Vehicle rear illumination

• US 9,802,531 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2016
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2016
• 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., Surman, James J., Huebner, Annette Lynn, Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Helwig, Stephen Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US15/384,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20170210281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: 362487, 362496, 362509-510
• 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 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• 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: B60Q 3/30 for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/12 Parts or details thereof locks E05B, E05B83/16; devices for holding open E05C17/00, e.g. while carrying oversize objects E05C17/042; hinges E05D; counterbalancing means E05F; checks, stops, buffers E05F5/00; springs, e.g. pneumatic springs F16F

Abstract

A vehicle is presented that includes a lift gate operably connected to a body and operable between open and closed positions. A taillight is positioned at a rear end of the body. A cargo lamp is positioned on an inboard surface of the taillight such that the cargo lamp is concealed when the lift gate is in the closed position.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a cargo space and a lift gate sill;

a lift gate coupled to the body and operable between open and closed positions;

a taillight positioned at a rear end of the body; and

a cargo lamp positioned on a lift gate sill surface of the taillight such that the cargo lamp is positioned between the taillight and lift gate when the lift gate is in the closed position.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cargo lamp is configured to direct light into a cargo space defined by the body.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the cargo lamp is configured to direct light toward a ground beneath the vehicle.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cargo lamp is exposed when the lift gate is in the open position.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cargo lamp is positioned proximate a top of the lift gate sill surface.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cargo lamp is configured to emit at least one of blue and ultraviolet light.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising:

a luminescent structure positioned on a lift gate sill of the body.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the luminescent structure is substantially concealed when the lift gate is in a closed position.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a cargo space and a lift gate sill, the body coupled with a lift gate operable between substantially open and closed positions;

a taillight positioned at a rear end of the body; and

a cargo lamp positioned proximate a top of a lift gate sill surface of the taillight, wherein the cargo lamp is configured to emit light and is positioned between the taillight and the lift gate when the lift gate is in the closed position.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the cargo lamp is concealed when the lift gate is in the closed position.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cargo lamp is exposed when the lift gate is in the open position.

12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the vehicle comprises a plurality of taillights, each of the taillights including a cargo lamp.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the cargo lamp is configured to emit at least one of blue and ultraviolet light.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a cargo space therein;

a lift gate operable between substantially open and closed positions, wherein the lift gate is operable between closed and open positions; and

a taillight which defines a cargo lamp positioned on a lift gate sill surface of the taillight such that the cargo lamp is positioned between the taillight and the lift gate when the lift gate is in the closed position.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the cargo lamp is positioned proximate a top of the taillight.

16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the cargo lamp is configured to illuminate the ground below the vehicle and the cargo space simultaneously.

17. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising:

a luminescent structure positioned on the lift gate sill of the body.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the luminescent structure is a photoluminescent or phosphorescent structure.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the luminescent structure is an optically reflective structure.

20. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the cargo lamp is configured to emit at least one of blue and ultraviolet light.