U.S. patent application number 10/707619 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for snow removal vehicles with colored el lighting.
Invention is credited to Golle, Aaron, Golle, John.
Application Number | 20040090789 10/707619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300605 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040090789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golle, Aaron ; et
al. |
May 13, 2004 |
Snow removal vehicles with colored EL lighting
Abstract
A safety sign and methods are shown with advantages such as
being more visible in poor conditions such as snow, dust, fog, low
light, etc. Safety signs as shown can be seen from farther away
than conventional signs. Safety signs as shown eliminate problems
associated with point source lighting.
Inventors: |
Golle, Aaron; (Shakopee,
MN) ; Golle, John; (Eden Praire, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG, WOESSNER & KLUTH, P.A.
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
46300605 |
Appl. No.: |
10/707619 |
Filed: |
December 24, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10707619 |
Dec 24, 2003 |
|
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|
10645873 |
Aug 21, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/487 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q 1/50 20130101; A41D
13/01 20130101; B60Q 1/503 20130101; G09F 13/22 20130101; G09F
19/22 20130101; B60Q 2400/10 20130101; B60Q 1/30 20130101; B60Q
1/0035 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/487 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 001/00 |
Claims
1. A snowplow, comprising: a cab; a trailer; a scraper; and EL
lighting wherein the EL lighting is attached to the cab.
2. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting is attached to
one or more doors on the cab.
3. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting is attached to a
front portion of the cab.
4. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting is attached to
an upper portion of the cab.
5. The snowplow of claim 1, further comprising one or more mudflaps
attached to one or more of the cab and trailer.
6. The snowplow of claim 5 wherein the EL lighting is on one or
more mudflaps.
7. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting emits a blinking
display.
8. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting includes
indicia.
9. The snowplow of claim 8 wherein the indicia imparts a message
conveying safety or caution.
10. The snowplow of claim 1 wherein the EL lighting includes more
than one color.
11. The snowplow of claim 10 wherein the EL lighting color is
orange or yellow.
12. A method for improving driver safety in a snowplow, comprising:
obtaining a snowplow that includes safety indicia illuminated by
one or more EL lighting surfaces; and driving the snowplow under
conditions that include darkness, storms, fog, and other conditions
of adverse visibility.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by
one or more EL lighting surfaces includes a surface on a mud flap
attached to the snowplow.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by
one or more EL lighting surfaces includes a surface on a cab of the
snowplow.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by
one or more EL lighting surfaces includes a surface on the rear of
the snowplow.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by
one or more EL lighting surfaces includes a surface on one or more
rear view mirrors of the snowplow.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the safety indicia illuminated by
one or more EL lighting surfaces includes a surface on the top of
the snowplow.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the snowplow is driven adjacent
to another snowplow that also includes the safety indicia
illuminated by one or more EL lighting surfaces.
19. The method of claim 7 wherein the snowplows are driven in a
snowstorm.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more of the EL lighting
surfaces blink.
21. The method of claim 7 wherein one or more of the EL lighting
surfaces of one or more of the snowplows blinks.
22. A method for making a snowplow, comprising: obtaining a
snowplow and attaching to the snowplow one or more El lighting
devices, the EL lighting devices effective for signaling a safety
signal to other drivers on a highway.
23. The method of claim 20 wherein the safety signal is a
color.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein the EL lighting device is
attached to the front of the snowplow.
25. The method of claim 20, wherein the EL lighting device is
attached to the rear of the snowplow.
26. The method of claim 20 wherein at least one EL lighting device
is attached to at least one mud guard attached to the snowplow.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to highway vehicles, particularly,
snowplows with EL signs and methods for improving snowplow safety
using EL signs.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] This invention relates to a safety device for transporting
oversized loads and to a method for transporting oversized
loads.
[0003] There are many hazardous activities that can be made safer
by warning people using safety signs. Specific examples include,
but are not limited to, signs on snow plows to warn traffic as they
approach from behind, slow moving vehicle signs such as are
commonly attached to farm vehicles, oversized load signs on the
back of highway transportation vehicles, road construction signs,
etc.
[0004] Necessarily, for a safety sign to be effective, it must be
seen by the person to be warned. In certain road safety situations,
as listed above, an approaching vehicle's headlights can illuminate
the safety signs. However, headlights are not always adequate to
provide the necessary warning. Further, there are other
applications of safety signs not involving vehicles with
headlights, where the person to be warned requires increased
visibility of safety signs in poor visibility conditions, from
large distances, at night, etc.
[0005] Existing configurations of signs that are self lit, such as
by incandescent bulbs, have a number of disadvantages. They require
large amounts of power to operate. They produce large amounts of
unwanted heat. In an application involving snow, in particular,
heat can be detrimental by melting snow to water, which may cause
electrical failure and/or icing problems. When existing
configurations fail, they fail catastrophically. For example, if a
rock from a road hits an incandescent bulb, the bulb breaks and
fails completely. Also, when an incandescent bulb burns out, it
goes from on to off without any warning, or in between
condition.
[0006] Existing light configurations also suffer from negative
effects of point source lighting. Point sources, such as
incandescent bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs) provide an
intense source of light from a single point. Point sources can
cause night blindness after a viewer looks away from the point
source light. Also, point source lights appear to flicker and move
around when viewed. This is due to their single source beams being
distorted by elements such as dust particles, snow flakes, or other
elements of the atmosphere between the point source and the viewer.
Point source lights also have a limited viewable distance, or
penetration through snow, fog, etc. due to similar scattering and
distortion of the single source beam.
[0007] What is needed is an improved safety sign with high
visibility in difficult conditions such as in snow, fog, dust, at
night, etc. What is also needed is an improved safety sign without
the disadvantages of point source lighting.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a cross section diagram of a safety sign
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a safety sign according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of a safety sign according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a safety sign according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a safety sign according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a safety sign according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a method for
plowing a road.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a method for
transporting an oversized load.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows a print for an embodiment of a safety sign
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows specifications for an embodiment of a safety
sign according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of snow plows of the
invention that includes the EL safety lighting.
[0019] FIG. 12 shows a rear perspective view of a wide truck of the
invention that includes the EL safety lighting.
[0020] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a road construction
vehicle of the invention that includes the EL safety lighting.
[0021] FIG. 14 shows a highway with two adjacent motor vehicles,
each containing EL lighting of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 15 shows a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle of
the invention with a long trailer, that includes the EL
lighting.
[0023] FIG. 16A shows a top plan view of one mudflap embodiment of
the invention that includes EL lighting.
[0024] FIG. 16B shows a top plan view of another mudflap embodiment
of the invention that includes EL lighting.
[0025] FIG. 17 shows a rear perspective view of one motor vehicle
embodiment of the invention that includes EL safety lighting.
[0026] FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of another motor vehicle
embodiment of the invention that includes EL safety lighting.
[0027] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of another motor vehicle
embodiment of the invention that includes safety lighting.
DISCLOSURE
[0028] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is
shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe
substantially similar components throughout the several views.
These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other
embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, electrical
changes, etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a safety sign 100 utilizing electro luminescent
(EL) technology. A conducting base 110 is shown with a dielectric
layer 120 coupled to the conducting base 110. The base is for some
embodiments rigid and for other embodiments flexible. This feature
enables the sign to be positioned on rigid or flexible surfaces. A
number of encapsulated phosphor portions 130 are shown coupled to
the dielectric layer 120. In one embodiment, the number of
encapsulated phosphor portions 130 are microencapsulated. A second
conducting portion 140 is shown coupled over the number of
encapsulated phosphor portions 130. In one embodiment, the second
conducting portion 140 includes a transparent conductor material.
In one embodiment, an encapsulating layer 150 is included over the
second conducting portion 140. In one embodiment, the encapsulating
layer 150 is included to provide moisture or weather resistance. A
pattern layer 160 is further shown coupled over the encapsulating
layer 150. In one embodiment, the pattern layer 160 defines a
message or symbol that indicates safety or caution.
[0030] One of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the
present specification will recognize that alternative designs of an
EL lighting device are possible. FIG. 1 is intended to illustrate
one possible embodiment of an EL lighting configuration in a safety
sign. One good example of EL lighting can be obtained from the
Durel Corporation of Chandler, AZ.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 200. The safety
sign 200 includes an EL lighting surface 210, and a power source
212 coupled to the EL lighting surface 210. In one embodiment, the
power source 212 includes an AC power source. In one embodiment,
the power source 212 includes a DC power source coupled to an AC
converter. In one embodiment, the power source is supplied by a
power hook up on a vehicle. A layer 220 is also included, with a
pattern 222 located on the layer 220. In FIG. 2, the layer 220
includes a transparent layer. The pattern 222 in FIG. 2 is
substantially opaque. Embodiments of patterns 222 include, but are
not limited to, text, numbers, symbols, shapes, etc. The safety
sign 200 operates by transmitting light from the EL lighting
surface 210 through portions of the layer 220 that are not obscured
by the pattern 222. As used herein, the term "vehicle" refers to
two-wheeled, three-wheeled and four-wheeled automobiles, as shown
at 1400 in FIG. 14, 1700 in FIG. 17, trucks as shown at 1200 in
FIG. 12, 1410 in FIG. 14, semi's, as shown at 1500 in FIG. 15, fire
engines, trains, rail cars, snowplows as shown at 1100 in FIG. 11,
bicycles, police cars, buses as shown at 1800 in FIG. 18,
ambulances, RV's as shown at 1900 in FIG. 19, road construction
vehicles as shown at 1300 in FIG. 13 and any other vehicle having
safety needs.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 300. The safety
sign 300 includes an EL lighting surface 310, and a power source
312 coupled to the EL lighting surface 210. Power source 312
includes, but is not limited to embodiments of power sources
described above. A layer 320 is also included, with a pattern 322
located on the layer 320. In FIG. 3, the layer 320 includes a
substantially opaque layer. The pattern 322 in FIG. 3 is
substantially transparent. In one embodiment, the pattern 322 is
cut out from the layer 320. Pattern 322 includes, but is not
limited to embodiments of patterns described above. The safety sign
300 operates by transmitting light from the EL lighting surface 310
through the substantially transparent pattern 322.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 400. The safety
sign 400 includes an EL lighting surface 410, and a power source
412 coupled to the EL lighting surface 410. Power source 412
includes, but is not limited to embodiments of power sources
described above. In one embodiment, the EL lighting surface 410 is
shaped into a pattern. The pattern includes, but is not limited to
embodiments of patterns described above. The. safety sign 400
operates by transmitting light from the EL lighting surface 410
directly in a pattern that conveys a message of safety. A text
pattern may, for example, convey a warning, such as is shown at
1510 in FIG. 15. A triangle or other geometric shape may indicate a
slow moving vehicle, as is shown at 1110 in FIG. 11.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a safety sign 500. The safety
sign 500 includes an EL lighting surface 510, and a power source
512 coupled to the EL lighting surface 510. Power source 512
includes, but is not limited to embodiments of power sources
described above. A layer 520 is also included, with a pattern 522
located on the layer 520. In FIG. 5, the layer 520 includes a
transparent layer. The pattern 522 in FIG. 2 is substantially
opaque. Alternatively, the layer 520 in FIG. 5 may include a
substantially opaque layer with a pattern 522 that is substantially
transparent. A layer 530 is further included in the safety sign
500. The layer 530 includes properties that alter a color of the EL
lighting surface 510.
[0035] Selected embodiments of safety signs as described in this
document include colored EL material. Both an illuminated color and
a non-illuminated color may be selected. Possible colors include
yellow, white, blue-green, etc. A color can be chosen in the
non-illuminated condition that is suited for daytime, while a
different color can be chosen for the illuminated condition to
optimize both day and night. The addition in safety sign 500 of a
layer 530 further broadens color options. In one embodiment, the
layer 530 is tinted to alter the color of the EL lighting surface.
In one embodiment, an EL lighting surface is included that is white
in a non-illuminated condition, and blue-green in an illuminated
condition. In one embodiment, a yellow tinted layer 530 is further
included. This provides a yellow appearance in the day, with a
light green appearance at night. In one embodiment, the light green
complies with government regulations for color. In another
embodiment, an EL lighting surface is included that is yellow in a
non-illuminated condition, and yellow in an illuminated condition.
In one embodiment, a yellow tinted layer 530 is further included.
This provides a yellow appearance in the day, and a yellow
appearance at night.
[0036] In one embodiment, the pattern 522 is cut out from the layer
520. Pattern 522 includes, but is not limited to embodiments of
patterns described above. The safety sign 500 operates by
transmitting light from the EL lighting surface 510 through the
layer 530 and through substantially transparent portions of the
layer 520.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a safety sign 600. The safety
sign 600 includes an EL lighting surface 610. In one embodiment the
shape of the safety sign 600 is dictated by a government standard.
In FIG. 6, the EL lighting surface 610 of the safety sign 600 is
substantially rectangular in shape. In FIG. 6, a width 612 of the
EL lighting surface 610 is approximately 72 inches. In FIG. 6, a
height 614 of the EL lighting surface 610 is approximately 8.5
inches. A pattern 616 is included on the safety sing 600 similar to
embodiments described above. In one embodiment the pattern includes
a text message that states "Stay Back - Stay Alive." In one
embodiment the pattern includes a text message that states
"Oversized Load, as shown at 1210 in FIG. 12." Any number of safety
messages are possible within the scope of the invention. In
addition to text, as described above, shapes or symbols are also
possible to convey a message of safety. For example, a triangle may
be used to indicate a slow moving vehicle, as shown at 1310 in FIG.
13.
[0038] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a method utilizing safety
signs as described in embodiments above. A road 710 is shown with a
number of lanes 712. A number of vehicles 720 are shown on the road
in a formation. In one embodiment, the vehicles 720 include snow
plows. Other embodiments of vehicles include, but are not limited
to, road graders, dump trucks, various construction equipment, road
transportation vehicles, flat bed trucks, and so forth. The
vehicles 720 as shown in FIG. 7 are snow plows, each vehicle 720
including a plow 722. In one embodiment, a safety sign 724 as
described in embodiments above is affixed to at least one vehicle
720. In one embodiment, the vehicles 720 guide off each other in
alignment using the safety signs 724. In one embodiment, the safety
signs 724 are affixed to the rear of the vehicles 720. In one
embodiment, the safety signs 724 are affixed to the front of the
vehicles 720. One of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit
of the present specification will appreciate that several possible
formations of vehicles are possible within the scope of the
invention.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a method utilizing safety
signs as described in embodiments above. A road 810 is shown with a
number of lanes 812. A transportation vehicle 820 such as a flat
bed truck is shown with a payload portion 822 and a cab portion
824. A load 830 is shown as an oversized load with a width 832 that
affects more than one lane 812. A safety sign 840 according to
embodiments described above is shown attached to a rear portion of
the transportation vehicle 820. In one embodiment, an additional
safety sign 842 according to embodiments described above is shown
attached to a front portion of the transportation vehicle 820.
[0040] For some embodiments, vehicles include more than one safety
sign using EL lighting. The signs are positionable on the front and
rear and side portions of a vehicle, as shown in one example, at
1500 in FIG. 15. The vehicle 1500 includes a cab 1512 and a trailer
1514 capable of carrying hazardous cargo. The cab includes EL
warning signals 1516. The power source is not shown, but as
described above is a component of the EL lighting. The trailer 1514
includes the "DANGER" sign, and a "LONG LOAD" sign. The trailer
1514 also includes EL strips 1520 and 1522. The vehicle 1500 also
includes mudflaps 1524 and each include an EL lighting safety sign
1526. The EL lighting for motor vehicle 1500 is for some
embodiments, multicolored. For other embodiments the lighting is
static and blicking or all static or all blinking. While these
lighting features are described for motor vehicle 1500, it is
understood that the features are usable for all motor vehicle
embodiments.
[0041] In one embodiment, safety signs and other indicia
illuminated by EL lighting are positionable on mud flaps, such as
is shown at 1524 and 1526 in FIG. 15. Mud flaps, as used herein,
are a component of a vehicle. Two types of mud flap embodiments are
shown at 1602A and 1602B and 1604A and 1604B in FIGS. 16A and 16B.
The mudflaps 1602A and 1602B are for left and right handed sides of
a vehicle. Each of the pair of mudflaps 1602A and 1602B and 1604A
and 1604B includes an EL safety sign 1610. The power source of the
sign 1610 is attached to the sign as described above.
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a print of a safety sign according to one
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 shows operational
specifications according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0043] A method of improving safety of snow plows and motor
vehicles in hazardous visibility conditions, such as a snowstorm is
shown in FIG.11. The snowplows 1100 include EL lighting 1102 on the
cabs, 1104 on the mudflaps and 1106 on the trailer. The snowplows
also include EL lighting on the real of the trailer and,
optionally, on mudflaps in the rear of the trailer, which are not
shown.
[0044] In one other embodiment, EL safety signs are used to mark
and illuminate structures such as bridges, and on and off ramps.
The signs are positioned on structures such as guard rails, and,
for some embodiments, the road itself.
[0045] Safety signs as described above all utilize EL technology.
EL technology provides a number of advantages to safety signs as
described above. The safety signs described using EL technology use
lower power than conventional lighting technology. The safety signs
described using EL technology produce very low heat compared to
conventional lighting technology. This can be especially
advantageous in snow applications as discussed above in the
background. The safety signs described using EL technology are more
robust than conventional lighting technology, and not prone to
catastrophic failure. Due to numerous encapsulated phosphor
portions, it is difficult to damage all encapsulated phosphor
portions during an event such as a rock hitting a sign. Further, EL
lighting does not burn out catastrophically as incandescent light
bulbs do.
[0046] Further, because EL lighting generates light from
encapsulated portions along a large area (such as 72 inches by 8.5
inches) the light provided by the EL lighting is not a point
source, but is an area source. This reduces or eliminates night
blinding, and flicker produced by point sources such as
incandescent lights, and LEDs. Further, the area source of EL
lighting can be seen from farther away, and through difficult
conditions such as snow, dust, fog, etc. This is due to EL lighting
providing numerous sources (an area of sources) of light to
compensate for scattering and dispersement of light from any one
individual source in the EL surface.
[0047] For the reasons above, safety signs as described above are
more visible in poor conditions such as snow, dust, fog, low light,
etc. Safety signs as described above can be seen from farther away
than conventional signs. Safety signs as described above eliminate
problems associated with point source lighting.
[0048] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the
same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown.
This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations
of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above
description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.
Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments will
be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above
description. The scope of the invention includes any other
applications in which the above structures and fabrication methods
are used. The scope of the invention should be determined with
reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of
equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
* * * * *