Convenience lighting for interior and exterior vehicle applications
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorJohn W. Carter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lighting apparatus for a vehicle includes a light source attached inside the vehicle, such as to an “A” pillar adjacent a front of a side window of the vehicle, where the light source is oriented to direct light toward a ground area adjacent the vehicle for security and convenience. Variations include also reflecting a portion of the light from the light source off an outside rearview mirror onto the ground area, and also directing a portion of the light toward an area inside the vehicle.
Claims29
A security apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
- a first vehicle component including transparent material that, when in a vehicle-mounted position, defines an inside and an outside of a vehicle passenger compartment;
- a second vehicle component located proximate the first vehicle component and located on the inside;
- and
- a light source attached to the second vehicle component and oriented to direct light through the transparent material downwardly toward an area adjacent and beside the vehicle;
- and
- an outside rearview mirror, and wherein the light source directs the light toward a reflector of the rearview mirror so that the light is reflected rearwardly and downwardly from the rearview mirror.
In a vehicle having a side window defining part of a passenger compartment, and a structural component located proximate the side window and inside the passenger compartment, an improvement in lighting comprising:
- a light source attached to the structural component and oriented to direct light through the side window for illuminating an area adjacent the vehicle;
- and
- an outside rearview mirror, and wherein the light source directs the light toward a reflector of the rearview mirror so that the light is reflected rearwardly and downwardly from the rearview mirror.
An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
- an outside rearview mirror including a reflective element;
- a light source oriented to and directing light against the reflective element at an angle so that light reflected from the reflective element goes downwardly and toward a ground area adjacent the vehicle.
An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle including a rearview mirror, a side window, a “A” pillar, a “B” pillar and a roof component;
- and
- a light source attached to one of the “A” pillar, the “B” pillar and the roof component and that is oriented to direct light toward one or both of the rearview mirror and a ground area adjacent the vehicle.
A security and convenience lighting apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
- a component defining an inside and an outside of a vehicle;
- and
- a light source that directs a first portion of focused light toward the inside and a second portion of the focused light toward the outside, the component including an “A” pillar of a vehicle, and wherein the light source is attached to the “A” pillar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.