Illuminated air fairing display

• US 6,814,474 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AB Volvo
• Original Assignee: MACK Trucks Incorporated (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: Groeller, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US10/124,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 362/485, 362/493, 362/496, 362/546, 362/479, 362/480, 296/180.2, 405/56, 405/88, 405/90, 405/91, 405/92
• US Class Current: 362/485
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans

Abstract

An illuminated air fairing display device for a truck is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The illuminated air fairing display device includes an air fairing, a light transmissive region in the fairing, and a plurality of light sources positioned in close relation to the light transmissive region. The light transmissive region includes at least one logo or indicium. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the light transmissive region.

Claims

1. An illuminated air fairing display device adapted for use on a truck, comprising:

an air fairing adapted to attach to a cab portion of said truck;

a light transmissive region in said fairing comprising an illuminated air fairing display device; and

a plurality of light sources positioned in close relation to said light transmissive region, wherein light emitted from said plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates said light transmissive region;

wherein said illuminated air fairing display device is removably mounted to said air fairing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said light transmissive region is formed into at least one indicium.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said light transmissive region is formed into at least one logo.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a light source of said plurality of light sources comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

6. The device of claim 1, wherein a light source of said plurality of light sources comprises a substantially white light source.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of light sources are substantially evenly spaced within said light transmissive region.

2. An illuminated air fairing display device adapted for use on a truck, comprising:

an air fairing adapted to attach to a cab portion of said truck;

a light transmissive region in said fairing comprising an illuminated air fairing display device; and

a plurality of light sources positioned in close relation to said light transmissive region, wherein light emitted from said plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates said light transmissive region;

further comprising a frame that holds said illuminated air fairing display device in a corresponding aperture in said air fairing.

15. The device of claim 2, wherein said light transmissive region is formed into at least one indicium.

16. The device of claim 2, wherein said light transmissive region is formed into at least one logo.

17. The device of claim 2, wherein a light source of said plurality of light sources comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

18. The device of claim 2, wherein a light source of said plurality of light sources comprises a substantially white light source.

19. The device of claim 2, wherein said plurality of light sources are substantially evenly spaced within said light transmissive region.

8. A method of forming an illuminated air fairing display for a truck, comprising the steps of:

providing an air fairing adapted to attach to a cab portion of said truck;

providing a light transmissive region in said fairing comprising an illuminated air fairing display device; and

positioning a plurality of light sources in close relation to said light transmissive region, wherein light emitted from said plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates said light transmissive region;

further comprising providing a removably mounted illuminated air fairing display device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing said light transmissive region further comprises forming at least one indicium into said light transmissive region.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing said light transmissive region further comprises forming at least one logo into said light transmissive region.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of substantially white light sources.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of substantially evenly spaced light sources within said light transmissive region.

9. A method of forming an illuminated air fairing display for a truck, comprising the steps of:

providing an air fairing adapted to attach to a cab portion of said truck;

providing a light transmissive region in said fairing comprising an illuminated air fairing display device; and

positioning a plurality of light sources in close relation to said light transmissive region, wherein light emitted from said plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates said light transmissive region;

further comprising the step of providing a frame that holds said illuminated air fairing display device in a corresponding aperture in said air fairing.

20. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said light transmissive region further comprises forming at least one indicium into said light transmissive region.

21. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said light transmissive region further comprises forming at least one logo into said light transmissive region.

22. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

23. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of substantially white light sources.

24. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of substantially evenly spaced light sources within said light transmissive region.