Taillight assembly

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to motor vehicles and, more particularly, pivoting taillights having that may to be repositioned for higher visibility when a vehicle is stopped and/or to illuminate the rear cargo area of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Motor vehicle taillight assemblies are well known for providing brake lights, flashing hazard lights, and a clear reverse light. It is important for taillight assemblies to be visible to other drivers especially during emergencies, wherein a driver may be stopped on the side of a busy road and traffic is approaching from the rear.

Another problem that arises for drivers is a lack of light in rear cargo areas or truck beds, which makes it difficult to see in the dark.

Therefore, a need exists for a taillight assembly that allows the taillights to be repositioned for higher visibility in hazard situations and/or to illuminate the cargo area of a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a taillight assembly that increases the visibility of hazard lights on a stopped vehicle.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a taillight assembly that may be repositioned to illuminate a tailgate and/or rear cargo area of a vehicle.

The present invention achieves the above and other objects by providing a taillight assembly for a vehicle wherein the structure of the assembly includes a housing, and light sources for indicating braking, hazards, and reverse. The housing is pivotally coupled to the rear fender of the vehicle, thereby allowing a user to move the housing between a stowed position and an extended position.

The housing is normally placed in the stowed position for normal use while driving. Alternatively, the housing may be placed in an extended position while the vehicle is parked to make the brake lights and hazard lights more visible to approaching vehicles and/or to shine white light onto the tailgate and/or into the cargo area of the vehicle at nighttime.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a rear perspective view of a vehicle having a taillight assembly of the present invention in a partially extended position to increase the visibility of the taillight assembly to approaching vehicles;

FIG. 1B is a top view of a vehicle having a taillight assembly of the present invention in a partially extended position to increase the visibility of the taillight assembly to approaching vehicles;

FIG. 2A is a top view of a vehicle having a taillight assembly of the present invention in a fully extended position to provide light to a rear cargo area of a vehicle;

FIG. 2B is a side perspective view of a vehicle having a taillight assembly of the present invention in a fully extended position to provide light to a rear cargo area of a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a rear taillight assembly of the present invention having pivot points; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of a rear taillight assembly of the present invention having pivot points.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

• • 1. taillight assembly, generally
  • 2. vehicle
  • 3. housing
  • 4. light source
  • 4A. brake light
  • 4B. hazard light
  • 4C. reverse light
  • 5. rear fender
  • 6. frame of taillight assembly
  • 7. cargo area
  • 8. rear surface of housing
  • 9. side surface of housing
  • 10. pivot point
  • 10A. top pivot point
  • 10B. bottom pivot point
  • 11. top rear corner of housing
  • 12. bottom rear corner of housing
  • 13. inside edge of housing
  • 14. hinge

With general reference to FIG. 1a, a vehicle 2 having a taillight assembly 1 of the present invention in a partially extended position to increase the visibility of the tailgate assembly 1 and the vehicle 2 is illustrated. The structure of the taillight assembly 1 includes a housing 3, and light sources 4 including at least one brake light 4A, at least one hazard light 4B, and at least one reverse light 4C. The housing 3 is pivotally coupled to the rear fender 5 of the vehicle 2 and or to a frame 6 mounted to the rear fender 5, thereby allowing a user to swing the housing 3 from a stowed position inward toward a cargo area 7 of the vehicle 2, thereby allowing the light sources 4 to be directed toward the rear of the vehicle or toward the cargo area 7 of the vehicle 2, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The housing 3 may be locked in a stowed position for normal use while driving wherein a rear surface 8 of the taillight assembly 1 is facing rearwardly and a side surface 9 of the taillight assembly 1 being flush with the rear fender 5 of the vehicle 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, pivot points 10 may be located on a top rear corner 11 and bottom rear corner 12 of the housing 3 to allow the housing 3 to be rotated from a stowed position into and into a partially extended position or fully extended position. As

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an inside edge 13 of the housing 3 may be attached via one or more hinges 14 to make the housing 3 rotatable in relation to the vehicle 2.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.