Illuminated lock assembly
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsStuart C. Salter, Kent Harrison, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lock assembly for use in a vehicle includes a key having a key head and a key shaft. The key shaft defines a recess. A lock cylinder defines a slot and a channel. The slot is in communication with a first end of the channel. A switch door is positioned to cover the slot. A light source is positioned at a second end of the channel. The light source is positioned to illuminate through the channel. A sensor is configured to detect the key. The sensor is coupled with the light source. The sensor is configured to actuate the light source based on a location of the key. A luminescent structure is positioned on the key shaft within the recess.
Claims20
A lock assembly for use in a vehicle, comprising:
- a key including a key head and a key shaft, the key shaft defining a recess;
- a lock cylinder defining a slot and a channel, the slot in communication with a first end of the channel;
- a switch door positioned to cover the slot;
- a light source positioned at a second end of the channel and positioned to illuminate through the channel;
- a sensor configured to detect the key, the sensor coupled with the light source and configured to actuate the light source based on a location of the key;
- and
- a luminescent structure positioned on the key shaft within the recess.
A lock assembly, comprising:
- a lock cylinder operably coupled with a vehicle and defining a channel, the channel having a first end, wherein the first end is open;
- a key configured to be at least partially received by the channel;
- a light source positioned at a second end of the channel, the second end opposite the first end, wherein the light source is configured to illuminate through the channel;
- a sensor coupled with the light source and configured to actuate the light source based on a location of the key;
- and
- a luminescent structure positioned on the key, the luminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source.
A lock assembly, comprising:
- a key defining a recess;
- a lock cylinder operably coupled with a vehicle, the lock cylinder defining a channel having first and second ends, the channel configured to at least partially receive the key;
- a light source positioned at the second end of the channel and configured to illuminate through the channel;
- and
- a sensor configured to detect the key, the sensor configured to actuate the light source based on a location of the key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.