GB2253731A - Selectable registration display - Google Patents

Abstract

A selectable registration display for a towable vehicle has a main body 1 which contains the individual cells 4 housing the mechanism which selects each character which is revealed on face plate (8, Figure 2). The front cover 19 is lowered to gain access to the individual character cells, the knurled knob 9 is rotated revealing each letter or number relating to the registration mark of the vehicle. Depending on the configuration of the registration mark the cells are slid from side to side so as to constitute the correct format (as in figure 5 or 5a). When the correct number is obtained the front panel 19 is replaced and locked, so as to render the unit inoperable and lock the cells in position. Each individual cell may have a flip over display unit (Figure 2). Alternatively, the display may be of the dot-matrix type or a liquid crystal display. The cells may be mounted on rods 12 so as to enable the cells to slide into a desired format. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Registration Number Display System Field of the Invention The invention relates to a registration number display system for use on a trailer which may be towed behind any one of a number of other vehicles having different registration numbers.

Although the invention will be described in relation to trailers for commercial vehicles, such as articulated lorries, it will be clear that the invention is applicable to, for example, caravans or any other situation in which the registration number displayed on a trailer may need to be changed.

Background to the Invention It is a legal requirement that the registration number of a vehicle, which is towing a trailer, is displayed on the rear of the trailer so as to be visible from behind.

Thus, in the case of a caravan being towed by a car, the registration number of the car must be displayed on the rear of a caravan, while in the case of a trailer for an articulated lorry, the registration number is that of the towing unit (commonly described as the tractor).

Clearly the registration number displayed by a trailer, which has been towed behind one vehicle, will need to be changed if the trailer is then towed behind another vehicle having a different registration number. This requirement is particularly relevant to an articulated trailer which is rarely used with only one tractor, and which may therefore need to display a large number. of different registration numbers over a relatively short period of time (for example one year).

To that end, it is known to provide on the trailer a bracket in which a plate bearing a registration number may be removably mounted, so that the displayed registration number may be changed by replacing the plate with another one.

Such a plate, when not in use, may be kept with the tractor, the registration number of which is displayed on the plate and may be mounted on the trailer when the latter is to be hitched up to the tractor.

One disadvantage of this arrangement is that the plates may be misplaced, in which case replacement plates need to be produced. Furthermore, a plate may become detached from the its bracket while the trailer is being towed, thus creating a hazard to traffic.

Disclosure of the Invention In one aspect, the invention provides a registration number display system for use on a trailer, the system comprising a display mounted, in use, on the trailer, the display having a number of character display portions corresponding to the number of characters which constitute a registration number, each portion displaying, in use, a selected one of a number of possible characters; and selection means operable to change the characters displayed by the character display portions, wherein the registration number displayed can be changed without removing the display from the trailer on which it is mounted.

The character display portions may be formed integrally with one another. Alternatively, each portion may comprise an initially separate display unit, the display comprising a number of such units.

The display may be in the form of a display screen, for example an electronically controlled dot matrix display screen, in which case each character display portion comprises an area of. the screen in which, in use, one character is displayed, and the selection means may comprise a key-pad operatively conncted to the display.

Preferably, however, each character display portion comprises a mechanical display. Such a display may conveniently be of the kind in which a number of flaps bearing the characters to be displayed are pivotally mounted on a rotatable member, and are contained in a container having an opening through which the displayed character is visible. The arrangement is such that appropriate rotation of the rotatable member causes one of the flaps to pivot under the influence of gravity so as to display another character whilst concealing the previously displayed character. This sort of mechanism shall hereinafter be referred to as a flip-over display.

Where a flip-over display is used, the selection means may comprise a knurled wheel which is connected to the rotatable member, and which may be manually engaged to rotate the latter.

In brief addition to page 3 paragraph 3, the display may also be in the form of a liquid crystal display, in which case the character is selected by means of a key pad, and stored in the displays memory if frequently used, and when displayed it would be spaced out in proportion to the parameters set down in figures 5-5a automatically.

The display screen itself would be of a clear but reflective nature which , when in use, would be illuminated by a yellow bulb or filter; so as to give the characteristic rear number -plate colour.

The crystal display, as it is black, would constitute the correct colour for the characters.

In addition to the flip-over display a requirement for the characters to move left and right along the four retaining rods is essential so as to get the letter spaces correct.

This in itself is a legal requirement, the correct spaceing is shown in figures 5 and 5a.

Where as in fig 5 seven characters are used the borders must be of an equal distance, and the space at x-y must be 36mm therefore if changeing from example 5 to example 5a the flip -over cells would need to be moved from side to side Although once in place a Secureing device renders them immobile by means of friction on one of the retaining rods.

As the front panel is closed one of the retaining holes 6 is slightly oval shaped and conected by means of a bar to the door, as the door closes it turns the bar through a number of degrees and in doing so tightens in the hole 6, rendering the cells immobile, this is shown more clearly in figue 6.

The system may with advantage include a cover which is moveable between an open position in which the selection means may be accessed and a closed position in which the selection means are not accessible, and in which the displayed registration consequently cannot be changed.

The system preferably also includes a locking mechanism for locking the cover in the closed position.

Where an electronic, key pad operated display is used, the system may also include a locking mechanism which may, in use, lock a cover over the key pad to render the latter inaccessible, or alternatively may de-activate the key pad.

The locking mechanism may conveniently be locked and unlocked using the key of a tachograph used in the vehicle towing the trailer.

Tachographs are often used on commercial vehicles such as articulated lorries to log vehicle speed and distance travelled on a removable recording member. The recording member may be locked into the tachograph by means of a locking mechanism which is opened by the key, and which, when locked, prevents the key from being removed from the tachograph.

The driver of such a vehicle is often required not to unlock the tachograph locking mechanism, and thus remove the key, until the trailer part of the vehicle has been towed to its destination. Thus, where the cover locking mechanism is operated using the same key, it is possible to ensure that the displayed registration number is not changed (using that key) until the trailer has been towed to its destination.

The invention also includes within its scope a trailer when fitted with a registration number display system as described hereinabove.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a registration number display system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the system when viewed end-on; and Figure 4 shows an articulated lorry having a trailer which is fitted with the system.

Detailed Description Referring to Figure 1, a registration number display system comprises a casing 1, which contains seven character display units 2 arranged side by side in the casing 1.

As can be seen from Figure 2, each unit 2 comprises a cuboid housing 4 which includes front opening 3 and two side faces 5 each having four holes 6 each situated in a respective corner region of the face 5. The holes 6 in one face 5 are aligned with corresponding holes in the other face 5.

The housing 4 contains a mechanical flip-over display mechanism comprising a rotatable drum (not shown), at the periphery of which eighteen flaps, for example flaps 7 and 8, are pivotally mounted at equally spaced intervals. One side of each flap bears the upper half of a character (ie a letter or figure) and the other side of each flap bears the lower half of another character. The arrangement of flaps on the drum is such that for each pair of adjacent flaps one flap bears the upper half of a given character, whilst the other flap bears the lower half of the same character.

Thus, in the example shown in Figure 2, one face of the flap 7 bears the upper half of the letter 'H', and one face of the flap 8 bears the lower half of the same letter. The other face of flap 7 bears the lower half of another character, the upper half of which is shown on the other flap adjacent the flap 7. The eighteen flaps bear the upper and lower halves of the numbers 0-9 and the letter A-Z.

The drum is rotatably mounted in the housing 4 by means of a ratchet action mechanism which permits rotation of the drum in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, only. The drum is also connected to a knurled wheel 9 through a gear mechanism (not shown), and is rotated in a clockwise direction by corresponding rotation of the wheel 9.

A spigot 10 projects from the top of the opening 3 and, in use, engages a flap to support the latter in the position occupied by the flap 7.

Figure 1 shows seven individual units 2 positioned in the casing 1, in which they are retained by four rods 12 which pass through respective holes 13 in the casing 1 and through the aligned holes 6 of all seven units 2. One end of each rod 12 has a head 14 and the other is threaded and has a tightening nut 15 screwed thereon. Hence all seven units 2 are firmly retained in the casing 1 which has a front opening 16 through which the characters displayed by the units 2 are visible.

The rear of the casing 1 has an upstanding flange 17 provided with holes for attaching the system to the rear of the trailer 18, as illustrated in Figure 4.

The front of the casing 1 is provided with a cover 19, pivotally mounted by hinges 20 to the lower front edge of the casing 1. The cover 19 has a transparent panel 22 (of glass or plastics) and is capable of being locked in a closed position (Figure 3) in which the cover 19 closes the opening 16 and renders the units inaccessible.

When it is desired to change the characters displayed by the system, the front cover 19 is unlocked and pivoted to its open position shown in Figure 1, when access can be gained to the knurled wheels 9 which are rotated as required to display a registration number matching that of the towing tractor. The cover is then closed and locked.

The provision of each unit 2 as an initially separate component facilitates the modification of the system to display a registration number having a different number of characters. Thus such a modification can be achieved by adding or removing one or more units 2, using a different length of casing 1 to contain the units and using rods 12 of a different length (which corresponds to that of the casing).

Claims (10)

1. A selectable registration display comprising of individual cells and a box type container to hold the cells herein, is mounted on the rear of a trailer of vehicle whereby the registration of said vehicle can be altered to correspond to correct vehicle display.

2. A selectable registration display as claimed in claim 1 wherein individual cell comprises the flip-over display unit as shown in figure 2.

3. A selectable registration display as claimed in claim 1 and 2 wherein a box type container used to hold the cells also has a clear i.e. see-though and hinged lid, whereby the display is accessible so as to be changed and see through so as to be viewed from the rear of the vehicle.

4. A selectable registration display as claimed in claims 1 and 3 wherein the display may also be of a dot matrix type or a liquid crystal display whereby the registration that is to be displayed can be displayed in a format which is recognised as the usual registration of said vehicle.

5. A selectable registration display as claimed in claims 1,2 and 3 wherein the cell is able to slide from left to right so as to constitute the set format which governs all registrations.

6. A selectable registration display as claimed in claims 1,2,3 and 5 wherein the cell moves from side to side guided by the four rods that retain the cells in the main body.

7. A selectable registration display as claimed in claim 6 wherein the catchment means arrests the sideways motion of the cells once the correct registration has been displayed.

8. A selectable registration display as claimed in claim 1 wherein vehicle is referred to, it should be understood that vehicle and trailer refers to any vehicle and trailer, be it on or off road, mechanised or otherwise, but one that is required to display its registration mark, i.e. car or caravan, HGV lorry and trailer.

9. A selectable registration display as described substantially herein with reference to figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A selectable registration display as claimed in claims 6 and 7 wherein a sideways motion has taken effect, the gap that it leaves is filled by a likewise coloured material for the rear of vehicles i.e. yellow, so as to give the effect of an unbroken display of one surface, as in the usual format of a rear number plate.