# US 8,770,809 B2 · Safety light for trailers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,809 B2 - Document ID: US8770809B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/444,946 - Filed: 2012-04-12 - Published: 2012-10-25 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-19 - Applicants: Lawrence E Kiser - Inventors: Lawrence E Kiser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770809B2 ## CPC - B60Q 1/22: for reverse drive - B60Q 1/247: {for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit (for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323)} - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL ## Abstract Trailer illumination device 10 for illuminating a rear wheel assembly 4 of a trailer 2 has a housing structure 16, a plurality of lamps 12 and a circuit means 30. The housing structure 16 is for attachment to a side or bottom of the trailer 2 and has a channel 11 formed by one or more sides of the housing structure 16. When attached to a trailer 2, the device 10 extends from in front of the wheel assembly 4 to past the wheel assembly 4. The circuit means 30 is connected electronically to the rear turn signal light wiring and energizes the lights 12 of the device 10 when the tail lights 3 are on and the turn signal or flasher is activated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer comprises: a housing structure, the housing structure being an extrusion having a flange for attachment to a side of the trailer, the extrusion being “h” shaped for side mounting to the trailer, the housing structure having a channel formed by one or more sides of the housing, when attached to a trailer, extending from in front of the wheel assembly to past the wheel assembly; a plurality of lamps mounted in one or more rows in the channel of the housing structure; a circuit means connected electronically to the rear turn signal light wiring, the circuit means energizes the plurality of lamps when tail lights of the trailer are on and a turn signal or flasher is activated, the turn signal activates one illumination device on the side of the trailer in the direction of a turn whereas the flasher activates two illumination devices, one on each side of the trailer to facilitate backing up or emergency stops; and wherein the housing structure provides an illumination barrier or shield allowing the one or more rows of lights to emit light directed downwardly from inside the channel towards the ground preventing sideways illumination glare. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 1 wherein the plurality of lamps are light emitting diodes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 1 wherein the lamps are halogen lamps. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 1 wherein the housing structure forming channel has an inside polished or highly reflective surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 1 wherein the lamps are encased in an acrylic or clear plastic tube or cover inside the channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 1 wherein the housing structure has an opening for passing wiring out of said opening to provide a means to connect to wiring of rear lights of the trailer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 1 wherein the extrusion has a “U” shape extrusion portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The trailer illumination device of claim 1 further comprises: a pair of rear illumination devices for attachment to the rear of a trailer, one device for a left side and one for a right side of the rear of the trailer for back up illumination. ### Claim 9 A trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer comprises: a housing structure, the housing structure being an extrusion having a flange for attachment to a bottom of the trailer, the extrusion being “F” shaped for bottom mounting to the trailer, the housing structure having a channel formed by one or more sides of the housing, when attached to a trailer, extending from in front of the wheel assembly to past the wheel assembly; a plurality of lamps mounted in one or more rows in the channel of the housing structure; a circuit means connected electronically to the rear turn signal light wiring, the circuit means energizes the plurality of lamps when tail lights of the trailer are on and a turn signal or flasher is activated, the turn signal activates one illumination device on the side of the trailer in the direction of a turn whereas the flasher activates two illumination devices, one on each side of the trailer to facilitate backing up or emergency stops; and wherein the housing structure provides an illumination barrier or shield allowing the one or more rows of lights to emit light directed downwardly from inside the channel towards the ground preventing sideways illumination glare. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 9 wherein the plurality of lamps are light emitting diodes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 9 wherein the lamps are halogen lamps. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 9 wherein the housing structure forming channel has an inside polished or highly reflective surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The trailer illumination device for illuminating a rear wheel assembly of a trailer of claim 9 wherein the lamps are encased in an acrylic or clear plastic tube or cover inside the channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The trailer illumination device of claim 9 wherein the housing structure has an opening for passing wiring out of to provide a means to connect to the wiring for the rear lights of the trailer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The trailer illumination device of claim 9 wherein the extrusion has a “U” shape extrusion portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The trailer illumination device of claim 9 further comprises: a pair of rear illumination devices for attachment to the rear of a trailer, one device for a left side and one for a right side of the rear of the trailer for back up illumination.