Motorcycle license plate mounting mechanism

• US 4,958,451 A
• Filed: 09/26/1985
• Issued: 09/25/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Iwakura, Masato, Nakano, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hakomaki, J.
• Application Number:
  US06/780,240
• Time in Patent Office: 1,825 Days
• Field of Search: D12/110, 40/204-210, 411/371, 340/134, 362/226
• US Class Current: 40/204
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/56 for illuminating registrations or the like , e.g. for licence plates
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/105 Licence- or registration plates, provided with mounting means, e.g. frames, holders, retainers, brackets
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/02 Signs, boards, or panels, illuminated by artificial light sources positioned in front of the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/186 suspended, e.g. secured to the ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

A motorcycle is provided with a rear license plate assembly and lamp separate from a tail light, to facilitate placement of the license plate at a more readily viewable position.

Claims

1. A motorcycle license plate mounting mechanism, comprising;

a license plate adapted to be attached to the body of the motorcycle, the attachment position of said license plate being changeable, said body providing separated mounting locations for said license plate;

license plate mounting means engageable at said mounting positions, a lamp for illuminating said license plate, wiring means for said lamp and a wiring harness engaging said wiring means.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least a pair of said mounting locations, at least one of said mounting locations being provided above a tail light of said motorcycle.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, including a first mounting location at the rear of a seat of said motorcycle and above a tail light thereof, and a second mounting location on a fender below said tail light.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said rear of said seat abutting a mounting plate, and said license plate mounting means engageable with said mounting plate.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including an electrical connector mounted at both of said mounting locations, said license plate mounting means including a mating electrical connector.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, and including cover means for protecting that one of said electrical connectors which is not connected with said mating electrical connector at a given time.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said connector and said mating connector comprising an electrical socket and plug, respectively.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a lead hole for passing said wiring means connected to said lamp.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, including a wiring holder means located at inner surface of said rear fender.