Illuminated surfaces in the interior of an automobile
AssigneeMethode Electronics, Inc.
InventorsRajkumar Ramamurthy, Joseph Khoury, Roland Ruegenberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lighting system for a vehicle having luminescent or “glow-in-the-dark” markings placed on an interior surface of the vehicle and a light source located remotely from the markings to illuminate the markings, particularly at night. The markings can be placed on any surface inside a vehicle, such as a gear shift know, door handle or steering column control stalk. Additionally, the light source can be placed in the roof of the vehicle, behind a steering wheel, or any other location having an unobstructed view of the markings.
Claims23
A lighting assembly for a steering column control stalk of a vehicle, comprising:
- one or more control stalks located on a steering column;
- said control stalks having markings thereon to provide information relating to the operation of the control stalk, said markings being composed of a luminescent material that allow the markings to be seen both day and night and;
- a light source placed remotely from the markings and positioned so as to shine light onto the markings.
A lighting assembly for a steering column control stalk, comprising:
- at least one control stalk located on a steering column, said stalk having markings thereon;
- a stationary light source located remotely from said control stalk and positioned so that it directs light onto the markings.
A lighting assembly for markings inside of a vehicle comprising:
- markings on an interior surface of a vehicle, the markings being made of a luminescent material;
- and
- a light source located in a portion of a steering column of the vehicle remote from the markings, the light source being positioned to illuminate the markings.
A lighting assembly for a steering column control stalk, comprising:
- one or more control stalks located on a steering column, said stalks having markings made of a luminescent material thereon;
- and
- a light source located in a rear portion of a steering wheel remote from said control stalks and positioned so that it directs light onto the markings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.