Illuminating emblem device and methods of manufacture and use

Abstract

Described herein includes embodiments of an illuminating emblem device that is configured to be coupled to a vehicle and/or device. Some implementations of the illuminating emblem device include a light assembly that is configured to provide a uniform (or substantially uniform) distribution of light along a front housing part or front panel of the illuminating emblem. For example, in some implementations, the illuminating emblem device can include a light diffusing filler that diffuses light emitted from the light assembly to assist with uniformly distributing light emitted through the front housing part. Various other embodiments of the illuminating emblem device and associated methods of manufacturing are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An emblem assembly, comprising:
 a housing including a front housing part coupled to a back housing part and an inner cavity contained between the front housing part and back housing part;   a light assembly configured to emit light and positioned within the inner cavity; and   a light diffusing filler contained within the inner cavity and positioned adjacent the light assembly to diffuse at least some of the light emitted from the light assembly, wherein at least a part of the front housing part allows the diffused light emitted from the light assembly to pass therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light assembly includes at least one light source coupled to a light panel, wherein the light panel is configured to deflect light emitted from the at least one light source towards the front housing part and uniformly distribute the emitted light through the front housing part. 
     
     
         3 . The emblem assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the light source includes one or more of a light emitting diode (LED), a pinpoint LED lamp, an incandescent light bulb, and a flexible light source. 
     
     
         4 . The emblem assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the light panel includes at least one surface feature, wherein each surface feature directs the deflected light towards the front housing part. 
     
     
         5 . The emblem assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one surface feature includes one or more of a printed pattern, a machined pattern, a molded pattern, a lens, a frosted coating, and a semi-transparent coating. 
     
     
         6 . The emblem assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one surface feature includes a plurality of extrusions, wherein each of the plurality of extrusions includes one or more of a sphere shape, a half-sphere shape, and a tubular shape. 
     
     
         7 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of clear vinyl material positioned between the light assembly and the light diffusing filler 
     
     
         8 . Further including a light blocking filler positioned adjacent the light assembly, the light blocking filler preventing light from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the front housing part includes a vacuum deposition material that allows light to transmit therethrough thereby illuminating the front housing part when the light assembly is emitting light and creates a metallic or chrome appearance to the front housing part when the light assembly is not emitting light. 
     
     
         10 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the front housing part is three-dimensional. 
     
     
         11 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a front side of the back housing part includes one or more of a reflective film, a reflective tape, a reflective paint, a self-illuminating paint, and a light diffusing surface. 
     
     
         12 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light diffusing filler is made out of one or more of a plastic, a urethane, a silicone, an epoxy, a one part curing resin, and a two part curing resin. 
     
     
         13 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a first part of the front housing part allows light to pass therethrough and a second part of the front housing part prevents light from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the back housing part includes an adhesive positioned along a back side of the back housing part for assisting with coupling the emblem assembly to a surface. 
     
     
         15 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical lead extending from the light assembly and through the back housing part for connecting the light assembly to a power source. 
     
     
         16 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light diffusing filler includes one or more of a colored pigment and a material that dissipates heat from the emblem assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light diffusing filler includes a fluorescent dye that becomes illuminated when light is emitted from the light assembly or from a secondary light source that is separate from the emblem assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light assembly includes an LED light pipe. 
     
     
         19 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light assembly includes an electroluminescent light panel or electroluminescent wire. 
     
     
         20 . The emblem assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) and an adapter, the adapter coupling a part of the light assembly to the PCB, and wherein the adapter includes one or more of a lens, a light diffusing surface finish, a light directing pattern, and a light coloring element.