FIXING OF LICENCE PLATE SUPPORT

This invention relates to fixing, in particular the fixing of a support for a sign to a site of use.

Articles, such as signs, for instance vehicle licence plates, can be provided with supports which are attachable to or at a site of use, e.g. part of a vehicle in the case of the sign being a vehicle licence plate.

It is known that different sites of use may require different configurations of fixing means. For example, when two screws or bolts are used, the spacing between them may be different at two different sites of use.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a support which is securable to or at a plurality of sites of use, which sites having the same or different fixing requirements.

Taking vehicle licence plates as an example, it is further known that fixing requirements may vary from one vehicle model to another. Therefore, a specific support may be required for mounting a plate on to each model.

In this specific field it would clearly be advantageous for there to be fixing means capable of fixing a support to a plurality of vehicles with different fixing requirements.

It is an object of this invention to at least partially address this issue.

A first aspect of the invention provides means for securing a support for a sign to or at a site of use, said means comprising at least one elongate washer with one or more apertures provided therein.

Preferably, the one or more apertures are located asymmetrically along the length of the washer.

Another aspect of the invention provides means for securing a support for a vehicle numberplate to or at a site of use, said means comprising at least one elongate washer with one or more apertures provided therein.

A further aspect of the invention provides a combination of a support for a sign and means for securing the support to or at a site of use wherein the support comprises one or more rebates, said means for securing the support comprising at least one elongate washer with one or more apertures provided therein.

Another aspect of the invention provides a combination of a sign and means for securing the sign to or at a site of use wherein the sign comprises one or more rebates, said means for securing the sign comprising at least one elongate washer with one or more apertures provided therein.

The one or more rebates are each sized and dimensioned so as to permit relative movement of one of the elongate washers when located therein.

The rebate may be sized and dimensioned such that when one of the elongate washers is located therein, the elongate washer has a single degree of freedom along which it can move within the rebate, e.g. by sliding

The rebate may be sized and dimensioned such that an elongate washer may be located therein in a plurality of orientations, for example in one orientation or another. Specifically, although not exclusively, the elongate washer may be removed from the rebate and rotated by 180°, e.g. turned through 180° in the principal plane of the washer, and still be beatable within the rebate.

The or each combination may further comprise a sign and/or a support for a sign.

In such a combination, while the rebate may be provided in the support, it may alternatively be provided in the sign, or as a further alternative it may be provided in part in the support and in part in the sign.

According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for installing a support for a sign at a site of use comprising:

a. placing an elongate washer having one or more apertures adjacent a support for a sign; b. receiving at least a part of a fastener in the or one of the apertures; c. securing the support to or at a site of use using the fastener.

The method may further comprise securing a sign to the support.

The elongate washer may be at least partially beatable in a rebate provided in the support for a sign.

Alternatively, the elongate washer may be at least partially locatable in a rebate provided in a sign for use with the support.

Also, the elongate washer may be locatable at least partially in a rebate provided in the support and at least partially in a rebate provided in the sign for use with the support.

The fastener may be in two parts, e.g. a male and female part. For instance, the male part may be received in the or one of the apertures and inserted into the female part in such a way that a head of the female part is brought to bear against a lower surface of the support and whereby a flange provided on the female part expands to bear against a facing surface of a site of use.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a sign and support assembly according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along line Z-Z of part of the support of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of part of the support of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a combination comprising a support for a sign and a sign.

Figure 5 is a plan view from below of the sign of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the support for a sign of Figure 4

In Figure 1 there is shown a two-part support assembly S ₃ , comprising a first part 1" to provide a backing portion and a second part 10" to provide a frame portion.

Located between the first 1" and second 10" parts is a sign 600, such as a numberplate (which is shown without any indicia or other markings for clarity only).

Also provided is a pair of elongate washers 650 and a pair of fasteners, for example two-part fasteners 660 comprising a male part 661 with a driveable chamfered head 662 and a threaded shank 663 and a female part 665 having a flat head 666 and an aperture provided with an internally threaded bore 667 provided within a shank 668 which can expand to provide a flange (not shown).

The details of the first part 1" of the support S ₃ are best shown in Figure 2. The first part 1" comprises a substantially flat body 700 having (as shown) an upper surface 70Ou and a lower surface 700£ and an upstanding wall 701 which bounds the upper surface 70Ou to provide a rebate 702 for reception of the sign 600. The height of the wall 701 will typically be designed such that an edge of a sign 600 received in the rebate 702 does not stand proud of the wall 701.

Running along a centre line of the first part 1 " are a pair of elongate rebates 705. Each rebate 705 has a pair of matched steps or shoulders 706 running parallel to, and either side of, said centre line, and chamfered sides 707 leading to an aperture 708.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each elongate washer 650 has a body 651 with a plurality of through holes 651 a, b, c, d, e, f formed with aligned centres positioned

along the principal axis therein. As will be appreciated from Figure 3, the through holes 651 a-f are not distributed symmetrically about a line of symmetry LS of the washer 650. The washer 650 has rounded ends 652, and the through holes 651 a-f are preferably countersunk.

In use, the washers 650 are receivable in the elongate rebates 705 such that the body 651 of the washer 650 is retained by the shoulders 706 of the rebate 705. The male part 661 of a fastener 660 is receivable in one of the holes 651 a-f of the washer 650. Because the holes 651 a-f are usually countersunk, the head 662 of the male part 661 will not protrude beyond the upper surface of the washer 650.

As is indicated in Figure 1 , the elongate rebate 705 is longer than the washer 650 so that the washer 650 (prior to being secured) is free to slide within the rebate 705.

Clearly, because there are five (Figure 1) or six (Figure 3) apertures 651 a-f formed in the washer 650 there are five or six points through which the male part 661 of the fastener 660 can extend. Also, because the washer 650 can move within the rebate 705 the apertures 651 a-f are provided with a further degree of freedom (in one embodiment the washer 650 is 14mm shorter than rebate 705, thereby providing 7mm of movement for the centre of each aperture 651 a-f. Also, because the apertures 651 a-f are not symmetrically disposed about the line of symmetry LS, by rotating the washer 650 through 180° the centres of the apertures 651 a-f are brought to a different position in relation to the rebate 705. In this way, a centre of at least one of the apertures 651 a-f can be positioned at substantially any point along the aperture 708 of the rebate 705. Other configurations and numbers of holes may be used. This enables fixing of the support S ₃ to be more flexible and,

for example, allows a single support to be mountable at a variety of sites. For example, the support S ₃ can be used with the captive fixing means provided on different vehicles produced by different carmakers.

To secure the sign 600 to a site of use (e.g. to a vehicle), the washers 650 are located in the rebate 705 of the first part 1" of the Support S ₃ and a male part 661 of a fastener 610 is received in an appropriate aperture, i.e. one of the apertures 651 a-f. The female part 665 of the fastener 650 is threaded on to the male part 661 and the male part 661 is driven thereinto using an appropriate tool which causes the flat head 666 of the female part 665 to be brought to bear against the lower surface 70Ot of the first part 1" of the support S ₃ and causes the flange (not shown) to expand to bear against the facing surface of the site of use (e.g. the vehicle).

With the first part 1" of the support S ₃ secured to a site of use, adhesive may then be applied over substantially the whole of the upper surface 70Ou of the first part.

The sign 600 can then be adhered to the upper surface 70Ou of the body 700 of the first part 1" of the support S ₃ .

The adhesive may be applied to the rear of the sign 600 and be protected by a release liner, or may be directly applied to the first part 1" of the support S ₃ .

The second part 10" of the support S ₃ is then secured, preferably permanently secured, e.g. clipped and/or adhered, to the first part 1" to secure the sign 600 therebetween.

The sign 600 may comprise frangible portions defined by lines of weakness.

The sign 600 may have an electric or electronic device located therein or thereon, preferably in or on one of the frangible parts (not shown). The device may have an onboard antenna or connection means for operable connection to an outboard antenna, which may be in another part of the plate 600 or in one or other of the first 1" and second 10" parts of the support S ₃ .

The first part 1" of the support S ₃ may have lines of weakness (not shown).

The second part 10" of the support S ₃ may have lines of weakness (also not shown).

Should an attempt be made to remove the second part 10" of the support S ₃ it may (or will if lines of weakness are provided) break. The wall 701 denies or inhibits access to the rear of the sign 600.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a sign 100 and a support 101 for the sign 100.

The features of the sign 100 may be more readily appreciated by considering Figure 4 and Figure 5 together.

Running along a centre line CL of the sign 100 are a pair of elongate rebates 102. Each rebate 102 has a pair of matched steps or shoulders 103 running parallel to, and either side of, the centre line CL.

As shown in Figure 4, the support for a sign 101 comprises a substantially flat body having an upper surface 101a and a lower surface 101b and an upstanding wall 105 which bounds the upper surface 101a to provide a rebate 106 for reception of the sign 100. The height of the wall 105 will typically be designed such that an edge of a sign received in the rebate 106 does not stand proud of the wall 105.

Referring to Figure 6, running along a centre line CL' of the support 101 are a pair of elongate apertures 104.

An elongate washer with one or more apertures with aligned centres positioned along the principal axis therein (not shown) is also provided.

Furthermore, suitable fixing means (not shown) are also provided.

Suitable washers and fixing means are those described above in relation to Figure 1 and Figure 3.

In use, fixing means for securing the sign to or at a site of use is extendable through an aperture in the elongate washer and aperture 104 within the support 101 , such that the washer is substantially adjacent the upper surface of the support. The sign 100 is located on or in the support 101 such that the or each elongate washer is retained by the pair of matched steps or shoulders 103 provided in the or each rebate 102 within the sign 100. Each rebate 102 is sized and dimensioned so as to be capable of accommodating an end of suitable fixing means, e.g. a bolt head.

The matched steps or shoulders 103 are sized and dimensioned such that when an elongate washer is located therein, the elongate washer is slidable along the principal axis of the rebate 102.

If the apertures provided in the or each elongate washer are sufficiently countersunk, the end of the fixing means, e.g. a bolt head, may not stand proud of the washer, thus obviating the requirement for the rebate 102 to be any deeper than the washer is thick. Therefore, in such a case, the rebate 102 need not be provided with matched steps or shoulders 103 for the functioning of the invention.

The sign 100 may comprise one or more rebates 102.

The support 101 may comprise one or more apertures 104 which may be elongate so as to allow fixing to be performed at a plurality of locations using a single washer per aperture.

While the upstanding wall 105 acts as a security feature to deny or inhibit access to the rear of the sign, it should be appreciated that its presence is not essential for the function of the invention. Thus, the support for a sign may be substantially flat across its entire upper surface.

Preferably, lines of weakness may be provided in either, or both, of the support or the sign.

In a preferred embodiment, a plate made in accordance with GB 2376437 will be used (the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference). Preferably 5000 series retroreflective material supplied by 3M will be used, so that

if an attempt is made to remove the indicia from the substrate of the plate 600, the retroreflective sheet material will fragment. Other retroreflective sheeting may also be used which may or may not have discontinuities.

Of course any numberplate construction and/or other signage may be used in conjunction with a support and means for fixing the support to or at a site of use in accordance with the invention.

The support and fixing means has wide ranging applicability and may be used to secure any sign to a site of use. The sign need not be of any particular size or shape, but will, in most cases, correspond to the shape of the support.

The elongate washer may comprise any desired number of apertures, for instance from O to 10.

The elongate washer need not have rounded ends or mirror symmetry. For example, it may be in the shape of a parallelogram.

The elongate washer may be located or locatable at least partially within a rebate on the or a support and/or at least partially within a rebate on the or a sign.