Modified Marker Light as Multi-Function Vehicle Light

• US 20100096990A1
• Filed: 10/19/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: U-Haul International Incorporated (U-Haul Holding Co.)
• Original Assignee: U-Haul International Incorporated (U-Haul Holding Co.)
• Inventors: Dolan, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,845,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 315/77
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/441 Electric switches operable by the driver's pedals

Abstract

The present invention includes a system, method, and apparatus for configuring one modified marker light to function as one or more of a marker light, a CHMSL, and a brake light. The modified marker light includes a first input coupled to a CHMSL, a second input coupled to one or more marker lights, a third input coupled to a ground, and a circuit associated with the modified marker light to control the function of the marker light, the CHMSL, and the brake light. The modified marker light illuminates (as one or more of the marker light, the CHMSL, and the brake light) upon a driver using a brake of a vehicle when the one or more marker lights are not energized. The modified marker light illuminates as one or more of the marker light, the CHMSL, and the brake light upon a driver using the brake of the vehicle when the one or more marker lights are already energized.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a modified marker light configured to include a first input coupled to a first light, a second input coupled to a second light, and a third input coupled to a ground,

wherein the modified marker light is configured to function as one or more marker lights, a CHMSL, and a brake light.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the modified marker light is at least one of a marker light, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first light includes a CHMSL and the second light includes one or more marker lights.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the CHMSL functions as a marker light.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first light includes at least one of a marker light, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight and the second light includes at least one of a marker light, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the modified marker light controls the function of at least one of the one or more marker lights, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight.

7. A method comprising the steps of:

configuring one modified marker light to function as one or more of a marker light, a CHMSL, and a brake light; and

configuring the modified marker light to illuminate as one or more of the marker light, the CHMSL, and the brake light when at least one of;

the one or more marker lights are not energized; and

the one or more marker lights are energized.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising at least one of:

configuring the modified marker light to illuminate as one or more of the marker light, the CHMSL, and the brake light upon a driver using the brake of the vehicle when the one or more marker lights are energized; and

configuring the modified marker light to illuminate as one or more of the marker light, the CHMSL, and the brake light upon a driver using the brake of the vehicle when the one or more marker lights are energized.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the modified marker light is at least one of a marker light, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight.

10. A method comprising the steps of:

configuring a modified marker light to communicate with a CHMSL, one or more marker lights, and a ground; and

at least one of;

configuring the modified marker light to illuminate as a CHMSL upon a driver using a brake of a vehicle when the one or more marker lights are not energized; and

configuring one or more light emitting diodes associated with the modified marker light to energize upon a driver using a brake of a vehicle when the one or more marker lights are energized.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising configuring the one or more light emitting diodes associated with the modified marker light to illuminate brighter upon the driver using the brake of the vehicle when the one or more marker lights are already illuminated.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the CHMSL is a brake light.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the modified marker light is at least one of a marker light, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight.

14. A method comprising the steps of:

configuring a modified marker light to function as one or more of a CHMSL, one or more marker lights, and a brake light;

configuring the modified marker light to function as one or more marker lights when one or more headlights are illuminated; and

at least one of;

configuring the modified marker light to function as a CHMSL upon a driver using a brake of a vehicle when the one or more marker lights are not functioning as marker lights; and

configuring the modified marker light to function as a CHMSL upon a driver using a brake of a vehicle when the one or more marker lights are functioning as marker lights.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the modified marker light is at least one of a marker light, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight.

16. A method comprising the steps of:

configuring a modified marker light to function as one or more of a CHMSL, one or more marker lights, and a turn signal light;

configuring the modified marker light to function as one or more marker lights when one or more headlights are illuminated; and

at least one of;

configuring the modified marker light to function as a turn signal light upon a driver using a turn signal of a vehicle when the one or more marker lights are not functioning as marker lights; and

configuring the modified marker light to function as a turn signal light upon a driver using a turn signal of a vehicle when the one or more marker lights are functioning as marker lights.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the modified marker light is at least one of a marker light, a CHMSL, a brake light, a running light, a turn signal light, a tail light, and a headlight.