US1629688A - Automobile license-plate holder - Google Patents

Description

1,629 68.8 May 24 1927' G. F. EDWARDS AUTOMOBILE LIOENsE PLATE HOLDER Filed Julyze, 1925 Patented May 24, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

4GETOEMtE F. EDWARDS, 0F ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMOBILE LICENSE-PLATE HOLDER.

Application filed July 29, 1925. Serial No. 46,726.

The present invention relates particularly to a plate containing cut out characters visible in the day and illuminated at night by light rays passingl through the cutouts of the particular characters, and more particularly to the plate, the cutouty characters of which are embossed and are clearly outlined parallel with their cutout edges.

A further object is to provide a structure in the form of an illuminating or reflecting box, one wall of which is formed by the plate, the box containing a lateral extension in communication with the interior of the box, there being a single lamp, common to both the box and extension, and there preferably being provided a colored bullseye disposed to close the extension opening and lying parallel with the plate.

' A further object is to provide anovel form or plate mounting means and a novel form of bullseye mounting means, together with a structure for rigidly supporting, bracing and mounting the box on a support.

While the invention is illustrated and characterized as being used for a vehicle license plate, it is to be understood that the same is adaptable toany use to which it may be put.

1n the drawings- Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view partly in broken section. v

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through a portion of one of the embossed characters on the .line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of the locking means, taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the lateral box extension and the bullseye, taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

1n the drawings, wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts,

'the numeral 1 indicates. a bracket having lateral arm extensions 2 and a downwardly inclined supporting arm extension 3. rl`he arms 2 are curved as in Fig. 2 and the same are secured as at 4 to an arcuately curved rear wall 5 of a reflector box 6, the bottom wall 7 of which is downwardly inclined and the top wall 8 of which is upwz. illy inclined. The free edges of the walls 7 and 8 and one end of the wall 6 are channeled as at 9 to receive the. opposite edges and one end of a plate l which is moved longitudibossed designs are cut out as at 14 and the f edges of the embossing, beyond the cut out portions, are distinctively outlined as at 15, thus a character which can be readily seen in the day, due to .itsembossed construction and its outlined design, and which can be readily seen at night due to the opening therethrough is provided in the surface of the plate. f

To preclude foreign material Ifrom passing through the openings in the cutout designs, the plate is backed with a transparent sheet 16, Celluloid, for example.

Extending upwardly from the reflector box is a lateral extension 17 of substantially semi-conical form, the rear Wall 18 of which is upwardly inclined and the open rear face 19 of which is closed preferably by a colored bullseye 20, the same having peripheral extensions 21 adapted for reception withinv recesses 22, on the rotary movement of the bullseye to lie behind the retaining wall 23, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

A single lamp of illuminating means 24, illustrated asl being illuminated by electricity from wires 25 projects into the lateral extension 17 and the box 16, the light 1 rays liberated thereby serving to reiect from the walls of the box and the extension and l illuminate the character outlined designs and bullseye 20. .Y

The particular structure illustrated is adaptable for ready attachment to the rear of motor driven vehicles, as the same constitutes a license plate holder and a tail light, but the plate with its distinctive characters is adapted for many uses, such a house numbering and the like.

I claim In combination with a plate providedu on one face with character designs cut away to provide transparent portions; a reflector box having an open wall, said wall provided with opposing channeled edges for reception of said plate edges on its endwise movement thereinto to close said box Wall opening; ,one of said channeled ends provided with an aperture; the end of the plate provided with an aperture adapted for alignment With the rst mentioned aperture; a spring mounted upon said channeled end; a pin carried by said spring and adapted for yieldable holding thereby Within said aligned apertures for detachably retaining the plate Within the channeled edges; an attaching bracket secured to the box, said boxvprovided With a lateral extension carried tliereabove With its interior communieating With the interior of the box and provided with an opening parallel with the open box Wall; a colored bullseye for closing the latter opening, and a single illuminating means within said boX and common to said plate and bullseye.

In testimony whereof l have signed my 20 name to this specification.

GEORGE F, EDWARDS.`

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