Auxiliary lighting roof rack

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9758088-B1
Application number	US-201615150648-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	May 10, 2016
Priority date	May 10, 2016
Publication date	Sep 12, 2017
Grant date	Sep 12, 2017

Abstract

A roof rack assembly is provided herein. A pair of support racks are provided on a roof structure of a vehicle. A first light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam across a hood of the vehicle. A second light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle. A third light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A roof rack assembly comprising:
a plurality of support racks provided on a roof structure of a vehicle;
a first light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project an image across a hood of the vehicle during a welcome or departure event; and
a second light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle.

2. The roof rack assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first light source is provided at a front end of each of the support racks.

3. The roof rack assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second light source is provided at at least one of a front end and a rear end of each of the support racks.

4. The roof rack assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second light source is activated when a driver of the vehicle performs one of a forward turn and a backward turn.

5. The roof rack assembly of claim 4 , wherein activation of the second light source is conditioned upon a travelling speed of the vehicle.

6. The roof rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a number of crossbars coupled to each of the support racks, wherein the crossbars are illuminated by additional light sources each coupled to one of the support racks and disposed at intermediate portions of the respective support racks.

7. The roof rack assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a third light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area behind a rear body structure of the vehicle.

8. A roof rack assembly comprising:
a plurality of support racks provided on a roof structure of a vehicle;
a first light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project an image across a hood of the vehicle during a welcome or departure event; and
a second light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle.

9. The roof rack assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first light source is provided at a front end of each of the support racks, and wherein the second light source is provided at an intermediate portion of each of the support racks.

10. The roof rack assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second light source is activated during the welcome or departure event.

11. The roof rack assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a number of crossbars coupled to each of the support racks, wherein the crossbars are illuminated by additional light sources each coupled to one of the support racks and disposed at intermediate portions of the respective support racks.

12. The roof rack assembly of claim 8 , further comprising a third light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area behind a rear body structure of the vehicle.

13. A roof rack assembly comprising:
a plurality of support racks provided on a roof structure of a vehicle;
a first light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project an image across a hood of the vehicle;
a second light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle; and
a third light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle, wherein the first and third light sources are activated during a welcome or departure event.

14. The roof rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first light source is provided at a front end of each of the support racks, wherein the second light source is provided at at least one of a front end and a rear end of each of the support racks, and wherein the third light source is provided at an intermediate portion of each of the support racks.

15. The roof rack assembly of claim 13 , wherein the second light source is activated when a driver of the vehicle performs one of a forward turn and a backward turn.

16. The roof rack assembly of claim 15 , wherein activation of the second light source is conditioned upon a travelling speed of the vehicle.

17. The roof rack assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a number of crossbars coupled to each of the support racks, wherein the crossbars are illuminated by additional light sources each coupled to one of the support racks and disposed at intermediate portions of the respective support racks, and further comprising a fourth light source coupled to each support rack and configured to project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area behind a rear body structure of the vehicle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Salter Stuart C
• Johnson Aaron Bradley
• Surman James J
• Dellock Paul Kenneth

Classifications

• B60Q1/18

  being additional front lights {(bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483)} · CPC title

• B60Q2300/112

  Vehicle speed · CPC title

• B60Q2400/40

  Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle · CPC title

• B60Q1/2661

  mounted on parts having other functions (on wheels B60Q1/326) · CPC title

• B60Q1/2611

  Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle · CPC title