Illuminated automotive emblem

[0002] This is a Continuation in Part Application of application Ser. No. 08/957.161 filed Oct. 24, 1997 now abandoned.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to an illuminated emblem for a motor vehicle and, more specifically to an emblem including a translucent display template that is illuminated from behind by a light source. The emblem consists of internal and external fasteners that allow the illuminant, display template and other main components to be replaced without removing the entire device from the supporting vehicle surface.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] A number of illuminated displays or emblems for the exterior of automotive vehicles have been designed. None of the known devices, however, provide an easy and fast assembly such that, once attached, the components, indicia and light source can be replaced without the requirement of detaching the entire device from the supporting surface. U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,932 issued on Dec. 3, 1985 to Lehrer et al, discloses a lighted novelty item that includes a battery powered LED with a prism lens for illuminating a transparent portion of a face plate. The novelty item is not configured to be attached to an automobile. U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,950 issued on Oct. 30, 1990 to Yamada shows a display device for an automotive mark plate which incorporates a means of illumination disposed behind an indicia-bearing planar element. U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,487 issued on Dec. 12, 1990 to Okano discloses a face-brightening device for use with vehicles. FIG. 14 shows the means of illumination incorporated into the logo/emblem of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,826 issued on Dec. 24, 1991 to Lan, discloses an auxiliary brake lamp that illuminates a transparent face-plate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,924 issued on Jun. 13, 1995 to Ewing et al. discloses an illuminated vehicle bra that includes a number of light sources for transferring a message. U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,548 issued on Oct. 24, 1995 to Esslinger et al. discloses a fiber optic illuminated panel that can be mounted on the side of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,065 issued on Jul. 29, 1986 to Mori et al. describes a decorative part that can be used for illuminating emblems. However, the device is not constructed such that the display, illuminant and other components are easily replaced. U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,970 issued on Feb. 24, 1987 to Murphy discloses an illuminated panel assembly that can be used on vehicles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,695 issued on Dec. 18, 1990 to Armbruster discloses a device that can be used for illumination of a vehicle emblem and is constructed so that the components are replaceable. However, the device does not consist of internal type fasteners so that the components are replaceable without entirely removing the device from the supporting surface of a vehicle.

[0007] The present invention is an illuminated automotive emblem for mounting on a vehicle. The emblem has a housing frame component with a central opening that creates a picture frame or bordering effect. The overall shape of the emblem may be oval, circular, rectangular or any desired shape, but is preferably similar in shape to existing automotive emblems (Ford, Chevrolet, etc.) to create an asthetic appeal by appearing to be factory installed. The frame component surrounds indicia on a display template component that may include any type of printed matter (i.e. symbols personal names, brand names, etc.). The display template fills the open area of the housing frame component. A rear enclosure component, with a detachable illuminant on the interior face, mounts behind and transmits light through and illuminates the translucent portions of the display template component. The housing frame, display template, rear enclosure components and the illuminant disassemble from each other and make them replaceable. The display template can be replaced for the illumination of various indicia. A plurality of interior fasteners, consisting of adhesive materials, magnetic materials or plastic studs mated to interior bores, in combination with exterior and interior screws are provided for assembly device. Once the exterior screws are removed, the bonding of the interior fasteners can be overcome by slight force to remove the housing frame component from the rear enclosure component. With the housing frame component removed, the display template component and illuminant can be removed and replaced without the need of removing the rear enclosure from the supporting vehicle surface. The exterior screws are positioned such that they are blind or relatively unnoticeable in relation to a frontal or top view, which caters to the asthetic quality of the emblem device. The screw fasteners are used in conjunction with countersunk bores. For attaching the emblem device to a vehicle surface, a plurality of threaded fasteners or adhesive strips are provided. The threaded fasteners and adhesive strips are attached to or molded as part of the rear facing of the rear enclosure component. In the case of the threaded studs, mating nuts are applied to the free ends after having been projected through holes in the vehicle support surface. The adhesive strips can attach directly to the supporting surface. The illuminant placed completely or partially interior to the assembled device is preferably an electroluminescent (EL) lamp, but can also be incandescent bulbs, fluorescent or other type gas filled tubes or fiber optic. Current needed for illumination is provided by attaching wires from the illuminant leads to some point of the vehicles wiring system. When the illuminant is an EL lamp, a transformer type device is attached at some point along the wiring between the lamp and vehicle wiring system. The transformer device allows for increasing the voltage supply from the vehicle so that the EL lamp can be illuminated. A switch can optionally be mounted interiorly or exteriorly to the device.

[0008] Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide an illuminated emblem for a vehicle that has components and an illuminant that are replaceable without the need of removing the entire device from the supporting vehicle surface.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a view of the emblem device attached to a vehicle surface.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a closer front view of the emblem device.

[0011] FIG. 3 is peripheral view of the main components of the device in detached positions.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the housing frame component.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the housing frame component.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side view of the main components of the emblem in attached positions.

[0015] The present invention is an illuminated emblem 100 for the purpose of attaching to a vehicle A as shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] A closer front view of the emblem 100 is shown in FIG. 2. The front surface 503 of the housing frame 200 surrounds the displayed indicia 202 displayed on the raised portion 403 of the display template 401. The displayed indicia 202 can be any type of printed matter (i.e. symbols, personal names, brand names, etc.).

[0017] The details of the emblem 100 are provided in FIGS. 3-6.

[0018] As indicated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the emblem 100 consists of three main components: a housing frame 200 with an open area 201, a display template 401 with indicia 202 and a rear enclosure 600 that houses an illuminant 301.

[0019] As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing frame 200 has interior L-shaped edges projecting rearward from the front surface 503 and away from the edge 203 of the open area 201. As indicated in FIG. 3 and further detailed in FIG. 6, the display template 401 is positioned between the housing frame 200 and rear enclosure 600. The raised portion 403 of the display template 401 substantially fills the open area 201 of the housing frame 200 and is preferably flush with, but can also be slightly raised or recessed from, the front surface 503. The edge portion 403 of the display template 401 is dimensioned to mate with a first vertical edge 210 located behind the front surface 503 of the housing frame 200. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the display template 401 is secured to the housing frame by inserting screws 409 through the countersunk bores 408 and into the blind bores 410.

[0020] As indicated in FIG. 3 and detailed in FIG. 6, the housing frame 200 is secured internally to the rear enclosure 600 by inserting anti-rotational studs 507 into the bores 508 and externally by inserting screws 300 through countersunk bores 500 located in the bottom peripheral edge of the housing frame 200 and into blind bores 501 located in the bottom peripheral edge of the rear enclosure 600. The anti-rotational studs 507 and bores 508 are of such dimension that a “snap” tight fit is created when mated together.

[0021] In lieu of the anti-rotational studs 507 and bores 508, a second preferred embodiment would achieve internal fastening by applying strips to the front surface 603 of the rear enclosure and second interior vertical edge 211 of the housing frame. The magnetic strips, having opposite polarity, would create an internal bond between the housing frame 200 and rear enclosure 600. Details of this preferred embodiment are not shown in the drawing figures.

[0022] In lieu of the anti-rotational studs 507 and bores 508, a third embodiment would achieve internal fastening between the housing frame 200 and rear enclosure 600 by applying a reusable, low bond strength adhesive strip to a second interior vertical edge 211 of the housing frame. The adhesive would mate to the front surface 603 of the rear enclosure. Details of this preferred embodiment are not shown in the drawing figures.

[0023] As indicated in FIG. 3, the illuminant 301, consisting of an EL lamp, gas filled tubes or incandescent bulbs, is attached to and partially or fully housed within the rear enclosure 600 and emits light forward through the display template 401 and indicia 202. Wires project through the open slot 302 in the rear enclosure 600 and connect the illuminant to the vehicles wiring system.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of threaded studs 601 are provided as part of and extend rearward of the rear enclosure. Fastening of the emblem is carried out by projecting the free ends of the threaded studs 601 through like-dimensioned and spaced holes in the supporting surface. Mating nuts, not shown, are threaded onto the free ends of the threaded studs 601 to complete the attachment. In lieu of mating nuts, the emblem 100 could be attached directly to the vehicle by placing an adhesive strip between the rear enclosure and supporting surface.

[0025] The housing frame 200 and rear enclosure 600 are preferably constructed of hard, durable plastic, but can also consist of various metals. The rear enclosure 600 is generally of the same shape as the housing frame 200, which can be oval, circular, square or any desired shape. The outer surfaces of the housing frame 200 can be plated with metallic substances or painted. The frame can also be constructed of colored translucent or transparent material for illumination when the illuminant 301 is activated.

[0026] The display template 401 is preferably similar in shape to the housing frame 200 and constructed of plastic material that can consist of colored translucent, transparent and non-translucent portions. The indicia 202 is preferably molded as part of the display template 401, but can also be painted on or attached with adhesive material. The indicia 202 can consist of colored translucent, transparent and non-translucent portions. The translucent and transparent portions of the display template 401 and indicia allow the passage of light from the illuminant 301.