GB2298748A - Vehicle door handle illumination - Google Patents

Vehicle door handle illumination Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2298748A
GB2298748A GB9605068A GB9605068A GB2298748A GB 2298748 A GB2298748 A GB 2298748A GB 9605068 A GB9605068 A GB 9605068A GB 9605068 A GB9605068 A GB 9605068A GB 2298748 A GB2298748 A GB 2298748A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
illumination means
vehicle according
door handle
door
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9605068A
Other versions
GB9605068D0 (en
GB2298748B (en
Inventor
Edward Osmond
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LTI Ltd
Original Assignee
LTI Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9504865.8A external-priority patent/GB9504865D0/en
Application filed by LTI Ltd filed Critical LTI Ltd
Priority to GB9605068A priority Critical patent/GB2298748B/en
Publication of GB9605068D0 publication Critical patent/GB9605068D0/en
Publication of GB2298748A publication Critical patent/GB2298748A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2298748B publication Critical patent/GB2298748B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
    • B60Q1/2661—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic mounted on parts having other functions
    • B60Q1/2669—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic mounted on parts having other functions on door or boot handles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/20—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments
    • B60Q3/267—Door handles; Hand grips
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/80—Circuits; Control arrangements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B17/00—Accessories in connection with locks
    • E05B17/10—Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
    • E05B83/00—Vehicle locks specially adapted for particular types of wing or vehicle
    • E05B83/36—Locks for passenger or like doors

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)

Description

Title: "Vehicle Door Handle Illumination" Description of the Invention This invention relates to the illumination of vehicle door handles, and is more particularly concerned with taxi vehicles and public transport vehicles.
Various systems have been proposed for ensuring that the doors of a vehicle cannot be opened whilst it is in motion. Normally, there is provided a motion sensor which operates when the vehicle is travelling in excess of a predetermined, very slow speed to provide a signal which may activate a bolt which positively holds the door closed, for example as in GB750705, or which may activate means for disabling a mechanism by means of which a door catch can be released, as in GB2129044.
In accordance with the present invention, illumination means is associated with a door handle of a vehicle and energised under the control of a device responsive to motion of the vehicle so as to illuminate the door handle when the vehicle is substantially stationary.
The illumination means may comprise an incandescent electric lamp bulb, or a gas-discharge tube, or any other suitable form of electrically energised light emitting device in the vicinity of the door handle. The invention may be used in conjunction with a mechanism which prevents the vehicle door being opened while the vehicle is in motion, although this is not essential.
Whilst the invention may be applied to an internal handle of a vehicle door it may also be utilised with particular advantage for the illumination of an external door handle. This arrangement is particularly useful in enabling a passenger to locate the door handle at night.
The illumination means may be provided in a recess in which the door handle is located, or adjacent to such a recess. Alternatively, it may be possible to incorporate the illumination means in some part of the door handle itself, particularly if the illumination means is in the form of light emitting diodes or the like.
Energisation of the illumination means may, in the case of a taxi vehicle, further be under the control of a taxi meter so as only to be energised when the taxi is available for hire.
Thus, there may an internal light associated with an internal door handle which is illuminated when the vehicle stops to allow a passenger to alight, the taxi not being available for hire at that time, and there may be an external light associated with the external door handle which is illuminated when the taximeter is reset to indicate that the vehicle is available for hire, the external light being illuminated only while the vehicle is substantially stationary and the taximeter is in the "for hire" mode.
Such an external light may also be connected in circuit with the road lights of the vehicle so as only to be available when the road lights are on.
The invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a taxi-cab in accordance with the invention; and FIGURE 2 is a block diagram showing one form of control circuit schematically.
A taxi 10 equipped with means for illuminating a door handle 11 of a passenger door 12 is shown in Figure 1. As illustrated, the door handle 11 is located within a recess 13 in which is provided an electrically energised light 14.
The light 14 is energised under the control of an electronic control unit E having inputs from a speed sensing device S associated with the vehicle's engine or transmission and from a taxi meter T whereby a fare is computed and whereby a FOR HIRE sign H is operated to provide an indication whether the vehicle is available for hire. Outputs from the control unit E energize door locks D when the vehicle is in motion and the light L when required. In a preferred arrangement, the light is energized when at least two conditions are satisfied, namely: 1. the vehicle is available for hire, sign H being illuminated accordingly; and 2. the vehicle is stationary or moving at a speed below a predetermined maximum such as 3 mph (5 kmph).
An additional condition to be satisfied may be that the vehicle's road lights are on.
Similar illumination may be associated with the internal door handle, but in that case the arrangement be that, as well as being substantially stationary, the taximeter is set to show that vehicle is hired in order for such internal door handle illumination to be energised.
Whilst the invention is particularly applicable to taxi vehicles, it will be appreciated that it may also be applied to public transport vehicles which require the doors to be opened by the passengers.

Claims (17)

  1. CLAIMS:
    11. A vehicle having a door handle and illumination means associated with said door handle and energised under a control responsive to motion of the vehicle so as to illuminate the door handle when the vehicle is substantially stationary.
  2. 2. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the illumination means comprises an incandescent electric lamp bulb.
  3. 3. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the illumination means comprises a gas discharge tube.
  4. 4. A vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the illumination means comprises any other suitable form of electrically energised light emitting device.
  5. 5. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said illumination means is in the vicinity of the door handle.
  6. 6. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said illumination means is used in conjunction with a mechanism which prevents the vehicle door being opened while the vehicle is in motion.
  7. 7. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said illumination means is applied to an internal handle of a vehicle door.
  8. 8. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said illumination means is applied to an external handle of a vehicle door.
  9. 9. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said illumination means is provided in a recess in which the door handle is located.
  10. 10. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said illumination means is provided adjacent a recess in which the door handle is located.
  11. 11. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the illumination means is incorporated in a part of the door handle itself.
  12. 12. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a taxi vehicle, wherein energisation of the illumination means is further under the control of a taxi meter so as only to be energised when the vehicle is available for hire.
  13. 13. A vehicle according to claim 12 wherein there is additionally provided an internal light associated with an internal door handle which is illuminated when the vehicle stops to allow a passenger to alight, and said illumination means comprises an external light associated with the external door handle which is illuminated when the taxi meter is reset to indicate that the vehicle is available for hire.
  14. 14. A vehicle according to claim 13 wherein the external light is illuminated only while the vehicle is substantially stationary and the taxi meter is in the "for hire" mode.
  15. 15. A vehicle according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the external light is also connected in circuit with the road lights of the vehicle so as only to be available when the road lights are on.
  16. 16. A vehicle incorporating illumination means substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to the foregoing description.
  17. 17. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.
GB9605068A 1995-03-10 1996-03-11 Vehicle door handle illumination Expired - Fee Related GB2298748B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9605068A GB2298748B (en) 1995-03-10 1996-03-11 Vehicle door handle illumination

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9504865.8A GB9504865D0 (en) 1995-03-10 1995-03-10 Vehicle door handle illumination
GB9605068A GB2298748B (en) 1995-03-10 1996-03-11 Vehicle door handle illumination

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9605068D0 GB9605068D0 (en) 1996-05-08
GB2298748A true GB2298748A (en) 1996-09-11
GB2298748B GB2298748B (en) 1999-02-17

Family

ID=26306645

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9605068A Expired - Fee Related GB2298748B (en) 1995-03-10 1996-03-11 Vehicle door handle illumination

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2298748B (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2328566A (en) * 1997-08-22 1999-02-24 L T I Limited Controlling courtesy light of a taxi
DE19822733A1 (en) * 1998-05-20 1999-11-25 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Illuminating arrangement for area at side of vehicle
US6349450B1 (en) * 2000-06-20 2002-02-26 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle door handle
US6854870B2 (en) 2001-06-30 2005-02-15 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle handle assembly
US6977619B2 (en) 2001-10-01 2005-12-20 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle handle assembly with antenna
US7407203B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2008-08-05 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle door handle
US11512506B2 (en) 2009-12-23 2022-11-29 Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. Method for extending and retracting vehicular door handle

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB700828A (en) * 1951-09-17 1953-12-09 Stone J & Co Ltd Improvements relating to the control of lighting on vehicles
EP0074027A1 (en) * 1981-09-05 1983-03-16 Gebr. Happich GmbH Supporting strap for vehicles
EP0315758A1 (en) * 1987-10-15 1989-05-17 NBC NORD BUS COMPONENTS S.r.l. Handle control for opening the doors of vehicles in an emergency situation

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB700828A (en) * 1951-09-17 1953-12-09 Stone J & Co Ltd Improvements relating to the control of lighting on vehicles
EP0074027A1 (en) * 1981-09-05 1983-03-16 Gebr. Happich GmbH Supporting strap for vehicles
EP0315758A1 (en) * 1987-10-15 1989-05-17 NBC NORD BUS COMPONENTS S.r.l. Handle control for opening the doors of vehicles in an emergency situation

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2328566A (en) * 1997-08-22 1999-02-24 L T I Limited Controlling courtesy light of a taxi
GB2328808A (en) * 1997-08-22 1999-03-03 Lti Limited Controlling courtesy light of a taxi
DE19822733A1 (en) * 1998-05-20 1999-11-25 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Illuminating arrangement for area at side of vehicle
DE19822733C2 (en) * 1998-05-20 2001-05-10 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Device for illuminating the apron on the side of a vehicle
US6349450B1 (en) * 2000-06-20 2002-02-26 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle door handle
US6550103B2 (en) 2000-06-20 2003-04-22 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle door handle
US6907643B2 (en) 2000-06-20 2005-06-21 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle door handle
US6854870B2 (en) 2001-06-30 2005-02-15 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle handle assembly
US6977619B2 (en) 2001-10-01 2005-12-20 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle handle assembly with antenna
US7544319B2 (en) 2001-10-01 2009-06-09 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle handle assembly with antenna
US7407203B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2008-08-05 Donnelly Corporation Vehicle door handle
US11512506B2 (en) 2009-12-23 2022-11-29 Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. Method for extending and retracting vehicular door handle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9605068D0 (en) 1996-05-08
GB2298748B (en) 1999-02-17

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050311