# US 9,517,723 B1 · Illuminated tie-down cleat

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,517,723 B1
- Document ID: US9517723B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/002,703
- Filed: 2016-01-21
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-01-21
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock; Stuart C. Salter; Michael Henry Maj; Michael Musleh; Talat Karmo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517723B1

## CPC

- B60Q 1/302: {mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window}
- B60Q 3/30: for compartments other than passenger or driving compartments, e.g. luggage or engine compartments
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A vehicle is provided that includes a pickup box defining a storage area therein with at least one cleat assembly extending into the storage area. The cleat assembly includes a base, a tie-down cleat coupled to the base, and a lock assembly. The lock assembly is configured to removably couple the tie-down cleat to the base. The lock assembly includes a translucent polymer and a first phosphor material and a key configured to operate the lock assembly. The key includes a polymeric material mixed with a second phosphor material.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle comprising:
a pickup box defining a storage area therein;
at least one cleat assembly extending into the storage area, the cleat assembly comprising:
a base;
a tie-down cleat coupled to the base;
a lock assembly, the lock assembly configured to removably couple the tie-down cleat to the base, wherein the lock assembly includes a translucent polymer and a first phosphor material; and
a key configured to operate the lock assembly, the key comprising a polymeric material mixed with a second phosphor material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second phosphor materials are configured to have a perceptible glow for greater than 10 hours after charging.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:
a light disposed proximate the pickup box configured to charge a least one of the first and second phosphor materials.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lock assembly includes between about 0.1% and about 25% of the first phosphor material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the translucent polymer is impact modified.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein an indicia is disposed on top of the key and the indicia is configured to be illuminated by the second phosphor material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second phosphor materials are configured to emit different colors.

### Claim 8

A vehicle comprising:
a pickup box defining a storage area therein;
at least one cleat assembly extending into the storage area, the cleat assembly comprising:
a base;
a tie-down cleat coupled to the base;
a lock assembly configured to removably couple the tie-down cleat to the base; and
a key configured to operate the lock assembly, wherein the key and the lock assembly are both configured to illuminate by having a photoluminescent structure.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the key and the lock assembly each comprise a phosphor material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the key and the lock assembly each comprise a different phosphor material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8, wherein at least one of a first and a second phosphor materials are configured to have a perceptible glow for greater than 10 hours after charging.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising:
a light disposed proximate the pickup box configured to charge the phosphor material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the lock assembly includes between about 0.1% and about 25% of the first phosphor material.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the lock assembly comprises a transparent polymer.

### Claim 15

A cleat assembly, comprising:
a tie-down cleat; and
a lock assembly configured to removably couple the tie-down cleat to a motor vehicle,
wherein the lock assembly is configured to emit light; and
a light separately disposed away from the lock assembly and configured to charge the lock assembly.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the lock assembly comprises a phosphor material.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the phosphor material is disposed within a lock cylinder of the lock assembly.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the lock cylinder comprises a transparent polymer.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising:
a key configured to operate the lock assembly, wherein the key is configured to emit light.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the key comprises between about 0.1% and about 25% of a phosphor material and the cleat assembly is positioned within a vehicle.