US 11,834,093 B2
Steering grip light bar systems
Valerie D. Gardner, St. Clair, MI (US); Jason Carl Lisseman, Shelby Township, MI (US); and David Ryan Varcoe, Bruce Township, MI (US)
Assigned to Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed by Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/666,281.
Application 17/666,281 is a continuation of application No. 17/026,999, filed on Sep. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,242,080.
Application 17/026,999 is a continuation of application No. 15/876,845, filed on Jan. 22, 2018, granted, now 10,780,908, issued on Sep. 22, 2020.
Application 15/876,845 is a continuation of application No. 14/806,325, filed on Jul. 22, 2015, granted, now 9,873,446, issued on Jan. 23, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/027,969, filed on Jul. 23, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2022/0258787 A1, Aug. 18, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B62D 1/04 (2006.01); B62D 1/06 (2006.01); B60K 35/00 (2006.01); B60Q 9/00 (2006.01); B60Q 3/283 (2017.01)
CPC B62D 1/046 (2013.01) [B60K 35/00 (2013.01); B60Q 9/00 (2013.01); B62D 1/06 (2013.01); B60K 2370/188 (2019.05); B60K 2370/338 (2019.05); B60K 2370/782 (2019.05); B60Q 3/283 (2017.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A light bar system for a steering wheel comprising:
a light source disposed adjacent a portion of an armature of a steering wheel;
an outer lens;
a carrier defining a channel extending from the light source towards the outer lens, the channel comprising a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end of the channel, a distal portion adjacent a distal end of the channel, and a central portion disposed between the proximal and distal portions, the proximal and distal portions each have a substantially rectangular cross section as taken through a plane that is perpendicular to a front and rear surface of the steering wheel armature and a direction of rotation of the steering wheel, and the central portion has a substantially trapezoidal shaped cross section, and a width of the proximal portion is different than a width of the distal portion; and
a light diffusing layer disposed between the light source and the outer lens, the light diffusing layer being configured for diffusing light as it passes therethrough.