CA3011669C - Adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided an adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle. The license plate has a peripheral portion. The assembly includes a rigid planar member shaped to couple with and inhibit bending of the license plate. The assembly includes a resilient member shaped to couple the planar member to the vehicle. The assembly includes a peripheral member which selectively couples to the planar member. The peripheral member is shaped to extend about the peripheral portion of the license plate.

Description

Agent's Ref. 5799PO4CA
ADAPTER ASSEMBLY FOR MOUNTING A LICENSE PLATE TO A VEHICLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention [0001] There is provided an adapter assembly. In particular, there is provided an adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle.
Description of the Related Art

[0002] United States Patent No. 5,662,302 to Berry Jr. discloses a license plate hanger. The license plate hanger is provided particularly for suspending a license plate from the rear frame of an associated vehicle. The license plate hanger is formed of a one-piece, nonmetallic, reinforced, multi-ply, resilient, substantially flat and substantially homogenous plate-like member defined by an upper hanger portion and a lower license plate attaching portion with a reduced neck portion therebetween. The material of the license plate hanger permits the neck portion to be deflected repeatedly without permanent deformation and/or breakage and without damage to property or individuals.
Preferably, the license plate attaching portion has a peripheral edge which projects beyond a peripheral edge of the license plate to thereby prevent damage to persons and property by the known sharp edge of a metallic license plate.

[0003] United States Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0221516 to Martin discloses an adapter plate adapter plate assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle. The assembly includes an adapter plate to which the license plate is connectable.
The assembly includes a resilient member. The resilient member has a first portion connectable with the adapter plate. The resilient member has a second portion connectable to the vehicle. The assembly further includes, according to one aspect, an elongate backing member. The first portion of the resilient member is connectable with and interposable between the backing member and the adapter plate.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] There is provided, and it is an object to provide, an improved adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle.

[0005] There is accordingly provided an adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle. The license plate has a peripheral portion. The assembly includes a rigid planar member shaped to couple with and inhibit bending of the license plate. The assembly includes a resilient member shaped to couple the planar member to the vehicle.
The assembly includes a peripheral member which selectively couples to the planar member. The peripheral member is shaped to extend about the peripheral portion of the license plate.

[0006] There is further provided an adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle. The assembly includes a rigid planar member shaped to couple with and inhibit bending of the license plate. The planar member includes a backing portion against which the license plate couples. The planar member includes at least one flange coupled to and extending outwards from the backing portion of the planar member. The assembly includes a resilient member shaped to couple the planar member to the vehicle.
The .. resilient member has at least one slot shaped to receive the at least one flange.

[0007] There is also provided an adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle. The assembly includes a resilient member. The resilient member includes a connector portion shaped to couple with the vehicle. The resilient member includes a backing portion having a front and a rear. The assembly includes a rigid first planar member coupling to and extending along the rear of the backing portion. The assembly includes a rigid second planar member coupling to and extending along the front of the backing portion. One of the planar members is shaped to couple with and inhibit bending of the license plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a rear, top, right isometric of a tractor unit and an adapter assembly coupling a license plate to the rear bracket of the tractor unit, the adapter assembly being according to a first aspect;
Figure 2 is a front elevation view of a resilient member of the adapter assembly of Figure 1, the resilient member having a centrally-positioned, forward recessed portion;
Figure 3 is a rear elevation review of the resilient member of the adapter assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a front, right side perspective view of an adapter plate of the adapter assembly of Figure 1, the adapter plate including a backing portion and a pair of spaced-apart flanges coupled to and extending outwards and forwards from the backing portion thereof;
Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the adapter plate of the adapter assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the resilient member of Figure 2 and the adapter plate of Figure 4 positioned within the forward recessed portion of the resilient member;
Figure 7 is a front elevation view of an outer frame of the adapter assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a rear elevation view of the outer frame of the adapter assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 9A is a front elevation view similar to Figure 6 of the resilient member, the adapter plate received by and coupled to the resilient member, and the outer frame coupling together with the adapter plate via the flanges of the adapter plate;
Figure 9B is a front elevation view similar to Figure 9A of the resilient member, the adapter plate received by and coupled to the resilient member, the outer frame coupling together with the adapter plate via the flanges of the adapter plate, and a plurality of fasteners further coupling the adapter plate to the resilient member;
Figure 10 is a front elevation view of the assembly shown fully assembled and the license plate of Figure 1 coupled thereto;
Figure 11 is a rear elevation view of the assembly of Figure 10, with a backing plate of the assembly shown coupled to the rear of the resilient member;
Figure 12 is a front elevation view of a resilient member of an adapter assembly according to a second aspect, the resilient member having a centrally-positioned, forward recessed portion and a pair of longitudinally-extending slots adjacent to the top and bottom of the resilient member;
Figure 13 is a front, right side perspective view of an adapter plate of the adapter assembly of Figure 12, the adapter plate including a backing portion and a pair of spaced-apart flanges coupled to and extending outwards and rearwards from the backing portion thereof;
Figure 14 is a right side elevation view thereof;
Figure 15 is a front elevation view of the resilient member of Figure 12 and the adapter plate of Figure 13 positioned within the forward recessed portion of the resilient member, with the flanges of the adapter plate shown inserted within respective ones of the slots of the resilient member; and Figure 16 is a front elevation view of the assembly according to the second aspect shown fully assembled, with a license plate coupled thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Referring to the drawings and first to Figure 1, there is shown an adapter assembly 40 for mounting a license plate 42 to a vehicle, in this example the tractor unit 44 of a semi-trailer truck 46. Referring to Figure 10, the license plate has a front 43, a rear 45 and a peripheral portion 47. The tractor unit 44 includes a rear bracket 48 at the rear 50 thereof. A pair of spaced-apart mudguards 52 and 54 couple to and extend downwards from the rear bracket adjacent to sides 56 and 58 of the tractor unit in this example.

[0010] Referring to Figure 9A, the assembly 40 has a top 60, bottom 62, pair of sides 64 and 66, a front 68 and a rear 70 spaced-apart from the front.

[0011] As seen in Figure 2, the adapter assembly 40 includes a resilient member 72 The resilient member is planar and made of an elastomer, in this example rubber. The resilient member has a first or upper portion, in this example a connector portion 74, and a second or lower portion, in this example a backing portion 76.

[0012] The connector portion of the resilient member is generally rectangular in shape and inwardly-spaced from the sides 64 and 66 of the assembly 40. The connector portion 74 of the resilient member 72 has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than that of the backing portion 76 of the resilient member in this example. The connector portion of the resilient member is u-shaped in this example, with a centrally-positioned recess 78 extending from the top 60 towards the bottom 62 of the assembly 40 in this example. The connector portion 74 of the resilient member 72 has a pair of spaced-apart apertures 80 and 82 extending therethrough. The recess 78 is positioned between the apertures in this example.

[0013] The backing portion 76 of the resilient member 72 has a top 85 and a bottom 87 which extend between sides 64 and 66 of the assembly 40. The backing portion of the resilient member is generally rectangular in shape in this example with an outer peripheral guard 84 having rounded corners 86a, 86b, 86c and 86d. The outer peripheral enlarged border is rectangular in lateral cross section in this example and extends adjacent to and along the bottom 62 and sides 64 and 66 of the assembly 40.
The enlarged border 84 extends parallel with the top 60 of the assembly. The connector portion 74 of the resilient member 72 couples to and is integrally formed with an upper part 88 of the enlarged border 84 of the backing portion 76 of the resilient member.

[0014] As seen in Figure 2, the backing portion of the resilient member has a first centrally positioned, forward recessed portion, in this example a planar-member-receiving recessed portion 90 that is rectangular in this example. Enlarged border 84 extends about the recessed portion. The recessed portion 90 extends from the front 68 of the assembly 40 towards the rear 70 of the assembly.

[0015] The backing portion 76 of the resilient member 72 has a second centrally positioned, forward recessed portion 92 that extends from the recessed portion towards the rear of the assembly 40.

[0016] As seen in Figure 3, the backing portion of the resilient member has a centrally positioned rearward recessed portion 94 that is rectangular in this example.
Enlarged border 84 extends about the recessed portion. The recessed portion 94 extends from the rear 70 of the assembly 40 towards the front 68 of the assembly.
Recessed portions 90 and 94 seen in Figures 2 and 3, respectively, align with each other and are substantially similar in shape in this example.

[0017] Referring to Figure 3, the resilient member 72 has a first set of apertures, in this example recessed apertures 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 that extend from the recessed portion 94 of the backing portion 76 of the resilient member through to recessed portion 90 of the backing portion of the resilient member seen in Figure 2. As seen in Figure 2, apertures 96, 100, 106 and 110 are positioned near corners 86a, 86b, 86c and 86d of enlarged border 84. Apertures 98, 102, 104 and 108 are positioned between apertures 96 and 100, apertures 96 and 106, apertures 100 and 110, and apertures 106 and 110, respectively. As seen in Figure 3, an annular fastener seat extends radially outwards about each recessed aperture in this example, as seen by fastener seat 112 for aperture 98.
Each fastener seat extends from the recessed portion 94 of the backing portion 76 of the resilient member 72 towards the recessed portion 90 of the backing portion of the resilient member seen in Figure 2. Each fastener seat 112 is annular in shape in this example.

[0018] As seen in Figure 2, the resilient member 72 includes a plurality of spaced-apart annular protrusions 114, 116, 118 and 120 which couple to and extend outwards from recessed portion 90 towards the front 68 of the assembly 40. Each of the protrusions is frustoconical in shape in this example. Protrusions 114, 116, 118 and 120 are positioned between apertures 96 and 98, apertures 98 and 100, apertures 106 and 108 and apertures 108 and 110, respectively. Each of the protrusion 114 has a proximal end 122 coupled to, adjacent to and in this example integrally connected to and formed with the recessed portion 90 of the resilient member 72. Each protrusion has a distal end 124 spaced-apart from the proximal end thereof and spaced-apart from recessed portion 90.
The protrusions taper as they extend from the proximal ends to the distal ends thereof.

[0019] The resilient member 72 has a second set of apertures, in this example protrusion apertures 126, 128, 130 and 132 that extend from the distal ends 124 of the protrusions 114, 116, 118 and 120, respectively, through to the recessed portion 94 of the resilient member 72 seen in Figure 3.

[0020] As seen in Figure 2, recessed portion 92 has a generally rectangular shape with a plurality of spaced-apart peripheral sections that extend outwards therefrom, in this example rectangular peripheral sections 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146 and 148 positioned between apertures 126 and 98, apertures 98 and 128, apertures 100 and 104, apertures 96 and 102, apertures 100 and 104, apertures 102 and 106, apertures 104 and 110, apertures 130 and 108, and apertures 108 and 132, respectively.

[0021] Referring to Figure 4, the adapter assembly 40 includes a planar member, in this example an adapter plate 150 that is rigid and made of sheet metal in this example.
The adapter plate is rectangular in this example, and has a top 152, a bottom 154, a pair .. of spaced-apart sides 156 and 158, a backing portion or front 160 and a rear 162 seen in Figure 5. The sides of the adapter plate 150 extend between the top and the bottom thereof. The adapter plate has a plurality of spaced-apart corners 164a, 164b, 164c and 164d between side 156 and top 152 thereof, top 152 and side 158 thereof, side 156 and bottom 154 thereof, and side 158 and bottom 154 thereof.

[0022] As seen in Figure 4, the adapter plate has a first set of plurality of apertures 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178 extending therethrough from the front 160 to the rear 162 thereof seen in Figure 5. Apertures 166, 170, 176 and 180 are positioned near corners 164a, 164b, 164c and 164d of the adapter plate 150. Apertures 168, 172, 174 and 178 are positioned between apertures 166 and 170, apertures 166 and 176, apertures 170 and 180, .. and apertures 176 and 180, respectively.

[0023] Still referring to Figure 4, the adapter plate 150 includes a plurality of spaced-apart annular protrusions 182, 184, 186 and 188 which couple to and extend outwards from the front 160 thereof. Each of the protrusions is frustoconical in shape in this example. Protrusions 182, 184, 186 and 188 are positioned between apertures 166 and 168, apertures 168 and 170, apertures 176 and 178, and apertures 178 and 180, respectively. Each of the protrusion 182 has a proximal end 190 coupled to, adjacent to and in this example integrally connected to and formed with the front 160 of the adapter plate 150. Each protrusion has a distal end 192 spaced-apart from the proximal end thereof and spaced-apart from the front of the adapter plate. The protrusions taper as they extend from the proximal ends to the distal ends thereof.

[0024] Referring to Figure 4, the adapter plate 150 has a second set of apertures, in this example protrusion apertures 183, 185, 187 and 189 that extend from the distal ends 192 of the protrusions 182, 184, 186 and 188, respectively, through to the rear 162 of the adapter plate seen in Figure 4. The protrusions are annular embossments formed in the metal sheet forming the adapter plate 150. Referring to Figure 5, corresponding to recesses 194, 196, 198 and 200 resulting from the embossment process align opposite to the protrusions. The recesses are shaped to receive respective ones of the protrusions 126, 128, 130 and 132 of the resilient member 72 seen in Figure 2.

[0025] Referring to Figure 4, the adapter plate 150 includes at least one male portion, in this example a pair of spaced-apart flanges 202 and 204 coupled to and extending perpendicularly outwards from the front 160 of the adapter plate. Flange 202 extends along the top 152 of the adapter plate between sides 156 and 158 of the adapter plate.
Flange 204 extends along the bottom 154 of the adapter plate between the sides of the adapter plate. Each of the flanges is a rectangular prism in shape in this example and is spaced inwards from the sides 64 and 66 of the assembly 40.

[0026] The backing portion 76 of the resilient member 72 seen in Figure 2 has a planar area equal to or greater than that of the front 160 of the adapter plate 150 seen in Figure 4. Referring back to Figure 2, the recessed portion 90 of the resilient member is coextensive with the rear 162 of the adapter plate seen in Figure 5 in this example, with the rear of the resilient member thus also being generally coextensive with the backing portion of the adapter plate.

[0027] The backing portion 76 of the resilient member 72 seen in Figure 2 is shaped to couple with the adapter plate seen in Figure 4, with recessed portion 90 of the resilient member 72 seen in Figure 2 shaped to receive the rear 162 of the adapter plate therewithin. In this position, apertures 183, 185, 187 and 189 of the adapter plate 150 seen in Figure 6 align with respective apertures 126, 128, 130 and 132 of resilient member 72 seen in Figure 2.

[0028] The front 160 of the adapter plate 150 and protrusions 182, 184, 186 and 188 seen in Figure 6 are shaped to abut against and receive the license plate 42 seen in Figure 10.

[0029] As seen in Figure 7, the assembly 40 includes a peripheral member, in this example an outer frame 206. The outer frame has a centrally positioned aperture 208 that is generally rectangular in this example. The license plate 42 can be seen through aperture 208 in Figure 10. Referring back to Figure 7, the outer frame 206 includes a front strip portion 210 in this example comprising rectangular sub-portions, namely, a front top sub-portion 212, a front bottom sub-portion 214, a front left side sub-portion 216 and a front right side sub-portion 218. Sub-portions 212 and 214 extend parallel with each other and sub-portions 216 and 218 extend parallel with each other in this example.
Sub-portions 216 and 218 extend perpendicular to and between sub-portions 212 and 214.

[0030] As seen in Figure 9A, the sub-portions 212, 214, 216 and 218 of the outer frame 206 so coupled to the adapter plate 150 extend in parallel with the adapter plate.
The sub-portions abut the front 43 of the license plate 42 seen in Figure 10 at the peripheral portion 47 of the license plate.

[0031] The outer frame 206 includes a pair of spaced-apart upper protuberances 220 and 222 that couple to and extend downwards from front top sub-portion 212.
The outer frame includes a pair of spaced-apart lower protuberances 224 and 226 that couple to and extend upwards from front bottom sub-portion 214. Each of the protuberances is generally rectangular in shape. There is a plurality of apertures 228, 230, 232 and 234.
Each extends through respective ones of the protuberances 220, 222, 224 and 226, respectively.

[0032] As seen in Figure 8, the outer frame 206 includes a side strip portion 236 in this example comprising in this example rectangular sub-portions: top side sub-portion 238 that couples to, extends along and extends perpendicular to front top sub-portion 212;
bottom side portion 240 that couples to, extends along and extends perpendicular to front bottom sub-portion 214; side sub-portion 242 that couples to, extends along and extends perpendicular to front sub-portion 216; and side sub-portion 244 that couples to, extends along and extends perpendicular to front sub-portion 218.

[0033] The outer frame 206 includes a female portion 246 seen in Figure 8, formed by side strip sub-portions 238, 240, 242 and 244, and front strip sub-portions 212, 214, 216 and 218. The female portion of the outer frame is shaped to receive the flanges 202 and 204 of the adapter plate 150 seen in Figure 6. The outer frame 206 is shaped to extend about the flanges and snap-fit together with the adapter plate. The outer frame selectively couples to the adapter plate and is thus shaped to extend about the peripheral portion 47 of the license plate 42 seen in Figure 10. The outer frame 206 of the assembly 40 thus couples together with the adapter plate 150 via the flanges 202 and 204 thereof.

[0034] As seen in Figure 10, the side strip portion 236 of the outer frame 206 is configured to abut outer edges 49 of the license plate at the peripheral portion 47 thereof.
The sub-portions of the side strip portion of the outer frame extends between the resilient member and the front strip portion of the outer frame. Apertures 228, 230, 232 and 234 of the outer frame 206 seen in Figure 9B align with respective apertures 183, 185, 187 and 189 of adapter plate 150 seen in Figure 6, and respective apertures 126, 128, 130 and 132 of resilient member 72 seen in Figure 2.

[0035] As seen in Figure 10, the assembly 40 includes a plurality of fasteners 248, 250, 252 and 254 shaped to extend through the above apertures and further couple together the outer frame 206, the adapter plate 150, the license plate 42 and the resilient member 72. In this manner, the adapter plate is shaped to couple with and inhibit bending of the license plate.

ir

[0036] Referring to Figure 1, the assembly 40 includes additional fasteners 256 and 258 shaped to extend through apertures 80 and 82 of the resilient member 72 seen in Figure 6, and couple to the rear bracket 48 of the tractor unit 44 seen in Figure 1. The resilient member is thus shaped to couple the adapter plate 150 and license plate 42 to the tractor unit. The resilient member 72 is configured to enable the license plate to move slightly forward and rearward.

[0037] As seen in Figure 11, the assembly 40 further includes a second planar member or backing member, in this example a backing plate 260. The plate is rectangular in this example and made of sheet metal. The backing plate 260 has a plurality of apertures 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272, 274, and 276 that align with apertures 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178 and 180 of adapter plate 150 seen in Figure 9A, and apertures 100, 98, 96, 104, 102, 110, 108 and 106 of the resilient member 72 seen in Figure 3. The backing plate 260 seen in Figure 11 is shaped to be received by and press fit with the resilient member 72 via rearward recessed portion 94 of the resilient member seen in Figure 3. Referring to Figures 9B and 11, the adapter plate 150, the resilient member 72, and the backing plate 260 further couple together via fasteners 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290 and 292 which extend through apertures 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178 and 180 of the adapter plate 150, corresponding apertures of the resilient member, and apertures 262, 264, 266, 268, 270, 272, 274 and 276 of the backing plate 260.
As seen in Figure 11, the fasteners 278, 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, 290 and 292 couple with in this example nuts 279, 281, 283, 285, 287, 289, 291 and 293.

[0038] Figures 12 to 16 show an adapter assembly 40.1 for mounting a license plate 42.1 to a vehicle, with the assembly being according to a second aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the adapter assembly 40 shown in Figures 1 to 11 with the addition of decimal extension ".1". Adapter assembly 40.1 is substantially the same as adapter assembly 40 shown in Figures 1 to 11 with the following exceptions.

[0039] As seen in Figure 12, the backing portion 76.1 of resilient member 72.1 has a pair of slots, in this example upper longitudinally-extending slot 294 and lower longitudinally-extending slot 296. The slots extend from recessed portion 90.1 and adjacent the front 68.1 of the assembly 40.1 towards the rear 70.1 of the assembly. Slot 294 is adjacent to and extends in parallel with the top 85.1 of the backing portion 76.1 of the resilient member 72.1 in this example. Slot 296 is adjacent to and extends in parallel with the bottom 87.1 of the backing portion of the resilient member in this example.

[0040] As seen in Figures 13 and 14, flanges 202.1 and 204.1 of adapter plate 150.1 couple to and extend rearwards from the front 160.1 to the rear 162.1 of the adapter plate.
The flanges are shaped to be received within respective ones of the slots 294 and 296 seen in Figure 12.

[0041] It will be understood by someone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to at least the following claims.

Claims (35)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle, and the assembly comprising:
a rigid planar member shaped to couple with and inhibit bending of the license plate; and a resilient member shaped to couple the planar member to the vehicle, the resilient member including a lower portion to which the planar member couples, the lower portion having a planar area equal to or greater than that of the planar member.

2. An adapter assembly for mounting a license plate to a vehicle, and the assembly comprising:
a rigid planar member shaped to couple with and inhibit bending of the license plate; and a resilient member shaped to couple the planar member to the vehicle, the resilient member having a recessed portion within which the planar member is at least partially received.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the planar member includes a backing portion to which the license plate couples, wherein the resilient member includes a lower portion that couples to the planar member and wherein the lower portion of the resilient member has a planar area equal to or greater than that of the backing portion of the planar member.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar member includes a backing portion to which the license plate couples, and wherein the lower portion of the resilient member is coextensive with the backing portion of the planar member.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the planar member includes a backing portion to which the license plate couples, wherein the resilient member includes a lower portion that couples to the planar member, and wherein the lower portion of the resilient member is coextensive with the backing portion of the planar member.

6. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the planar member includes a backing portion against which the license plate couples and at least one flange coupled to and extending outwards from the backing portion thereof, and wherein the resilient member has at least one slot shaped to receive the at least one flange.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the flange extends rearwards and perpendicular to the backing portion of the planar member.

8. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 7 wherein the flange is a rectangular prism in shape.

9. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the planar member includes a second flange that couples to and extends rearwards from the backing portion thereof and wherein the resilient member has a second slot shaped to receive the second flange.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the planar member has a top along which a first of the flanges extends and a bottom along which a second of the flanges extends.

11. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the planar member has a pair of spaced-apart sides and wherein the flanges and the slots are inwardly spaced from said sides.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the planar member includes a backing portion against which the license plate couples and a pair of spaced-apart flanges coupled to and extending outwards from the backing portion thereof, and wherein the resilient member has a pair of spaced-apart slots shaped to receive respective said flanges, a first said slot being adjacent to a top of a lower portion of the resilient member, and a second slot being adjacent to a bottom of a lower portion of the resilient member.

13. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, further including a peripheral member which selectively couples to the planar member, the peripheral member being shaped to extend about a peripheral portion of the license plate.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the planar member includes at least one male portion and wherein the peripheral member includes at least one female portion shaped to receive the at least one male portion, with the peripheral member coupling to the planar member thereby.

15. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the assembly further includes a peripheral member which selectively couples to the planar member, the peripheral member being shaped to extend about a peripheral portion of the license plate, wherein the planar member includes a backing portion against which the license plate couples, and wherein the planar member includes a pair of spaced-apart flanges coupled to and extending outwards from the backing portion of the planar member, the peripheral member coupling with the planar member via the flanges thereof.

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the peripheral member is shaped to extend about the flanges and snap-fit together with the planar member.

17. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, further including a plurality of fasteners shaped to extend through and further couple together the peripheral member, the planar member, the license plate and the resilient member.

18. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the peripheral member includes at least one front strip portion that extends in parallel with the planar member and wherein the peripheral member includes at least one side strip portion that extends perpendicular to the at least one front strip portion thereof

19. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the peripheral member includes at least one front strip portion that extends in parallel with the planar member and wherein the peripheral member includes at least one side strip portion that extends between the resilient member and the at least one front strip portion of the peripheral member.

20. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, the license plate having a front and having outer edges along the peripheral portion thereof, and wherein the peripheral member includes at least one front strip portion that abuts the front of the license plate at the peripheral portion thereof and wherein the peripheral member includes at least one side strip portion that abuts at least one of said outer edges of the license plate.

21. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein each said strip portion of the peripheral member is rectangular.

22. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21 wherein the peripheral member has a centrally positioned aperture through the license plate is visible.

23. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the planar member is sheet metal.

24. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the resilient member includes a connector portion shaped to couple with the vehicle and a backing portion having a front and a rear, wherein the rigid planar member is a first planar member which couples to and extends along the front of the backing portion of the resilient member, and wherein the assembly includes a rigid second planar member which couples to and extends along the rear of the backing portion of the resilient member, one of the planar members being shaped to couple with the license plate.

25. The assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein the planar members are made of metal sheet.

26. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 25, wherein the planar members span substantially similar planar areas.

27. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the planar members are rectangular.

28. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 27, further including fasteners which couple together the first planar member, the resilient member and the second planar member.

29. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein the resilient member includes a rearward recessed portion that extends from the rear of the backing portion thereof towards the front of the backing portion thereof, the rearward recessed portion of the resilient member being shaped to at least partially receive the first planar member.

30. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein the resilient member includes a forward recessed portion that extends from the front of the backing portion thereof towards the rear of the backing portion thereof, the forward recessed portion of the resilient member being shaped to at least partially receive the second planar member.

31. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the resilient member includes a connector portion shaped to couple with the vehicle and a backing portion having a front and a rear, the backing portion of the resilient member having at least one slot extending from the front thereof towards the rear thereof, wherein the rigid planar member is a first planar member which couples to and extends along the front of the backing portion of the resilient member, wherein the assembly includes a rigid second planar member that couples to and extends along the rear of the backing portion of the resilient member, a first of the planar members being shaped to couple with the license plate, and one of the planar members including at least one flange shaped to be inserted into said at least one slot.

32. The assembly as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 2, wherein the resilient member includes a connector portion shaped to couple with the vehicle and a backing portion having a front and a rear, the backing portion of the resilient member having an upper slot and a lower slot each extending from the front thereof towards the rear thereof, the upper slot being adjacent to a top of the backing portion of the resilient member, the lower slot being adjacent to a bottom of the backing portion of the resilient member, wherein the rigid planar member is a first planar member which couples to and extends along the front of the backing portion of the resilient member, wherein the assembly includes a rigid second planar member that couples to and extends along the rear of the backing portion of the resilient member, a first of the planar members being shaped to couple with the license plate, and one of the planar members including a pair of flanges insertable into respective ones of said slots.

33. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the resilient member is configured to enable the license plate to move slightly forward and rearward.

34. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33 wherein the resilient member is elastomeric.

35. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34 wherein the resilient member is rubber.