Door and manually actuated vehicle interior lighting system

Abstract

Automotive lighting systems include a casing which defines an interior space and a pair of shafts extending thereacross so as to establish adjacent first and second interior space regions. Lamps are positioned in respective ones of these adjacent first and second interior space regions and are covered by a respective pair of lenses. Each lens has proximal and distal ends and is connected pivotally at the proximal end thereof to a respective one of the shafts to allow for independent pivotal movements of the distal end between inoperative and operative positions. Push switches are operatively connected to respective ones of the lamps and positioned in respective ones of the first and second interior space regions in such a manner that the distal ends of each lens is in contact with a respective push switch. In such a manner, the push switches may be operated in response to the pivotal movements of the lenses between its inoperative and operative positions to thereby illuminate the lamps. Most preferably, the pair of shafts are positioned closely adjacent one another and extend across the casing at generally a central position thereof such that the proximal ends of the lenses are immediately adjacent one another with the lenses extending in opposite directions toward the distal ends thereof. The automotive lighting systems may be provided as a component part of a door switch circuit which responsively operates the lamps on opening of an automotive door.