Light distribution plenum for an illuminated control assembly and method
First Claim
1. An illuminated control assembly comprising:
- a control panel;
a first control device supported by the control panel and including a first portion accessible to an operator, the first portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the first control device;
a second control device supported by the control panel and including a second portion accessible to an operator, the second portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the second control device; and
a light distribution plenum supported by the control panel adjacent to each of the first control device and the second control device, wherein the light distribution plenum is entirely fixed in place relative to the control panel and is always separate from each of the first control device and the second control device, the light distribution plenum comprising;
an interior surface substantially defining a cavity;
a light source configured to supply light into the cavity;
a first optical avenue configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the first portion to illuminate at least part of the first portion;
a second optical avenue different from the first optical avenue and configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the second portion to illuminate at least part of the second portion; and
at least one selective optic associated with said light distribution plenum and configured to interact with at least a portion of the light.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light distribution plenum includes a shell having an interior surface substantially defining a cavity. A light source receptor is configured to receive light from a light source into the cavity in use. A first optical avenue is associated with the shell and is configured to direct a portion of the light to a first control device. A second optical avenue is associated with the shell, is spaced from the first optical avenue, and is configured to direct a portion of the light to a second control device. At least one selective optic is at least partially within the light distribution plenum and is configured to interact with at least some portion of the light. An illuminated control assembly including a light distribution plenum, a motor vehicle including an illuminated control assembly, and a method of illuminating first and second control devices are also provided.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. An illuminated control assembly comprising:
-
a control panel; a first control device supported by the control panel and including a first portion accessible to an operator, the first portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the first control device; a second control device supported by the control panel and including a second portion accessible to an operator, the second portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the second control device; and a light distribution plenum supported by the control panel adjacent to each of the first control device and the second control device, wherein the light distribution plenum is entirely fixed in place relative to the control panel and is always separate from each of the first control device and the second control device, the light distribution plenum comprising; an interior surface substantially defining a cavity; a light source configured to supply light into the cavity; a first optical avenue configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the first portion to illuminate at least part of the first portion; a second optical avenue different from the first optical avenue and configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the second portion to illuminate at least part of the second portion; and at least one selective optic associated with said light distribution plenum and configured to interact with at least a portion of the light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. A motorcycle having an illuminated control assembly, the motorcycle comprising:
-
a control panel; a first control device supported by the control panel and including a first portion accessible to an operator, the first portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the first control device; a second control device supported by the control panel and including a second portion accessible to an operator, the second portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the second control device; and a light distribution plenum supported by the control panel adjacent to each of the first control device and the second control device, wherein the light distribution plenum is entirely fixed in place relative to the control panel and is always separate from each of the first control device and the second control device, the light distribution plenum comprising; an interior surface substantially defining a cavity; a light source configured to supply light into the cavity; a first optical avenue configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the first portion to illuminate at least part of the first portion; a second optical avenue different from the first optical avenue and configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the second portion to illuminate at least part of the second portion; and at least one selective optic associated with said light distribution plenum and configured to interact with at least a portion of the light. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
-
-
36. A method for providing an illuminated control panel having a first control device and a second control device, the method comprising:
-
providing a control panel supporting a first control device and a second control device, the first control device including a first portion accessible to an operator, the first portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the first control device, the second control device including a second portion accessible to an operator, the second portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the second control device; attaching a light distribution plenum to the control panel such that the light distribution plenum is adjacent to each of the first control device and the second control device, is always separate from each of the first control device and the second control device, and is entirely fixed in place relative to the control panel, the light distribution plenum having a selective optic, a cavity, a first optical avenue, and a second optical avenue, the cavity being in communication with the first and second optical avenues; and providing a light receptor within the cavity that is configured to receive light from a light source, wherein the light interacts with the selective optic and a portion of the light passes through the first optical avenue, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the first portion to illuminate at least part of the first portion, and a portion of the light passes through the second optical avenue, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the second portion to illuminate at least part of the second portion.
-
-
37. An all terrain vehicle having an illuminated control assembly, the all terrain vehicle comprising:
-
a control panel; a first control device supported by the control panel and including a first portion accessible to an operator, the first portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the first control device; a second control device supported by the control panel and including a second portion accessible to an operator, the second portion configured for receiving contact from an operator in actuating the second control device; and a light distribution plenum supported by the control panel adjacent to each of the first control device and the second control device, wherein the light distribution plenum is entirely fixed in place relative to the control panel and is always separate from each of the first control device and the second control device, the light distribution plenum comprising; an interior surface substantially defining a cavity; a light source configured to supply light into the cavity; a first optical avenue configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the first portion to illuminate at least part of the first portion; a second optical avenue different from the first optical avenue and configured to facilitate passage of a portion of the light from the cavity, through the atmosphere external to the control panel, and then onto the second portion to illuminate at least part of the second portion; and at least one selective optic associated with said light distribution plenum and configured to interact with at least a portion of the light. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
-
Specification