Device for illuminating transmission shifter knobs

• US 20040095778A1
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis R. Zynda
• Original Assignee: Dennis R. Zynda
• Inventors: Zynda, Dennis R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,834,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/487
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/283 Steering wheels; Gear levers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/0278 Constructional features of the selector lever, e.g. grip parts, mounting or manufacturing

Abstract

A kit for retrofittedly illuminating transmission shifter knobs. The kit comprises a retrofit knob cavity cover to replace a preexisting knob cavity cover for a knob cavity of a knob body made by a particular entity connected to a transmission shifter. The retrofit cover has a lens aperture and a switch aperture. A lens has a transparent portion disposed within the lens aperture. An illuminating mean is positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover. A portion of the illuminating means extends within an illuminating well illuminating the lens when activated. A switching means having a portion extending into the switch aperture activates the illuminating mean. A battery receiving structure is positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover.

Claims

1. A manual motor transmission shifter knob having an independently powered and operated illuminating light, the shifter knob comprising:

a manual motor transmission shifter knob body having a top face;

a knob cavity having at least one open side within the top face of the knob body;

a knob cavity cover having a top face sized and shaped to cover the open side of the knob cavity, the knob cavity cover having a lens aperture for receiving a lens and a switch aperture for receiving a switching means;

a lens connected to the knob cavity cover having a transparent portion disposed within the lens aperture and an illuminating well;

an illuminating means disposed within the knob cavity connected to the knob cavity cover having at least a portion of the illuminating means extending within the illuminating well providing illumination of the lens when the illuminating means is activated;

a switching means for activating the illuminating means connected to the illuminating means, at least a portion of the switching means extending into the switch aperture;

a battery receiving structure disposed within the knob cavity connected to the illuminating means.

2. The shifter knob of claim 1 further comprising a label connected to the lens axially aligned with the transparent portion of the lens.

3. The shifter knob of claim 2 further comprising a light energizable material connected to the lens, the light energizable material energized by the illuminating means when the illuminating means is activated.

4. The shifter knob of claim 3 further comprising at least one battery disposed within the battery receiving means energizing the illuminating means when the illuminating means is activated.

5. The shifter knob of claim 4 wherein the illuminating means is a light emitting diode.

6. The shifter knob of claim 5 wherein the switching means is a two-position selector switch.

7. The shifter knob of claim 5 wherein the switching means is a pushbutton.

8. A kit for retrofittedly illuminating manual motor transmission shifter knobs, the kit comprising:

a retrofit knob cavity cover sized and shaped to retrofittedly replace a preexisting knob cavity cover for a knob cavity having at least one open side within a top face of a knob body made by a particular manufacturing entity connected to a manual motor transmission shifter, the retrofit knob cavity cover having a lens aperture for receiving a lens and a switch aperture for receiving a switching means;

a lens connected to the knob cavity cover having a transparent portion disposed within the lens aperture and an illuminating well;

an illuminating means connected to the retrofit knob cavity cover positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the preexisting knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover, at least a portion of the illuminating means extending within the illuminating well providing illumination of the cover cavity when the illuminating means is activated;

a switching means for activating the illuminating mean connected to the illuminating means, at least a portion of the switching means extending into the switch aperture;

a battery receiving structure connected to the illuminating means positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the preexisting knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover.

9. The kit of claim 8 further comprising a label connected to the lens axially aligned with the transparent portion of the lens.

10. The kit of claim 9 further comprising a light energizable material connected to the lens, the light energizable material energized by the illuminating means when the illuminating means is activated.

11. The kit of claim 10 further comprising a battery disposed within the battery receiving means energizing the illuminating means when the illuminating means is activated.

12. The kit of claim 11 wherein the illuminating means is a light emitting diode.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein the switching means is a two-position selector switch.

14. The kit of claim 12 wherein the switching means is push button.

15. In a manual motor transmission shifter knob body having a knob cavity cover covering a knob cavity having at least one open side within the top face of the shifter knob body the improvement comprising illuminating a transparent lens within a lens aperture of the knob cavity cover with an independently battery powered illuminating means connected to the knob cavity cover and disposed within the knob cavity, the illuminating means switchably activated by a switching means having a switching portion extending into a switch aperture of the knob cavity cover.

16. The improvement of claim 15 further comprising a label connected to the lens axially aligned with the lens aperture of the knob cavity cover.

17. The improvement of claim 16 further comprising a light energizable material connected to the lens, the light energizable material energized by the illuminating means when the illuminating means is activated.

18. The improvement of claim 17 wherein the illuminating means is a light emitting diode.

19. The improvement of claim 18 wherein the switching means is a two-position selector switch.

20. The improvement of claim 18 wherein the switching means is a push button.