Lighted applique for mounting to an automotive body panel

A lighted applique for mounting to an automotive body panel having an automotive body panel contour and in proximity to an automotive safety light system, the lighted applique comprising:

• an opaque body panel applique including a panel exterior surface and a panel interior surface, the panel interior surface having an interior surface outer perimeter configured to conform to the automotive body panel contour;
• a plurality display element cutouts each having a cutout profile formed in the opaque body panel applique;
• a plurality of non-opaque display element having a display element outer surface, a panel engagement surface, a display element rear extension comprising an exterior surface profile matching the cutout profile, and a display element rear surface, the at least one non-opaque display element mounted within the one or more display element cutouts such that the panel engagement surface is in contact with the panel exterior surface and the at least one display element rear extension extends past the panel interior surface;
• at least one lighting element mounted behind the display element rear surface;
• and
• an electrical connection assembly in communication with the at least one lighting element, the electrical connection assembly configured to provide communication between the at least one lighting element and the automotive safety light system;
• wherein
• the at least one lighting element comprises a plurality of individually addressable lighting elements, and a lighting controller in communication with the plurality of individual addressable lighting elements.

A lighted applique for mounting to an automotive body panel having an automotive body panel contour and in proximity to an automotive safety light system, the lighted applique comprising:

• an opaque body panel applique including a panel exterior surface and a panel interior surface, the panel interior surface having an interior surface outer perimeter configured to conform to the automotive body panel contour;
• a plurality display element cutouts each having a cutout profile formed in the opaque body panel applique;
• a plurality of non-opaque display element having a display element outer surface, a panel engagement surface, a display element rear extension comprising an exterior surface profile matching the cutout profile, and a display element rear surface, the at least one non-opaque display element mounted within the one or more display element cutouts such that the panel engagement surface is in contact with the panel exterior surface and the at least one display element rear extension extends past the panel interior surface;
• at least one lighting element mounted behind the display element rear surface;
• and
• an electrical connection assembly in communication with the at least one lighting element, the electrical connection assembly configured to provide communication between the at least one lighting element and the automotive safety light system;
• wherein
• the at least one non-opaque display element comprises a recessed inner profile, and an opaque display insert mounted within the recessed inner profile.

A method of modifying the appearance of an automotive body panel having an automotive body panel contour and in proximity to an automotive safety light system, the method comprising:

• assembling a lighted applique for mounting to an automotive body panel, the assembling comprising:
• forming an opaque body panel applique including a panel exterior surface and a panel interior surface, the panel interior surface having an interior surface outer perimeter configured to conform to the automotive body panel contour;
• forming one or more display element cutouts each having a cutout profile in the opaque body panel applique;
• inserting at least one non-opaque display element into the one or more display element cutouts, the at least one non-opaque display element having a display element outer surface, a panel engagement surface, a display element rear extension comprising an exterior surface profile matching the cutout profile, and a display element rear surface, the at least one non-opaque display element inserted within the one or more display element cutouts such that the panel engagement surface is in contact with the panel exterior surface and the at least one display element rear extension extends past the panel interior surface;
• attaching at least one lighting element behind the display element rear surface;
• mounting an electrical connection assembly in communication with the at least one lighting element;
• and
• connecting an automotive taillight lighting adapter to the electrical connection assembly, the automotive taillight lighting adapter configured to receive signals sent from a vehicle control system to a vehicle safety system and send the signals to a lighting controller configured to control the at least one lighting element.