Photoluminescent device holder

• US 9,399,427 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Dunham, Scott Holmes, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Huebner, Annette Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US14/502,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20150197190A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 362487-488, 362509-510
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/229 Cup holders
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light

Abstract

An illuminated device storage apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The storage apparatus comprises a console forming an elongated opening leading to a cavity. At least one support member extends along the elongated opening and is configured to engage a device. The storage apparatus further comprises a light source disposed proximate the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upward to illuminate the at least one support member.

Claims

1. A photoluminescent device storage apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a console comprising an elongated opening forming a cavity;

a pair of support members forming a first photoluminescent portion extending along opposing sides of a top of the elongated opening and configured to engage a device therebetween; and

a light source disposed proximate the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upward to illuminate the photoluminescent portion in a second emission.

2. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light guide extending from the light source through the cavity.

3. The storage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light guide is configured to transmit the first emission from the light source and disperse the first emission in the cavity.

4. The storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first emission passes through a volumetric space of the cavity to the first photoluminescent portion to illuminate the pair of support members in a second emission.

5. The storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first emission is dispersed substantially uniformly throughout the cavity.

6. The storage apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second photoluminescent portion disposed proximate a fore region of the console.

7. The storage apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light guide comprises a proximal end portion configured to receive the first emission from the light source and transmit a portion of the first emission to a distal end portion of the light guide proximate the second photoluminescent portion.

8. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the portion of the first emission is converted to a third emission emitted toward a stationary portion of the console.

9. A photoluminescent storage apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a console comprising;

a lower portion; and

an upper portion operable to rotate from a first position to a second position;

a light source disposed proximate the lower portion configured to emit a first emission of light; and

a first photoluminescent portion and a second photoluminescent, wherein first emission is directed to the first photoluminescent portion in the first position and the second photoluminescent in the second position.

10. The storage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the upper portion is operable to rotate relative to the lower portion from the first position to the second position.

11. The storage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the upper portion forms an elongated opening and a cavity, the first photoluminescent portion is proximate the opening.

12. The storage apparatus according to claim 11, wherein in the first position, the first emission is transmitted through a light guide disposed in the upper portion and configured to emit the first emission in the cavity to illuminate the first photoluminescent portion in a second emission.

13. The storage apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in the second position, the first emission is directed toward a pocket of the upper portion comprising the second photoluminescent portion, wherein the second photoluminescent portion emits a third emission in response to receiving the first emission to illuminate the lower portion.