U.S. patent application number 17/069007 was filed with the patent office on 2022-04-14 for modular tailgate light.
This patent application is currently assigned to HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Chris Connington, Eric Li, Iqbal Singh.
Application Number | 20220112998 17/069007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220112998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Singh; Iqbal ; et
al. |
April 14, 2022 |
MODULAR TAILGATE LIGHT
Abstract
A modular tailgate light for a vehicle having an auxiliary
lighting plug, the modular tailgate light broadly including a left
section, a right section, a middle section, and a power connector.
The left section, the right section, and the middle section each
include a set of red lights and a set of white lights. The red
lights of the middle section include left red lights and right red
lights. The modular tailgate light can be used in a small vehicle
configuration in which the left and right sections are connected
together with the middle section omitted and a large vehicle
configuration in which the middle section is connected between the
left and right sections. In the large vehicle configuration, the
left red lights activate identically to the red lights of the left
section and the right red lights activate identically to the red
lights of the right section.
Inventors: |
Singh; Iqbal; (Buffalo
Grove, IL) ; Connington; Chris; (Long Grove, IL)
; Li; Eric; (Enping City, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION |
EMPORIA |
KS |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HOPKINS MANUFACTURING
CORPORATION
EMPORIA
KS
|
Appl. No.: |
17/069007 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2020 |
International
Class: |
F21S 43/15 20060101
F21S043/15; F21S 43/14 20060101 F21S043/14; F21S 43/19 20060101
F21S043/19; F21S 2/00 20060101 F21S002/00; F21V 21/096 20060101
F21V021/096 |
Claims
1. A modular tailgate light for a vehicle having an auxiliary
lighting plug, the modular tailgate light comprising: a left
section having opposing left and right ends, the left section
including: a first plurality of light emitters between the left and
right ends of the left section, the first plurality of light
emitters of the left section configured to emit colored light beams
and configured to blink when the modular tailgate light receives a
left turn signal; a second plurality of light emitters between the
left and right ends of the left section and configured to emit
white light beams; and an electrical connector near the right end
of the left section; a right section having opposing left and right
ends, the right section including: a first plurality of light
emitters between the left and right ends of the right section, the
first plurality of light emitters of the right section configured
to emit colored light beams and configured to blink when the
modular tailgate light receives a right turn signal; a second
plurality of light emitters between the left and right ends of the
right section and configured to emit white light beams; and an
electrical connector near the left end of the right section; a
middle section configured to be positioned between the left section
and the right section, the middle section having opposing left and
right ends and including: a first plurality of light emitters
between the left and right ends of the middle section and
configured to emit colored light beams, the first plurality of
light emitters of the middle section including left light emitters
and right light emitters; a second plurality of light emitters
between the left and right ends of the middle section and
configured to emit white light beams; a left electrical connector
near the left end of the middle section, the left electrical
connector configured to engage the electrical connector of the left
section; and a right electrical connector near the right end of the
middle section, the right electrical connector configured to engage
the electrical connector of the right section; and a wiring harness
configured to electrically connect the modular tailgate light to
the auxiliary lighting plug of the vehicle, the modular tailgate
light being configured to be assembled in: a small vehicle
configuration in which the electrical connector of the left section
engages the electrical connector of the right section and the
middle section is omitted from the small vehicle configuration; and
a large vehicle configuration in which the electrical connector of
the left section engages the left electrical connector of the
middle section and the electrical connector of the right section
engages the right electrical connector of the middle section, the
left light emitters being configured to be activated identically
with the first plurality of light emitters of the left section and
the right light emitters being configured to be activated
identically with the first plurality of light emitters of the right
section so that the left light emitters and right light emitters
can be activated independently of each other when the modular
tailgate light is assembled in the large vehicle configuration.
2. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein the electrical
connector of the left section and the right electrical connector of
the middle section are identical and the electrical connector of
the right section and the left electrical connector of the middle
section are identical.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein the second
plurality of light emitters of the left section, the right section,
and the middle section are configured to be activated when the
modular tailgate light receives a vehicle-reversing signal.
6. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary
lighting plug of the vehicle is a trailer lighting plug and the
modular tailgate light is configured to be connected to the trailer
lighting plug via the wiring harness.
7. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein the left section,
the right section, and the middle section are flexible strips
configured to be coiled up when the modular tailgate light is not
in use.
8. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein the left section,
the right section, and the middle section are magnetic for
removably attaching the modular tailgate light to the vehicle.
9. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein each plurality of
light emitters are wired in parallel so that the modular tailgate
light is fully functional even if any one of the light emitters
fails.
10. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein the left section
has a nominal length of twenty-four inches, the right section has a
nominal length of twenty-four inches, and the middle section has a
nominal length of twelve inches so that the modular tailgate light
has a nominal length of sixty inches in the large vehicle
configuration and a nominal length of forty-eight inches in the
small vehicle configuration.
11. A modular tailgate light for a vehicle having a trailer
lighting plug, the modular tailgate light comprising: a left light
strip having opposing left and right ends and including: a first
plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) between the left and
right ends of the left light strip, the first plurality of LEDs of
the left light strip configured to emit colored light beams and
configured to blink when the modular tailgate light receives a left
turn signal; a second plurality of LEDs between the left and right
ends of the left light strip and configured to emit white light
beams; and an electrical connector near the right end of the left
light strip; a right light strip having opposing left and right
ends and including: a first plurality of LEDs between the left and
right ends of the right light strip, the first plurality of LEDs of
the right light strip configured to emit colored light beams and
configured to blink when the modular tailgate light receives a
right turn signal; a second plurality of LEDs between the left and
right ends of the right light strip and configured to emit white
light beams; and an electrical connector near the left end of the
right light strip; a middle light strip having opposing left and
right ends and including: a first plurality of LEDs between the
left and right ends of the middle light strip and configured to
emit colored light beams, the first plurality of LEDs of the middle
light strip including left LEDs and right LEDs; a second plurality
of LEDs between the left and right ends of the middle light strip
and configured to emit white light beams; a left electrical
connector near the left end of the middle light strip and
configured to engage the electrical connector of the left light
strip; and a right electrical connector near the right end of the
middle light strip and configured to engage the electrical
connector of the right light strip; and a wiring harness configured
to electrically connect the modular tailgate light to the trailer
lighting plug of the vehicle, the modular tailgate light being
configured to be assembled in: a small vehicle configuration in
which the electrical connector of the left light strip engages the
electrical connector of the right light strip and the middle light
strip is omitted from the small vehicle configuration; and a large
vehicle configuration in which the electrical connector of the left
light strip engages the left electrical connector of the middle
light strip and the electrical connector of the right light strip
engages the right electrical connector of the middle light strip,
the left LEDs being configured to be activated identically with the
first plurality of LEDs of the left light strip and the right LEDs
being configured to be activated identically with the first
plurality of LEDs of the right light strip so that the left LEDs
and right LEDs can be activated independently of each other when
the modular tailgate light is assembled in the large vehicle
configuration.
12. The modular tailgate light of claim 11, wherein the electrical
connector of the light strip and the right electrical connector of
the middle light strip are identical and the electrical connector
of the right light strip and the left electrical connector of the
middle light strip are identical.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. The modular tailgate light of claim 11, wherein the second
plurality of LEDs of the left light strip, the right light strip,
and the middle light strip are configured to be activated when the
modular tailgate light receives a vehicle-reversing signal.
16. The modular tailgate light of claim 11, wherein the left light
strip, the right light strip, and the middle light strip are
flexible strips configured to be coiled up when the modular
tailgate light is not in use.
17. The modular tailgate light of claim 11, wherein the left light
strip, the right light strip, and the middle light strip are
magnetic for removably attaching the modular tailgate light to the
vehicle.
18. The modular tailgate light of claim 11, wherein each plurality
of LEDs is wired in parallel so that the modular tailgate light is
fully functional even if any one of the LEDs of the modular
tailgate light fails.
19. The modular tailgate light of claim 1, wherein the left light
strip has a nominal length of twenty-four inches, the right light
strip has a nominal length of twenty-four inches, and the middle
light strip has a nominal length of twelve inches so that the
modular tailgate light has a nominal length of sixty inches in the
large vehicle configuration and a nominal length of forty-eight
inches in the small vehicle configuration.
20. A modular tailgate light for a vehicle having a trailer
lighting plug, the modular tailgate light comprising: a left light
strip having opposing left and right ends and including: a first
plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) between the left and
right ends of the left light strip, the first plurality of LEDs of
the left light strip configured to emit red light beams and
configured to blink when the modular tailgate light receives a left
turn signal; a second plurality of LEDs between the left and right
ends of the left light strip and configured to emit white light;
and an electrical connector near the right end of the left light
strip, the left light strip having a nominal length of twenty-four
inches; a right light strip having opposing left and right ends and
including: a first plurality of LEDs between the left and right
ends of the right light strip, the first plurality of LEDs of the
right light strip configured to emit red light beams and configured
to blink when the modular tailgate light receives a right turn
signal; a second plurality of LEDs between the left and right ends
of the right light strip and configured to emit white light beams;
and an electrical connector near the left end of the right light
strip, the right light strip having a nominal length of twenty-four
inches; a middle light strip having opposing left and right ends
and including: a first plurality of LEDs between the left and right
ends of the middle light strip and configured to emit red light
beams, the first plurality of LEDs including left LEDs and right
LEDs; a second plurality of LEDs between the left and right ends of
the middle light strip and configured to emit white light beams; a
left electrical connector near the left end of the middle light
strip and configured to engage the electrical connector of the left
light strip; and a right electrical connector near the right end of
the middle light strip and configured to engage the electrical
connector of the right light strip, the middle light strip having a
nominal length of twelve inches; and a wiring harness configured to
electrically connect the modular tailgate light to the trailer
lighting plug of the vehicle, the modular tailgate light being
configured to be assembled in: a small vehicle configuration in
which the electrical connector of the left light strip engages the
electrical connector of the right light strip and the middle light
strip is omitted from the small vehicle configuration, the modular
tailgate light having a nominal length of forty-eight inches in the
small vehicle configuration; and a large vehicle configuration in
which the electrical connector of the left light strip engages the
left electrical connector of the middle light strip and the
electrical connector of the right light strip engages the right
electrical connector of the middle light strip, the left LEDs being
configured to be activated identically with the first plurality of
LEDs of the left section and the right LEDs being configured to be
activated identically with the first plurality of LEDs of the right
section so that the left LEDs and the right LEDs can be activated
independently of each other when the modular tailgate light is
assembled in the large vehicle configuration, the modular tailgate
light having a nominal length of sixty inches in the large vehicle
configuration.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Auxiliary tailgate lights supplement rear vehicle lights
when increased vehicle visibility is desired. Auxiliary tailgate
lights include a fixed-length elongated bar or strip of spaced
apart light emitters configured to be positioned near a vehicle's
tailgate or bumper. The auxiliary tailgate light's fixed length
prevents long auxiliary tailgate lights from being used on smaller
vehicles. Users wanting maximum auxiliary lighting on their larger
vehicles and smaller vehicles are forced to buy a long auxiliary
tailgate light for their larger vehicles and a short auxiliary
tailgate light for their smaller vehicles, even if only one vehicle
is used at any one time. Other auxiliary tailgate lights include
several components that can be installed incorrectly.
SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of the invention solve the above-mentioned
problems and other problems and provide a distinct advancement in
the art of auxiliary tailgate lights. More particularly, the
invention provides a modular tailgate light assembly that can be
used in a large vehicle configuration and a small vehicle
configuration.
[0003] An embodiment of the invention is a modular tailgate light
assembly broadly comprising a left section, a right section, a
middle section, and a power connector.
[0004] The left section includes a set of red LEDs, a set of white
LEDs, and an electrical connector. The left section may be a solid
bar or a flexible strip or band configured to be coiled up when the
modular tailgate light is not in use. The left section may have a
nominal length of approximately twenty-four inches.
[0005] The red LEDs are laterally spaced apart from each other on
the left section and may be light emitting diodes (LEDs), light
bulbs, or the like. The red LEDs emit dim light upon the modular
tailgate light receiving a tail light signal and bright light upon
the modular tailgate light receiving a left turn signal, a brake
signal, or a vehicle reverse signal.
[0006] The white LEDs are laterally spaced apart from each other on
the left section and may be light emitting diodes (LEDs), light
bulbs, or the like. The white LEDs emit bright white light upon the
modular tailgate light receiving a vehicle reverse signal.
[0007] The electrical connector electrically connects the left
section to the middle section or the right section. The electrical
connector may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of electrical pins
or contacts, or the like. The electrical connector may be one of
two types of connectors configured to connect with the other one of
the two types of connectors. For example, the electrical connector
may be a male connector configured to connect with female
connectors. Alternatively, the electrical connector may be
configured to connect with other connectors identical to
itself.
[0008] The right section includes a set of red LEDs, a set of white
LEDs, and an electrical connector. The right section may have a
nominal length of approximately twenty-four inches.
[0009] The red LEDs of the right section are laterally spaced apart
from each other. The red LEDs of the right section emit dim light
upon the modular tailgate light receiving a tail light signal and
bright light upon the modular tailgate light receiving a right turn
signal, a brake signal, or a vehicle reverse signal.
[0010] The white LEDs are laterally spaced apart from each other on
the right section. The white LEDs of the right section emit bright
white light upon the modular tailgate light receiving a reverse
signal.
[0011] The electrical connector electrically connects the right
section to the middle section or the left section. The electrical
connector may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of electrical pins
or contacts, or the like. The electrical connector may one of two
types of connectors configured to connect with the other one of the
two types of connectors. For example, the electrical connector may
be a female connector configured to connect with male connectors.
Alternatively, the electrical connector may be configured to
connect with other connectors identical to itself.
[0012] The middle section includes a set of red LEDs, a set of
white LEDs, a left electrical connector, and a right electrical
connector. The middle section may have a nominal length of
approximately twelve inches.
[0013] The red LEDs of the middle section include left red LEDs and
right red LEDs. The red LEDs of the middle section are laterally
spaced apart from each other.
[0014] The left red LEDs are positioned on a left side of the
middle section. The left red LEDs are configured to be activated
identically with the red LEDs of the left section when the modular
tailgate light is assembled in a large vehicle configuration as
described in more detail below. The left red LEDs emit dim light
upon the modular tailgate light receiving a tail light signal and
bright light upon the modular tailgate light receiving a right turn
signal, a brake signal, or a vehicle reverse signal.
[0015] The right red LEDs are positioned on a right side of the
middle section. The right red LEDs are configured to be activated
identically with the red LEDs of the right section when the modular
tailgate light is assembled in the large vehicle configuration as
described in more detail below. The right red LEDs emit dim light
upon the modular tailgate light receiving a tail light signal and
bright light upon the modular tailgate light receiving a right turn
signal, a brake signal, or a vehicle reverse signal.
[0016] The white LEDs of the middle section are laterally spaced
apart from each other on the middle section. The white LEDs of the
middle section emit bright white light upon the modular tailgate
light receiving a vehicle reverse signal.
[0017] The left electrical connector electrically connects the
middle section to the left section. The left electrical connector
may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of electrical pins or
contacts, or the like. The left electrical connector may be one of
two types of connectors configured to connect with the other one of
the two types of connectors. For example, the left electrical
connector may be a female connector configured to connect with a
male connector. Alternatively, the left electrical connector may be
configured to connect with another connector identical to
itself.
[0018] The right electrical connector electrically connects the
middle section to the right section. The right electrical connector
may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of electrical pins or
contacts, or the like. The right electrical connector may be one of
two types of connectors configured to connect with the other one of
the two types of connectors. For example, the right electrical
connector may be a male connector configured to connect with a
female connector. Alternatively, the right electrical connector may
be configured to connect with another connector identical to
itself.
[0019] The power connector extends from one of the left section,
the right section, and the middle section and is configured to
electrically connect the modular tailgate light an auxiliary
lighting plug of the vehicle. The power connector may be a wiring
harness, a plug, a power cord, or the like. In one embodiment, the
power connector is a wiring harness configured to be connected to a
trailer lighting plug of the vehicle.
[0020] In use, the modular tailgate light can be assembled in a
large vehicle configuration or a small vehicle configuration. A
user may determine whether the large vehicle configuration or the
small vehicle configuration should be used depending on whether the
vehicle is large or small or depending on an available tailgate
width.
[0021] In the large vehicle configuration, the left section and the
right section are connected to the middle section. Specifically,
the electrical connector of the left section engages the left
electrical connector of the middle section and the electrical
connector of the right section engages the right electrical
connector of the middle section. The red LEDs on the left side of
the middle section are activated identically to the red LEDs of the
left section, and the red LEDs on the right side of the middle
section are activated identically to the red LEDs of the right
section.
[0022] In the small vehicle configuration, the left section is
connected directly to the right section. The middle section is
omitted from this configuration and may be stored for later
use.
[0023] The above-described modular tailgate light provides several
advantages. For example, the modular tailgate light can be used in
the large vehicle configuration or the small vehicle configuration
without any change in functionality. The modular tailgate light
does not require any knowledge of electrical wiring to assemble the
modular tailgate light in the large vehicle configuration or the
small vehicle configuration. The modular tailgate light cannot be
assembled incorrectly. That is, the left side of the middle section
can only be connected to the left section and the right side of the
middle section can only be connected to the right section. The
middle section has left and right red LEDs that are operated
identically with the red LEDs of the left section and right
section, respectively. This solves the problem of keeping the
modular tailgate light symmetric even when adding a single
extension. The modular tailgate light attaches to the vehicle via
magnetism or fasteners.
[0024] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed description
of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail
below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular tailgate light
constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and
shown installed on a vehicle;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the modular
tailgate light of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 3A is an elevation view of the modular tailgate light
of FIG. 1 in a large vehicle configuration;
[0029] FIG. 3B is another elevation view of the modular tailgate
light of FIG. 1 in the large vehicle configuration;
[0030] FIG. 3C is another elevation view of the modular tailgate
light of FIG. 1 in the large vehicle configuration;
[0031] FIG. 4A is an elevation view of the modular tailgate light
of FIG. 1 in a small vehicle configuration;
[0032] FIG. 4B is another elevation view of the modular tailgate
light of FIG. 1 in the small vehicle configuration; and
[0033] FIG. 4C is another elevation view of the modular tailgate
light of FIG. 1 in the small vehicle configuration.
[0034] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The following detailed description of the invention
references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific
embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The
embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be
made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only
by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to
which such claims are entitled.
[0036] In this description, references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", or "embodiments" mean that the feature or features
being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the
technology. Separate references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", or "embodiments" in this description do not
necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually
exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For
example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one
embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not
necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a
variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments
described herein.
[0037] Turning to the drawing figures, a modular tailgate light 10
constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is
illustrated. The modular tailgate light 10 broadly comprises a left
section 12, a right section 14, a middle section 16, and a power
connector 18. The modular tailgate light 10 may be used with large
vehicles such as full-size pickup trucks, smaller pickup trucks,
vans, cars, trailers, farm implements, specialized work vehicles,
and the like. The modular tailgate light 10 is shown in FIG. 1
mounted above a tailgate of a large pickup truck 100.
[0038] The left section 12 includes a first plurality of light
emitters 20, a second plurality of light emitters 22, and an
electrical connector 24. The left section 12 may be a solid bar or
a flexible strip or band configured to be coiled up when the
modular tailgate light 10 is not in use. The left section 12 may
have a nominal length of approximately twenty-four inches.
[0039] The first plurality of light emitters 20 may be laterally
spaced apart from each other on the left section 12 and may be
light emitting diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, or the like.
Alternatively, one or a plurality of light bars or elongated light
tubes may be used. In another embodiment, one or a plurality of
light emitters may illuminate a light enclosure. To that end,
reflectors, light cones, lenses, or the like may be used to
increase or focus the luminosity of the first plurality of light
emitters 20. The first plurality of light emitters 20 emit colored
light beams such as red, orange, or yellow for braking, turn
signals, and general visibility.
[0040] The second plurality of light emitters 22 may be laterally
spaced apart from each other on the left section 12 and may be
light emitting diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, or the like.
Alternatively, one or a plurality of light bars or elongated light
tubes may be used. In another embodiment, one or a plurality of
light emitters may illuminate a light enclosure. To that end,
reflectors, light cones, lenses, or the like may be used to
increase or focus the luminosity of the second plurality of light
emitters 22. The second plurality of light emitters 22 emit white
light beams for vehicle reversing and general visibility.
[0041] The electrical connector 24 electrically connects the left
section 12 to the middle section 16 or the right section 14. The
electrical connector 24 may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of
electrical pins or contacts, or the like. The electrical connector
24 may be one of two types of connectors configured to connect with
the other one of the two types of connectors. For example, the
electrical connector 24 may be a male connector configured to
connect with female connectors. Alternatively, the electrical
connector 24 may be configured to connect with other connectors
identical to itself.
[0042] The right section 14 includes a first plurality of light
emitters 26, a second plurality of light emitters 28, and an
electrical connector 30. The right section 14 may have a nominal
length of approximately twenty-four inches.
[0043] The first plurality of light emitters 26 may be laterally
spaced apart from each other on the right section 14 and may be
light emitting diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, or the like.
Alternatively, one or a plurality of light bars or elongated light
tubes may be used. In another embodiment, one or a plurality of
light emitters may illuminate a light enclosure. To that end,
reflectors, light cones, lenses, or the like may be used to
increase or focus the luminosity of the first plurality of light
emitters 26. The first plurality of light emitters 20 emit colored
light beams such as red, orange, or yellow for braking, turn
signals, and general visibility.
[0044] The second plurality of light emitters 28 may be laterally
spaced apart from each other on the right section 14 and may be
light emitting diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, or the like.
Alternatively, one or a plurality of light bars or elongated light
tubes may be used. In another embodiment, one or a plurality of
light emitters may illuminate a light enclosure. To that end,
reflectors, light cones, lenses, or the like may be used to
increase or focus the luminosity of the second plurality of light
emitters 28. The second plurality of light emitters 28 emit white
light beams for vehicle reversing and general visibility.
[0045] The electrical connector 30 electrically connects the right
section 14 to the middle section 16 or the left section 12. The
electrical connector 30 may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of
electrical pins or contacts, or the like. The electrical connector
30 may one of two types of connectors configured to connect with
the other one of the two types of connectors. For example, the
electrical connector 30 may be a female connector configured to
connect with male connectors. Alternatively, the electrical
connector 30 may be configured to connect with other connectors
identical to itself.
[0046] The middle section 16 includes a first plurality of light
emitters 32, a second plurality of light emitters 34, a left
electrical connector 36, and a right electrical connector 38. The
middle section 16 may have a nominal length of approximately twelve
inches.
[0047] The first plurality of light emitters 32 includes a set of
left light emitters 40 and a set of right light emitters 42. The
first plurality of light emitters 32 may be laterally spaced apart
from each other on the middle section 16 and may be light emitting
diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, or the like. Alternatively, one or a
plurality of light bars or elongated light tubes may be used. In
another embodiment, one or a plurality of light emitters may
illuminate a light enclosure. To that end, reflectors, light cones,
lenses, or the like may be used to increase or focus the luminosity
of the first plurality of light emitters 32. The first plurality of
light emitters 32 emit colored light beams such as red, orange, or
yellow for braking, turn signals, and general visibility.
[0048] The left light emitters 40 are positioned on a left side of
the middle section 16. The left light emitters 40 are configured to
be activated identically with the first plurality of light emitters
20 of the left section 12 when the modular tailgate light 10 is
assembled in a large vehicle configuration as described in more
detail below.
[0049] The right light emitters 42 are positioned on a right side
of the middle section 16. The right light emitters 42 are
configured to be activated identically with the first plurality of
light emitters 26 of the right section 14 when the modular tailgate
light 10 is assembled in the large vehicle configuration as
described in more detail below.
[0050] The second plurality of light emitters 34 may be laterally
spaced apart from each other on the middle section 16 and may be
light emitting diodes (LEDs), light bulbs, or the like.
Alternatively, one or a plurality of light bars or elongated light
tubes may be used. In another embodiment, one or a plurality of
light emitters may illuminate a light enclosure. To that end,
reflectors, light cones, lenses, or the like may be used to
increase or focus the luminosity of the second plurality of light
emitters 34. The second plurality of light emitters 34 emit white
light beams for vehicle reversing and general visibility.
[0051] The left electrical connector 36 electrically connects the
middle section 16 to the left section 12. The left electrical
connector 36 may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of electrical
pins or contacts, or the like. The left electrical connector 36 may
be one of two types of connectors configured to connect with the
other one of the two types of connectors. For example, the left
electrical connector 36 may be a female connector configured to
connect with a male connector. Alternatively, the left electrical
connector 36 may be configured to connect with another connector
identical to itself.
[0052] The right electrical connector 38 electrically connects the
middle section 16 to the right section 14. The right electrical
connector 38 may be a plug, a wiring harness, a set of electrical
pins or contacts, or the like. The right electrical connector 38
may be one of two types of connectors configured to connect with
the other one of the two types of connectors. For example, the
right electrical connector 38 may be a male connector configured to
connect with a female connector. Alternatively, the right
electrical connector 38 may be configured to connect with another
connector identical to itself.
[0053] The power connector 18 extends from one of the left section
12, the right section 14, and the middle section 16 and is
configured to electrically connect the modular tailgate light 10 an
auxiliary lighting plug of the vehicle. The power connector 18 may
be a wiring harness, a plug, a power cord, or the like. In one
embodiment, the power connector 18 is a wiring harness configured
to be connected to a trailer lighting plug of the vehicle. The
power connector 18 may include a ground wire and several hot wires
including left and right turn signal wires, brake signal wires,
taillight wires, reverse signal wires, and the like. The power
connector 18 may include a five-pin flat connector, a five-pin
round connector, or the like.
[0054] Use of the modular tailgate light 10 will now be described
in more detail. The modular tailgate light 10 can be used in a
large vehicle configuration (FIGS. 1-3C) and a small vehicle
configuration (FIGS. 4A-C). A user may determine whether the small
vehicle configuration or the large vehicle configuration should be
used depending on whether the vehicle is large or small or
depending on an available tailgate width.
[0055] In the large vehicle configuration, the left section 12 and
the right section 14 are connected to the middle section 16.
Specifically, the electrical connector 24 of the left section 12
engages the left electrical connector 36 of the middle section 16
and the electrical connector 30 of the right section 14 engages the
right electrical connector 38 of the middle section 16. The modular
tailgate light 10 works the same in the large vehicle configuration
as the small vehicle configuration except the left light emitters
40 of the middle section 16 activate identically to the first
plurality of light emitters 20 of the left section 12, the right
light emitters 42 of the middle section 16 activate identically to
the first plurality of light emitters 26 of the right section 14,
and the second plurality of light emitters 34 of the middle section
16 activate identically to the second plurality of light emitters
26 of the left section 12 and the second plurality of light
emitters 28 of the right section 14.
[0056] FIGS. 3A-C show the modular tailgate light 10 in the large
vehicle configuration in various exemplary lighting scenarios. For
example, FIG. 3A shows right turn signaling and a relatively dimmer
tail light. FIG. 3B shows left turn signaling with reverse
lighting. FIG. 3C shows brake lighting and reverse lighting. Note
the left light emitters 40 of the first plurality of light emitters
32 of the middle section 16 are activated identically to the first
plurality of light emitters 20 of the left section 12 and the right
light emitters 42 of the first plurality of light emitters 32 of
the middle section 16 are activated identically to the first
plurality of light emitters 26 of the right section 14.
[0057] In the small vehicle configuration, the left section 12 is
connected directly to the right section 14 via the electrical
connector 24 of the left section 12 and the electrical connector 30
of the right section 14. The middle section 16 is omitted from this
configuration and may be stored for later use.
[0058] FIGS. 4A-C show the modular tailgate light 10 in the small
vehicle configuration in various exemplary lighting scenarios. For
example, FIG. 4A shows right turn signaling and a relatively dimmer
tail light. FIG. 4B shows left turn signaling with reverse
lighting. FIG. 4C shows brake lighting and reverse lighting.
[0059] The above-described modular tailgate light 10 provides
several advantages. For example, the modular tailgate light 10 can
be used in the large vehicle configuration or the small vehicle
configuration without any change in functionality. The modular
tailgate light 10 does not require any knowledge of electrical
wiring to assemble the modular tailgate light 10 in the large
vehicle configuration or the small vehicle configuration. The
modular tailgate light 10 cannot be assembled incorrectly. That is,
the left side of the middle section 16 can only be connected to the
left section 12 and the right side of the middle section 16 can
only be connected to the right section 14. The middle section 16
has left and rights sets of colored lights that are operated
identically with the colored lights of the left section and right
section, respectively. This solves the problem of keeping the
modular tailgate light 10 symmetric even when adding a single
extension. The modular tailgate light 10 attaches to the vehicle
via magnetism or fasteners.
[0060] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is
noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made
herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited
in the claims.
[0061] Having thus described various embodiments of the invention,
what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent includes the following:
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