Courtesy illumination disk for a cup holder

• US 6,896,387 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregg A. Renfro
• Original Assignee: Gregg A. Renfro
• Inventors: Renfro, Gregg A.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/427,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20040218377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 362/31, 362/555, 362/488, 362/511, 362/255, 362/311, 362/330, 362/800, 362/154, 362/101, 362/562
• US Class Current: 362/602
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 23/0309 Illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/101 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/229 Cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/66 for distributing light among several lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses

Abstract

A device for providing a source of illumination for recessed cup holders on the console of an automotive vehicle, boat and the like. The illumination device includes a clear acrylic disk that is adapted to be nested on the bottom wall of a conventional, standard size cup holder. The acrylic disk has a hollow portion that receives an LED lamp. The lamp is conventionally wired to the vehicle electric system. The device provides a subtle, aesthetic illumination ring of around a receptacle placed in the recessed holder, thus allowing both driver and passenger to safely locate the beverage receptacle at night.

Claims

1. The combination of a motorized vehicle having a console, wherein the console has at least one recessed cup holder therein, said recessed cup holder having a bottom wall and an open top and an illumination device positioned in said cup holder on said bottom wall, said illumination device comprising:

a disk, said disk having a diameter of 2.75 inches and a thickness of {fraction (3/16)} of an inch and being fabricated from a clear, transparent acrylic material;

an LED lamp enclosed within said disk and sealed therein; and

electric transmission wires connected to said LED lamp.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle has an electrical system and the electric transmission wires are connected to the electrical system for activating said LED lamp.

3. The combination as recited in claim 2, including a switch disposed on said console for activating and deactivating said LED lamp.