Distributed lighting assembly
AssigneeFederal-Mogul Corporation
InventorsJames Burr Anderson, Alexis Antonio Silva Perez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The lighting assembly (20) includes a light guide (22) formed of a resin material propagating light through internal reflection. A housing (28) surrounds the light guide (22) and maintains the light guide (22) in a predetermined position. A light transmissive coating (24), such as a vacuum metalized coating, is disposed on the light guide (22) and faces outwardly of the housing (28). The light transmissive coating (24) disguises the resin light guide (22) so that the light guide (22) appears to be a metallic trim. A non-light transmissive coating (26), such as a paint, appearing to be the same material as the light transmissive coating (24), may be disposed on the light guide (22) adjacent the light transmissive coating (24).
Claims20
A lighting assembly comprising;
- a light guide formed of a light transmissive material for transmitting light therethrough,
- a housing extending along and maintaining said light guide in a predetermined position,
- a light transmissive coating disposed on said light guide and facing outwardly of said housing,
- said light transmissive coating including a plurality of first opaque particles and a plurality of pores among said first opaque particles, said first opaque particles preventing light from transmitting therethrough, and said pores being microscopic in size and allowing light to transmit therethrough,
- a non-light transmissive coating disposed on said light guide adjacent said light transmissive coating and preventing light from transmitting therethrough,
- said non-light transmissive coating including a plurality of second opaque particles, and said second opaque particles being formed of the same material as said first opaque particles.
A trim assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a light guide formed of a light transmissive material for transmitting light therethrough,
- a light transmissive coating disposed on said light guide,
- a housing extending along and maintaining said light guide in a predetermined position so that said light transmissive coating faces outwardly of said housing,
- said light transmissive coating including a plurality of first opaque particles and a plurality of pores among said first opaque particles, said first opaque particles preventing light from transmitting therethrough, and said pores being microscopic in size and allowing light to transmit therethrough,
- a non-light transmissive coating disposed on said light guide adjacent said light transmissive coating and preventing light from transmitting therethrough,
- said non-light transmissive coating including a plurality of second opaque particles, and said second opaque particles being formed of the same material as said first opaque particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.