US 12,377,781 B2
Integrated in-surface lens assembly
Daniel Vander Sluis, Rochester Hills, MI (US); Patrick Gerrity, Dearborn, MI (US); and Oliver Pace, Clarkston, MI (US)
Assigned to MAGNA EXTERIORS, INC., Aurora (CA)
Filed by Magna Exteriors Inc., Aurora (CA)
Filed on Nov. 5, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/937,343.
Application 18/937,343 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/597,814, filed on Mar. 6, 2024, granted, now 12,151,610.
Application 18/597,814 is a continuation of application No. 18/130,055, filed on Apr. 3, 2023, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/330,845, filed on Apr. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0058707 A1, Feb. 20, 2025
Int. Cl. B60Q 3/60 (2017.01); B60Q 1/00 (2006.01); B60Q 3/51 (2017.01); B60Q 3/54 (2017.01); F21V 5/04 (2006.01); F21V 7/04 (2006.01); F21V 13/04 (2006.01); F21V 17/10 (2006.01); F21V 19/00 (2006.01); F21Y 103/00 (2016.01); F21Y 115/10 (2016.01)
CPC B60Q 3/60 (2017.02) [B60Q 1/0035 (2013.01); B60Q 3/51 (2017.02); B60Q 3/54 (2017.02); F21V 5/04 (2013.01); F21V 7/043 (2013.01); F21V 13/04 (2013.01); F21V 17/101 (2013.01); F21V 19/004 (2013.01); F21Y 2103/00 (2013.01); F21Y 2115/10 (2016.08)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A seamless lighting arrangement for a vehicle panel comprising:
a vehicle panel having an inside surface and an outside surface;
a light aperture extending from the inside surface of the vehicle panel to the outside surface of the vehicle panel;
a bracket connected to the inside surface of the vehicle panel, wherein the bracket includes a first wall having a lock aperture spaced at a distance from the light aperture and a second wall having a locator aperture spaced at a distance from the light aperture, and
a locking lens with a lens portion, a locking tab and a locator tab, wherein the lens portion, the locking tab and the locator tab are each integrated together as one piece, wherein the locking lens connects to the bracket so that the locator tab slides through the locator aperture and the locking tab engages the lock aperture such that the locator tab aligns the lens portion so a light output surface of the lens portion is positioned into the light aperture, and the locking tab secures the locking lens to the bracket so that the light output surface of the locking lens is positioned in the light aperture of the vehicle panel, wherein the locking lens further includes one or more lock structures formed in the locking lens;
a light unit having a light output surface for emitting light from a light source, wherein the light output surface engages a light input side of the locking lens, and the light unit further includes one or more lens engagement structures for engaging the one or more lock structures of the locking lens to connect the light unit to the locking lens.