Vehicle light assembly and manufacturing method

• US 7,804,418 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2007
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ventra Greenwich Holdings Corp.
• Original Assignee: Ventra Greenwich Holdings Corp.
• Inventors: Sullivan, Lester R., Nykerk, Todd M., Reniger, Bruce L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/708,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20070193085A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/815.45, 340/479, 340471-476, 340/488, 340/515, 340468-469, 362/551, 362/559, 362/582, 362/326, 362/327, 362/317, 362/23, 362 26- 27
• US Class Current: 340/815.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

A lens for a vehicle light assembly includes at least one ink marking provided thereon. At least a portion of the ink marking is configured such that it appears generally opaque to a viewer when a light source in the light assembly is not illuminated and does not appear opaque when the light source is illuminated. The ink marking includes an ink composition that includes a transparent ink and a pigmented ink.

Claims

1. A lens for a vehicle light assembly having at least one ink marking provided thereon, at least a portion of the ink marking configured to be generally opaque to a viewer when a light source in the light assembly is not illuminated and to not be opaque to a viewer when the light source is illuminated, wherein the ink marking comprises an ink composition comprising a transparent ink and a pigmented ink, wherein the ink marking is further configured to allow more incident light to pass through a first portion of the ink marking than through a second portion of the ink marking when the light source is activated.

2. The lens of claim 1, wherein the portion of the ink marking appears invisible to an observer when the light source is illuminated.

3. The lens of claim 1, wherein the portion of the ink marking appears faded to an observer when the light source is illuminated.

4. The lens of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the light from the light source incident upon the ink marking passes through the ink marking when the light source is illuminated.

5. The lens of claim 1, wherein at least 30 percent of the light from the light source incident upon the ink marking passes through the ink marking when the light source is illuminated.

6. The lens of claim 1, wherein the entire ink marking is formed of the same ink composition.

7. The lens of claim 1, wherein the ink marking comprises at least one of a graphical element and a text element.

8. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a polymeric material.

9. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is configured for use in a vehicle brake light.

10. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is configured for use in a center high mounted stop light for a vehicle.

11. A lighting assembly comprising:

a light source;

a lens; and

a marking provided on the lens, the marking comprising an ink that is opaque to a viewer until the light source is activated, wherein the ink is configured to allow at least a portion of the light from the light source to pass through the marking, and wherein the ink comprises a transparent ink and a pigmented ink, wherein the marking is configured to allow more incident light to pass through a first portion of the marking than through a second portion of the marking when the light source is activated.

12. The lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

13. The lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein the lighting assembly is a center high mounted stop light for a vehicle.

14. The lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein the marking comprises at least one of a graphical element and a text element.

15. The lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein the marking is provided on an inner surface of the lens.

16. The lighting assembly of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the marking is configured to disappear to an observer when the light source is activated.

17. A method for producing a lighting assembly comprising:

providing an ink composition comprising a transparent ink and a pigmented ink; and

applying the ink composition to a surface of a lens;

wherein the ink composition is configured to be opaque to a viewer until lit by a light source and to allow at least a portion of the light from the light source to pass through the ink, wherein the ink composition is configured to allow more incident light to pass through a first portion of the ink composition than through a second portion of the ink composition when the light source is activated.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing an ink composition comprises providing the ink composition on a plate having at least one depression formed therein.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of applying the ink composition comprises utilizing a transfer pad to transfer the ink from the plate to the lens.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising removing excess ink from the plate before the step of applying the ink composition.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of applying the ink comprises at least one of spraying, airbrushing, screen printing, ink jet printing, lithography, and static image transfer.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of applying the ink composition to the surface of the lens comprises providing an emblem on the lens.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the emblem comprises at least one of a graphical element and a text element.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the lens is configured for use in a vehicle light assembly.