Auxiliary lighting roof rack

• US 9,758,088 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2016
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Johnson, Aaron Bradley, Surman, James J., Dellock, Paul Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/150,648
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 362464, 362479, 362485, 362493, 362540
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0041 of several lamps in relation to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• 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 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/04 Carriers associated with vehicle roof B60R9/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A roof rack assembly is provided herein. A pair of support racks are provided on a roof structure of a vehicle. A first light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam across a hood of the vehicle. A second light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle. A third light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A roof rack assembly comprising:

a plurality of support racks provided on a roof structure of a vehicle;

a first light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project an image across a hood of the vehicle during a welcome or departure event; and

a second light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle.

2. The roof rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the first light source is provided at a front end of each of the support racks.

3. The roof rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the second light source is provided at at least one of a front end and a rear end of each of the support racks.

4. The roof rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the second light source is activated when a driver of the vehicle performs one of a forward turn and a backward turn.

5. The roof rack assembly of claim 4, wherein activation of the second light source is conditioned upon a travelling speed of the vehicle.

6. The roof rack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a number of crossbars coupled to each of the support racks, wherein the crossbars are illuminated by additional light sources each coupled to one of the support racks and disposed at intermediate portions of the respective support racks.

7. The roof rack assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area behind a rear body structure of the vehicle.

8. A roof rack assembly comprising:

a plurality of support racks provided on a roof structure of a vehicle;

a first light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project an image across a hood of the vehicle during a welcome or departure event; and

a second light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle.

9. The roof rack assembly of claim 8, wherein the first light source is provided at a front end of each of the support racks, and wherein the second light source is provided at an intermediate portion of each of the support racks.

10. The roof rack assembly of claim 8, wherein the second light source is activated during the welcome or departure event.

11. The roof rack assembly of claim 8, further comprising a number of crossbars coupled to each of the support racks, wherein the crossbars are illuminated by additional light sources each coupled to one of the support racks and disposed at intermediate portions of the respective support racks.

12. The roof rack assembly of claim 8, further comprising a third light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area behind a rear body structure of the vehicle.

13. A roof rack assembly comprising:

a plurality of support racks provided on a roof structure of a vehicle;

a first light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project an image across a hood of the vehicle;

a second light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle; and

a third light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle, wherein the first and third light sources are activated during a welcome or departure event.

14. The roof rack assembly of claim 13, wherein the first light source is provided at a front end of each of the support racks, wherein the second light source is provided at at least one of a front end and a rear end of each of the support racks, and wherein the third light source is provided at an intermediate portion of each of the support racks.

15. The roof rack assembly of claim 13, wherein the second light source is activated when a driver of the vehicle performs one of a forward turn and a backward turn.

16. The roof rack assembly of claim 15, wherein activation of the second light source is conditioned upon a travelling speed of the vehicle.

17. The roof rack assembly of claim 13, further comprising a number of crossbars coupled to each of the support racks, wherein the crossbars are illuminated by additional light sources each coupled to one of the support racks and disposed at intermediate portions of the respective support racks, and further comprising a fourth light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area behind a rear body structure of the vehicle.