Illuminated automotive emblem

• Main Author: MOORE MATTHEW GLEN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.02.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ADVERTISING; ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING ORSUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES INGENERAL; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; DISPLAYING; EDUCATION; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; SEALS; SIGNS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

An illuminated automotive emblem for mounting on a vehicle. The emblem has a decorative housing frame with an overall shape preferably similar to existing automotive manufacturer's emblems (Ford, Chevrolet, etc.). The frame has a central open area that surrounds indicia on a display template that may be any type of printed matter. A portion of the display template substantially fills the central open area of the frame. A rear enclosure housing an illuminant mounts behind the template to emit light through the display template and indicia. The housing frame, display template, rear enclosure and illuminant disassemble from each other so that the parts are replaceable and various housing frames and indicia can be displayed. The housing frame and rear enclosure fasten internally through the use of adhesive strips, magnetic material or interior studs that mate to open bores. The interior studs and open bores are of such dimension that a "snap" tight frictional type bond is created. With all exterior threaded fasteners removed, the housing frame can be removed from the rear enclosure by applying slight force to overcome the internal fastening. With the housing frame removed, the display template and illuminant can be disassembled and replaced without removing the entire emblem from the supporting vehicle surface. Threaded fasteners or adhesive strips located on the rear surface of the rear enclosure are used to attach the emblem to the vehicle.