AU2015101302A4 - A Number Plate Mounting Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a license plate to a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mounting portion operable to mount the license plate to the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a securing portion attachable relative to the mounting portion and operable to secure the license plate to the mounting portion. The securing portion is attached to the mounting portion such that the securing portion cannot be detached from the mounting portion without damaging the apparatus. sm: --- ----------------------

Description

I A NUMBER PLATE MOUNTING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to mounting number plates to vehicles. BACKGROUND [0002] It is to be clearly understood that mere reference herein to any previous or existing devices, apparatus, products, systems, methods, practices, publications or to any other information, or to any problems or issues, does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any of those things, whether individually or in any combination, formed part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the field, or that they are admissible prior art. [0003] In Australia, and likewise under the applicable laws in most other countries, any vehicle that is lawfully registered to be driven on public roads must have a registration or licence plate (hereafter referred to simply as a number plate) attached to either: the front, the rear, or both the front and the rear of the vehicle. Details of the number plate(s) registered to any given vehicle are typically stored in a database which also contains various information relating to the vehicle and its owner; for example, the make, model, colour, year of manufacture, engine size, type of fuel used, mileage recorded, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number, the name and address of the vehicle's registered owner or keeper, etc. [0004] Vehicle number plates operate not just as an indicator that the vehicle to which they are attached is (or appears to be) registered, but they also help to enable individual vehicles, and the owners thereof, to be identified, for example, for law enforcement purposes. As such, counterfeit and stolen number plates both pose substantial risks from security and law enforcement points of view. [0005] For example, if a pair of matching number plates is registered to a particular car but both plates in that pair are removed from the said car and attached to a different car or vehicle that does not correspond to the information associated with those plates on the database, then the latter-mentioned car/vehicle is not identifiable for law enforcement purposes (at least it is not identifiable from the number plates because e.g. if a law enforcement official were to view or photograph the latter-mentioned car/vehicle and then "look up" the details for the plates in the database, this would yield the vehicle and owner details for the vehicle to which those plates are lawfully registered, but those details would be clearly different to the details of the vehicle on which the plates visibly appear). Or in another example, if a matching pair of number plates is removed from the car to which that pair of plates is lawfully registered (e.g. as may happen if the car along with its lawful plates is stolen) and attached to a different-but-similar-looking car (e.g. a car that is of the same make, model, colour, etc, as the car to which the plates are lawfully registered), then the said different-but-similar-looking car could potentially be used in the commission of traffic infringements and/or criminal offences, and the innocent owner of the (possibly stolen) original vehicle to which those plates were originally attached (and to which those plates are lawfully registered) may be wrongly implicated in the commission of those infringements/offences (because, at least from an at-a-distance visual inspection or from a photograph, the different-but-similar-looking (possibly stolen) car would appear to in fact be the original vehicle to which those plates are lawfully registered). [0006] Thus, the removal of number plates from the vehicles to which they are lawfully registered, and the installation of other or even possibly counterfeit number plates, may often be done for criminal purposes, such as for example: changing the apparent identity of a stolen vehicle so that it can be sold; disguising a vehicle so that it can be used as a get away vehicle in a robbery or for petrol theft; evading congestion charges, parking or speeding fines, etc. Also, if the owner of a vehicle whose lawfully registered plates have been removed and applied to another vehicle (and used in an offence) is then linked to that other vehicle, then the said owner may be erroneously identified and implicated in the unlawful activity. [0007] Currently vehicle number plates are typically attached to vehicles simply by being screwed directly to the vehicle using standard screws. The screws are typically easily accessible, and thus vehicle number plates can generally be easily removed and/or replaced. Generally, there is no way to detect whether a number plate has been removed or replaced. [0008] In view of the foregoing, it is thought that it would be desirable if there were a number plate mounting apparatus that could increase the difficulty of removing or replacing number plates, or indicate where a number plate has been removed or replaced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention is directed to a number plating holding apparatus, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. [0010] In one form, the invention resides broadly in an apparatus for mounting a license plate to a vehicle including: a mounting portion operable to mount the license plate to the vehicle; and a securing portion attachable relative to the mounting portion and operable to secure the license plate to the mounting portion; wherein the securing portion is operable to be attached to the mounting portion such that the securing portion cannot be detached from the mounting portion without damaging the apparatus (or the vehicle to which the apparatus mounts the license plate). [0011] The license plate may be held between the mounting portion and the securing portion when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion. A skilled person would understand that the license plate may be held using any suitable holding means known in the art. For example, clips, adhesive, complimentary hook and loop attachments etc. [0012] The license plate may be secured firmly when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion such that the license plate does not move relative to the mounting portion and the securing portion when the vehicle is in use. [0013] Preferably, the securing portion includes an opening or transparent portion through which the license plate (or the relevant portion thereof) can be viewed when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion. The opening or transparent portion may be large enough such that an identification portion on a front face of the license plate is externally visible. Where an opening is provided, the opening may have an inner edge which engages the front face of the license plate and which is operable to help secure the license plate relative to the mounting portion when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion. [0014] Preferably, the securing portion further includes an outer wall which covers an outer perimeter of the mounting portion when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion. The outer wall of the securing portion may include engagement means operable to engage an outer edge of the mounting portion for securing the securing portion to the mounting portion. A skilled person would understand that the engagement means may be any suitable engagement means known in the art, for example, resilient but still stiff/ridged clips or other engagement means, press-fit or inter-locking press-fit arrangements, etc.

_r [0015] The securing portion may be secured to the mounting portion such that the securing portion cannot be removed or disconnected or detached from the mounting portion once the engagement means engages the outer edge. Advantageously, the license plate may thus be secured to the vehicle in a tamper evident manner. [0016] The mounting portion typically has an outer perimeter. The outer perimeter may be formed of an inverted-U-shaped cross section. Preferably, the open side of the inverted-U-shape faces towards the vehicle, and the forward-facing side forms a seat on which the outer perimeter edge of the license plate may engage when the license plate is secured to the apparatus. [0017] The mounting portion may include one or more apertures operable to receive one or more fasteners for mounting the mounting portion to the vehicle. A skilled person would understand that any suitable fasteners known in the art may be used. The apertures may be located such that they corresponding to apertures already located on the vehicle. Preferably, the one or more apertures are located behind the license plate when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion such that the one or more apertures are inaccessible from the front of the apparatus. [0018] The mounting portion may further include one or more locating means for locating the license plate relative to the mounting portion. Preferably, the one or more locating means also hold the license plate (at least loosely) relative to the mounting portion. The one or more locating means may be evenly spaced from one another. The locating means may include one or more tabs, or one or more clips, or a combination of one or more tabs and one or more clips which may extend away from the vehicle when the mounting portion is mounted to the vehicle. [0019] The mounting portion may further include one or more detachable washers, preferably, four detachable washers. The washers may be detached from the mounting plate by breaking connecting tabs which connect them thereto. A skilled person would understand that the washers may be of similar or various sizes. The washers may be used as spacers between the back of the mounting portion and the vehicle to protect the vehicle from scratches. [0020] In another form, the invention resides broadly in a method for mounting a license plate to a vehicle including the steps of: mounting to the vehicle a mounting portion that is operable to receive and hold the license plate; mounting the license plate to the mounting portion; and mounting to the mounting portion a securing portion that is operable to secure the license plate to the mounting portion; wherein the securing portion cannot then be detached from the mounting portion without damaging the mounting portion and/or the securing portion and/or the license plate and/or the vehicle. [0021] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [0023] Figure 1 is a generally front-on view of a number plate mounting apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, when the apparatus is fully assembled and used to mount a number plate to the front of a vehicle. [0024] Figure 2 shows the back plate of the apparatus in Figure 1 attached to the front of a vehicle. [0025] Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 in that it shows the back plate of the apparatus attached to the front of the vehicle, except that in Figure 3 a number plate is also shown attached to the back plate. [0026] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the number plate mounting apparatus of Figure 1 (including the number plate that will be secured thereby when the apparatus is fully assembled). [0027] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of one of the upper clips on the back plate of the apparatus in Figure 1 which is used for attaching the number plate to the back plate in this embodiment. [0028] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of one of the lower clips on the back plate of the apparatus in Figure 1 which is again used for attaching the number plate to the back plate in this embodiment. [0029] Figure 7 is a partial view from the inside of the securing cover which secures the number plate relative to the back plate.

[0030] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the number plate mounting apparatus (and through the number plate) showing, in particular, how the securing cover is secured relative to the back plate, when the apparatus is assembled to secure a number plate thereto. [0031] Figures 9 and 10 are similar to Figure 2 in that they show the back plate of a number plate mounting apparatus attached to the front of a vehicle. However, in Figures 9 and 10 the back plate is slightly different to the back plate in the embodiment in Figures 1-8, and hence Figures 9-12 relate to a slightly different embodiment to Figures 1-8 (although the overall operation of the number plate mounting apparatus, i.e. how it works, etc, is much the same in both embodiments). [0032] Like Figures 9 and 10, Figure 11 shows the back plate of the apparatus of Figures 9 and 10 attached to the front of the vehicle, except that in Figure 11 a number plate is also shown attached to the back plate. [0033] Figure 12 is similar to Figure 1 in that it is a generally front-on view of a number plate mounting apparatus, albeit in this case it is an apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment, when the apparatus is fully assembled and used to mount a number plate to the front of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0034] For convenience, reference will be made initially and primarily to the apparatus in the first embodiment depicted in Figures 1-8. References to the second embodiment depicted in Figures 9-12 will generally be made only where required to emphasise certain points, or where the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment. Therefore, to the extent that the two embodiments are the same or operate in the same way, and in relation to features that are common to both, explanations will be given only with reference to the first embodiment. [0035] An apparatus 100 in the form of a number plate holder for mounting a number plate 102 to a vehicle 104 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1-8. The apparatus 100 includes a mounting portion 200 in the form of a back plate (shown in Figure 2) which is operable to itself be secured to the vehicle; and the number plate can then be attached to the back plate 200 to thereby mount the number plate 102 relative to the vehicle 104. The apparatus 100 further includes a securing portion 106 in the form of a securing cover (shown in Figure 1) which is attachable relative to the back plate 200 and operable to secure the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200 and thus secure the number plate 102 to the vehicle 104. Importantly, when the apparatus is fully assembled, the securing cover 106 is attached to the back plate 200 such that the securing cover 106 cannot be detached from the back plate 200 without damaging the apparatus 100. [0036] As best shown in Figure 2, the back plate 200 is substantially rectangular in shape and has rounded corners. Those skilled in the art will understand that the shape of the back plate 200 corresponds generally to the shape of the number plate 102 that the apparatus 100 is required to hold. [0037] The back plate 200 includes locating means for locating and holding the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-8, the locating means includes a number (in this case six) of resilient clips 202. The resilient clips 202 extend forward from the rim of the back plate, and away from the vehicle to which the back plate 200 ultimately is attached, and operate to help locate and then hold the top and bottom edges of the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200. The six clips 202 shown are evenly spaced along the top and the bottom edges of the back plate 200 as shown in Figure 2. Close-up views of individual clips 202 are also shown in Figures 5 and 6. [0038] The resilient clips 202 can flex to allow insertion and attachment of the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200. Those skilled in the art will, however, understand that any other suitable means may be used (i.e. instead of the resilient clips 202) to locate and hold the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200 such that the number plate 102 is at least loosely held in place relative to the back plate 200. Or, even where clips like the resilient clips 202 are used, a different number and arrangement of clips may be used. As an example, see the back plate of the apparatus in the second embodiment depicted in Figures 9-12 wherein the back plate 200' has only two central resilient clips 202', one each for holding the number plate 102 from above and below respectively. [0039] The back plate 200 further includes one or more tabs 204 which help to locate/correctly position the vertical side edges (in this case) of the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-8, the back plate 200 includes two such tabs 204, one on either side, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3. Those skilled in the art will, however, understand that any number of clips (e.g. clips 202) or tabs (e.g. tabs 204) or any other means may be used in order to position and/or hold the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200. As an example, see the back plate of the apparatus in the second embodiment depicted in Figures 9-12 wherein the back plate 200' has eight tabs 204' which are positioned to help locate the number plate. More specifically, in the second embodiment, there are two tabs 204' positioned to help locate the number plate from above/below and to the side of each respective corner of the number plate. [0040] The back plate 200 also includes means for mounting the back plate 200 to the vehicle 104. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-8, the said means comprises a number of apertures (in this case holes) 206 in the back plate 200 through which fastening means (screws) 208 can be inserted to secure the back plate 200 to the vehicle 104. The location of, and the relative spacing between, etc, the apertures (holes) 206 in the back plate 200 preferably corresponds to the location and relative spacing between the mounting points/apertures (not shown) on the vehicle 104. However, it will be understood that the back plate 200 in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-8 actually includes a number of apertures (holes) 206 for mounting the back plate 200 to the vehicle 104. Not all of these will necessarily be used though when mounting the back plate 200 to a given vehicle 104 (e.g. in Figure 2 only two of the apertures are used to secure the back plate 200 to the vehicle 104, and others of the apertures (those actually labelled 206 in Figure 2) remain unused). Thus, the various apertures (holes) 206 are arranged/located, and the spacing between them is such that, even if not all of them will necessarily be used when mounting the back plate 200 to a given vehicle, nevertheless different ones of the holes will line up with the differently positioned mounting points on different makes and model of vehicle. A greater number of differently located apertures (holes) may also be provided in other embodiments compared with what is shown in Figures 1-8, and in fact the second embodiment depicted in Figures 9-12 clearly illustrates this. Indeed, as clearly shown in Figure 9, the back plate 200 'of the apparatus of the second embodiment incorporates a far greater number of apertures (holes) 206'. The size, shape, orientation and positioning of the various holes 206' in the back plate in Figure 9 are intended to allow the said back plate to be mounted to most (if not all) makes and models of vehicles. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any other suitable fastening means may be used instead (or as well) to mount the back plate 200 to the vehicle 104. [0041] In use (i.e. when the apparatus 100 is fully assembled and functioning in use to secure a number plate to a vehicle), the fastening means (screws) 208 which mount the back plate 200 to the vehicle 104 are wholly covered up by the number plate 102. The fastening means (screws) 208 are also inaccessible between the apparatus 100 and vehicle 104. Advantageously, this prevents access to (or it at least makes it very difficult to access) the fastening means (screws) 208, thereby preventing (or rendering much more difficult) removal of the apparatus 100 (including the number plate held thereby) from the vehicle 104. The fact that the fastening means (screws) 208 are contained in this way may also help to protect the screws and, e.g., prevent them from rusting etc.

[0042] The back plate 200 includes a number of recessed portions 210 which are recessed/indented relative to the plane of the back plate's outer perimeter. The recessed portions 210 are separated by ridges 212 (the ridges 212 are not recessed/indented relative to the plane of the back plate's perimeter). Because the ridges 212 are not recessed relative to the back plate's perimeter, these along with the back plate's perimeter help to support the back of the number plate when the number plate 102 is secured to the apparatus (e.g. this helps to prevent e.g. "out of plane" flexure of the number plate, etc). The configuration of the recessed portions 210 and ridges 212 also helps to stiffen the back plate 200 itself whilst minimising the total volume of material (or at least without requiring an undue amount of material to be) used to form the back plate 200. Those skilled in the art will understand that more or less, or a different configuration of recessed portions and ridges may be used. [0043] As best shown in Figure 8, the perimeter of the back plate 200 is formed with a substantially "inverted-U-shaped" cross section. In other words, the perimeter/rim of the back plate 200 is formed by an outer edge flange 802, an inner flange 804 and a web 806 extending between the two flanges to form the "inverted-U-shape". Thus, the open side of the "inverted-U shape" faces towards the vehicle 104 when the back plate 200 is attached to the vehicle 104, and therefore the forward-facing side of the web 806 creates a seat on which the outer perimeter edge of the number plate 102 engages when the number plate 102 is secured to the apparatus. [0044] The back plate 200 further includes washers 214 as shown in Figure 2. Washers 214 are connected to back plate 200 via frangible/breakable connector tabs and are therefore detachable from the back plate 200 by twisting the washers 214 or otherwise breaking the connector tabs. The washers 214 may be used as spacers between the back of the back plate 200 and the vehicle 104 to protect the vehicle 104 from contacting the apparatus 100 (which may cause scratching or marking etc) when the apparatus 100 is attached to a vehicle 104. A skilled person would understand that back plate 200 may comprise any number of washes 214, for example, four as shown in the embodiment in Figure 2. [0045] As mentioned above, the apparatus 100 also includes a securing cover 106 which is attachable relative to the back plate 200 and operable to secure the number plate 102 relative to the back plate 200 and thus secure the number plate 102 to the vehicle 104. In both of the embodiments shown, the securing cover 106 is generally rectangular in shape, similar to (albeit slightly larger overall than) the shape of the number plate 102. The securing cover 106 has a large rectangular viewing aperture/opening through which the number plate 102 can be viewed when the number plate is secured to the vehicle 104 by the apparatus use. Those skilled in the I V art will understand, however, that the overall shape of the securing cover 106 could be other than that shown, provided it can still be secured to the back plate 200, as discussed below. [0046] As shown in Figure 7, the securing cover 106 includes an outer wall 810 which completely surrounds and envelops the outer edge of the back plate 200 when the securing cover 106 is connected to secure the number plate 102 to the back plate, as shown in Figures 1 and 8. There are also a number of resilient but still quite ridge/stiff clips 812 provided on the outer wall 810. The clips 812 extend inwardly from the outer wall 810 such that, when the securing cover 106 is connected to secure the number plate 102 to the back plate 200, the clips engage and "lock-in" behind outer edge flange 802 of the back plate 200 such that the clip portions 812 secure the covering plate 106 to the black plate 200. The configuration and rigidity of the securing cover 106 and back plate 200 is such that, when all of the clips 812 on the securing cover 106 are engaged and "locked-in" behind outer edge flange 802 of the back plate 200, the securing cover 106 thereby becomes secured to the back plate 200 securing the number plate 102 between the back plate and the securing cover) such that the securing cover 106 cannot be removed/disconnected/detached from the back plate 200, and nor can the number plate 102 be removed from between them, without damage or destruction to the back plate 200 and/or the securing cover and/or the number plate and/or the vehicle 104 to which the apparatus is attached. [0047] As mentioned above, the number plate 102 when secured/held to a vehicle 104 is held between the back plate 200 and the securing cover 106 cannot be removed from the number plate holder (apparatus) 100. Advantageously, the number plate is secured to a vehicle in a tamper evident manner. Any attempt to remove or swap the number plate from the vehicle will cause damage to the holder 100, which will be visibly apparent. Any visually apparent damage to the holder indicates to the vehicle owner, or law enforcement person, that an attempt to remove or replace the number plate has taken place. This helps to alleviate or reduce security issues, as described in the Background section above, and it may also act as a deterrent to unauthorised parties from attempting to remove or replace the number plate. Further, identification of unauthorised and unsuccessful attempts to remove number plates may be recorded for statistical purposes. For example, a high number of unsuccessful attempts to remove number plates in a single area may indicate high crime activity in that area. [0048] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in order to use the apparatus 100 to mount a number plate 102 to a vehicle 104, the back plate 200 is first mounted to the vehicle 104 using screws 208 or any other suitable fastening means (as shown in Figure 2). The number plate 102 is then attached to the back plate 200 (so that the number plate is held by the clips 202, as shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6). And finally, the securing cover 106 is pressed over and around the perimeter of the back plate (as shown in Figures 1 and 8) so that the securing cover becomes irremovably secured thereon and it also firmly presses the number plate 102 against the back plate 200, such that the number plate 102 is thereby secured (sandwiched) irremovably therebetween, and also prevented from "rattling around" when the vehicle is driven etc, and as mentioned above, the number plate 102 cannot be removed without damaging the apparatus 100. [0049] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. [0050] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. [0051] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus for mounting a license plate to a vehicle including: a mounting portion operable to mount the license plate to the vehicle; and a securing portion attachable relative to the mounting portion and operable to secure the license plate to the mounting portion; wherein the securing portion is operable to be attached to the mounting portion such that the securing portion cannot be detached from the mounting portion without damaging the apparatus.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the license plate is held between the mounting portion and the securing portion when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the license plate is secured firmly when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion such that the license plate does not move relative to the mounting portion and the securing portion when the vehicle is in use.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing portion includes an opening or transparent portion through which relevant portions of the license plate can be viewed when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein there is an opening and the opening has an inner edge which engages a front face of the license plate and is operable to help secure the license plate relative to the mounting portion when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing portion includes an outer wall which covers an outer perimeter of the mounting portion when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion and the securing portion is attached to the mounting portion to secure the license plate to the mounting portion.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the outer wall of the securing portion includes engagement means operable to engage an outer edge of the mounting portion for securing the securing portion to the mounting portion.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the securing portion is secured to the mounting portion such that the securing portion cannot be removed or disconnected or detached from the mounting portion once the engagement means engages the outer edge.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the engagement means is a resilient but still stiff/ridged engagement means.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting portion includes one or more apertures operable to receive one or more fasteners for mounting the mounting portion to the vehicle.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more apertures are located behind the license plate when the license plate is mounted to the mounting portion such that the one or more apertures are inaccessible from the front of the apparatus.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting portion includes one or more locating means for locating the license plate relative to the mounting portion.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more locating means hold the license plate relative to the mounting portion.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the locating means includes one or more tabs, or one or more clips, or a combination of one or more tabs and one or more clips.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting portion includes one or more detachable washers.

16. A method for mounting a license plate to a vehicle including the steps of: mounting to the vehicle a mounting portion that is operable to receive and hold the license plate; mounting the license plate to the mounting portion; and mounting to the mounting portion a securing portion that is operable to secure the license plate to the mounting portion; wherein the securing portion cannot then be detached from the mounting portion without damaging the mounting portion and/or the securing portion and/or the license plate and/or the vehicle.