Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-02-20
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S459000, C362S496000, C362S505000, C362S506000, C362S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190026
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an illuminated emblem for a motor vehicle and, more specifically to an emblem including a translucent display template that is illuminated from behind by a light source. The emblem consists of internal and external fasteners that allow the illuminant, display template and other main components to be replaced without removing the entire device from the supporting vehicle surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of illuminated displays or emblems for the exterior of automotive vehicles have been designed. None of the known devices, however, provide an easy and fast assembly such that, once attached, the components, indicia and light source can be replaced without the requirement of detaching the entire device from the supporting surface. U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,932 issued on Dec. 3, 1985 to Lehrer et al, discloses a lighted novelty item that includes a battery powered LED with a prism lens for illuminating a transparent portion of a face plate. The novelty item is not configured to be attached to an automobile. U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,950 issued on Oct. 30, 1990 to Yamada shows a display device for an automotive mark plate which incorporates a means of illumination disposed behind an indicia-bearing planar element. U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,487 issued on Dec. 12, 1990 to Okano discloses a face-brightening device for use with vehicles. FIG. 14 shows the means of illumination incorporated into the logo/emblem of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,826 issued on Dec. 24, 1991 to Lan, discloses an auxiliary brake lamp that illuminates a transparent face-plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,924 issued on Jun. 13, 1995 to Ewing et al. discloses an illuminated vehicle bra that includes a number of light sources for transferring a message. U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,548 issued on Oct. 24, 1995 to Esslinger et al. discloses a fiber optic illuminated panel that can be mounted on the side of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,065 issued on Jul. 29, 1986 to Mori et al. describes a decorative part that can be used for illuminating emblems. However, the device is not constructed such that the display, illuminant and other components are easily replaced. U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,970 issued on Feb. 24, 1987 to Murphy discloses an illuminated panel assembly that can be used on vehicles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,695 issued on Dec. 18, 1990 to Armbruster discloses a device that can be used for illumination of a vehicle emblem and is constructed so that the components are replaceable. However, the device does not consist of internal type fasteners so that the components are replaceable without entirely removing the device from the supporting surface of a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an illuminated automotive emblem for mounting on a vehicle. The emblem has a housing frame component with a central opening that creates a picture frame or bordering effect. The overall shape of the emblem may be oval, circular, rectangular or any desired shape, but is preferably similar in shape to existing automotive emblems (Ford, Chevrolet, etc.) to create an asthetic appeal by appearing to be factory installed. The frame component surrounds indicia on a display template component that may include any type of printed matter (i.e. symbols personal names, brand names, etc.). The display template fills the open area of the housing frame component. A rear enclosure component, with a detachable illuminant on the interior face, mounts behind and transmits light through and illuminates the translucent portions of the display template component. The housing frame, display template, rear enclosure components and the illuminant disassemble from each other and make them replaceable. The display template can be replaced for the illumination of various indicia. A plurality of interior fasteners, consisting of adhesive materials, magnetic materials or plastic studs mated to interior bores, in combination with exterior and interior screws are provided for assembly device. Once the exterior screws are removed, the bonding of the interior fasteners can be overcome by slight force to remove the housing frame component from the rear enclosure component. With the housing frame component removed, the display template component and illuminant can be removed and replaced without the need of removing the rear enclosure from the supporting vehicle surface. The exterior screws are positioned such that they are blind or relatively unnoticeable in relation to a frontal or top view, which caters to the asthetic quality of the emblem device. The screw fasteners are used in conjunction with countersunk bores. For attaching the emblem device to a vehicle surface, a plurality of threaded fasteners or adhesive strips are provided. The threaded fasteners and adhesive strips are attached to or molded as part of the rear facing of the rear enclosure component. In the case of the threaded studs, mating nuts are applied to the free ends after having been projected through holes in the vehicle support surface. The adhesive strips can attach directly to the supporting surface. The illuminant placed completely or partially interior to the assembled device is preferably an electroluminescent (EL) lamp, but can also be incandescent bulbs, fluorescent or other type gas filled tubes or fiber optic. Current needed for illumination is provided by attaching wires from the illuminant leads to some point of the vehicles wiring system. When the illuminant is an EL lamp, a transformer type device is attached at some point along the wiring between the lamp and vehicle wiring system. The transformer device allows for increasing the voltage supply from the vehicle so that the EL lamp can be illuminated. A switch can optionally be mounted interiorly or exteriorly to the device.
Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide an illuminated emblem for a vehicle that has components and an illuminant that are replaceable without the need of removing the entire device from the supporting vehicle surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4977695 (1990-12-01), Armbruster
Moore Matthew G.
Negron Ismael
O'Shea Sandra
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