# US 10,864,850 B1 · Light pipe assemblies for interior panels of a vehicle

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- Number: US 10,864,850 B1
- Document ID: US10864850B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/522,826
- Filed: 2019-07-26
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2019-07-26
- Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Inventors: Samuel L. Sowles
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864850B1

## CPC

- B60Q 3/51: for mounting lighting devices onto vehicle interior, e.g. onto ceiling or floor
- B60Q 3/53: Modular mounting systems, e.g. using tracks, rails or multiple plugs
- B60Q 3/56: Lighting devices mounted on elongate supports, e.g. on flexible arms
- B60Q 3/62: using light guides
- B60Q 3/64: for a single lighting device
- B60Q 3/78: for generating luminous strips, e.g. for marking trim component edges
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A light pipe assembly including an interior panel of a vehicle and a light pipe. The interior panel includes a channel integrally formed within the interior panel, where the channel has an engagement face, and a plurality of integrated retaining hooks are arranged along the channel. The plurality of integrated retaining hooks are spaced apart from one another and extend over the channel such that an engagement face of the plurality of integrated retaining hooks is arranged opposite the engagement face of the channel. The light pipe is arranged within the channel, where the light pipe is in direct contact with the engagement face of the plurality of integrated retaining hooks and the engagement face of the channel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A light pipe assembly, comprising:
an interior panel of a vehicle, comprising:
a channel integrally formed within the interior panel, wherein the channel has an engagement face;
a plurality of integrated retaining hooks arranged along the channel, wherein the plurality of integrated retaining hooks are spaced apart from one another and extend over the channel such that an engagement face of the plurality of integrated retaining hooks is arranged opposite the engagement face of the channel; and
a plurality of tensioning elements each comprising an end face, wherein the plurality of tensioning elements protrude outward from the engagement face of the channel and each terminate at the end face; and
a light pipe arranged within the channel, wherein the light pipe is in direct contact with the engagement face of the plurality of integrated retaining hooks and the end face of the plurality of tensioning elements.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The light pipe assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light source optically coupled to a first end of the light pipe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein an opaque cap is positioned at an end of the channel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel is arranged along a top edge of the interior panel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tensioning elements protrude outward from the channel at locations laterally offset from the plurality of integrated retaining hooks.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the light pipe is placed under tension between the plurality of tensioning elements and the plurality of integrated retaining hooks.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The light pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein the light pipe faces a compartment of the vehicle when the interior panel is arranged within an interior of the vehicle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The interior panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of integrated retaining hooks are deformable.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The interior panel of claim 1, wherein the plurality of integrated retaining hooks are rigid.

### Claim 10

A light pipe assembly, comprising:
an interior panel of a vehicle, comprising:
a channel integrally formed within a top edge of the interior panel, wherein the channel has an engagement face;
a plurality of integrated retaining hooks arranged along the channel, wherein the plurality of integrated retaining hooks are spaced apart from one another and extend over the channel such that an engagement face of the plurality of integrated retaining hooks is arranged opposite the engagement face of the channel;
a plurality of tensioning elements arranged along the channel, wherein:
an at least one of the plurality of tensioning elements is arranged between each of the plurality of integrated retaining hooks;
the plurality of tensioning elements each comprise an end face; and
the plurality of tensioning elements protrude outward from the engagement face of the channel and each terminate at the end face; and
a cap integrally formed within the interior panel and arranged at an end of the channel; and
a light pipe arranged within the channel, wherein the light pipe is in direct contact with the engagement face of the plurality of integrated retaining hooks, the end face of the plurality of tensioning elements, and the cap.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The light pipe assembly of claim 10, further comprising a light source optically coupled to a first end of the light pipe.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The light pipe assembly of claim 10, wherein the cap is opaque.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The light pipe assembly of claim 10, wherein the light pipe is placed under tension between the plurality of tensioning elements and the plurality of integrated retaining hooks.