The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 13, 2020
Filed:
Oct. 17, 2018
Jac Products, Inc., Saline, MI (US);
Gerald J. Gomes, Macomb, MI (US);
Brendan J. Hathaway, Washington, MI (US);
Murray D. Brockway, DeWitt, MI (US);
JAC Products, Inc., Saline, MI (US);
Abstract
An accessory component having a co-formed light pipe is disclosed. In one embodiment the accessory component is formed by a co-extrusion operation that co-extrudes the accessory component with a connecting portion and a light pipe supporting portion, wherein the light supporting portion has a light pipe integrated into the light pipe supporting portion. The co-forming of the light pipe enables exposed mounting of the light pipe over its full length. The co-formed supporting portion encapsulates the light pipe providing additional protection to the surface of the light pipe while causing little to no impedance of the light emissions from the light pipe itself. The co-formed accessory component itself may be optically clear, diffuse, or tinted to provide color or appearance variations to the light emitted by the light pipe. The surface finish of the co-formed accessory component may also be varied to provide light diffusion or to alter the appearance of the accessory component. The co-formed accessory component may be formed with features that enable it to be readily attached to other vehicle components with or without external fasteners or adhesives.