# US 10,246,006 B1 · Tailgate LED (light emitting diode) cap system, device, and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,006 B1 - Document ID: US10246006B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/727,080 - Filed: 2017-10-06 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-06 - Assignees: Martin L. Stowell - Applicants: Martin L. Stowell - Inventors: Martin L. Stowell; Mark Santus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246006B1 ## CPC - B60Q 1/2615: {mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets} - B60Q 1/2669: {on door or boot handles (lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267)} - B60Q 1/2692: {retractable lights (retractable headlights B60Q1/05)} - B60Q 1/2696: {Mounting of devices using LEDs} - B60Q 1/302: {mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window} - B60Q 1/44: for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal} - B60Q 1/46: for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights {or hazard lights} - F21S 43/14: Light emitting diodes [LED] - F21V 19/0055: {by screwing} - B60Q 2900/10: Retrofit arrangements - F21Y 2103/00: Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract Systems, devices, and methods for a tailgate LED (light emitting diode) cap system, device and method, for attaching LED caps on top of truck tailgates as a safe and secure after-market or retrofit product. The LED cap can be easily attached to the tops of truck tailgates with fasteners but are not removable without unlocking locks covering the fasteners. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light system for being attachable to truck tailgates, comprising: an elongated cap sized to fit onto a top of a truck tailgate, the elongated cap having an elongated rear lip, an elongated top, and an elongated front side; a plurality of lights on the elongated front side of the elongated cap; a plurality of compartments in the elongated top, each having upper open ends through the elongated cap; a plurality of fasteners adapted for attaching the cap to the top of the truck tailgate, each of the fasteners being positioned in each of the compartments; and a plurality of removable doors, each for covering the upper open ends of the compartments; and a plurality of locks, each lock being used for each door for preventing access to each of the fasteners to prohibit removing the light system unless the locks are unlocked, wherein the plurality of the lights is powered by a power supply. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lights includes: light emitting diodes (LEDs). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The light system of claim 2, wherein the LEDs are operated to continuously emit light from all of the LEDs simultaneously. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The light system of claim 2, wherein the LEDs are operated to continuously emit light from different clusters of the LEDs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The light system of claim 2, wherein the LEDs are operated as a strobe light. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The light system of claim 2, further comprising: a key fob for activating the LEDs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a separate battery power supply for the plurality of the lights. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein the power supply is an existing 12 volt battery power supply for the truck. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of compartments includes three compartments, each with at least one of the fasteners. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, further comprising: three doors, each used with the plurality of compartments so that the at least one lock is used for preventing access to at least one of the compartments with the at least one fastener. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment is located on the front side of the cap cover. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locks is selected from at least one of: a key lock and a combination lock. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of locks, each being opened with a same key or same combination. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locks, each being opened with a different key or different combination. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein each compartment includes a cup shaped bottom for allowing each fastener to pass therethrough, and each compartment having an upper step ledge adjacent to the upper open end for allowing each removable door to sit therein so that a top of each door is flush with the elongated top of the cap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The light system of claim 15, wherein each lock includes a pivoting lock tab that rotates between a lock position and an unlock position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The light system of claim 16, wherein each compartment includes a side slit for allowing the pivoting tab to rotate into the lock position when each locked is locked, and rotate to the unlock position with the pivoting tab out of the side slit. ### Claim 18 A light system for being attachable to truck tailgates, comprising: an elongated cap sized to fit onto a top of a truck tailgate, the elongated cap having a rear side, a top side, and a front side; a plurality of lights on the front side of the cap; a compartment in the top side of the cap, having an upper open end through the elongated cap; a plurality of fasteners adapted for attaching the cap to the top of the truck tailgate, at least one fastener being positioned in the compartment; and a removable door for covering the upper open end of the compartment; and a lock for locking the removable door to the upper open end of the compartment, the lock for preventing access to the fastener in the compartment, so as to prohibit removing the light system unless the lock is unlocked, wherein the plurality of the lights is powered by a power supply. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The light system of claim 18, wherein the compartment includes a cup shaped bottom for allowing the fastener to pass therethrough, and the compartment having an upper step ledge adjacent to the upper open end for allowing the removable door to sit therein so that a top of the door is flush with the elongated top of the cap, wherein the lock includes a pivoting lock tab that rotates between a lock position and an unlock position, and wherein the compartment includes a side slit for allowing the pivoting tab to rotate into the lock position when each locked is locked, and rotate to the unlock position with the pivoting tab out of the side slit.