WO2006063325A2

WO2006063325A2 - Illuminated exterior decorative device

Info

Publication number: WO2006063325A2
Application number: PCT/US2005/044836
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young Chul Kwon
Original assignee: Young Chul Kwon
Priority date: 2004-12-10
Filing date: 2005-12-12
Publication date: 2006-06-15
Also published as: WO2006063325A3

Abstract

An illuminated exterior decorative device (50) for vehi les includes a decorative part (10) for a vehicle tradimark like an emblem, an illuminating part (12) illuminating the decorative part at least partially, and a mounting part (14) attaching the illuminated exterior decorative device to the vehicles. The decorative part (10) comprises a combination of an optically opaque part (11) and an optically transmissive part (13). The illuminating part includes a light source (17) and a light diffusion part (15). The illuminating part may illuminate the decorative part from behind, and be embedded in the light diffusion portion.

Description

Illuminated Exterior Decorative Device

By Young C. Kwon

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to an illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles including a decorative part for a vehicle trademark like an emblem, an illuminating part illuminating the decorative part at least partially, and a mounting part attaching the illuminated exterior decorative device to the vehicles.

The automobile is one of the indispensable necessities of modern every-day life. Both manufacturers and consumers of the automobile have felt it desirable to display some visual information somewhere on the surface of the vehicle for the purpose of advertisement and aesthetics since the advent of the era of automobile.

Emblem was one of the solutions to those kinds of needs. An emblem, a pattern used to represent an idea, usually visualizes a logo of manufacturers or a personal penchant. Such emblems have been attached on the front, side, and rear end of vehicle traditionally.

Conventionally, however, the emblems were passive elements in a sense that an external light with a certain minimum luminosity was needed to make the emblems visible. Under the condition of a bright daylight, there exist so many distraction. Especially, during the nighttime, the emblem was totally out of service.

Accordingly, a need for an illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles was present since the advent of the car. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An objective of the invention is to provide an illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles, which maximizes the visibility of an emblem.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles, which is highly effective under a condition of low luminosity.

Still other objective of the invention is to provide an illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles, which is easy to attach to a vehicle.

Still other objective of the invention is to provide an illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles, which increases the visibility of the decorative pattern by controlling the color and luminance of the device.

The illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicle includes a decorative part for a vehicle trademark like an emblem, an illuminating part illuminating the decorative part at least partially, and a mounting part attaching the illuminated exterior decorative device to the vehicles.

The decorative part includes a combination of an optically opaque part and an optically transmissive part, using either the optically opaque part or the optically transmissive part to form the pattern of symbol or emblem. The optically transmissive part of the decorative part has a predetermined color.

The illuminating part includes a light source and a light diffusion part and the light source can include one or more electric lamp or LEDs (light-emitting-diodes) . The light diffusion part encloses the light source and is made of a colored resin. The illuminating part illuminates the decorative part from the background, and can further include a controller to control the color, luminance, and on-off interval of the light.

The mounting part includes a double-sided adhesive tape or a mechanical fastener such as a plastic clip and bolts and nuts. The mounting part can also include one or more magnets adapted to predetermined magnetic metal surfaces of the vehicle.

The illuminating part can include some other illuminating means in addition to a regular electric lamp. A fluorescent substance can be used as an illuminating part, in which case the light source of the illuminating part comes from the ambient external light sources. Also, a material with phosphorescence can be used instead of the fluorescent substance.

In another aspect of the invention, the illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles includes a decorative part and an illuminating part. The illuminating part is for illuminating the decorative part from behind, and includes a light source and a light diffusion portion. The light source of the illuminating part is embedded in the light diffusion portion.

The light diffusion portion of the illuminating part is optically transmissive, preferably transparent. The light source is disposed along the edge of the decorative part to make the light from the otherwise hidden light source more visible.

The light source comprises a plurality of light emitting device (LED) . The illuminating part has substantially the same pattern as the decorative part, and the light emitting devices are disposed behind the decorative part with a predetermined interval.

The illuminating part further includes a top attaching portion, a bottom attaching portion, a control circuit, and two or move lead wires.

The top attaching portion is for attaching the illuminating part to the decorative part, and the bottom attaching portion for attaching the illuminating part to the vehicle. The control circuit is for controlling the operation of the light source. The two or more lead wires are for powering the light source and the control circuit.

The light emitting device changes the color and luminance as a predetermined function of time following the signals from the control circuit. The lead wire is optically transmissive, not obstructing the light beam.

The top attaching portion and the bottom attaching portion may include double-sided adhesive tapes.

The bottom attaching portion can include one or more magnets. The shape and size of the magnets are adapted to predetermined magnetic metal surfaces of the vehicle.

In another embodiment of the invention, the decorative part includes a coating on the light diffusion portion.

Preferably, the coating comprises metal coating, and the light diffusion portion is made of plastic. More preferably, the metal coating includes chromium, and the light diffusion portion is made of ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) .

The illuminating part includes a base portion that is adapted to be fixed to a vehicle. The coating of the decorative part partially surrounds the cross-section of the illuminating part. Preferably, the height of coating from the base portion is higher in one side of the cross- section of the illuminating part than in the other side of the cross-section of the illuminating part.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the illuminated exterior decorative device displays the emblems much more outstanding; (2) the illuminated exterior decorative device is more visible by controlling the color, brightness, or blinking period of the light source; (3) the illuminated exterior decorative device is strong and resistant to an external shock since is embedded in the decorative part.

Many other innovations, features, and advantages will be evident with the following description of the invention. Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective illustrative view of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective front view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective rear view of the illuminated decorative device;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 6, showing a decorative part and an illuminating part of the illuminated decorative device; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 8, and showing a fifth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention. An illuminated exterior decorative device 50 for vehicles includes a decorative part 10 for a vehicle trademark, like an emblem, an illuminating part 12 illuminating the decorative part 10 at least partially, and a mounting part 14 attaching the illuminated exterior decorative device 50 to the vehicles.

The decorative part 10 includes a combination of an optically opaque part 11 and an optically transmissive part 13, using either the optically opaque part 11 or the optically transmissive part 13 to form the pattern of symbol or emblem. The optically transmissive part 13 of the decorative part 10 can be transparent or have a predetermined color.

The illuminating part 12 includes a light source 17 and a light diffusion part 15 and the light source 17 can include one or more electric lamp or LEDs (light-emitting- diodes) . The light diffusion part 15 encloses the light source 17 and is made of a colored resin. The light source 17 can have an electrical wire 32 and a connector 34 as shown in Fig. 5.

The illuminating part 12 illuminates the decorative part 10 from the background, and can further include a controller to control the color, luminance, and on-off interval of the light.

The mounting part 14 includes a mechanical fastener such as a plastic clip 18 and bolts and nuts. Alternatively, the mounting part 24 includes a double-sided adhesive tape 28 as shown in Fig. 2. The mounting part 14 can also include one or more magnets adapted to predetermined magnetic metal surfaces of the vehicle other than the conventionally physically designated places such as the front end, side, and rear end.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention. An illuminated exterior decorative device 52 for vehicles includes a decorative part 20 for a vehicle trademark like an emblem, an illuminating part 12 illuminating the decorative part 20 at least partially, and a mounting part 24 attaching the illuminated exterior decorative device 52 to the vehicles . The decorative part 20 includes an optically opaque part 21. The optically transmissive part 23 corresponding to the part 13 in Fig. 1 is punched out mechanically from the optically opaque part 21.

In Fig. 3, the illuminating part 16 can be made of some other illuminating means instead of a regular electric lamp. A fluorescent substance can be used as an illuminating part 16, in which case the light source of the illuminating part comes from the ambient external light sources. Also, a material with phosphorescence can be used instead of the fluorescent substance.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the perspective views of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show the front and rear perspective view of an illuminated decorative device 100 according to another aspect of the present invention. Figs. 6 ~ 9 show the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The illuminated exterior decorative device 100 for vehicles includes a decorative part 110 and an illuminating part 120. The illuminating part 120 is for illuminating the decorative part 110 from behind, and includes a light source 122 and a light diffusion portion 124.

The decorative part 110 is optically opaque, and the light source 122 of the illuminating part 120 is embedded in the light diffusion portion 124.

The light diffusion portion 124 of the illuminating part 120 is optically transmissive, preferably transparent. The light source 122 is disposed along the edge 117 of the decorative part 110 to make the light from the otherwise hidden light source 122 more visible.

The light source 122 includes a plurality of light emitting device (LED) . The illuminating part 120 has substantially the same pattern as the decorative part 110, and the light emitting devices 122 are disposed behind the decorative part 110 with a predetermined interval.

As shown in Fig. 8, the illuminating part 120 further includes a top attaching portion 121, a bottom attaching portion 123, a control circuit 126, and two or move lead wires 128.

The top attaching portion 121 is for attaching the illuminating part 120 to the decorative part 110, and the bottom attaching portion 123 for attaching the illuminating part 120 to a vehicle 130. The control circuit 126 is for controlling the operation of the light source 122. The two or more lead wires 128 are for powering the light source 110 and the control circuit 126. The light emitting device 122 changes the color and luminance as a predetermined function of time following the signals from the control circuit 126. The lead wire 128 extends through the light diffusion portion 124 to supply electrical power to the light source 122, and is optically transmissive, not obstructing the light beam.

The top attaching portion 121 and the bottom attaching portion 123 may include double-sided adhesive tapes.

Alternatively, the bottom attaching portion 123 can include one or more magnets. The shape and size of the magnets are adapted to predetermined magnetic metal surfaces of the vehicle.

Fig. 9 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the decorative part 110 comprises a coating 132 on the light diffusion portion 124. In this way, the illuminated exterior decorative device is provided as a single part rather than two separate parts assembled as in the first embodiment.

The coating 132 includes metal coating, and the light diffusion portion 124 is made of plastic. Preferably, the metal coating comprises chromium, and the light diffusion portion is made of ABS.

The illuminating part comprises a base portion 134 that is adapted to be fixed to a vehicle 130. The coating 132 of the decorative part partially surrounds the cross- section of the illuminating part 120. The height of coating from the base portion is higher in one side (refer to height a in Fig. 9) of the cross-section of the illuminating part than in the other side (refer to height b in Fig. 9) of the cross-section of the illuminating part 120. This is advantageous in case of an emblem since an emblem usually forms a closed loop shape, and the transparent portion of the illuminating part 120 is adjusted bigger inside the closed shape by adjusting the height of the starting position of the coating 132 so that inside of the closed shape is illuminated brighter than the outer edge of the closed shape.

The invention is equally applicable to non-closed shape such as a lettering for an automobile. The illuminating part may be provided as a simple additional element below the decorating part as in the first embodiment, or as an integral part of an emblem or a lettering as in the second embodiment by providing the decorative part as a partial coating on an emblem or a lettering.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An illuminated exterior decorative device for vehicles, comprising: a) a decorative part for a vehicle trademark; b) an illuminating part illuminating the decorative part at least partially.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mounting part attaching the illuminated exterior decorative device to the vehicles, wherein the decorative part comprises a combination of an optically opaque part and an optically transmissive part.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the optically transmissive part of the decorative part has a predetermined color.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the illuminating part comprises a light source and a light diffusion part.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the light source comprises one or more electric lamp.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the light source comprises one or more light-emitting-diodes.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the light diffusion part encloses the light source.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the light source comprises an electric wire and a connector.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the light diffusion part is made of a colored resin.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein the illuminating part illuminates the decorative part from the background.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the illuminating part further comprises a controller to control the color and luminance of the light.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the controller further controls the duration of the illumination.

13. The device of claim 2, wherein the mounting part comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

14. The device of claim 2, wherein the mounting part comprises a mechanical fastener.

15. The device of claim 2, wherein the mounting part comprises one or more magnets.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the shape and size of the magnets are adapted to predetermined magnetic metal surfaces of the vehicle.

17. The device of claim 2, wherein the illuminating part comprises fluorescent substance.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the light source of the illuminating part is illuminated by ambient external light sources.

19. The device of claim 2, wherein the illuminating part comprises a material with phosphorescence.

20. The device of claim of claim 1, wherein the illuminating part illuminates the decorative part from behind, wherein the illuminating part comprises a light source and a light diffusion portion, wherein the light source of the illuminating part is embedded in the light diffusion portion.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the light diffusion portion of the illuminating part is optically transmissive.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the light diffusion portion is transparent.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the light source is disposed along the edge of the decorative part.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting device (LED) .

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the illuminating part has substantially the same pattern as the decorative part, wherein the light emitting devices are disposed behind the decorative part with a predetermined interval.

26. The device of claim 20, wherein the illuminating part further comprises: a) a top attaching portion for attaching the illuminating part to the decorative part; b) a bottom attaching portion for attaching the illuminating part to a vehicle; c) a control circuit for controlling the operation of the light source; and d) two or more lead wires for powering the light source and the control circuit.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the light emitting device changes the color and luminance as a predetermined function of time following the signals from the control circuit.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the lead wire is optically transmissive.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein the top attaching portion comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

30. The device of claim 26, wherein the bottom attaching portion comprises a double-sided adhesive tape.

31. The device of claim 26, wherein the bottom attaching portion comprises one or more magnets.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the shape and size of the magnets are adapted to predetermined magnetic metal surfaces of the vehicle.

33. The device of claim 20, wherein the decorative part comprises a coating on the light diffusion portion.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the coating comprises metal coating, and wherein the light diffusion portion is made of plastic.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the metal coating comprises chromium, and wherein the light diffusion portion is made of ABS.

36. The device of claim 33, wherein the illuminating part comprises a base portion that is adapted to be fixed to a vehicle, wherein the coating of the decorative part partially surrounds the cross-section of the illuminating part, wherein the height of coating from the base portion is higher in one side of the cross- section of the illuminating part than in the other side of the cross-section of the illuminating part.