Lighted vehicle access system and method

Abstract

A lighted vehicle access apparatus and method are disclosed, wherein one or more lights coupled to a movable platform are positioned to illuminate the platform. In some embodiments, the lights are in a fixed position with respect to the platform (and therefore movable with respect to the vehicle), while in other embodiments, the lights are movable with respect to the platform in movement of the platform between stowed and deployed positions and/or between raised and lowered positions with respect to the vehicle. The lights can be coupled to one or more arm assemblies of the vehicle access apparatus, to one or more handles of the vehicle access apparatus, or in other locations. Also, the lights can be electroluminescent light elements, bulbs, or other types of light-emitting devices.

1 . A vehicle access apparatus coupled to and movable with respect to a vehicle for user entry into and exit from the vehicle, the vehicle access apparatus comprising:
 a base coupled to the vehicle;   a platform movable relative to the base between a lowered position and a raised position;   a linkage assembly including a portion moveably coupling the platform to the base;   an actuator coupled to the linkage assembly and operable to move the linkage assembly and the platform; and   a light mounted on the linkage assembly to maintain a substantially constant positional relationship with the platform for illumination of the platform during a first portion of movement between the lowered position and the raised position, and mounted on the linkage assembly to change positional relationship with the platform during a second portion of movement between the lowered position and the raised position.   
   
   
       2 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly includes an arm coupled to the platform and the actuator, the arm movable by the actuator to move the platform, wherein the light is located on the arm. 
   
   
       3 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of movement includes movement between a deployed position and a transfer position, and wherein the second portion of movement includes movement between the transfer position and a stowed position. 
   
   
       4 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly includes at least one handle positioned to be grasped by a user on the platform, wherein the light is mounted on the handle. 
   
   
       5 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the light is located at a higher elevation than the handle. 
   
   
       6 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing in which the light is at least partially received, the housing shaped to direct light toward the platform. 
   
   
       7 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an electroluminescent light strip mounted on the platform. 
   
   
       8 . A vehicle access apparatus coupled to and movable with respect to a vehicle for user entry into and exit from the vehicle, the vehicle access apparatus comprising:
 a base coupled to the vehicle;   a platform movably coupled to the base;   an actuator coupled to the platform and operable to move the platform between different positions relative to the base, the different positions including a stowed position, a deployed position, and an intermediate position;   a light coupled to the platform, wherein the platform and the light move relative to one another during movement of the platform between the stowed position and the intermediate position, and wherein the platform and the light move together to maintain a substantially constant positional relationship during movement of the platform between the intermediate position and the deployed position.   
   
   
       9 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a linkage assembly coupling the platform to the base and movable by the actuator to move the platform, wherein the light is located on the linkage assembly. 
   
   
       10  The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the linkage assembly includes at least one handle positioned to be grasped by a user on the platform, wherein the light is mounted on the handle. 
   
   
       11 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the platform is substantially horizontal in the deployed position and the intermediate position, and wherein the platform is substantially vertical in the stowed position. 
   
   
       12 . The vehicle access apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the vehicle includes a floor level, and wherein the intermediate position is a transfer position in which the platform is substantially even with the vehicle floor for movement of the user between the platform and the vehicle floor.