Tailgate and cargo box illumination

• US 9,815,402 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2017
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2017
• 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., Dellock, Paul Kenneth, Gardner, Cornel Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jason Moon
• Application Number:
  US15/406,935
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 362485, 362496, 362509-512, 362520-523, 362540-545
• 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 1/304 Adaptations of signalling devices having a part on the vehicle body and another on the boot door
• 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: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/22 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings, e.g. dichroic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/30 Elements containing photoluminescent material distinct from or spaced from the light source shades F21V1/17; globes, bowls or cover glasses F21V3/08, F21V3/12; refractors F21V5/10; reflectors F21V7/26, F21V7/30; elements with provision for controlling the spectral properties or intensity F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2102/40 the light being emitted to facilitate access to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/10 of different colours
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0008 the light being emitted at the end of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type

Abstract

A vehicle includes a cargo box including at least one side wall. A tailgate is coupled to the box and operable between open and closed positions. A light assembly is positioned in a vehicle rear portion of the at least one side wall. A box light is configured to emit light into the box and a puddle lamp is configured to emit light in a vehicle rearward direction.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a cargo box including at least one side wall;

a tailgate coupled to the box and operable between open and closed positions, wherein a light tube extends within the tailgate; and

a light assembly positioned in a vehicle rear portion of the at least one side wall and configured to emit light into the light tube.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light assembly is positioned proximate a top surface of the side wall.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the light tube comprises a reflective element configured to redirect light in a downward direction.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the light tube comprises a transparent cover.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the transparent cover comprises pillow optics.

6. A vehicle comprising:

a cargo box including at least one side wall;

a tailgate coupled to the box and operable between open and closed positions, the tailgate including a light tube; and

a puddle lamp configured to emit light in a rearward direction through the light tube when the tailgate is in the closed position.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the puddle lamp is configured to emit multiple colors of light.

8. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the puddle lamp is further configured to emit light when the tailgate is in the open position.

9. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the puddle lamp is configured to emit light onto a bumper step.

10. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising:

a grommet positioned on the tailgate proximate the light pipe and configured to couple to the puddle lamp when the tailgate is in the closed position.

11. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the puddle lamp is positioned proximate a top surface of the at least one side wall.

12. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the puddle lamp comprises a light source and a lens.

13. The vehicle of claim 6, further comprising:

a cargo lamp positioned proximate the puddle lamp and configured to emit light into the cargo box, wherein the cargo lamp comprises a photoluminescent structure.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a cargo box including at least one side wall;

a tail gate coupled to the box and operable between open and closed positions; and

a puddle lamp configured to emit light in a vehicle rearward direction when the tailgate is in the closed position, wherein the light is transmitted through a light tube positioned through the tailgate.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the puddle lamp is further configured to emit light when the tailgate is in the open position.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the puddle lamp is positioned proximate a top surface of the at least one side wall.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising:

a grommet positioned on the tailgate proximate the light pipe and configured to couple to the puddle lamp when the tailgate is in the closed position.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the light tube is configured to direct light from the puddle lamp in a downward direction.