Convenience lighting for interior and exterior vehicle applications

• US 6,616,312 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Carter, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANSON JR, JAMES W
• Application Number:
  US09/989,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 362/488, 362/494, 362/232, 362/227, 495/02
• US Class Current: 362/488
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/217 Doors, e.g. door sills; Steps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/76 for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps spotlighting on or for specific fittings B60Q3/20; spotlighting in mass transit vehicles B60Q3/44
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/85 for manual control of the light, e.g. of colour, orientation or intensity

Abstract

A lighting apparatus for a vehicle includes a light source attached inside the vehicle, such as to an “A” pillar adjacent a front of a side window of the vehicle, where the light source is oriented to direct light toward a ground area adjacent the vehicle for security and convenience. Variations include also reflecting a portion of the light from the light source off an outside rearview mirror onto the ground area, and also directing a portion of the light toward an area inside the vehicle.

Claims

1. A security apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a first vehicle component including transparent material that, when in a vehicle-mounted position, defines an inside and an outside of a vehicle passenger compartment;

a second vehicle component located proximate the first vehicle component and located on the inside; and

a light source attached to the second vehicle component and oriented to direct light through the transparent material downwardly toward an area adjacent and beside the vehicle; and

an outside rearview mirror, and wherein the light source directs the light toward a reflector of the rearview mirror so that the light is reflected rearwardly and downwardly from the rearview mirror.

2. The security apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the first vehicle component includes a window covered by the transparent material.

3. The security apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the first vehicle component comprises a front door having the window therein, and the second vehicle component includes an “

A”

pillar.

4. The security apparatus defined in claim 3, including a lens attached to the transparent material that is configured to focus the light passing through the transparent material.

5. The security apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the first vehicle component includes a door frame for a vehicle, and wherein the transparent material is attached to the door frame.

6. The security apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the first vehicle component includes a lens positioned on the transparent material.

7. The security apparatus defined in claim 1, including a lens attached to the transparent material that is configured to focus the light passing through the transparent material.

8. In a vehicle having a side window defining part of a passenger compartment, and a structural component located proximate the side window and inside the passenger compartment, an improvement in lighting comprising:

a light source attached to the structural component and oriented to direct light through the side window for illuminating an area adjacent the vehicle; and

an outside rearview mirror, and wherein the light source directs the light toward a reflector of the rearview mirror so that the light is reflected rearwardly and downwardly from the rearview mirror.

9. The security apparatus defined in claim 8, including a front door having the window therein.

10. The security apparatus defined in claim 8, including a lens attached to the window that is configured to focus the light passing through transparent material of the window.

11. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

an outside rearview mirror including a reflective element;

a light source oriented to and directing light against the reflective element at an angle so that light reflected from the reflective element goes downwardly and toward a ground area adjacent the vehicle.

12. The security apparatus defined in claim 11, including a first vehicle component supporting the rearview mirror, and a second vehicle component supporting a window, and wherein the light source directs light through the window toward the rearview mirror.

13. The security apparatus defined in claim 12, including a lens attached to the window that is configured to focus the light passing through the window toward the rearview mirror.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 11, including a window and a lens attached to the window through which the light passes and by which the light is focused in a particular direction.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 11, including a vehicle interior component and wherein the light source is attached to the vehicle interior component.

19. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the vehicle interior component comprises one of a vehicle “

A”

pillar, a vehicle “

B”

pillar, a vehicle “

C”

pillar, and a vehicle roof component.

20. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein the vehicle interior component comprises one of the vehicle “

A”

pillar and the vehicle “

B”

pillar.

21. The apparatus defined in claim 11, including a vehicle component with a surface adapted to form part of a passenger compartment on a vehicle, the light source being attached to the surface.

14. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle including a rearview mirror, a side window, a “

A”

pillar, a “

B”

pillar and a roof component; and

a light source attached to one of the “

A”

pillar, the “

B”

pillar and the roof component and that is oriented to direct light toward one or both of the rearview mirror and a ground area adjacent the vehicle.

22. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein the light source is oriented to direct the light through the side window.

23. The apparatus defined in claim 22, including a lens attached to the side window for focusing the light passing therethrough.

24. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein the light source is attached to one of the “

A”

pillar and the “

B”

pillar.

25. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein the light source is attached to the “

A”

pillar.

26. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein the one of the “

A”

pillar, “

B”

pillar, and the roof component includes a surface adapted to form a part of a passenger compartment on a vehicle, the light source being attached to the surface.

15. A security and convenience lighting apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a component defining an inside and an outside of a vehicle; and

a light source that directs a first portion of focused light toward the inside and a second portion of the focused light toward the outside, the component including an “

A”

pillar of a vehicle, and wherein the light source is attached to the “

A”

pillar.

16. The lighting apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein the light source includes first and second separate light sources.

27. The apparatus defined in claim 15, including a window, with the light source being oriented to direct focused light through the window.

28. The apparatus defined in claim 27, including a lens attached to the window and constructed to focus the light.

29. The apparatus defined in claim 15, wherein the component includes a surface defining the inside of the vehicle, the light source being attached to the surface.