Door mounted courtesy light fixture and assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides novel courtesy light fixture and door assemblies which together overcome many of the problems of prior art courtesy light fixture arrangements.
A feature of the invention is provision of a housing including a base that is snap attached to a support member of an associated door module or panel.
The housing further includes a tubular connecting portion extending laterally from the base to a header wall formed on an inner end of the tubular connecting portion.
A lamp receptacle including a lamp socket and associated conductors is centrally mounted on the header wall for receiving an electric lamp or lightbulb of any suitable type.
A rubber seal is mounted around the lamp receptacle to enclose and protect the lamp and socket against entry of contaminants and water.
Electrical conductors lead to a connector for connecting the lamp receptacle with electrical wiring provided on the associated door module at the time of installation of the light fixture housing onto the door module.
Thus, all electrical portions of the assembly are completed upon buildup of the door module prior to installation of a trim panel on the door.
An associated interior trim panel for mounting on the inner side of the door may be provided with a lens housing mounted on or integrally formed in the trim panel and having a recessed portion with an outer wall that engages the rubber seal of the light fixture housing upon installation of the trim panel to the vehicle door.
A lens assembly is removably secured to the lens housing in the trim panel by any suitable means, for example, by a tab at one end of an extended decorative body engaging a slot for retaining one end of the lens assembly which is then pivoted into position and retained by a snap fastener captured by the lens body to avoid loss.
The lens assembly includes a central light transmitting lens portion with a light guide extending from the central portion to an inner flange which also engages the seal of the light fixture housing upon installation of the trim panel to the door