US Patent 6848818 Vehicle handle assembly with cup lighting

A handle assembly for a vehicle comprises a base portion adapted to mount to a vehicle and the base portion has a recessed portion that defines a finger cup area. The handle portion is movably mounted to the base portion and the handle portion is adapted for connecting a vehicle latching mechanism. A light assembly is incorporated into either the handle portion or the base portion for lighting the cup area when the light assembly is actuated. The light assembly conduits light from a light source and projects light in a light pattern whereby at least a portion of the cup area is illuminated with the light.