Abstract:
A modular vehicle lighting system capable of taking any desired configuration for providing illumination to cargo areas of any size and configuration of accessories comprising at least one light bar having a body defining at least one opening to allow light to allow light to pass from the body to the surrounding vehicle, the light bar also having at least one connection end and at least one connector configured to mate with the light bar connection end whereby an electrical connection between the light bar and the connector is established and at least one bracket for mounting the light bar to a cargo area.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This technology relates generally to the field of lighting vehicles and more specifically, to the custom-configuration of lighting for vehicle cargo areas and trailers. 
         [0002]    The need for adequate lighting of vehicle cargo areas is well known to pickup truck owners. While many vehicles are equipped with some form of cargo area lighting, usually a raised, rear-facing light, these lights present significant drawbacks of poor illumination of the entire cargo area and blinding users/bystanders. For example, many pickup truck style vehicles already have a cargo light mounted into the rear of the cab to illuminate the cargo area by radiating light rearward and down from its mounting position. These lights are insufficient because they focus their light to the middle of the cargo area leaving the sides and corners of the cargo area poorly illuminated. Other aftermarket systems can be mounted atop of the vehicle passenger compartment and may be somewhat adjustable. However, the adjustments are not sufficient to light the entire cargo area, especially those areas closest to the passenger compartment. 
         [0003]    Further, both systems have the undesirable effect of impairing the vision of users looking into the cargo area from the rear of the truck. Likewise, other drivers or other bystanders located rear of the truck may have their vision impaired by these rear facing cargo area lighting solutions. 
         [0004]    To overcome the aforementioned deficiencies, U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,068 issued to Farmer (the Farmer patent) provides an in-pickup-truck-bed lighting solution which is mounted beneath the guide rails of a typical pickup truck. While the Farmer patent did improve lighting of a pickup-truck bed without impairing the vision of those to the rear of the truck the Farmer patent has several limitations such as having relatively poor configurability to different cargo area shapes and features and inadequate lighting for the portion of a pickup-truck bed closest to the passenger compartment. Therefore there exists a need to provide better illumination for the portion of the cargo area closest to the passenger compartment. 
         [0005]    Pickup truck beds come in different sizes and often have various accessories installed making each pickup bed unique to a certain degree. For example, many pickup truck beds have tool boxes installed, or utility racks, or trailer hitches. Past lighting systems poorly illuminate these features or cast shadows which make it even more difficult to adequately view these accessories. In the case of tool boxes, it is further desirable to cast light into the tool box to see its contents. 
         [0006]    Additionally, other vehicles and trailers could also benefit from additional lighting. Trailers, for example, often come without any lighting means. In dark environments users struggle to find cargo and tie downs. To alleviate this problem it is desirable to have a lighting system that can fit any trailer. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an accessory lighting system which is configurable to light pickup truck beds and other cargo areas. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A modular vehicle lighting system capable of taking any desired configuration for providing illumination to cargo areas of any size and configuration of accessories comprising at least one light bar having a body defining at least one opening to allow light to allow light to pass from the body to the surrounding vehicle, the light bar also having at least one connection end and at least one connector configured to mate with the light bar connection end whereby an electrical connection between the light bar and the connector is established and at least one bracket for mounting the light bar to a cargo area. 
         [0008]    A kit is also provided for a modular vehicle lighting system capable of taking any desired configuration for providing illumination to cargo areas of any size and configuration of accessories comprising at least one light bar having a body defining at least one opening to allow light to allow light to pass from the body to the surrounding vehicle, the light bar also having at least one connection end and at least one connector configured to mate with the light bar connection end and at least one bracket for mounting the light bar to a cargo area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a vehicle having a modular lighting system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 1 , with selected areas further enlarged to show greater detail. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a picture another view of the embodiment of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  4   c  are front and side views of a light bar of the lighting system. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c  are front and side views of a light bar of the lighting 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows front and top views of a light bar with end caps. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows an end cap. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a light bar with end caps. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged top view of a portion of a modular light system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged top view of a portion of a modular light system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  shows a light bar with a connection element. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  shows a T-three way connector. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged front view of a portion of a modular light system with extension element. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the portion of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged side view of a portion of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged side view of a portion of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a bracket of the modular light system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a bracket  FIG. 17  with a light bar. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a bracket  FIG. 17  mounted to vehicle. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a bracket  FIG. 17  mounted to vehicle. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a bracket of the modular light system. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a bracket  FIG. 21  with a light bar. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is another view of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a bracket  FIG. 21  mounted to vehicle. 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a bracket  FIG. 21  mounted to vehicle. 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a bracket  FIG. 21  mounted to vehicle. 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  is a bracket of the modular light system. 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  is another view of  FIG. 27 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 29  is a bracket  FIG. 27  with a light bar. 
           [0038]      FIG. 30  is a front view of the portion of  FIG. 29 , mounted to a hitch portion. 
           [0039]      FIG. 31  is a side view of the portion of  FIG. 29 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 32  is an enlarged top view of a portion of a modular light system. 
           [0041]      FIG. 33  is an enlarged view of an end cap of the modular light system. 
           [0042]      FIG. 34  is an enlarged front view of a portion of a modular light system. 
           [0043]      FIG. 35  is an enlarged view of an end cap of the modular light system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    A modular light system is herein described for the lighting of vehicle cargo areas and in particular pickup truck beds. The modular light system is particularly configured to be adaptable to various sizes and features of the cargo area as well as the needs of the user. As will be described in greater detail below, the modular light system is made up of a series of interchangeable parts which may be assembled in various configurations and also allows for the replacement of worn parts and the addition or removal of parts as required by the user. 
         [0045]    A particularly preferred feature of the modular light system is the versatility and usability of the system so that it may accommodate any vehicle or vehicle cargo area and adjust to any additional accessories that might be installed. 
         [0046]    The modular light system will be described by reference to the figures, which should not be considered limiting in any way. The figures are presented by way of example only and may portray one or more embodiments of the lighting systems. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , a vehicle  20  is provided having a passenger compartment or cab  22  and a cargo area or bed  24 . The cargo area  24  includes a floor  40 . The cargo area further includes a front wall  30 , a rear wall or tail gate  32 , a first side wall  36 , a second side wall  38 , each having a top surface  44 . 
         [0048]    Lighting system  50  is disposed within the cargo area  24  of the vehicle  20  to provide lighting to the cargo area  24 . The lighting system  50  includes, broadly, a plurality of light bars  60  and a connection system  66  having a plurality of connectors  70  and wiring  72 . 
         [0049]    As shown in this configuration, the lighting system  50  is shown having one light  60  positioned on front wall  30 , and three lights  60  on each side wall  36 ,  38 . Also shown the vehicle bed  24  is fitted with a trailer hitch  52 , which has a light  60  mounted to it. This configuration is just one possible configuration. It is conceived that the vehicle bed  24  may or may not have a trailer hitch, and might optionally be fitted with other components such as, but not limited to tool boxes, storage systems, various covers, and utility racks. It is further conceived that different light configurations are possible such as more or less light bars  60  on the walls  36 ,  38 ,  32 ,  30  or various accessories. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  an elevated side view of the vehicle bed  24  is shown. In this embodiment the lighting system  50  is primarily mounted beneath the top  24  of walls  30 ,  36 ,  38 . The top of walls  44  is shown as being shaped as a rail or having a lip extending a short distance into the center of the vehicle bed  24 . Many pickup truck style vehicles have this configuration for the top walls  44  of their cargo areas. In vehicles with this configuration it is desirable to mount lighting system  50  under top walls  44  so keep the lighting system out of view and so as to not take up extra space in the cargo area  24 . In those vehicles without rail type top walls, the lighting system  50  can be mounted in any desirable location. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of light bar  60  and  FIG. 5  shows a top view of the light bar  60 . The light bar  60  includes a generally cylindrical body portion  80  having a central gripping portion  84 , a pair of openings  88  recessed into the body  80 , a first end  90 , a second end  94 , and a cap retaining portion  96  formed adjacent each end  90 ,  94 . Each end  90 ,  94  includes a connector  100  for connecting the light bar  60  to either another light bar  60 , or the connection system  66 .  FIGS. 4   b ,  4   c ,  5   b , and  5   c  each show side views of the light bar illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  and  5   a.    
         [0052]    Connector  100  is configured to allow for the transport of electrical current between the components of the lighting system and preferably provides a water resistant connection. Connector  100  comprises a first male member  100   a  and a second female member  100   b  for electrically conductive mating engagement with connector  100  of another component of the light system such as a light bar  60  or connection system  66 . As is well known in the art the female member receives the male member of its complementary connector  100 . 
         [0053]    The light bar  60  also includes a light source  104  interposed within the body  80  so as to direct light out openings  88 . In the embodiment illustrated, the light source  104  is a light emitting diode (LED) that is partially interposed within an opening  88 . In still yet other embodiments, the light source can be any other appropriate light source. 
         [0054]    The light bar  60  should be of a substantially water resistant construction. As in the pickup truck cargo area embodiment, it is contemplated that the light system  50  will be exposed to various weather conditions and moisture. Therefore, the light bar is constructed of a material and in a design that will protect the light source and electrical components from moisture damage. In one embodiment, the light bar is constructed of a unitary material. In another embodiment, the light bar is constructed of complementary pieces so that the light source or other components can be replaced or repaired and to allow dissipation of heat from the light source. 
         [0055]    As seen in  FIGS. 4   a  and  5   a , gripping portion  84  is of a lesser diameter than the rest of the housing  84 . As will become clearer below in the discussion of the brackets for mounting light bar  60 , the lesser circumference prevents side to side motion of light bar  60  when held by a bracket. A further advantage of this design of gripping portion  84  is that the light bar is able to rotate about its longitudinal axis to allow aiming of the light in the desired direction. 
         [0056]    As best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the ends  90 ,  94  may have attached an end cap  110 . The end cap  110  includes a generally cylindrical body  112  that is closed at one end  114  and open at the other to receive ends  90 ,  94  of light bar  60 . End cap  110  also has a cap engagement portion or nipple  116  to secure the end cap  110  to the light bar  60  by means of cap-retaining portion  96 . As best seen in  FIG. 8 , when end  94  is not connected to another light bar  60  or connector  130  end  94  is protected by end cap  110 . Also shown, end  90  is connected to connector  130  so that end cap  110  is not in use. Instead, end cap  110  is secured to light bar  60  by mating engagement of cap engagement portion to cap-retaining portion  96  to prevent movement of the end cap  110  which may hinder directing light to a desired area or result in damage or misplacement of the end cap  110 . The end cap  110  also includes a tether  120  having a connection end  122 . 
         [0057]    Referring at the same time  FIGS. 6 and 8  cap retaining portions  96  are shown. In one embodiment at least two pairs of cap retaining portion  96  are provided for retaining end cap  110 . In another embodiment three pairs of cap retaining portion  96  are provided. In still yet another embodiment, more than three pairs of cap retaining portion  96  may be used. Cap retaining portions are spaced around light bar body  80  so as to provide convenient mounting places for end cap  110 . However, no cap retaining portion is provided on a face of the light bar  60  that would cause a secured end cap  110  to block light out openings  88 .  FIG. 8  shows one example of this embodiment wherein end cap  110  is mounted on the back surface of light bar  60  so as to not block light coming from opening  88 . 
         [0058]    In one generally preferred embodiment of the lighting system  50 , there are provided many different connection possibilities to provide a user many different configuration possibilities.  FIGS. 9-12  generally show several connection features. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  shows two light bars with end  90  of one light bar connected to end  94  of a second light bar. As shown in this figure, the light bars are connected via complimentary connectors  100 . The light bar combination is further connected to a wire-end connector  130 . End caps  110  are also shown tethered to the light bar  60  by tether  120 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 10  shows an additional embodiment of the lighting system, wherein the connection system makes use of a T-three way connector  134  used to connect to wire-end connectors  130 .  FIG. 12  shows another connection possibility, a three-way-T-connector  134 . T-connector  134  comprises three connections for various electrical components of lighting system  50 . In this embodiment, each connection has a male member and a female member for mating connection. 
         [0061]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of the lighting system  50 . In this embodiment, light bar  60  has a linear three-way connector  132 . Connector  132  is connected to a light bar and two wire end connectors  130  which connect other electrical components of the light system  50  to the light bar. In one preferred embodiment, every electrical element of the lighting system  50  including but not limited to light bars  60 , wire end connectors  130 , and three way connectors  132 ,  134  may be joined to any other electrical component of the lighting system  50 . The connections presented in the figures and described herein should not be viewed as limiting. It is conceived that other electrical connection configurations are possible as long as they provide the configurability characteristics according to a preferred embodiment of the lighting system  50 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 13-16  illustrates an embodiment of a light bar  60  including an extension  140 . The extension  140  includes a stanchion  142  pivotally mounted to a bracket  144  by means of a pin  145  and channel  146  for adjusting the light bar  60  to direct light to a desired area. Stanchion  142  is connected to bracket  144  at one end by pin  145  which is received in a channel  146  which is adapted to receive the pin  145  and accommodate adjustment to the position of the light bar  60 . In one embodiment, pin  145  is removable and is secured when in place by a cotter pin (not shown). At the opposite end, stanchion  142  is connected to clip  148  which secures light bar  60  to stanchion  142 . In one embodiment, bracket  204  is secured to stanchion  142  by at least one bolt. Also shown, cap  110  is secured to light bar via interaction between nipple  116  and recess  96  as previously described. Another feature is wire holder  149 , which keeps wire from getting tangled on extension  140  or cargo as the extension is manipulated into a desired position. 
         [0063]    The bracket is configured to be mounted to a cargo area, vehicle, or accessory. Its function is most easily understood when explained in the context of the bracket  144  being mounted to wall  30  of vehicle  20 . In such a situation, the stanchion  142  will hold the light bar above the bed of a pickup truck in a substantially vertical position. The stanchion  142  is locked into this substantially vertical position by bracket  144 . Bracket  144  comprises a stop  147  which works in conjunction with channel  146  to hold stanchion  142  in place. In one embodiment, stop  147  comprises an angled portion of the bracket. In another embodiment, the stop comprises a resilient biased material that will accommodate movement of stanchion, but be biased into its original relaxed state to secured stanchion  142  in place. 
         [0064]    When additional lighting is required in the pickup truck bed, the extension  140  can rotate on pin  145  within channel  146  to be held in at least substantially ninety degree and substantially 180 degree angles, from the starting vertical position. In an alternate embodiment, the stanchion may be rotated and held in any desired position. Since light bar  60  can rotate within clip  148  the light bar can be adjusted to provide light to the desired area in any position which the extension is rotated. 
         [0065]    It should be understood that extension  140  is able to be mounted to any other wall of a pickup truck bed, or a trailer, accessory for a pickup truck bed or trailer, or any cargo area. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 17-31  illustrate brackets  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  204  used to secure the light bar  60  to desired surfaces, such as portions of the hitch  52  or the vehicle  20 . In the embodiment illustrated, the brackets  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  204  may include a magnet  210  or a clasp  212  to easily move the light bar  60  to another desired area, although other suitable connecting means may be used to couple the light bar  60  to the vehicle  20 . 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17-19  bracket  200  is shown in various views. Bracket  200  has a spring portion  200   a  for holding light bar  60 , extension portion  200   b  for extending light bar  60  away from the mounting point, and mounting portion  200   c . As shown in  FIG. 17 , mounting portion has a magnet  210  for use as the mounting mechanism. In another embodiment, the mounting portion may attach to a mounting surface by a bolt, screw, polymer or any other suitable mounting means. 
         [0068]    Spring portion  200   a  is configured to be biased in a semi-closed configuration that may be forced into a more open configuration to receive light bar  60  and by the nature of a spring secure the light bar to the bracket  200  as the spring portion  200   a  returns to its relaxed/unloaded configuration. As shown in  FIG. 19 , one conceived use for bracket  200  is mount the bracket under the rail-type top surface  44  and extend the light bar below the rail so as to not obstruct the light. 
         [0069]      FIG. 20  shows another embodiment of a bracket  202 . Bracket  202  is similar to bracket  200  except that its mounting portion  202   c  is in line with extending portion  202   b.    
         [0070]      FIGS. 21-26  show bracket  204  which is again similar to bracket  200  except that bracket  204  lacks an extending portion and its mounting portion  204   c  is part of the spring portion  204   a . As shown in  FIG. 24-26 , the bracket  204  is conceived to be mounted under rail-type top surface  44 , inside top surface  44 , or on a wall of the cargo area. It should be understood that this bracket is particularly useful to mount light bar  60  to any surface where no extension is necessary. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 27-31  show bracket  204 .  FIG. 28  shows spring portion  204   a  and mounting portion  204   c  with clasp  212  attached. Clasp  212  is best viewed in  FIG. 27 , where it can be seen that clasp  212  is very similar, or it may even be the same as bracket  204 . This mounting mechanism is particularly useful when mounting light bar  60  to accessories or trailers or other objects which clasp  212  is suited to grasping. One such example is shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30  wherein clasp  212  secures light bar  60  to trailer hitch  52 .  FIG. 31  shows a portion of  FIG. 32  from a side angle to show the relationship between bracket  204  and light bar  60 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 32-33  illustrate protective caps  218  for light bar  360  having connectors  300  integral therewith. In particular,  FIG. 40  shows light bar  360 , with wire connectors  300  on either side. Wire connector  300  at first side of light bar  360  is shown with protective cap  218  in its protective orientation, covering wire-end  330 . At the opposite end, wire connector  300  is shown with protective cap tethered itself, but protective cap  218  is unused. When protective cap is not needed, tether  218   a  prevents loss of protective cap  218  by securing one end to wire-end  330 .  FIG. 33  shows protective cap  218 . In particular  FIG. 44  shows wire securing end  218   b , tether  218   a  and cap portion  218   c  of protective cap  218 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 34  also illustrates another embodiment of a light bar  460  having one end fitting  220  at one end and a wire connector  300  at its other end.  FIG. 35  shows an alternate end cap  318  for use with light bar  460 . End cap  318  has a light bar securing end  318   b , tether  318   a  and cap portion  318   c.    
         [0074]    The lighting system  50  may be powered by any conventional and well known means. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting system  50  is powered by the vehicle&#39;s electrical system and/or battery. In yet another embodiment, the lighting system  50  may be powered by an external battery, or rechargeable battery. 
         [0075]    The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the methods and systems of the present invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention, In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. The scope of the invention is limited solely by the following claims.