Pinch warning and illumination system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A warning device for mounting on one of a powered movable member or a stationary member of a motor vehicle, said warning device comprising:
- an elongated resiliently compressible member;
lighting operably connected to and extending along at least a portion of the length of said elongated compressible member; and
a controller actuating said lighting and causing said lighting to emit light continuously or intermittently when said controller receives a signal indicating that said powered movable member is moving relative to said stationary member.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light source is incorporated into a weatherstrip or pinch strip assembly mounted on a movable panel or at the opening in a frame or panel which receives the movable panel. The light is illuminated to warn that a movable panel of a vehicle is about to close or open, is closing or opening, or that an obstruction has been encountered. The light can operate intermittently during opening or closing, and continuously when the movable panel is open.
91 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A warning device for mounting on one of a powered movable member or a stationary member of a motor vehicle, said warning device comprising:
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an elongated resiliently compressible member; lighting operably connected to and extending along at least a portion of the length of said elongated compressible member; and a controller actuating said lighting and causing said lighting to emit light continuously or intermittently when said controller receives a signal indicating that said powered movable member is moving relative to said stationary member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A warning and/or illumination system for incorporation into a structure having a powered movable member associated with a fixed member, said powered movable member moving between an open position and a closed position relative to said fixed member upon actuation of a powered actuator operably interconnecting said powered movable member and said fixed member, said system comprising:
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one of a weather seal or a pinch strip device for securing to one of said powered movable member or said associated fixed member; lighting operably connected to at least a portion of the length of said one of said weather seal or said pinch strip; and a controller activating said lighting to provide a warning when said powered movable member is moving under power relative to said fixed member, regardless of whether or not the controllers receives a signal indicating the presence of an object. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An automobile comprising:
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a powered actuator; a body and a panel which moves relative to the body between an open position and a closed position upon actuation of said powered actuator; one of a weather seal or a pinch strip device for securing to one of said panel or said body; lighting operably connected to at least a portion of the length of said one of said weather seal or said pinch strip; a controller activating said lighting upon receiving a signal indicating that said powered actuator is being actuated such that said panel is, or will be, closing relative to said body. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A weather seal or pinch strip comprising:
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a mounting member; an elongated, resiliently compressible member positioned on said mounting member; a lighting member;
secured to said compressible anda controller configured to control said lighting member and cause said lighting member to be illuminated, based at least in part upon actuation of a powered actuator that moves a movable vehicle panel relative to a fixed vehicle structure. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A weather seal or pinch strip comprising:
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an elongated, resiliently compressible member; a lighting member secured to said compressible member; and
wherein;said elongated compressible member includes spaced apertures therein; said lighting is located inside said elongated compressible member so as to be visible at said apertures; and a controller causing said lighting to be actuated due to a signal indicative of a powered panel being actuated for powered movement relative to a stationary structure. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A weather seal or pinch strip comprising:
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an elongated resiliently compressible member; an elongated mounting member to which said compressible member is secured, said mounting member including at least one flange projecting from said resiliently compressible member, said mounting member adapted for securing to a vehicle; a lighting member secured to one of said flange of said mounting member and said resiliently compressible member; and a controller causing said lighting to be actuated due to a signal indicative of a powered panel being actuated for powered movement relative to a stationary structure. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for warning when a movable panel of a vehicle is closing and/or when it is opening regardless of whether or not the presence of an object is detected, said method comprising:
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providing a vehicle with a body and a panel which is moved by a powered actuator relative to the body between an open position and a closed position; providing one of a weather seal or a pinch strip device for securing to one of said panel or said body; providing lighting operably connected to a portion of the length of one of said weather seal or said pinch strip; and activating said lighting upon actuation of said powered actuator to close said panel relative to said body. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A pinch strip device for mounting on one of a powered movable member or a stationary member, said pinch strip comprising:
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a resiliently compressible member; lighting operably connected to and extending along at least a portion of the length of said compressible member; and a controller configured to actuate said lighting to emit light continuously or intermittently upon receiving a signal indicating that a powered actuator is being actuated to move said movable member relative to said stationary member.
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Specification