserted. After assembly, the front decorative faces of the front and rear frames are flush with each other and together form a decorative picture or stripe. The rear face of the rear frame is formed with a peripheral dent for receiving a license plate. The front frame is formed with tenons and lugs and the rear frame is formed with corresponding mortises and lugs to engage the front frame, the rear frame and the license plate. Multiple front frame with different decorative front faces can be replaceably assembled with the rear frame so as to vary the pattern of the entire license plate frame structure.

Abstract: An improved license plate protector comprises a one piece flexible cover made of relatively high impact strength polycarbonate resin, which remains substantially transparent and damage resistant even upon marring, scratching and weathering of the cover during use. The plate protector further comprises an improved structural technique for positioning and securing a one piece, light weight plate protector to a license plate and a motor vehicle, and protecting the license plate, through the combined use of a perimeter rib, retaining tabs, a plurality of positioning tabs, corresponding attachment locations and a plurality of attachment holes. A method of making a license plate protector as described comprises the steps of drying polycarbonate resin with a heater, and forming a license plate protector by application of heat and pressure to such resin in a molding device having mold surfaces comprising material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and chrome plating.

Abstract: A parking accessory for motorcycles has a frame which provides a first compartment for a license plate, and a second compartment behind the first compartment to carry a plate-like kickstand pad which can be removed and placed under the end of the kickstand when it is desired to park the motorcycle. The kickstand pad prevents penetration of the surface on which the motorcycle is resting and consequent loss of upright support of the cycle.

Abstract: A frame for a license plate includes top, bottom and side edges which are joined together and have a maximum size such that an outer perimeter of the frame is substantially coextensive with the license periphery. The license plate and frame are joined together to form an assembly which can be received in any recess or other area on an automobile which is sized to receive the license plate.

Abstract: A mountable display apparatus for surrounding the edges of a vehicle identification plate mounted within the plate well of a vehicle. The display apparatus includes a substantially pliant frame having an inner edge defining an opening for exposing a portion of the identification plate. The frame is flexible to conform to the contour of the plate well for surrounding the edges of the identification plate independent of the size of the plate well such that, when the frame is larger than the plate well, the frame is deformed to position the frame substantially within the plate well when the identification plate is secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: A license plate security frame for preventing a theft or unauthorized removal of a license plate from a vehicle. The device includes an outer frame which receives the license plate and attaches to the vehicle body with the license plate bolts. An inner frame is pivotally mounted to the outer frame and may be locked to the same by a pair of secretly hidden locking members. The inner frame includes a pair of bolt guards which effectively preclude access to the license plate bolts and conceal the locking members when the inner frame is locked to the outer frame. Alternate embodiments of the present invention include corner lock assemblies for further locking the frames together, and an electric shock assembly connectable to a vehicle alarm or ignition system for energizing a partially insulated and partially exposed wire along the perimeter of the outer frame, whereby contact with the wire by unauthorized persons will result in a shock.

Abstract: A variable number plate fixing frame is provided with a pair of symmetric side brackets which are removably attached to a main frame body. A number of different spare side brackets are provided so as to permit a person to vary the appearance of the fixing frame for a change by simply replacing the side brackets with other ones without detaching the screw secured number plate. Each side bracket is provided with a tenon at each end thereof which is in tight engagement with a mortise disposed on each end of a receiving cavity disposed at the right and left side of the main frame body and having a shape conforming to that of the side brackets so that the brackets can be firmly and replaceably disposed therein. The upper and lower edges of the main frame body is provided with a recess in which different decoration stickers can be disposed just for a change in the appearance of the fixing frame.

Abstract: A security frame assembly for vehicle license plates provides for the complete enclosure of the plate and any dated registration decals thereon in order to prevent or increase the difficulty of the theft thereof. The device comprises a peripheral frame with a tough transparent overlay, secured to the vehicle using standard threaded fasteners. The heads of the fasteners are concealed by caps which require the use of a special tool for their removal. The transparent overlay provides for the display of the complete plate, while also protecting the plate and registration sticker from easy theft. While a determined thief could take the plate and frame, the device would require additional time which would increase the risk of being apprehended for the thief and thus make the protected plate an unattractive risk. However, the device would permit the theft of the plate and frame without damage to the vehicle, thus saving the vehicle owner any potential repair costs.

Abstract: A multi ply laminae which provides weather resistance, tamper resistance and is a sturdy and legible temporary license plate. A printed serialized plate is affixed by a pressure sensitive adhesive to the upper portion of a transparent polymeric sheet by removing the protective liner and affixing the back of the plate to the polymeric sheet. An expiration date is applied to the face of the plate and the protective liner is removed from the bottom portion of the transparent polymeric sheet and the bottom portion of the transparent polymeric sheet is folded along a perforated portion centered on the transparent polymeric sheet sealing the upper portion to the bottom portion forming the temporary plate which is attached to a motor vehicle through the retention receptors in any conventional manner.

Abstract: A personalized vehicle emblem secured to a vehicle license plate holding structure with mounting hardware. The emblem has a generally circular shield that has inscribed personalized information. A circular body located in a central recess of the shield carries various symbols. The plate holding structure has a rectangular frame having inwardly directed ears. The ears accommodate fasteners for attaching a license plate to the frame. Flat walls of the frame hold the license plate in a recessed location. The mounting hardware has one or more brackets secured to the plate holding structure. The brackets are adapted to support the emblems.

Abstract: A locking license plate holder for mounting license plates on automobiles, trucks and trailers includes a frame having a channel formed therein dimensioned for insertion of a license plate. The frame includes a transparent cover plate provided with an elongated lock housing. Spaced pairs of aligned apertures are formed through the frame, the license plate, the cover plate and a side wall of the lock housing. A pair of retaining pins are dimensioned for insertion through a vehicle mounted license plate attaching bracket and through the pairs of aligned apertures in the license plate holder. A key actuated rotary locking cylinder is centrally mounted in the lock housing and includes a pair of transverse locking rods connected to the rotary cylinder for simultaneous extension and retraction. A pair of guide members in the housing constrains the locking rods to reciprocal linear movement. A transverse aperture is formed through each of the retaining pins for receiving the locking rods in a locked condition.

Abstract: An integral molded plastic panel (20) includes a substantially vertical, forwardly facing mounting surface (22). The surface (22) is dimensioned to receive a plurality of license plates (16) and extends downwardly at least substantially to the bottom of the bumper (4) of a vehicle (2). The bumper (4) has a contoured downwardly and rearwardly sloping outer surface. Opposite sidewalls (34) extend substantially rearwardly from opposite side edge portions of the mounting surface (22) and terminate in rear edges (36) shaped to conform to the outer surface of the bumper (4) to facilitate airflow around the panel (20). A bottom wall (46) extends between the sidewalls (34) and rearwardly from the bottom of the mounting surface (22). The top of the panel (20) is attached to the bumper (4) by bolts (12) which attach the bumper (4) to a frame portion (14) of the vehicle (2). The bottom wall (46) carries mounting lugs (48) for attaching the bottom of the panel (20) to the bumper (4).

Abstract: The license plate cover prevents viewing of the license plate identifying numbers and symbols from the sides of the plate, but does not prevent viewing thereof from directly in line with the plate. The cover includes a frame adapted to overlie the plate and defining a central opening through which the plate numbers can be seen. To the frame are connected a number of spaced vanes which project outwardly thereof and obscure side viewing of the plate numbers. For this purpose, it is preferred to have the vanes parallel with each other and running from the top to the bottom of the frame across the opening, and perpendicular to the main plane of the frame. The vanes can be opaque or transparent. In the latter case, the collective effect of side viewing through the array of vanes is to obscure such viewing.

Abstract: A frame comprising upper, lower, and side bars outlines a space to display a license plate. At least one of the bars, preferably the lower, has a depressed track in which a number of message elements or strip is carried which bear message indicia on its front surface. The track has upper and lower lips depending from and extending up from respectively the upper and lower margins of the track. A resilient, transparent cover slipped between the lips holds the message elements in place against the track back and with the indicia exposed to view. The lips may be frangmented into one or more sections, and only one lip may serve. The number of message elements may be reduced to a single, integral strip.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper nerf strip and license plate holder attachment means for securing the nerf strip and holder to a vehicle bumper is provided. The nerf strip has first and second fasteners for reception in openings provided in the vehicle bumper. Both types of fasteners are insertable by applying external pressure to the nerf strip. The first fasteners are removable upon application of a pulling force. However, the second fasteners, which are utilized to retain a license plate holder in place, are firmly held in place by means of a screw so that they will not come loose upon application of a pulling force.

Abstract: A license plate frame assembly is disclosed for displaying and projecting a vehicle license plate or identification tag. The assembly includes a generally rectangular frame with a rearwardly extending wall portion and an open center portion. A transparent plate abuts the frame and is confined within the wall portion to cover the open center. A rear panel, also confined within the wall portion, sandwiches the license plate between the transparent plate and the rear panel. The frame is secured from the rear portion thereof, fasteners being extended through a generally planar surface thereof, thereby preventing its unauthorized removal.

Abstract: A license plate holder for providing a weather-proof and tamper-proof enclosure for a vehicle license plate includes a backing plate adapted to be secured to the vehicle license plate mount and to have the license plate secured thereto. A cover frame is secured to the backing plate by means of tamper-resistant screws secured between the backing plate and frame without passing through the license plate or a transparent pane held against the license plate by the frame. Gaskets provide weather-proof seals between the frame and pane and between the license plate and pane. The tamper-resistant screws are received in cylindrical female-threaded fasteners which are crimped in place to determine the spacing between the frame and backing plate. The backing plate is provided with four mounting apertures corresponding to four standardly spaced mounting holes in the vehicle license plate mount.

Abstract: License plate lenses to be affixed over the license plate area of automobiles and/or vehicles and carrying a communicative or decorative symbol to the car enthusiasts liking. The lenses are constructed from a plurality of plastics with a logo and/or design vacuum formed into the various plastic materials.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens operatively affixed proximate the transparent faceplate which covers the cluster of gauges disposed on an automotive instrument panel for magnifying the digital or analog information displayed by those gauges.

Abstract: Structure comprising an assembly of interfitting members including a plate member having a border section on at least one part of its periphery, fitted over a complementary resiliently deformable relief section borne by a second member by temporary elastic warping of at least one of the members. The relief section projects from a ridge engaged by the edge of the border section and has a height, in unstressed condition, which is greater than the distance separating the second member and the plate member in the assembled structure, so that the relief section bears against the plate member in the assembled structure.

Abstract: A license plate frame includes a plastic frame member with a central opening. Removeable frame portions are provided to enlarge the opening for use with larger plate sizes.

Abstract: A bumper sticker holder comprises a base, base fastening means for fastening the base to an automobile bumper or other support, and a peripheral frame dimensioned to overlie the peripheral area of the base and with it defining a longitudinal guideway dimensioned to receive and mount a bumper sticker or like display item. Frame fastening means fasten the frame to the base. As an alternative application, the base fastening means may be employed as a stand for mounting the holder on a desk or other supporting surface. When combined with suction cup fasteners, the holder may be applied to mounting the display item on the interior of an automobile window or like location.

Abstract: The reinforcing construction member of synthetic resin for motor vehicle license plates comprises a marginal bead surrounding the stamped rim of the license plate and a surface in contact with the reverse side of the license plate. It is fashioned as a frame (1) with an angular profile (5, 6) covering the stamped rim of the license plate all-around from the front and from the side. The surface of the reinforcing construction member in contact with the rear side of the license plate consists of several partial surfaces formed, on the one hand, by connecting webs (9) shaped integrally with the angular profile (5, 6) of the frame and bridging respectively two mutually parallel-extending lateral parts thereof and, on the other hand, by holding lugs (10, 11) shaped at the two other lateral parts (4) of the frame, one of these holding lugs (10) being shorter than the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a bumper sticker on a vehicle, including a backing plate for attachment to a vehicle and a frame plate of generally the same shape lying in a plane parallel to the backing plate. The frame plate has a central opening therein. Bottom and side elements connect the backing plate and the frame plate together, leaving an open top. A bumper sticker holding plate is provided and is of such a size that it can have a flexible bumper sticker adhesively attached thereto so that when the bumper sticker holding plate with the bumper sticker attached thereto is inserted into the top of the open top, the bumper sticker will be displayed through the opening in the frame plate. Clips are provided for holding the bumper sticker holding plate in place. When it is desired to place a new bumper sticker onto the bumper sticker holding plate, such plate can first be removed to facilitate removing the old bumper sticker before the new one is attached thereto.

Abstract: Small tilting trailers such as boat trailers and the like normally require license plates. This invention consists of a license plate holder pivotally secured for fore and aft swinging movement adjacent the rear of the trailer in the usual location and normally being held in the substantially vertical position by means of small return springs. An elongated roller is mounted across the base of the holder to facilitate the swinging movement if the roller strikes objects such as rock, etc. and also to facilitate the swinging movement if the roller contacts the ground surface when the trailer is in the tilt position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a holder for motor vehicle registration plates and consists of a backing member which is adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle and a frame made from a plastics material which covers the periphery of the registration plate when located on the holder and includes a first formation adapted to bear on the periphery of the plate and a plurality of second formations which by resilient transverse deformation of the frame are engageable with the underside of the backing member to lock the plate between the backing member and frame.

Abstract: A license plate frame assembly is disclosed as consisting of a one-piece frame member which may be fabricated of a molded plastic material, a die stamped metal or the like. The frame is of a generally rectangular configuration and has a frontal wall that provides a decorative face which may be provided with a hot stamped complementary decorated surface. The frame member also includes rearwardly projecting outer enclosure walls and is adapted to be connected to an associated license plate and support bracket by having recesses formed along the rearward side of the upper and side sections of the frame member slipped or slid onto the upper and side edges of the associated license plate and support bracket in an envelope-like manner. The recesses may be formed by integral tabs formed on the rearward side of the outer enclosure walls.

Abstract: A framed picture holder suitable for affixing to a supporting member which includes a relatively stiff, clear front cover, a relatively flexible, clear or opaque rear cover and a sectional frame of suitable dimensions to peripherally join the front and rear covers. An indicia bearing sheet, which may be a photograph, is cut to the size and configuration of the front cover and the rear cover and is sandwiched therebetween. The peripheral framing members secure the parts together. A plurality of registered openings are provided through the combination front cover, picture and rear cover for attaching purposes.

Abstract: A license plate lock box assembly which is adapted to be secured about, preferably, the rear license plate of a motor vehicle. The assembly comprises a holding means adapted to be secured to the motor vehicle, a transparent cover plate adapted to cover and enclose the license plate, and a locking means adapted to releasably lock the cover plate to the holding means. The cover plate includes a horizontal slot through which notices of traffic violations may be inserted and retained in the assembly.

Abstract: A license plate frame assembly is disclosed as consisting of a one-piece frame member which may be fabricated of a molded plastic material, a die stamped metal or the like; the frame is of a generally rectangular configuration and has a frontal wall that provides a decorative face which may be provided with a hot stamped complementary decorated surface. The frame member also includes rearwardly projecting inner and outer enclosure walls and is adapted to be connected to the associated license plate by having the upper edge of the license plate received within a recess formed along the rearward side of the upper section of the frame member. The recess may be formed by integral rearwardly extending ribs or alternatively by means of a resilient clip secured to the frame. The lower edge of the license plate is also adapted to be secured within a recess located along the bottom section of the frame member, which recess is provided by a removable clip or by integral ribs.

Abstract: A license plate frame assembly is disclosed as consisting of a one-piece frame member which may be fabricated of a molded plastic material, a die stamped metal or the like; the frame is of a generally rectangular configuration and has a frontal wall that provides a decorative face which may be provided with a hot stamped complementary decorated surface. The frame member also includes rearwardly projecting inner and outer enclosure walls and is adapted to be connected to the associated license plate by having the upper edge of the license plate received within a recess formed along the rearward side of the upper section of the frame member. The recess may be formed by integral rearwardly extending ribs or alternatively by means of a resilient clip secured to the frame. The lower edge of the license plate is also adapted to be secured within a recess located along the bottom section of the frame member, which recess is provided by a removable clip or by integral ribs.

Abstract: A license plate frame assembly is disclosed as consisting of a one-piece frame member fabricated of a molded plastic material, the frame member being of a generally rectangular configuration and having a frontal wall providing a decorative face. The frame member also including rearwardly projecting inner and outer enclosure walls defining a pair of spaced-apart recessed areas; the frame member is connected to the license plate by a pair of retaining clips associated one with each of the recessed areas and each including a resilient arm section adapted for engagement with the rearward side of the license plate and a retaining arm section adapted to be nestingly received within the associated recessed area, the retaining clips being formed with sharp outwardly projecting tabs adapted for engagement with the license plate to resist any relative movement between the plate and the frame assembly.

Abstract: A removable license plate holder especially adapted for use where one plate is constantly being moved from one vehicle to another, such as automobile dealer demonstrator vehicles.