Tailgate illumination system
First Claim
1. A vehicle, comprising:
- a truck bed defining a cargo space;
a bumper positioned vehicle rearward of the truck bed;
a tailgate defining a recessed surface, the tailgate rotatable between substantially open and substantially closed positions; and
an illumination system comprising;
a first optically interactive portion positioned on the truck bed;
a second optically interactive portion positioned on the tailgate; and
a light source positioned on the recessed surface of the tailgate, wherein the light source and the first and second optically interactive surfaces are configured to illuminate the cargo space when the tailgate is in the substantially open position and illuminate the bumper in the substantially closed position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An illumination system for a vehicle includes a truck bed defining a cargo space, a bumper positioned vehicle rearward of the truck bed, and a tailgate defining a recessed surface and rotatable between substantially open and substantially closed positions. A first optically interactive portion is positioned on the truck bed and a second optically interactive portion is positioned on the tailgate. A light source is positioned on the recessed surface of the tailgate. The light source and the first and second optically interactive surfaces are configured to illuminate the cargo space when the tailgate is in the substantially open position and illuminate the bumper when the tailgate is in the substantially closed position.
119 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle, comprising:
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a truck bed defining a cargo space; a bumper positioned vehicle rearward of the truck bed; a tailgate defining a recessed surface, the tailgate rotatable between substantially open and substantially closed positions; and an illumination system comprising; a first optically interactive portion positioned on the truck bed; a second optically interactive portion positioned on the tailgate; and a light source positioned on the recessed surface of the tailgate, wherein the light source and the first and second optically interactive surfaces are configured to illuminate the cargo space when the tailgate is in the substantially open position and illuminate the bumper in the substantially closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle comprising:
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a truck bed defining a cargo space; a bumper positioned vehicle rearward of the truck bed; a tailgate operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position; and an illumination system comprising a light source positioned on the tailgate such that the light source illuminates the bumper when the tailgate is in the closed position and illuminates the cargo space when the tailgate is in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle comprising:
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a truck bed, defining a cargo space and having an optically interactive portion positioned thereon; a bumper positioned vehicle rearward of the truck bed, the bumper defining a license plate area; a trailer hitch mounted below the bumper; and a light source positioned on a tailgate which is operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, wherein the optically interactive portion and light source are configured to cooperatively illuminate the cargo space when the tailgate is in the open position and illuminate the license plate area of the bumper and the trailer hitch in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification