Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LIGHTED RUNNING BOARD
1. Field of Invention
The subject invention relates to a lighted running board assembly adapted to
be
mounted to an automotive vehicle.
2. Background of Invention
Conventional lighted running boards are known in the art and are utilized in
the
automobile and other related industries for both aesthetic and safety related
purposes.
Recently, conventional lighted running boards have been employed to enhance
the aesthetic
and safety characteristics of a vehicle. Examples of such conventional lighted
running
boards are shown in United States Patent Nos. 4,463,962, 4,544,991, and
4,557,494.
With respect to the safety characteristics, light indication on running boards
enhances the overall visibility of a vehicle. Further, light indication on
running boards also
1 S enhances the visibility of the running board for a vehicle operator upon
entry and exit from
the vehicle. As a direct result of this light indication, the vehicle operator
can more
effectively identify the location of the running board relative to the vehicle
and the ground,
and therefore, the vehicle operator can more safely enter and exit the vehicle
in dark
conditions.
The conventional lighted running boards typically utilize a discrete light
source to
provide light indication on the running boards. As such, assembly of the
lighted running
board is tedious, and often, the overall styling of the lighted running board
is impaired.
Further, the durability and overall performance of the light source is often
not protected
during extreme, or even normal, operation of the vehicle.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a lighted running board having a light
emitting
step pad that incorporates the aesthetic and safety characteristics identified
above. Further,
it is desirable for the light emitting step pad of the running board to
function as a step
platform of the running board and protect the performance of the light
indicating source
enclosed within the running board.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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The subject invention relates to a lighted running board assembly for use on
an
automotive vehicle. The lighted running board assembly comprises a mounting
bracket
adapted to be mounted on the vehicle. The lighted running board assembly
further includes
a generally horizontally extending framing network removably secured to the
mounting
bracket. The framing network includes at least one recessed mounting cavity.
The lighted
running board assembly also includes a generally horizontally extending light
emitting step
pad removably secured to the framing network for providing an ingress and
egress step to
an occupant of the vehicle. The light emitting step pad forms at least one
light housing
chamber between the light emitting step pad and the mounting cavity of the
framing
network and has at least a translucent portion. The lighted running board
further includes a
light source mounted to the mounting cavity of the framing network and housed
within the
light housing chamber for projecting light upwardly through the translucent
portion of the
light emitting step pad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description
when
considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a lighted running board assembly
having
a light emitting diode (LED) light source and a stepped light emitting step
pad (LESP);
Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative lighted running
board
assembly having a bulb and filament light source and an integral step pad
(ISP);
Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another alternative lighted
running
board assembly having a flat LESP;
Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another alternative lighted
running
board assembly having an LESP molded to integrally house a light source; and
Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another alternative
lighted running
board assembly having an extruded light pipe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts
throughout the several views, a lighted running board assembly is generally
shown at 10.
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Referring now to Figure 1, the lighted running board assembly 10 is primarily
supported by
a mounting bracket 12 having a plurality of mounting apertures 14, 16, 18. The
mounting
bracket 12 of the lighted running board assembly 10 is adapted to be rigidly
mounted to a
vehicle (not shown in the Figures). Furthermore, as discussed below, the
mounting
apertures 14, 16, 18 of the mounting bracket 12 may be designed to removably
receive
variously designed connectors including bolts, rivets, and push tabs.
The mounting bracket 12 directly supports a primary support framing network
20.
The primary support framing network 20 is preferably constructed of steel to
provide
overall structural integrity to the lighted running board assembly 10. The
primary support
framing network 20 includes a plurality of support mounting cavities 22a, 22b,
22c and a
plurality of support mounting apexes 24. The support mounting cavities 22a,
22b, 22c
alternate relative to the support mounting apexes 24 to provide additional
structural
integrity to the lighted running board assembly 10. Each support mounting
cavity 22a, 22b,
22c of the primary support framing network 20 integrally houses a support
mounting
aperture 26a, 26b, 26c for connecting the primary support framing network 20
to the
mounting bracket 12. More specifically, the primary support framing network 20
is
mounted to the mounting bracket 12 by a mounting bolt 28 that extends through
the support
mounting aperture 26a of the primary support framing network 20 and through
the first
mounting aperture 14 of the mounting bracket 12. The mounting bolt 28 is
fixedly received
by a mounting nut 30 housed under the mounting bracket 12.
The primary support framing network 20 directly supports an integral framing
network 32. Referring specifically to the partially cross-sectional view of
Figure 1, the
integral framing network 32 has a first integral end 34 that is inboard
relative to the vehicle,
and a second integral end 36 that is outboard relative to the vehicle. The
integral framing
network 32 is mounted to the vehicle at the first integral end 34. As
appreciated, at the first
integral end 34, the integral framing network 32 may be directly mounted to
the vehicle or
may be mounted to the vehicle via an integral mounting bracket (not shown).
Further, the
integral framing network 32 is preferably constructed of plastic and may
extend outboard at
the second integral end 36 to form an outboard leading edge 38 of the lighted
running board
10. In such a case, where the integral framing network 32 extends at the
second integral
end 36 to form the outboard leading edge 38 of the lighting running board 10,
the plastic
construction of the integral framing network 32 is critical to prevent
structural chips to the
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outboard leading edge 38 of the lighted running board 10 from road debris such
as rocks
and gravel during driving of the vehicle. Further, the outboard leading edge
38 may be
appropriately contoured to provide aesthetic effects to the lighted running
board 10. Also,
the degree to which the integral framing network 32 extends outboard relative
to the vehicle
contributes an overall safety element to the lighted running board 10 as the
further the
integral framing network 32 extends, the more clearance there is for a vehicle
operator to
position his foot upon entering and exiting the vehicle. As appreciated, it is
not necessary
for the integral framing network 32 to extend and form the outboard leading
edge 38 of the
lighted running board 10. Instead, an independent running board cover, not
shown in the
Figures, may form the outboard leading edge 38 of the lighted running board
10. In such a
case, the second integral end 36 of the integral framing network 32 extends to
the
independent running board cover.
The integral framing network 32 includes a plurality of integral mounting
cavities
40a, 40b, 40c and a plurality of integral mounting apexes 42. The integral
mounting
cavities 40a, 40b, 40c alternate relative to the integral mounting apexes 42.
Furthermore, as
shown in Figure 1, the integral mounting cavities 40a, 40b, 40c and the
integral mounting
apexes 42 of the integral framing network 32 interlock with the alternating
support
mounting cavities 22a, 22b, 22c and support mounting apexes 24 of the primary
support
framing network 20, respectively, to enhance the overall structural integrity
of the lighted
running board 10. Further, as represented in Figure l, the integral mounting
cavity 40b
integrally houses an integral mounting aperture 44, and the integral mounting
cavity 40c
integrally houses an integral mounting extension 46 projecting-downward from
the integral
mounting cavity 40c. The operation of the integral mounting aperture 44 will
be discussed
herein below. Preferably, the integral mounting extension 46 includes spaced
apart resilient
push tabs 48 having beveled or tapered expansions 50 as represented. However,
the
integral mounting extension 46 may be a connector of any suitable design. The
integral
framing network 32 is mounted to the primary support framing network 20, and
correspondingly, to the mounting bracket 12 by the push tabs 48 projecting
from the
integral mounting cavity 40c and extending downward first through the support
mounting
aperture 26c of the support mounting cavity 22c and secondly through the third
mounting
aperture 18 of the mounting bracket 12. The beveled expansions 50 of the push
tabs 48 rest
below and against the third mounting aperture 18 of the mounting bracket 12
thereby
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rigidly connecting the integral framing network 32 to the mounting bracket 12.
Although
Figure 1 shows the push tabs 48 extending through the third mounting aperture
18 of the
mounting bracket 12, alternatively, it is only necessary for the push tab 48
to connect to the
primary support framing network 20 which is directly connected to the mounting
bracket 12
by the mounting bolt 28.
The integral framing network 32 directly supports a reflective framing network
52
having a first reflective end 54 and a second reflective end 56. Further, the
reflective
framing network 52 includes a plurality of reflective cavities 58a, 58b, 58c
and a plurality
of reflective apexes 60. The reflective cavities 58a, 58b, 58c alternate
relative to the
reflective apexes 60. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the reflective
cavities 58a, 58b,
58c and the reflective apexes 60 of the reflective framing network 52
interlock with the
alternating integral mounting cavities 40a, 40b, 40c and integral mounting
apexes 42 of the
integral framing network 32. This interlocking relationship permits the
reflective framing
network 52 to be complimentary overlayed onto the integral framing network 32.
Once the
reflective framing network 52 is overlayed onto the integral framing network
32, slotted
gaps 62 are established between the first reflective end 54 and integral
framing network 32,
and between the second reflective end 56 and the integral framing network 32.
The
operation of the slot gaps 62 will become evident through discussion below.
Further, as represented in Figure 1, the reflective cavity 58b integrally
houses a
reflective mounting extension 64 projecting downward from the reflective
cavity 58b.
Preferably, the reflective mounting extension 64 includes a pair of spaced
apart push tabs
66 having beveled or tapered expansions 68 as represented. However, the
reflective
mounting extension 64 may be a connector of any suitable design. The
reflective framing
network 52 is mounted to the integral framing network 32 and correspondingly
to the
primary support framing network 20 by the push tab 66 projecting from the
reflective cavity
58b and extending downward through the integral mounting aperture 44 of the
integral
mounting cavity 40b. The beveled expansions 68 of the push tabs 66 rest below
and against
the integral mounting aperture 44 of the integral mounting cavity 40b thereby
rigidly
connecting the reflective framing network 52 to the integral framing network
32. Although
Figure 1 shows the push tabs 66 extending through the integral mounting
aperture 44 of the
integral mounting cavity 40b, alternatively, the push tabs 66 may extend
further downward
to connect to both the primary support framing network 20 and the mounting
bracket 12.
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As appreciated, the number and location of the mounting apertures 14, 16, 18;
the
support mounting apertures 26a, 26b, 26c; the integral mounting aperture 44;
the integral
mounting extension 46; and the reflective mounting extension 64 may vary
depending on
the type of connectors employed in the lighted running board 10, and other
manufacturing
and design decisions appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Similarly, the number and alternating nature of the support mounting cavities
22a,
22b, 22c and apexes 24; the integral mounting cavities 40a, 40b, 40c and
apexes 42; and the
reflective cavities 58a, 58b, 58c and apexes 60 may vary depending on the
degree of
support needed throughout the lighted running board 10, and other
manufacturing and
design decisions appreciated by those skilled in the art.
The alternating reflective cavities 58a, 58b, 58c and reflective apexes 60
define light
housing chambers 70 therebetween. The light housing chambers 70 integrally
house a light
source 72. In the preferred embodiment, the light source 72 is typically a
light emitting
diode (LED) 74. As appreciated, the LED 74 is preferred because the LED 74
directionally
emits light, and the direction in which the LED 74 emits light can be
controlled. However,
the light source 72 may also be any other directional light source, or even a
non-directional
light source such as a conventional bulb and filament style light source 76 as
represented in
Figure 2 and discussed further herein below.
In addition to the directional capability of the LED 74 as the light source
72, the
LED 74 is preferable relative to the conventional bulb and filament style
light source 76
because the LED 74 requires less amperage to operate, the LED 74 illuminates a
larger
surface area in the absence of the reflective framing network 52, and use of
the LED 74 in
the lighted running board 10 requires less packaging than the conventional
bulb and
filament style light source 76. Finally, the LED 74 is preferred in light of
the conventional
bulb and filament style light source 76 since the LED 74 does not contain a
filament
element and, therefore, is more resistant to the vibrational forces exerted on
the lighted
running board 10 during both normal and extreme operation of the vehicle.
As noted above, in cases where the light source 72 is the conventional bulb
and
filament style light source 76, the light source 72 tends to be non-
directional in nature.
That is, light is emitted in scattered directions relative to the originating
light source 72. As
a result, in cases where the lighted running board 10 is illuminated by
conventional bulb
and filament style light sources 76, it is critical that the reflective
framing network 52 is
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constructed of a reflective material in order to direct the light emitting
from the light source
72 in the appropriate direction, a direction opposite to the reflective
framing network 52.
The lighted running board 10 further includes a light emitting step pad (LESP)
78
having a top surface 80 and a plurality of lower support stanchions 82.
Refernng
S specifically to Figure 1, the LESP 78 is supported in combination through
the lower support
stanchions 82 first, by the integral framing network 32, and second, by the
primary support
framing network 20, which is positioned immediately below the integral framing
network
32 relative to the LESP 78. Furthermore, the LESP 78 includes a first slot end
84 and a
second slot end 86. In Figure 1, the first slot end 84 of the LESP 78 rigidly,
yet removably,
fits into the slotted gap 62 between the first reflective end 54 and the
integral framing
network 32, and the second slot end 86 of the LESP 78 rigidly, yet removably,
fits into the
slotted gap 62 between the second reflective end 56 and the integral framing
network 32.
As appreciated, the fitting of the LESP 78 between the first reflective end 54
and the
integral framing network 32 and between the second reflective end 56 and the
integral
framing network 32 is not critically dependent on the slot ends 84, 86 and the
slotted gaps
62, and instead may be positioned between the first reflective end 54 and the
integral
framing network 32 and between the second reflective end 56 and the integral
framing
network 32 by any suitable connecting mechanism. Also as appreciated, for
structural
purposes, the LESP 78 is constructed of a material strong enough to withstand
the
immediate forces exerted downwardly on the LESP 78 when the vehicle operator
positions
his foot directly on the LESP 78 upon entering and exiting the vehicle.
Further, for illuminating purposes, the LESP 78 is preferably constructed of a
translucent material in order to permit passage of light from the light source
72. However,
as appreciated, in order to counter any potential for scratching or marnng of
the top surface
80 of the LESP 78, the LESP 78 may be constructed of a semi-opaque material
provided
that the semi-opaque material possesses enough transmissivity to sufficiently
transmit the
light source 72. As identified above, light emitted from the LED 74 is
directional, and
therefore, can be controlled to emit upward through the translucent plastic
material of the
LESP 78. Furthermore, as depicted in Figure 1, the top surface 80 of the LESP
78 includes
steps 87 in order to encourage safe utilization especially during severe
weather conditions
such as rain, snow, or sleet. Stepped patterns, or variations thereof,
establish a skid or slip
resistant top surface 80 of the LESP 78 and provide added safety to the
vehicle operator.
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The individual steps 87 of the stepped pattern of the top surface 80 may also
function as individual light facets to strategically direct light in various
directions relative to
the light source 72. For example, particularly in cases where the light source
72 is an LED
74, the LED 74 can be directed into a first light facet and the first light
facet can proceed to
transmit the LED 74 into a subsequent light facet, and so on. In such cases,
where the light
source 72 can be strategically controlled via the LED 74 and the individual
light facets, the
LESP 78 is able to be controlled to emit various design symbols customized for
the
particular customer. This "effect" enhances the overall aesthetic
characteristics of the
lighted running board 10.
Alternatively, as represented in Figure 2 and with reference to Figure l, the
independent nature of the LESP 78 as a discrete component and the independent
nature of
the integral framing network 32 as described above can be altered. Instead,
the LESP 78
and the integral framing network 32 can be integrated to form an integral step
pad (ISP) 88
that is molded or shaped to overlay the light source 72 and also function as
the top surface
80 of the LESP 78 as described above with reference to Figure 1. Essentially,
as shown in
this embodiment, the structure of the primary support framing network 20
accounts for any
structural integrity lost by integrating the integral framing network 32 and
the LESP 78 to
form the ISP 88. The conventional bulb and filament style light source 76 is
depicted in
Figure 2, and as a result, the light source 72 is non-directional. As such,
the light source 72
is more directly integrated into the ISP 88 which helps prevent scattered
light from being
directed away from the ISP 88.
Refernng now to Figure 3, despite the stepped top surface 80 of the preferred
embodiment, the top surface 80 of the LESP 78 may also be styled such that the
top surface
80 of the LESP 78 is entirely flat and rests flush with the underlying
integral framing
network 32. In this alternative embodiment, the integral framing network 32 is
appropriately contoured to establish a base seat 90 which is sized to rigidly,
yet removably
receive the LESP 78. In such a case, the LESP 78 includes connectors 91, such
as snap-fit
tabs, to connect the LESP 78 to the base seat 90 of the integral framing
network 32. As
appreciated, the base seat 90 of the integral framing network 32 includes
connecting
reservoirs 91 a to receive the connectors of the LESP 78. Employing a LESP 78
with a flat
top surface 80 serves primarily aesthetic stying purposes. As such, it may be
necessary that
the integral framing network 32 extend further outboard from the vehicle to
provide the
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vehicle operator with additional positioning area for his foot upon entering
and exiting the
vehicle. In other words, in the absence of a stepped top surface 80 of the
LESP 78, the top
surface 80 may extend further outboard to provide a larger margin of error for
the vehicle
operator upon entering and exiting the vehicle.
Alternatively, as represented in Figure 4 and with reference to Figure 1, the
reflective framing network 52 and the light housing chambers 70 defined by the
alternating
reflective cavities 58a, 58b, 58c and the reflective apexes 60 of the
reflective framing
network 52 may be entirely eliminated. Instead, the LESP 78 may be molded or
shaped to
integrally house the light source 72 directly within the LESP 78. In such a
case, the LESP
78 is molded or shaped to include lower housing channels 92. The lower housing
channels
92 of the LESP 78, which include the light source 72, are molded or shaped to
interlock
with the integral mounting cavities 40a, 40b, 40c and apexes 42 of the
integral framing
network 32. As appreciated, the lower housing channels 92 are suitably
designed to
thoroughly protect the light source 72 from vibrational and other damaging
forces. Further,
the lower housing channels 92 may include channel orifices to permit an
electrical
connection of the light source 72 originating from below the integral framing
network 32.
Also as appreciated, since the reflective framing network 52 is eliminated,
implementation
of the conventional bulb and filament style light source 76 is not desirable
as the light
source 72 is preferred to be directional, such as the LED 74, in nature. Also,
in such a case,
the LESP 78 is constructed of a material having the strength to prevent
compression forces
from destroying the light source 72.
Also, as discussed above with reference to the alternative embodiment of
Figure 3,
the integral framing network 32 of the alternative embodiment in Figure 4 is
appropriately
contoured to establish a base seat 90 which is sized to rigidly, yet removably
receive the
LESP 78. As discussed above, the integral mounting cavities 40a, 40b, 40c of
the integral
framing network 32 house the corresponding lower housing channels 92 of the
LESP 78.
In such a case, the LESP 78 includes connectors 93, such as snap-fit tabs, to
connect the
LESP 78 to the base seat 90 of the integral framing network 32. As
appreciated, the base
seat 90 of the integral framing network 32 includes connecting reservoirs 93a
to receive the
connectors of the LESP 78. Finally, as appreciated, the LESP 78 represented in
Figure 4
may have either a stepped or flat top surface 80.
Finally, as represented in Figure 5, the lighted running board 10 may
eliminate the
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LESP 78 identified above and alternatively employ an extruded light pipe 94
having a
header end 96 and a distal end 98. In this embodiment, the extruded light pipe
94 serves
the same function as the function of the LESP 78 described above. However, the
extruded
light pipe 94, since the header end 96 is contoured above the integral framing
network 32,
also provides lighted indication on an inboard region of the lighted running
board 10. As
such, the vehicle operator can more effectively recognize the location of the
lighted running
board 10 and position his foot more accurately and safely thereon. To employ
the extruded
light pipe 94, the subject invention incorporates a header component 100. The
extruded
light pipe 94 is assembled between the header component 100 and between the
base seat 90
of the integral framing network 32. As appreciated, the header component 100,
the
extruded light pipe 94, and the integral framing network 32 possess
appropriate connectors
102 to rigidly, yet removably, receive the extruded light pipe 94 between the
header
component 100 and the base seat 90 of the integral framing network 32.
Further, in this
embodiment, the extruded light pipe 94 is appropriately contoured so that if
the light source
72 is a directionally-controlled LED 74, then the LED 74 can emit light
outboard toward
the distal end 98 of the extruded light pipe 94 and also upward into the
header end 96 of the
extruded light pipe 94.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be
understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the
nature of
words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and
variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is,
therefore, to be
understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be
practised
other than as specifically described.
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