US Patent 9873446 Steering grip light bar systems

Various implementations include a light bar system for a steering wheel of a vehicle that includes a high intensity light source, a light diffusing layer, and an outer lens. For example, in certain implementations, the light diffusing layer is disposed between a plurality of high intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an outer lens, and the light diffusing layer causes the light from the LEDs to appear as a continuous stream of light across a length of the lens and provides sufficiently bright lighting to warn or communicate with the driver in various ambient lighting conditions. In certain implementations, the outer lens is colored to blend in with the rest of the steering wheel when the LEDs are not activated.