Granted Patent B2

US 7,374,324 · App. 11/054,017 · Granted May 20, 2008

Abstract

Claims (21)

1. A light guide for a transmission shifter assembly comprising:

a one piece light member having a top light transmitting surface, a reflective bottom surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides; and

at least one light emitting diode integrally formed with the fight member for backlighting the transmission shifter assembly; wherein the light guide includes location and retention features providing mechanical location and attachment of the light guide relative to the transmission shifter assembly; and wherein the light guide includes tension relief features formed thereon preventing damage to leads connected to the at least one diode wherein the tension relief features include a radiused ridge and slot formed proximate the at least one diode for accommodating movement of the light guide relative to the transmission shifter assembly.

2. The light guide of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting diode is integrally formed at the first end of the light member.

3. The light guide of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting diode is integrally formed at the second end of the light member.

4. The light guide of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting diode is integrally formed at the first and second ends of the light member.

5. The light guide of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of diodes.

6. The light guide of claim 5 wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes is disposed on either of the first or second sides of the light member.

7. The light guide of claim 1 wherein the light member location and retention features includes a tab formed thereon for attaching the light member to the transmission shifter assembly.

8. The light guide of claim 1 wherein the first end of the light member includes a flange formed thereon.

9. The light guide of claim 1 wherein the light member location and retention features includes integrally formed snap tabs thereon for attaching the light member to the transmission shifter assembly.

10. A light guide for an automatic transmission shifter comprising:

a one piece light member having a top light transmitting surface, a reflective bottom surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides; and

at least one light emitting diode integrally formed at the first and second ends of the light member for backlighting the transmission shifter assembly wherein the light guide includes location and retention features providing mechanical location and attachment of the light guide relative to the transmission shifter assembly: and wherein the light guide includes tension relief features formed thereon preventing damage to leads connected to the at least one diode wherein the tension relief features include a radiused ridge and slot formed proximate the at least one diode for accommodating movement of the light guide relative to the transmission shifter assembly.

11. A transmission shifter assembly comprising:

a light box;

a one piece light guide retained in the light box, the light guide including a light member having a top light transmitting surface, a reflective bottom surface, first and second ends, and first and second sides;

the light guide including location and retention features for mechanically positioning and attaching the light guide relative to the light box without the use of additional fasteners or attachment operations and

at least one light emitting diode integrally formed with the light member.

12. The transmission shifter assembly of claim 11 wherein the second end of the light member includes a tab formed thereon for attaching the light member to the transmission shifter assembly.

13. The transmission shifter assembly of claim 11 wherein the first end includes integrally formed retention features thereon for attaching the light member to the transmission shifter assembly.

Assignments (16)