Patent ID: 11897386
Assignee: nan
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  F  G  H | IPC B  F

Claim 13:
14. A method of modifying the appearance of an automotive body panel having an automotive body panel contour and in proximity to an automotive safety light system, the method comprising:
assembling a lighted applique for mounting to an automotive body panel, the assembling comprising:
forming an opaque body panel applique including a panel exterior surface and a panel interior surface, the panel interior surface having an interior surface outer perimeter configured to conform to the automotive body panel contour;
forming one or more display element cutouts each having a cutout profile in the opaque body panel applique;
inserting at least one non-opaque display element into the one or more display element cutouts, the at least one non-opaque display element having a display element outer surface, a panel engagement surface, a display element rear extension comprising an exterior surface profile matching the cutout profile, and a display element rear surface forming at least one LED strip channel, the at least one non-opaque display element inserted within the one or more display element cutouts such that the panel engagement surface is in contact with the panel exterior surface and the at least one display element rear extension extends past the panel interior surface;
attaching at least one LED strip mounted within the at least one LED strip channel;
mounting an electrical connection assembly in communication with the at least one LED strip; and
connecting an automotive taillight lighting adapter to the electrical connection assembly, the automotive taillight lighting adapter configured to receive signals sent from a vehicle control system to a vehicle safety system and send the signals to a LED controller configured to control the at least one LED strip.