Brake light for motor vehicles

• US 6,663,271 B1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gino Giglio
• Original Assignee: Gino Giglio
• Inventors: Giglio, Gino
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/210,226
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 362/541, 362/554, 362/293, 362/296, 362/335, 362/503, 362/504, 362/543, 362/542, 362/511, 362/493, 340/425.5, 340/453, 340/459, 340/468, 340/479, 340/472
• US Class Current: 362/541
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

A brake light is provided in a for a motor vehicle which is adapted for installation into each of left and right roof pillars of the vehicle. The brake light is mounted in a recess in proximate the top of each roof pillars and comprises a housing including a reflective shell and a translucent lens member matingly attached thereto to form a sealed enclosure; a socket disposed in said housing and secured to said reflective shell having a light bulb removably inserted therein; and a means to electrically couple the socket to the brake light electrical system whereby said light bulb is illuminated continuously when the vehicle brakes are applied. The translucent lens member can configured to be flushly aligned with the top surface of the roof pillar. In an alternative embodiment, the brake light can be illuminated by fiber optic cables.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle having a brake light electrical system, wherein the motor vehicle has a body which includes a roof panel having left and right front pillars extending therefrom wherein the left and right front pillars each have a top surface, a brake light mounted in a recess in each of said pillars to provide a visual indication of brake pedal activation from 360 degrees when viewed in combination with the existing rear brake light, said pillar mounted brake lights comprising:

a housing including a reflective shell and a translucent lens member matingly attached thereto to form a sealed enclosure;

a socket disposed in said housing and secured to said reflective shell, said socket having a light bulb removably inserted therein; and

means to electrically couple said socket to said brake light electrical system whereby said light bulb is illuminated continuously when the vehicle brakes are applied.

2. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said translucent lens member is configured to be flushly aligned with said top surface.

3. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said translucent lens has an amber hue.

4. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said translucent lens has a green hue.

5. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said translucent lens has an aqua hue.

6. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said translucent lens has a magenta hue.

7. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said translucent lens is red and said light bulb is flashing.

8. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said light source is a halogen lamp.

9. The brake light of claim 1, wherein said light source is an incandescent lamp.

10. In a motor vehicle having a brake light electrical system, wherein the motor vehicle has an engine compartment and a body which includes a roof panel having left and right front pillars extending therefrom wherein the left and right pillars each have a top surface, a brake light mounted in a recess in each of said pillars to provide a visual indication of brake pedal activation from 360 degrees when viewed in combination with the existing rear brake light, said pillar mounted brake lights comprising:

a lamp light source;

a plurality of fiber optic cables, said fiber optic cables having an initial end coupled to said lamp light source and a terminal light-emitting end;

a translucent lens member covering said recess wherein said translucent lens is flushly aligned with the top surface of said roof pillar, said translucent lens member having an outer surface and an inner surface wherein said inner surface includes a plurality of cylindrical recesses adapted to receive said terminal light-emitting ends of said plurality of fiber optic fibers; and

means to electrically couple said light source to the vehicle brake light electrical system whereby said light is continuously emitted through said fiber optic cables when the vehicle brakes are applied.

11. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said halogen lamp light source is mounted in the vehicle engine compartment.

12. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said translucent lens has an amber hue.

13. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said translucent lens has a green hue.

14. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said translucent lens has an aqua hue.

15. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said translucent lens has a magenta hue.

16. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said translucent lens is red and said light source is flashing.

17. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said light source is a halogen lamp.

18. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said light source is an incandescent lamp.

19. The brake light of claim 10, wherein said light source is programmable to selectively variably illuminate said fiber optic cables.