License plate mounting system

Abstract

A license plate mounting system for a vehicle is provided. The mounting system can comprise an outer frame and a backing plate. The outer frame and backing plate assembly can be configured to receive and maintain a license plate. The outer frame can include a plurality of tabs and slots to engage with the backing plate. The backing plate can include a plurality of tabs and recesses to engage with the outer frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A license plate mounting system comprising:
 a backing plate comprising:
 an upper plate edge comprising at least one raised tab and at least one recess disposed adjacent to the at least one raised tab; 
 a lower plate edge comprising at least one raised tab and at least one recess disposed adjacent to the at least one raised tab; 
 a plurality of holes each configured to receive a fastener; 
 a biasing element supported by the backing plate; 
   an outer frame comprising:
 an upper frame edge comprising at least one slot configured to receive the at least one raised tab of the upper edge of the backing plate; 
 a lower frame edge comprising at least one slot configured to receive the at least one raised tab of the lower edge of the backing plate; and 
   wherein the biasing element is configured in use to apply a force to a license plate positioned between the backing plate and the outer frame, the force tending to move the license plate toward a front wall of the outer frame.   
     
     
         2 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element comprises a bumper projecting outwardly from the backing plate. 
     
     
         3 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element comprises neoprene foam. 
     
     
         4 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element extends across a front surface of the backing plate. 
     
     
         5 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element is offset from a central horizontal axis of the backing plate. 
     
     
         6 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element is coupled to the backing plate by one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         7 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing element comprises a spring mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the outer frame comprises a uniform width. 
     
     
         9 . The license plate mount of  claim 1 , wherein the lower frame edge of the outer frame further comprises an extension portion, wherein the extension portion extends inwardly towards an interior of the outer frame from the lower frame edge. 
     
     
         10 . The license plate mount of  claim 9 , wherein the extension portion further comprises a recess configured to receive a display plate. 
     
     
         11 . The license plate mount of  claim 10 , wherein the extension portion further comprises a display plate configured to display information. 
     
     
         12 . A license plate mounting system comprising:
 a backing plate comprising:
 an upper plate edge comprising at least one raised tab and at least one recess disposed adjacent to the at least one raised tab; 
 a lower plate edge; 
 a plurality of holes each configured to receive a fastener; 
 a biasing element supported by the backing plate; 
   an outer frame comprising:
 an upper frame edge comprising at least one slot configured to receive the at least one raised tab of the upper edge of the backing plate; 
 a lower frame edge comprising at least one frame tab spaced rearwardly from a front wall of the outer frame, wherein the at least one frame tab is configured to receive the backing plate and the license plate disposed between the front wall of the outer frame and the backing plate; and 
   wherein the biasing element is configured in use to apply a force to a license plate positioned between the backing plate and the outer frame, the force tending to move the license plate toward the front wall of the outer frame.   
     
     
         13 . The license plate mount of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing element comprises a bumper projecting outwardly from the backing plate. 
     
     
         14 . The license plate mount of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing element comprises neoprene foam. 
     
     
         15 . The license plate mount of  claim 12 , wherein the biasing element extends across a front surface of the backing plate and is offset from a central horizontal axis of the backing plate. 
     
     
         16 . The license plate mount of  claim 12 , wherein the outer frame comprises a uniform width. 
     
     
         17 . The license plate mount of  claim 12 , wherein the lower frame edge of the outer frame further comprises an extension portion, wherein the extension portion extends inwardly towards an interior of the outer frame from the lower frame edge. 
     
     
         18 . The license plate mount of  claim 17 , wherein the extension portion further comprises a recess configured to receive a display plate. 
     
     
         19 . The license plate mount of  claim 18 , wherein the extension portion further comprises a display plate configured to display information. 
     
     
         20 . The license plate mount of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one frame tab comprises a pair of frame tabs spaced from one another in a width direction of the outer frame.