Abstract:
A vehicle tail light operational indicator is mounted to a vehicle tail light to visually communicate the proper operation of turn signals, tail lights, and brake lights to an operator seated in the driver&#39;s seat of a motor vehicle. The vehicle tail light operational indicator comprises a reflecting light bar positioned to be viewable in a side view mirror of the vehicle. The vehicle tail light operational indicator further comprises a pair of base anchors that are adhesively attached to a vehicle tail light and which support the light bar. Each base anchor further includes a hinge and threaded adjuster which allows adjustment of the vehicle tail light operational indicator on various tail light designs as well as allowing the vehicle tail light operational indicator to pivot without damage if accidentally struck by an object while driving.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards vehicle signal lights. More specifically the present invention relates to indicators for determining whether a vehicle&#39;s tail lights are working. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automobiles, truck, trailers, and other vehicles are required by law to have approved lighting devices. Such lighting devices provide illumination, indicate a vehicle&#39;s presence and width, indicate braking, and inform others when a vehicle is turning or about to change lanes. To such ends both Federal and State laws mandate the color, location, number, height above ground, illumination intensity and other aspect of vehicle lighting. 
     If a vehicle&#39;s lighting is substandard, such as having a bulb, fuse, or switch out a driver can be ticketed for operating an unsafe vehicle. While nobody likes getting a ticket for non-working vehicles lights the reasons for enforcement are obvious. Furthermore, operating a vehicle with substandard lighting is dangerous and an all too-common source of accidents. 
     Determining the proper operation of headlights is simple: they either work and you can observe their illumination or they do not work and you can determine from the lack of illumination that they are not working. However, determining the proper operation of a vehicle&#39;s tail lights is far more difficult. One (1) way of doing so is to leave the vehicle, have another person operate the lights, turn signals, and brakes, and directly observe the proper operation. While extremely effect, that method is only applicable to stationary vehicles. It is also possible to use a second vehicle that follows the first to determine if the first vehicle&#39;s lighting is operating properly. This requires two (2) vehicles, two (2) drivers, and a coordinated, pre-planned activity it is not particularly practical. 
     Therefore, devices for allowing drivers to determine the proper operation of their vehicle&#39;s tail lighting would be useful. Particularly beneficial would be low cost devices that enable drivers to determine the proper operation of their vehicle&#39;s tail lighting. Preferably such devices would be easy to use and useful with existing rear vehicle lighting systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for devices that enable vehicle drivers to determine the proper operation of their vehicle&#39;s tail lighting. Those principles enable low cost devices that are easily added to existing vehicles. 
     A vehicle tail light operational indicator in accord with the present invention includes a transparent light bar assembly having a light bar with integral first and second arms that perpendicularly extend from the remainder of the light bar. The first and second arms beneficially terminate in associated pivot assembly inner members. The vehicle tail light operational indicator further includes an elongated threaded receiver for each arm. That receiver includes a “U”-shaped yoke pivot assembly outer member at one (1) end of an extended male threaded member that threads into an elongated internal female threaded member. That female member terminates in an associated anchoring assembly inner member. The vehicle tail light operational indicator further includes first and second anchor assemblies, each having an integral rectangular base and two (2) perpendicularly extending anchoring assembly outer members that are dimensioned to receive an anchoring assembly inner member. Each pivot assembly inner member mates with a pivot assembly outer member to a form a single-axis pivot assembly, and each anchoring assembly inner member mates with two anchoring assembly outer members to form a three-element single-axis hinge that uses a bolt as an axle. The male threaded member forms a collinear length adjustable connection with an elongated internal female threaded member. 
     The vehicle tail light operational indicator may include axles for coupling the pivot assembly inner members to the pivot assembly outer members. The light bar assembly and the threaded receivers may be comprised of transparent stock, beneficially round stock. The anchor assemblies are beneficially configured to attach to a vehicle tail light using double-faced adhesive tape. The collinear length adjustable connection should be locked using a jam nut, and metallic friction washers should be disposed between the anchoring assembly inner members and the anchoring assembly outer members. A reflective cap may be affixed to the light bar, which may have a metallic reflective layer applied to an inner surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a rear view of a vehicle  100  equipped with a pair of vehicle tail light operational indicators  10  that are in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of a vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an anchoring assembly  30  of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial break-away view of a first arm  24  and a first arm pivot  62  of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of a light bar  22  along section line A-A of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 vehicle tail light operational indicator 
               
               
                 20  
                 light bar assembly 
               
               
                 22 
                 light bar 
               
               
                 24 
                 first arm 
               
               
                 26  
                 second arm 
               
               
                 29 
                 first aperture 
               
               
                 30 
                 anchoring assembly 
               
               
                 31 
                 threaded receiver 
               
               
                 32 
                 female threaded member 
               
               
                 33 
                 jam nut 
               
               
                 34 
                 base plate 
               
               
                 35 
                 anchoring assembly inner member 
               
               
                 36  
                 anchoring assembly outer member 
               
               
                 38 
                 friction washer 
               
               
                 40 
                 bolt 
               
               
                 41 
                 second aperture 
               
               
                 42 
                 nut fastener 
               
               
                 44  
                 double-faced adhesive layer 
               
               
                 46 
                 wax paper layer 
               
               
                 60 
                 pivot assembly 
               
               
                 61 
                 pivot assembly inner member 
               
               
                 62 
                 pivot assembly outer member 
               
               
                 63 
                 pivot assembly axle 
               
               
                 64 
                 male threaded member 
               
               
                 70 
                 reflective cap 
               
               
                 72  
                 reflective layer 
               
               
                 80 
                 threaded fastener 
               
               
                 100 
                 vehicle 
               
               
                 105 
                 tail light 
               
               
                 106 
                 light 
               
               
                 110 
                 rear-view minor 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a rear view of a vehicle  100  that is equipped with vehicle tail light operational indicators  10 . The vehicle tail light operational indicators  10  provide a means to visually communicate the proper operation of tail lights  105  to a driver inside the vehicle  100 . The vehicle tail light operational indicators  10  are mounted on the lens of the tail lights  105  and reflect light  106  from the tail lights  105  to the driver via rear-view mirrors  110 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , each vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  includes a reflecting light bar  20  that is adhesively mounted to a rear or side surface of a tail light  105  via a pair of anchoring assemblies  30 . The anchoring assemblies  30  enable adjustments that allow selective positioning of the light bars  20  to be visible to the driver using the rear-view mirrors  110 . The vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  allows the driver to activate the various functions of the tail lights  105  such as turn signals, brake lights, and the like, to verify their proper operation while remaining in the vehicle  100 . Furthermore, additional checks of tail lights  105  may be performed at any time while operating the vehicle  100 . The vehicle tail light operational indicators  10  may be left in place at all times and includes features that protect the vehicle tail light operational indicators  10  from environmental hazards and accidental impact (see below). 
     Refer now to  FIGS. 2 and 3  where, respectively, rear and front views of a vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  are shown. The vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  includes the light bar assembly  20 . The light bar  20  has an integral first arm  24  and an integral second arm  26  that perpendicularly extend from the remainder of the light bar  20  in a parallel manner. The first arm  24  and the second arm  26  each terminate at their distal ends in an integral pivot assembly inner member  61 . The light bar  20  and its arms  24 ,  26  are transparent rod-shaped elements, typically about one-half (½) inch in diameter and are made of rugged plastic round stock using a material such as LUCITE® or an equivalent clear plastic. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , at their distal ends each arm  24 ,  26  is rotationally attached to a respective threaded receiver  31 . Attachment is via pivot assemblies  60  that are formed from a pivot assembly outer member  62  of the threaded receiver  31  that mates with a pivot assembly inner member  61  of the arms  24 ,  26  using a pivot assembly axle  63 . The pivot assembly axle  63  can be an integral part of either the pivot assembly inner member  61  or the pivot assembly outer member  62 , or the pivot assembly axle  63  can be a separate rod that passes through the pivot assembly inner member  61 . Each pivot assembly  60  forms a three-element, single-axis hinging device which allows relative angular adjustment between the arms  24 ,  26  and their respective threaded receiver  31  in one direction only. This enables adjusts as described subsequently without damage to the light bar  20 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the pivot assembly outer members  62  comprise a “U”-shaped yoke design that has an extended male threaded member  64  which threads into an internal female threaded member  32  of the threaded receivers  31 . This establishes a strong collinear connection that provides threaded linear adjustability. The less the extended male threaded member  64  is screwed into the internal female threaded member  32  the longer the collinear connection is. Once the length of the collinear connection is set a jam nut  33  can be tightened against the threaded receiver to secure that length. The threaded receivers  31  also are beneficially constructed of transparent round stock approximately three-quarters (¾) to one (1) inch in diameter. 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , one end of each threaded receiver  31  provides a rotatable attachment to respective anchoring assemblies  30 . Each anchoring assembly  30  in turn secures the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  to a tail light  105  (see  FIG. 1 ). Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , attachment of an anchoring assembly  30  to the vehicle  100  is accomplished via a common double-faced adhesive  44  having a peel-off wax paper layer  46 . 
     Refer now primarily to  FIG. 4  for an exploded view of an anchoring assembly  30 . The anchoring assembly  30  enables selectable angular adjustment of an associated threaded receiver  31 . Each anchoring assembly  30  comprises an injection-molded plastic form having an integral rectangular base  34  and two (2) perpendicularly and upwardly extending anchoring assembly outer members  36 . The outer members  36  are dimensioned to mate to an anchoring assembly inner member  35  of the threaded receiver  31  to form a three-element single-axis hinge. Metal friction washers  38  having grooved or knurled side surfaces disposed between the anchoring assembly inner member  35  and the anchoring assembly outer members  36 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , in use a desired angle is selected between the threaded receiver  31  and the anchoring assembly  30 , a bolt  40  is inserted through a first aperture  29  of the anchoring assembly inner member  35 ; second apertures  41  of the anchoring assembly outer member  36 ; and the friction washers  38 . The bolt  40  is then cinched using a nut  42  to use frictional forces to stop angular motion between the anchoring assembly inner member  35  and the anchoring assembly outer member  36 . However, impacts or sufficiently strong forces applied to the threaded receiver  31  with respect to the anchoring assembly  30  allows the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  to rotate to protect itself from permanent damage. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 5  for a partial break-away view of a first arm  24  and first arm pivot  62  of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10 . The arms  24 ,  26  (only the first arm  24  is shown but the arm  26  is similar) are attached to the anchoring assemblies  30  via pivot assemblies  60 . During installation and/or configuration of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  the pivot assemblies  60  provide compliant rotary motion allowing a user to position the light bar  22  at a desired position. The pivot assembly  60  includes the pivot assembly inner member  61  which is secured between the two (2) pivot assembly outer members  62  via a pivot assembly axle  63 . The pivot assembly axle  63  extends through a central axis of the pivot assembly inner member  61  and partially protrudes through the pivot assembly outer members  62 . The second arm  26  comprises identical features. 
     Refer now to  FIG. 6  for a section view of a light bar  22  of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 5 . The light bar  22  includes a reflective cap  70  which provides enhanced viewing of reflected light  106  from the tail lights  105 . The reflective cap  70  comprises an opaque half-cylinder shaped, plastic form-fitting structure that is affixed to a rearward surface of the light bar  22  using a pair of threaded fasteners  80  (only one of which is shown in  FIG. 6 ) such as screws. The reflective cap  70  enables blocking out reflected light received from trailing vehicles, thus providing the operator of the vehicle  100  a clear view of light  106  from the tail light  105 . The reflective cap  70  further includes a metallic reflective layer  72  that is adhesively applied to an inner mating surface of the reflective cap  70  to further enhance reflection of light  106  from a tail light  105 . 
     The angularly adjustable attachments of the arms  24 ,  26 , the threaded receivers  31 , the angular adjustability between the threaded receivers  31  and the anchoring assemblies  30 , and the length-adjustable male  64  and the female  32  threaded members allows the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  to be configured and adjusted to fit most popular vehicles  100 . Furthermore, the adjustable features of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  allow the light bar  20  to be respectively positioned to protrude from the side of the vehicle  100 , positioned at a desired front-to-rear location, positioned at various side-to-side angles, as well as positioned at a desired elevation above the ground. The vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  may also be disassembled and reassembled to provide both right-hand and left-hand embodiments for application upon opposing tail lights  105  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . Installation may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a pair of, or a unitary vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  based upon a corresponding number of rear-view mirrors  110  present upon a vehicle  100 ; loosening the jam nuts  33  and nut fasteners  42 ; configuring and adjusting the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10  so as to provide a desired custom fit upon a tail light  105  by angularly adjusting the anchoring assemblies  30  and pivot assemblies  60  to configure left-hand and/or right-hand embodiments as needed, if not previously configured; rotating the anchoring assemblies  30  and affixed threaded receivers  31  with respect to the attached male threaded members  64  as needed to position said anchoring assemblies  30  properly upon respective styles of tail lights  105 ; tightening said nut fasteners  42  and jam nuts  33 ; removing the protective wax paper layer  46  from the double-faced adhesive layers  44  of respective anchoring assemblies  30 ; positioning and adhesively affixing the anchoring assemblies  30  to the vehicle  100  by manually pressing the anchoring assemblies  30  onto desired locations upon lenses of the tail lights  105 ; verify proper operation of various functions of the tail lights  105  such as turn signals, brake lights, and the like, by observing illumination  106  fro the light bar  22  in a rear view mirror  110  while seated within the vehicle  100 ; performing subsequent checks of the tail lights  105  as desired while operating the vehicle  100  in a normal manner; and, benefiting from improved safety and peace of mind resulting from verification of tail light  105  functionality afforded a driver by the vehicle tail light operational indicator  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.