Illuminated license plate holder

• US 6,526,680 B1
• Filed: 01/23/2002
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electra Accessories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electra Accessories Incorporated
• Inventors: Yu, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge, Gary
• Application Number:
  US10/052,881
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 402/04, 402/09, 362/497, 362/499
• US Class Current: 40/204
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

A license plate holder for use on a vehicle has a frame that holds and displays a vehicle license plate on the vehicle. A plurality of red light emitting diodes (LEDs) is mounted around the perimeter of the frame. They are connected to the brake light circuit of the vehicle to light up when the brakes are applied. A lesser number of non-red LEDs are also disposed around the perimeter of the frame. These are connected to the running light circuit of the vehicle. They may be multi-colored or of a single color such as blue or green.

Claims

1. A license plate holder for use on a vehicle having a brake light circuit and a running light circuit, the license plate holder comprising:

a) a flame member defining an opening for displaying a license plate;

b) holder means for mounting the license plate to the frame member;

c) a first plurality of red light emitting diodes disposed about the perimeter of the frame member;

d) a second plurality of non-red light emitting diodes disposed about the perimeter of the frame member, the second plurality being less than the first plurality;

e) first connecting means for connecting the first plurality to the brake circuit to power the red diodes only when the brakes are applied; and

f) second connecting means for connecting the second plurality to the running light circuit to power the non-red diodes when the running lights are on.

2. The holder according to claim 1 in which the second plurality emit blue light.

3. The holder according to claim 1 in which the second plurality emit green light.

4. The holder according to claim 1 in which the second plurality emit light of several different colors.