Hood, Grill, Or Trunk Patents (Class 362/496)
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Patent number: 6543917Abstract: A position indicating device (10) that can be mounted to a truck (12), comprises an electric lamp (18) and an adjustable mounting arrangement (20) for mounting the lamp to a rear end (17) of the truck. The lamp (18) is connectable to the truck's battery and has a convergent lens for emitting a focussed beam of light when the lamp is illuminated. A position indicating device (10) is mounted to the rear end (17) of the truck near opposite corners of the truck defined between the rear end and sides thereof. The position of each lamp is adjusted so as to produce a beam (43) of light that is directed downwardly onto a ground surface (42) thereby to form a spot (44) of light on the ground. The spots of light, being spaced from the truck, can be observed by the driver of the truck via the truck's rear view mirrors(48), thereby enabling the driver to judge the proximity of the spots of light and hence the truck, to the boundary of a confined area in which the truck is to be manoeuvred.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Inventor: Hans Berlinghof
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Publication number: 20030035297Abstract: A safety release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control circuit for activating the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like. The handle is interconnected with the release mechanism of the compartment, such that movement of the handle results in activation of the release mechanism and thus opening of the lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Robert L. Bingle, Roger L. Koops
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Publication number: 20030026092Abstract: A rechargeable light includes a body, a light source coupled to the body, a capacitor, and a power interface switch. The capacitor is configured to provide power to the light source. The capacitor and light source are configured to provide sustained light. The power interface is configured to be coupled to a power source external to the body and to provide power to charge the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2001Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Dian H. Reese, Jason M. Denbow, Brant J. Potter, Scott R. Meyers, Scott A. Hansen
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Publication number: 20030002273Abstract: A vehicle interior component and lighting assembly that includes a vehicle interior component having a fabric disposed over a substrate or foam layer, or both. An electroluminescent panel is located between the fabric and substrate/foam layer and directs light from the panel through the fabric. In this way, the light source can be effectively hidden when not in use and can be incorporated into the interior component in a manner that requires little space. The vehicle interior component can be any of a number of different interior articles, including, for example, a headliner, door panel, vehicle seat, rear deck, sun visor, and trunk panel. Also disclosed are vehicle interior illumination systems using touch switches and electroluminescent panels to provide back lighting of the switch and/or vehicle interior illumination through the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: FEDERAL-MOGUL WORLD WIDE, INC.Inventors: James Burr Anderson, John Christopher Brown
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Publication number: 20030002294Abstract: A rubbing strip for a car has a body adapted to be secured to a side face of the car and having a receiving space with an open end; a transparent cap received in the open end of the receiving space of the body and having a reflection area oppositely formed relative to the open end of the body, the reflection area having multiple reflection faces formed to enhance the reflection effect; an illuminating assembly received in the receiving space of the body and located to face the reflection faces, the illuminating assembly being composed of multiple light emitting diodes. With such an arrangement, driving safety is enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventor: Shun-Fa Chiang
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Publication number: 20020167815Abstract: A switch (10) for controlling operation of vehicle lamps (e.g., 16) comprises a base (30) and a manually engageable assembly (50) rotatable about an axis (32) relative to the base for controlling operation of the lamps. The assembly (50) comprises a magnetic member (56) that rotates with the assembly about the axis (32). The base (30) comprises at least one magnetic sensor (e.g., 40-44) and control circuitry connecting the sensor with the vehicle lamps (e.g., 16). The magnetic member (56) is rotatable about the axis (32) into a plurality of different rotational positions relative to the sensor (e.g., 40-44) to provide an output signal at the control circuitry (70) that is indicative of the relative rotational position of the assembly (50). The magnetic member (56) is spaced apart from the base (30) to provide contactless operation of the switch (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Applicant: TRW Inc.Inventor: David L. Becker
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Patent number: 6478456Abstract: Headlamp, in particular for motor vehicles, with a headlamp housing that can be inserted into a housing receiver from the front, whereby—in the event of a defined impact in a longitudinal direction that exceeds a specific force opposite to the driving direction—the headlamp housing is displaced within the housing receiver a predetermined energy-absorption path.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.Inventors: Henning Eichhorn, Christian Huether, Dirk Kersting, Roland Lachmayer, Bernd Mennen
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Patent number: 6471377Abstract: An illuminated exhaust tail pipe assembly that can readily be attached to an existing vehicle exhaust system and including 1) a connector end section secured to the existing exhaust system; 2) an internal pipe assembly secured at one end to the connector end section; 3) an external pipe assembly connected at an inner end to the connector end section and mounted about an enclosing a major portion of the internal pipe assembly; and 4) an illuminated light assembly having at least one light bulb member mounted therein to provide a lighted area between an outer surface of the internal pipe assembly and an inner surface of the external pipe assembly. The external pipe assembly, at an inner end thereof, is provided with a plurality of air coolant holes and a light receiving opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Christopher G. Stegall
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Patent number: 6469622Abstract: An automobile lamp having a colorless and transparent light source, a housing whose front portion is an-aperture covered with a lens, wherein the housing has a color to be perceived as a uniform color of the automobile lamp when the light source is off, and reflecting portions arranged on the inner back surface of the housing such that they form a mesh or striped pattern when combined with the remaining portion of the inner back surface of the housing. Color uniformity of the automobile lamp when the automobile lamp is off is greatly improved. Furthermore, in spite of small proportion of the reflecting portions as compared with the conventional composition, the automobile lamp is able to emit light in sufficient quantity without any light source with high luminance accompanying high power consumption. There is also provided an automobile rear combination lamp having a turn signal lamp, a back-up lamp, and a stop lamp based on the automobile lamp disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Komatsu, Tomoaki Seki, Masayoshi Tajima
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Patent number: 6467938Abstract: An engine hood staff has a main tube, a hooper having a lower neck inserted in the main tube, the hooper disposed on the main tube, a positioning screw inserted in the lower neck, a first latern disposed on the hooper, a second latern disposed on the first latern, a third latern disposed on the second latern, a base sleeve disposed on the third latern, an ornament article disposed on the base sleeve, an inner tube passing through the first latern, the second latern, the third latern and the base sleeve, the inner tube disposed on the hooper, and a lamp disposed on the inner tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Inventor: Ming-Zhen Wang
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Patent number: 6450676Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle lamp device capable of relieving the impact acting from the vehicle lamp device to an obstacle, and thereby achieving a simple and relatively spaceless structure. The vehicle lamp device comprises a thin grooved portion 17 (a displacement allowing structure) for allowing the housing 3 to be displaced. The displacement allowing structure is provided in an interfering portion of the housing 3 interfering with a front side frame 16 (a vehicle body member) which locates in the displacement area where the housing 3 is displaced and interrupts the housing 3 to be displaced when the vehicle lamp device collides with an obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Tarou Maeda, Arihiro Furumoto, Kazuma Kondou
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Publication number: 20020126498Abstract: A lighted vehicle body opening weather strip includes a longitudinally extending gripping portion having an outside wall, a co-extending tubular sealing portion disposed on the outside wall of the gripping portion, a carrier embedded within the gripping portion, a light source extrusion carried by the gripping portion, and an extrusion solid surrounding the light source extrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Arthur William Atkinson, Bruce Donald Burnside, Donald Paul Iacovoni, David Arthur Wade, Jon W. Stanley
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Publication number: 20020118549Abstract: A fastening device for a taillight of a vehicle has at least one fastening element interacting with a counter element correlated with a housing of the taillight, wherein the counter element is adjustable relative to the housing of the taillight. The housing has a receptacle and the counter element is arranged in the receptacle and is preferably a threaded sleeve that is tightened by the fastening element, preferably a screw, against a wall of the mounting space for the taillight.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Gerhard Esser, Gunther Holzmacher, Otto Rolf Muller, Rainer Kienzle
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Patent number: 6428191Abstract: A storage box illuminator for a motorcycle in which a storage box having a top opening is arranged under the seat so that the bottom plate of the seat can cover the opening in an openable and closable manner is so configured that an illuminating lamp is arranged inside a depressed portion which is formed on the underside of the seat bottom plate of the seat and indented upward approximately as deep as the height of the illuminating device so that the illuminating lamp can illuminate the inside of the storage box when the seat is set open.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Kousei Ohura
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Patent number: 6416209Abstract: A vehicle puddle light assembly is provided in an opening formed in a body panel of a vehicle. A socket including a housing and at least one contact coupled to the housing is disposed within the opening and coupled to the body panel adjacent the opening. A lamp is coupled to the contact within the housing. A lens is coupled to the socket outboard of the lamp. The lens has an opaque upper portion and a transmissive lower portion having a plurality of facets formed therein for projecting light from the assembly and a predominantly downward and outboard direction. The housing includes a reflective upper portion for directing radiation from the lamp toward the transmissive portion of the lens and a reflective lower portion for directing radiation from the lamp toward a reflective surface of the lens formed inboard of the opaque upper portion. The radiation is then redirected toward the reflective upper portion of the housing and then toward the transmissive portion of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventor: Glenn W Abbott
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Publication number: 20020085389Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a piece of bodywork and a light unit for a motor vehicle, the piece of bodywork being to cover a portion of the waistline of the vehicle body and comprising an outside skin formed by a wall of plastics material, the light unit having as component elements both a housing suitable for containing at least one light source and a glass enabling light emitted by said light source to be diffused. The outside skin of the piece of bodywork includes an arrangement forming at least a portion of at least one of the component elements of the light unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: Compagnie Plastic OmniumInventors: Hugues Cheron, Arnold Fayt, Cyrille Rochon
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Patent number: 6406169Abstract: A pickup truck bed cover that includes a top member and a bottom member wherein either the top member or the bottom member or both are partially or wholly translucent, and wherein the top member is disposed upon the bottom member forming a space between the top member and the bottom member. The pickup truck bed cover also includes a light source disposed within the space between the top member and the bottom member, whereby the light source emits light to illuminate the translucent area of the top member or bottom member.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Inventor: Ronald L. Munsey
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Patent number: 6390529Abstract: A safety release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, a release assist device, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control for activating the assist device or the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like. The handle is interconnected with the release mechanism of the compartment, such that movement of the handle results in activation of the release mechanism and thus opening of the lid.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Robert L. Bingle, Roger L. Koops, Niall R. Lynam
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Patent number: 6364513Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting device is provided comprising a ground illumination portion configured to direct a portion of the light emitted from a light source to illuminate a ground surface area rearward from the motor vehicle and a reverse signaling portion configured to direct a portion of the light emitted from the light source to an area different than the ground illumination portion. In this manner, a rearward vehicle lighting device designed for ground illumination and reverse signaling is provided from a single lamp and more preferably, using a single light source.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Textron Automotive Company Inc.Inventors: Ching Fong, Jim Murphy
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Patent number: 6350049Abstract: A lighting arrangement for motor vehicles is provided. The lighting arrangement has at least one rear lighting arrangement that is provided on the trunk lid or hatchback of the vehicle. The lighting arrangement is embodied in such a way that light is radiated toward the rear when the trunk lid or hatchback is opened.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Zimmermann, Doris Gampp
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Patent number: 6332697Abstract: A vehicle lamp wherein a mounting member 20A for mounting and fixing a lamp unit 11 onto a vehicle body is projected from the outer surface of a synthetic-resin lamp body 12 forming part of the lamp unit 11. The mounting member 20A is formed of synthetic-resin and incorporated into the lamp body 12 by welding. A material greater in strength than the lamp body 12 is used as the material of the mounting member 20A to secure sufficient strength for the mounting member 20A. The quantity H of projection of the mounting member 20A from the outer surface of the lamp body 12 is made smaller than the quantity of projection of any conventional mounting member, so that the depth of a lamp chamber can be set greater.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeyuki Soga, Kenji Tomita
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Publication number: 20010053082Abstract: An electroluminescent vehicle lamp made with a lens plate, a back plate, electroluminescent sheet, first electrical connector, second electrical connector is disclosed. The lamp has decreased volume and weight due to its small thickness. The electroluminescent vehicle lamp provides a vehicle signal lamp with a small thickness that is otherwise conformal with the surface of a vehicle. A particular advantage of the lamp structure is that the vehicle body needs only minimal forming to accommodate the positioning of the lamp, and little interior space in the vehicle is required. Two or more color regions can be formed in one housing. Two different states of appearance such that the device can exhibit a bright operating color (red, yellow, etc.) and yet blend in with the rest of the vehicle exterior in the non-operating mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 1999Publication date: December 20, 2001Inventors: MAKARAND H. CHIPALKATTI, JOSEPH J. LASKI, WILLIAM E. MEYER, ELIZABETH A. TRICKETT
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Publication number: 20010030873Abstract: A safety handle for opening a deck lid of a vehicle from inside the trunk compartment includes a handle and a housing having an outer wall and a perimeter surface. The housing defines a recess therein, which is positioned below or behind a plane defined by the perimeter surface of the housing. The handle is positioned in the recess and includes a handle portion and a shaft portion which defines a pivot axis of the handle. The shaft portion is pivotably mounted to the housing whereby said handle portion is positioned within the recess and below the plane defined by the perimeter surface such that the handle is pivotable within the recess. The handle is connectable to the release mechanism of the deck lid and pivotable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid of the trunk.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Robert L. Bingle, Roger L. Koops
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Patent number: 6260990Abstract: A retractable truck light assembly for trucks that provides increased lighting and visibility when a truck is towing a trailer. The truck light assembly includes a retractable light housing that is affixed to the truck bed side wall. The housing further includes a pivotal mount whereby the truck light housing swivels outward from the truck body to an extended position and swivels inward to the truck body to a retracted position. The truck light assembly also includes an adjustable rod attachable to the truck bed side wall. The adjustable rod includes a concave receptor shaped and positioned to receive the truck light housing in its retracted position such that the truck light housing does not substantially protrude beyond the aerodynamic plane of the truck bed side wall. In the preferred embodiment, the truck light system includes a pair of truck light assemblies for positioning on the driver and passenger sides of the truck, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Inventor: Gerald N. Saunders
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Patent number: 6256909Abstract: An external electrical connector for connecting one or more components of a snowplow blade unit. The electrical connector includes two housing components that are securable together. Each housing component includes an interface end and a coupling end. The coupling ends of the two housing components are designed to be connect together to form an electrical connection. At least one of the interface ends includes at least one electrical connection interface that is designed to form an electrical connection with at least one external snowplow blade component. One of the housings components is secured to a component of said snowplow blade unit. Protection caps and housing holders are used to protect the parts of the housings when the housings are disconnected from one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: The Louis Berkman CompanyInventors: James A. Kost, Tim K. Howell
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Patent number: 6238075Abstract: A lighting system for preferentially illuminating the seating area of a mass-transit vehicle includes a light fixture with a lamp housing longitudinally disposed above the seating area. An electrically energized light source is mounted at at least one end of the light fixture. At least one solid-core semi-rigid light pipe extends from and is optically coupled to the light source. The light pipe receives light from the light source, transmits the light along its length, and emits the light laterally into the passenger compartment. The light pipe runs parallel to and is suspended from the lamp housing between the lamp housing and the seating area so that the lamp housing can direct laterally emitted light from the pipe into the seating area.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Transmatic, Inc.Inventors: Onward K. Dealey, Jr., Ben V. Domas, Alvin D. McCauley
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Patent number: 6238068Abstract: A bed lighting system for a truck bed or other wheeled vehicle having a bed with rails which includes a plurality of lamps coupled via a switch to a power source. The lamps are installed on the undersides of the top rails of the truck bed. The lamps are sized such that they fit within the top rail of the side wall and do not extend substantially below a bottom lip of the top rail. In this manner, the lamps are protected from weather and from accidental damage caused by contact with objects contained within the truck bed. Further, the lamps are substantially hidden from view even when a tailgate of a truck is removed.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Inventor: Thomas Edward Farmer, Jr.
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Patent number: 6238070Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement with special lights for a vehicle which has a stage with at least two headlights. The arrangement is to be fastened to the front portion of the vehicle and contains two types of holders. One of the holders is in the form of a quick connect and a part which projects outside the radiator grill. Accordingly, the arrangement can be mounted and dismounted from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Inventors: Lennart Gälliner, Ove Olsson
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Patent number: 6220732Abstract: A side marker lamp mounting assembly for mounting a side marker lamp vertically to an angled, non-horizontal exterior surface of a vehicle and creating an electrical grounding connection between the lamp and the exterior of the vehicle. The support, formed of a non-conductive material, is wedge-shaped and includes a number of mounting sleeves disposed within its interior. A U-shaped ground clip is inserted and secured within a pair of the sleeves such that a central portion of the clip extends below the support to electrically contact the exterior surface of the vehicle. A screw threaded into one of the sleeves secures the support to the vehicle and engages a first end portion of the clip to ensure electrical connection of the clip with the vehicle. The lamp is mounted to the support by a second screw threaded into a second of the sleeves and the second screw contacts a central section of a ground conductor strip extending beneath the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Wesbar CorporationInventor: Edgar C. Paffrath
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Patent number: 6203181Abstract: A car locator comprising a base for attaching the locator to a car. A cantilevered support bar is pivotally connected with the base to permit pivotal movement and positioning of the bar relative to the base. The support bar is illuminated by a series of LEDS mounted on the support bar and connected to a power source and an optional switch via electrical conductors. The power source may include batteries mounted to or contained within the base. In addition, the switch may be mounted directly on the base.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Leon S. Gross
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Patent number: 6190026Abstract: An illuminated automotive emblem for mounting on a vehicle. The emblem has a decorative housing frame with an overall shape preferably similar to existing automotive manufacturer's emblems (Ford, Chevrolet, etc.). The frame has a central open area that surrounds indicia on a display template that may be any type of printed matter. A portion of the display template substantially fills the central open area of the frame. A rear enclosure housing an illuminant mounts behind the template to emit light through the display template and indicia. The housing frame, display template, rear enclosure and illuminant disassemble from each other so that the parts are replaceable and various housing frames and indicia can be displayed. The housing frame and rear enclosure fasten internally through the use of adhesive strips, magnetic material or interior studs that mate to open bores. The interior studs and open bores are of such dimension that a “snap” tight frictional type bond is created.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Inventor: Matthew Glen Moore
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Patent number: 6152588Abstract: A vehicle with a plurality of individually addressable light sources, preferably semiconductor laser light sources or light emitting diodes, each of which produce a beam of light, are optically coupled to a fiber optic waveguide. The laser light sources are grouped together preferably at a single location within the vehicle for easy access and conveniently located within the vehicle. Fiber waveguides distally transmits the beams to the optical loads of the vehicle, including the brake lights, taillights, instrumentation lights and turn signals. Each fiber optic waveguide may be a single optical fiber, such as a multimode fiber, having a numerical aperture large enough to receive illumination from a plurality of light sources. In cases where some optical loads require a larger flux or brightness of light, such as vehicular headlights, which may greater than a single optic fiber can transmit, the waveguide may comprise of a bundle of optical fibers.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1997Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: SDL, Inc.Inventor: Donald R. Scifres
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Patent number: 6138388Abstract: An external electrical connector for connecting one or more components of a snowplow blade unit. The electrical connector includes two housing components that are securable together. Each housing component includes an interface end and a coupling end. The coupling ends of the two housing components are designed to be connect together to form an electrical connection. Each of the interface ends includes at least one electrical connection interface that is designed to form an electrical connection with at least one external snowplow blade component. The number of electrical connection interfaces on the interface side of the two housing components is greater than the number of electrical connection interfaces on the coupling end of the two housing components. One of the housings components is secured to a component of said snowplow blade unit. Protection caps and housing holders are used to protect the parts of the housings when the housings are disconnected from one another.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: The Louis Berkman CompanyInventors: James A. Kost, Tim K. Howell
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Patent number: 6116761Abstract: A pickup truck bed cover that includes a top member and a bottom member wherein either the top member or the bottom member or both are partially or wholly translucent, and wherein the top member is disposed upon the bottom member forming a space between the top member and the bottom member. The pickup truck bed cover also includes a light source disposed within the space between the top member and the bottom member, whereby the light source emits light to illuminate the translucent portion of the top member or bottom member.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Inventor: Ronald L. Munsey
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Patent number: 6086131Abstract: A safety release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control circuit for activating the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like. The handle is interconnected with the release mechanism of the compartment, such that movement of the handle results in activation of the release mechanism and thus opening of the lid.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1999Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: Robert L. Bingle, Roger L. Koops
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Patent number: 6076949Abstract: A wheel carrier 10 for a spare wheel 56 is mounted on the rear door 50 of a motor vehicle. The carrier includes an upwardly extending arm having a stop lamp 14 mounted on its free end. The arm 18 is offset from the rear door 50 so that a wiper arm 54a can pass between the arm 18 and a rear window 52 of the motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Rover Group LimitedInventors: Trevor Charles Holdsworth, Gary Underwood, Simon Andrew Whorlow
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Patent number: 6039465Abstract: A service cover for a rear combination lamp is provided with a substantially rectangular cover body having an area enough to close a working hole, first and second retainer portions projecting from a pair of opposite sides of the cover body in opposite directions, respectively, and a jaw portion formed at a tip end of the first retainer portion for preventing the falling of the service cover. The working hole is closed by inserting the first and second retainer portions into slits formed at both edge portions of the working hole, respectively, and the working hole is opened by drawing the second retainer portion from the corresponding slit and rotating the cover body about the first retainer portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki SeisakushoInventors: Mineo Hirabayashi, Mamoru Hozumi, Kinsho Fukuta
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Patent number: 6024474Abstract: A vehicle lamp comprises: a lamp body including a front opening and a plurality of lamp units which are juxtaposed; and a lens assembly formed by unifying the lenses of the lamp units, the lens assembly mounted on the front opening of the lamp body, wherein the lenses have joining legs at the boundaries thereof which are adapted to unify the lenses into the lens assembly such that the joining legs protrude towards the lamp body, and the lamp body has confronting surface portions which are confronted with the inner end portions of the joining legs and are able to reflect light.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hitoshi Tanaka
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Patent number: 6000821Abstract: A truck bed is provided including a truck having a bed with a peripheral side wall which defines an open top and upper peripheral edge. At least one light assembly is mounted on the side wall for illuminating the bed of the truck.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Inventor: Paul M. Beliakoff
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Patent number: 5993031Abstract: A decorative simulated automobile hood light is disclosed. The hood light contains a light source with light passing through the front and the rear of the enclosure for the light source, which is a simulated automobile hood. The hood can be raised or lowered, permitting access to the light source and simulating the opening and closing of an automobile hood.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Inventor: David Lee Krise
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Patent number: 5988840Abstract: A replacement grill having slidable headlight covers is Provided for trucks, sport utility vehicles, and other motor vehicles. The grill includes a frame with a grillwork to allow airflow into the engine compartment. Headlight covers are slidably mounted within the frame for movement between open and closed positions. The movement of the headlight covers is controlled by a motor which is electrically connected to the vehicle headlight switch. Thus, the headlight covers are automatically opened when the headlights are turned on and automatically closed when the headlights are turned off. A chain and sprocket assembly connects the headlight covers to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Inventor: Troy A Wirtz
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Patent number: 5934798Abstract: A lamp assembly for illumination of a vehicle license plate includes a substrate, a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the substrate, and a lens for directing the light emitted from the light emitting diodes onto the license plate. A housing encases the substrate and the lens. An attachment member fixedly secures the housing to a vehicle displaying the license plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., Inc.Inventors: Philip C. Roller, Ronald D. Madison
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Patent number: 5927848Abstract: A vehicular lamp includes: a light source emitting a light; a lens having a small size in width; a reflector for reflecting the light emitting from the light source toward the lens, wherein the reflector has a large size in width relative to the lens to focus the light emitting from the light source within the lens width, an optical axis between the light source and the reflector is inclined with respect to the lens, and the lens has steps for refracting the light runs along the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1996Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Susumu Kaneko, Hiroshi Kawashima, Hideaki Satsukawa
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Patent number: 5895115Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads by providing holes or openings in the panel member for the control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like. One or more light sources may be mounted within one or more light transition areas adjacent one or more light input surfaces of the light emitting panel members.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Lumitex, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Mark D. Miller, Thomas A. Hough