Exit illuminator assembly for a motor vehicle

• US 6,208,241 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2000
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert R. Barrett
• Original Assignee: Amerisafe Corporation
• Inventors: Barrett, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/484,041
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 340/457, 340/428, 340/430, 340/332, 362/61, 362/80, 180/89.1, 180/313, 180/271
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/242 Safety belts; Body harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/267 Door handles; Hand grips
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47

Abstract

An exit illumination assembly for a motor vehicle includes an occupant compartment, at least one door having a door handle, and a restraint system having a restraint release mechanism. The exit illumination assembly includes a control unit for sensing a condition suitable for exiting the occupant compartment of the motor vehicle. The exit illumination assembly also includes an illuminator electrically connected to the control unit. The illuminator illuminates either the door handle or the restraint release mechanism when the control unit senses the condition suitable for exiting the occupant compartment.

Claims

1. An exit illumination assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:

a handle disposed within an interior of the motor vehicle for exiting the motor vehicle, wherein at least a portion of said handle is fabricated from a light transmitting material;

a release mechanism disposed within an interior of the motor vehicle, wherein at least a portion of said release mechanism is fabricated from a light transmitting material;

a control unit for sensing a condition suitable for exiting the interior of the motor vehicle;

an illuminator electrically connected to the control unit, said illuminator illuminating said portion of either one of said handle and said release mechanism when the control unit senses said condition suitable for exiting the interior; and

wherein the condition suitable for exiting the interior is when the vehicle is in park shortly after an ignition system is turned off.

2. An exit illumination assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:

a handle disposed within an interior of the motor vehicle for exiting the motor vehicle, wherein at least a portion of said handle is fabricated from a light transmitting material;

a control unit for providing power, and

an illuminator electrically connected to said control unit and receiving power therefrom for illuminating said portion of said handle to allow an occupant to locate said handle for exiting the interior of the motor vehicle.

3. An exit illumination assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:

a release mechanism disposed within an interior of the motor vehicle, wherein at least a portion of said release mechanism, for initiating a release action is fabricated from a light transmitting material;

a control unit for providing power, and

an illuminator electrically connected to said control unit and receiving power therefrom for illuminating said portion of said release mechanism to allow an occupant to locate said release mechanism for exiting the motor vehicle.