LED vehicle lamp

• US 20080225547A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Marcia Albright, Thomas W Rogers
• Original Assignee: Marcia Albright, Thomas W Rogers
• Inventors: Rogers, Thomas W., Albright, Marcia
• Application Number:
  US11/906,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20080225547A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/548
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with retrofitting existing vehicle lamps are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus for retrofitting an existing vehicle lamp comprises a circuit board, a light emitting diode, a plug, and a lens. The light emitting diode is positioned on the circuit board. The plug is in electrical communication with the light emitting diode. The plug is arranged to be placed in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical system when the plug is inserted into a socket of the existing vehicle lamp. The lens is arranged to be securable to a base of the existing vehicle lamp.

Claims

1. Apparatus for retrofitting an existing vehicle lamp, the apparatus comprising:

a circuit board;

a light emitting diode positioned on the circuit board;

a plug in electrical communication with the light emitting diode and arranged to be placed in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical system by inserting the plug into an existing vehicle lamp socket; and

a lens securable to an existing vehicle lamp base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an insert member positionable within a cavity of the existing vehicle lamp base.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the insert member includes a recess.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the circuit board is positioned in the recess.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the circuit board is integral with the insert member.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the insert member further comprises:

a body; and

a leg extending from the body, wherein the leg is located proximate to a sidewall of the existing vehicle lamp base when the insert member is positioned in the cavity of the existing vehicle lamp base.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the insert member further comprises a tab and the lens further comprises a notch, wherein the tab engages the notch to secure the insert member to the lens.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the existing vehicle lamp base includes a notch and the insert member further comprises a tab, wherein the notch engages the tab to secure the insert member to the existing vehicle lamp base.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein when the insert member is positioned in the cavity of the existing vehicle lamp, the body of the insert member is spaced above and apart from a bottom surface of the cavity.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the insert member further comprises:

a body; and

four legs extending from the body, wherein each leg is located proximate to a sidewall of the existing vehicle lamp base when the insert member is positioned in the cavity of the existing vehicle lamp base.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens includes a window.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein when the circuit board is positioned in the existing vehicle lamp base and the lens is secured to the existing vehicle lamp base, the window is positioned above the light emitting diode.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the window is convex.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lens is reversibly securable to the existing vehicle lamp base.

15. A kit for retrofitting an existing vehicle lamp, comprising:

a circuit board assembly, comprising;

a circuit board;

a light emitting diode positioned on the circuit board; and

a plug in electrical communication with the light emitting diode and arranged to be placed in electrical communication with a vehicle electrical system by inserting the plug into an existing vehicle lamp socket;

an insert member positionable within a cavity of an existing vehicle lamp base; and

a lens securable to the existing vehicle lamp base.

16. A method for retrofitting an existing vehicle lamp, comprising:

removing an existing lens from the existing vehicle lamp;

removing an existing light source from a socket of the existing vehicle lamp;

providing a circuit board, a light emitting diode positioned on the circuit board, and a plug in electrical communication with the light emitting diode;

inserting the plug into the socket of the existing vehicle lamp;

positioning the circuit board proximate to the existing vehicle lamp base;

providing a lens; and

securing the lens to the existing vehicle lamp base.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing an insert member, the insert member including a recess;

positioning the circuit board in the recess; and

positioning the insert member at least partially in a cavity of the existing vehicle lamp base.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

positioning the insert member at least partially in the cavity of the existing vehicle lamp base such that a portion of the insert member is spaced above and apart from a bottom surface of the cavity.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing the circuit board as an integral part of an insert member; and

positioning the insert member at least partially within a cavity of the existing vehicle lamp base.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

positioning the insert member at least partially in the cavity of the existing vehicle lamp base such that a portion of the insert member is spaced above and apart from a bottom surface of the cavity.