GB2222017A

GB2222017A - Holding frame for vehicle number plate

Info

Publication number: GB2222017A
Application number: GB8819706A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerhard Utsch
Original assignee: Erich Utsch KG
Current assignee: Erich Utsch KG
Priority date: 1988-08-19
Filing date: 1988-08-19
Publication date: 1990-02-21
Also published as: GB8819706D0

Abstract

A holding frame especially for releasably holding a vehicle number plate 12 comprises a rectangular back plate 2 for attachment to the vehicle, at least a portion, preferably the whole length of three edges of the plate, being formed as a channel section 4, 5, 7 such that the vehicle number plate 12 can be introduced between the grooves from an open edge 6 of the back plate and restrained from removal in a direction perpendicular to the plate by the channel sections, resilient means 8, preferably a leaf spring, attached to the back plate 2 for urging the number plate 12 away from the back plate and into contact with the walls of the channel sections 4, 5, 7 and releasable retaining means 11 associated either with the resilient means 8 or with the channel section 4, 5, 7 for restraining removal of the number plate 12 via the open edge 6 of the back plate. As shown, the releasable retaining means consists of a projection 11 which latches in the stamped edge 13 of the number plate. <IMAGE>

Description

HOLDING FRAME ESPECIALLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE NUMBER PLATES The invention relates to a holding frame especially for motor vehicle number plates.

In some countries, e.g. Great Britain, it is normal and prescribed that the registration number of a lorry trailer is the same as that of the tractor. However since the tractors for trailers are often changed e.g. in shipping operations, the number plates on the trailers have to be changed every time. Number plates are frequently attached by tying them onto any more or less suitable parts of the trailer, so that not infrequently the number plate is lost if it has not been fixed securely enough. Fixing it by bolting it on is time-consuming, and often leads to loss of the appropriate bolts or to wear or damage of the thread either of the bolts or (even worse) threaded holes on the trailer.

It is the object of the invention to provide a holding frame which is easy to manufacture and allows quick changing and secure fixing of number plates.

According to the invention a holding frame especially for a vehicle number plate comprises a substantially rectangular back plate for attachment to the vehicle, at least a portion of three edges of the plate being formed as a channel section such that a vehicle number plate can be introduced into the grooves from an open edge of the back plate and restrained from removal in a direction perpendicular to the plate by the channel sections, resilient means attached to the back plate for urging the number plate away from the back plate and into contact with the wall of the channel section and releasable retaining means associated either with the resilient means or with the channel section for restraining removal of the number plate via the open edge of the back plate.

The channel sections preferably extend substantially wholly along three sides of the back plate.

The resilient means are preferably at least one leaf spring especially an elongate leaf spring or springs extending across the back plate from the open edge to the channel section on the opposite edge. More preferably a single leaf spring is provided substantially centrally of the base plate. The leaf spring or springs are preferably sinusoidal and may, for example, be attached to the base plate by centrally positioned rivets.

Preferably the leaf spring or springs are formed to engage in a slot or groove in the respective edges of the number plate to provide retaining means for the number plate.

Alternatively the channel section and the edges of the number plate may be found with cooperating retaining means. The retaining means can be released by pushing the number plate toward the back plate and sliding it towards the open edge of the back plate.

In its simplest form the holding frame according to the invention essentially consists of only two components, namely a back plate which is bent into a U-shape at three edges and made e.g. of aluminium, and a leaf spring. The number plate can be inserted and removed quickly and easily and is held securely in the inserted position by the ends of the leaf spring latching in for example beaded or stamped edge of the number plate.

The drawings show a practical example of the holding frame according to the invention. They show: Fig. 1 a front view of the holding frame without number plate, Fig. 2 a section along line II-II in Fig.1, and Fig. 3 in the same sectional view, the holding frame with the number plate inserted.

The holding frame 1 shown in the drawings consists of an aluminium plate 2 with several holes 3 for bolts by which the plate 2 is attached to a vehicle, in particular a lorry trailer.

The upper edge 4, the lower edge 5 and one of the side edges 6, 7, in this case side edge 7, are bent into a U-shape. In the longitudinal centre of the plate 2, a leaf spring 8 is (TkMj mounted by rivets 9, e.g. poplrivets. As shown by Fig.2, the leaf spring is corrugated in an S-shape, as indicated at 10, from the rivets 9 to the two ends, and comprises at the ends stamped projections 11 which, when the number plate 12 is inserted (see Fig.3), latch in the stamped edge 13 of the number plate 12. The number plate 12 is inserted from the edge 6 of the plate 2 which is not bent into a U-shape, and can quickly be withdrawn again if necessary.

Even though the new holding frame 1 was developed first and foremost for changing vehicle number plates on lorry trailers, it can also be used for other plates which have to be changed frequently.

Claims

1. A holding frame especially for a vehicle number plate comprising a substantially rectangular back plate for attachment to the vehicle, at least a portion of three edges of the plate being formed as a channel section such that a vehicle number plate can be introduced into the grooves from an open edge of the back plate and restrained from removal in a direction perpendicular to the plate by the channel sections, resilient means attached to the back plate for urging the number plate away from the back plate and into contact with the wall of the channel section and releasable retaining means associated either with the resilient means or with the channel section for restraining removal of the number plate via the open edge of the back plate.

2. A holding frame according to claim 1, wherein the channel sections extend substantially wholly along three sides of the back plate.

3. A holding frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the resilient means comprise at least one leaf spring.

4. A holding frame according to claim 3 wherein the resilient means comprises a sinusoidal elongate leaf spring or springs extending across the back plate from the open edge to the channel section on the opposite edge.

5. A holding frame according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the leaf spring or springs are formed to engage in a slot or groove in the respective edges of the number plate to provide retaining means for the number plate.

6. A holding frame for motor vehicle number plates, consisting of a plate (2) which is to be attached to the vehicle whose upper and lower edges (4,5) and one of the side edges (6,7) are bent into U-shape, wherein parallel to the upper (4) and lower (5) edges in the centre of the plate (2) is mounted a leafspring (8) which is multiply corrugated perpendicularly to its longitudinal direction and at its two ends comprises stamped projections (11) which latch in the stamped edge (13) of the number plate (12) which is inserted from the side edge (6) of the plate (2) which is not bent into a U-shape.

7. A holding frame according to claim 1, in which the leaf spring (8) is attached to the plate (2) by two rivets (9).

8. A holding frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the leaf spring (8) is corrugated in an S-shape (10) on both sides of the rivets (9) and resiliently supports the number plate (12) between the plate (2) and the U-shaped edges thereof (4,5,7).

9. A holding frame according to claim 1 substantailly as described herein with reference to the drawings.