GB2567878A

GB2567878A - Vehicle trade plate mounting apparatus and kit of parts therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2567878A
Application number: GB1717746.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jaffer Carl; Blackburn Daniel; Radford Paul
Original assignee: Tradeplatemate Ltd
Current assignee: Tradeplatemate Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-27
Filing date: 2017-10-27
Publication date: 2019-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-27
Also published as: GB2567878B; GB201717746D0

Abstract

An apparatus 1 for mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, the apparatus 1 comprising: a first mounting member 20 for mounting on an exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate; a second mounting member 30 having a surface (TP) thereon for carrying or displaying the trade plate or the indicia of the trade plate; and attachment means 40 provided on one or more of the first mounting member and second mounting member for enabling the second mounting member to be attached to the first mounting member once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior; wherein the attachment means are constructed and arranged such that, once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayable laterally adjacent the primary registration plate whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate. The invention may also relate to a kit of parts or a method of attaching said trade plate.

Description

VEHICLE TRADE PLATE MOUNTING APPARATUS AND KIT OF PARTS THEREFOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a vehicle trade plate on a vehicle. It also relates to a kit of parts for enabling a vehicle trade plate to be mounted on a vehicle, and to a method of mounting a vehicle trade plate on a vehicle. More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates in its various aspects to a system for mounting a vehicle trade plate on a vehicle in a manner that facilitates its viewing in accordance with legal requirements.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

A “trade plate” (or alternatively a “trade number plate” or “trade registration plate”), as that term is used herein, is a registration plate (or “number plate”, as it is often colloquially termed) that is displayable on or in a motor vehicle, typically in a readily removable manner, for use when the vehicle is temporarily in the ownership, possession or care of people in the motor industry or motor trade. As used herein, by the term “registration plate” is meant a generally flat plate or board bearing any number, sequence, combination, grouping and/or spatial arrangement of letter(s) and/or number(s) and/or character(s) and/or other indicia constituting a unique legal registration mark or identifier of the vehicle to which the registration plate (or “number plate”) is fitted. Once displayed on or in the vehicle, the trade plate thus temporarily becomes the legally effective registration plate of the vehicle, whilst the vehicle’s existing “primary” registration plate with which it is already fitted remains in its existing mounted position. Trade plates are typically needed by anyone commercially active in the motor industry, such as manufacturers, dealers, garages, repairers and vehicle-delivery companies or personnel, in order to effect temporary yet legally complaint registration, tax and insurance of a vehicle which may be as yet unsold to a consumer or may be in between successive owners or keepers in a sales or trade chain. The use of trade plates therefore saves motor traders and dealers the cost and time of registering, taxing and insuring every vehicle they may be in possession of or dealing in for what may often be only short periods of time.

Hitherto it has been common practice for trade plates to be displayed on or in a vehicle, as or when required, in a manner that is typically rather informal, such as by tying the trade plate to a suitable point somewhere on the vehicle’s exterior or even just placing it on the vehicle’s dashboard or in the rear window so that it is visible from the outside through the vehicle’s windscreen or window.

However, in January 2017 new UK legal regulations came into force concerning the displaying of trade plates on vehicles. This followed changes in legislation concerning Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) (commonly known as “road tax”), under which already-paid VED no longer passes with the vehicle from one owner/keeper to another upon sale or transfer of the vehicle. It also comes in the wake of recent advances in, and increased deployment and use of, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems to detect and monitor vehicle VED, MOT and insurance compliance, as well as to confirm vehicles’ identities and whether they may be stolen. Thus, with stricter rules now in place concerning the placement and visibility of trade plates, their correct positioning and display have become ever more important, with the result that a trade plate is only legally effective in validly exempting a vehicle from VED and insurance if it is displayed correctly according the newly stringent rules.

In particular, according to those new rules, a trade plate: (i) must be displayed on a vehicle so as to be clearly visible and vertical on both the front and the rear thereof (or the rear only for motorcycles), (ii) cannot be displayed inside the vehicle itself, e.g. on the dashboard or on a rear window shelf, and (iii) must not cover the vehicle’s primary, existing registration plate (except for motorcycles). These new rules therefore create new challenges in providing suitable means for correctly and reliably displaying trade plates in the correct manner.

Up to now, when it has been desired to display a trade plate externally at a location on the outside of a vehicle, which in many practical scenarios is preferred over simply placing the trade plate on the dashboard or rear window shelf, various known apparatuses or devices have been available. For example, magnetic or suction-type devices are known by means of which a trade plate has conventionally been able to be affixed directly to a suitable site on the vehicle’s exterior bodywork or, and especially commonly, even onto the front face of the vehicle’s primary, existing registration plate. Also known are various clip- or hook-type arrangements by which a trade plate may be hung or secured onto a vehicle’s primary, existing registration plate, especially by being hooked over one or more edges thereof, since in many instances that primary, existing registration plate has presented a ready and simple site of attachment.

However, such known trade plate mounting devices are all rather crude in design, construction and operation. Moreover, because of the new rules about trade plate displaying, none of these known devices is any good in providing a reliable system for the correct and stable manner of display of a trade plate that ensures compliance with the new rules, whilst at the same time providing a mounting system which is simple and cheap to manufacture yet quick, easy and reliable to deploy and use.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to address the above shortcomings of the prior art and in particular to improve upon the known devices for attaching and displaying a trade plate on a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, the apparatus comprising:

a first mounting member for mounting on an exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate;

a second mounting member having a surface thereon for carrying or displaying thereon the trade plate or the indicia of the trade plate; and attachment means provided on one or more of the first mounting member and second mounting member for enabling the second mounting member to be attached to the first mounting member once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior;

wherein the attachment means are constructed and arranged such that, once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayable laterally adjacent the primary registration plate whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate.

As used herein, the expression “whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate” is intended to be construed broadly as meaning “whilst maintaining the visibility of the indicia on the primary registration plate”, especially in particular so that those indicia remain visible from a viewing (e.g. a generally face-on) direction, such as that defined by a typical relative positioning, relative to the vehicle, of a roadside speed camera, APNR camera, radar gun, or other viewing device designed to be able to read the indicia on the primary registration plate even when a trade plate is mounted thereadjacent using the apparatus of the invention.

In some embodiments of the above-defined apparatus, it may further comprise one or more spacer members for mounting adjacent the first mounting member, especially facially adjacent the first mounting member. At least one spacer member may in particular be configured for mounting between an inner face of the first mounting member and the exterior of the vehicle, and/or at least one spacer member may be configured for mounting between an outer face of the first mounting member and the primary registration plate (especially in those embodiments where the first mounting plate is mounted behind the primary registration plate, as mentioned further below). Such one or more spacer members may assist in the accurate and secure mounting or seating or placement of the first mounting member on the vehicle exterior (or the primary registration plate on the first mounting member, in the abovementioned embodiments where the first mounting plate is mounted behind the primary registration plate), especially in order to accommodate the thickness of any screw or bolt heads or nuts that are used to effect the respective fixings or mounting attachments of the aforementioned members. To facilitate this functionality, the or each spacer member may be apertured or perforated, e.g. to accommodate one or more respective screw or bolt heads within the respective apertures or holes therein. Alternatively or additionally, the or each spacer member may be formed from a flexible or resilient or foamed material, e.g. a plastics material or elastomeric material.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, the kit comprising:

a first mounting member for mounting on an exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate; and a second mounting member having a surface thereon for carrying or displaying thereon the trade plate or the indicia of the trade plate;

wherein one or more of the first mounting member and second mounting member comprises attachment means for enabling the second mounting member to be attached to the first mounting member once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, and wherein the attachment means are constructed and arranged such that, once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayable laterally adjacent the primary registration plate whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate.

In embodiments of the above-defined kit which are for assembling into embodiments of the above-defined apparatus in which one or more additional spacer member(s) is/are provided, the kit may further comprise that/those spacer member(s) as additional component(s) of the kit.

In practical embodiments of the kit, it may additionally comprise any adjunct components that may be required for the assembly and use of the apparatus, e.g. any required number and identity of attachment, fixing or anchoring components (such as screws, bolts, nuts, clips or suchlike) and/or locking components, specific examples of any of which adjunct components will be apparent from the description of some specific example embodiments hereinbelow and shown in the accompanying drawings.

Also in practical embodiments of the kit, it may additionally comprise appropriate instructions for assembly and use, e.g. in the form of printed matter.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first mounting member for use in the kit according the second aspect of the invention or for use in the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second mounting member for use in the kit according the second aspect of the invention or for use in the apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, the method comprising:

providing a first mounting member and mounting it on an exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate;

providing a second mounting member having a surface thereon for carrying or displaying thereon the trade plate or the indicia of the trade plate;

wherein one or more of the first mounting member and second mounting member comprise attachment means for enabling the second mounting member to be attached to the first mounting member once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, and wherein the attachment means are constructed and arranged such that, once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayable laterally adjacent the primary registration plate whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate; and attaching the second mounting member to the first mounting member, whereby the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayed laterally adjacent the primary registration plate whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate.

Since in some practical implementations of embodiments of the above-defined method aspect of the invention the first mounting member may have already been pre-mounted on the vehicle in a previous practising of an embodiment method and may remain in position thereon without having been removed, e.g. during a period in which any number of (especially a plurality of, or even several) discrete trade plate attachment and detachment operations may be required, such as when plural operations of transporting the vehicle from place to place or plural test drives are expected to occur, in a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, wherein mounted on an exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate is a first mounting member, the method comprising:

In embodiments of the above-defined methods of the fifth and sixth aspects which employ embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect in which an additional spacer member is provided, either of the methods may further comprise an additional step, as a subsidiary step in the overall mounting of the first mounting member on the exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate, of mounting the spacer member adjacent the first mounting member, especially facially adjacent the first mounting member.

In embodiments of any of the above second to sixth aspects of the invention, example forms of the first mounting member, second mounting member and attachment means may correspond to any of those embodiment forms thereof defined hereinabove or hereinbelow in the context of the first aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having a trade plate mounted thereon by means of an apparatus of the first aspect of the invention.

In many practical embodiments of the apparatus of the invention the attachment means may be constructed and arranged such that, once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayable laterally adjacent the primary registration plate on or to any of an upper, lower, left or right lateral side thereof, whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate.

In many such embodiments, the mounting arrangement of the attachment means may be such that the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member are displayable on or to either the lower (or “south”) lateral side of the primary registration plate, or alternatively to the upper (or “north”) lateral side thereof, whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate. It may be expected that in many practical scenarios such a “south” or “north” relative positioning of the trade plate (or indicia thereof) relative to the primary registration plate will optimally satisfy the new rules for trade plate display, especially with regard to their visibility to AN PR systems.

However, in other such embodiments the mounting arrangement may be such that the trade plate (or indicia thereof) carried or displayed on the second mounting member are displayable on or to either the left (or “west”) or the right (or “east”) lateral side of the primary registration plate, depending for example on the size and shape of the existing primary registration plate, its positioning on the vehicle in question, and any space constraints in the vicinity thereof.

As used herein, the term “laterally adjacent”, as it applies to the relative positioning of the existing, primary registration plate and the trade plate (or indicia thereof) carried or displayed on the second mounting member once the latter has been attached to the first mounting member, is intended to be construed broadly, as meaning any close relative spatial relative positioning, in a generally side-by-side relationship. That side-by-side relationship may in many cases be a generally substantially or approximately co-planar relationship, although a small degree of non-co-planar relative positioning may be tolerated. Furthermore, in many cases the side-by-side relationship may be such that the two members are substantially in abutment with each other, or may be separated by a short gap distance of e.g. a few (such as up to around 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 7 or 8 or 10 or 15 or even up to around 20) millimetres, especially in order to accommodate any components of the attachment means that may be present in the gap between them.

In some practical embodiments of the apparatus of the invention the first mounting member may be in the form of a generally flat plate, e.g. of metal, metal alloy or a plastics material, which may be of a suitable thickness to provide a sufficient degree of integrity, rigidity and strength thereto. It may be formed e.g. by moulding or cutting from a suitable stock sheet of the relevant material. The first mounting member may suitably be of a face-on size and shape that approximately corresponds to the face-on size and shape of the existing primary registration plate. The first mounting plate or other member may be substantially flat or planar, although in some embodiments it may be possible for it to have a small amount of curvature in one or more dimensions, in order for example to better conform to the profile or shape of the relevant site on the vehicle exterior on which it is to be mounted.

In some practical embodiments the rearward-facing face of the first mounting member may if desired be provided with a protective backing or coating layer thereon, e.g. of a rubber, elastomeric or foamed material, in order to help protect from damage or scratching etc a surface of the vehicle on which the first mounting member is ultimately mounted, and also to protect it during the apparatus’s assembly.

In the practising of some such embodiments the first mounting plate or other member may be mounted on the exterior of the vehicle facially adjacent the existing primary registration plate, e.g. in face-to-face relationship therewith, but without obscuring the front display face thereof on which are provided the indicia of the primary registration plate. In particular, in some such embodiments the first mounting plate or other member may be mounted on the exterior of the vehicle behind the existing primary registration plate, which is to say between the existing primary registration plate and the exterior portion of the vehicle on or against which it is mounted. In some cases the mounting site may conveniently be a bumper of the vehicle or alternatively it may be a suitable site on the vehicle’s bodywork.

The first mounting plate or other member may be so mounted on the vehicle exterior either in a dedicated preliminary step, such as when the vehicle is being prepared for having a trade plate mounted thereon, e.g. upon coming into the ownership or care of a motor trader, or alternatively in a substantially permanent manner upon the vehicle’s manufacture, e.g. so that the vehicle is always ready to have a trade mounted on it during its lifetime.

For the purpose of mounting the first mounting plate or other member on the vehicle exterior, it may be provided with any suitable number and arrangement of apertures or holes or slots for the insertion therethrough of respective suitable fixing components, e.g. one or more, especially a plurality of, screws, bolts, pins, clips or other fixing components. If desired the first mounting plate or other member may be provided with a plurality of different aperture, hole or slot arrays or arrangements, so as to allow it to be readily mounted to any of a plurality of different vehicles whose anchoring site’s size, shape and configuration may vary.

For the mounting of the first mounting plate or other member on the vehicle exterior, especially in embodiments where it is mounted behind an existing primary registration plate already present and pre-mounted thereon, e.g. on a bumper thereof, the primary registration plate may first be removed in a conventional manner, the first mounting member may then be mounted in its required site of attachment, and then the primary registration plate may be reattached. If desired or if convenient, the same fixings or anchoring components may even be used for simultaneously securing both the first mounting member and the primary registration plate, especially when they are to be anchored in a face-to-face relationship. Alternatively, different respective fixings or attachment components or other attachment means may be used for reattaching the primary registration plate and mounting the first mounting member to the vehicle. For example, although a suitable arrangement of screws or bolts may typically be used to secure the first mounting member to the vehicle, for reattaching the primary registration plate it may be secured to the front face of the mounted first mounting member by simpler reattachment means, such as via adhesive, magnetic anchoring elements, or even a Velcro®-type anchoring arrangement. In practical usage scenarios the latter manner of reattachment of the primary registration plate may also be useful for the temporary affixing to the vehicle, by temporary replacement of the primary registration plate, of a motor trader’s or dealer’s promotional sign, logo or other identification or advertising material or indicia.

In some practical embodiments of the apparatus of the invention the second mounting member may also be in the form of a generally flat plate, e.g. of metal, metal alloy or a plastics material, which again may be of a suitable thickness to provide a sufficient degree of integrity, rigidity and strength thereto. It again may be formed e.g. by moulding or cutting from a suitable stock sheet of the relevant material.

The second mounting member may be designed and constructed to either carry a preformed trade plate on a display surface thereof or have the indicia of the trade plate mounted directly thereon (in which latter case the display surface of the second mounting member may itself constitute the “trade plate” once the indicia have been affixed thereto, e.g. with adhesive, magnetic attachment or other suitable indicia-affixing means). In some practical forms the second mounting member may be formed with any suitable arrangement of one or more, e.g. a plurality of, apertures, holes or slots, through which corresponding anchoring elements provided on a preformed trade plate may be passed for anchoring it onto the display surface of the second mounting member. In alternative practical forms a preformed trade plate may be anchored to the display surface of the second mounting member via adhesive, magnetic anchoring elements, or even a Velcro®-type anchoring arrangement.

In some practical embodiments the rearward-facing face of the second mounting member may if desired be provided with a protective backing or coating layer thereon, e.g. of a rubber, elastomeric or foamed material, in order to help protect from damage or scratching etc any other components of the apparatus therebehind or even a surface of the vehicle on which the first mounting member is ultimately mounted, including during the apparatus’s assembly.

If desired, the second mounting member may be configured such that when it is in its attached condition attached to the first mounting member, its surface carrying or displaying the trade plate (or the indicia thereof) may lie at a non-zero angle to the vertical or the general plane of the first mounting member. Such an angle may for example be in the approximate range of from about 1 or 2 or 5 or 8 or 10° up to about 20 or 30°, e.g. in the region of about 15°, to the vertical or the general plane of the first mounting member. This non-zero angle of the display surface of the second mounting member may serve to optimise the visibility of the trade plate (or the indicia thereof) carried or displayed on it.

In accordance with the invention, the attachment means which are used to attach, unite or anchor together the first and second mounting members are constructed and arranged such that, once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayable laterally adjacent the primary registration plate whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate. In other words, the arrangement of the attachment means by which the second mounting member can be attached to the first mounting member may be such that, once the second mounting member has been attached, via the attachment means, to the first mounting member, the second mounting member (which carries or displays the trade plate or indicia thereof) is positioned or lies to one lateral side of, and adjacent to, the primary registration plate, and at least the indicia on the primary registration plate remain visible.

In embodiments of the apparatus of the invention the attachment means may take any of various physical forms:

In some embodiment forms of the attachment means, the attachment means may comprise: one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of one of the first mounting member and second mounting member; and one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the other of the first mounting member and second mounting member;

wherein the engagement elements on the two mounting members are mutually interengageable in order to attach, unite or anchor together the first and second mounting members via their respective lateral edge portions.

In some such embodiment forms the one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the first mounting member may conveniently protrude laterally from that or those respective lateral edge(s) so as to lie beyond the periphery of the primary registration plate once the first mounting member has been mounted facially adjacent thereto, in order to facilitate their accessibility and inter-engagement with the one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the second mounting member.

In some such embodiment forms the engagement elements may be provided on just one lateral edge portion of each of the first and the second mounting members, whereas in other such embodiments the engagement elements may be provided on just one lateral edge portion of one of the first and the second mounting members yet on each of two lateral edge portions, especially two geometrically opposite lateral edge portions, of the other of the first and the second mounting members.

Thus, in some such embodiments the attachment means may comprise:

one or more engagement elements provided on a lateral edge portion of one of the first mounting member and second mounting member; and one or more engagement elements provided on a lateral edge portion of the other of the first mounting member and second mounting member;

In some embodiments the engagement elements on one or both of the first and second mounting members may be elongate and extend along at least a portion of, especially along at least a major portion of, the lateral edge portion of the respective mounting member(s).

Example forms of the inter-engageable engagement elements may include an elongate mounting channel, trough, flange or recess on a lateral edge portion of one of the mounting members and one or more mounting ribs, lugs, feet or protrusions on a lateral edge portion of the other of the mounting members. Alternatively any other suitable arrangement of interengageable detents, clips or other mutually engageable anchoring elements may be employed instead.

In some embodiments there may be further provided, in addition to the attachment means, one or more locking means for securely, yet releasably or detachably, uniting and/or locking the first and second mounting members in their mutually attached condition or configuration. Example forms of the locking means may include one or more nut-and-bolt combinations, e.g. one of which may be permanently mounted or affixed to one of the two mounting members, optionally in conjunction with a respective aperture in one of the two mounting members through which the bolt of the combination may pass for ultimately effecting the locking function. Alternatively one or more other detent elements, locking pins or clip elements, or other inter-engageable locking components may be used instead.

Some specific practical examples of suitable such locking means which may be used in some practical embodiments of the invention will be described further below in the context of example embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings.

In some other such embodiment forms the attachment means may comprise:

a locking frame extending from a lateral edge portion of the second mounting member, the locking frame being configured for placement on or around a peripheral edge region of the first mounting member and carrying one or more engagement elements thereon, especially on each of two lateral edge portions thereof, further especially on two geometrically opposite lateral edge portions thereof; and one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the first mounting member;

wherein the locking frame’s engagement element(s) and the engagement element(s) on the first mounting member are mutually inter-engageable in order to attach, unite or anchor together the first and second mounting members via the lateral edge portion(s) of the first mounting member and the locking frame.

In some such embodiments the locking frame may extend from a first lateral edge portion of the second mounting member in the form of a three-sided rectangular loop. The sides of the loop may be substantially straight, and may conveniently be integrally attached to the remainder of the second mounting member, e.g. by virtue of being formed integrally therewith. The frame may be suitably dimensioned such that the sides of the loop abut or overlap with or lie against respective edges, or edge portions, of the first mounting member once the second mounting member has been attached thereto.

Thus, in some embodiments the second mounting member may be formed with a main body, which is that portion thereof which is configured and designed to carry or display the trade plate or indicia thereof, and a locking frame extending laterally from a lateral edge portion of the main body. The lateral side of the main body from which the locking frame extends may be the same lateral side thereof on or to which will lie the existing, primary registration plate of the vehicle once the second mounting member has been attached to the first mounting member in the assembly of the apparatus.

Some specific practical examples of various forms of attachment means, including the above-defined frame-type attachment means, which may be used in some practical embodiments of the invention will be described further below in the context of example embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the invention in its various aspects may be applied to the mounting and display of trade plates on a wide variety of vehicles, especially motor vehicles, e.g. cars, taxis, vans, pick-ups, trucks, lorries, freight and industrial transport vehicles, agricultural vehicles, public transport vehicles, motor cycles and even trains.

Within the scope of this specification it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives, and in particular the individual constructional or operational features thereof, set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and accompanying drawings, may be taken independently or in any combination of any number of same. For example, individual features described in connection with one particular embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise or such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention in its various aspects will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle trade plate mounting apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus being shown here when fully assembled as it would be on a vehicle, but with the vehicle’s existing primary registration plate, and the vehicle itself, omitted for clarity;

FIGURES 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) are, respectively, front face, front perspective and side edge-on views of an alternative form of first mounting member for use in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 2(d) is a front face view of a modified form of first mounting member which may be used as an alternative to that of FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c);

FIGURES 3(a), 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) are, respectively, front face, rear face, side edgeon and front perspective views of the second mounting member of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 4(a) is a front face view of one form of spacer member for use in the apparatus of FIG. 1, in particular in combination with that form of first mounting member shown in FIG. 1;

FIGURES 4(b) and 4(c) are front face views of two modified forms of spacer member which may be used as an alternative to that of FIG. 4(a), and in particular in combination with the modified form of first mounting member shown in FIGS. 2(a) or 2(d);

FIGURE 5(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the foot portion of the first mounting member of FIGURES 2(a) to 2(c);

FIGURE 5(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the same foot portion as in FIG. 5(a), but showing that portion of the complete apparatus when fully assembled;

FIGURE 5(c) is an enlarged perspective view of one of the locking nuts/knobs as used in the attachment arrangement shown in FIG. 5(b);

FIGURE 6(a) and 6(b) are, respectively, front and rear perspective views of another embodiment of the vehicle trade plate mounting apparatus according to the invention, again showing the apparatus when fully assembled as it would be on a vehicle, but with the vehicle’s existing primary registration plate, and the vehicle itself, omitted for clarity, in which an alternative form of the attachment means is employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, the mounting apparatus shown generally as 1 comprises a first mounting plate 20 and a second mounting plate 30. Each mounting plate 20, 30 takes the form of a generally flat, planar rectangular sheet of either metal, e.g. stainless steel or other metal or metal alloy, or a plastics material, e.g. an acrylic resin. Each mounting plate 20, 30 may be formed by either cutting from a stock sheet of the relevant material or moulding or extrusion in the required shape, depending for instance on the material in question. A final production stage of any suitable drilling or machining operations may be used to form each respective mounting plate 20, 30 including their respective various mounting holes and/or slots, e.g. those shown as 24a, 24b and 32S in FIG. 1 (as discussed further below).

The first mounting plate 20 is configured and intended for mounting behind an existing registration plate (not shown in the Figures, for clarity) of a vehicle, e.g. a car, which is to be fitted with a trade plate at some stage in its lifetime, in particular when it is between owners and is likely to be the subject of test drives or repairs/servicing whilst in the care (or temporary ownership) of a dealer or motor trader. It is convenient that the facial size and shape of the first mounting plate 20 substantially matches the corresponding facial size and shape of the vehicle’s primary registration (not shown) behind which it is to be fitted.

In order that the vehicle is ready to have a trade plate mounted thereon at any time it should be needed, in practice the first mounting plate 20 is generally mounted on the vehicle exterior (behind its existing primary registration plate) only once, such as when it first enters the dealer’s/trader’s care or temporary ownership, so that the vehicle is always ready to receive a trade plate thereon. Alternatively, the first mounting plate may even be mounted on the vehicle exterior (behind its existing primary registration plate) upon the vehicle’s initial manufacture, in which case the first mounting plate 20 may be mounted on the vehicle substantially permanently and form an inherent component of its overall primary registration plate-mounting arrangement.

For a dedicated step of mounting the first mounting plate 20 behind the vehicle’s existing primary registration plate, the primary registration plate can simply be unscrewed or otherwise removed and detached from its attached position, e.g. on the vehicle’s bumper or a dedicated site on its outer bodywork, and re-attached in the reverse manner with the first mounting plate 20 now located between it and the same mounting site on the vehicle’s exterior. The primary registration plate may then be reattached by any suitable means, such as screwed back in position using the same fixings as before. Alternatively however it may be reattached but this time secured to the front face of the mounted first mounting plate 20 using reattachment means such as a suitable adhesive, magnetic anchoring element(s), or even a Velcro®-type anchoring arrangement. To effect the mounting of the first mounting plate 20 it may be provided with appropriate screw holes 24a, 24b, e.g. which may if desired match the positions of the existing screws previously used to attach the primary registration plate.

The first mounting plate 20 has a pair of terminal feet 28a, 28b at its respective lower corner regions, which form part of the attachment means by which the first mounting plate 20 has attached thereto the second mounting plate 30 in the assembly of the apparatus 1.

The second mounting plate 30 has a display surface on a major face thereof, which is constructed and arranged for having carried thereon a trade plate TP, or the indicia of a trade plate. In some convenient forms a preformed or pre-existing trade plate TP can be affixed to the display surface by clipping a series of fixing tabs (not shown) provided on the rear or edges of the trade plate into respective fixing slots 32S (as shown in FIGS. 3(a) - (d)) formed in the second mounting plate 30. Of course, other means of fixing a pre-existing trade plate perse, or the indicia thereof, may be used instead, such as a suitable adhesive, magnet(s) or even a Velcro®-type attachment.

Alternatively the indicia of the trade plate may be affixed directly to the display surface of the second mounting plate 30, so that that display surface of the second mounting plate 30 itself thus in effect becomes the trade plate TP.

For attaching the second mounting plate 30, with its trade plate (or indicia thereof) already mounted thereon, to the first mounting plate 20, which has already been mounted onto the vehicle exterior, behind the existing primary registration plate, as described above, attachment means 40 are provided, which in this embodiment are mechanically simple and easy to use. The attachment means 40 as exemplified here are provided on an upper lateral side or edge portion of the second mounting plate 30 and a lower lateral side or edge portion of the first mounting plate 20, these two lateral side or edge portions mutually facing one another and thus enabling the two mounting plates 20, 30 to be attached and united together in a stable side-by-side manner. The components of the attachment means that are provided on the lower lateral side or edge portion of the first mounting plate 20 are actually provided or constituted by the terminal feet 28a, 28b thereon.

In this embodiment the attachment means 40 comprise a pair of locating tongues 29a, 29b on respective ones of the terminal feet 28a, 28b of the first mounting plate 20 (as can be seen more clearly in the modified form of first mounting plate shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) where the same features are used), each of which locating tongues 29a, 29b is configured to be placed within, and to inter-engage with, a respective attachment slot or aperture 39a, 39b in an upper edge portion of the second mounting plate 30. Thus, the second mounting plate 30 can be simply attached to the first mounting plate 20 by hooking the respective attachment slots or apertures 39a, 39b over the respective locating tongues 29a, 29b.

The thus combined mounting plates 20, 30 can then be locked in place in a stable and secure condition by means of a pair of locking bolts or knobs 70a, 70b, e.g. which may be knurled to allow simple manual manipulation, whose respective screw-threaded shafts are passed through respective locking holes 38a, 38b in the upper edge portion of the second mounting plate (adjacent the attachment slots 39a, 39b) and lockingly locate into respective screwthreaded locking holes in respective ones of the terminal feet 28a, 28b on the first mounting plate 20.

Of course, the precise physical number, form and relative configurations and positioning of the various attachment and locking arrangements constituted by the respective locating tongues (29a, 29b), attachment slots or apertures (39a, 39b), locking holes (38a, 38b) and locking bolts or knobs (70a, 70b) may be selected and/or rearranged or redistributed from the precise forms shown here, as the skilled person will readily appreciate and be able to select and determine in accordance with common mechanical or engineering practice.

As shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b) and (c), in order to provide enhanced versatility for the first mounting plate 20 to be mounted on a variety of different vehicles, and especially behind a variety of different designs or shapes or sizes of primary registration plates - which may typically have different arrangements of mounting holes - an alternative form of first mounting plate 20, as shown in FIGS. 2(a), (b) and (c), may be provided with an array or pattern of any number and distribution of mounting holes, apertures or slots 26, especially such as cover substantially all common mounting configurations/arrangements that might typically be encountered in most vehicle with which the apparatus may wish to be used. In other respects, however, the construction, configuration and manner of use of the first mounting plate 20 of FIGS. 2(a), (b) and (c) is substantially the same as that of the somewhat more basic form of first mounting plate 20 shown in FIG 1.

Gong further in this latter respect, FIG. 2(d) shows yet another modified form of first mounting plate 20, in which the various mounting holes, apertures or slots 26’ of the array or pattern are larger and in some place even merge into one another, in order to provide even greater versatility in enabling this modified first mounting plate 20’ to be usable with an even greater range and variability in mounting configurations/arrangements of vehicles and their primary registration plate mountings.

FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) show in clearer detail the construction, configuration and features of the second mounting plate 30, many of which have already been referred to and described above in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2. However, here it can be seen that the upper edge portion or region of the second mounting plate 30, which provides the respective components of the attachment means 40 to enable the second mounting plate 30’s attachment to the first mounting plate 20, comprises an upper edge channel or trough 50, e.g. formed from a folded-over edge portion of the sheet of material from which the second mounting plate 30 is formed. The upper edge channel or trough 50 is joined to the main body 32 of the second mounting plate by a joining portion 38.

Also as a useful additional feature of the second mounting plate 30, as is shown in FIG. 3(c), the joining portion 38 joins the edge channel or trough 50 to the main body of the plate 30 so that the main body 32, with its display surface, lies at a non-zero angle to the vertical or the general plane of the first mounting member 20, when the two mounting plates 20, 30 have been attached together. By way of example, such an angle may for example be in the approximate region of about 15° (although other angles are possible). This non-zero angle of the main body 32, with its display surface, thus serves to optimise the visibility of the trade plate (or the indicia thereof) carried or displayed on it, once the apparatus has been fully assembled and is in use on the vehicle.

In many embodiments of the apparatus of the invention one or more spacer members may be employed for mounting facially adjacent the first mounting plate 20, usually between it and the vehicle’s exterior, although alternatively or additionally between it and the primary registration plate to be re-attached thereover, in order to facilitate the accurate and stable mounting of the first mounting plate 20 against the vehicle exterior and/or the primary registration plate thereto. The or each spacer member may in particular serve to accommodate or “absorb” any modulations from a wholly or truly planar nature of the surface against which the first mounting plate 20 (or primary registration plate) is to be mounted, and especially to accommodate the thickness of any protruding screw or bolt heads that may be used to attach the first mounting plate 20 and/or the primary registration plate to the vehicle. Three examples of such a spacer member 80 are shown in FIGS. 4(a), (b) and (c).

In each case the spacer member is itself in the form of a generally flat plate, sheet or strip of material, which may for instance be of a metal, metal alloy, or in more likely example forms of a flexible or resilient or foamed material, e.g. a plastics material or elastomeric material. The spacer member 80 in many cases substantially matches the facial shape and size of the first mounting pate 20 with which it is intended to be used, so for example the spacer member 80 may too include respective feet extensions 88a, 88b. It also includes a suitable array or pattern of mounting holes, apertures or slots 86 which correspond to those in the first mounting plate 20 (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 2(a) or 2(d)).

In these example forms of spacer member, that 80 shown in FIG. 4(a) may for instance be used in combination with the first mounting plate 20’ shown in FIG. 2(d) (or possibly that first mounting plate 20 shown in FIG. 2(a)), that 80’ shown in FIG. 4(b) may for instance be used in combination with the simpler form of first mounting plate 20 shown in FIG. 1, and that 80” shown in FIG. 4(c) - with its array of four mutually-inverted E-shaped slots 86a”, 86b” - may for instance be used in combination with either form of first mounting plate 20 or 20’ shown in FIGS. 1 or2(d)/(a).

FIGS. 5(a), (b) and (c) show in clearer detail the construction, configuration and features of, respectively, the foot portion of the first mounting member of FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), the same foot portion as in FIG. 5(a) but showing that portion of the complete apparatus when fully assembled, and one of the locking nuts/knobs 70a as used in the attachment arrangement shown in FIG. 5(b), all being as already described and discussed above.

In another embodiment of the application according to the invention, a slightly different form of the attachment means 40 may be used to attach together the first and second mounting plates 20, 30. This alternative embodiment arrangement is shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) (from the front and the rear, respectively, and again with the vehicle and the primary registration plate omitted for clarity). In FIGS. 6(a) and (b), where features correspond to the same features as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5, they are designated by the same reference numerals but incremented by 100.

In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 6(a) and (b) the attachment means 140 which unites the first 120 and second 130 mounting plates comprise a locking frame 142, 144, 148a, 148b extending laterally from an upper edge portion of the main body of the second mounting plate 30. The locking frame, which may for example be cut or stamped from a flat sheet of the relevant material from which it is formed (e.g. metal or plastics) comprises generally straight upper and lower major side portions 142, 144 and generally straight left and right minor side portions 148a, 148b, whereby the locking frame forms a generally rectangular loop extending from the upper edge portion of the main body of the second mounting plate 30.

The locking frame 142,144,148a, 148b is suitably dimensioned so as to be locatable around a peripheral edge region of the first mounting member 120 and it carrying on at least one of the major sides 142, 144 thereof the necessary components of an attachment and locking arrangement, such as any combination of those components - such as locating tongues, attachment slots or apertures, locking holes and locking bolts, screws, pins, clips (e.g. Rclips), nuts or knobs - as have been used and described above in the context of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5. Indeed, the manner of attachment of the second mounting plate 130 to the first mounting plate 120 in the embodiment of FIGS. 6(a) and (b) corresponds closely to that of the previous embodiments discussed and described above, as will be well understood by the skilled person, so further detailed discussion of that will not be necessary here.

As will thus be appreciated from the foregoing discussions and descriptions, by use of the novel trade plate mounting apparatus of the invention, as represented by way of example by the above embodiments, it is possible to affix a trade plate simply and easily to a vehicle laterally adjacent an existing primary registration plate, whilst now being able to simply, stably and assuredly complying with new, ever more stringent legal requirements for the correct and legally effective display of trade plates.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and linguistic variations of those words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, elements, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless expressly stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless expressly stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise.

Features, components, elements, integers, characteristics, properties, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith or expressly stated otherwise.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, the apparatus comprising:

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more spacer members for mounting adjacent the first mounting member, optionally facially adjacent the first mounting member.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one spacer member is provided and configured for mounting between an inner face of the first mounting member and the exterior of the vehicle, and/or at least one spacer member is provided and configured for mounting between an outer face of the first mounting member and the primary registration plate.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the or each spacer member is apertured or perforated, and/or is formed from a flexible or resilient or foamed material.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means are constructed and arranged such that, once the first mounting member has been mounted on the vehicle exterior, the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member is/are displayable laterally adjacent the primary registration plate on or to any of an upper, lower, left or right lateral side thereof, whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the mounting arrangement of the attachment means is such that the second mounting member is attachable to the first mounting member so that the trade plate or indicia thereof carried or displayed on the second mounting member are displayable on or to either the lower (i.e. south) lateral side of the primary registration plate, or alternatively to the upper (i.e. north) lateral side thereof, whilst maintaining the visibility of the primary registration plate.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first mounting member is in the form of a generally flat plate.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first mounting member is mountable on the exterior of the vehicle facially adjacent the primary registration plate, but without obscuring the front display face thereof on which are provided the indicia of the primary registration plate.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first mounting member is mountable on the exterior of the vehicle behind the primary registration plate.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first mounting member is provided with one or more apertures or holes or slots therein for the insertion therethrough of respective fixing components for effecting the mounting of the first mounting member on the exterior of the vehicle.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second mounting member is in the form of a generally flat plate.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second mounting member is constructed or configured for either carrying or having affixed or attached a preformed trade plate on a display surface thereof or having the indicia of the trade plate mounted directly thereon.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the second mounting member is configured such that when it is in its attached condition attached to the first mounting member, its surface carrying or displaying the trade plate or the indicia thereof lies at a non-zero angle to the vertical or the general plane of the first mounting member, optionally wherein the said angle is in the range of from 1 or 2 or 5 or 8 or 10° up to 20 or

30°.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprise:

one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of one of the first mounting member and second mounting member; and one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the other of the first mounting member and second mounting member;

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the first mounting member protrude laterally from that or those respective lateral edge(s) so as to lie beyond the periphery of the primary registration plate once the first mounting member has been mounted facially adjacent thereto, in order to facilitate their accessibility and inter-engagement with the one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the second mounting member.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the engagement elements are provided on just one lateral edge portion of each of the first and the second mounting members.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the attachment means comprise:

18. An apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the engagement elements on one or both of the first and second mounting members are elongate and extend along at least a portion of, optionally along at least a major portion of, the lateral edge portion of the respective mounting member(s).

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the inter-engageable engagement elements include an elongate mounting channel, trough, flange or recess on a lateral edge portion of one of the mounting members and one or more mounting ribs, lugs, feet or protrusions on a lateral edge portion of the other of the mounting members.

20. An apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the engagement elements are provided on just one lateral edge portion of one of the first and the second mounting members yet on each of two lateral edge portions, optionally two geometrically opposite lateral edge portions, of the other of the first and the second mounting members.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the attachment means comprise:

a locking frame extending from a lateral edge portion of the second mounting member, the locking frame being configured for placement on or around a peripheral edge region of the first mounting member and carrying one or more engagement elements thereon, optionally on each of two lateral edge portions thereof, further optionally on two geometrically opposite lateral edge portions thereof; and one or more engagement elements provided on one or more lateral edge portions of the first mounting member;

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the locking frame extends from a first lateral edge portion of the second mounting member in the form of a three-sided rectangular loop.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the sides of the loop are substantially straight, optionally are integrally attached to the remainder of the second mounting member, and wherein the frame is dimensioned such that the sides of the loop abut or overlap with or lie against respective edges, or edge portions, of the first mounting member once the second mounting member has been attached thereto.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the second mounting member is formed with a main body, which is that portion thereof which is configured and designed to carry or display the trade plate or indicia thereof, and the locking frame extending laterally from a lateral edge portion of the main body.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the lateral side of the main body from which the locking frame extends is the same lateral side thereof on or to which lies the primary registration plate of the vehicle once the second mounting member has been attached to the first mounting member in the assembly of the apparatus.

26. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more locking means for securely, yet releasably or detachably, uniting and/or locking the first and second mounting members in their mutually attached condition or configuration.

27. A kit of parts for mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, the kit comprising:

28. A kit of parts according to claim 27, further comprising a spacer member for mounting adjacent the first mounting member, optionally facially adjacent the first mounting member.

29. A first mounting member for use in the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 26 or for use in the kit according to claim 27 or claim 28.

30. A second mounting member for use in the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 26 or for use in the kit according to claim 27 or claim 28.

31. A method of mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, the method comprising:

32. A method of mounting a trade plate on a vehicle adjacent a primary registration plate thereof, wherein mounted on an exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate is a first mounting member, the method comprising:

33. A method according to claim 31 or claim 32, further comprising an additional step, as a subsidiary step in the overall mounting of the first mounting member on the exterior of the vehicle adjacent the primary registration plate, of mounting a spacer member adjacent the

5 first mounting member, optionally facially adjacent the first mounting member.

34. A vehicle having a trade plate mounted thereon by means of an apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 26 or a kit according to claim 27 or claim 28.