Face brightening device for use with vehicles

• US 4,977,487 A
• Filed: 10/07/1988
• Issued: 12/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sakae Riken Kogyo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Sakae Riken Kogyo Company Limited
• Inventors: Okano, Susumu
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US07/254,819
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 362/31, 362/32, 362/812, 362/61, 362/80, 40/546, 40/547, 40/591
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/251 the light guides being used to transmit light from remote light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/001 the light being emitted along at least a portion of the lateral surface of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0472 Traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/305 being the ends of optical fibres G09F9/302 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A face brightening device for use with vehicles comprising optical fibers and a light source wherein the light source is attached to one or both ends of the optical fibers to brighten those notched faces of the optical fibers which form letters, patterns, brightening faces and the like needed inside and outside the vehicles. The face brightening device can be made smaller in size, simpler in construction, lighter in weight, more saving in space, and much more excellent in water-proofness, heat-resistance, weather- proofness and insulation.

Claims

1. A face brightening device for use with vehicles wherein a plurality of transparent optical fibers are:

arranged side by side in a certain width;

fixed together on a base film of synthetic resin to form a flat area and notched at their flat area to form light-emitting portions which represent letters, patterns or the like; and

bundled together at both ends thereof with the bundled ends each connected to a light source.

2. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the device is a hood ornament comprising a plurality of optical fibers arranged side by side, notched to have the desired brightness, attached to a coupler at each bundled end, the coupler connected to a light source.

3. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is a hood ornament comprising a plurality of optical fibers arranged side by side, notched to brighten letters, numbers, patterns or the like, and attached to a coupler, at each bundled end the coupler connected to a light source.

4. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is a hood ornament comprising a plurality of optical fibers arranged side by side to form a flat area, notched on both sides of said flat area to brighten letters, patterns and the like, and attached to a coupler, said coupler at each bundled end connected to a light source.

5. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is a hood ornament comprising a plurality of optical fibers arranged side by side to form two layers of flat area, one side of each of the flat area layers being notched to brighten letters, patterns or the like and a reflector plate sandwiched between these flat area layers of the light fibers.

6. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is an indicator for a transmission change gear lever comprising a plurality of optical fibers arranged side by side, notched to emit light, and attached to a coupler at each bundled end, said fibers attached to the underside of a display housing which is a part of the indicator.

7. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is an indicator for a transmission change gear lever comprising a plurality of optical fibers arranged side by side, notched to brighten letters on the display housing, and attached to a coupler at each bundled end, the fibers attached to the underside of the display housing which is part of the indicator.

8. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is applied to the front grill of the vehicle.

9. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is applied to the rear lights of the vehicle.

10. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is applied to external garnish elements of the vehicle.

11. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the face brightening device is a rear panel garnish of the vehicle.

12. A face brightening device for use with vehicles according to claim 11, wherein the optical fibers are connected to a light source at both ends thereof.