Multi-colored vehicle rear lamp

• US 9,599,307 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2015
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grote Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Grote Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Norris, Brian K., Staggs, Randall, Anand, Nakul, Smith, Shawn S., Riley, Christopher C., Noe, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coughlin, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEERCE, MATTHEW J
• Application Number:
  US14/690,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20150226396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 362/545
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/15 Strips of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/20 characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/255 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/13 comprising an assembly of point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lamp for the rear of a vehicle is disclosed with a light transmissive cover having a red first illuminated surface area and a clear second illuminated surface area. It has a first LED light emitter located directly beneath the red first area, a second LED light emitter located directly beneath the clear second area, and a third LED light emitter, also located directly beneath said clear second area. The third red LED light emitter is for emitting red light through the clear second area simultaneously with light transmitted through the red first area, whereby the first and second areas are adapted to collectively form a contiguous red illuminated surface area.

Claims

1. A lamp for the rear of a vehicle, including:

a light transmissive cover having a first illuminated surface area and a second illuminated surface area;

(a) said first area of said cover being light transmissive and being red in color;

(1) a first light emitter located directly beneath said first area;

(b) said second area being light transmissive and being clear in color;

(2) a second light emitter, separate from said first light emitter, located directly beneath said clear second area and not located beneath said first area, and, wherein said second light emitter emits white light when activated; and

(3) a third light emitter, separate from said first and said second light emitters, located directly beneath said clear second area and not located beneath said first area, wherein said third light emitter emits red light through said clear second area when activated;

wherein said first and third light emitters are operable simultaneously so as to present said first and second illuminated surface areas as a contiguous red illuminated surface area.

2. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said first and third light emitters can be activated and de-activated independently of said second light emitter.

3. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said first and second light emitters are operable simultaneously.

4. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said first light emitter can be activated and de-activated independently of said third light emitter.

5. A method of using the lamp of claim 1, comprising:

emitting light from the first light emitter through the first area of the light transmissive cover; and

simultaneously

emitting red light from the third light emitter through the clear second area so as to form a contiguous red illuminated surface across the first and second areas of light transmissive cover.

6. A method of using the lamp of claim 1, comprising:

emitting light from the first light emitter through the first area of the light transmissive cover; and

simultaneously

emitting white light from the second light emitter through the clear second area.

7. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said first light emitter emits red light.

8. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said first light emitter emits white light.

9. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said first light emitter comprises a plurality of LEDs, and wherein said plurality of LEDs surround said second light emitter and said third light emitter.

10. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said cover has multiple parts.

11. The lamp of claim 1, wherein said lamp is free of a reflector.

12. A lamp for the rear of a vehicle, including:

a light transmissive cover having a first illuminated surface area and a second illuminated surface area;

(a) said first area of said cover being light transmissive and being red in color;

(1) a first light emitter located directly beneath said first area;

(b) said second area being light transmissive and being clear in color;

(2) a second light emitter, separate from said first light emitter, located directly beneath said clear second area and not located beneath said first area, and, wherein said second light emitter emits white light when activated; and

(3) a third light emitter, separate from said first and said second light emitters, located directly beneath said clear second area and not located beneath said first area, wherein said third light emitter emits red light through said clear second area when activated;

wherein said lamp is operable in at least a tail lamp mode and a brake mode;

wherein said first light emitter is activated and said third light emitter is not activated in said tail lamp mode; and

wherein said first and third light emitters are both activated in said brake mode.

13. The lamp of claim 12, wherein said lamp is operable in a reverse mode wherein said second light emitter is activated;

and

wherein said first light emitter is activated or becomes brighter when the vehicle'"'"'s brakes are applied.

14. The lamp of claim 13, wherein said third light emitter is not activated in said reverse mode.