U.S. patent number RE34,275 [Application Number 07/681,568] was granted by the patent office on 1993-06-08 for lighted running board assembly.
Invention is credited to Edward Ramsey.
United States Patent |
RE34,275 |
Ramsey |
June 8, 1993 |
Lighted running board assembly
Abstract
A running board light assembly which is attached to the
underside of a specially designed automotive running board. For the
purpose of providing both functional and decorative lighting. The
running board light assembly incorporates features which serve to
render the assembly impervious to the several weather-related
conditions to which it may be subjected.
Inventors: |
Ramsey; Edward (Elkhart,
IN) |
Family
ID: |
27102680 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/681,568 |
Filed: |
March 27, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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864608 |
May 16, 1986 |
4819136 |
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Reissue of: |
328468 |
Mar 24, 1989 |
04985810 |
Jan 15, 1991 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/495; 362/267;
362/375; 362/544 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q
1/2615 (20130101); B60R 3/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
3/00 (20060101); B60Q 1/26 (20060101); B60Q
001/24 () |
Field of
Search: |
;362/61,80,81,267,217,368,374,375,362,223 ;280/163,164.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Husar; Stephen F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price, Heneveld, Cooper, Dewitt
& Litton
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 864,608, filed on
May 16, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,136.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lighted running board assembly for a vehicle, comprising, in
combination:
an elongated running board having means defining stepped surfaces,
at least one of said stepped surfaces having means defining an
opening;
surface means defining an elongated water-tight tubular-shaped
enclosure including a body having means defining a longitudinally
extending cavity and an opening to said cavity, said enclosure
further including a removable cover means for covering said
opening;
a portion of said surface means being translucent in order to
provide a light-passing lens;
mounting flange means integral with said body for mounting said
body on said running board with said lens behind said opening in
said one of said stepped surfaces;
each of said cover and body means having integral anchor means
which mate with each other for positioning said cover over means
said longitudinal extending opening to enclose said enclosure;
at least one lamp socket positioned within said cavity when said
cover means is attached to said body;
a removable lamp mounted in each said lamp socket;
a plurality of anchor posts positioned within said cavity, said
anchor posts being longitudinally distributed within said cavity;
and
fastener means passing through said cover means for cooperative
engagement with said anchor posts, said fastener means having means
for engaging with said anchor posts to provide bearing pressure
between said body and cover means along said anchor means whereby
said fastener means, anchor posts and anchor means cooperate to
provide a water-tight seal of the assembly during use and allows
removal of said cover means for facile replacement of said
lamp.
2. The running board assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said
anchor means extends continuously around the perimeter of said
opening in said body.
3. The running board assembly of claim 2 in which said anchor means
includes means defining a channel in said cover means and means
defining a ridge in said peripheral wall.
4. The running board assembly of claim 1 wherein said lamp socket
means includes a socket body molded of flexible compound, said
socket body defining a lamp-receiving cavity and a collar portion
surrounding said cavity and extending into engagement with the lamp
globe.
5. The running board assembly in claim 1 further including hookup
wires connected with said lamp socket and extending through said
surface means for providing electrical interconnection to said
lamp.
6. A lighted running board assembly for a vehicle, comprising, in
combination:
an elongated running board having means defining a stepped surface
including a vertical surface portion and edge means defining an
opening in said vertical surface portion;
an elongated tubular-shaped body having a peripheral wall defining
top and bottom elongated surfaces and vertical side surface
interconnecting opposite ends of said elongated surfaces, said body
further including means defining a first vertical elongated surface
joined with said peripheral wall to form a cavity including means
defining a longitudinal extending opening to said cavity;
a second vertical elongated surface defining a removable cover
positioned over said longitudinal extending opening for enclosing
said body, one of said elongated surfaces being translucent in
order to provide a light passing lens;
indexing means integral with said body for mounting said body on
said running board with said lens behind said opening in said
vertical surface portion;
at least one lamp socket positioned within said cavity when said
cover is attached to said body;
a removable lamp mounted in each lamp said socket;
a plurality of anchor posts positioned within said cavity, said
anchor posts being longitudinally distributed within said
cavity;
sealing means for sealing said cover over said longitudinal
extending opening; and
fastener means passing through said cover for cooperative
engagement with said anchor posts, said fastener means having means
for engaging with said anchor posts to provide bearing pressure
between said body and cover along said sealing means whereby said
fastener means, anchor posts and sealing means cooperate to provide
a water-tight seal of the assembly during use and allows removal of
said cover for facile replacement of said lamp.
7. The running board assembly of claim 6 in which said sealing
means includes means defining a rearwardly facing channel in said
cover entirely surrounding said longitudinal extending opening.
8. The running board assembly of claim 6 further including means
extending along the entire said top elongated surface adjacent said
longitudinal extending opening for channeling away accumulated
moisture from said longitudinal extending opening.
9. The running board assembly of claim 6 further including hookup
wire connected with said lamp socket and extending through one of
said longitudonal surfaces for providing electrical
interconnections to said lamp.
10. The running board assembly of claim 6 wherein said lamp socket
includes a socket body molded of flexible compound, said socket
body defining a lamp-receiving cavity and a collar portion
surrounding said cavity and extending into engagement with the lamp
globe.
11. A lighted running board assembly for a vehicle, comprising, in
combination:
an elongated running board having means defining a stepped surface
including a vertical surface portion and edge means defining an
opening in said vertical surface portion;
an elongated tubular-shaped body having a peripheral wall defining
top and bottom elongated surfaces and vertical side surface
interconnecting opposite ends of said elongated surfaces, said body
further including means defining a first vertical elongated surface
joined with said peripheral wall to form a cavity including means
defining longitudonal extending opening to said cavity;
a second vertical elongated surface defining a removable cover
positioned over said longitudinal extending opening for enclosing
said body, one of said elongated surfaces being translucent in
order to provide a light passing lens;
mounting flange means integral with said body for mounting said
body on said running board with said lens behind said opening in
said vertical surface portion;
at least one lamp socket positioned within said cavity when said
cover is attached to said body;
a removable lamp mounted in each said lamp socket;
at least one anchor post positioned within said cavity;
sealing means for sealing said cover over said longitudonal
extending opening;
fastener means passing through said cover for cooperative
engagement with said anchor post, said fastener means having means
for engaging with said anchor post to provide bearing pressure
between said body and cover along said sealing means whereby said
fastener means, anchor post and sealing means cooperate to provide
a water-tight seal of the assembly during use and allows removal of
said cover for facile replacement of said lamp; and
a drip rail extending upwardly from said top elongated surface for
channeling away accumulated moisture from an interface defined
between said cover and said opening, said drip rail being separate
from said interface and extending substantially the entire said top
elongated surface. .Iadd.
12. A lighted running board assembly for a vehicle, comprising, in
combination:
an elongated running board having means defining a stepped surface
including a vertical surface portion and edge means defining an
opening in said vertical surface portion;
an elongated tubular-shaped body having a peripheral wall defining
top and bottom elongated surfaces and vertical side surface
interconnecting opposite ends of said elongated surfaces, said body
further including means defining a first vertical elongated surface
joined with said peripheral wall to form a cavity including means
defining a longitudinal extending opening to said cavity:
a second vertical elongated surface defining a removable cover
positioned over said longitudinal extending opening for enclosing
said body, one of said elongated surfaces being translucent in
order to provide a light passing lens;
mounting flange means integral with said body for mounting said
body on said running board with said lens behind said opening in
said vertical surface portion;
at least one lamp socket positioned within said cavity when said
cover is attached to said body;
a removable lamp mounted in each said lamp socket;
at least one anchor post attached to said body;
sealing means for sealing said cover over said longitudinal
extending opening;
fastener means passing through said cover for cooperative
engagement with said anchor post, said fastener means having means
for engaging with said anchor post to provide bearing pressure
between said body and cover along said sealing means whereby said
fastener means, anchor post and sealing means cooperate to provide
a water-tight seal of the assembly during use and allows removal of
said cover for facile replacement of said lamp; and
a drip rail extending upwardly from said top elongated surface for
channeling away accumulated moisture from an interface defined
between said cover and said opening, said drip rail being separate
from said interface and extending substantially the entire said top
elongated surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. A lighted running board
assembly for a vehicle, comprising, in combination:
an elongated running board having means defining a stepped surface
including a vertical surface portion and edge means defining an
opening in said vertical surface portion;
an elongated tubular-shaped body having a peripheral wall defining
top and bottom elongated surfaces and vertical side surface
interconnecting opposite ends of said elongated surfaces, said body
further including means defining a first vertical elongated surface
joined with said peripheral wall to form a cavity including means
defining a longitudinal extending opening to said cavity;
a second vertical elongated surface defining a removable cover
positioned over said longitudinal extending opening for enclosing
said body, one of said elongated surfaces being translucent in
order to provide a light passing lens;
mounting flange means integral with said body for mounting said
body on said running board with said lens behind said opening in
said vertical surface portion;
at least one lamp socket positioned within said cavity when said
cover is attached to said body;
a removable lamp mounted in each said lamp socket;
sealing means for sealing said cover over said longitudinal
extending opening;
fastener means extending between said cover and said body for
fastening said cover to said body and thereby providing bearing
pressure between said body and cover along said sealing means
whereby said fastener means and sealing means cooperate to provide
a water-tight seal for the assembly during use and allows removal
of said cover for facile replacement of said lamp; and
a drip rail extending upwardly from said top elongated surface for
channeling away accumulated moisture from an interface defined
between said cover and said opening, said drip rail being separate
from said interface and extending substantially the entire said top
elongated surface. .Iaddend.
Description
This invention relates to improvements in running board lights
adapted, though not exclusively, for use on automotive (i.e. Cargo
Van Conversion) vehicles.
Vehicle running boards customarily provides a convenient assist to
the entry and exit of the vehicle. These running boards typically
extend from the rear of the front wheel well to the front of the
rear wheel well.
Because of the extent of this expanse, running board manufacturers
have made various attempts to enhance the appearance of these
boards. A typical approach to this problem is to provide several
openings midway along the length, and through the lower-most
vertical profile of the running board. Directly behind these
openings (and directly beneath the actual stepping surface of the
running board) is attached any of several lighting products. When
activated by a switch, these lights provide a definite asthetic
enhancement to the running board as well as an added safety feature
in the form of a sign maker light.
The primary problem with this add-on-light approach is that no
suitable lighting product exists which provides adequate protection
from adverse weather effects (i.e. water infiltration) yet still
allows a means of lamp replacement when required.
With the foregoing in mind, a new and different running board light
is contemplated which incorporates a uniquely designed snap on lens
that locks to the body of the assembly. This lens is further
secured to the body by (3) screws which pass thru the lens and
self-thread into posts which are an integral part of the body.
Also contemplated is a gasket system which, being placed between
the snap on lens and the assembly body, prevents infiltration of
moisture past the several mating surfaces of the lens and body.
Further contemplated is the use of water-tight grommets located at
two (2) places on the body of the assembly which permit the passage
of lead wires out of the assembly while preventing moisture
infiltration through these passages.
Another object is the provision of a flange, integral to the body,
located on the top surface of the body directly to the rear of the
lens/body juncture which serves to channel accumulated water away
from this juncture.
A further object is the use of (3) specially designed snap in lamp
sockets which, having the lamp installed, forms a water tight seal
around the lamp, providing redundant protection from moisture
infiltration which,, at this spot in the assembly, could cause a
short-circuiting of the socket if not so protected.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention
will become apparent from the following description and from the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 Is a perspective view of a running board light assembly
depicting the location of orientation of the several external
components of the assembly;
FIG. 2 Is an end view of the FIG. 1 assembly showing locations and
orientation of additional components;
FIG. 3 Is a close-up cutaway view of the FIG. 1 running board light
assembly depicting the location of the several internal components
of the assembly;
FIG. 4 Is a sectional view of the running board light assembly
taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 Is a sectional view of the running board light assembly
taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 Is a seperate view of the water tight rubberized lamp socket
as seen in FIG. 3, having the numerical designation of numeral
14.
FIG. 7 is a partially sectioned side elevation showing a running
board light assembly mounted to a running board.
Refering, first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the running board light
assembly incorporating the principals of the invention is generally
denoted by the numeral 1 and is shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, oriented as
it would be when installed in the proper location on the underside
of the running board 22 behind opening 24 in vertical profile 26 of
the running board. The running board light assembly 1 includes a
main body 6 which is formed of any one of several Polyethylene
compounds. The body 6 incorporates an integral drip rail 7 which
serves to channel away any water which will accumulate along the
top surface of the body 6. The running board light assembly 1
further incorporates A lens 8 which is formed of Polycarbonate
material that may be tinted any number of colors, and which
possesses a translucent quality sufficient to allow the passage of
light. The interior surface of lens 8 is formed into a diamond
shaped pattern which diffuses the light emanating from lamp/socket
14 as it passes through lens 8. This lens 8 is partially secured to
the body 6 by means of self threading plated screws 11.
An additional feature is presence of two (2) holes through the body
6 which permits the passage of hookup wires 16 and 17. These holes
are then protected from moisture infiltration by snap in rubber
grommets 15 whose inside diameter is sufficintly undersized as to
form a watertight seal around wires 16 and 17.
Refering next to FIG. 3, the cutaway portion reveals an anchoring
ridge 10 over which lens 8 snaps, by capturing the ridge within an
internal anchoring channel 10 a of the lens, further securing lens
8 to body 6. FIG. 3 also exposes gasket system 9A and 9B. Gasket 9A
functions as a water-tight seal between body 6 and lens 8, while
gasket 9B serves a similar function at the openings in lens 8 where
screws 11 pass through. Another feature visible in FIG. 3 is the
interior potion of grommet 15 showing the passage of wire 17
through the body 6. The grommet 15 shown in FIG. 1 and in
conjunction with wire 16, functions in a like manner. FIG. 3 also
shows the location of one of several water tight lamp/socket
assemblies 14.
This socket 14 mounts to the interior of body 6 by means of a snap
fit into mounting bracket 13 which is an integral part of body 6.
Also shown is ring terminal 18 attached to wire 17 through which
passes the running board light assembly mounting screw 28. This
screw is then passed through mounting flange 19 and screwed into
the underside of the running board effectively producing an
electrical ground.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are sectional views of the running board light
assembly 1 which further clarify the foregoing descriptions. FIG. 5
details the screw boss 12 into which screw 11 anchors after passing
through lens 8 and gasket 9B respectively.
FIG. 6 Is a side view of lamp/socket 14 and is presented to enhance
the understanding of how lamp/socket 14 functions, both in sealing
the lamp from moisture infiltration and in how it fits into
mounting bracket 13.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that because of the
construction of the running board light assembly the running board
manufacturer can be assured of a function light assembly which will
be free of the effects of adverse weather conditions and their
inherent warranty problems while still providing the end user with
a simple means of lamp replacement when it becomes necessary to do
so. By simply removing the screws and lens, the wedge based lamp
can be removed from the socket and a new lamp reinstalled into the
socket.
* * * * *