Concealable license plate mounting system

A concealable vehicle license plate mounting system, comprising:

• a vehicle having at least a frame, suspension, and vehicle body with a front bumper;
• the front bumper having an outer surface, at least two guide holes for receiving and guiding the movement of license plate connectors within a recess, a recess within the outer surface of the vehicle bumper, and a vertically disposed support member positioned within the vehicle bumper's recess and having at least two guide holes for receiving and guiding the movement of the license plate connectors within the recess;
• a first license plate connector, having a proximal end and distal end with a receiving cavity that operatively receives a first license plate fastener, wherein the first license plate connector is positioned within a vehicle bumper guide hole and a support member guide hole, and wherein the first license plate connector is positioned entirely within the bumper recess in a storage position, and at least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper in an engagement position;
• a second license plate connector, having a proximal end and distal end with a receiving cavity that operatively receives a second license plate fastener, wherein the second license plate connector is positioned within a vehicle bumper guide hole and a support member guide hole, and wherein the second license plate connector is positioned entirely within the bumper recess in a storage position, and at least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper in an engagement position;
• and
• first and second fasteners, wherein the first and second fasteners are at least partially positioned within the receiving cavities of the first and second license plate connectors in both the storage and engagement positions.

A method comprising the steps of:

• A) providing a vehicle with:
• 1) a front bumper, the front bumper having an outer surface, at least two guide holes, a recess within the outer surface of the vehicle bumper, at least two cap ports, and a vertically disposed support member positioned within the vehicle bumper's recess and having at least two guide holes;
• 2) first and second license plate connectors, having proximal ends with a locking mechanism and distal ends with receiving cavities;
• 3) first and second fasteners;
• 4) cover caps;
• and 5) a license plate with at least two mounting apertures;
• B) assembling the concealable license plate system into a storage position, by:
• 1) horizontally positioning the first and second connectors within the vehicle bumper's recess, vehicle bumper's guide holes, and support member's guide holes in a manner wherein the distal ends are distal to the vehicle engine;
• 2) operatively attaching the first and second fasteners to the first and second connectors, wherein the fasteners are at least partially positioned within the receiving cavities on the distal ends of the connectors;
• 3) operatively affixing the cover caps within the cap ports to conceal the fasteners and license plate connectors and create a substantially planar outer surface on the vehicle bumper;
• and
• C) activating the concealable license plate system by:
• 1) removing the cover caps;
• 2) moving the first and second connectors into an engagement position wherein they are least partially extended beyond the outer surface of the vehicle bumper;
• 3) triggering the lock mechanisms to secure the connectors in the engagement position;
• 4) removing the first and second fasteners from the connectors' receiving cavities;
• 5) positioning the associated license plate onto the connectors so that the mounting apertures align with the connectors' receiving cavities;
• and 6) installing the fasteners to the license plate's mounting apertures and operatively securing the fasteners within the connectors' receiving cavities.