Light, especially taillight, for motor vehicles

• US 6,286,984 B1
• Filed: 04/07/1999
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Berg, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US09/288,057
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 362/545, 362/540, 362/541, 362/542, 362/230, 362/231, 362/800, 362/227, 362/543, 362/544
• US Class Current: 362/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A light for motor vehicles has a housing having a peripheral edge. A light screen is connected to the peripheral edge of the housing. At least one light source is arranged at least at a portion of the peripheral edge behind the light screen within the housing.

Claims

1. A light for motor vehicles, said light comprising:

a housing (1) having a peripheral edge (4) and a housing wall (1a);

a light screen (2) connected to said peripheral edge (4) of said housing (1);

at least one light source (12) arranged at least at a portion of said peripheral edge (4) behind said light screen (2) within said housing (1), said peripheral edge (4) having a recessed receiving portion (18) and wherein said at least one light source (12) is at least partially received in said receiving portion (18), said peripheral edge (4) connecting said light screen (2) to said housing wall (1a); and

at least one additional light means (11) arranged in said housing (1) opposite to said light screen (2).

2. A light according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said at least one light sources (12) are provided at said peripheral edge (4).

3. A light according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said at least one light sources (12) are arranged adjacent to one another along said peripheral edge (4).

4. A light according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is an LED.

5. A light according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the light beams emitted by said at least one light source (12) impinges on said light screen (2).

6. A light according to claim 1, wherein said housing (1) has a reflective interior surface (7), and wherein a portion of the light beams emitted by said at least one light source (12) impinges on said reflective surface (7) and is reflected to said light screen (2).

7. A light according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral edge (4) has a recessed receiving portion (18) and wherein said at least one light source (12) is at least partially received in said receiving portion (18).

8. A light according to claim 7, wherein said peripheral edge (4) has a Z-shaped cross-section.

9. A light according to claim 7, wherein said housing (1) has a housing wall (1a) and wherein said peripheral edge (4) connects said light screen (2) to said housing wall (1a).

10. A light according to claim 9, wherein said receiving portion (18) is delimited by a portion of said housing wall (1a) and a portion of said peripheral edge (4).

11. A light according to claim 1, wherein said at least one additional light means (11) is arranged at said housing wall (1a).

12. A light according to claim 1, wherein said at least one additional light means is an LED (11).

13. A light according to claim 1, wherein several of said at least one additional light means (11) are provided, wherein each one of said several additional light means (11) has a different signaling function.

14. A light according to claim 1, wherein said light screen (2) has at least one light window (14-16) opposite said at least one additional light means (11).

15. A light according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light window (14-16) is colored according to the signaling function of said at least one additional light means (11).

16. A light according to claim 1, wherein said at least one additional light means (11) is arranged on a printed circuit board (9), wherein said housing wall (1a) has an opening (8), and wherein said printed circuit board (9) is positioned in said opening of said housing wall (1a).

17. A light according to claim 1, wherein said housing (1) has a reflective interior surface (7), wherein a portion of the light beams emitted by said at least one light source (12) impinges on said reflective interior surface (7) and is reflected to said light screen (2), and wherein said at least one additional light means (11) protrudes through said reflective interior surface (7) into the interior of said housing (1).

18. A light for motor vehicles, said light comprising:

a housing (1) having a reflective interior surface (7) and a peripheral edge (4);

a light screen (2) connected to said peripheral edge (4) of said housing (1);

at least one light source (12) arranged at least at a portion of said peripheral edge (4) behind said light screen (2) within said housing (1);

wherein a first portion of the light beams emitted by said at least one light source (12) impinges on said light screen (2) and wherein a second portion of the light beams emitted by said at least one light source (12) impinges on said reflective surface (7) and is reflected to said light screen (2).