US4745525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighted tailgate for pickup truck
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-03-02
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Granted: 1988-05-17
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Expires: 2007-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A variable color fiber-optic lighting system for pickup trucks that utilizes an optionally changeable in color light source, disposed within the confines a pickup truck's tailgate, whose light is directed to a series of fiber-optic cables which, at one end are aligned adjacent the light source, and set out in a configuration corresponding to the trademark of the truck's vendor at their second end on the exterior of the rear side of the tailgate.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul M. Sheehy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0005; G02B6/0006; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0011; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
In combination with a truck's brake lights, and the truck's tailgate, a supplementary lighting system comprising (a) a truck tailgate having a front and rear panel spaced from each other by spaced side panels; (b) indicia on the rear panel configured as a series of bores through the rear panel of said tailgate; (c) a light means electrically connected to the brake lights and mounted on said tailgate; (d) a series of fiber optic cables each of which is mounted on one end in one of said bores, and on a distal end, mounted for light receiving in front of said light means, whereby on actuation of the brakes, the light means will be lit, and light will travel down the series of fiber optic cables to spell out the indicia in light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
In combination with a truck's brake lights, and the truck's tailgate, a supplementary lighting system comprising (a) a truck tailgate having a front and rear panel spaced from each other by spaced side panels; (b) indicia on the rear panel configured as a series of bores through the rear panel of said tailgate; (c) a light means electrically connected to the brake lights and mounted on said tailgate; (d) a series of fiber optic cables each of which is mounted on one end in one of said bores, and on a distal end, mounted for light receiving in front of said light means, whereby on actuation of the brakes, the light means will be lit, and light will travel down the series of fiber optic cables to spell out the indicia in light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the front panel of the tailate has an entry bore therethrough, and the light means is mounted on an outside of the rear panel of the tailgate, with the series of fiber optic cables disposed through said entry bore in front of said light means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 further including light transmissible color wheel disposed in front of the light means, a motor connected to said color wheel to rotate said wheel, said motor electrically connected to a power source in said car.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 2 further including a light transmissible color wheel disposed in front of the light means, a motor connected to said color wheel to rotate said wheel, said motor electrically connected to a power source in said car.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the color wheel is rotatable and includes at least two colors, thereby providing upon rotation a changeable color to the indicia on the tailgate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the system of claim 3 wherein the color wheel motor is connected to the car's electrical system for constant operation when the car engine is running.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
In the system of claim 3 wherein the color wheel motor is operative only when the brakes are applied.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4112376A
Cited
US4431984A
Cited
US4464649A
Cited
US4559516A
Cited
FR2546458A1
Cited
US4574269A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-17 | 1991-11-16 | 1992-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-17 | 1995-11-16 | 1996-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-17 | 1999-11-16 | 2000-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |