Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, an unpowered lighting device for an emergency trunk release in a vehicle, including: a light pipe having an external end disposed so as to gather light from a light source external to a trunk compartment of the vehicle; and the light pipe having an internal end disposed in proximity to the emergency trunk release so as to illuminate the emergency trunk release with light from the light source external to the trunk compartment.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to vehicles generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel unpowered lighting device for an emergency trunk release. 
     2. Background Art 
     To avoid injury or death to a person, particularly a child, who becomes locked in the trunk compartment of a vehicle, it is important that means be provided to open the locked trunk either automatically or by the person locked in the trunk compartment. Recent media reports emphasize the need for such a provision and considerations of associated vehicle safety legislation further emphasize this need. 
     To address such concerns, automobile manufacturers are adding buttons or levers in vehicle trunks, so that the trunk can be unlocked if someone is locked inside. A problem with such an arrangement, however, is that in the dark trunk interior, it is difficult to find the release mechanism. Also, it is entirely possible that the person locked in the trunk, especially if that person is a child, may not know to try to find the release mechanism. While an electric light could be provided to illuminate the release mechanism, such would create a drain on the vehicle battery and various interlocks that might be provided, such as having the light powered only when the ignition switch were turned on, would limit the usefulness of having the light. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide means to illuminate an emergency release in a trunk compartment that requires no source of power. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide such means that can be arranged to take advantage of any available ambient light external to the trunk compartment. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide such means that can be economically implemented and used. 
     Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, an unpowered lighting device for an emergency trunk release in a vehicle, comprising: a light pipe having an external end disposed so as to gather light from a light source external to a trunk compartment of said vehicle; and said light pipe having an internal end disposed in proximity to said emergency trunk release so as to illuminate said emergency trunk release with light from said light source external to said trunk compartment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which: 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, isometric view, partially cut-away, of a vehicle with a person locked inside the trunk compartment of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of one embodiment of an unpowered lighting system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of another embodiment of an unpowered lighting system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, isometric view, partially cut-away, of yet another embodiment of an unpowered lighting system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5A is a top plan view of one type of light pipe that may be employed in the present invention. 
     FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line “ 5 B— 5 B” of FIG.  5 A. 
     FIG. 6A is a top plan view of another type of light pipe that may be employed in the present invention. 
     FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line “ 6 B— 6 B” of FIG.  6 A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference should now be made to the drawing figures on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen on other figures also. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle  10  with a person, for example a child  12 , locked in the trunk compartment  14  of the vehicle. A conventional trunk lid release mechanism  22  is operable to open trunk lid  24  and there is provided in trunk  14  an emergency trunk lid release  30 . As indicated above, trunk  14  is normally dark and it would be difficult for person  12  to find emergency trunk lid release  30  even if the person were aware of the presence of the emergency trunk lid release. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention wherein a light pipe  40  has its external end  42  disposed above rear package shelf  44  of vehicle  10  and under rear window  46 . The internal end  50  of light pipe  40  is disposed in proximity to emergency trunk lid release  30  so as to illuminate the emergency trunk lid release, to permit person  12  (FIG. 1) to find and activate the emergency trunk lid release. External end  42  of light pipe  40  is preferably rounded, as shown on FIG. 2, to maximize light gathered into the light pipe. Light pipe  40  is preferably constructed of a material with a high light transmissibility index, such as clear polycarbonate. Light pipe  40  would gather enough light during daytime conditions to easily illuminate emergency trunk lid release  30 . Properly sized and located, light pipe  40  would also gather enough light from nighttime lighting sources, such as nearby streetlights or headlights of passing vehicles, to provide adequate illumination at night of emergency trunk lid release  30 . Light pipe  40  is supported by suitable conventional means (not shown). 
     FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention wherein a light pipe  60  has its external end  62  disposed in proximity to a tail light lens  64  mounted on a rear surface  66  of a vehicle (not otherwise shown). External light would thus pass through tail light lens  64  and be gathered by external end  62  of light pipe  60 . This arrangement is particularly advantageous in gathering light from the headlights of other vehicles at night. One or more light bulbs  70  is/are provided for the conventional tail light and turn signal functions. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an additional embodiment of the present invention wherein the external end  80  of a light pipe extends through the rear panel  82  of vehicle  10 . A decorative trim panel  90  surrounds external end  80  of the light pipe. Again, as was the case with light pipe  60  (FIG.  3 ), this arrangement is particularly advantageous in gathering light from headlights of other vehicles at night. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate light pipe  100  having a convex external end  102  and an internal end  104 . Light pipe  100  may be used in any of the embodiments shown on FIGS. 2-4 and internal end  104  thereof would normally be disposed such that the lighting produced therewith would be behind or over emergency trunk lid release  30  (FIG.  1 ). 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate light pipe  120  having a rounded external end  122  and an internal end  124 . Light pipe  120  may also be used in any of the embodiments shown on FIGS. 2-4 and internal end  124  thereof would normally be disposed such that the lighting produced therewith would surround emergency trunk lid release  30  (FIG.  1 ). 
     In the embodiments of the present invention described above, it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features thereof are not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically shown. 
     Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.