Abstrict An illuminated vehicle bra for displaying a message comprising
a nose bra adapted to fit on a vehicle; and a signaling circuit
coupled to the nose bra, the signaling circuit having a plurality
of light sources disposed thereon in a configuration defining a
message for viewing and leads connected to the light sources for
transferring energy for illuminating the message, the leads extending
from the nose bra and terminating in a terminal adapted to be coupled
to a power source for receiving power for energizing the signaling
circuit.
Claims What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by LETTERS
PATENT of the United States is as follows:
1. An illuminated vehicle bra for displaying a message comprising,
in combination:
a generally concave-shaped nose bra sized to fit on and substantially
cover and conform to the shape of a front end of a vehicle with
a surface finish, the nose bra having an exterior surface for protecting
the front end of the vehicle against damage from objects projected
thereat while simultaneously enhancing the appearance of the front
end of the vehicle and an interior surface coupled to the exterior
surface for placement against the front end of the vehicle for preventing
damage to the surface finish when the nose bra is secured thereto;
and
a signaling circuit disposed between the exterior surface and the
interior surface of the nose bra, the signaling circuit having a
plurality of light emitting diodes extending through the exterior
surface in a configuration defining a message for viewing and electrical
leads connected to the light emitting diodes for transferring electrical
power for illuminating the message, the electrical leads extending
from the nose bra and terminating in a terminal adapted to be coupled
to an electrical power source for receiving electrical power for
energizing the signaling circuit.
2. An illuminated vehicle bra for displaying a message comprising:
a generally concave-shaped nose bra adapted to fit on and substantially
cover and conform to the shape of a front end of a vehicle; and
a signaling circuit coupled to the nose bra, the signaling circuit
having a plurality of light sources disposed thereon in a configuration
defining a message for viewing and leads connected to the light
sources for transferring energy for illuminating the message, the
leads extending from the nose bra and terminating in a terminal
adapted to be coupled to a power source for receiving power for
energizing the signaling circuit.
3. The device as set forth in claim 2 further including a transformer
having an output terminal coupled to the terminal of the signaling
circuit and an input terminal adapted to be coupled to a power source
of a vehicle for receiving input electrical power therefrom and
with the transformer converting the input electrical power to an
output electrical power compatible for illuminating the light sources.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a illuminated vehicle bra and
more particularly pertains to displaying a message with a illuminated
vehicle bra.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of vehicular signaling devices is known in the prior art.
More specifically, vehicular signaling devices heretofore devised
and utilized for the purpose of displaying messages are known to
consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations,
notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded
prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless
objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4965950 to Yamada discloses
a display device for automotive mark plate. U.S. Pat. No. 4974354
to Hembrook, Jr. discloses a visual display device for vehicles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4977695 to Armbruster discloses an illuminated medallion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5005306 to Kinstler discloses an illuminated vehicle
sign. U.S. Pat. No. 5157377 to Wayne discloses a hood scoop assembly.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective
and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a illuminated
vehicle bra that displays a message when illuminated.
In this respect, the illuminated vehicle bra according to the present
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and
designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus
primarily developed for the purpose of displaying a message.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing
need for new and improved illuminated vehicle bra which can be used
for displaying a message. In this regard, the present invention
substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of vehicular signaling devices now present in the prior art,
the present invention provides an improved illuminated vehicle bra.
As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will
be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new
and improved illuminated vehicle bra and method which has all the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises, in
combination, a nose bra adapted to fit on the front end of a vehicle,
the nose bra having an exterior surface adapted to protect the front
end of a vehicle against damage from objects projected thereat and
an interior surface coupled to the exterior surface and adapted
to be placed in contact with the front end of a vehicle for preventing
damage to the vehicle's finish when the nose bra is secured thereto;
and a signaling circuit disposed between the exterior surface and
the interior surface of the nose bra, the signaling circuit having
a plurality of light emitting diodes extending through the exterior
surface in a configuration defining a message for viewing and electrical
leads connected to the light emitting diodes for transferring electrical
power for illuminating the message, the electrical leads extending
from the nose bra and terminating in a terminal adapted to be coupled
to an electrical power source for receiving electrical power for
energizing the signaling circuit.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of
the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable
of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various
ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not
be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as
a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems
for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.
It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including
such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially
the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not
familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine
quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the
technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither
intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured
by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope
of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved illuminated vehicle bra which has all the advantages
of the prior art vehicular signaling devices and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved illuminated vehicle bra which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved illuminated vehicle bra which is of durable and reliable
construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved illuminated vehicle bra which is susceptible of
a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor,
and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale
to the consuming public, thereby making such a illuminated vehicle
bra economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved illuminated vehicle bra which provides in the
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages
normally associated therewith.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide
a new and improved illuminated vehicle bra for displaying a message.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved illuminated vehicle bra comprising a nose bra adapted
to fit on a vehicle; and a signaling circuit coupled to the nose
bra, the signaling circuit having a plurality of light sources disposed
thereon in a configuration defining a message for viewing and leads
connected to the light sources for transferring energy for illuminating
the message, the leads extending from the nose bra and terminating
in a terminal adapted to be coupled to a power source for receiving
power for energizing the signaling circuit.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with
the various features of novelty which characterize the invention,
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and
forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
illuminated vehicle bra constructed in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of a message shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a view of a light source taken along the line 3--3 of
FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the signaling circuit of the present
invention.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the
various Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIG.
1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved illuminated
vehicle bra embodying the principles and concepts of the present
invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will
be described.
Specifically, the present invention includes two major components.
The major components are nose bra and the signalling circuit. These
components are interrelated to provide the intended function.
More specifically, it will be noted in the various Figures that
the first major component is the nose bra 12. The nose bra generally
concave-shaped and is sized to fit on and substantially cover and
conform to the shape of a front end of a vehicle. The nose bra has
an exterior surface 14. The exterior surface is adapted to protect
the front end of a vehicle against damage from objects projected
thereat while simultaneously enhancing its appearance. The nose
bra also has an interior surface 16 The interior surface is coupled
to the exterior surface. The interior surface is adapted to be placed
in contact with the front end of a vehicle. The interior surface
is used to prevent damage to the vehicle's finish once the nose
bra is secured thereto.
The second major component is the signalling circuit 18. The signaling
circuit is disposed between the exterior surface 14 and the interior
surface 16 of the nose bra. The signaling circuit contains a plurality
of light emitting diodes 20. These diodes extend through the exterior
surface in a configuration defining a message 22 for viewing. The
signalling circuit also includes electrical leads 24. The electrical
leads are connected to the light emitting diodes. The electrical
leads are used for transferring electrical power for illuminating
the message. The electrical leads extend from the nose bra and terminate
in a terminal 26. The terminal is adapted to be coupled to an electrical
power source for receiving electrical power for energizing the signaling
circuit.
In the preferred embodiment, the exterior surface of the nose bra
is made of vinyl or leather. The exterior surface is adapted to
let moisture escape and resist mildew. The exterior surface protects
the front end of a vehicle from damage by gravel, rocks, insects,
or other objects projected thereto. The bra is fashioned to be coupled
to the front end of a vehicle yet allow the hood to be opened. The
bra is also formed to allow pop-up headlights to operate freely.
The interior surface of the bra is made of a soft flannel to protect
the paint on the vehicle from chafing when the bra is coupled thereto.
These features are conventional in design and available in existing
nose bras. The bra can be formed to fit on a variety of vehicles
such as sports cars, conventional cars, and trucks.
The signaling circuit is constructed with commercially available
components. A variety of different light sources can be used, such
as incandescent light bulbs or light emitting diodes. In the preferred
embodiment, the light sources are formed with a series of small
1.2 volt light emitting diodes that generate light in the visible
spectrum. The signaling circuit is energized in one orientation
when the driving lights of a vehicle to which the present invention
is coupled are activated or energized in another orientation with
a separate switch available in the vehicle's driver compartment.
Any number of messages may be formed with the light sources, and
the dimensions of the messages are only limited by the size of the
nose bra. For example, the make or type of vehicle may be formed
in lights and illuminated. When using the 1.2 volt light emitting
diodes, a step down transformer is utilized to convert power from
a vehicle's 12 volt battery to an operable range. The present invention
thus allows owners to personalize their cars while also protecting
them.
In an alternate embodiment, the plurality of light sources can
be formed in an array and controlled with circuitry for generating
a plurality of user-controlled and personalized messages.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention,
the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly,
no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation
will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of
the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modification
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modification
and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of
the invention.
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