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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. A kit providing for the secure installation of a license plate upon a
vehicle and for the ease of removal therefrom, with the license plate
including a plurality of attachment holes therein, at least one dated
registration decal displayed thereon and the vehicle including a
corresponding number of cooperating license plate attachment points, said
kit comprising:
a plurality of fasteners for securing said license plate, a license plate
frame, and a transparent cover installable therein; a plurality of
fastener caps installable in said license plate frame for the concealment
of said fasteners therein; and a fastener cap removal tool;
each of said fasteners having a relatively small diameter shank and a
relatively large diameter head;
said license plate frame being generally rectangular and having an outer
surface, an outer perimeter, an inner perimeter, and four sides, with two
opposite said sides each including at least two attachment lugs extending
inwardly from said inner perimeter;
each of said attachment lugs having an opening therein providing for the
capture of one said fastener head therein, a passage extending
therethrough providing for the insertion of one said fastener
therethrough, and fastener cap capture means;
said transparent cover including an outer perimeter adjacent said inner
perimeter of said license plate frame and a plurality of passages
therethrough, with said passages adjacent said attachment lug openings;
said fastener caps each including retaining means cooperating with said
capture means of said attachment lugs; and
said fastener cap removal tool comprising a handle portion having fastener
cap removal means extending therefrom, whereby;
said transparent cover is installed within said inner perimeter of said
license plate frame and securely retained therein, said license plate
frame with said transparent cover is placed over a license plate on a
vehicle, one of said fasteners is inserted within each of said attachment
lugs with one said fastener shank passing through each said attachment lug
passage, a corresponding one of said passages in said transparent cover,
and a corresponding one of the license plate attachment holes to secure
said license plate frame and said cover over the license plate and to the
cooperating license plate attachment points of the vehicle with a
corresponding one said fastener head captured within each said attachment
lug opening, and one of said fastener caps is installed in each of said
attachment lug openings to conceal a corresponding one said fastener head
therein, thereby preventing the ready removal of the dated registration
decal from the license plate and the license plate from the vehicle, with
said fastener cap removal tool providing for ease of removal of said
fastener caps by said fastener cap removal means to provide access to said
fasteners for the removal thereof.
2. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
each said attachment lug opening is defined by a first inwardly facing
wall, an opposite second outwardly facing wall and third and fourth walls
oppositely disposed therebetween, and each said fastener cap includes an
upper surface having a shape congruent to said attachment lug opening.
3. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
each said attachment lug opening is defined by a first inwardly facing wall
and an opposite second outwardly facing wall with said first wall being
shorter than said second wall, and third and fourth walls oppositely
disposed therebetween to form a trapezoidally shaped opening, and each
said fastener cap includes an upper surface having a shape congruent to
said attachment lug opening.
4. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
said fastener cap capture means comprises two oppositely disposed and
spaced apart cutouts within each said fastener lug opening, and;
said fastener cap includes an upper surface having two oppositely disposed
and spaced apart sides depending therefrom, with each of said fastener cap
sides having a bottom edge with at least one tab outwardly extending
therefrom, whereby;
said fastener cap sides are inserted into said fastener lug opening and
said at least one tab of each of said fastener cap sides engages a
corresponding one of said fastener lug cutouts to retain said fastener cap
to said fastener lug.
5. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
said license plate frame includes a flange extending between said at least
two attachment lugs on one of said two opposite said sides, with said
flange providing for the placement of indicia thereon.
6. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
each said fastener cap includes an upper surface having a defined
thickness, size, and shape, and;
each said fastener lug opening includes an upper receptacle having a depth
equal to said defined thickness of said each said fastener cap and
congruent to said size and shape of said each said fastener cap, whereby;
said each said fastener cap upper surface is coplanar with said license
plate frame outer surface when said each said fastener cap is installed
within said each said fastener lug opening.
7. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
said fastener cap removal means of said fastener cap removal tool comprises
two parallel and spaced apart tines, whereby;
said tines are inserted into one said fastener lug opening with each of aid
tines being on opposite sides of one said fastener cap installed within
said one said fastener lug opening, and said fastener cap removal tool is
manipulated to release and withdraw said one said fastener cap from said
one said fastener lug opening.
8. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
at least said license plate frame and said fastener cap removal tool are
formed of solid, dense plastic.
9. The license plate securing kit of claim 1 wherein:
at least said fastener caps are formed of flexible plastic.
10. An assembly kit providing for the secure installation of a license
plate upon a vehicle, with the license plate including a plurality of
attachment holes therein, at least one dated registration decal displayed
thereon and the vehicle including a corresponding number of cooperating
license plate attachment points, said assembly kit comprising:
a plurality of fasteners for securing said license plate, a license plate
frame, a transparent cover installable therein; and a plurality of
fastener caps installable in said license plate frame for the concealment
of said fasteners therein;
each of said fasteners having a relatively small diameter shank and
relatively large diameter head;
said license plate frame being generally rectangular and having an outer
surface, an outer perimeter, an inner perimeter, and four sides, with two
opposite said sides each including at least two attachment lugs extending
inwardly from said inner perimeter;
each of said attachment lugs having an opening therein for the capture of
one said fastener head therein, a passage extending therethrough for the
insertion of one said fastener therethrough, and fastener cap capture
means;
said transparent cover including an outer perimeter adjacent said inner
perimeter of said license plate frame and a plurality of passages
therethrough, with said passages adjacent said attachment lug openings;
and
said fastener caps each including retaining means cooperating with said
capture means of said attachment lug, whereby;
said transparent cover is installed within said inner perimeter of said
license plate frame and securely retained therein, said license plate
frame with said transparent cover is placed over a license plate on a
vehicle, one of said fasteners is inserted within each of said attachment
lugs with one said fastener shank passing through each said attachment lug
passage, a corresponding one of said passages in said transparent cover,
and a corresponding one of the license plate attachment holes to secure
said license plate frame and said cover over the license plate and to the
cooperating license plate attachment points of the vehicle with a
corresponding one said fastener head captured within each said attachment
lug opening, and one of said fastener caps is installed in each of said
attachment lug openings to conceal a corresponding one said fastener head
therein, thereby preventing the ready removal of the dated registration
decal from the license plate and the license plate from the vehicle.
11. The license plate securing assembly kit of claim 10 wherein:
each said attachment lug opening is defined by a first inwardly facing
wall, an opposite second outwardly facing wall, and third and fourth walls
oppositely disposed therebetween, and each said fastener cap includes an
upper surface having a shape congruent to said attachment lug opening.
12. The license plate securing assembly kit of claim 10 wherein:
each said attachment lug opening is defined by a first inwardly facing wall
and an opposite second outwardly facing wall with said first wall being
shorter than said second wall, and third and fourth walls oppositely
disposed therebetween to form a trapezoidally shaped opening, and each
said fastener cap includes an upper surface having a shape congruent to
said attachment lug opening.
13. The license plate securing assembly kit of claim 10 wherein:
said fastener cap capture means comprises two oppositely disposed and
spaced apart cutouts within each said fastener lug opening, and;
said fastener cap includes an upper surface having two oppositely disposed
and spaced apart sides depending therefrom, with each of said fastener cap
sides having a bottom edge with at least one tab outwardly extending
therefrom, whereby;
said fastener cap sides are inserted into said fastener lug opening and
said at least one tab of each of said fastener cap sides engages a
corresponding one of said fastener lug cutouts to retain said fastener cap
to said fastener lug.
14. The license plate securing assembly kit of claim 10 wherein:
said license plate frame includes a flange extending between said at least
two attachment lugs on one of said two opposite said sides, with said
flange providing for the placement of indicia thereon.
15. The license plate securing assembly kit of claim 10 wherein:
each said fastener cap includes an upper surface having a defined
thickness, size, and shape, and;
each said fastener lug opening includes an upper receptacle having a depth
equal to said defined thickness of said each said fastener cap and
congruent to said size and shape of said each said fastener cap, whereby;
said each said fastener cap upper surface is coplanar with said license
plate frame outer surface when said each said fastener cap is installed
within said each said fastener lug opening.
16. The license plate securing assembly kit of claim 10 wherein:
at least said license plate frame is formed of a solid, dense plastic.
17. The license plate securing assembly kit of claim 10 wherein:
at least said fastener caps are formed of flexible plastic. |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to security devices for the
prevention of theft, and more specifically to a license plate frame for
vehicles which incorporates security means for the prevention of theft of
the plate and/or associated dated registration tag or sticker and a
specialized tool for the removal of the security means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many states, positive proof of liability insurance is required before
current license plates and/or motor vehicle registration may be obtained.
However, vehicle owners cannot legally operate their vehicles without
current registration or plates, and the operation of motor vehicles
without current plates and/or registration decals is generally watched for
quite closely by law enforcement personnel. As a result, the theft of
motor vehicle license plates having currently valid registration stickers
or decals has become increasingly popular in certain areas and states.
While the operation of a motor vehicle with improper plates and/or
registration is generally illegal, a vehicle with currently valid
registration decals or tags on the license plate(s) is generally unlikely
to be noticed by law enforcement officials unless the driver of the
vehicle draws attention in some way. Thus, many individuals will take
currently valid plates and/or registration decals from another motor
vehicle and install those plates and/or decals on their unregistered
vehicle in order to drive the vehicle without appearing to have expired
registration.
Moreover, individuals who may engage in a criminal act(s) using a motor
vehicle obviously will not desire to use a vehicle which can be traced
back to them by means of the license plate. While motor vehicles have
become increasingly difficult to steal easily, no such provision has been
made for motor vehicle license plates. Accordingly, many such criminals
will steal the license plate(s) from a vehicle and install those plates
upon the vehicle which they use in connection with their crime. The plates
are generally exceedingly easy to steal, being secured to the vehicle by
only two or more standard screws or bolts. When the criminal is through
with the plates, he or she will generally discard them, since other plates
are equally as easy to steal. Such acts further impair justice by leading
to the apprehension of innocent parties to whom the stolen plates are
registered, and the waste of considerable time and effort on the part of
law enforcement officials in pursuing such matters.
Accordingly, the need arises for a device providing additional security for
license plates and/or registration stickers or decals secured to a motor
vehicle. The device must provide a full and complete view of the plate and
any associated dated sticker, tag or decal applied thereto, while at the
same time securing the plate and sticker to the vehicle. The device must
make it difficult to remove the plate, thus requiring additional time for
the removal of the plate without the proper tools and thus discouraging a
person attempting to take the plate, yet permit the plate to be taken by a
determined party without undue damage to the vehicle. Finally, the
security device must be easily removable by a relatively unskilled person
by means of the proper specialized tool which may be provided with the
security device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 1,821,053 issued to Harold M. Dietz et al. on Sep. 1, 1931
discloses a License Plate Holder comprising a slotted bracket providing
for the insertion of a license plate therein. A lockable retainer closes
one end of the holder to secure the plate therein; the retainer is secured
by means of a lock cylinder at one end thereof. The double retaining
edges, pivotable end closure, and locking cylinder of the Dietz et al.
device are considerably different in structure and function from the
present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,013 issued to Lester L. Sherwood on Jul. 15, 1952
discloses an Adjustable Frame for Motor Vehicle License Plates. While the
screws used for securing the adjustment of the frame are concealed behind
the frame, the disclosure states that the frame itself is secured to the
vehicle in the conventional manner. Thus, it would be a simple matter to
remove the entire frame, including the plate therein, from a vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,475 issued to Harry E. Salzmann on Jun. 14, 1955
discloses a License Plate Holder having a two part frame which sandwiches
and secures the plate therebetween with a conventional key operated lock.
The device is more closely related to the Dietz el al. device than to the
present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,134,565 issued to Santy Trifiletti on May 26, 1964
discloses a License Plate Mounting Device including a transverse rod which
passes through two retainers secured in the attachment holes of the plate.
The rod is in turn transversely secured by a collar and cotter pin. Thus,
removal is easily accomplished by removing the cotter pin. Moreover, the
transverse rod would obscure any legand or other information along the
lower edge of the plate, which obscuration is illegal in most states.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,432,954 issued to Johnny S. Ford on Mar. 18, 1969 discloses
a License Plate Holder having a two part frame and sandwiching the plate
therebetween. The parts are secured with a padlock. No relation is seen to
the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,605 issued to Jeffrey N. Baker on Oct. 12, 1971
discloses a License Plate Frame including means for firmly holding the
unsecured edge of the frame against the plate to prevent vibration and
rattling. The frame and plate are secured to the vehicle using
conventional threaded hardware.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,685,188 issued to James Syversen on Aug. 22, 1972 discloses
a License Plate Security Locking Device using a cylindrical lock secured
directly through the attachment holes in the plate to the underlying
vehicle. No frame is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,062 issued to Tom Krokos et al. on Jan. 8, 1980
discloses a License Plate Lock Box Assembly similar to the Salzmann and
Ford devices discussed above. While the device uses a special key to lock
and unlock the box, the device is not a license plate frame in the sense
of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,895 issued to Pascal DeLaquil, Jr. on Jan. 9, 1990
discloses a License Plate Holder using a relatively complex multilayered
series of frames, supports and backings secured together with numerous
threaded fasteners. No resemblance to the present invention is seen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,422 issued to Paul Varga on Feb. 27, 1990 discloses a
License Plate Fame Assembly including means for sealing a license plate
within a display enclosure. The assembly is secure to the vehicle by
standard threaded fasteners extending from the back of the assembly and
into the interior of the vehicle; the only access for removal or
installation is from within the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,602 issued to Gerald T. Storey on May 7, 1991 discloses
a Locking License Plate Holder which sandwiches the license plate between
a transparent sheet and a backing sheet or plate. The components are
secured together by means of a cylinder type lock, in the manner of the
Salzmann device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,537 issued to Thomas R. Freeman on Jul. 2, 1991
discloses a Vehicle Emblem And License Plate Holder. The device provides
for the installation of one or more emblems adjacent the license plate,
but the plate is secured to the holder using standard fasteners providing
no special theft protection.
Finally, British Patent No. 2,067,328 to Gerhard Utech et al. and published
on Jul. 22, 1981 discloses an Anti-Theft Arrangement For Vehicle
Identification Plate. The plate and assembly are held together by special
threaded fasteners having means to prevent turning the nut to loosen the
assembly.
None of the above patents, taken either singly or in combination, are seen
to disclose the specific arrangement of concepts disclosed by the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By the present invention, an improved security frame for vehicle license
plates is disclosed.
Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an
improved security frame which secures the license plate(s) to a vehicle in
a manner making the theft of the plate more difficult to achieve.
Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved
security frame which precludes the easy removal of the dated registration
decal or tag from a license plate therein.
Yet another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an
improved security frame which completely covers the plate and registration
decal or sticker, yet provides complete visibility of the plate and
registration decal.
Still another of the objects of the present invention is to provide an
improved security frame which is secured to a motor vehicle by means of
conventional threaded fasteners, yet includes means preventing the easy
removal of such threaded fasteners to thus delay or prevent theft of the
plate.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved
security frame which may be formed of a variety of materials and in a
variety of colors.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved
security frame which provides for the inclusion of advertising or other
matter on the periphery thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a specialized tool
providing for the removal of the frame of the present invention.
A final object of the present invention is to provide an improved security
frame for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and
fully effective in accomplishing its intended purpose.
With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the
nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in
the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully
described, illustrated and claimed with reference being made to the
attached drawings. PG,8
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention, showing
the relationship of its various components.
FIG. 2 is a detail view in section taken through one attachment member of
the assembled frame, license plate and cover, with a protective cap shown
removed.
FIG. 3 is a detail view in section taken 90 degrees to the view of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the protective caps and the removal
tool therefor.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the several figures of the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the present invention
will be seen to relate to a security frame assembly 10 for use with
license plate P and/or other flat, plate like articles requiring security.
Frame assembly 10 generally comprises a frame 12, a transparent cover 14,
and a plurality of caps 16 to conceal the heads of an equal number of
screws or fasteners 18. The transparent cover 14 is preferably provided
with a plurality of passages 20 which mate with the mounting holes H in
the plate P and further mate with a plurality of attachment lugs 22 within
the perimeter of the security frame 12.
The frame 12 is generally rectangular, having four sides, and is preferably
provided with an inner perimeter 24 which is slightly larger than the
outer perimeter 26 of the transparent license plate cover 14. The outer
perimeter 28 of frame 12 is approximately the same size and shape as the
perimeter of the plate P, in order to fit within the confines of any area
provided for the installation of a plate P on a vehicle or other surface.
However, it will be seen that the size of the outer perimeter 28 of the
frame 12 is not otherwise critical to the function of the present
invention. Frame 12 may also be provided with a flange 29 extending
between two spaced apart lugs 22 on one side of the frame 12, for the
display of indicia for advertising or other purposes. Preferably, such a
flange 29 will be formed integrally with the frame 12 and will be
positioned so as to avoid the blockage or concealment of any vital
portions of a license plate P which may be held therein. Frame 12 may be
formed of a relatively solid, dense and durable plastic material, or
alternatively formed of other materials (e.g., metals such as aluminum or
steel, or other materials as desired).
Frame 12 is also provided with a plurality of attachment lugs 22, as noted
above and shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. While four such lugs 22 are
shown in FIG. 1 in keeping with the standard number of attachment holes in
the typical license plate, it will be seen that more or fewer such lugs 22
may be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 2 provides a detail through section 2--2 of FIG. 1, while FIG. 3
shows a detail through section 3--3 of FIG. 1. (However, FIGS. 2 and 3
show the present invention with the frame 12 and cover 14 assembled on a
plate P, unlike the exploded view of FIG. 1.) Each lug 22 preferably
contains a generally trapezoidal or "keystone" shaped opening 30, as shown
in FIG. 1, with a relatively wider outer side 32 and a relatively narrower
inner side 34, joined by opposed sides 36 and 38. This shape provides a
relatively unusual form for the fitting of the mating covers 16 in order
to make more difficult the removal of such covers 16, and further
advantages which will be described further below.
Each lug 22 includes a fastener hole or passage 40, providing for the
insertion of a fastener 18 therethrough. The upper surface 42 of each
fastener passage 40 will be seen to be recessed well below the outer
surface 44 of the frame 12, in order to allow the head of each fastener 18
inserted therein to lie well below the outer surface 44 of the frame 12,
and thus provide for the complete concealment and security of each
fastener or screw 18 by means of caps or covers 16. Each lug 22 also
contains an opposed lateral cutout 46 in each of the third and fourth
sides 36 and 38, more clearly seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings.
Lateral cutouts 46 provide for the capture of opposed cooperating tabs 48
extending laterally from the lower edges 50 of the opposed first and
second sides 52 and 54 on each of the covers or caps 16. Each of the caps
16 will be seen to cooperate closely with a corresponding opening 30 in
each of the lugs 22. The flexible nature of the caps or covers 16 permits
the opposed sides 52 and 54 to be distorted inwardly as the tabs 48 are
pushed downward into the openings 30 and bear against the opposed side
walls 36 and 38 of the lugs 22. When a cap or cover 16 is fully seated
within a lug opening 30, the outwardly extending tabs 48 will flex outward
to catch within the opposed cutouts 46 in the opposite sides 36 and 38 of
each lug 22, thereby precluding the direct removal of a cap 16 so
installed. The openings 30 of each lug 22 each further include a shallow
upper receptacle 56, which receptacle or depression is the same depth as
the thickness 58 of the upper surface 60 of each cover or cap 16. Thus,
when a cover or cap 16 is completely installed within an opening 30 of a
lug 22, the upper surface 60 of the cap 16 will be coplanar and flush with
the outer surface 44 of the frame 12, precluding the ready prying off or
removal of the installed cap 16 from the frame 12.
However, a cap or cover 16 may be removed easily from a lug 22 by means of
the specialized cap or cover removal tool 62 shown in FIG. 4. The tool 62
includes a generally flat, planar handle portion 64 having first and
second opposed tines 66 and 68 extending therefrom. Each tine 66 and 68
comprises a relatively flat bladed extension, and have an angle 70
therebetween which is equal to the angle 72 between the opposed faces or
sides 52 and 54 of the covers or caps 16, and which is also equal to the
angle of the opposed sides or walls within each of the lugs 22. Each of
the lugs 22 includes a gap 74 disposed in each of the two opposite side
walls 36 and 38 (FIG. 2), which opposed gaps 74 provide for the insertion
of the tines 68 and 70 of the tool 62. Thus, when it is desired to remove
an installed cover or cap 16 from a frame lug 22, the two opposed tines 66
and 68 of tool 62 may be inserted into the two opposed and cooperating
gaps 74 along each of the two opposed sides 52 and 54 of the cap 16.
Between each of the tabs 48 on each side 52 and 54 of each cap 16, an
outwardly and downwardly formed ramp 76 is installed to provide for the
ease of removal of each of the caps or covers 16. When the tines 66 and 68
of the removal tool 62 encounter the ramps 76, the rams 76 (and therefore
the adjacent cover retaining tabs 48) are forced together due to the
relatively rigid and inflexible tines 66 and 68. (Tool 62 is preferably
formed of a relatively rigid and dense plastic material, as opposed to the
relative soft and flexible plastic of the covers or caps 16.
Alternatively, the tool 62 may be formed of aluminum, steel, or other
materials.) In any case, the tines 66 and 68 are precluded from spreading
by the opposite walls or sides 36 and 38 immediately adjacent. Thus, the
tabs 48 are forced inward to clear the corresponding cutouts 46, and the
cover 16 may be withdrawn from the lug opening 30 into which it was
installed. The gripping of the two opposed tines 66 and 68 serves to
frictionally capture the cover or cap 16 therebetween to provide for the
withdrawal of the cover or cap 16. Alternatively, the tool 62 may be drawn
along the sides of the cap 16 toward the wider edge 78, which action will
cause the upper surface 60 of the cap 16 to flex and allow the lower edges
50 (and tab s 48) of the two opposed sides 52 and 54 to draw together in
order to withdraw the tabs 48 from their corresponding cutouts. In either
case, the specialized tool 62 enables one to easily remove and withdraw
such caps or cover 16 from their installed position within the openings 30
of frame attachment lugs 22.
Frame assembly 10 is used by fitting the transparent cover 14 and the frame
12 over a license plate P so he holes H in the plate are aligned with the
corresponding fastener passages 40 and 20 respectively of the frame 12 and
cover 14. The assembly of the plate P, frame 12 and cover 14 is then
fastened in place on the vehicle as desired by means of fasteners 18, with
the heads 19 of the fasteners 18 seating against the upper surface 42 of
the fastener holes 40. An appropriate number of caps 16 are then installed
by snapping them in place so that the tabs 48 engage the cutouts 46 within
the fastener lugs 22, thus concealing the fastener 18 heads and precluding
easy removal without the use of the special cap removal tool 62. The cover
14 allows the plate P therebeneath to be observed readily, and yet
prevents the removal of any dated registration decals D which may be
secured to the plate P. When it is necessary to remove the plate P or the
cover 14 (e.g., for the installation of current decals D) the cover
removal tool 62 may be used as described above to remove the caps 16
easily and provide access to the fasteners or screws 18 therebeneath, thus
allowing the frame 12 and cover 14 to be removed and providing access to
the plate P therebeneath.
In order to provide for ease of removal of the caps 16 after the assembly
of frame 12, plate cover 14 and caps 16 have been installed, the above
assembly may be provided as a kit including fasteners 18 and a cap removal
tool 62. Thus, the user of such a kit will always have means providing for
the easy removal of the caps 16, and thus the frame 12 and cover 14, from
a plate P after installation when such removal is desired.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments
within the scope of the following claims.
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