Vehicle lighting having remote light source

• US 5,709,453 A
• Filed: 08/16/1994
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward D. Krent, Nicholas B. Paffett
• Original Assignee: Edward D. Krent, Nicholas B. Paffett
• Inventors: Krent, Edward D., Paffett, Nicholas B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/291,106
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/27, 362/31, 362/32, 362/61, 362/80, 362/84, 362/806, 362/80.1, 362/100, 250/484.2, 40/546
• US Class Current: 362/496
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 11/00 Non-electric lighting devices or systems using daylight roofs with sky-light opening E04D13/03; sun blinds for windows with means for redirecting light onto ceiling of a room E06B9/00; hybrid lighting devices combining artificial and natural light F21S19/00; solar heat collectors F24S; solar cells or solar cell modules H01L31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 2200/30 of light guides doped with fluorescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0003 the light guides being doped with fluorescent agents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

Apparatus for providing illumination on a vehicle utilizing light conducting, fluorescent substance containing sheets of material. In each embodiment, an exposed edge of the sheet of material is used to provide the intense, illuminated strip of light desired. Either natural light or a dedicated source of electric light is used to illuminate a light gathering portion of a sheet of this material which conducts the light to the edge to produce a brilliant strip of light. The strips can be disposed adjacent an automobile light, along seams in the body or along a spoiler disposed on the automobile. These sheets of material can also be positioned such that the edges thereof illuminate the location of lock cylinder, or the location of a door handle, or a vehicle logo. Retrofittable strips are also described.

Claims

1. In a vehicle, an illumination device comprising:

a sheet formed of a light conducting, fluorescent substance containing material, said sheet having a light emitting edge and a light gathering portion disposed in a cavity in the vehicle;

a source of illumination for directing light onto said light gathering portion of said sheet; and

at least one panel on said vehicle disposed adjacent to said light gathering portion of said sheet and said source of illumination to protect said light gathering portion of said sheet and said source of illumination from an external environment, said edge of said sheet being visible externally of said at least one panel on said vehicle.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said edge of said sheet is disposed along a seam between two panels on an exterior surface of the vehicle.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said source of illumination comprises at least one electrically powered lighting element disposed in close proximity to said light gathering portion of said sheet.

4. An apparatus for providing an illuminated strip in a seam between two panels on a surface of an automobile, said apparatus comprising:

a sheet formed of a light conducting, fluorescent substance containing material having an edge disposed along the seam between the two panels and having a light gathering portion at a location remote from said edge;

a source of illumination for directing light onto said light gathering portion of said sheet; and

a housing for at least partially enclosing said source of illumination and said light gathering portion of said sheet for protection thereof against an external environment and for preventing light from said source of illumination from being visible except along said edge of said sheet.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said source of illumination is at least a single electrically powered lamp disposed adjacent said light gathering portion of said sheet.