ILLUMINATED DEVICES ATTACHED TO VEHICLES

• US 20120256543A1
• Filed: 04/11/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cmarlite, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cmarlite, LLC
• Inventors: Marcove, Howard, Boe, Philip Allen
• Granted Patent: US 8,816,586 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/77
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to illuminated devices attached to vehicles. More specifically, an illuminated device may be attached to a vehicle in the form of an illuminated logo or emblem. The illumination of the device may be controlled for color, state, and/or intensity in response to vehicle signals received by the device. In addition, the illuminated device may use switching circuitry to interface with a vehicle'"'"'s electrical power and/or signals.

Claims

1. An illuminated device configured for attachment to a vehicle, comprising:

a base structure including a front portion, a back portion, an attachment mechanism, and a light source retaining mechanism;

a light source arranged proximate to the front portion of the base structure and engaged with the light source retaining mechanism;

at least one light directing element arranged proximate to the front portion of the base structure, wherein the at least one light directing element is arranged adjacent to the at least one light source, and wherein the at least one light directing element is at least partially translucent; and

an emblem element arranged proximate to the light directing element and configured to engage the base structure.

2. The illuminated device of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes (“

LEDs”

), the one or more LEDs affixed to a board, wherein the board includes electrically conductive traces configured to connect a power source to the one or more LEDs.

3. The illuminated device of claim 2, wherein the one or more LEDs are configured to produce two or more colors.

4. The illuminated device of claim 1, wherein the emblem element includes an emblem front portion and an emblem rear portion, wherein an area of the emblem rear portion is at least partially reflective and the emblem front portion is at least partially opaque.

5. The illuminated device of claim 1, wherein the emblem element includes at least one interior section that is translucent.

6. The illuminated device of claim 5, wherein the light source is configured to direct light through at least a portion of the at least one interior section.

7. The illuminated device of claim 1, wherein the emblem element further comprises:

a translucent receptacle portion;

a removable insert arranged within or adjacent to the translucent receptacle, wherein the removable insert is configured to display a custom symbol; and

a retaining feature configured to selectively retain the removable insert adjacent to the translucent receptacle.

8. The illuminated device of claim 1, wherein the back portion of the base structure is configured to engage a retaining plate and the illuminated device further comprises the retaining plate.

9. The illuminated device of claim 1, wherein the at least one light directing element further comprises;

a front face;

a rear face;

at least one interior surface joining the front face and the rear face; and

at least one exterior surface joining the front face and the rear face;

10. The illuminated device of claim 9, wherein the at least one interior surface and the at least one exterior surface are angled to direct light behind the emblem element.

11. The illuminated device of claim 9, wherein one or more of the at least one interior surface and the at least one exterior surface comprises a plurality of surfaces.

12. An illuminated device system, comprising:

an illuminated device, comprising;

a base structure including a front portion, a back portion, an attachment mechanism, and a light source retaining mechanism;

a light source arranged proximate to the front portion of the base structure and engaged with the light source retaining mechanism;

at least one light directing element arranged proximate to the front portion of the base structure, wherein the at least one light directing element is arranged adjacent to the at least one light source, and wherein the at least one light directing element is at least partially translucent; and

an emblem element arranged proximate to the light directing element and configured to engage the base structure;

a switching circuitry; and

a power source.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the switching circuitry is electrically connected between the power source and the illuminated device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the power source is a vehicle power source.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the power source receives power from solar elements connected to the power source.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the switching circuitry is configured to receive at least one signal from a vehicle and control a color of light produced by the light source based in part on the at least one signal received.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the switching circuitry is configured to control the state of light produced by the light source based in part on the at least one signal received, wherein the state of light includes at least one of intensity, brightness, and illumination time.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one signal received is associated with one or more of vehicle functions such as braking, reversing, indicating, high beam head lights, low beam headlights, daytime running lights, hazard lights, ignition start-up, and ignition off.

19. An illuminated device configured for attachment to a vehicle, comprising:

a base structure including a hollow section, a proximate portion, and a distal portion;

a light source arranged within the hollow section of the base structure;

an emblem element connected to the proximate portion of the base structure, the emblem element comprising;

at least one light directing element, wherein the at least one light directing element is translucent;

a rear surface arranged adjacent to the at least one light directing element; and

a light coupling element, wherein the light coupling element is configured to optically couple light provided by the light source to the at least one light directing element of the emblem element.

20. The illuminated device of claim 19, further comprising:

a front surface arranged proximate to the at least one light directing element of the emblem element; and

wherein the at least one light directing element is configured to direct light received from the light source to at least one portion of the emblem element.