GB2580433A - Illuminated vehicle window - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an illuminated vehicle window 10 (figure 1a) that has a window pane 20, a window frame 30, with pane 20 having at least part of its peripheral edge 21 supportable in a channel section 31 of the window frame. The channel section 31 contains a light source 40 that is used to illuminate one or more edges of the window pane. This may be to highlight a message or an image X displayed on the window. The light source may be an LED 41 (figure 2) or a fibre optic device. The light source may be encased in a housing which may also include a lens 42 (figure 2) to direct the light towards the direction of an image. The window may be opened or closed and may be part of a vehicle door 1.

Description

TITLE: Illuminated Vehicle Window The present invention relates to an illuminated vehicle window.

Most vehicles such as cars have opening windows which close and open into and out of' engagement with a generally U-shaped channel section in a frame forming part of a door above the main body of the door, with some of the peripheral edge of the window supported by the channel section when the window is closed. Other fixed windows are supported around their entire peripheral edge in a channel section of a frame.

The invention seeks to edge light such windows to highlight one or more messages etched into such windows.

According to the present invention there is provided an illuminated vehicle window comprising a) a window having a window pane and a window frame, said pane having at least part of its peripheral edge supportable in a channel section of the window frame, said window pane having at least one message etched therein or thereon, and b) at least one light source in the frame to illuminate one or more edges of the window pane, to highlight the or each message.

Preferably the or each light source includes a lens to focus light solely on a message.

Preferably the light source includes at least one LED, or fibre optic device.

Preferably the light source and lens are mounted in a common housing.

Preferably the window forms part of a vehicle door. Preferably the window can be opened and closed.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure IA shows a vehicle door with a window closed, Figure 18 shows a vehicle door with a window open, and Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section view of a light source in the door or Figures IA and 1B.

Referring to Figures 1 A and 1B there is shown a door 1 of a mad vehicle such as a car.

Door 1 has a window 10. Window 10 has a window pane 20 and a window frame 30.

Pane 20 has at least part of its peripheral edge 21 supportable in a U-shaped channel section 31 of the window frame 30. Window pane is controlled by a mechanism (not shown but well known in the art) to move it from an open positon (Figure 18) to a closed position (Figure 1A).

Window pane 20 has at least one message X such as a name "IMAGE" etched therein or thereon.

At least one light source 40 is provided in the frame 30 to illuminate one or more edges of the window pane, to highlight the or each message. As shown in Figure 2, the or each light source is positioned in the channel section 31 of frame 30.

Light source 40 has an LED 41 and Lens 42. LED 41 emits light through the lens 42 which focuses the light emitted (as depicted by arrows in Figure 2), when the window pane is in the closed position, onto the edge of window pane 20 so that only the message X illuminates. LED 41 could alternatively be a fibre optic device.

LED 41 and lens 42 may housed in a housing within the door frame to protect the electronics.

The etched message X may or may not be visible. However when the light catches the etched area, it catches and reflects the light to highlight the message.

Under certain regulations, such as revised European regulation (specifically ECE 48-06) which governs the visibility of illumination of the exterior of the vehicle, there is often a restriction of illumination visibility where any lit surfaces must have the apparent surface of the light source hidden from view. Because the light source 40 is hidden in the channel 31 and because the light is focussed by the lens 42, the surface of the light source (LED 41) will not be visible.

Although only one light source and one message is shown in the window in the drawings, two or more messages and light sources could be provided. Also the window 20 could be a fixed window rather than an opening window which may or may not be in a door.

The "message" may be a word as shown, or any other image such as a picture, design or structure etched into the window pane.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMSI. An illuminated vehicle window comprising: a) a window having a window pane and a window frame, said pane having at least part of its peripheral edge supportable in a channel section of the window frame, said window pane having at least one message etched therein or thereon, and b) at least one light source in the frame to illuminate one or more edges of the window pane, to highlight the or each message.
2. 2. An illuminated vehicle window according to claim 1, wherein the or each light source includes a lens to focus light solely on a message.
3. 3. An illuminated vehicle window according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source includes at least one LED, or fibre optic device.
4. 4. An illuminated vehicle window according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the light source and lens are mounted in a common housing.
5. 5. An illuminated vehicle window according to any preceding claim wherein the window forms part of a vehicle door.
6. 6. An illuminated vehicle window according to any preceding claim, wherein the window can be opened and closed.