Patent ID: 8840288

Claim:
A vehicle window assembly comprising: a vehicle structure including a body panel that at least partially defines a portion of a vehicle passenger compartment, the body panel defining a viewing aperture and having an exterior facing surface adjacent to the viewing aperture; a window panel mounted to the body panel and covering the viewing aperture and a portion of the exterior facing surface, the window panel having a peripheral edge surrounding a first window surface and a second window surface opposite the first window surface, the first window surface including an etched section, the peripheral edge of the window panel and the exterior facing surface of the body panel defining a lighting enclosure adjacent to the viewing aperture; a light source mounted directly to the exterior facing surface of the body panel within the lighting enclosure adjacent to a portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel such that light from the light source is directed to the portion of the peripheral edge of the window panel and such that the light travels in a lateral direction through the window panel selectively illuminating the etched section, the first window surface facing the passenger compartment and the second window surface at least partially defining an exterior surface of the vehicle; and a trim element installed to the body panel along a periphery of the viewing aperture concealing the light source and the lighting enclosure.