Illuminated rack

• US 10,118,538 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2016
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Niksimaee, Mehran, Huebner, Annette Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCORMACK, THOMAS S
• Application Number:
  US15/371,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20180154822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/10 Electro- or photo- luminescent surfaces, e.g. signalling by way of electroluminescent strips or panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A vehicle roof rack includes a first side-rail and a second side-rail. Each of the rails define a first groove and a second groove. The second is defined below the first groove. A plurality of lights are positioned within the second groove. A cross-rail extends between the first and second side rails and is positioned within the first grooves.

Claims

1. A vehicle roof rack, comprising:

a first and a second side-rail, each of the rails defining;

a second groove defined below a first groove and on an opposite side of the rail than the first groove; and

a plurality of lights positioned within the second groove, wherein the rail defines a groove hole for electrical connection to the plurality of lights;

a transparent overmold defining a grommet contacting the second groove positioned away from the groove hole, wherein a groove cavity is defined between the grommet and an inner wall of the second cavity and extends a length of the transparent overmold; and

a cross-rail extending between the first and second side rails.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second groove is shallower than the first groove.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the second groove has a depth of between about 0.5 mm and about 4 mm.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the second grooves comprise two lights extending through the second grooves.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the lights comprises a photoluminescent structure.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the lights are configured to emit an excitation emission which is converted by the photoluminescent structure to a converted light.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein each of the lights comprise a light strip having a plurality of light sources positioned along the light strip.