GB2435344A

GB2435344A - Tamper Resistant Vehicle Number Plate Support.

Info

Publication number: GB2435344A
Application number: GB0702687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Michael Sanders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-14
Filing date: 2007-02-12
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-12
Also published as: GB2435344B; GB0702687D0

Abstract

A support 40 for a vehicle registration plate, license plate or number plate comprises a housing member 41 having a planar area to provide a backing surface for the plate, and an island area 43 which is adapted to be adhesively attached to the plate and to be attached to a vehicle, whereby a peripheral portion 42 of the vehicle plate holder is arranged to become detached from the island upon the application of a predetermined force. The island may be formed integrally with the rest of the holder being defined by lines of weakness, a reduced strength portion or perforations, or the island may be formed separately. The island may be reinforced. A vehicle plate used with the support preferably delaminates when it is removed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VEHICLE PLATE SUPPORTS

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to vehicle plate supports, and more particularly, although not exclusively, relates to permanent supports for vehicle registration plates and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved tamper resistant vehicular plate.

Background to the Invention

It is a requirement in most countries for automobiles and other road vehicles to be registered and to display such registration details on a plate on an exterior of the vehicle. Such vehicle plates are frequently referred to as number plates or registration plates -oftentimes, in certain countries, being referred to as license plates, since vehicle license details may also be present upon the face of a plate. Typically, vehicular plates will be mounted on a front surface of the vehicle and on a rear surface of vehicle, so that these could be used for purposes varying from identification for police, identification for toll road systems and do, in fact, assist drivers in locating their vehicles when parked adjacent to similar vehicles.

Vehicle number plates have been the subject of theft from a vehicle since the time they are a first employed. Vehicle registration plates are valuable for a number of reasons, not only for their Intrinsic value and the inconvenience of having new plates made. For example, m several countries, a taxation stamp is attached to the plate, whereby the use of a plate with a taxation stamp from one vehicle gives the impression, when fitted to another vehicle, that such other vehicle has been taxed. S.

:..::: Further techniques are also being employed to assist in the cloning of vehicles. In the United Kingdom, for example, it is now not possible to obtain registration plates without : 30 first having to prove ownership of a vehicle. Electronic chips and tags are presently being S...

:. deployed in certain countries for vehicle identification by electronic means in addition to the physical plate, which also increases the intrinsic cost of the plate and therefore the importance * of plate retention has become even greater. However, this is not the only issue, since a false :*** plate when attached to a vehicle can enable the user of the vehicle to do acts which will affect the registered keeper of the cloned vehicle. That is to say, should the user of the vehicle having false plates be caught "on camera" for speeding by an unmanned or fixed "speed-camera", then the speeding ticket would be sent to the registered keeper of the cloned vehicle.

Vehicle cloning can, for example, cause further problems if the vehicle is later reported as having been parked in an area where it should not have been parked and a fixed penalty scheme is in place. Further techniques are also being employed to assist in the prevention of cloning of vehicles. In the United Kingdom, for example, it is now not possible to obtain registration plates without first having to prove ownership (or that the applicant for a plate is a registered keeper) of a vehicle.

A number of devices have been provided to overcome such problems. For example, GB-A-2, 150, 727 (Parkes, E) provides a housing with a primary objective of overcoming aesthetic issues associated with a plate, such as the presence of heads of fastening screws -which are stated as being unsightly -and a tendency for a number plate to crack around holes during drilling, or as a result of over-tightening -which are also unsightly. This teaching provides a rectangular housing for a number plate, comprising means to mount the housing upon a vehicle, and means to retain a number plate, the housing being generally rectangular with long and short sides, in common with a standard United Kingdom number plate, defining a channel by which the number plate can be inserted in a sliding fashion and be retained m a friction-fit fashion along a peripheral edge of the long sides of the number plate, without the need for drilling through the registration plate. The housing may comprise a one part structure with one or two retaining means at one or both "short" ends of the rectangular shape. However, this slide arrangement requires the plate to flex considerably during mounting with the result that cracking of a number plate is possible. Indeed, since the holder would, ordinarily, be placed upon the vehicle before insertion of the plate, the curvature of a mounting surface would cause significant problems in fitment for several types of vehicle where there is a significant curvature to the mounting area or where there are spot lamps or other bumper paraphernalia which impede passage of a number plate, whereby cracking of a * .*.

plate is likely. The ostensibly simple slide mechanism requires acrylic plates of a certain *..: 30 thickness to be employed and it must be realised that no universal solution is provided: only * * standard shapes of plate can be utilised.

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* : US2002078608 provides a lockable license plate holder, comprising, in general, a holder housing member provided with an open generally rectangular framework element provided with a number of apertured mounting tabs and through which tabs a locking member is secured, wherein, in use, a taxation decal which is placed in a corner position upon the plate as is the case in at least some States of the United States of America. This decal is surrounded by a bracket to prevent theft thereof. The conventional fasteners, that would be routinely employed to fix a license plate and license plate holder to a vehicle bodywork, as is known, are covered by a the license plate surround bracket. US2002021210 teaches of a housing mountable to a hcense plate of a vehicle, which is powered by a vehicle system. The housing has a face comprised of digital display. The digital display displays relevant license plate information pertammg to the vehicle. The information, for example, relates to a license number, a state of issue, and an expiration date. The housing includes a memory chip therein for storing the relevant license plate information thereon. The memory chip is in communication with a main computer system of a selected agency. License plate disabling mechanisms systems which are in communication with the memory chip are discussed: it is suggested that removal of the housing from the vehicle could disable the memory chip and prevent future use of the electronic license plate. In addition, removal of the license plate could disable the vehicle.

In a still further prior teaching, in accordance with US6 129975, there is provided an improved vehicular validation or registration tab which eliminates a number of the problems of the currently employed prior art tab systems. The tab of this reference has an outer film which has an outer surface and an inner surface. Adhesive means has one surface secured to portions, but not all of the inner surface of the outer film. A second surface of the adhesive means is adapted to be adhesively secured to a recess in a license plate. Identifying means are interposed between the outer film and the adhesive means to thereby encapsulate and protect the valuable information. Efforts to separate the tab from the license plate will result in irreversible separation of portions of the identifying means, but not all of the same, thereby destroying the identifying means and resisting effective theft and reuse of the tab. In one embodiment, a release material may be provided in regions of the inner surface of the outer film to facilitate differential bonding of the adhesive layer to the outer film inner surface. In S...

: 30 the regions not covered by release material, a tie coat which enhances adhesive bonding could be provided.

*5S*SS * GB2376437 (Tafflnder) provides an identification plate manufactured from **S*sI * transparent sheet material, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyester or polypropylene. The identification plate may have Imes of weakness formed in the plate to be tamper evident or may have a cavity in a rear face for location of an electrical or electronic device.

EPI 128989 provides a registration plate for vehicles comprising a carrier plate made of plastics material and a laminate which is adhesively attached to the carrier plate, said laminate comprising at least one adhesive layer that faces towards the carrier plate and a layer carrying identification symbols. A separate seahng profile is provided that has two sealing areas, viz a first sealing area which is unbreakably attached to the carrier plate at the annular rim portion which is not covered by laminate, and a second sealing area which is attached by a sealing connection to the outside of an annular rim area of the laminate.

However, the solutions to certain problems are not necessarily appropriate to indicate that vehicular identity theft has occurred in a simple fashion. Removal of a tax disc can be rectified by the application of another tax certificate; a shattered acrylic plate can be 1 5 easily replaced. Thus, it will be apparent, that the solutions described above address some of the objects of the present invention, and they may ameliorate certain aspects of some objects.

It will also be apparent with increasing levels of legislation being created to ensure vehicular taxation and enforcement of appropriate procedures that vehicular identification is as stringently enforced as possible and that appropriate means are provided to reduce cloning of cars and in a cost effective and simple to use fashion Object of the Invention The present invention seeks to provide a device which will readily indicate tampering of a vehicle plate indication.

The present invention also seeks to provide an aesthetically pleasing vehicle plate support device, which can securely retain a number plate and any electronic tags associated : * therewith.

The present invention also seeks to provide a device which will prevent simple replacement of a vehicle plate whereby tampering of a plate cannot easily be "covered up". *..*

The present invention also seeks to provide a simple method of incorporating an electromc transmitter/tag assembly, which can be activated upon tampering of the vehicle plate. Additionally, the present invention seeks to provide a vehicle plate support ****.S * arrangement which activates a vehicular alarm system * , 35

Statement of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle plate holder, comprising a housing member having a planar area operable to provide a backing surface for a vehicle plate, an island area which is adapted to be adhesively attached to a registration plate on a first surface and to be attached to a vehicle on a second surface thereof, wherein the vehicle plate holder is arranged to become detached from the island upon the apphcation of a predetermined force. Such a force may be applied by a screwdriver or like instrument placed between the vehicle plate holder and a body part of a vehicle to which the plate is attached, thereby indicating theft of the plate, preventing re-use of the plate on another vehicle and preventing immediate subsequent use of the island with another plate.

Convemently, a vehicle plate is secured to the island portion of the holder by adhesive or a double-sided adhesive tape or similar, whereby upon removal of the vehicle 1 5 plate, the vehicle plate is delaminated, preventing subsequent use of the vehicle plate on another vehicle in a case of identity theft Conveniently, the plate holder is manufactured from a single plastics part, wherein the island part is attached by lines of weakness with respect to the perimeter part of the holder / by means of a reduced strength portion / perforations along a predetermined breakage line.

Alternatively the island component is manufactured separately and comprises a chamfered edge portion which fits within a correspondingly reverse chamfered peripheral holder element: upon fitment the peripheral holder element is placed in a desired position with respect to the vehicle, and the island portion is then attached to the vehicle such that the island and the peripheral holder element are secured as one. The island may be adhesively attached to the :. vehicle, the island may have holes and associated countersunk portions to accept corresponding bolts or bolts may be integrally formed with the island. The island may be formed from a pressed metallic component, for example, from mild steel -suitably treated to * * prevent corrosion thereof. Alternatively it is formed as an extrusion, or is a metal reinforced **** * 30 plastics member. I.. *

* * * The island portion conveniently defines an aperture suitable for placement of an electronic chip for electronic tagging of the vehicle to which the vehicle plate is associated; by having the tag associated with the island, which remains associated with the vehicle, despite removal of the plate. The tag may be placed within in aperture associated with the island such that the aperture is closed upon contact with bodywork of the vehicle or is closed upon fitment of a plate to the holder. The Island, if metallic could act as a primary antenna or as a supplementary antenna. The electronic tag could operate, such that when tampering of the plate has been effected that it signals to a security system associated with the vehicle, which may also be used in vehicle recovery, should the vehicle be stolen, by the use of GPS and or mobile telecommunications devices.

By means of the invention, an attempted removal of a plate can easily be determined; a subsequent use of the holder can also be determined.

This invention is particularly advantageous in the provision of a low cost vehicle plate attachment system, which enables secure attachment of the plate to a vehicle, which vehicle plate is not readily detachable and provides a visible indication in the event of an attempt to remove the plate.

Bnef Description of the Figures

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the Figures as shown in the accompanying drawing sheets, wherein:-Figure 1 illustrates a first known vehicle plate retention system; Figures 2a & 2b illustrates a second known vehicle plate retention system; Figure 3 illustrates a third known vehicle plate retention system Figures 4a -4f illustrate a vehicle plate support system made in accordance with the present invention in plan view and profiles; Figures 5a, 5b 5c and 5d show two further embodiments of the invention.

: ... Figure 6, shows a further variant to the invention; Figures 7a and 7b show detail sections of Figure 6; * Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the invention; Figures 8a and 8b show variants of the concept shown in Figure 8; S..

* Figure 9 shows how the invention may be secured; and, Figures 10 & 11 show transmitter variants of the invention. * ***..

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Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiments

There will now be described, by way of example only, the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may bc put into practice with variations of the specific.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a known housing for a number plate, as disclosed by GB-A-2,150,727, where a rectangular housing 12 is fastened to a vehicle. A number plate 14 is placed under leading edges 15 of a retaining means 16, between which retaining means 16 and an inside surface 13 of the housing, the plate is retained. End stops 17 locate via pegs (not shown) into corresponding apertures within the housing. Figures 2a and 2b show, respectively, a plate 20 and housing 21 in accordance with US2002078608, wherein the housing is fastened by lock 22 to the plate 20; the plate 20 showing taxation details 23 through an aperture defined by frame 24 of the housing 21; and the plate 20 and housing 21 separately. Figure 3 shows a number plate 30 as taught by US2002021210 and comprises a housing 31, an electronic display 32 showing indicia 33, which display 32 is retained by frame 34 which is fastened by security nuts 35. The display is connected to a power supply and control circuitry whereby the display is controlled and security features can be maintained.

Figure 4a shows a first embodiment of the invention in plan view, wherein there is disclosed a housing 40 having walls 41 defining a number plate receiving area 42, which presents a substantially flat surface, with island area 43 being co-planar with respect to peripheral areas, as is best seen with reference to Figures 4b -4c, which show alternative embodiments. The island element is secured with screw fastening means and/or double sided adhesive to the bodywork / bumper / fender of a vehicle or by means of unidirectional bolts, S...

S.. whereby to prevent release of the plate holder from the vehicle. A vehicle plate is adhesively secured to at least the island element, preferably both the island and the peripheral area of the p...

* 30 plate holder. S..

In Figure 4b it can be seen that the plate holder 40, conveniently made from a plastics material such as ABS has island portion 43 integrally formed with peripheral portion 44. Reference numeral 45 indicates a line of weakening, conveniently formed from a reduced thickness section or of perforations is arrange such that, when the plate holder is properly fitted to a vehicle, then a force caused by a screwdriver being inserted between the bodywork and the plate holder, for example a force of 50 N would cause the peripheral element to snap free from the island element. Figure 4c shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the peripheral element and island have oppositely directed chamfers whereby, upon fitment of the plate holder to a vehicle, the peripheral portion 44 is placed upon the vehicle in a first step, the island is then attached to the bodywork, using bolts and/or adhesive, whereby the peripheral element 44 is securely retained. Spring-like features 46 may bc fitted to ensure a resthent fit and assist in preventing vibration of a vehicle causing resonant effects to be associated with the peripheral element.

Figure 4d shows a further embodiment wherein the island comprises a metal pressing, extrusion or similar and is coplanar with respect to the peripheral element Feature 47 is a contour arranged to guide any tool, implement, cheese wire or similar above the island element, to prevent removal of the island element in any attempted removal of the vehicle plate. As mentioned above, the vehicle plate is attached by means of a secure adhesive, whereby a vehicle plate, typically of a retroreflective kind is delaminated, since the strength of the adhesive between the retroreflective material and the island is stronger than the bond between the retroreflective material and a transparent plastics material employed to protect the numerals printed upon the retroreflective, placed between the retroreflective material and the protective transparent cover or printed upon the inside of the transparent sheet in reverse transposition. As will be appreciated, in such circumstances, the fact that the plate has been tampered with will be self evident. The island will, typically under such circumstances, have retroreflective material still attached thereto and will be proud of the surface of the vehicle such that any replacement plates fitted to the vehicle will easily be identified. S.

:: Referring now to Figure 4e & 4f, there is shown a still further embodiment in plan view and in mid-section view across the central island, respectively, comprising a central island with three elongate, pressed slots, 48. Each pressed slot comprises an overall "U" cross-p...

*.* 30 section allowing the fitment of the plate to a wide variation of cars, the dimensions being sufficient to allow suitably sized clutch-head bolts to be fitted. The size of the bolt is conveniently M4, although variations are possible: the larger the bolt, the more difficult it is to : remove by way of cheese-wire and similar tools such as abrasive cheese-wire (e.g. those cheese wire files sold under the Abrafile trade mark). The spacing of the slots are such that they are not in correspondence with raised bosses that are typically applied to metal pressings and the like for many vehicles whereby to assist in the placement of number plates. Conveniently, rubber pads or plastic elastomer (or other suitable material) may be placed between the base of the slot and the vehicle body: m the case that the body portion is painted metal, then abrasion of the paint is unlikely to occur. Furthermore, this feature can obviate the need for a plastics foam insert to be placed between the car body and the inside of the number plate holder, because of vibrations, resonance etc.. It will, of course be realised that two or more islands could be made for a plate holder.

Figure 5a shows a further embodiment of a plate holder, 50, wherein there are two islands, 53. Figure Sb shows this embodiment in cross-section through the middle of Figure 5a: plate 51 is attached by double-sided tape 54 to islands 53: the underside of the islands 53 have double sided tape attached thereto.

Figure 5c shows another plan view wherein there is formed a depression 58 for the insertion of an electronic tag (not shown). Figure 5d shows the embodiment shown in Figure 5c in profile: the extent of the depression 58 can be seen: further, there is a countersunk portion 59 for the insertion of a bolt.

Figure 6 shows a still further embodiment of the invention, wherein the island 60 and the plate holder 62 are manufactured separately, from different materials. The island 60 comprises a metal pressing, conveniently from 1.5mm mild steel, suitably treated to prevent corrosion, with a central rectangular area 64, from which depend tags or legs 66, 68 which depend, respectively, either downwardly or generally in a coplanar fashion with the rectangular area. The plate holder 62 is conveniently manufactured from ABS plastics or similar, which is dimensioned to accept a registration plate manufactured, typically, from acrylic sheets and retroreflective matenals. Conveniently the plate holder has an upstanding edge 70, whereby * the outer face of the plate corresponds in height with the upstanding edge. This enables the finished product, with registration plate inserted to be less easily tampered with, for example **** * . 30 by insertion of a knife, cheese-wire or similar, between the plate holder and registration plate.

The minimum dimensions of a registration plate are defined by laws across most countries of the world and it can be beneficial to allow a minimum of space between the plate holder and the registration plate itself.

Figures 7a & 7b shows the island of Figure 6 in more detail: Figure 7a shows the legs 66 and 68 in greater detail; the legs can be alternatively arranged, conveniendy staggered, as viewed from respective opposite sides. Figure 7b is a section across A -A' of Figure 7a and shows the depending leg 66, which abuts an inside wall 72 defined within the plate holder 62 on a first side and the other leg, 68, comprises a dog- leg arrangement (as viewed in cross-section), having a tab section which is retained within a corresponding slot 74 defined within the wall 72 of the registration plate holder. A further alternative tab 76, can extend in the same plane as the main face 64 of the island 60, which can lay within a crease or indent 78 defined in a top surface of the plate holder, adjacent the inside wall 72, shown in dotted line section. When the registration plate holder is flexed, for example to accommodate a curvature of the vehicle body part or bumper/fender to which the registration plate is affixed, it is believed that this tab can ensure a greater level of integrity, once the island has been placed within the aperture defined within the plate holder 62. It has been found that the use of a mild steel plate of can impart sufficient resilience to assist simple fabrication, without the use of further retaining means. Notwithstanding this, it may be useful in certain circumstances to provide additional retaining means, for example adhesives and/or screw-threaded fasteners.

With reference to Figure 8, some or all of the depending legs 66 may depend from the plane of the top surface of the plate holder at an angle slightly less than 90 such that the legs extend outwardly at a penpheral line of contact with a vehicle contact surface 82, whereby, upon insertion of a bladed instrument or cheese-wire 84 between a vehicle and the registration plate holder 62, then movement of the instrument 84 will be impeded or otherwise stopped (in the case of a cheese-wire, the wire itself may be cut), if so inserted, in the direction of travel indicated by arrow 87 by virtue of the legs 66 causing the instrument to move away from the surface of the vehicle and be stopped by the junction of the legs 68 and the main area 64 of the island. Legs 66 may also be constructed such they are dog-leg in cross-section, depending upon the thickness of the plate holder element. Figures 8a & 8b show alternatives, where legs 66 depend perpendicularly from a non-edge portion of island face 64, with additional elements 88, being pressed portions of the flat island area, angled * 30 outwardly and downwardly to prevent removal of a registration plate holder. In a still further embodiment (not shown), the leg 68 may lie against a rebate in the plastics material, as viewed * from the inside of the plate holder, as opposed to being retained within a channel. This can * * make the moulding simpler to produce. The arrangement is such that removal of the vehicle plate may be effective, but the island remains securely attached to the vehicle showing that the plate has been tampered with and rendering subsequent use of the plate on another vehicle ineffective in that a portion of the original vehicle's identification indicia have been removed whereby it is implausible that the vehicle plate belongs to the subsequent vehicle.

Figure 9, details the means of fixture of the island to a vehicle, conveniently being allowed by the use of threaded retaining means and double-sided adhesively coated foam whereby to assist m fixing and reduce the possibility of vibration of a plate with a vehicle. In this Figure, the island shows two tYpes of bolts 92, 94. With reference to bolt 92, the bolt head is affixed the island, for example by friction welding, hot stamping or otherwise: the threaded section of the bolt is insertcd Into a body piece of the car (indicated by reference numeral 93 and to be secured thereto by corrcsponding threaded rctaming means, for example - and conveniently so, by unidirectional retaining means (not shown). It will be appreciated that in certain environments, the threaded portion of the bolt may not be accessible to personnel attaching a plate to a vehicle, for example, where the registration plate holder is retained within a bumper/fender assembly. In such an instance, then the island has depressions 96 whereby to accept the head of a urn-directionally headed bolt 94, whereby once the bolt has been inserted, the bolt head 98 does not protrude above the flat surface 64, to interfere with the subsequent placement of a registration plate positioned upon the flat area 64.

With reference to Figure 10, a still further embodiment of the invention is described.

Electronic devices arc known to be placed within a registration plate for both law enforcement and vehicle recovery/identification purposes. Conveniently they may be provided with a radio frequency antenna, forexample comprising a flat plate (a flat plate antenna, as is known). The island, if suitably insulated from an earth of the vehicle, can perform such functions. The electronics 100 relating to the transmitter can then be enclosed :... and protected within the island, the electronics being connected to the plate island by way of electrical cable 104. However, this sort of arrangement may not readily detect tampering of the licence plate by removal thereof. Therefore, in a still further vanation of the invention, the island includes electrical circuit means 102 having detection means relative to removal of * the registration plate holder 62. Detection may be performed by the attachment of an *:" electrical circuit by way of cable 104 to the plate holder: upon removal of the plate holder, the circuit is broken. The vehicle identification transmitter circuit could then be activated to make known that the registration plate has in some way been tampered with. The electrical circuit could alternatively be arranged to measure the characteristic impedance of the assembly, whereby, upon attempted removal of a rctro-reflective surface of the plate, the circuit can determine such tampering.

With reference to Figure 11 a & b, the plate holder may have a radio-based or other electro-magnetic identity and/or security system. An antenna system 102 associated with the plate holder is programmed to operate in a particular fashion upon removal from an associated island. For example, a different signal is transmitted, either continuously of sporadically. The detection means or switch being operable upon a detected change in impedance in arising from the opening of an electrical circuit. In a still further variation, the island can comprise an antenna to an electro-magnetic security system associated with the plate holder, whereby upon tampering of the plate such that the circuit is broken the system is arranged to prevent further transmission of signals. It will be appreciated that the antenna may operatively be coupled to a vehicular security system. For example, the non-reception of a signal from the plate holder assembly could activate a signal, to be transmitted from a vehicular security system, via mobile phone radio systems, GPS tracking systems or similar.

Instead of the use of clutch head bolts, rivet bolts or other types of bolt heads may be used whereby to prevent removal of the island, should a number plate be removed: the use of such bolts makes it self evident that a number plate has been tampered with, for example, if the number plate has been removed, then a portion of the plate holder will have been removed, but the island will remain, making the fact that the number plate has been tampered with self-evident. * * * *** **** * * a... * a... *. a

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Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A vehicle plate holder, comprising a housing member having a

planar area operable to provide a backing surface for a vehicle registration plate, an island area which is adapted to be adhesively attached to a registration plate and to be attached to a vehicle, wherein a peripheral portion of the vehicle plate holder is arranged to become detached from the island upon the application of a predeterimned force.

2. A vehicle plate holder according to claim I wherein a vehicle registration plate is secured to the island portion of the holder by means of an adhesive or a double-sided adhesive tape.

3. A vehicle plate according to claim 2 wherein, upon removal of the vehicle plate, the vehicle plate is delan-unated.

4. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims 1 -3 wherein, the plate holder is manufactured from a single plastics part, wherein the island part is attached by lines of weakness with rcspect to the perimeter part of the holder / by means of a reduced strength portion / perforations along a predetermined breakage line.

5. A vehicle plate holder according to claim 4 wherein the island portion is reinforced by means of a metallic plate therein.

6. A vehicle plate holder according to claim 4 wherein the island portion is reinforced by means of a wires or wire mesh.

7. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the plate S...

* holder comprises two plastics parts, wherein the island component is manufactured separately and comprises a chamfered edge portion which fits within a correspondingly reverse : 30 chamfered peripheral holder element, whereby, upon fitment to a vehicle, the peripheral S..

holder element is placed in a desired position with respect to the vehicle, and the island portion is then attached to the vehicle such that the island and the peripheral holder element are secured as one.

8. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the plate holder comprises a plastics peripheral element and a central metal island element, wherein the island component comprises a shaped edge portion which fits within a correspondingly reverse detail peripheral holder element, whereby, upon fitment to a vehicle, the peripheral holder element is placed in a desired position with respect to the vehicle, and the island portion is then attached to the vehicle such that the island and the peripheral holder element are secured as one.

9. A vehicle plate holder according to claim 8, wherein the island has tabs extending outwardly and/or downwardly from the central area, whereby to engage in a closely coupled arrangement with an inside surface of the plate holder.

10. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims I -8, wherein the island can be adhesively attached to a vehicle.

11. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims I -8, wherein the island has holes and associated countersunk portions to accept corresponding bolts, whereby the island may be secured with a vehicle.

12. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims 1 -8, wherein the island has bolts, the bolts optionally being integrally formed therewith, whereby the island may be secured with a vehicle.

13. A vehicle plate holder according to claim 8, wherein the island is formed from a pressed metallic component.

14. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims 10 -12, wherem the island is formed as an extrusion.

15. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims 10 -12, wherein the island is formed as a metal reinforced plastics member.

16. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims I -15, wherein the island portion defines an aperture suitable for placement of an electronic circuit or integrated chip for electronic taggmg of the vehicle to which the vehicle plate is associated.

17. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claims I -15, wherein the plate holder defines an aperture suitable for placement of an electromc circuit or integrated chip for electronic tagging of the vehicle to which the vehicle plate is associated.

18. A vehicle plate holder according to any one of claim 16 wherein one or both of the plate holder and island have circuit means associated therewith, the removal of one part with respect to the other causing a change in a circuit condition whereby to cause the electronic circuit means to change transmitting status and/or message data and/or frequency.

19 A vehicle plate holder according to claim 18 wherein, upon tampering of the plate, a security device associated with the vehicle is activated.

20. A vehicle plate according to claim 11, wherein the bolts may be located through elongate channels formed within the island, the channels being shaped to enable the bolts to be retained below the level of the island portion which abuts a registration plate, once fitted. 1* S * S... S... S... S..

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