Light assembly for a vehicle

• US 7,261,446 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2005
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bud Thomas
• Original Assignee: Bud Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Bud
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton; Anabel
• Application Number:
  US11/031,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20060152936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 362/459, 362479-482, 362/484, 362/485, 362/486, 362487-490, 362/493
• US Class Current: 362/459
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2615 mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/51 for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device

Abstract

A light fixture assembly for the interior of a vehicle comprises a mounting member having a tab and a recessed cavity disposed on generally opposed end portions, and at least two spaced apart openings adapted to receive fasteners for securing the mounting member to the interior of a vehicle. The light fixture further comprises a light assembly housing having a recessed area in the back of the housing for receiving the mounting member, a retaining rib defining a space for receiving and retaining the tab of the mounting member, and an opening adapted to receive a fastener for engaging the recessed cavity of the mounting member to secure the light assembly housing to the mounting member.

Claims

1. A light fixture for the interior or exterior of a vehicle comprising:

a mounting member having a tab disposed on one end portion and a cavity disposed on a generally opposite end portion, the mounting member including at least two spaced apart openings adapted to receive fasteners for securing the mounting member to the vehicle, and a central opening for receiving at least two wires from an electrical power source, wherein the central opening is of a predetermined width to allow for adjusting the mounting member over the vehicle power wires to position the light fixture in a desired location; and

a light fixture housing comprising;

an aperture in the front of the housing for emitting light therethrough;

a slot adjacent the aperture within the light fixture housing for receiving a light pipe;

a light pipe disposed within the slot in the light fixture housing;

a reflective strip enclosing the light pipe within the slot;

a light emitting diode in connection with the at least two wires from an electrical power source, wherein the emitted light from the diode is transmitted into the light pipe and dispersed through the aperture;

a backing plate configured to retain the light emitting diode, light pipe and reflective strip within the light fixture housing;

a recessed cavity in the back of the light fixture housing adapted to fit over the mounting member;

a retaining rib in one end of the light fixture housing defining a space for receiving and retaining the tab disposed on one end portion of the mounting member;

an opening in an opposite end of the light fixture housing adapted to receive a fastener for threadably engaging the cavity in the generally opposite end portion of the mounting member to secure the light housing to the mounting member.

2. The light fixture of claim 1 wherein the central opening of the mounting base includes a sufficient space therein for receiving a minimum length of wiring to allow for ergonomic connection of the light fixture prior to installing the light fixture housing.

3. The light fixture of claim 2 wherein the mounting member further comprises a contoured profile, and the light fixture housing further comprises a recessed cavity for receiving the contoured profile of the mounting member.

4. The light fixture of claim 3 wherein the light fixture housing is configured to be installed on a generally curved surface.

5. The light fixture of claim 4 wherein the mounting member further comprises a circumferential slot on the surface that engages the interior of the vehicle, the slot being configured to receive a resilient compressible o-ring.

6. A light fixture assembly for the interior or exterior of a vehicle comprising:

a mounting member having a contoured profile, a tab and a recessed cavity disposed on generally opposed end portions, the mounting member including at least two spaced apart openings therein for receiving fasteners to secure the mounting member to the vehicle; and

a light assembly housing having a central aperture for emitting light from a light source, a slot within the light assembly housing adjacent the aperture for receiving a light source therein;

a recess for receiving the contoured profile of the mounting member, a retaining rib defining a space for receiving and retaining the tab of the mounting member, and an engaging means for engaging the recessed cavity of the mounting member to secure the light assembly housing to the mounting member.

7. The light fixture of claim 6 wherein the engaging means of the light fixture housing comprises a projecting member that fits into and engages the recessed cavity of the mounting member.

8. The light fixture of claim 6 wherein the spaced apart openings of the mounting member are adapted to receive fasteners for securing the mounting member to the interior of a vehicle.

11. The light fixture of claim 6 wherein the mounting member further comprises electrical connectors integral to the mounting member for establishing electrical connection through the mounting member to the light fixture when the light fixture housing is installed onto the mounting member.

12. The light fixture of claim 6 wherein the mounting member further comprises a central opening for permitting passage of an electrical power connection for a light fixture therethrough.

9. A light fixture assembly for the interior or exterior of a vehicle comprising:

a mounting member having a tab and a recessed cavity disposed on generally opposed end portions, the mounting member including at least two spaced apart openings therein adapted to receive fasteners to secure the mounting member to the interior of a vehicle; and

a light fixture housing having a central aperture for emitting light from a light source, a retaining rib defining a space for receiving and retaining the tab of the mounting member, and an engaging means for engaging the recessed cavity of the mounting member to secure the light fixture housing to the mounting member,

wherein the mounting member further comprises a contoured profile, and the light fixture housing further comprises a recessed cavity for receiving the contoured profile of the mounting member.

10. The light fixture of claim 9 wherein the engaging means comprises an opening in the housing adapted to receive a fastener that threadably engages the recessed cavity of the mounting member to secure the light fixture housing to the mounting member.

13. A light fixture assembly for the interior or exterior of a vehicle comprising:

a mounting member having a tab and a recessed cavity disposed on generally opposed end portions, the mounting member including at least two spaced apart openings therein adapted to receive fasteners to secure the mounting member to the interior of a vehicle, and a central opening for permitting passage of an electrical power connection for a light fixture therethrough; and

a light assembly housing having a central aperture for emitting light from a light source, a retaining rib defining a space for receiving and retaining the tab of the mounting member, and an engaging means for engaging the recessed cavity of the mounting member to secure the light fixture housing to the mounting member;

wherein the housing further comprises a slot within the housing adjacent the aperture for receiving a light pipe.

14. The light fixture of claim 13, further comprising a light emitting diode in connection with the at least two wires from an electrical power source, wherein the emitted light is transmitted into the light pipe and dispersed through the aperture.

15. The light fixture of claim 14 further comprising a backing plate configured to retain the light emitting diode and light pipe within the housing.

16. The light fixture of claim 15 wherein the electrical power connection comprises at least two wires and the central opening of the mounting base provides sufficient space for receiving a minimum length of wiring to allow for ergonomic connection of the light fixture prior to installing the light fixture.

17. A light fixture assembly for the interior or exterior of a vehicle comprising:

a mounting member having a tab and a recessed cavity disposed on generally opposed end portions, the mounting member including a central opening and at least two spaced apart openings adapted to receive fasteners for securing the mounting member to the interior of a vehicle; and

a light assembly housing having an aperture in the front of the housing for emitting light from a light source, a recessed area in the back of the housing for receiving the mounting member, a retaining rib defining a space for receiving and retaining the tab of the mounting member, and an opening adapted to receive a fastener for engaging the recessed cavity of the mounting member to secure the light assembly housing to the mounting member.

18. The light fixture of claim 17 wherein the opening in the light fixture housing is adapted to threadably receive a fastener that engages the recessed cavity in the mounting member to secure the housing to the mounting member.

19. The light fixture of claim 17 wherein the opening in the light fixture housing is adapted to receive a fastener that threadably engages the recessed cavity in the mounting member to secure the housing to the mounting member.

20. The light fixture of claim 19 wherein the electrical power connection comprises at least two wires and the central opening of the mounting base provides sufficient space for receiving a minimum length of wiring to allow for ergonomic connection of the light fixture prior to installing the light fixture.

21. The light fixture of claim 20 wherein the housing further comprises a slot within the housing adjacent the aperture for receiving a light pipe.

22. The light fixture of claim 21, further comprising a light emitting diode in connection with the at least two wires from an electrical power source, wherein the emitted light is transmitted into the light pipe and dispersed through the aperture.