BACKLIT ILLUMINATED DEVICE WITH LIGHTING THROUGH DECORATIVE PLATED SURFACES

• US 20160201874A1
• Filed: 07/24/2015
• Published: 07/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Windsor Mold, Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.), GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Naik, Neil, Stemmer, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,784,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/049 Patterns or structured surfaces for diffusing light, e.g. frosted surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/10 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2107/00 Use or application of lighting devices on or in particular types of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 Diffusing sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/044 Signs, boards or panels mounted on vehicles

Abstract

An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly is described, and includes a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED), a light pipe optically coupled to the LED, a light diffuser and a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate. When the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance, and when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through the lens assembly.

Claims

1. An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly, comprising:

a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED);

a light pipe optically coupled to the LED;

a light diffuser; and

a lens assembly including a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate;

wherein when the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance; and

wherein when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through the lens assembly.

2. The ornamental device of claim 1, further comprising the light engine including the LED assembled onto the back plate.

3. The ornamental device of claim 1, further comprising an emblem insert assembled onto and covering a portion an outer surface of the lens assembly.

4. The ornamental device of claim 3, wherein the emblem insert comprises a translucent element.

5. The ornamental device of claim 3, wherein the emblem insert comprises an opaque element.

6. The ornamental device of claim 3, wherein when the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance over a portion of the lens assembly that is not covered by the emblem insert.

7. The ornamental device of claim 3, wherein when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through the lens assembly through a portion of the lens assembly that is not covered by the emblem insert.

8. The ornamental device of claim 7, wherein the LED includes a transparent lens, and wherein light emanates through portions of the lens assembly that are not covered by the emblem insert when the LED is illuminated.

9. The ornamental device of claim 7, wherein the LED includes a colored lens, and wherein non-white light emanates through portions of the lens assembly that are not covered by the emblem insert when the LED is illuminated.

10. The ornamental device of claim 1, wherein the light engine including an LED further comprises the light engine assembled onto the back plate and electrically connected to an electric power source.

11. The ornamental device of claim 1, wherein the lens assembly including the chrome surface finish further comprises a coated inner lens including the chrome surface finish sealably assembled within an outer lens.

12. The ornamental device of claim 11, wherein the outer lens comprises a transparent outer lens.

13. The ornamental device of claim 11, wherein the outer lens comprises a translucent outer lens.

14. The ornamental device of claim 11, wherein the coated inner lens comprises a molded element coated with a chrome layer.

15. The ornamental device of claim 14, wherein the molded element coated with a chrome layer comprises a molded transparent element coated with the chrome layer.

16. The ornamental device of claim 14, wherein the molded element coated with a chrome layer comprises a molded translucent element coated with the chrome layer.

17. The ornamental device of claim 14, wherein the molded element coated with the chrome layer further comprises the molded element coated with a chrome layer applied using a physical vapor deposition process.

18. The ornamental device of claim 1, wherein the light pipe has a shape that approximates the shape of the backlit ornamental device.

19. An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly, comprising:

a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED);

a light pipe optically coupled to the LED;

a light diffuser;

a lens assembly including a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate; and

an emblem insert covering a first portion of the lens assembly;

wherein when the LED is not illuminated, the lens assembly exhibits a chrome appearance through a second portion of the lens assembly not covered by the emblem insert.

20. An ornamental device including a decorative plated surface and a backlit assembly, comprising:

a light engine including a light-emitting diode (LED);

a light pipe optically coupled to the LED;

a light diffuser;

a lens assembly including a chrome surface finish, wherein the lens assembly encases the light engine, the light pipe and the light diffuser, and is assembled onto a back plate; and

an emblem insert covering a first portion of the lens assembly;

wherein when the LED is illuminated, light emanates through a second portion of the lens assembly not covered by the emblem insert.