License plate mounting device
AssigneeLacks Enterprises, Inc.
InventorDavid Walters
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mount apparatus for securing a license plate to a vehicle. The mount apparatus includes a bracket that has a back side for facing the vehicle and a front side for being engaged by the license plate. At least one fastener extends through the bracket for connecting the bracket to the vehicle. At least one energy absorption device receives the fastener and engages and extends away from the back side of the bracket for spacing the bracket and the license plate from the vehicle to absorb energy transferred to the bracket during an impact with the license plate to dissipate the amount of energy transferred from the bracket to the vehicle during the impact.
Claims23
A mount apparatus for securing a license plate to a vehicle, comprising:
- a bracket having a back side for facing the vehicle and a front side for being engaged by the license plate;
- at least one fastener extending through said bracket for connecting said bracket to the vehicle, the at least one fastener oriented generally in line with a direction of travel of the vehicle;
- and
- at least one energy absorption device configured to be disposed between the back side of the bracket and a forward surface of the vehicle, the at least one energy absorption device configured to receive said fastener and engage and extend away from said back side of said bracket to space said bracket and the license plate from the vehicle to absorb energy transferred to said bracket during an impact with the license plate to dissipate the amount of energy transferred from said bracket to the vehicle during the impact.
A license plate mounting system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a generally planer mounting bracket having a front portion for facing generally in a direction of vehicle travel and a back portion opposing the front portion, the mounting bracket configured to receive and retain a license plate;
- the mounting bracket including a plurality of openings formed in the front portion for receiving a fastener therethrough to connect the mounting bracket to a vehicle front end;
- an energy absorption device configured to be located behind each of the plurality of openings, the energy absorption device including a front surface for engaging the back portion of the mounting bracket and a back surface for engaging the front surface of the vehicle;
- the energy absorption device including a passageway therethrough for receipt of the fastener, the energy absorption device configured to space the mounting bracket away from the vehicle front surface such that energy resulting from an impact with the bracket can dissipate prior to being applied to the vehicle front end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.