# US 10,480,746 B2 · Multi-colored vehicle rear lamp > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,480,746 B2 - Document ID: US10480746B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/269,680 - Filed: 2019-02-07 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-12 - Assignees: Grote Industries, Inc. - Applicants: Grote Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Brian K. Norris; Randall Staggs; Nakul Anand; Shawn S. Smith; Christopher C. Riley; Mark D. Noe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480746B2 ## CPC - F21S 43/255: {Filters} - B60Q 1/0088: {Details of electrical connections (B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195)} - B60Q 1/22: for reverse drive - B60Q 1/2607: {comprising at least two indicating lamps} - B60Q 1/30: for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces - B60Q 1/34: for indicating change of drive direction (B60Q1/22 takes precedence) - B60Q 1/44: for indicating braking action {or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal} - F21S 43/14: Light emitting diodes [LED] - F21S 43/15: Strips of light sources - F21S 43/20: characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters - F21S 43/26: {Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255} - F21S 43/2621: {characterised by the properties of the light beam shaping surface} - B60Q 2400/20: Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp - F21Y 2113/13: comprising an assembly of point-like light sources - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - 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 A lamp for the rear of a vehicle is disclosed with a light transmissive cover having a red first illuminated surface area and a clear second illuminated surface area. It has a first LED light emitter located directly beneath the red first area, a second LED light emitter located directly beneath the clear second area, and a third LED light emitter, also located directly beneath said clear second area. The third red LED light emitter is for emitting red light through the clear second area simultaneously with light transmitted through the red first area, whereby the first and second areas are adapted to collectively form a contiguous red illuminated surface area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of using a lamp for the rear of a vehicle, comprising: emitting light from a first light emitter of said lamp, said first light emitter emitting light from a first illuminated surface area of a light transmissive cover of said lamp, said first illuminated surface area being red in color; emitting light from a second light emitter of said lamp, said second light emitter separate from said first light emitter, said second light emitting white light from a second illuminated surface area of said light transmissive cover, said second illuminated surface area being clear in color; emitting light from a third light emitter of said lamp, said third light emitter separate from said first and said second light emitters, said third light emitter emitting red light through said clear second area; wherein said first light emitter includes a plurality of LEDs positioned around said second light emitter and said third light emitter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said first and third emitters activate and deactivate independent of said second light emitter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said second light emitter of said lamp emits light when said vehicle is operated in a reverse mode, and wherein said third light emitter is deactivated in said reverse mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein said first and third emitters are deactivated when not in said brake mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein: said first light emitter is powered by a first power source P1 during at least a tail lamp mode; said second light emitter is powered by a second power source P2 during said reverse mode; and said third light emitter is powered by a third power source P3 during at least a brake mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said power source P1 is provided by a first power conductor mounted in a housing, and wherein said second power source P2 is provided by a separate second power conductor mounted in said housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein power sources P1 and P3 supply a first power level in said brake mode, and a second power level when not in said brake mode, said first power level being higher than said second power level. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein power sources P1 and P3 supply power to said first and third light emitters when in said brake mode, and wherein said power source P3 ceases supplying power to said third light emitter when not in said brake mode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said lamp is free of a reflector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said lamp defines multiple separate internal compartments. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein there is no parabolic reflector and no barrier wall between said first light emitter and said third light emitter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said lamp defines a single internal compartment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said lamp includes one or more barrier walls positioned between any of said first, second, and third light emitters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said first light emitter of said lamp emits red light. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said first light emitter of said lamp emits white light. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said second clear area of said cover of said lamp is completely surrounded by said first red area of said cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said light transmissive cover has in brake mode an illuminated surface area at least 75 square centimeters and less than 100 square centimeters. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said light transmissive cover is circular and about 4 to 4½ inches in diameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said light transmissive cover is oval and about 2 ½ inches tall and about 6¾ inches wide. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said light transmissive cover has in brake mode an illuminated surface areas that is at least 5000 square millimeters. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said lamp is shaped from a group consisting of: (a) a circle with a diameter of about 10 centimeters; and, (b) an oval. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said first light emitter is located directly beneath said first illuminated surface area. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said second light emitter is located directly beneath said second illuminated surface area. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first light emitter is activated upon activation of head lamps of said vehicle.