Abstract:
An illuminated air fairing display device for a truck is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The illuminated air fairing display device includes an air fairing, a light transmissive region in the fairing, and a plurality of light sources positioned in close relation to the light transmissive region. The light transmissive region includes at least one logo or indicium. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the light transmissive region.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a display on a truck, and more particularly to an illuminated air fairing display on a truck.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Background Art  
           [0004]    Large numbers of trucks are used every day for all manner of commerce, such as transporting freight, liquids, raw materials, produce, etc. A typical truck may comprise a cab portion, including a passenger compartment, and some manner of cargo box. Some trucks may additionally include a sleeper cabin as part of the truck cab.  
           [0005]    One important factor in truck design is efficiency. The air drag of a truck can seriously impact the amount of fuel consumed. Therefore, the aerodynamic shape of the truck is very important. As a result, an increasingly common feature on trucks is an air fairing. The air fairing is used in order to reduce air drag due to any cargo carrying structure behind the cab, such as a cargo box. The air fairing achieves a smooth air flow in the transition between the cab portion and the cargo box, whether the truck is a straight truck, i.e., a cab with a box behind it, or a tractor trailer combination.  
           [0006]    Many truck manufacturers put their logo on trucks they produce. This is popular as a way to make sure of visibility for the truck brand and promote owner loyalty. Typically, such a logo may be in the form of hood ornament, indicia on mud flaps or fenders, etc.  
           [0007]    However, such displays typically suffer from several problems. A prior art logo is typically fairly low on the truck, and may be easily obscured. In addition, they typically are not easily seen at night, in low light conditions, or in conditions of poor visibility.  
           [0008]    Therefore, there remains a need in the art for improvements to displays or logos for trucks.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    An illuminated air fairing display device for a truck is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The illuminated air fairing display device comprises an air fairing, a light transmissive region in the fairing, and a plurality of light sources positioned in close relation to the light transmissive region. The light transmissive region includes at least one logo or indicium. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the light transmissive region.  
           [0010]    A method of forming an illuminated air fairing display for a truck is provided according to another embodiment of the invention. The method comprises the steps of providing an air fairing adapted to attach to a cab portion of the truck, providing a light transmissive region in the fairing, and positioning a plurality of light sources in close relation to the light transmissive region. Light emitted from the plurality of light sources passes through and illuminates the light transmissive region.  
           [0011]    The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be further understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck including an illuminated air fairing display according to the invention; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a section view of the illuminated air fairing display along the section line AA of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck  100  including an illuminated air fairing display  123  according to the invention. The truck  100  may include a truck cab  105 , an air fairing  112 , and the illuminated air fairing display  123 .  
         [0015]    The truck cab  105  may include a passenger cabin and optionally may include a sleeper cabin (not shown). The air fairing  112  may be mounted to the passenger cabin and may alternatively be mounted on or extend over the sleeper cabin if the truck cab  105  includes a sleeper. The air fairing  112  may be an integral part of the truck cab  105  (and/or sleeper) or may be a removable component.  
         [0016]    The illuminated air fairing display  123  includes an illuminated light transmissive (i.e., transparent or translucent) region. The illuminated air fairing display  123  may include and display at least one indicium formed on or as part of the light transmissive region (see FIG. 2 and accompanying text). Therefore, the illuminated air fairing display  123  may include at least one indicium and a plurality of light sources, as will be discussed below.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a section view of the illuminated air fairing display  123  along the section line AA of FIG. 1. The illuminated air fairing display  123  includes a translucent or transparent light transmissive substrate  208 , at least one indicium  212  formed on the substrate  208 , a plurality of light sources  236 , and an optional frame  230 .  
         [0018]    The substrate  208  may be glass, plastic, etc. The substrate  208  may be any manner of material that allows at least some light to pass through. The substrate  208  may be any shape, such as round, oval, rectangular, irregular, etc., and may be of any suitable size. It should be understood that the illuminated air fairing display  123  will be most effective when it is of a size to be easily seen from a distance.  
         [0019]    The at least one indicium  212  may be any manner of text, lettering, or graphics, or any combination thereof. For example, the at least one indicium  212  may be a logo, such as a logo of the truck manufacturer. Alternatively, the at least one indicium  212  may be any manner or combination of graphics and text, such as a customized indicia. For example, the owner or operator of the truck may have the indicium  212  custom made to his or her design.  
         [0020]    The at least one indicium  212  may be formed on the substrate  208 . For example, the at least one indicium  212  may be a mask, an adhesive applique, may be stenciled on with paint, may comprise a roughened surface (such as sandblasted or etched portion of the substrate  208 ), may be formed of colored material as part of the substrate  208 , etc.  
         [0021]    Alternatively, the at least one indicium  212  may be formed in the substrate  208  (such as during a casting process) or may be sandwiched between two substrate portions. It should be understood that the manner in which the at least one indicium  212  is created is not important and other constructions or configurations may be employed.  
         [0022]    The at least one indicium  212  is lit from below by the plurality of light sources  236  in order to be visible day or night. The illumination may be white light or alternatively may be colored light or light of multiple colors.  
         [0023]    The plurality of light sources  236  may be light emitting diodes (LEDs), such as white LEDs, for example. LEDs are advantageous due to their low cost, low current consumption, low heat generation, and ultimately their long life. LEDs are available that can operate continuously for as much as 100,000 hours. Alternatively, the plurality of light sources  236  may be incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, etc. In addition, the plurality of light sources  236  may be light sources of specific colors or multiple colors.  
         [0024]    The plurality of light sources  236  may be permanently or removably affixed to the substrate  208 , such as by an adhesive. Alternatively, the light sources  236  may be held in receptacles formed in the frame  230  (not shown). In another alternative, the light sources  236  may be cast into the substrate  208  and may be non-removable.  
         [0025]    The frame  230  may be any structure suitable for holding the substrate (and light sources  236 ) in the air fairing  112 . The frame  230  may be affixed to the air fairing  112  by fasteners, rivets, adhesive, clips or latches, etc. It should be noted that the frame  230  is an optional structure, as the substrate  208  (and therefore the light sources  236  and indicium  212 ) may be directly affixed to an aperture in the air fairing  112 , such as by bonding with an adhesive.  
         [0026]    The illuminated air fairing display  123  according to the invention provides several benefits. The invention may provide a highly visible logo or other indicium. The logo or indicium may be customized. The logo or indicium may be visible at night or in poor visibility conditions.  
         [0027]    While the invention has been described in detail above, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments as described. It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses and modifications of and departures from the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the inventive concepts.