Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A rear light assembly (200) for a motor vehicle (100) comprising: a housing (210) having a central chamber (220); a first reflector (300) disposed vertically inside the central chamber (220) and a central light source (400) disposed substantially parallel and anterior to the first reflector (300), whereby the first reflector (300) is configured to reflect light emitted from the central light source (400).

2. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first reflector (300) comprises plurality of reflectors placed adjacent to each other.

3. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first reflector (300) is disposed rearwardly of the central light source (400), in a vehicle rear front direction, the first reflector (300) defines a rear wall of the central chamber (220).

4. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the central chamber (220) comprises a rear wall disposed rearwardly of the central light source (400), in a vehicle rear front direction, the rear wall configured to receive the first reflector (300).

5. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second reflector (330) disposed horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the first reflector (300), the second reflector (330) defines a bottom wall of the central chamber (220) and configured to receive the central light source (400).

6. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second reflector (330) comprises a through hole (332) to receive the central light source (400).

7. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central chamber (220) comprises a bottom wall substantially perpendicular to the first reflector (300) and configured to receive the second reflector (330), the bottom wall and the second reflector (330) configured to receive the central light source (400).

8. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second reflector (330) and the bottom wall, each comprising emulated through holes to receive the central light source (400).

9. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 6 or 8, wherein the through hole (332) is made along an axis of symmetry of the second reflector (330) or the bottom wall.

10. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 6, or 8, comprising a holder (334) received inside the through hole (332), the holder (334) having a plurality of attachment pips (334a) along an outer periphery.

11. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the through hole (332) comprises a plurality of slots (332a) along an inner circumference, whereby the plurality of slots (332a) receives the plurality of attachment pips (334a) for a detachable mounting of the holder (334).

12. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 10, comprises an annular seal (336) disposed inside the central chamber (220) on the holder (334) thereby sealingly mounting the holder (334) inside the through hole (332).

13. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a compartment (500) disposed below the central chamber (220), the compartment (500) having a front wall (510a), a rear wall (510b), two opposing side walls (510c, 510d), a top wall (510e) and a bottom wall (510f), the compartment (500) configured to receive a third light source (600) to illuminate a number plate disposed below the rear light assembly (200).

14. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 5, 7 and 13, wherein the central chamber (220) comprises a lip (222) extending downward from an exterior surface of the bottom wall, the compartment (500) mounted on the lip (222).

15. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lip (222) comprises a mounting loop (222a); and one of the walls of the compartment (500) comprises a fixating hole (520), the mounting loop (222a) and the fixating hole (520) receive a screw (250) to detachably mount the compartment (500) on the lip (222).

16. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fixating hole (520) is disposed on an exterior surface of the front wall (510a).

17. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein either of the opposing side walls of the compartment (500) comprises a through hole for receiving the third light source (600) inside the compartment (500).

18. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1 and claim 13, wherein the central light source (400) comprises a filament light bulb and the third light source (600) comprises a filament light bulb.

19. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the rear wall (510b) of the compartment (500) extends laterally to form at least one extended bracket (510), the extended bracket (512) facilitates routing of wires (260) therefrom.

20. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bottom wall (510f) is configured to emit light emanated from the third light source (600) to illuminate the number plate.

21. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (210) comprises a first side chamber (230) having a first light source (410); and a second side chamber (240) having a second light source (420).

22. The rear light assembly (200) as claimed in preceding claims, comprises a bezel (650); and one or more lenses (700, 800) attached to the housing (210) defining an anterior wall of the rear light assembly (200).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a rear light assembly for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Motor vehicles are generally equipped with a taillight/ rear light mounted to their rear-ends. The rear lights serve a specific purpose for conspicuity. Typically, a rear light assembly has a light source and a reflector housed inside a housing. The light source is a filament taillamp, or a Light Emitting Diode (LED) positioned within the housing and electrically connected to a power source. The reflector is positioned inside the housing in such a way that it reflects light originating from the light source behind the vehicle, thereby alerting riders and drivers about presence of the motor vehicle, especially during night. A bezel is generally affixed on the housing which receives a lens thereby enclosing the housing.
[003] However, the rear light assembly being a first point of contact in event of a collision from the rear, the rear light assembly is most exposed to damages caused due to accidents. These kinds of damages generally call for changing the taillamps, or the lens, or the reflector, or the entire assembly. Further, it must be noted that the rear light assemblies in scooter type motor vehicles are disposed just above rear tyre which is fairly close to a road on which the motor vehicle travels. It must be noted that roads, especially in developing countries, are still bumpy and uneven. Hence, the rear light assemblies are also exposed to minor cracks, dents, and faster wear due to such road conditions. These damages also require changing or repair of the taillamps, or the lens, or the reflector, or the entire rear light assembly.
[004] Given the frequency of occurrences of the aforementioned circumstances, it can be inferenced that the rear light assemblies require frequent servicing, repair and maintenance. This means that one must be able to easily access parts of the rear light assembly during such servicing. However, owing to construction of present rear light assemblies, it becomes difficult to access and thus service the various parts of the rear light assemblies. Due to the complex construction, replacement of a smallest part of the rear light assembly may require substantial tools and expertise. The problem of servicing the various parts aggravates more since the rear light assemblies also have a complex routing of wires around them. Furthermore, servicing/ replacement of even one of the parts of the rear light assembly requires removal of the entire assembly from the vehicle main frame which consumes a substantial amount of time.
[005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a rear light assembly which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] The present invention is directed to a rear light assembly for a motor vehicle. The rear light assembly has a housing having a central chamber; a first reflector disposed vertically inside the central chamber and a central light source disposed substantially parallel and anterior to the first reflector. The first reflector is configured to reflect light emitted from the central light source. In an embodiment of the invention, the first reflector has plurality of reflectors placed adjacent to each other.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the first reflector is disposed rearwardly of the central light source, in a vehicle rear front direction, the first reflector defines a rear wall of the central chamber.
[008] In yet another embodiment, the central chamber has a rear wall disposed rearwardly of the central light source, in a vehicle rear front direction, the rear wall configured to receive the first reflector.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly has a second reflector disposed horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the first reflector, the second reflector defines a bottom wall of the central chamber and configured to receive the central light source. In an embodiment, the second reflector has a through hole to receive the central light source. In another embodiment, the central chamber has a bottom wall substantially perpendicular to the first reflector and configured to receive the second reflector, the bottom wall and the second reflector configured to receive the central light source.
[010] In another embodiment, the second reflector and the bottom wall, each having emulated through holes to receive the central light source.
[011] In yet another embodiment, the through hole is made along an axis of symmetry of the second reflector or the bottom wall.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly has a holder received inside the through hole, the holder having a plurality of attachment pips along an outer periphery. In an embodiment, the through hole has a plurality of slots along an inner circumference, whereby the plurality of slots receives the plurality of attachment pips for a detachable mounting of the holder. In another embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly has an annular seal disposed inside the central chamber on the holder thereby sealingly mounting the holder inside the through hole.
[013] In yet another embodiment, the rear light assembly has a compartment disposed below the central chamber, the compartment having a front wall, a rear wall, two opposing side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, the compartment configured to receive a third light source to illuminate a number plate disposed below the rear light assembly. In an embodiment, the central chamber has a lip extending downward from an exterior surface of the bottom wall, the compartment mounted on the lip. In another, the lip has a mounting loop; and one of the walls of the compartment comprises a fixating hole, the mounting loop and the fixating hole receive a screw to detachably mount the compartment on the lip. In yet another embodiment, the fixating hole is disposed on an exterior surface of the front wall. In a further embodiment, either of the opposing side walls of the compartment comprises a through hole for receiving the third light source inside the compartment.
[014] In another embodiment of the invention, the central light source comprises a filament light bulb and the third light source comprises a filament light bulb.
[015] In a further embodiment, the rear wall of the compartment extends laterally to form at least one extended bracket, the extended bracket facilitates routing of wires therefrom.
[016] In an embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall is configured to emit light emanated from the third light source to illuminate the number plate.
[017] In a further embodiment, the housing has a first side chamber having a first light source; and a second side chamber having a second light source. In another embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly has a bezel; and one or more lenses attached to the housing defining an anterior wall of the rear light assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[018] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows right-side view of a motor vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of a rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a rear exploded view of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6a shows a perspective view of a compartment of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6b shows another perspective view of the compartment of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 shows a bottom perspective view of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 shows a side view of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the rear light assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[019] The present invention relates to a rear light assembly of a motor vehicle.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a right-side view of an exemplary motor vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle 100 has a main frame 10 having a head tube 12. Towards front side, the motor vehicle 10 has one or more front suspensions 14 connected to a front wheel 16 which is further connected to a handlebar assembly 18, which forms a steering assembly of the motor vehicle 100. The steering assembly has a pair of rearview mirrors 36a, 36b. The steering assembly is rotatably disposed about the head tube 12. The main frame 10 extends rearwardly downward from the head tube 12 and has a bent portion thereafter extending substantially in a longitudinal direction.
[021] The motor vehicle 10 further has an internal combustion (IC) engine 20. In the present embodiment, the IC engine 20 is swingably connected to the main frame 10. Towards rear side, the motor vehicle 10 has a rear wheel 22 connected to one or more rear suspensions 24. The motor vehicle 10 also has an exhaust system 26 extending rearwards from the IC engine 20. In addition, the vehicle 10 has a rear fender 28 covering at least a portion of the rear wheel 22 and is positioned upwardly of the rear wheel 22.
[022] Further, the motor vehicle 10 has a seat assembly 32 supported by the main frame 10. The seat assembly 32 is hingedly openable. The motor vehicle 10 has a floorboard 34 wherein a rider can operate the vehicle 100 in a seated position by resting feet on the floorboard 34. In addition, a utility box is disposed below the seat assembly 32 and is supported by the main frame 10. A fuel tank (not shown) is disposed adjacent to the utility box. Furthermore, the vehicle 100 comprises of plurality of electrical and electronic components including a headlight assembly 30, a rear light assembly 200, a transistor-controlled ignition (TCI) unit (not shown), an alternator (not shown), a starter motor (not shown). The motor vehicle 100 is thus made to stay in a riding ready position over a center stand 40.
[023] Referring now to Figure 2, the rear light assembly 200 of the present invention has a housing 210 having a central chamber 220. In an embodiment of the invention, and as seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the housing 210 has a first side chamber 230 and a second side chamber 240. In an embodiment, and as seen in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, a periphery of the housing 210 has plurality of laterally extending fixating hoops 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d. Referring now to Figure 3, the rear light assembly 200 has a secondary lens 800. Periphery of the secondary lens 800 also has plurality of corresponding fixating hoops. Thus, secondary lens 800 is received by and is detachably mounted on to the housing 210 by aligning the laterally extending fixating hoops 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d with the plurality of corresponding fixating hoops of the secondary lens 800 using various fixating means such as screws, nuts, bolts etc. Referring to Figure 8, the housing 210 has rearwardly extending fixating hoops 210e, 210f. The rearwardly extending fixating hoops 210e, 210f are used to mount the rear light assembly 200 to a rear portion of the motor vehicle 100 using fixating means such as screws, nuts, bolts, etc.
[024] Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 9 the housing 210 has a first reflector 300. The first reflector 300 is disposed vertically inside the central chamber 220. Similarly, in an embodiment of the invention, a first side reflector 310 is disposed vertically inside the first side chamber 230 and a second side reflector 320 is vertically disposed inside the second side chamber 240.
[025] In an embodiment of the invention, the first reflector 300 has a plurality of reflectors placed adjacent to each other. In another embodiment of the invention, referring to Figures 5 and 7, the first reflector 300 itself defines a rear wall of the central chamber 220. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the central chamber 220 has a rear wall (not shown). The rear wall is then configured to receive the first reflector 300.
[026] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 9, in an embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly 200 has a second reflector 330 disposed inside the central chamber 220. The second reflector 330 is horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the first reflector 300. In an embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the second reflector 330 is a plurality of reflectors placed adjacent to each other. In another embodiment of the invention, and referring to Figure 5, the second reflector 330 itself defines a bottom wall of the central chamber 220. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the central chamber 220 has a bottom wall (not shown). The bottom wall is then configured to receive the second reflector 330.
[027] In yet another embodiment, and as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 8, the rear light assembly 200 has a pair of opposing side reflectors 340a and 340b disposed inside the central chamber 220. In an embodiment, the opposing side reflectors 340a and 340b are a plurality of reflectors placed adjacent to each other. The opposing side reflectors 340a and 340b are substantially perpendicular to the first reflector 300 and the second reflector 330. In another embodiment of the invention, the opposing side reflectors 340a and 340b itself define opposing side walls of the central chamber 220. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the central chamber 220 has opposing side walls (not shown). Each of the opposing side walls is then configured to receive each of the opposing side reflector 340a and 340b.
[028] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9, the present invention further has a central light source 400. In an embodiment of the invention, the central light source 400 is disposed substantially parallel and anterior to the first reflector 300. The first reflector 300 thus being configured to reflect and emit light emanated from the central light source 400. Thus, as explained hereinabove, in an embodiment of the invention, the first reflector 300 is disposed rearwardly of the central light source 400 in a vehicle front rear direction. In yet another embodiment, the rear wall (not shown) of the central chamber 220 is disposed rearwardly of the central light source 400 in the vehicle front rear direction. As seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, in another embodiment of the invention, the first side chamber 230 has a first light source 410 disposed therein and the second side chamber 240 has a second light source 420 disposed therein. In an embodiment of the invention, the central light source 400, the first light source 410 and the second light source 420 are filament light bulbs.
[029] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, in order for the central light source 400 to be disposed substantially parallel and anterior to the first reflector 300, a hole 332 is made therethrough the second reflector 330 in the embodiment where the second reflector 330 defines the bottom wall of the central chamber 220. In another embodiment described hereinabove, where the second reflector 330 is received on the bottom wall of the central chamber 220, emulated holes are made therethrough the second reflector 330 and the bottom wall of the central chamber 220. In a further embodiment of the invention, the hole 332 is made along an axis of symmetry of the second reflector 330 or the bottom wall.
[030] As shown in Figure 5, the first light source 410 is received inside the central chamber 220 from the through hole 332. In order to affix the light source 400 inside the central chamber 220, in an embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly 100 has a holder 334. As seen in the Figure, the holder 334 receives the light source 400 whereby the light source 400 is detachably docked onto the holder 334. The holder 334 has a plurality of attachment pips 334a around its periphery. In the same embodiment, and as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the through hole 332 has corresponding plurality of slots 332a along an inner circumference. The plurality of slots 332a in the through hole 332 receive the plurality of attachment pips 334a on the holder 334 thereby detachably mounting the docked first light source 410 and the holder 334 inside the central chamber 220. In another embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly 100 has an annular seal 336. As seen in Figure 5, the annular seal 336 is disposed on the holder 334. More particularly, the annular seal 336 is disposed between the outer periphery of the holder 334 and an outer periphery 332b of the through hole 332. This facilitates an airtight mounting of the holder 334 inside the through hole 332.
[031] In an embodiment of the invention, the rear light assembly 200 has a compartment 500 disposed below the central chamber 220. The compartment 500, shown in Figures 6a and 6b, is positioned such that it is just above a number plate (not shown) and is configured to receive a third light source 600 (shown in Figure 9), such that illumination of the third light source 600 would emanate light in direction of the number plate and subsequently illuminate the number plate. In an embodiment of the invention, the compartment 500 has a front wall 510a, a rear wall 510b, two opposing side walls 510c and 510d, a top wall 510e and a bottom wall 510f.
[032] In an embodiment of the invention, one of the walls of the compartment 500 has a fixating hole 520. Referring to Figure 6b, the fixating hole 520 is disposed on the front wall 510a of the compartment 500. Further, as seen in Figures 2, 5, 8 and 9, the central chamber 220 has a lip 222 extending downward from an exterior surface of the bottom wall. The lip 222 and the fixating hole 520 of the compartment facilitate mounting of the compartment 500 to the central chamber 220. Accordingly, as seen in Figures 5 and 8, the lip 222 has a mounting loop 222a. Thus, as seen in Figure 8, in an embodiment, the mounting loop 222a and the fixating hole 520 are aligned to receive a fixating means 250 thereby detachably mounting the compartment 500 on the lip 222. In an embodiment, the fixating means 250 are selected from screws, nuts, bolts etc.
[033] In an embodiment of the invention, either of the side walls 510c, 510d of the compartment 500 have a through hole for receiving the third light source 600 inside the compartment 500. As seen in Figure 6b, the side wall 510d has a through hole (not shown) which receives the third light source 600. In an embodiment of the invention, the third light source 600 is a filament light bulb.
[034] In an embodiment of the invention, the rear wall 510b of the compartment 500 extends laterally to form at least one extended bracket 512. Referring now to the embodiment depicted in Figures 6a, 6b and 7, the rear wall 510b of the compartment 500 laterally extends to form a first extended bracket 512a and a second extended bracket 512b. Further, the first extended bracket 512a forks into a first hook 512a’. Similarly, the second extended bracket 512b forks into a second hook 512b’. Thus, wires 260 coming to and from the compartment 500 are routed through respective gaps created between the first extended bracket 512a and the first hook 512a’, and the second extended bracket 512b and a second hook 512b’.
[035] Referring to figure 9, the bottom wall 510f of the compartment 500 is configured to emit light emanated from the third light source (600) to illuminate the number plate. Accordingly, the bottom wall 510f is either made of a transparent colourless material or a transparent coloured material.
[036] Referring now to Figure 3, the rear light assembly 200 has a bezel 650. The bezel 650 is affixed on the housing and receives a primary lens 700. The primary lens 700 is either made of a transparent colourless material or a transparent coloured material. Further, as explained hereinabove, the secondary lens 800 is received by and is detachably mounted on to the housing 210 by aligning the laterally extending fixating hoops 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d with the corresponding fixating hoops of the secondary lens 800 using various fixating means such as screws, nuts, bolts etc. Thus, the housing 210, the bezel 650, the primary lens 700 and the secondary lens 800 are usually packaged in an airtight manner such that ingress of water, dirt, air, etc. inside the housing is prohibited. The secondary lens 800 thereby defining an anterior wall of the rear light assembly 200.
[037] Advantageously, due to the central light source being disposed substantially parallel and anterior to the first reflector, accessing the central light source becomes easy. Further, in events where only the light source is required to be replaced, the entire rear lamp assembly need not be removed from the motor vehicle. This saves considerable amount of time while servicing the rear light assembly. Further, the rear light assembly of the present invention also includes a compartment configured to illuminate a number plate. This eliminates the need of having a separate unit for illuminating the number plate. The present invention thus offers maximum serviceability by using minimum parts. Further, the rear light assembly of the present invention offers a retrospective fitting, and thus can be fitted on conventional motor vehicles.
[038] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.