MXPA03003285A - Illuminated air fairing display. - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated air fairing display device for a truck is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The illuminated air fairing display device includes an air fairing, a light transmissive region in the fairing, and a plurality of light sources positioned in close relation to the light transmissive region. The light transmissive region includes at least one logo or indicium. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the light transmissive region.

Description

AERODYNAMIC DEFLECTOR EXHIBITOR, ILLUMINATED Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a display that is located on a truck and, more particularly, refers to a display of an aerodynamic and illuminated deflector that is located on a truck.

Background of the Invention A large number of trucks are used every day for all forms of commerce, such as the transportation of cargo, liquids, raw materials, products, etc. A typical truck may comprise a cabin portion, including a passenger compartment and some type of cargo box. Some trucks may additionally include a sleeping cabin as part of the truck shelter. An important factor in truck design is efficiency. The air brake of a truck can seriously impact the amount of fuel consumed. Therefore, the aerodynamic shape of a truck is very important. As a result, a common characteristic that is increasing more and more in trucks is an aerodynamic defiector. The aerodynamic defiector is used in order to reduce the air resistance due to any load transport structure that is located behind the cabin, such as a cargo box. The aerodynamic defiector achieves a uniform air flow in the transition region between the cabin portion and the cargo box, whether the truck is a straight truck, that is, a cabin with a box behind it, or a combination of tractor and trailer. Many truck manufacturers put their logo on the trucks they make. This has become popular as a way to ensure the visibility of the brand of the truck and to promote the owner's loyalty. Typically, said logos may be in the form of an ornament on the bonnet, signage on the skirt or guard fender, etc.

However, said exhibitors typically suffer from several problems. A prior art logo typically is clearly located at a low point of the truck and can easily be hidden. In addition, they are typically not easy to appreciate at night, in low light conditions, or in poor visibility conditions. Therefore, there is still a need to have improvements in exhibitors or logos for trucks of the current technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an illuminated aerodynamic baffle display device is provided for a truck. The illuminated aerodynamic baffle display device comprises an aerodynamic baffle, a region of light transmission in the baffle, and a plurality of light sources placed in close relationship with the light transmission region. The light transmitting region includes at least one logo or signaling. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the region of light transmission. According to another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for the formation of an illuminated aerodynamic baffle display device for a truck. The method comprises the steps of providing an aerodynamic deflector adapted to be fixed to a truck's cabin portion, providing a region of light transmission in the deflector, and placing a plurality of light sources in close relationship with the light transmission region . Light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the region of light transmission. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further understood more clearly and from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truck including an illuminated aerodynamic baffle display according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of an illuminated aerodynamic baffle display, along line AA of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes Figure 1 is a perspective view of a truck 100 that includes an exhibitor 123 of aerodynamic deflector, illuminated, according to the invention. The truck 100 may include a cab 105, an aerodynamic deflector 112 and the aerodynamic baffle display 123, illuminated. The cabin 105 of the truck may include a passenger cabin and optionally may include a sleeping cabin (not shown). The aerodynamic deflector 112 can be mounted to the passenger cabin and can alternatively be mounted on or extended above the sleeping cabin, if the truck cabin includes a bedroom. The aerodynamic deflector 112 can be an integral part of the truck cabin 105 (and / or bedroom) or it can be a removable component. Illuminated aerodynamic baffle display 123 includes a light transmitting region (this is transparent or translucent) that is illuminated. Illuminated aerodynamic baffle display 123 may include and display at least one signaling formed on or as part of the light transmitting region (see Figure 2 and the accompanying text). Therefore, the illuminated airfoil display 123 may include at least one signal and a plurality of light sources, as will be described later. Figure 2 is a sectional view of the illuminated airfoil display 123, along the section line AA of Figure 1. The illuminated airfoil display 123 includes a light transmitting substrate 208, translucent or transparent, at least one signage 212 formed on the substrate 208, a plurality of light sources 236 and an optional frame 230. The substrate 208 may be glass, plastic, etc. The substrate 208 can be any form of material that allows at least some light to pass through it. The substrate 208 may be of any shape, such as round, oval, rectangular, irregular, etc. and it can be of any size that is suitable. It should be understood that the illuminated airfoil display 123 will be most effective when it is of a size that is easy to appreciate from a distance. The at least one signaling 212 may be any form of text, label, graphic, or any combination of these. For example, at least one signage 212 may be a logo, such as the logo or the manufacturer's mark of the truck. Alternatively, the at least one signaling can be any form or combination of graphics and text, such as custom made signage. For example, the owner or operator of the truck may have a 212 signage expressly made for its particular design. The at least one signaling 212 may be formed on the substrate 208.

For example, the at least one signage 212 may be a mask, an adhesive application, may be stencilled with paint, may comprise a rough surface (such as a weathered or etched portion of the substrate 208), may be formed of colored material as part of the substrate 208, etc. Alternatively, the at least one signage 212 may be formed on the substrate 208 (such as during a casting process) or may constitute a sandwich between two substrate portions. It should be understood that the manner in which the at least one signaling 212 is created is not important and other constructions or configurations may be used. The at least one signaling 212 is illuminated from below by the plurality of light sources 236 in order to be visible during the day or night. The lighting can be with white light or alternatively it can be colored light or multiple colored light. The plurality of light sources 236 may consist of light emitting diodes (LEDs), such as LEDs, for example. The LEDs are advantageous due to their low cost, low current consumption, low heat generation and, finally, for their long duration. There are LEDs that can work continuously for as long as 100,000 hours. Alternatively, the plurality of light sources 236 may consist of incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, etc. In addition, the plurality of light sources 236 may consist of light sources of specific colors or of multiple colors.

The plurality of light sources 236 may be permanently or removably fixed to the substrate 208, such as by means of an adhesive. Alternatively, the light sources 236 can be maintained in receptacles formed in the frame 230 (not shown). In another alternative, the light sources 236 may be fused within the substrate 208 and may be non-removable. The frame 230 may be any structure suitable for securing the substrate (and light sources 236) in the aerodynamic baffle 112. The frame 230 may be fixed to the aerodynamic baffle 112 by fasteners, rivets, adhesives, snaps or bolts, etc. It should be noted that the frame 230 is an optional structure, such as the substrate 208 (and therefore the light sources 236 and the signaling 212) can be directly attached to an opening located in the aerodynamic deflector 112, such as by means of with an adhesive. The illuminated, aerodynamic baffle display 123 according to the invention provides several benefits. The invention can provide a logo or other signaling that will be highly visible. The logo or signage can be made to order. The logo or signage may be visible at night or in low visibility conditions. While the invention has been described in detail above, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific embodiments that were described. It is evident to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and uses of the specific modalities described herein can now be made without departing from the inventive concepts.

Claims (16)

1. Novelty of the Invention 1. An aerodynamic deflector display device, illuminated and adapted for use in a truck, which comprises: An aerodynamic deflector adapted to be attached to a cabin portion of said truck; A region of light transmission, located in said aerodynamic baffle, with said light transmission region; and A plurality of light sources placed in close relationship with said light transmission region, wherein light emitted from said plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates said light transmission region. The device of claim 1, wherein said illuminated aerodynamic baffle display device is removably mounted to said aerodynamic baffle. The device of claim 1, which further comprises a frame holding said aerodynamic baffle display device, illuminated, in a corresponding aperture in said aerodynamic baffle. The device of claim 1, wherein said light transmission region is formed in at least one signaling. The device of claim 1, wherein said light transmission region is formed in at least one logo. The device of claim 1, wherein a light source of said plurality of light sources comprises a light emitting diode (LED). The device of claim 1, wherein a light source of said plurality of light sources comprises a substantially white light source. The device of claim 1, wherein the light sources of said plurality of light sources are spaced substantially uniformly within said light transmission region. 9. A method for forming an illuminated aerodynamic baffle display device for a truck, which comprises the steps of: Provide an aerodynamic deflector adapted to be fixed to a cabin portion of said truck; Provide a region of light transmission in said baffle; and Placing a plurality of light sources in close relationship with the light transmission region, wherein light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the light transmission region. The method of claim 9, which further comprises providing an illuminated aerodynamic baffle display that is removably mounted. The method of claim 9, which further comprises the step of providing a frame supporting the illuminated, airfoil display device in a corresponding aperture in said aerodynamic deflector. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said light transmission region further comprises forming at least one signaling in said light transmission region. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said light transmission region further comprises forming at least one logo in said light transmission region. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of substantially white light sources. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing said plurality of light sources further comprises providing a plurality of light sources spaced substantially uniformly within the region of light transmission.