Abstract:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel illumination system and methods that can be used on the outside of an automobile. The illumination system may preferably be displayed on the outside of a door panel of an automobile, but may also be displayed on any other exterior surface of an automobile. The illuminated design may employ fiber optic cables to illuminate the preferred design.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present application relates to the field of automotive ornamental display and methods of accomplishing same. 
         [0005]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0006]    Emblems, logos, and other ornamental displays are frequently displayed on the outside of motor vehicles. Sometimes, such ornamental displays are an expression of the automobile owner&#39;s enthusiasm or support of the subject matter presented in the display. Consider that: some drivers enjoy expressing a motto to cheer up other motorists; other drivers enjoy displaying loyalty to a school, sports team, or political affiliation; and, some drivers simply just seek to draw attention to their vehicles. Car window stickers, customizable license plates, and slogans printed on mud flaps are just a few examples of individual expression on the exterior of automobiles. 
         [0007]    Illuminated automobile ornamental displays have also existed for a long time. Colored light emitting diode (LED) light displayed underneath a car is one example of attracting attention to an automobile using illuminated displays. Other uses of light sources have allowed automobile enthusiasts to shine light on logos or emblems painted or adhered to the side of an automobile. For instance, U.S. Patent Publication No. US20120313392 by Bingle discloses illuminated visual markers on automobiles by shining light through a light-transmissive substrate. While capable of displaying illuminated emblems or logos on cars, the illumination system described by Bingle is limited in automobile applications because many car parts, like door panels, cannot easily or practically be constructed of transmissive materials. As a consequence, the Bingle system has typically been limited to car trim components. Accordingly, a need exists for illumination systems that can be displayed at any location on a vehicle&#39;s exterior, and especially central to vehicle panels. 
         [0008]    Illumination systems also exist outside of automobile applications. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,657 by Shih discloses a decorative panel with a cluster of coterminous fiber optic cables that are illuminated with a light source. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,761 by Pipo, et al, discloses a solid pattern with optical fibers terminating on the surface of the solid part to display an illuminated image. While these systems are useful for presenting illuminated images, the systems of Shih and Pipo do not have automotive applications because the same are not weatherproof. Thus, these illumination systems do not provide a solution to the above identified need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel illumination design that can be used on the outside of an automobile. The illumination design may preferably be displayed on the outside of a door panel of an automobile, but may also be displayed on any other exterior surface of an automobile. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel illumination design utilizing a light source to illuminate flexible fiber optic cable. The illuminated fiber optic cables can be routed into fixed positions within a sign to trace letters, numbers, figures or graphics. 
         [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel illuminated design that can be seen at a considerable distance away, and yet may not be obtrusive to drivers passing in either direction of the vehicle. In some embodiments, it is an object of the present invention to illuminate a display sufficiently at night. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]    The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a preferable embodiment of the invention depicting the illuminated design through a panel. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is an environmental view of a preferable embodiment of the invention depicting the back side of the panel. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is an environmental view of a preferable embodiment of the invention depicting the back side of the panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an environmental view of a preferable embodiment of the invention depicting the light source and the panel. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an environmental view of the preferable embodiment of the invention depicting the light source and circuit board. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an environmental view of the preferable embodiment of the invention depicting the fiber optic cables. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    An illuminated display ornament for automobiles is described. In the following exemplary description numerous details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the ideas described throughout this specification. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that embodiments of ideas described herein may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details. In other instances, specific aspects well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the broadest disclosure. Readers should note that although examples of the innovative concepts are set forth throughout this disclosure, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  depicts a preferable embodiment of the invention in which the embodiment displays an illuminated pictoral representation of the state of Texas within an automo bile door panel. I n this particular embodiment, the illuminated display  100  utilizes fiber optic cables (not shown) routed to specific points of the door panel. The fiber optic cables are illuminated by a light source connected to the cables behind the door panel and the internal electrical wiring of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the light source(s) are light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
         [0021]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the illuminated design  100  may be any alphabetic, numeric, symbolic, or pictorial design. Logo designs may be a preferable design for enthusiasts of particular sports teams, educational institutions, corporate entities, geographic regions, or other such groups. The illuminated design  100  may feature lights of varying colors. Furthermore, the illuminated design  100  may feature colors pertaining specifically to the colors of a recognized emblem, logo, picture, or symbol. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  depicts the back of a panel  200  installed with a preferable embodiment of the invention. In this particular embodiment, the panel  200  is an automobile door panel. As shown in the figure, fiber optic cables  300  are affixed to the back the panel  200  and placed in positions according to a predetermined design as described above. Before the fiber optic cables  300  are installed, holes  210  are drilled into the panel. The holes  210  are drilled according to an outline of the particular design. In some embodiments, the holes  210  are 3/64 inch in diameter. In other embodiments, the holes  210  vary from 1/32 inch to 1 inch in diameter. Once the holes  210  are drilled, the fiber optic cables  300  are inserted to approximately ½ inch beyond the outside of the panel  200 . In some embodiments, the fiber optic cables  300  are inserted more than ½ inch outside the panel  200 . In other embodiments, the fiber optic cables  300  are not inserted past the outside of the panel  200 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  depicts the configuration represented in  FIG. 2A  but with the fiber optic cables  300  fastened to the panel  200 . After the fiber optic cables  300  are placed in position, the fiber optic cables  300  are fixed to the panel  200 . The fiber optic cables  300  may be affixed to the panel  200  by gluing, taping, welding, or by other means of fastening. In some embodiments, the fiber optic cables  300  are attached to the panel  200  by insulating foam sealant  220 . The foam sealant  220  provides strong protection to the cables  300  from environmental concerns including, but not limited to: air leakage, thermal expansion or contraction, vibration, sound insulation, condensation, and precipitation. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the illuminated display  100  shoving the configuration of the fiber optic cables  300  relative to a light source  410 . The light source  410  may be connected to and located on a circuit board  400 . In some embodiments, the light source  410  is formed with light emitting diodes (LEDs). As shown in the figure, the fiber optic cables  300  are cut and bundled together at the end. In some instances, the end of the cut fiber optic cables are bundled together with a plastic tie rod  320  or some other equivalent bundling means. Furthermore, this end of the fiber optic cables  300  should be cut evenly. An even cut will ensure better light distribution from the light source  410 . The cut end may then be placed in front of the light source  410  as shown. In some embodiments, the cut end of the fiber optic cables  300  will be located approximately one inch from the light source  410 . In other embodiments, the cut end of the fiber optic cables  300  will be located ½ inch, ¾ inch, or between 1 to 2 inches away from the light source  410 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  depicts a close view of the fiber optic cables  300 , light source  410 , and circuit board  400 . The circuit board  400  may comprise a light source  410 , a resistor  420 , and a switch  430 . In some embodiments, the light source  410  may be connected to the resistor  420  by an electrical wire or connection. The resistor  420  in some embodiments may be a 560 Ohm (Ω) resistor. The resistance of the resistor  420  may depend on the brightness of the LED or the color of the LED. The switch  430  may be connected to the resistor  420  by electrical wire or other connective means. In some embodiments, the electrical wire is a 20 gauge electrical wire. In some embodiments, the switch  430  is one of the following types of switches: ON/OFF switch, bias switch, push-button switch, rotary switch, toggle switch, trembler switch, limit switch, magnetic switch, pressure switch, sad switch, frit switch, knife switch, foot switch, reverse switch, or wireless switch. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the switch  430  is connected to the car battery (12V power source). The power source will charge the LED (not shown). In some embod it ents, the switch  430  is located near the driver&#39;s seat in an automobile (not shown). This allows the driver to easily reach for the switch  430  and turn on or off t he illuminated display  100 . In such embodiments, the switch  430  may be located on the light source circuit  400  board, or may be located away from the board. If the switch  430  is located away from the circuit board  400 , the switch  430  will be able to communicate with the board either wirelessly or hardwired. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the design to be displayed is selected from a database. A user will select a particular design, symbol, or logo from a collection of designs within a database, preferably located in a computer. The computer will generate a stencil outline based on the selected design. The computer may be connected to a three dimensional printer used to generate the stencil outline. The user may place the stencil outline onto a panel, such as a car door panel, and use the stencil to guide the user in drilling holes in which form the outline of the selected design. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  depicts a close up view of a preferred embodiment of the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable may consist of a core  610  and a cladding layer  620 , selected for total internal reflection due to the difference in the refractive index between the two. The cladding  620  is usually coated with a layer of acrylate polymer or polyimide. This coating protects the fiber from damage but does not contribute to its optical waveguide properties. Individual coated fibers (or fibers formed into ribbons or bundles) then have a tough resin buffer layer  630  and/or core tube(s) extruded around them to form the cable core  610 . Several layers of protective sheathing, depending on the application, are added to form the cable. Some embodiments will employ more rigid fiber assemblies, which involve light-absorbing glass between the fibers to prevent light that leaks out of one fiber from entering another. This reduces cross-talk between the fibers, or reduces flare in fiber bundle imaging applications. Due to the fact that the fiber optic cables will be employed outdoors, some embodiments of the invention will surround the fibers with solid barriers such as copper tubes, water-repellant jelly, or water-absorbing powder. 
         [0029]    While the ideas herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.