Flexible lighting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12583380-B2
Application number	US-202418783959-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 25, 2024
Priority date	Jul 25, 2024
Publication date	Mar 24, 2026
Grant date	Mar 24, 2026

Abstract

An assembly includes a plurality of discrete light modules that are supported by a wall that at least partially surrounds a cargo area. Each light module is movable outward of the wall between a plurality of use positions. Each light module is selectively positionable to illuminate the cargo area or an area external to the cargo area.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An assembly, comprising:
a plurality of discrete light modules that are receivable within recessed areas formed within one or more walls that at least partially surround a cargo area; each light module is movable outward of the one or more walls between a plurality of use positions; each light module is selectively positionable to illuminate the cargo area or an area external to the cargo area; each light module includes a frame that surrounds and supports a light source, and wherein the light source is pivotable within the frame, and wherein the light source and frame are received within one of the recessed areas when in a stowed position; and wherein the frame is supported on a swing arm that is pivotally connected to the one or more walls.

2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the frame is pivotally connected to the swing arm.

3 . The assembly of claim 1 , including a connecting cable coupled to a power source, and wherein each light module includes an extendible power connection that is connected to the connecting cable, wherein the extendible power connection is movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

4 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one light module of the plurality of discrete light modules is selectively removable from an associated recessed area formed within the one or more walls.

5 . The assembly of claim 4 , wherein each light module includes a removeable frame that surrounds and supports a light source, and wherein the light source is pivotable within the removeable frame such that the light source is moveable relative to all sides of the removeable frame.

6 . The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the removeable frame is moveable between a stowed position where the removeable frame surrounds the light source and a support position where the removeable frame comprises a base that supports the light source in an upright position where the light source has been pivoted out of the removeable frame.

7 . The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the light source includes a charging interface that is selectively engageable with a vehicle charging interface in the one or more walls.

8 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the recessed areas are open to the cargo area and are open to an upper surface on a top edge of the one or more walls that includes the recessed areas, and wherein at least one discrete light module of the plurality of discrete light modules is slidable in a downward direction into the one or more walls to be received within an associated recessed area.

9 . An assembly, comprising:
a plurality of discrete light modules that are receivable within recessed areas formed within one or more walls that at least partially surround a cargo area, and wherein at least one light module of the plurality of discrete light modules is selectively removable from an associated recessed area formed within the one or more walls; each light module is movable outward of the one or more walls between a plurality of use positions; and each light module is selectively positionable to illuminate the cargo area or an area external to the cargo area; wherein each light module includes a removeable frame that surrounds and supports a light source, and wherein the light source is pivotable within the removeable frame such that the light source is moveable relative to all sides of the removeable frame; wherein the light source includes a pull tab or hang tab that extends outwardly of one edge of the light source, and wherein: the pull tab or hang tab is pullable to take at least one discrete light module of the plurality of discrete light modules out of a vehicle with the cargo area; the light source is pullable by pull tab or hang tab to move the light source to a desired position relative to the removeable frame; and/or the pull tab or hang tab is useable with another component to hang the at least one discrete light module in a desired location.

10 . A vehicle comprising:
a cargo area surrounded by a plurality of walls, wherein at least one wall of the plurality of walls includes a wall surface that faces the cargo area; one or more recessed areas formed within the wall surface; and a plurality of light modules, wherein:
each light module is received within one recessed area;
each light module is movable outward of the wall surface between a plurality of use positions;
each light module is selectively positionable to illuminate the cargo area or an area external to the cargo area;
each light module includes a frame that supports a light source, wherein the light source is pivotable within the frame; and
the light source and frame are received within one of the recessed areas when in a stowed position.

11 . The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the frame is supported on a swing arm that is pivotally connected to the at least one wall, and wherein the frame is pivotally connected to the swing arm.

12 . The vehicle of claim 11 , including a connecting cable coupled to a power source, and wherein each light module includes an extendible power connection that is connected to the connecting cable, wherein the extendible power connection is movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the one or more recessed areas are open to an upper surface of the at least one wall, and wherein the connecting cable extends along the at least one wall and connects adjacent light modules to each other, and including a cover that is selectively attached to an upper edge of the at least one wall to cover the connecting cable.

14 . The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the frame is selectively removeable from the one or more recessed areas, and wherein, once removed, the frame is moveable between a stowed position where the frame surrounds the light source and a support position where removeable frame comprises a base that supports the light source in an upright position where the light source has been pivoted out of the frame.

15 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the light source includes a charging interface that is selectively engageable with a vehicle charging interface in the at least one wall.

16 . The vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the light source includes:
a pull tab or hang tab that extends outwardly of one edge of the light source; and/or a communication interface to control light operation.

17 . The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein each light module is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and wherein at least one light module of the plurality of light modules is received within the one or more recessed areas when in the stowed position.

18 . The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein, when in the stowed position, the plurality of light modules are generally flush with the wall surface.

19 . The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one recessed area of the one or more recessed areas is open to the cargo area and is open to an upper surface on a top edge of the at least one wall of the plurality of walls, and wherein at least one light module of the plurality of light modules is slidable in a downward direction into the at least one wall to be received within the at least one recessed area.

20 . A method comprising:
supporting a plurality of discrete light modules within recessed areas formed within one or more walls that at least partially surrounds a cargo area; selectively moving each light module outward of an associated wall between a plurality

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Harmon Michael John
• Brand Andrew
• Palmer Alison Alexandra
• Pan Olivia

Classifications

• F21V23/001

  the elements being electrical wires or cables · CPC title

• F21S41/153

  arranged in a matrix · CPC title

• F21Y2115/10

  Light-emitting diodes [LED] · CPC title

• F21Y2105/16

  square or rectangular, e.g. for light panels · CPC title

• F21S41/143

  the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device · CPC title