Functional and ornamental vehicle accessories

• US 8,330,595 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2006
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rajiv Lal
• Original Assignee: Rajiv Lal
• Inventors: Lal, Rajiv
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US11/464,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20070013505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,311 Days
• Field of Search: 340463-479, 340/425.5, 340/426.16, 340/995.12, 340/988, 340/991, 340/815.4, 340/438, 340/815.45, 362/80, 362565-611
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• 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 2011/004 outside the vehicle

Abstract

Systems and methods for a functional and ornamental vehicle accessory are provided. The vehicle accessory includes a housing and a mounting mechanism for coupling the accessory to a vehicle. The vehicle accessory can also include a light source or light conducting member. Wiring for electrically connecting the light source can be included such that the vehicle accessory can illuminate during a variety of vehicle functions. The vehicle accessory can also operate as a communication hub for the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle accessory comprising:

a housing manufactured from at least one of a translucent material or a metal material configured to be removably coupled to a vehicle;

a light conducting member that extends through the housing and is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the housing;

an end ornament that operates as a communication hub for the vehicle and is adapted to receive and transmit information, comprising a screen configured to display a message; and

a mounting mechanism configured to couple the vehicle accessory to the vehicle.

2. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, wherein the message is a text message or a graphic message.

3. The vehicle accessory of claim 2, wherein the screen is a light emitting diode (LED) screen.

4. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, wherein the end ornament is adapted for wireless communication via satellite, digital, cellular, internet, or radio.

5. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, wherein the end ornament is adapted for wireless communication via a frequency adjusting wireless communication protocol.

6. The vehicle accessory of claim 5, wherein the frequency adjusting wireless communication protocol is Bluetooth.

7. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, wherein the light conducting member comprises a light pipe and a light source.

8. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one design, wherein the at least one design generates at least one light pattern.

9. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, wherein the light conducting member illuminates at least a portion of the housing in at least one color.

10. The vehicle accessory of claim 9, wherein the at least one color is at least one of:

red, yellow, blue, purple, green, orange, black, white, pink or amber.

11. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, wherein the light conducting member illuminates at least a portion of the housing with at least two regions of light patterns.

12. The vehicle accessory of claim 11, wherein the at least two regions of light patterns comprise:

a first region with a first light intensity and a second region with a second light intensity.

13. A method for fabricating a vehicle accessory comprising:

extending a light source through a housing;

coupling the light source to a vehicle light to illuminate a portion of the housing; and

attaching an end ornament configured to transmit and receive communications comprising a screen configured to display a text message to the housing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein illuminating at least a portion of the housing further comprising generating light patterns.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising attaching the accessory to the outside of the vehicle.

16. A method for wireless communication comprising:

establishing communications between an end ornament of a vehicle accessory mounted on an exterior of a vehicle and a wireless communications device;

transmitting and receiving messages between the end ornament and the wireless communications device; and

displaying the messages on the end ornament.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the wireless communications device is a personal digital assistant.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the wireless communications device is a cellular telephone.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the wireless communications device is a mobile messaging device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the end ornament and the wireless communications device communicate via at least one of satellite, digital, cellular, internet, or radio.