GB2290650A

GB2290650A - Vehicle registration plate

Info

Publication number: GB2290650A
Application number: GB9511884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Karl Pawson; Peter John Hew Drewitt
Original assignee: INT RADIATOR SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: INT RADIATOR SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 1994-06-21
Filing date: 1995-06-12
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Also published as: GB9412393D0; GB9511884D0

Abstract

A vehicle registration plate having a substantially wholly curved periphery and characters comprising strokes, the majority of which are curved. The plate may be curved, and the characters may be proud of, or recessed into the plate. The periphery of the plate may be bevelled, curved or rounded in cross-section. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE REGISTRATION PLATE This invention relates to a vehicle registration plate.

In view of the general requirements to save fuel, vehicles, particularly cars, are now being manufactured to be more aerodynamic in order to reduce wind resistance. Thus vehicles are being produced with curved body shapes and there is now a requirement for exterior components to enhance this. One such component is a vehicle registration plate which has conventionally been generally rectangular and flat.

In accordance with the invention a vehicle registration plate has a substantially wholly curved periphery enveloping an imaginary rectangular area within which is positioned a plurality of characters, each character comprising at least one stroke which is curved along its length and has a width defined by statutory requirements.

If a character consists of two strokes both strokes are curved along their respective lengths. If a character comprises at least three strokes, no more than one is straight. Preferably at least one end ofa stroke is rounded.

Preferably each character, such as a letter or a numeral, is positioned within its own imaginary rectangle having a minimum height and a minimum width as defined by statutory requirements, and the spacing between each character is defined by statutory requirements. Thus the said rectangular area will have a minimum width and a minimum height depending on the particular characters provided on the plate and whether they are arranged in one or more lines.

The periphery of the plate may comprise a plurality of sections, most of which are curved, and each section blends smoothly into the next to provide the substantially wholly curved periphery. The periphery may be bevelled, curved or rounded in cross-section.

The characters may be printed or painted on to the plate. Alternatively the characters may be formed from thin sheet material and then bonded to the plate. The characters may be formed to have a significant thickness so as to project outwards from the plate, having been formed e.g. by moulding integrally with the plate or separately therefrom and affixed thereto. The characters may be recessed into the plate e.g. by a moulding or machining process.

The plate itself may not be flat but curved to correspond to the curved shape of the vehicle to which it is fitted.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a front view of a vehicle registration plate in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 depicts the whole alphabet and set of numerals 2-9 (the numerals zero and one being the same as the letters 0 and I respectively).

As can be seen the plate 1 is elongated having a top edge 2 and bottom edge 3 each curved on a radius R1 having a minimum value equal to half the overall length (L) of the plate i.e. Ill2, and a maximum value which is very large and is just measurable rather than being infinite, and in this embodiment equal to 3,832.6 mm, four corners 4 each curved on a radius of r = 30 mm and two curved side edges 5 with a radius R2 having a minimum value equal to half the overall height (H) of the plate i.e. Hl2, and a maximum value which is infinite and in this embodiment equal to 846.2 mm. These two short edges may be straight.

The overall length of the plate L = 525.0 mm and the overall height H = 130 mm.

The seven individual characters are arranged in a single line and are made up of strokes each having the same width of 9/16 of an inch (14 mm).

Each character lies within its own imaginary rectangle having a width X = 2Y4 inches (57 mm) and height Y = 3Y2 inches (80 mm). As can be seen in the drawings most of the strokes are curved, the only two exceptions in this embodiment being the lower bar of the figure 2 and the cross-bar of the letter A, each of which are straight. The spacing between characters is S = 7/16 of an inch (11 mm).

The vehicle registration plate may be modified by choosing appropriate characters from those shown in Figure 2. As can be seen, these characters have mostly curved strokes, the exceptions being the cross-bar of each of the letters A, B, E & F.

In the UK registration plate sizes are determined by Statutory Instrument 1971 No. 450 "The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971" These regulations state that the sizes, other than for bicycles, invalid vehicles or pedestrian control vehicles shall be as follows:1. Each letter or figure shall be 31/8 inches (80 mm) high, 21/4 inches (57 mm) wide and have a 9/16 inch (14 mm) stroke width (except for the figure 1 or letter 1).

2. The space between each letter or figure shall be 7/16 of an inch (11 mm).

3. On a single line registration, the space between the group of letters and the group of figures shall be 1 15/16 inches (33 mm).

4. On a two line registration, the space between the upper and lower line shall be 3/4 of an inch (19 mm).

5. The space between the letters or figures on the edge of the plate shall be at least 7/16 of an inch (11 mm).

The effect of these regulations is that the minimum size of a rectangular plate for a full seven character registration is 20x x 4 inches (511 mm x 102 mm) for a single line format and 11 3/16 inches a 77/8 inches (284 mm x 200 mm) for a two line format. In practice most manufacturers have a 1 inch (6 mm) bead around the standard size plates although this is not necessary.

Although current regulations state imperial measurements, metric equivalents are given in brackets as appropriate.

The 1971 regulations also state that registration marks should be formed of white, silver or light grey characters on a black background, unless the plate is reflective, in which case the letters must be black on a white front plate or a yellow rear plate.

Under Statutory Instrument 1972 No. 1865 entitled "The Road Vehicles (Registrations and Licensing) (Amendments) Regulations 1972" all vehicles (with a small number of exceptions) must have reflective number plates fitted if registered on or after 1 January 1973. All reflective number plates must, by law, conform to British Standard BS AU 145a.

Any registration plate in accordance with the present invention will comply with UK legal requirements. In the case of registration plates for a foreign registered vehicle modifications to the size and spacing of characters may be needed to ensure compliance with the relevant country legal requirements.

Other characters e.g. letters, numerals, trade marks, logos may also appear on the plate, preferably much smaller than the characters indicating the vehicle registration.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle registration plate having a substantially wholly curved periphery enveloping an imaginary rectangular area within which is positioned a plurality of characters, each character comprising at least one stroke which is curved along its length and has a width defined by statutory requirements.

2. A vehicle registration plate according to Claim 1 comprising at least one character consisting of two strokes, both strokes being curved along their respective lengths.

3. A vehicle registration plate according to Claim 1 comprising at least one character comprising at least three strokes, no more than one of which is straight.

4. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one end of a stroke is rounded.

5. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each character is positioned within its own imaginary rectangle having a minimum height as defined by statutory requirements.

6. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each character is positioned within its own imaginary rectangle having a minimum width as defined by statutory requirements.

7. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the space in between each character is defined by statutory requirements.

8. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rectangular area has a minimum width depending on the characters provided and their arrangement.

9. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rectangular area has a minimum height depending on the characters provided and their arrangement.

10. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the said plurality of characters are arranged in one line.

11. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of Claims 1-9 wherein the characters are arranged in more than one line.

12. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the periphery of the plate comprises a plurality of sections, most of which are curved, and each of which sections blends smoothly with the next to provide the substantially wholly curved periphery.

13. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the periphery of the plate is bevelled, curved or rounded in cross-section.

14. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the characters are printed or painted on to the plate.

15. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of Claims 1-13, wherein the characters are formed from thin sheet material and bonded to the plate.

16. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of Claims 1-13 wherein the characters are formed to have a significant thickness and project outwards from the plate.

17. A vehicle registration plate according to Claim 16 wherein the characters are formed integrally with the plate.

18. A vehicle registration plate according to Claim 16 wherein the characters are formed separately from the plate and fixed thereto.

19. A vehicle registration plate according to Claim 17 or 18, wherein the characters are formed by moulding.

20. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of Claims 1-13 wherein the characters are recessed into the plate.

21. A vehicle registration plate according to Claim 20 wherein the characters are recessed to the plate by a moulding process.

22. A vehicle registration plate according to Claim 20 wherein the characters are recessed into the plate by a machining process.

23. A vehicle registration plate according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate is curved.

24. A vehicle registration plate substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A vehicle registration plate substantially as described herewith with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, but modified to comprise the required characters chosen from those illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.