Running board lighting device

#The invention relates to the art of exterior vehicle lighting. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for illuminating vehicle running boards and/or illuminating areas adjacent a vehicle.

#The provision of devices for illumination of automobiles is generally known. For example, it is generally known to place lighting devices for illuminating the interior of an automobile. It is also generally known to utilize lighting devices to illuminate areas immediately adjacent the automobile. An example of such a lighting device is a lamp placed on the inside of a door wherein such a lamp is activated to illuminate the area beneath the door when the door is open.

#Another example of a known lighting device includes an elongated lighting strip placed on a plate extending upward from a running board step. The lighting strip in this example comprises a hollow tubular element having a plurality of individual light bulbs in a cavity. Other running board lighting systems attach discrete lighting elements to various parts of the running board or to separate elements that are attached to the running board.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle running board lighting device incorporating an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lighting device illustrated in FIG. 1 adjacent a running board;

#FIG. 3A is a top view of a first embodiment of the lighting device illustrated in FIG. 2;

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle running board lighting device 10. Lighting device 10 contains an internal light source and a lamp housing enclosure 12. The light source may be an incandescent light, a lighting emitting diode, or other similar type of light source.

#Enclosure 12 includes a front lens portion 16 and a rear lamp housing portion 22. As can be seen from the device 10, the front lens portion 16 includes various lens optical areas, each optical area containing various optical elements. These lens optical areas are designated generally as areas 14, 15, and 18. As will be discussed in greater detail later in the specification, optical areas 14, 15, 18 include optical elements that distribute light generated from the light source contained within the device enclosure 12. Based on the optical characteristics of the optical elements, optical areas 14, 15, and 18 distribute light in a predetermined pattern over a vehicle running board and/or along or beside a vehicle running board.

#Lighting device 10 is preferably molded, formed, or milled plastic or glass substrate. Such substrate may include plastics, such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or glass.