For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
With reference to
With further reference to
The base 2A may include a pair of mounting/locating posts or bosses 12 formed from the clear polymer material 7. The posts or bosses 12 are received in openings 13 in structure 3 to locate the base 2A in the proper position on structure 3. The structure 3 may include an indentation or recessed area 14 that receives the base 2A to reduce the extent to which the badge or emblem 1 protrudes above the surface 15 of structure 3. It will be understood that the thickness or height “H” of the base 2A is typically quite small, in the range of about 3-6 mm. The thicknesses of the components of the base 2A are exaggerated in
The badge or emblem 1 of
LEDs 6 are preferably side-emitting LEDs that would emit light sideways (e.g., parallel to conductor 8) if mounted flat on conductor 8. LEDs 6 are, however, preferably mounted to conductor 8 at an angle “θ” of about 30°. Also, LEDs 6 are oriented to emit light “L” towards side surfaces 23 and 24. Light L incident on side surfaces 23 and 24 is reflected inwardly back into polymer material 7. The line “L1” of
Because the LEDs 6 and conductors 8 are completely embedded within the clear polymer material 7, the badge or emblem 1 is completely or substantially waterproof, thereby providing a high degree of durability and weather resistance. Also, because the LEDs 6 draw a relatively low amount of electrical power, the badge or emblem 1 does not significantly effect the electrical power system of the vehicle. The badge or emblem 1 may be operably connected to a timer or the like that continues to light the LEDs 6 for a period of time after the vehicle ignition or other lights are turned off. In this way, a parked vehicle in a parking lot or the like having an emblem 1 will provide a unique lighted display of the badge or emblem even after the vehicle is turned off. Because the power requirements of the LEDs 6 are very low, the timer may be configured to leave the badge or emblem 1 on for a relatively long period of time, such as 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour or more, Thus, if the vehicle includes a timer that turns off the vehicle headlights and/or interior lights after a few minutes, the emblem 1 may remain illuminated for a substantially longer period of time.
With further reference to
As discussed above, although the base 2 illustrated in
With further reference to
Light from LEDs 6 is reflected inwardly at interfaces 40 and 41, and escapes through layers 50 embedded in a design or badge component 45. Design component 45 may be secured to a front surface 46 utilizing adhesive or the like (not shown) disposed on the lower surface 47 of the material forming the design 45. It will be understood that the design 45 may have a shape similar to the material forming design 4 of the badge or emblem 1 as illustrated in
The badge or design 45 may have layers of material 50 embedded therein to form the design 4. More specifically, with reference to
First and second layers of paint or other opaque film 54 and 55 are disposed on the clear polymer material 51 in the areas surrounding the embossed layer 50 to block the transmission of light “L” from the LEDs 6. Layer 55 is preferably a layer of polymer material, black paint or the like that blocks the transmission of light. Layer 54 comprises a paint or other polymer layer that may be colored to provide the desired background color surrounding the chrome embossed layer 50. Pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”) may be utilized to secure the design or badge 45 to the front side surface 46 of the clear polymer material 35 (
The light device or assembly/badge/emblem 1 of the present invention may be utilized on the exterior of vehicles, such as on a fender, bumper, or the like. Alternately, the light assembly I may be positioned, for example, on the back of a seat or the like. Still further, a light assembly 1 according to the present invention may be mounted to the exterior of a building, house, or other stationary structure to thereby provide for a decorative or informative effect.
With further reference to
With reference to
The upper member 75 is made of a thin sheet of polycarbonate or other suitable polymer material having a thickness of about 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. In the illustrated example, upper member 75 is about 1.5 mm thick. The upper member 75 may be made from a layer or sheet 80 of polymer material having light-transmitting properties, and ink 78 or other light-blocking material is applied to a lower surface 79 of the sheet of material 80, leaving areas 81 without ink 78, such that light from light source/guide assembly 74 may be transmitted through the areas 81. The areas 81 may form letters, designs, or the like. In particular, the areas 81 may form letters spelling out the brand or model of the vehicle that can be read by a user when the doors open to expose the lighted doorsill assembly 60 (
The light source/guide assembly 74 includes a light source 85 that is connected to a light guide 86 at a joint 87. Electrical lines 88 and 89 extend from the light source 86, and connect to a conventional 12 volt vehicle electrical power supply.
With further reference to
The protrusion 95 of light source 85 is configured to be closely received within the recess or inwardly-extending portion 92 of perimeter 91 of light guide 86 to thereby mechanically and optically interconnect the light source assembly 85 and light guide 86. In the illustrated example, the protrusion 95 is generally T-shaped in plan view (
With further reference to
With reference to
With reference to
In the illustrated example, the LEDs 114/114A are positioned such that light from the LED 114 is generally transmitted/projected through the protrusion 95 (see also
With further reference to
In addition to, or instead of, the posts 119, adhesive material, sealant, or the like may also be applied to the flange 130 of backing member 76, edge portions 132 of upper member 75, and/or edge surfaces 124 of primary structure 61 to adhesively interconnect the primary structure 61, upper member 75, and backing member 76 and/or to provide a water tight seal. In the illustrated example, the upper surface 97 and lower surface 105 of light source/guide assembly 74 are not adhesively connected to the upper member 75 or backing member 76, respectively. The perimeter surface 91 of light source/guide assembly 74 may also be free of adhesive material. Because the light source/guide assembly 74 is not adhesively bonded to these other components, the problems associated with light diffusion/degradation, or the like that could otherwise occur due to adhesively bonding the light source/guide assembly 74 to the other components is alleviated or eliminated.
The cavity 133 is thereby sealed to form a watertight cavity housing the light source/guide assembly. This provides an assembly that is durable and resistant to moisture-related degradation.
In the illustrated example, the backing member 76 may be formed of an opaque polymer material that prevents escape of light from light source/guide assembly 74. Surface 135 of backing member 76 may comprise a layer of reflective material such as reflective ink, or a thin sheet of reflective material disposed on the main web 128 of backing member 76 to provide for increased reflection of light back into light guide 86 of light/guide assembly 74. With further reference to
In the illustrated example, the primary structure 61 has a thickness of about 1.0-2.0 mm, and preferably about 1.5 mm, in the vicinity of edge 120. Thus, in the illustrated example, the thickness “T” (
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. Unless expressly stated otherwise, features of one embodiment or version of the present application are not mutually exclusive with respect to other embodiments or versions of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/895,609, filed on Mar. 19, 2007, entitled LIGHTED BADGE OR EMBLEM, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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