HOOD LATCH REPLACEMENT THAT INCLUDES TURN SIGNAL FUNCTIONALITY

A replacement hood latching mechanism for components with no turn signal functionality or noncompliant turn signal functionality, enabling such retrofitted vehicles to be compliant. The present invention includes a mechanically movable latch portion providing a visual output device that can be electrically connected to the pre-existing turn signal of the vehicle, thereby providing a more exterior (turn signal functionality along the vehicle if the vehicle originally provided a more interior positioned pre-existing turn signal. Combining the movable latch portion with the pre-existing latch components further enhances the utility and aesthetics of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicular accessories and, more particularly, a hood latch mechanism providing a movable latch portion having an output device electrically associated with pre-existing turn signals of the vehicle.

Some vehicles, such as a Jeep™, have a robust aftermarket offering many of alternative or replacement components. Fenders are a very popular aftermarket component. Some of these aftermarket fenders, however, provide a turn signal location which may make the vehicle not street legal in some states, or otherwise make the vehicle non-compliant with some Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements. Typically in these cases, the turn signal functionality is not sufficiently spaced apart from the vehicular body.

As a result, some people choose not to buy those specific aftermarket components, even though they may be very aesthetically pleasing. For those who purchased such aftermarket component only to subsequently learn of their turn-signal deficiencies, current solutions include the costly purchase of another version of the after-market vehicle component that provide additional turn signal functionality to meet DOT requirements, typically along a more exterior portion of the vehicle. Alternatively, more cost-effective solutions may include adding a small light to the vehicle, but these small lights do not blink, flash or otherwise do not provide turn signal functionality, and do not look aesthetically pleasing.

As can be seen, there is a need for a cost-effective solution to the problem of vehicles having DOT noncompliant turn signal location. The present invention provides a solution that is both cost effective and aesthetically pleasing by providing a movable latch portion that mechanically associates with the pre-existing latching mechanism, wherein the movable latch portion includes an output device electrically associated with the pre-existing turn signals of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of providing turn signal functionality spaced apart from a vehicle include the steps of: providing a vehicle with a body and an adjacent hood; pivotably connecting a movable latch portion to the body so that the movable portion moves between an open condition and a closed condition locking the hood to the body; the movable portion providing a turn signal output device; and electrically connecting the turn signal output device to turn signal control circuitry of the vehicle.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method of providing turn signal functionality spaced apart from a vehicle includes the steps of: providing a vehicle with a body and an adjacent hood; pivotably connecting a movable latch portion to the hood so that the movable portion moves between an open condition and a closed condition locking the hood to the body; the movable portion providing a turn signal output device; and electrically connecting the turn signal output device to turn signal control circuitry of the vehicle, as well as in certain embodiments, doing the following: previously connecting a hood latch portion to the hood; previously connecting a body latch portion to the body; the movable latch portion is pivotably connected to the hood latch portion, wherein the hood provides a pre-existing hood latch portion connected to the hood, and wherein the body provides a pre-existing body latch portion connected to the body; and the movable latch portion is pivotably connected to the hood latch portion, wherein the turn signal output device is encased in a case, and wherein the turn signal output device spaced apart sufficiently in the closed condition to meet requirements of relevant state vehicular laws and rules regarding the location of turn signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a replacement hood latching mechanism for components with no turn signal functionality or DOT noncompliant turn signal functionality, enabling such retrofitted vehicles to be DOT compliant. The present invention includes a mechanically movable latch portion providing a visual output device that can be electrically connected to the pre-existing turn signal of the vehicle, thereby providing a more exterior (and thus DOT-approvable) turn signal functionality along the vehicle (if the vehicle originally provided a more interior positioned pre-existing turn signal). Combining the movable latch portion with the pre-existing latch components further enhances the utility and aesthetics of the present invention.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include a latching mechanism16adapted to interconnect a hood14and a body12of a vehicle10so that the latching mechanism16is moveable between an open condition and a closed condition securing the hood14to the body12.

Referring toFIG. 5, the latching mechanism16may provide or may operatively associate with a pre-existing a hood portion34and a body portion32adapted to engage the hood14and body12, respectively, in both the open and closed conditions. The latching mechanism16may provide a movable portion36adapted to pivot relative to the hood or body portion34or32when moving between the open and closed conditions, and secures to the opposing body or portion32or34in the closed condition.

The movable portion36may include an output device20in a casing28. The output device20may be adapted to emit visual output18. The visual output18may include but not be limited to light; accordingly, the output device20may include but not be limited to a light source, such as an LED device.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, the output device20may retroactively be electrically connected to existing turn signal components26associated with an adjacent signal portion24of the vehicle10, such as the fender. Such electrical connection may be wireless or include wiring22. When using wiring22, grommets of inductive material may be placed in the holes that the wiring22runs through when electrically connecting (e.g., via wire splice components) to said existing turn signal components26, for example, by running the wiring22under the latch mechanism16. In this example, since the wiring22may be spliced into the existing harness the output device20is enabled to get power anytime turn signal of the existing signal portion24is illuminated. Inside the casing28the visual output18(e.g., illumination) happens when the output device20gets power from the existing turn signal system, making them electrically and operatively associated. The grommets may keep the wiring22from grounding through the insulation when passing through the metal on the outside of the hood14. The latching mechanism16or portions thereof may simply replace the existing hood latches that are present on a retrofitted vehicle10.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The latching mechanism16disclosed above may be provided. After operatively associating the latching mechanism16with a vehicle10, such as a Jeep™, a user may replace the adjacent signal portion24of the vehicle10with an aftermarket adjacent signal portion24—for example a stock fender with aftermarket fenders. During this process, the existing turn signal components26may be removed from the adjacent signal portion24(fender). This may make the vehicle10that is noncompliant with DOT requirements in some states, DOT compliant. Furthermore, giving the transparent casing28a dark tint may make the visual output18more aesthetically pleasing.