Flush-mounted lighting system for vehicle

• US 20070139942A1
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lippert Components (LCI Industries)
• Original Assignee: Lippert Components (LCI Industries)
• Inventors: Hunsucker, Thomas, Rowland, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,455,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2626 Screw-nut fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles

Abstract

Disclosed is a flush mounted lighting system for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the lighting system includes a frame member and a light member mounted in the frame member. The frame member is disposed within a portion of the vehicle so that the frame member is flushly mounted with an outer surface of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A lighting system for a boat trailer formed of a plurality of interconnected trusses, comprising:

a frame having a length and a depth and defining a first interior cavity, the frame having a size configured to fit within a mounting hole in a truss of the boat trailer such that the frame is recessed within the truss, the frame having a flange bordering at least a portion of the first interior cavity, wherein the flange abuts and is co-planar with an external surface of the truss to provide a flush appearance between the frame and the external surface of the truss, wherein the depth of the frame is significantly less than the length of the frame; and

a first light member positioned within the first interior cavity of the frame.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first light member is electrically-powered.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first light member reflects light.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes an annular side wall that encloses the sides of the first interior cavity.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a rear wall that encloses a rear of the first interior cavity.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first interior cavity of the frame has an oval shape.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a second interior cavity and further comprising a second light member positioned within the second interior cavity.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame has a height and wherein the height of the frame is significantly less than the length of the frame.

9. A method of positioning a light system in a boat trailer formed of a plurality of interconnected trusses, comprising:

providing a light system comprising;

(a) a frame having a length and a depth and defining a first interior cavity, the frame having a size configured to fit within a mounting hole in a truss of the boat trailer such that the frame is recessed within the truss, the frame having a flange bordering at least a portion of the first interior cavity, wherein the flange abuts and is co-planar with an external surface of the truss to provide a flush appearance between the frame and the external surface of the truss, wherein the depth of the frame is significantly less than the length of the frame; and

(b) a first light member positioned within the first interior cavity of the frame; and

mounting the frame directly within the mounting hole of the truss and not within a separate structure attached to the truss such that the flange abuts and is co-planar with the external surface of the truss to provide a flush appearance between the external surface of the truss and the frame.

10. A boat trailer, comprising:

a plurality of interconnected trusses that collectively form a support structure adapted to support a boat;

a frame having a length and a depth and defining a first interior cavity, the frame having a size configured to fit within a mounting hole in a truss of the boat trailer such that the frame is recessed within the truss, the frame having a flange bordering at least a portion of the first interior cavity, wherein the flange abuts and is co-planar with an external surface of the truss to provide a flush appearance between the frame and the external surface of the truss, wherein the depth of the frame is significantly less than the length of the frame; and

a first light member positioned within the first interior cavity of the frame.