Functional and ornamental vehicle accessories

• US 20070013505A1
• Filed: 08/14/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rajiv Lai
• Original Assignee: Rajiv Lai
• Inventors: Lai, Rajiv
• Granted Patent: US 8,330,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle

Abstract

Systems and methods for a functional and ornamental vehicle accessory are provided. The vehicle accessory includes a housing and a mounting mechanism for coupling the accessory to a vehicle. The vehicle accessory can also include a light source or light conducting member. Wiring for electrically connecting the light source can be included such that the vehicle accessory can illuminate during a variety of vehicle functions. The vehicle accessory can also operate as a communication hub for the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle accessory comprising:

a housing; and

a mounting mechanism that couples the housing to a vehicle, the mounting mechanism comprising a pin and collar assembly, the pin comprising a spherical portion for mounting the vehicle accessory at a desired position.

2. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the housing is substantially ring-shaped.

3. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the housing is substantially crescent-shaped.

4. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the housing is substantially straight-shaped.

5. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the housing is substantially spiral-shaped.

6. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, further comprising a light source.

7. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, further comprising a communications interface.

8. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, further comprising an end ornament.

9. The vehicle accessory of claim 8, the end ornament includes a compass for indicating a direction of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle accessory of claim 8, the end ornament includes a thermometer for indicating an outside temperature.

11. The vehicle accessory of claim 8, the end ornament includes a light source.

12. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the accessory is coupled to an exterior portion of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle accessory of claim 1, the accessory is coupled to an interior portion of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle accessory comprising:

an optical waveguide housing; and

a mounting assembly for removably coupling the vehicle accessory to a vehicle, the mounting assembly comprises a round-headed mounting pin associated with the vehicle and a collar associated with the vehicle accessory.

15. The vehicle accessory of claim 14, the accessory is electrically wired into a turn signal mechanism of an automobile.

16. The vehicle accessory of claim 14, further comprising a wireless chip such that when lights are activated in the vehicle, a signal is sent to illuminate the accessory.

17. A vehicle accessory comprising:

a housing which operates as a communication hub for a vehicle; and

a mounting mechanism for coupling the vehicle accessory to the vehicle, the mounting mechanism comprising a pin and collar assembly.

18. The vehicle accessory of claim 17, further comprising a communications interface for receiving at least one of text and graphic messages.

19. The vehicle accessory of claim 18, the communications interface is a LED screen.

20. The vehicle accessory of claim 17, the vehicle accessory is adapted for wireless communication via at least one of satellite, digital, cellular, internet, and radio.

21. The vehicle accessory of claim 17, the vehicle accessory is adapted for wireless communication via a frequency adjusting wireless communication protocol.

22. The vehicle accessory of claim 21, the frequency adjusting wireless communication protocol is Bluetooth.

23. A method for fabricating a vehicle accessory comprising:

providing a housing; and

coupling a mounting mechanism to the housing for removably attaching the vehicle accessory to a vehicle, the mounting mechanism comprises a pin and collar assembly, the pin comprising a spherical portion for mounting the vehicle accessory at a desired position.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing a light source in the housing.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing electrical wiring for electrically connecting the light source to at least one vehicle light.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing an ornament to an end portion of the housing.

27. A method for wireless communication comprising:

establishing communications between a vehicle accessory and a wireless communications device, the vehicle accessory removably coupled to the exterior of a vehicle via a pin and collar assembly; and

transmitting and receiving messages between the vehicle accessory and the wireless communications device.

28. The method of claim 27, the wireless communications device is a personal digital assistant.

29. The method of claim 28, the wireless communications device is a cellular telephone.

30. The method of claim 28, the wireless communications device is a mobile messaging device.

31. The method of claim 28, the vehicle accessory and the wireless communications device communicates via at least one of satellite, digital, cellular, internet, and radio.

32. An end ornament for a vehicle accessory comprising:

a housing; and

a recess in the housing for coupling the end ornament to the vehicle accessory, the recess corresponds to an outer diameter of the vehicle accessory.

33. The end ornament of claim 32, the housing is sphere-shaped.

34. The end ornament of claim 33, the recess extends through the diameter of the sphere-shaped housing.

35. The end ornament of claim 32, the housing is square-shaped.

36. The end ornament of claim 32, the housing is star shaped.

37. The end ornament of claim 32, further comprising a light source.

38. The end ornament of claim 32, further comprising a compass for indicating a direction of a vehicle.

39. The end ornament of claim 32, further comprising a thermometer for indicating an outside temperature.

40. The end ornament of claim 32, further comprising a communications interface.