Low profile light for article carrier system

• US 7,377,674 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Advanced Accessory Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Miller, Robert H., Henderson, William R., Saward, Ronald G., Fowler, Winston, Danczuk, Timothy A., Burnham, Robert E., Klinkman, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Application Number:
  US11/589,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20070217212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 362/480, 362/484, 362/294, 362/373, 362/547, 362/345
• US Class Current: 362/484
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/04 Carriers associated with vehicle roof B60R9/08 takes precedence

Abstract

An article carrier apparatus for a vehicle includes a cross rail interconnected to an exterior surface of the vehicle, a heat sink positioned within the cross rail, and a light source positioned within the cross rail. The light source is thermally connected to the heat sink such that the heat sink will absorb at least a portion of the heat generated by operation of the light source. The cross rail will structurally support an article attached to the exterior of a vehicle.

Claims

1. An article carrier apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a cross rail interconnected to an exterior surface of the vehicle;

a heat sink positioned within the cross rail;

a light source positioned within the cross rail and thermally connected to the heat sink such that the heat sink will absorb at least a portion of the heat generated by operation of the light source; and

at least one reflector, wherein at least a portion of the light source is positioned within the reflector, wherein the cross rail will structurally support an article attached to the exterior of a vehicle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat sink material has the thermal conductivity of at least aluminum.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light source includes at least one LED.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source produces at least 5,000 lumens.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source produces at least 15,000 lumens.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat sink is connected to a first side rail and a second side rail so as to selectively structurally support an article.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least 12 sources of light wherein the heat sink thermally interconnects the at least 12 sources of light.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat sink includes a plurality of heat dissipating fins to dissipate heat.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflector is connected to the heat sink with a thermally conductive adhesive.

10. An article carrier apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a cross rail interconnected to an exterior surface of the vehicle;

a heat sink positioned within the cross rail; and

a light source positioned within the cross rail and thermally connected to the heat sink such that the heat sink will absorb at least a portion of the heat generated by operation of the light source,

wherein the cross rail will structurally support an article attached to the exterior of a vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising at least one reflector, wherein at least a portion of the light source is positioned within the reflector, and the reflector is connected to the heat sink with a thermal based epoxy.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said light source includes at least one LED.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light source produces at least 5,000 lumens.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, the cross rail includes a sleeve for protecting the light source.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the heat sink material has the thermal conductivity of at least aluminum.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising at least 12 sources of light wherein the heat sink thermally interconnects the at least 12 sources of light.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the heat sink is connected to a first side rail and a second side rail so as to selectively structurally support an article.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light source produces at least 5,000 lumens.

20. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cross rail is sealed to prevent inleakage of water.

18. An article carrier apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a cross rail interconnected to an exterior surface of the vehicle;

a heat sink positioned within the cross rail; and

a light source positioned within the cross rail and thermally connected to the heat sink such that the heat sink will absorb at least a portion of the heat generated by operation of the light source; and

at least one reflector, wherein at least a portion of the light source is positioned within the reflector, and the reflector is connected to the heat sink with a thermal based epoxy, wherein the cross rail will structurally support an article attached to the exterior of a vehicle.