Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Signs – Automotive vehicle carried
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-24
2001-07-03
Silbermann, Joanne (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Signs
Automotive vehicle carried
C280S507000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253476
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to display plates for vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to display plates for vehicles which may be removably installed adjacent the rear bumper.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Messages are frequently displayed on moving vehicles by applying rectangular strips of paper with printed messages to the rear vehicle bumpers, using an adhesive. These message display sheets are commonly known as “bumper stickers.” Bumper stickers are difficult to remove and frequently leave unsightly patches of adhesive on the exterior finish of a vehicle after removal.
A general trend toward maintaining a cleaner and less cluttered vehicle appearance, especially on newer cars, has reduced the use of bumper stickers in favor of other removable display devices. The prior art describes display plates which are attached to the vehicle trunk lid or rear bumper by means of an adjustable hook clip (Brandt, U.S. Pat. No. D189,713; Hummel, U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,653). Other prior art describes display signs which are adhesively attached to the inside surface of a vehicle window (Albrecht, U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,153). Still other prior art describes a bumper sticker holder, including a base plate and peripheral frame, which is threadably attached to the bumper of a vehicle (Dickinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,539). Additionally, Morrison (U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,178) describes an ornamental cover for tubular trailer hitch sockets, also known as receivers, where the primary purpose of the cover is to conceal the undecorated opening of the trailer hitch socket while not in use. Morrison's cover is releasably attached to the trailer hitch socket by a threaded ear. A rectangular plate with printed text or graphics is joined to the end of the ear. Morrison's cover may only be used with tubular trailer hitch sockets.
Generally, vehicle display systems described in the prior art are suited to only one primary method of attachment. Automobiles vary widely in rear end configuration, such that no one system of attachment can be universally effective. Accordingly, a need exists for a vehicle message display plate which can be easily installed and removed, will fit a variety of vehicle types, and has multiple modes of installation and attachment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a kit for mounting a versatile message display plate adjacent the rear bumper of a vehicle without using adhesives or other permanent mounting means. The display plate of the present invention includes multiple attachment elements which allow the plate to be deployed in a variety of modes.
In a first mounting mode, the message display plate is secured to a vehicle ball-type trailer hitch or bumper by means of a top tab which extends laterally from the front surface of the display plate. In this first mode, a threaded post of the trailer hitch tow ball is passed through a hole in the tab. The tow ball post is then threadably secured in a hole in the trailer hitch tongue or vehicle bumper using a tow ball nut.
In a second mounting mode, the display plate may be secured to the top or bottom of a standard vehicle license plate attachment point by means of two bottom tabs with holes whose spacing corresponds to those of a standard license plate. The display plate may be mounted with the same screws used to secure the license plate. The display plate can be oriented such that it is located directly above or directly below the vehicle license plate. When the vehicle is not registered or otherwise the law allows, the display plate can be located covering the vehicle license plate. The tab may be lightly scored to allow precise removal from the edge of the display plate to accommodate other mounting modes.
In a third mounting mode, the display plate of the present invention may be mounted in a square receiver socket of a vehicle trailer hitch. A separate tubular element is provided which may be mounted to the front surface of the display plate using an appropriate adhesive. The tubular element has a square cross-section to match the interior shape of the receiver socket. The tubular element is attached to extend perpendicularly from the front of the display plate of the present invention to slidably mate with the receiver. Corresponding bore holes within both the tubular element and the receiver are aligned to accept a cylindrical pin to securely mate the display plate with the trailer hitch.
The kit of the present invention also includes a variety of letters and numerals of differing colors and font styles which may be adhesively attached to the rear surface of the display plate to spell an identifiable message. Alternatively, the rear surface can have standard sayings or other decorative material pre-printed thereon.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate which may be easily installed and removed in a variety of mounting modes on a variety of vehicles without the use of adhesives.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate which includes multiple attachment elements that can be removed from the base structure of the plate when not needed or added when needed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate whose message may be quickly and easily modified.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate whose lettering design and color may be easily modified.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate to cover a generally unattractive open end of a tubular trailer hitch socket as well as the spare tire and rear differential.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate that can be installed to the existing license plate of a vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate constructed of rigid polycarbonate material able to withstand the deleterious effects of the sun's rays and other forms of weathering.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cover for a tubular trailer hitch socket which prevents unwanted entry of dirt into the socket.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle message display plate of simple and reliable manufacture made of readily available material.
Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 189713 (1961-02-01), Brandt
patent: D. 388384 (1997-12-01), Williams
patent: 1360880 (1920-11-01), Buchholtz
patent: 1408032 (1922-02-01), Reiser et al.
patent: 1629060 (1927-05-01), Wolfson
patent: 2496763 (1950-02-01), Whaley
patent: 3271050 (1966-09-01), Saunders
patent: 3509653 (1970-05-01), Hummel
patent: 3782761 (1974-01-01), Cardin, Sr.
patent: 3959906 (1976-06-01), Norris, Jr. et al.
patent: 4216936 (1980-08-01), DeSelms
patent: 4736539 (1988-04-01), Dickinson
patent: 4955153 (1990-09-01), Albrecht et al.
patent: 5092503 (1992-03-01), Cocks
patent: 5603178 (1997-02-01), Morrison
patent: 5620198 (1997-04-01), Borchers
patent: 5647621 (1997-07-01), McClellan
patent: 5752636 (1998-05-01), Manley
patent: 6006459 (1999-12-01), Kosmach
patent: 382414 (1932-10-01), None
Heisler & Associates
Silbermann Joanne
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