US 12,214,718 B2
Systems and methods of indirectly illuminating a step surface of a vehicle running board
Stuart R. Wuerthele, Saline, MI (US); Frank A. Richards, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Alexander L. Paradis, Ann Arbor, MI (US)
Assigned to TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US); and TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSRIKI KAISHA, Aichi-ken (JP)
Filed by TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/901,474.
Prior Publication US 2024/0075869 A1, Mar. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. B60Q 1/24 (2006.01); B60Q 1/00 (2006.01); B60R 3/00 (2006.01); B60R 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC B60Q 1/247 (2022.05) [B60Q 1/0017 (2013.01); B60Q 1/0035 (2013.01); B60R 3/002 (2013.01); B60R 3/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle comprising:
an undercarriage;
a running board extending from the undercarriage and comprising an upper step surface;
a lighting element provided on the running board to directly illuminate the undercarriage and a ground surface below the running board; and
a reflecting element provided at the undercarriage for reflecting light provided by the lighting element to indirectly illuminate the upper step surface of the running board.