EP4380827A1

EP4380827A1 - An arrangement for holding license plate of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4380827A1
Application number: EP22761966.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Prateek NAIDU; Nilesh Dashrath POKALE; Sagar Bharatlal RANA; Shiju SEBASTIAN
Original assignee: Hella GmbH and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Hella GmbH and Co KGaA
Priority date: 2021-08-06
Filing date: 2022-08-02
Publication date: 2024-06-12
Also published as: WO2023012169A1

Abstract

The present invention is to provide an arrangement (100) for holding license plate (500) of a vehicle. The arrangement (100) includes a frame (110) to be fastened with the vehicle. The frame (110) is adapted to retain the license plate (500) therewithin. The frame (110) has at least a retainer (120) arranged on a top portion (110a) of the frame (110) for holding upper side of the license plate (500), and at least a holder (150) arranged on a bottom portion (110b) of the frame (110) for holding a lower side of the license plate (500). The retainer (120) is having a first retaining element (130) and a second retaining element (140). The first retaining element (130) is connected to the second retaining element (140) by a connecting member (155), facilitating the arrangement (100) in holding license plates (500) of different heights.

Description

FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970

&

The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See section 10 and rule 13) Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a license plate holder. More specifically, the present invention relates to an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle.

Background of the Invention

[0002] A license plate or vehicle registration plate is an identification plate containing alpha numerals that are attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries may require registration plates for road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. These license plates are either permanently fixed with the body of the vehicle or on a license plate holder arranged on the vehicle.

[0003] The license plate holders are used to attach license plates of defined sizes. The license plate holder is attached to a base support which is permanently fixed with the body of the vehicle. The license plate holder can be fastened to the base support, and the license plate can be secured within the license plate holder. Changing the number plates while deregistering or re-registering a vehicle may become extremely difficult when the license plate is permanently secured with the license plate holder. In order to overcome such difficulties, the license plates have to be secured temporarily by the license holder. In such a case, the license plate may fall off from the license holder damaging the license plates. Further, since the license holders are of a defined size, it may be difficult to accommodate license plates of varying heights or widths.

[0004] Therefore, there is a requirement of a license plate holder, which overcomes a few or all the drawbacks of the present arrangement of license plates.

Objects of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle, which can accommodate license plates of variable height and widths.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle, which enables strong engagement of the license plate therewithin.

[0008] Further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle, which reduces the effort of arranging the license plates in the holder or removing the license plate from the holder.

[0009] One more object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle, which is simple in construction and design.

[0010] Further, one more object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle, which is robust in construction.

Summary of the invention

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided with an arrangement for holding a license plate of a vehicle. The arrangement includes a frame that has to be fastened with the vehicle. The frame is substantially a rectangular sheet of a predefined length and width, which can be attached/fastened to a front or rear or side region of the vehicle. The frame is adapted to retain/hold the license plate therewithin. The height of the license plate may vary at certain times; the frame in the present invention is adapted to hold the license plate with variable heights.

[0012] Further, the frame may include at least a retainer and at least a holder. The license plate is held in between the retainer and the holder arranged on the frame. In an embodiment, the frame may include three retainers and three holders. The retainer is arranged on a top portion of the frame for holding an upper side of the license plate. The holder is arranged on a bottom portion of the frame for holding a lower side of the license plate. The retainer is a hook-shaped member secured or integral to the frame. The retainer includes a first retaining element and a second retaining element. In an embodiment, the second retaining element is arranged above the first retaining element. The first retaining element is connected to the second retaining element by a connecting member.

[0013] The retainer is arranged on the frame in such a way that the extension of the retainer from the frame configures a recess between the retainer and the frame. More specifically, a first recess is configured between the frame and the first retaining element to hold the license plate therebetween. Similarly, a second recess is configured between the first retaining element and the second retaining element. When the height of the license plate is lower than a predefined height of the license plate, the upper side of the license plate can be accommodated in the first recess in between the first retaining element and the frame. When the height of the license plate is higher than the predefined height of the license plate, the upper side of the license plate can be accommodated in the second recess in between the first retaining element and the second retaining element.

[0014] Further, the first retaining element and the second retaining element are inverted “L” or “C” shaped members having a retaining portion to hold the license plate. In the present embodiment, the retaining portion of the first retaining element has an inner corrugated surface facing towards the first recess of the frame. The corrugated surface on the inner side of the retaining portion provides a gripping surface for the license plate so that the license plate can be held in the first recess without any fasteners. Similarly, the second retaining element has a corrugated surface on its inner side of the retaining portion to provide a gripping surface for the license plates held in the second recess. The outer side of the retaining portion has a curved configuration.

[0015] Further, both the retaining elements are flexible elements. Specifically, the retaining portion of the retaining elements partially rotates along a hinge axis. When the license plate has more height, the upper side of the license plate has to be moved in between the first retaining element and the second retaining element. When the license plate is moved between the first retaining element and the second retaining element, the retaining portion of the first retaining element partially rotates along the hinge axis in a clockwise direction and flexes inwards to provide space therebetween. In such a case, the upper side of the license plate is accommodated in the second recess and between the inner side of the retaining portion of the second retaining element and the outer side of the retaining portion of the first retaining element.

[0016] Further, when a smaller license plate is to be arranged within the frame, the upper side of the license plate is arranged inside the first recess between the inner side of the retaining portion and the frame. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 shows a side view of the arrangement as shown in figure 1;

[0020] Figure 3a, 3b and 3c illustrates the accommodation of the license plate between the first retaining element and the second retaining element;

[0021] Figure 4 illustrates the accommodation of the license plate between the first retaining element and the frame; and

[0022] Figure 5 shows the side view of the retaining member in accordance with the present invention. Detail Description of the Invention

[0023] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0024] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0025] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0026] License plate holders are used to attach license plates of defined sizes. The license plate holder is attached to a base support which is permanently fixed with the body of the vehicle. The license plate holder can be fastened to the base support, and the license plate can be secured within the license plate holder. Changing the number plates while deregistering or re-registering a vehicle may become extremely difficult when the license plate is permanently secured with the license plate holder. In order to overcome such difficulties, the license plates have to be secured temporarily by the license holder. In such a case, the license plate may fall off from the license holder damaging the license plates. Further, since the license holders are of a defined size, it may be difficult to accommodate license plates of varying heights or widths. Hence, there is a requirement of an arrangement for holding the license plate of a vehicle that can overcome the drawbacks of the current holders.

[0027] Referring now to figure 1, an arrangement (100) for holding a license plate (500) of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The arrangement (100) includes a frame (110) that has to be fastened with the vehicle. The frame (110) is substantially a rectangular sheet of a predefined length and width, which can be attached/fastened to a front or rear, or side region of the vehicle. The frame (110) is adapted to retain/hold the license plate (500) therewithin. The license plate (500) of a vehicle is substantially a rectangular plate of varying dimensions which can be accommodated laterally within the frame (110) of the arrangement (100). The height of the license plate (500) may vary at certain times, the frame (110) in the present invention is adapted to hold the license plate (500) with variable heights.

[0028] Further referring to figure 2, the frame (110) includes at least a retainer (120) and at least a holder (150). The license plate (500) is held in between the retainer (120) and the holder (150) arranged on the frame (110). In the present embodiment, as shown in figure 1, the frame (110) includes three retainers (120) and three holders (150). It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to arrange a plurality of retainers and holders on the frame (110) to hold the license plate (500). The retainer (120) is arranged on a top portion of the frame (110) for holding an upper side of the license plate (500). The holder (150) is arranged on a bottom portion of the frame (110) for holding a lower side of the license plate (500). The retainer (120) is a snap-fit like arrangement that extends transversely from the frame (110). The holder (150) is a clamp-like structure that is capable of holding the lower side of the license plate (500). The frame (110) may have some slots/openings thereon for fastening with the vehicle body.

[0029] Referring again to figure 2, the retainer (120) is a hookshaped member secured or integral to the frame (110). The retainer (120) includes a first retaining element (130) and a second retaining element (140). The first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140) are arranged one above the other. The second retaining element (140) is arranged above or below the first retaining element (130). In the present embodiment, the second retaining element (140) is arranged above the first retaining element (130). The first retaining element (130) is connected to the second retaining element (140) by a connecting member (155). In the present embodiment, the connecting member (155) is an arcuate shaped member. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to configure the connecting member (155) in various other shapes. [0030] The retainer (120) is arranged on the frame (110) in such a way that the extension of the retainer (120) from the frame (110) configures a recess between the retainer (120) and the frame (110). More specifically, a first recess (115a) is configured between the frame (110) and the first retaining element (130) to hold the license plate (500) therebetween. Similarly, a second recess (115b) is configured between the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140). When the height of the license plate (500) is lower than a predefined height of the license plate (500), the upper side of the license plate (500) can be accommodated in the first recess (115a) in between the first retaining element (130) and the frame (110) as shown in figures 4a, 4b and 4c. When the height of the license plate (500) is higher than the predefined height of the license plate (500), the upper side of the license plate (500) can be accommodated in the second recess (115b) in between the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140) as shown in figures 3a, 3b and 3c.

[0031] Referring now to figure 5, the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140) are inverted “L” or “C” shaped members having a retaining portion (135, 145) to hold the license plate (500). In the present embodiment, the retaining portion (135) of the first retaining element (130) has an inner corrugated surface facing towards the first recess (115a) of the frame (110). The corrugated surface on an inner side (135a) of the retaining portion (135) provides a gripping surface for the license plate (500) so that the license plate (500) can be held in the first recess (115a) without any fasteners. Similarly, the second retaining element (140) has a corrugated surface on its inner side (145a) of the retaining portion (145) to provide a gripping surface for the license plates (500) held in the second recess (115b). The outer sides (135b, 145b) of the retaining portion (135, 145) have a curved configuration.

[0032] Further, both the retaining elements (130, 140) are flexible elements. Specifically, the retaining portion (135, 145) of the retaining elements (130, 140) partially rotates along a hinge axis (160), as shown in figure 5. In the present embodiment, it is shown that the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140) are arranged one above the other in the same line. By way of non-limiting example, when the license plate (500) has more height, the upper side of the license plate (500) has to be moved in between the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140). When the license plate (500) is moved between the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140), the retaining portion (135) of the first retaining element (130) partially rotates along the hinge axis (130a) in a clockwise direction and flexes inwards to provide space therebetween as shown in figure 5. In such case, the upper side of the license plate (500) is accommodated in the second recess (115b) and between the inner side (145a) of the retaining portion (145) of the second retaining element (140) and the outer side (135b) of the retaining portion (135) of the first retaining element (130). [0033] Further, when a smaller license plate (500) is to be arranged within the frame (110), the upper side of the license plate (500) is arranged inside the first recess (115a) between the inner side (135a) of the retaining portion (135) of the first retaining element (135) and the frame (110). In an embodiment, the retainer (120) can be rotatably arranged on the frame (110). In another embodiment, the retainer (120) can be retracted into the first recess (115a).

[0034] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of providing an arrangement (100) for holding the license plate (500) of a vehicle. The arrangement (100) can accommodate a license plate (500) of variable height and widths. It enables strong engagement of license plate (500) therewithin. Further, the present invention reduces the effort of arranging the license plates (500) in the holder (150) or removing the license plate (500) from the holder (150). The arrangement (100) is simple in construction and design and is robust in construction.

[0035] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

We Claim:

1. An arrangement (100) for holding license plate (500) of a vehicle, the arrangement (100) comprising: a frame (110) to be fastened with the vehicle, the frame (110) is adapted to retain the license plate (500) therewithin, characterized in that the arrangement (100) comprises: at least a retainer (120) arranged on a top portion (110a) of the frame (110) for holding upper side of the license plate (500); and at least a holder (150) arranged on a bottom portion (110b) of the frame (110) for holding a lower side of the license plate (500); wherein the retainer (120) is having a first retaining element (130) and a second retaining element (140), the first retaining element (130) is connected to the second retaining element (140) by a connecting member (155), facilitating the arrangement (100) in holding license plates (500) of different heights.

2. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second retaining element (140) is arranged above the first retaining element (130).

3. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer (120) is a hook- shaped member secured or integral to the frame (110).

4. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer (120) is arranged on the frame (110) in such a way that the extension of the retainer (120) from the frame (110) configures a recess between the retainer (120) and the frame (HO).

5. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first recess (115a) is configured between the frame (110) and the first retaining element (130) to hold the license plate (500) therebetween and a second recess (115b) is configured between the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140).

6. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140) are inverted “L” or “C” shaped members having a retaining portion (135, 145) to hold the license plate (500).

7. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining portion (135, 145) of the retaining elements (130, 140) has an inner corrugated surface, the corrugated surface on an inner side (135a, 145a) of the retaining portion (135, 145) provides a gripping surface for the license plate (500).

8. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first retaining element (130) and the second retaining element (140) is flexible.

9. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining portion (135, 145) of the retaining elements (130, 140) partially rotates along a hinge axis.

10. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the license plate (500) has height more than the predefined height, the upper side of the license plate (500) is accommodated in the second recess (115b) and between the inner side (145a) of the retaining portion (145) of the second retaining element (140) and an outer side (135b) of the retaining portion (135) of the first retaining element (130).

11. The arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when a smaller license plate (500) is to be arranged within the frame (110), the upper side of the license plate (500) is arranged inside the first recess (115a) between the inner side (135a) of the retaining portion (135) of the first retaining element (130) and the frame (HO).