Panel mounted task light for a vehicle

• US 20060198155A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scott Eisenberg, Liquidating Trustee Of Sidler, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sidler, Inc.
• Inventors: Nickola, Michael W., Kuhl, Richard D.
• Application Number:
  US11/069,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20060198155A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/488
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/44 Spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/54 Lighting devices embedded in interior trim, e.g. in roof liners

Abstract

A task light adapted to be substantially recessed within a vehicle, wherein a light source produces light and a light modifier is positioned in front of the light source to redirect at least a portion of the light therethrough to produce a beam of light in substantially the shape of a solid of revolution.

Claims

1. A task light adapted to be at least partially positioned behind a vehicle interior panel, said task light comprising:

a light source to produce light; and

a light modifier positioned in front of said light source to redirect at least a portion of said light therethrough to produce a beam of light in substantially the shape of a solid of revolution.

2. The task light of claim 1 further comprising:

a light switch electrically coupled to said light source to control operation of said light source;

at least one structural member positioned behind said vehicle interior panel and adapted to at least indirectly support said light source and said light switch; and

an actuator having a portion adapted to contact said light switch and being adapted to be pressed to control operation of said task light.

3. The task light of claim 2 wherein said actuator generally surrounds said light source and includes a screen that is adapted to be pressed.

4. The task light of claim 2 further comprising:

a bezel positioned in front of said vehicle interior panel and adapted to be attached to said at least one structural member.

5. The task light of claim 4 wherein said actuator is at least one of pivotably mounted to said bezel and adapted to carry said light modifier.

6. The task light of claim 1 wherein said light modifier is a collimator.

7. The task light of claim 1 wherein said light source is a light-emitting-diode and said light modifier is mounted thereto.

8. The task light of claim 1 being at least partially recessed in a vehicle door.

9. The task light of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one structural member positioned behind said vehicle interior panel and adapted to at least indirectly support said light source; and

a bezel positioned in front of said vehicle interior panel and adapted to be attached to said at least one structural member, wherein said light source is positioned between said at least one structural member and said bezel.

10. A task light adapted to be mounted to an interior vehicle panel having a front surface and a rear surface and at least one opening therethrough, said task light comprising:

a bezel positioned against the front surface of said vehicle panel;

a light source positioned behind said vehicle panel and adapted to produce light, said light source being at least indirectly mounted to said panel by said bezel; and

a light modifier positioned in front of said light source to redirect at least a portion of said light therethrough to produce a beam of light in substantially the shape of a solid of revolution.

11. The task light of claim 10 further comprising:

a light switch electrically coupled to said light source to control operation of said light source;

at least one structural member positioned behind said vehicle interior panel and adapted to at least indirectly support said light source and said light switch; and

an actuator having a portion adapted to contact said light switch and being adapted to be pressed through said bezel to control operation of said task light.

12. The task light of claim 11 wherein said actuator generally surrounds said light source and includes a screen that is adapted to be pressed.

13. The task light of claim 11 wherein said actuator is at least one of pivotably mounted to said bezel and adapted to carry said light modifier.

14. The task light of claim 10 wherein said light modifier is a collimator.

15. The task light of claim 10 wherein said light source is a light-emitting-diode and said light modifier is mounted thereto.

16. The task light of claim 10 being at least partially recessed in a vehicle door and positioned to direct said beam of light below an eye level of a vehicle driver.

17. A task light adapted to be at least partially recessed in a vehicle door and mounted to an interior door panel having a front surface and a rear surface and at least one opening therethrough, said task light comprising:

a bezel adapted to be positioned against the front surface of said vehicle panel;

at least one structural member positioned behind said vehicle interior panel and adapted to be attached to said bezel;

a light source positioned between said structural member and said bezel and adapted to produce light;

a light modifier positioned in front of said light source to redirect at least a portion of said light therethrough to produce a beam of light in substantially the shape of a solid of revolution;

a light switch electrically coupled to said light source to control operation of said light source; and

an actuator having a portion adapted to contact said light switch and being adapted to be pressed to control operation of said task light.

18. The task light of claim 17 wherein said actuator generally surrounds said light source and includes a screen that is adapted to be pressed.

19. The task light of claim 17 wherein said actuator is at least one of pivotably mounted to said bezel and adapted to carry said light modifier.

20. The task light of claim 17 wherein said light source is a light-emitting-diode and said light modifier is at least one of a collimator and mounted to said light-emitting-diode.