Vehicle accessory component having co-formed light pipe
US10800321B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3624
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An accessory component having a co-formed light pipe is disclosed. In one embodiment the accessory component is formed by a co-extrusion operation that co-extrudes the accessory component with a connecting portion and a light pipe supporting portion, wherein the light supporting portion has a light pipe integrated into the light pipe supporting portion. The co-forming of the light pipe enables exposed mounting of the light pipe over its full length. The co-formed supporting portion encapsulates the light pipe providing additional protection to the surface of the light pipe while causing little to no impedance of the light emissions from the light pipe itself. The co-formed accessory component itself may be optically clear, diffuse, or tinted to provide color or appearance variations to the light emitted by the light pipe. The surface finish of the co-formed accessory component may also be varied to provide light diffusion or to alter the appearance of the accessory component. The co-formed accessory component may be formed with features that enable it to be readily attached to other vehicle components with or without external fasteners or adhesives.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.