Improved automobile treadplate

Abstract

An insert 1 for a treadplate of a motor vehicle comprises an upper wall 2 having a transparent portion, one or more side walls 4a,4b defining a lumen 3, and a base 5. The lumen is configured to house

Description

The present invention relates to inserts for treadplates of motor vehicles. The invention also relates to treadplates and motor vehicles fitted with such inserts. An automobile treadplate is a car part, typically made from durable metal or alloy (e.g. aluminium, steel or stainless steel), designed to be fitted on the chassis beneath the car door on both the driver’s side and passage’s side of the vehicle. It is visible on the chassis when the door is opened. Treadplates having 2D visual displays, such as LED lighting displays and laser cut perforations in thin veneer plaques are known. Examples are described in WO 2011 / 154667, EP 2765570 and US 2011 / 0052839. Such treadplate designs are necessarily limited due to the lack of space beneath the tread plate in conventional cars. An aim of the present invention is to provide a further option for enhancement of an automobile. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an insert for a treadplate of a motor vehicle, comprising an upper wall consisting of or comprising a transparent portion, and one or more side walls, the walls defining a lumen, wherein the lumen is configured to house a decorative element visible from above through the transparent portion. The present invention can thus utilise a space underneath the treadplate (between the treadplate and the door seal) in certain models of car where the treadplate can be raised. The present invention can therefore use depth, in an otherwise un-used area of the car, to create improved (3D) visual displays, providing a greater scope for bespoke craftmanship and design freedom. The insert may further comprise a lighting unit, such as a LED light pack, or a housing into which a lighting unit, such as a LED light pack, can be removably located. The LED light pack is suitably a thin strip (e.g. a standard LED lighting strip) which may be slotted into a housing in the base or sidewalls of the insert. The lighting unit may further comprise a wire for connecting the lighting unit to a power source in the car (e.g. via a standard 12-volt connection). The lighting unit typically illuminates the decorative element from the back and / or the sides, thus the decorative element may be back lit and / or side lit. Preferably, the decorative element is back lit, however in some cases the decorative element is side lit in order to create more depth in the lumen (i.e. more space for the decorative elements). Alternatively, the decorative elements may be both side lit and back lit. The insert may additionally or alternatively comprise a full or partial mirror which may fully or partially reflect the light inside the lumen, creating an enhanced visual effect, such as the illusion of a larger space. One effect achievable in this way is an ‘infinity mirror’ effect - further details are below. The insert may further comprise more than one mirror, for example two mirrors on opposing side walls. The mirrors are typically located on an inner surface of the one or more side walls. However, when the mirror is a partial mirror, it may also be located on the upper wall, e.g. the transparent portion may consist of or comprise a partial I one-way mirror, such that some light from the lighting unit passes through the upper wall and some light is reflected, but the decorative elements are still visible from above through the upper wall. The treadplate insert comprises one or more side walls, the walls defining a lumen. The upper wall forms the top portion and the one or more side walls are generally substantially flat or planar, defining a triangular or box-like lumen below the top portion. The one or more side walls may be curved and form a single substantially continuous surface below a top portion, creating a lumen in the form of a hemisphere or an elongated hemisphere. The lumen of the insert typically houses one or more decorative elements. Suitable decorative elements include but are not limited to 3D models, 2D prints, stencils, reflectors and combinations thereof. The decorative elements may be made from any suitable modelling materials, such as wood (e.g. veneer or plywood), fabric, plastic, cardboard, metal, resin, clay, polystyrene etc. Preferably the decorative elements are made from veneer and / or fabric. The decorative elements may be static or animated, although typically they are static. The decorative elements may further comprise perforations through which light from the lighting unit passes. The perforations in the lighting unit may be arranged in patterns or sequences to create different lighting effects or displays. For example, the decorative element may be a back lit piece of veneer having a sequence of perforations cut out of it to create a pattern or image. The insert typically comprises a base, first and second sidewalls, first and second end walls and a transparent top or a top comprising a transparent portion. Suitably, the base comprises the lighting unit or housing into which the lighting unit can be removably located. In this arrangement, the decorative element in the lumen may be back lit. Alternatively, or additionally, the first and / or second sidewall comprises the lighting unit or housing into which the lighting unit can be removably located. In this arrangement, the decorative element may be side lit. As mentioned above, the insert may comprise more than one mirror. In specific cases where the insert comprises two or more mirrors, an infinity effect may be achieved, creating the illusion that the insert is deeper and / or wider and / or longer than it is in reality. The two or more mirrors may all be full mirrors. For example, there may be a full mirror on an inner surface of the first side wall and another full mirror on an inner surface of the second side wall (as demonstrated in Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) and described in more detail in the examples below). Alternatively, the two or more mirrors may comprise a combination of full and partial mirrors. For example, the insert may comprise a full mirror on an upper surface of the base and a partial I one-way mirror on a lower surface of the upper wall or top. In this arrangement, the infinity effect suitably makes the space underneath the treadplate, into which the insert is inserted, appear much deeper than it is. The transparent portion of the upper wall (or the transparent top) may be fully transparent (i.e. allowing all light to pass through). The fully transparent portion is preferably made from acrylic (e.g. Perspex®). However, it may also be made from any suitable transparent material, such as glass, PVC, polycarbonate or other plastics. Alternatively, the transparent portion of the upper wall (or the transparent top) may be partially transparent (i.e. allowing some light to pass through or being partially reflective). For example, the partially transparent portion may comprise a one-way mirror or partial mirror, as described above. The partial or one-way mirror is typically made from glass coated with a thin layer of metallic or dielectric material but may suitably be made from other coated transparent materials. The thickness and / or material of the coating may be altered to achieve the desired ratio of light reflection to transmission. The lumen or the insert is typically at least 30mm, or 35mm, or 40mm, or 45mm in depth and no greater than 70mm, or 65mm, or 60mm, or 55mm in depth. For example, the lumen is suitably between 40mm and 65mm in depth (e.g. 40mm, or 45mm or 50mm or 55mm). It is possible to reach depths of up to 100mm and inserts having lumens of greater depths can be fitted by removing the layer of sound proofing foam beneath the treadplate to create more space. Typically, the lumen is between 50mm and 65mm in depth, for example around 55mm or 60mm, when the decorative elements are not back lit. However, when the base of the insert comprises a lighting unit or a housing into which the lighting unit can be removably located, the lumen may be slightly shallower in depth due to the space taken up by the back lighting. For example, the lumen may be less than 50mm in depth, e.g. up to 40mm or 45mm. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a treadplate comprising an insert as described herein. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a car comprising an insert as described herein or car comprising a treadplate as described herein. To aid understanding of the invention, specific embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an insert according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the insert of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a treadplate according to the invention; Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the treadplate of Figure 3; Figure 5(a) shows a cross-sectional view of an insert according to the invention housing a first example of a decorative element; Figure 5(b) shows a perspective view of the insert of Figure 5(a); Figure 6(a) shows a cross-sectional view of an insert according to the invention housing a second example of a decorative element; Figure 6(b) shows a perspective view of the insert of Figure 6(a); Figure 7(a) shows a cross-sectional view of an insert according to the invention housing a third example of a decorative element; Figure 7(b) shows a bird’s eye view of the third example of a decorative element; and Figure 7(c) shows a perspective view of the insert of Figure 7(a). Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in a first embodiment of the invention, there is a treadplate insert (1) having a transparent upper wall (2) made from acrylic, first and second side walls (4(a), 4(b)), first and second end walls (12(a), 12(b)) and a base (5). The space inside the transparent upper wall, first and second sidewalls, first and second end walls and the base defines a lumen (3), the lumen being suitable for housing one or more decorative elements. The insert further comprises a housing (10) for an LED light pack (6, 7), the LED light pack having a wire (11) for connecting it to a standard 12-volt power source in the car. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in a second embodiment of the invention, there is a treadplate (20) comprising a treadplate insert as described above. As shown in Figure 4, the LED light pack (6) slots into a housing in the base of the treadplate insert (1) and the treadplate insert sits underneath the treadplate (20). The treadplate comprises a hole (30) in its upper surface through which the treadplate insert is visible. When the treadplate insert is in place, the acrylic or transparent upper wall of the insert (2) sits flush with the upper surface of the treadplate. Referring to Figures 5(a) and 5(b), in a specific embodiment, the lumen of the insert comprises a V-shaped piece of veneer (40) as a first example of a decorative element. The veneer has a series of perforations (41) through which light from an LED light pack (6), housed in the base of the insert, passes through. The example shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) uses a combination of lighting and mirrors to achieve an advanced visual effect. In this example, the LED light pack is housed in the base of the insert, as mentioned above, and the mirrors (not shown in the figures) are located on the first and second side walls. Thus, the mirrors are hidden by the veneer when the insert viewed through the treadplate. The purpose of the hidden mirrors is to reflect light through the entire lumen, to ensure the light is evenly distributed through all perforations, hence reducing the risk of darkening in the corners I edges of the lumen. Other optional decorative elements which may be added to the example shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) include 3D models and 2D cut outs, which may be suspended above the V-shaped piece of veneer, e.g. by a hidden lever (not shown in the figures). For example, 2D veneer cut outs of logos or initials could be suspended in the centre of the lumen to create a more complex, multilevel and even personalised display. Referring to Figures 6(a) and 6(b), in another specific embodiment, the lumen of the insert comprises two 3D model cars (50) as decorative elements. In this embodiment, the LED light packs are housed in housings (51(a), 51(b)) in the first and second side walls and connected to a 12-volt power source in the car via a wire (52). In this embodiment, the lumen of the insert is slightly deeper than in the embodiment shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), as a result of extra space made available by moving the LED light pack. The decorative elements are also side lit as opposed to back lit. Referring to Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c), in another specific embodiment, the lumen of the insert comprises a printed fabric cut out (60) which sits flush with the base of the insert with the printed side facing upwards. The first and second side walls are lined with mirrors (70), shown in Figure 7(c), which reflect the image printed on the fabric cut out. As shown in Figure 7(b), the fabric cut out in this example has a repeated pattern of half butterflies printed onto it. The half butterflies are reflected in the mirrors on the first and second side walls, such that they appear as whole butterflies when viewed through the acrylic or transparent upper wall. The opposite facing mirrors which reflect the butterfly pattern on either sidewall create a sideways infinity effect, giving the illusion that the insert is much wider than it actually is. This effect is illustrated in Figure 7(a) with the central portion showing the fabric cut out (60), the bold lines either side of the central portion showing the mirrors and the low contrast portion on either side of the bold lines representing the reflections (61(a), 61(b)) formed by either mirror. The printed fabric cut out also comprises perforations (not shown) through which light from the LED light pack, housed in the base of the insert, passes through to illuminate the display. 5 The invention is not intended to be limited to the details of the above-described embodiments. For example, the decorative elements are intended to be adaptable and may even be personalised. The invention may further provide the option for a user to remove the insert from the treadplate and replace the decorative elements as desired.

Claims

1. An insert for a treadplate of a motor vehicle, comprisingan upper wall consisting of or comprising a transparent portion, and one or more side walls, the walls defining a lumen,wherein the lumen is configured to house a decorative element visible from above through the transparent portion.

2. An insert according to claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises a lighting unit, such as a LED light pack, or a housing into which a lighting unit, such as a LED light pack, can be removably located, and wherein the lighting unit illuminates the decorative element.

3. An insert according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the insert further comprises a full or partial mirror on an inner surface of the one or more side walls.

4. An insert according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the decorative element is a 3D model, a 2D print, a stencil or a reflector.

5. An insert according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the decorative element is animated.

6. An insert according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the decorative element comprises perforations through which light from the lighting unit passes.

7. An insert according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a base, first and second sidewalls, first and second end walls and a transparent top or a top comprising a transparent portion.

8. An insert according to claim 7, wherein the base comprises a lighting unit or a housing into which a lighting unit can be removably located, such that the decorative element is back lit.

9. An insert according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the first and / or second sidewall comprises a lighting unit or a housing into which a lighting unit can be removably located, such that the decorative element is side lit.

10. An insert according to any of claims 7 to 9, comprising a full mirror on an inner surface of the base and a partial mirror on an inner surface of the top, thus creating an infinity effect.

11. An insert according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transparent portion of the upper wall (or the transparent top when present) is made from acrylic.

12. An insert according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transparent portion of the upper wall (or the transparent top when present) is a one-way mirror.

13. An insert according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the insert is between 40 and 65mm in depth.

14. A treadplate comprising an insert according to any of claims 1 to 13.

15. A car comprising an insert according to any of claims 1 to 13 or a treadplate according to claim 14.IntellectualPropertyOfficeApplication GB2500372.4Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977Date search completed: 10 June 2025Claims searched: 1-15International classificationSubclass and subgroup Valid from B60Q1 / 32 01 / 01 / 2006 B60Q3 / 217 01 / 01 / 2017 G09F13 / 04 01 / 01 / 2006Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC:G09F, B60Q, B60RDatabases used in the preparation of this search report:SEARCH-PATENTDocuments considered to be relevantPatent literatureCategory Relevant claims Document of relevanceX 1-2, 4, 6-7, 9, 11, 14-15 KR 101276627 B1 (CHEMTRON CO LTD), See paragraphs [0029][0045] and figures 1-4. Machine translation available at: https: / / worldwide.espacenet.com / publicationDetails / de scription?CC=KR&NR=20120119784A&KC=A&FT=D &ND=3&date=20121031&DB=&locale=en_EP [Accessed 4 / 6 / 25]. X 1-2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 14 15 US 2007 / 0196762 A1 (MAEDA et al.), See paragraphs [0038]-[0056] and figures 1-2. X 1-2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13 15 JP 4823636 B2 (HARISON TOSHIBA LIGHTING CORP), See paragraphs [0008]-[0023] and figures 1-5. Machine translation available at: https: / / worldwide.espacenet.com / publicationDetails / de scription?CC=JP&NR=2007108438A&KC=A&FT=D& ND=3&date=20070426&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_E P [Accessed 4 / 6 / 25]. X 1-2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14 15 US 2002 / 0131261 A1 (INUI et al.), See paragraphs [0057]-[0067] and figure 3. X 1-2, 4, 7-8, 14-15 US 2008 / 0253140 A1 (FLEISCHMANN et al.), See paragraphs [0034][0041] and figures 6-9.CategoriesLetter or DescriptionsymbolDocument indicating lack of novelty or inventive step.Letter or symbol Description Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with another document of the same category. & Member of the same patent family. A Document indicating technological background. P Document published on or after the priority date but before the fling date of the present application. E Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.