GB2613537A

GB2613537A - A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2613537A
Application number: GB2115535.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wallace Robbie Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-10-28
Filing date: 2021-10-28
Publication date: 2023-06-14
Also published as: GB202115535D0

Abstract

A universal reverse light attachment 100 comprises a main body 1 configured for connection to a vehicle’s rear numberplate 10 and a lighting means (7, figure 5) configured to provide substantially white illumination, the lighting means connected to and extending from the main body so that when the main body is connected to the vehicle’s rear numberplate the lighting means is adjacent to but unobstructed by the numberplate and provides a rearwards illumination stream. The main body may comprise an elongate illumination portion 2 such as a channel for receiving a light strip, and at least one connection portion such as three flat plates (3) which may be provided with adhesive pads so that they may be attached to the rear of the numberplate. Power may be supplied to the light strip by means of a cable (8) connected to the vehicle power supply.

Description

A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles

FIELD

The present invention relates to a universal reverse light attachment for vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a universal reverse light attachment 5 that connects to the rear number plate of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Reverse lights are lights on the rear of a vehicle that are used to warn other vehicles and people around the car that the vehicle is about to move backwards. The reverse lights also provides some illumination for the driver when the car is reversing.

Reverse lights are normally built into the rear light structures of a vehicle. However, these can often be less bright than a driver or vehicle user would desire or require.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal reverse light attachment 20 for vehicles which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a universal reverse light attachment for vehicles, comprising: a main body configured for connection to a vehicle's rear numberplate, and; a lighting means configured to provide substantially white illumination, the lighting means connected to and extending from the main body so that when the main body is connected to the vehicle's rear numberplate, the lighting means is adjacent to but unobstructed by the numberplate and provides a rearwards illumination stream.

In an embodiment, the main body comprises an elongate illumination portion configured to in use abut and run along at least part of an edge of the vehicle's rear numberplate, and at least one connection element extending from the elongate illumination portion at least partly across the rear face of the vehicle's numberplate.

In an embodiment, the elongate illumination portion is configured to in use abut a 10 longer edge of the vehicle's rear numberplate.

In an embodiment, the lighting means comprises a light strip that runs substantially along at least part of the length of the elongate illumination portion.

In an embodiment, the elongate illumination portion comprises a channel configured to receive the light strip, the channel substantially U-shaped and having at least one 15 aperture that in use faces to the rear of the vehicle to allow light from the light strip to illuminate rearwards.

In an embodiment, the lighting means comprises a COB strip.

In an embodiment, the at least one connection element comprises a flat plate.

In an embodiment, the at least one connection element comprises three flat plates 20 spaced at substantially equal intervals along the elongate illumination portion.

In an embodiment, the universal reverse light attachment further comprises at least one adhesive pad located on the connection element or elements and configured to adhere the connection element or elements to the number plate.

In an embodiment, the lighting tab further comprises a connection means configured 25 to allow the lighting strip to be connected to the vehicle's power supply.

In an embodiment, the connection means comprises a cable.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from one side looking forwards and sideways of a vehicle rear number plate, with a universal reverse light attachment according to an embodiment of the invention fitted thereto, the universal reverse light attachment in this embodiment having a main body that connects to the number plate so that part of the body and a reverse light extend from the underside of the main body and illuminate rearwards in use.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view from one side looking rearwards and sideways of the universal reverse light attachment of figure 1, showing the main body from the rear of the main body, the main body comprising a an elongate illumination portion that is aligned horizontally along the lower edge of the vehicle's number plate in use, and three upstanding connection elements, extending from and substantially evenly spaced along the upper edge of the extension and illumination portion, two of the connection elements towards either end, and one in the centre.

Figure 3 shows a close-up perspective view of the universal reverse light attachment 30 from the same angle as figure 2, showing detail of the near end.

Figure 4 shows a close-up perspective view of the universal reverse light attachment from the same angle as figures 2 and 3, with a number plate connected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention, and variations thereof, will now be described in detail with reference to the figures.

An embodiment of the universal reverse light attachment 100 of the present invention 5 is shown in the figures.

The universal reverse light attachment 100 comprises a main body 1 that is mounted to the rear face of a vehicle numberplate (such as numberplate 10 as shown in the figures) in use. The main body 1 comprises an elongate illumination portion 2 and three upstanding connection elements 3, so that when viewed from one side, the main body 1 has the general overall shape and appearance of a capital letter E, with the elongate illumination portion 2 forming the spine/upright/vertical bar of the E', and the three upstanding connection elements 3 forming the tie, horizontal bar, and arm of the E'. The two outer connection elements 3 are positioned slightly inwards from the ends of the elongate illumination portion 2, so that the elongate illumination portion 2 'overhangs' slightly. The inner connection element is located substantially at the midpoint of the elongate illumination portion 2.

The elongate illumination portion 2 has the general form of a U-or C-shaped channel when viewed from one end, the channel squared off so that the channel walls and base are flat, and generally at right-angles to one another. The opening of the channel is aligned to face to the rear of the main body 1 (that is, towards the front end of the vehicle in use). The base of the channel (facing rearwards from the vehicle in use) is substantially open, comprising a series of elongate apertures 5 in the base, separated by narrow dividers 6 that connected between the upper and lower sides of the channel. The open apertures allow light to illuminate rearwards from the vehicle in use. The dividers 6 provide stability and rigidity to the structure and prevent the apertures from collapsing closed.

The connection elements 3 extend upwards from the edge of the channel -that is, at the rear of the elongate illumination portion 2, so that a ledge is created on the top of the elongate illumination portion 2, between the upper surface of the elongate illumination portion 2 and the connection elements 3.

Each of the connection elements 3 has the form of a flat plate, with rounded corners at the free or upper end. The flat faces of the plates face towards the front and rear of the vehicle in use. The sides of the connection elements 3 at the lower ends are blended or radiused into the upper surface edge of the illumination portion 2.

A tab 4 extends from the lower side of the illumination portion 2, at the rear edge of the illumination portion 2, substantially at the mid-point of the illumination portion 2 (below the central one of the connection elements 3) The tab 4 is configured to assist a user in locating the universal reverse light attachment 100 in position in use, and removing this if necessary for maintenance or similar. The lighting tab 4 is generally shaped as long, thin and narrow so that it does not extend a large distance from the lower edge of the illumination portion 2.The channel of the elongate illumination portion 2 is sized and shaped to contain a COB strip 7 (Chip On Board strip), that is arranged/aligned to shine rearwards from the vehicle in use. This type of illuminator produces a bright light with low current draw, and does not heat up when used. As shown in figures 5, 6 and 7, and in particular figure 6, the COB strip 7 is inserted into the channel at one end and is then slid fully into the channel so that it completely fills the channel.

Power is provided to the COB strip 7 via a cable 8 that extends from the COB strip 7, and which can be connected to the vehicles own internal power supply via any one of the normal known means (e.g. plug connector, direct soldering, etc). The power supply cable extends from the rear of the main body 1 (towards the front of the vehicle).

In use, the universal reverse light attachment 100 is mounted to the vehicle numberplate 10 by adhesive pads located on the front (vehicle rear) of the faces of the flat plates. These allow the connection elements 3 to be stuck to the rear face of the numberplate 10, to mount the embodiment of universal reverse light attachment 100 to the numberplate 10. The lower edge of the numberplate 10 abuts the ledge formed by the top of the elongate illumination portion 2. If required, adhesive patches can also be added to the rear (vehicle front) of the connection elements 3, so that these attach to the rear surface of the car body.

As described above, the universal reverse light attachment 100 is mounted so that the elongate illumination portion 2 is at the lower edge of the number plate, with the connection elements 3 extending upwards behind the rear face of the number plate. All directional references are made assuming this mounting arrangement. However, the universal reverse light attachment 100 could also be mounted at the upper edge of the number plate, with the elongate illumination portion 2 extending along the upper edge of the number plate, with the connection elements 3 extending downwards behind the rear face of the number plate.

Claims

Claims 1. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles, comprising: a main body configured for connection to a vehicle's rear numberplate; a lighting means configured to provide substantially white illumination, the lighting means connected to and extending from the main body so that when the main body is connected to the vehicle's rear numberplate, the lighting means is adjacent to but unobstructed by the numberplate and provides a rearwards illumination stream.
2. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in claim 1 wherein the main body comprises an elongate illumination portion configured to in use abut and run along at least part of an edge of the vehicle's rear numberplate, and at least one connection element extending from the elongate illumination portion at least partly across the rear face of the vehicle's numberplate.
3. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in claim 2 wherein 15 the elongate illumination portion is configured to in use abut a longer edge of the vehicle's rear numberplate.
4. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the lighting means comprises a light strip that runs substantially along at least part of the length of the elongate illumination portion.
5. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in claim 4 wherein the elongate illumination portion comprises a channel configured to receive the light strip, the channel substantially U-shaped and having at least one aperture that in use faces to the rear of the vehicle to allow light from the light strip to illuminate rearwards.
6. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the lighting means comprises a COB strip.
7 A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the at least one connection element comprises a flat plate.
8 A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in any one of claims 30 2 to 7 wherein the at least one connection element comprises three flat plates spaced at substantially equal intervals along the elongate illumination portion.
9. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8 further comprising at least one adhesive pad located on the connection element or elements and configured to adhere the connection element or elements to the number plate.
10. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lighting tab further comprises a connection means configured to allow the lighting 5 strip to be connected to the vehicle's power supply.
11. A universal reverse light attachment for vehicles as claimed in claim 10 wherein the connection means comprises a cable.