US 4,788,630 AGranted

Illumination for vehicle accessories

AssigneeIrvin Industries, Inc.

InventorJames A. Gavagan

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Abstract

A preferred illuminated vehicle accessory according to the present invention includes a light-emitting and light-conducting light bar, an electric light source operatively associated with the light bar, and an electrical connection device for electrically connecting the light source with a source of electrical current on the vehicle. The light bar is adapted to be interconnected with the vehicle accessory, and a light-directing apparatus is provided for directing the light emitted from the light bar toward at least one predetermined portion of the vehicle. The light bar preferably includes an elongated rod member composed of a light-conducting material, such as an acrylic material for example, that is at least semi-transparent. In various forms of the invention, the light bar can be located either on an internal surface of the vehicle accessory or on an exposed surface of the vehicle accessory.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An illuminated vehicle interior accessory, comprising:

a light-emitting light bar including an elongated rod member composed of a material that is at least semi-transparent an electrical light source operatively associated with said light bar;
means for electrically connecting said electrical light source with a source of electrical current on the vehicle;
light bar connecting means for interconnecting said light bar with said vehicle interior accessory;
and light-directing means for directing light emited from said light bar toward at least one predetermined portion of said vehicle interior in order to illuminate said predetermined portion of said vehicle interior, said elongated rod member being secured to an internal surface of said vehicle interior accessory, said vehicle interior accessory having at least one opening therethrough for allowing light emitted from said elongated rod member to pass through said opening, said opening being positioned generally adjacent said predetermined portion of said vehicle interior, said light bar connecting means including at least one generally hook-shaped connector member interconnected with said vehicle interior accessory, said hook-shaped connector member being adapted to engage said elongated rod member in a resilient snapped-on relationship therewith.

1 more element

An illuminated vehicle interior door panel for installation on the interior of a vehicle door assembly, comprising:

a light-emitting light bar including an elongated rod member composed of a material that is at least semi-transparent;
an electrical light source operatively associated with said light bar;
means for electrically connecting said electrical light source with a source of electrical current on the vehicle;
light bar connecting means for interconnecting said said light bar with said door panel;
and light-directing means for directing light emitted from said light bar toward at least one predetermined portion of said door panel in order to illuminate said predetermined door panel portion, said elongated rod member being secured to an internal surface of said door panel, said door panel having at least one opening therethrough for allowing light emitted from said elongated rod member to pass through said opening, said opening being positioned generally adjacent said predetermined door panel portion, said light bar connecting means including at least one generally hook-shaped connector member interconnected with said door panel, said hook-shaped connector member being adapted to engage said elongated rod member in a resilient snapped-on relationship therewith.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.