U.S. patent number RE36,790 [Application Number 07/973,215] was granted by the patent office on 2000-07-25 for multicolor emergency vehicle light.
Invention is credited to Danny C. Jincks, Michael D. Latta.
United States Patent |
RE36,790 |
Jincks , et al. |
July 25, 2000 |
Multicolor emergency vehicle light
Abstract
A base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle supports a light
source for generating a rotating light beam. A dome-shaped lens is
positioned on the base over the light source to form an enclosure
for the light source. A coating may be located on the top of the
lens to prevent light passing therethrough and into the passenger
compartment. Multiple flashes are created by a reflector positioned
adjacent the rear portion of the lens to reflect the rotating beam
as a plurality of discrete flashes within a sector relative to the
base. A filter generally having a contour of the front portion of
the lens may be mounted thereon. The multiple flashes may be of
different colors depending on the range of wavelength of light
transmitted by the lens and filter and reflected by the reflector.
A person viewing the light sees at least four discrete flashes of
light which may be of varying colors.
Inventors: |
Jincks; Danny C. (St. Louis,
MO), Latta; Michael D. (St. Louis, MO) |
Family
ID: |
26921122 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/973,215 |
Filed: |
November 9, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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808185 |
Dec 13, 1991 |
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Reissue of: |
227065 |
Aug 1, 1988 |
04931768 |
Jun 5, 1990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/473;
246/473.3; 340/468; 340/469; 340/472; 359/515; 359/527; 359/528;
359/530; 359/548; 362/293; 362/294; 362/523 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q
1/2611 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60Q
1/26 (20060101); B60Q 007/00 (); G02B 005/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/471-473,982,815.26,955,956,468,469
;362/80,83.1,83.2,83.3,235,294,293 ;246/473R,473.3
;359/515,520,527,528,530,546,548,820 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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60-130507 |
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Jan 1985 |
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JP |
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60-51809 |
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Jan 1985 |
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JP |
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6-107504 |
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Jan 1985 |
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JP |
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1 9282 |
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Jan 1989 |
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JP |
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1-140703 |
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Jan 1989 |
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JP |
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Other References
Brochure for Dash Light Product No. 660, manufactured by Public
Safety Equipment Corporation, dated Jul. 15, 1987. .
Brochure for Able No. 2 Products Company Model 325 Emergency Light,
Aug. 1, 1987. .
Engineered Security Products Catalog, Models CH-21 and CH-19 Aug.
1988. .
Warning Lights Catalog, Sireno and Mity Lite Models, Mar. 1989.
.
Signal-Stat Catalog, All Models, pp. 7 and 9, Mar. 1989. .
Mars Catalog, Skybolt and Skybar Models, Mar. 1989. .
Smith & Wesson Catalog, Models L-11H and 610, p. 7.3, 1989.
.
Sho-Me Catalog, Models 01-169 and 01-166, 2 pp. Mar. 1989. .
1987 Whelen Engineering Co., Catalog. All Models, pp. 4 and 5,
10-12, Mar. 1989. .
Dietz Catalog, All Models, p. 4, Mar. 1989. .
Federal Signal Catalog; All Fire Ball Models pp. 24, 25, 27 Tripp
Lite Catalog, All Models, p. 3, Mar. 1989. .
Sothern VP Catalog, Models 1166, 1168, 2266, 1170, 200-C, PM 25,
1175, BAG, 872, and 875, 5 pages, Mar. 1989..
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Primary Examiner: Crosland; Donnie L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Senniger, Powers, Leavitt &
Roedel
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/808,185 filed on
Dec. 13, 1991 now abandoned, which is a Reissue of Ser. No.
07/227,065, filed Aug. 1, 1988 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,768.
Claims
What is claimed is: .[.
1. An emergency vehicle light comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on an emergency vehicle;
lamp means on the base for emitting a beam of light;
reflector means external to and projecting laterally beyond the
base having at least three reflector segments arranged generally
along a parabolic curve having a focal point coaxial with said lamp
means, each reflector segment being adapted to reflect the beam of
light emitted by said lamp means for observance by an observer
remote from said vehicle; and
means for effecting relative movement between said beam and said
three reflector segments whereby said beam of light emitted by said
lamp means is adapted repetitively to traverse said reflector
segments in sequence whereby said observer is adapted to observe at
least three discrete flashes of light in a repetitive sequence
after each traverse of said reflective segments by said beam with
each flash corresponding to a reflection of said beam off a
respective reflector segment..]..[.2. The light of claim 1 wherein
said reflector segments comprise a plurality of flat reflectors
arranged generally side-by-side along said curve..]..[.3. The light
of claim 1 wherein said means for effecting relative movement is
operable to move said lamp means relative to said reflector
means..]..[.4. The light of claim 3 wherein said means for
effecting relative movement is operable to rotate said lamp means
about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of said beam as
reflected by said reflector means..]..[.5. The light of claim 1
wherein said reflector segments are adapted to reflect the beam of
light emitted from said lamp means as reflected light beams of one
or more colors different from the color of the light beam
emitted by said lamp means..].6. .[.The light of claim 1 further
comprising.]. .Iadd.An emergency .Iaddend.vehicle light
comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on an emergency vehicle;
lamp means on the base for emitting a beam of light;
reflector means external to and projecting laterally beyond the
base having at least three reflector segments arranged generally
along a parabolic curve having a focal point coaxial with said lamp
means, each reflector segment being adapted to reflect the beam of
light emitted by said lamp means for observance by an observer
remote from said vehicle;
means for effecting relative movement between said beam and said
three reflector segments whereby said beam of light emitted by said
lamp means is adapted repetitively to traverse said reflector
segments in sequence whereby said observer is adapted to observe at
least three discrete flashes of light in a repetitive sequence
after each traverse of said reflective segments by said beam with
each flash corresponding to a reflection of said beam off a
respective reflector segment; and
a lens on the base for enclosing said lamp means, said lens having
a front portion and a rear portion, and filter means releasably
mounted on said front portion of the lens for filtering the light
beam emitted by said
lamp means. 7. The light of claim 6 further comprising lens means
on the base for enclosing the lamp means, said lens means having a
front portion
and an opposing rear portion and means, positioned on the front
portion of the lens means, for blocking the light beam passing
through the front portion, said means for blocking interchangeable
with said filter means. .[.8. The light of claim 2 further
comprising lens means on the base for enclosing the lamp means,
said lens means having a front portion and an opposing rear portion
and means, releasably mounted on the front portion of the lens
means, for blocking the light beam passing through the front
portion..]..[.9. An emergency vehicle light as set forth in claim 8
wherein said means for blocking comprises an opaque cover..]..[.10.
An emergency vehicle light as set forth in claim 9 further
comprising means for spacing the opaque cover away from said lens
means to create in air gap therebetween for dissipating heat
absorbed by said lens means and/or said opaque cover..]..[.11. An
emergency vehicle light as set forth in claim 10 further comprising
means for mounting said opaque cover on the front portion of the
lens means, and wherein said means for spacing comprising lateral
members positioned between the inner surface of the opaque cover
and the outer surface of the lens means to separate the opaque
cover and the front portion of the lens means when the opaque cover
covers the front portion of the lens means whereby overheating of
the lens means caused by the opaque cover is minimized..]..[.12. An
emergency vehicle light comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle;
a light source on the base adapted to emit a beam of light;
means for rotating the light beam relative to the base about an
axis;
lens means on the base enclosing the light source, said lens means
being adapted to transmit light within a first wavelength range;
and
reflector means positioned external to and releasably mounted on
the lens means for reflecting light from the light source, the
reflected light being within a second wavelength range different
from said first wavelength range whereby, on rotation of the light
beam, a person viewing the emergency vehicle light is adapted to
see discrete flashes of light of
different colors..].13. .[.The light of claim 12.]. .Iadd.An
emergency vehicle light .Iaddend.comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle;
a light source on the base adapted to emit a beam of light;
means for rotating the light beam relative to the base about an
axis;
lens means on the base enclosing the light source, said lens means
being adapted to transmit light within a first wavelength range;
and
reflector means positioned external to and releasably mounted on
the lens means for reflecting light from the light source, the
reflected light being within a second wavelength range different
from said first wavelength range whereby, on rotation of the light
beam, a person viewing the emergency vehicle light is adapted to
see discrete flashes of light of .Iadd.different colors
.Iaddend.wherein said lens means has a front portion and an
opposing rear portion, the reflector means is positioned adjacent
the rear portion, and further comprising filter means for filtering
the light beam releasably mounted on the front portion of the
lens means. 14. The light of claim 13 wherein said filter means
transmits light within a third wavelength range different from the
first and second ranges. .[.15. The light of claim 12 further
comprising means, releasably mounted on the front portion of the
lens, for blocking the light beam passing through the front
portion..]..[.16. An emergency vehicle light comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on an emergency vehicle;
lamp means on the base for emitting a beam of light;
lens means on the base for enclosing said lamp means;
reflector means, adjacent to and projecting laterally beyond said
lens means, having at least one curved reflector segment being
adapted to reflect the beam of light emitted by said lamp means for
observance by an observer remote from said vehicle; and
means for effecting relative movement between said beam and said
reflector means whereby sad beam of light emitted by said lamp
means is adapted repetitively to sequentially traverse said
reflector segments whereby said observer is adapted to observe
discrete flashes of light in a repetitive sequence with each flash
corresponding to a reflection of said beam off the reflector
means..]..[.17. The light of claim 16 wherein said means for
effecting relative movement is operable to move said lamp means
relative to said reflector means..]..[.18. The light of claim 17
wherein said means for effecting relative movement is operable to
rotate said lamp means about an axis generally perpendicular to the
plane of said beam as reflected by said reflector means..]..[.19.
The light of claim 16 wherein said reflector segments are adapted
to reflect the beam of light emitted from said lamp means as
reflected light beams of one or more colors different from the
color of the light beam emitted by said lamp
means..]. . .[.The light of claim 16.]. .Iadd.An emergency vehicle
light .Iaddend.comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on an emergency vehicle;
lamp means on the base for emitting a beam of light;
lens means on the base for enclosing said lamp means;
reflector means, adjacent to and projecting laterally beyond said
lens means, having at least one curved reflector segment being
adapted to reflect the beam of light emitted by said lamp means for
observance by an observer remote from said vehicle; and
means for effecting relative movement between said beam and said
reflector means whereby said beam of light emitted by said lamp
means is adapted repetitively to sequentially traverse said
reflector segments whereby said observer is adapted to observe
discrete flashes of light in a repetitive sequence with each flash
corresponding to a reflection of said .Iadd.beam off the reflector
means .Iaddend.wherein said lens means has a front portion and a
rear portion, and further comprising filter means releasably
mounted on said front portion of the lens means for filtering the
light
beam emitted by said lamp means. 21. The light of claim 20 further
comprising means for releasably mounting the reflector means to the
lens
means. 22. The light of claim 21 wherein said means for releasably
mounting the reflector means to the lens means comprises a channel
on the
reflector means adapted to releasably engage the lens means. 23.
The light of claim 22 wherein said channel comprises a web having
detents thereon
and said lens means includes recesses for receiving the detents.
24. The light of claim 20 further comprising a filter generally
having a contour of the front portion of the lens means and means
.Iadd.for .Iaddend.releasably .[.for.]. mounting the filter on the
front portion of the lens means. .[.25. An emergency vehicle light
comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle;
a light source on the base adapted to emit a beam of light;
means for rotating the light beam relative to the base about an
axis;
connecting means including a wire for connecting the light source
to a power supply located outside said enclosure;
a dome-shaped lens adapted to be positioned on the base over the
light source to form, in conjunction with the base, an enclosure
for the light source, said lens having a top wall and a side wall
with a bottom edge projecting below the base; and
strain relief means for securing said wire against strain adjacent
the location where the wire exits said enclosure, said strain
relief means comprising a notch extending upwardly from said bottom
edge for receiving said wire therethrough, said notch being so
sized and configured that the lens is adapted to press the wire
against the base when the lens is mounted on the base..]..[.26. The
light of claim 25 wherein said strain relief mean further comprises
at least one tooth extending into the notch for engaging the wire
and holding it in fixed position relative to the
lens and base when the lens is mounted on the base..].27. An
emergency vehicle light comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle;
a light source on the base adapted to emit a beam of light;
lens means on the base for enclosing the light source, said lens
means having a front portion and a rear portion;
.Iadd.light transmissive .Iaddend.filter means external to and
releasably mounted on the front portion of the lens means for
filtering the light
beam as it passes through the front portion of the lens means. 28.
The light of claim 27 wherein said lens means comprises a
dome-shaped lens adapted to transmit light within a first
wavelength range and said filter means transmits light within a
second wavelength range different from the
first range. 29. The light of claim 27 further comprising means for
releasably mounting said filter means on the front portion of the
lens means, said means for releasably mounting comprising lateral
members positioned between the inner surface of the filter means
and the outer surface of said lens means to separate the filter
means and the front portion of the lens means when the filter means
covers the front portion of the lens means whereby overheating of
the lens means caused by the
filter means is minimized. 30. The light of claim 29 wherein the
members
comprise projections on the inner surface of the filter means. 31.
The light of claim 27 wherein said filter means include a channel
adapted to
releasably engage the lens means. 32. The light of claim 31 wherein
said channel comprises a web having detents thereon and said lens
means
includes recesses for receiving the detents. 33. The light of claim
27 wherein the filter means includes a section adapted to be
removed from the filter means to decrease the area of the lens
means covered by the filter
means. 34. The light of claim 33 wherein said section comprises a
panel of
reduced thickness adjacent an edge of the filter. 35. The light of
claim 27 further comprising means for shielding the lens from heat
rising from
the light source. 36. The light of claim 35 wherein said means for
shielding comprises a substantially flat, heat reflective member
spaced away from and located between the light source and the lens
and supported
by the supporting means. 37. The light of claim 27 further
comprising a support adapted to support the base on the vehicle,
the support having first and second flaps and a web, each flap
pivotally connected to an end of the web, the first flap adapted to
engage the base and the second flap
adapted to engage the vehicle. 38. The light of claim 37 wherein
said web has parallel side flanges perpendicular to the web and
said flaps have tabs perpendicular to the flaps and pivotally
engaging the side flanges.
. The light of claim 27 further comprising a reflector adapted to
be positioned adjacent the rear portion of the lens means to
reflect the light beam and including means for releasably mounting
the reflector on
the rear portion of the lens means. 40. The light of claim 39
wherein said means for mounting includes means for spacing the
reflecting means away from said lens means to create an air gap
therebetween for dissipating heat absorbed by said lens means
and/or said reflector. .[.41. The light of claim 27 wherein said
filter means comprises means releasably mounted on the front
portion of the lens means, for blocking the light beam..]..[.42.
The light of claim 41 who said means for fixing comprises an opaque
cover..]..[.43. The light of claim 42 further comprising means for
spacing the opaque cover away from said lens means to create an air
gap therebetween for dissipating heat absorbed by said lens means
and/or said opaque cover..]..[.44. The light of claim 43 further
comprising means for mounting said opaque cover on the front
portion of the lens means, said means for mounting comprising
spacers positioned between the inner surface of the opaque cover
and the outer surface of the lens means to separate the opaque
cover and the front portion of the lens means when the opaque cover
covers the front portion of the lens means whereby overheating of
thy lens means caused by the opaque cover is minimized..]..[.45.
The light of claim 41 further comprising means for releasably
mounting the blocking means to the lens means..]..[.46. The light
of claim 45 wherein said means for releasably mounting comprises a
channel on the blocking means adapted to releasably engage the lens
means..]..[.47. The light of claim 46 wherein said channel
comprising a web having detents thereon and said lens includes
recesses for receiving the detents..]..[.48. An emergency vehicle
light comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle:
a light source on the base adapted to emit a beam of light;
lens means on the base enclosing the light source and having a top
for absorbing heat and light within a first wavelength range and
for readily dissipating absorbed heat to air surrounding the top of
said lens means..]..[.49. The light of claim 48 wherein said top of
said lens means comprises a layer over an outer surface of said
lens means..]..[.50. The light of claim 49 wherein said layer
comprises a coating on the outer surface of said lens means thereby
preventing excessive heat build-up within the lens means..]..[.51.
The light of claim 50 wherein said coating comprises an opaque
material adhered to the outer surface of said lens means..]..[.52.
An emergency vehicle light comprising:
a base adapted to be mounted on an emergency vehicle,
lamp means on the base for emitting a beam of light;
lens means on the base enclosing said lamp means;
reflector means having at least one reflector segment being adapted
to reflect the beam of light emitted by said lamp means for
observance by an observer remote from said vehicle;
means for releasably mounting said reflector means to said lens
means; and
means for effecting relative movement between said beam and said
reflector means whereby said beam of light emitted by said lamp
means is adapted repetitively to traverse said reflector segments
in sequence whereby said observer is adapted to observe discrete
flashes of light in a repetitive sequence with each flash
corresponding to a reflection of said beam off a
respective reflector segment..]..Iadd.53. The light of claim 27
further comprising a reflector adapted to be positioned adjacent
the rear portion of the lens means to reflect the light beam and
including means for mounting the reflector on the rear portion of
the lens means..Iaddend..Iadd.54. An emergency vehicle light
comprising a base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle; a light
source on the base adapted to emit a beam of light; lens means on
the base for enclosing the light source, said lens means having a
front portion and a rear portion; filter means external to and
mounted on the front portion of the lens means for filtering the
light beam as it passes through the front portion of the lens
means; and reflector means external to and mounted on the rear
portion to reflect the light beam..Iaddend..Iadd.55. The light of
claim 54 wherein the reflector means has at least four segments, at
least two of which reflect filtered light..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to lights for emergency vehicles
and, more particularly, to the construction of an emergency vehicle
light which emits a multicolored flash.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Emergency lights are utilized on many different types of vehicles
such as police cars, ambulances, wreckers etc. to give visual
indications of their presence during emergencies. The dome of an
emergency light is normally tinted to impart the desired color,
typically red, blue or yellow, to the light emitted. If it is
desired to emit light different colors simultaneously, several
lamps are mounted on a light bar, such as disclosed in co-assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,622, and lenses of the desired colors are
placed on the various lamps of the light bar.
However, such light bars are expensive and are much bulkier than
single lamp, emergency lights. Furthermore, such light bars,
because of their size, must generally be mounted on the exterior of
a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an emergency vehicle
light which employs a single lamp and emits multiple flashes of
different colors.
It is another object of this invention to provide a multiflash
emergency vehicle light which is compact in size, inexpensive to
manufacture and employs a snap-on reflector and a snap-on
filter.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a
multiflash emergency vehicle light which may be temporarily mounted
on a vehicle or permanently mounted on a vehicle either within the
passenger compartment of the vehicle or on the exterior of the
vehicle.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an emergency
vehicle light which may be quickly and conveniently converted to
emit various colored light or to emit multicolored light.
It is another object of this invention to provide an emergency
vehicle light having a wire for supplying electrical power which is
securely fastened by a strain relief to the light so that axial
force on the wire does not disconnect the wire from the light.
The emergency vehicle light according to the invention comprises a
base adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and a light source.
Connecting means connects the light source to a power supply.
Reflecting means reflects light emitted by the light source.
Support means supports the reflecting means and the light source on
the base such that the reflecting means is positioned to reflect
light emitted by the light source as a beam of light. Rotating
means rotates the reflecting means around the light source whereby
said beam is adapted to sweep a generally planar area of
illumination. A dome-shaped lens is adapted to be positioned on the
base over the light source to form, in conjunction with the base,
an enclosure for the light source. The lens has a front portion and
an opposing rear portion. A generally curved or segmented reflector
adapted to be positioned adjacent the rear portion of the lens
reflects light emitted by the light source and/or reflected by the
reflecting means in a plane corresponding or substantially parallel
to the generally planar area. Means are provided for mounting the
curved or segmented reflector on the rear portion of the lens.
Strain relief means secures the wire against strain adjacent the
location where the wire exits the enclosure. A filter generally
having a contour of the front portion of the lens is provided.
Means are provided for shielding the lens from heat rising from the
light source.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part
pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective, diagrammatic view of one
preferred embodiment of the emergency vehicle light according to
the invention including the filter and reflector assembly;
FIG. 2 is a perspective, diagrammatic view of one preferred
embodiment of the emergency vehicle light according to the
invention including the filter and the reflector assembly
positioned on the light;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front plan view of one preferred
embodiment of the emergency vehicle light according to the
invention including the reflector assembly;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of
FIG. 1 illustrating the reflector assembly;
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of
FIG. 2 illustrating the spacers which support the filter away from
the lens and the spacing between the reflector housing and the
lens;
FIGS. 6A-6F are diagrammatic top plan views (not to scale) of the
light paths of the emergency vehicle tight according to the
invention including the reflector assembly positioned on the
light;
FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective diagrammatic view of one
preferred embodiment of the support bracket for use in combination
with the emergency vehicle light according to the invention;
FIG. 8A is a partial, enlarged, assembled view of FIG. 1
illustrating the engagement of the connecting wire between the lens
and the base; and
FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines 8B--8B
of FIG. 8A.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the emergency vehicle light according
to the invention is generally referred to by reference character 2,
the reflector according to the invention for use in combination
with light 2 is generally referred to by reference character 4, and
the filter according to the invention for use with light 2 is
generally referred to by reference character 6.
Light 2 includes base 10 which is a substantially rigid,
substantially planar member such as an oblong shaped piece of sheet
metal adapted to be substantially horizontally positioned. Base 10
is provided with an indentation forming depression 11. Over
depression 11 and parallel to base 10 is positioned substantially
rigid, planar support member 12 having laterally, upwardly
extending, substantially perpendicular tabs 14. Each tab 14 has an
aperture for receiving a fastener, such as screw 16, which engages
the housing, such as by a threaded opening, of motor 18. The drive
shaft of motor 18 is connected to a worm gear 20 which meshes with
toothed gear 22 so that energizing of motor 18 results in axial
rotation of worm gear 20 which, in turn, axially rotates toothed
gear 22. The motor and gears constitute rotating means for rotating
parabolic reflector 56 around a light source (lamp 37) whereby the
beam reflected by the parabolic reflector 56 is adapted to sweep a
generally planar area of illumination (as illustrated by reflecting
plane 300 in FIG. 3).
Depression 11 also provides an area within which the lower portion
of motor 18 may be positioned so that the worm gear 20 may be
properly aligned with and properly engage toothed gear 22.
Planar support member 12 has an aperture therein which is coaxial
with an axial opening in upwardly projecting sleeve 24. Toothed
gear 22 has a centrally located opening therein through which
sleeve 24 projects so that the sleeve functions as a shaft on which
gear 22 rotates. Sleeve 24 also projects through an opening in
reflector support 26 so that socket 28 may be positioned within the
axial opening of the sleeve 24. Retaining clip 30 engages an
annular groove 32 along the periphery of the top end of sleeve 24
and includes prongs 34 which hold socket 28 within the axial
opening of sleeve 24.
A bulb such as a 55 watt HF type halogen lamp 37, constituting a
lamp means, is located within socket 28 and functions as a light
source generally located on base 10 of emergency light 2 according
to the invention. A length of dual conductor wire 36 is provided to
interconnect socket 28 to a power supply. One end of the wire 36
may be terminated by and connected to cigar lighter plug 38 which
may be plugged into the cigar (cigarette) lighter aperture of a
vehicle in order to provide electrical power to the light 2.
Alternatively, the two conductors at the plug end of wire 36 may be
directly connected to a battery or other power supply. The other
end of wire 36 has two conductors, one of which is connected to
grounded terminal 40 and the other of which is connected to
insulated terminal 42. Grounded terminal 40 is electrically
connected to planar support member 12 and base 10, both of which
are of electrically conductive material such as metal. Motor 18 and
gears 20 and 22 constitute means for effecting relative movement
between the beam of light (provided by the parabolic reflector 56)
and the reflector 4 whereby the beam of light emitted by the lamp
is adapted repetitively to traverse the reflector segments in
sequence whereby an observer is adapted to observe at least three
discrete flashes of light in a repetitive sequence with each flash
corresponding to a reflection of the beam off a respective
reflector segment. The means for effecting relative movement is
operable to rotate the lamp about an axis generally perpendicular
to the plane of the beam as reflected by the reflector 4.
Terminal 42 is insulated from the support member 12 and base 10,
such as by insulated spacer/connector 43, and is connected to lead
wire 44 which is positioned under the member 12 between the member
12 and base 10. In general, depression 11 in base 10 provides a
clearance under member 12 within which lead wire 44 may be located.
The other end of lead wire 44 is connected to connector 46 and
projects through the aperture in member 12 and the coaxial opening
in sleeve 24 for connection to socket 28. Preferably, an outer
portion of socket 28 and sleeve 24 are electrically conductive
(metallic) members so that the socket is electrically grounded.
Connector 46 engages tab 49 which is insulated from the outer
grounded portion of the socket 28 and is connected to one of the
terminals of lamp 37 (which is integral with socket 28). The other
terminal of lamp 37 is electrically connected to ground via the
direct connection of it to the outer portion of socket 28. Lead
wire 19 connects to terminal 42 to provide power to motor 18 (which
includes an EMI suppressor). The housing of motor 18 is grounded
via tabs 14 to complete the circuit.
Toothed gear 22 may be fixedly mounted to reflector support 26 by
retainer 48 which engages a laterally (upwardly) projecting annular
sleeve of toothed gear 22. Therefore, rotation of gear 22 about
sleeve 24 results in rotation of support 26 about sleeve 24 around
coaxially located lamp 37. Socket 28, held in place within sleeve
24 by retaining clip 30, retains the entire rotating assembly:
reflector support 26, gear 22 and retainer 48 to prevent upward
movement of this rotating assembly with respect to sleeve 24.
Reflector support 26 is a generally U-shaped member having
horizontal legs 50 and 52 and vertical support 54 interconnecting
the legs such that the legs 50 and 52 are substantially parallel to
each other and are substantially perpendicular to vertical support
54. Support 54 supports parabolic reflector 56 which has a
parabolic shape with respect to the horizontal plane as well as
with respect to the vertical plane with the focal point
substantially at the center of the lamp filament. Rivets 55 attach
reflector 56 to support 54. Leg 50 and support 54 along with sleeve
24 and member 12 constitute means for supporting the reflecting
means (parabolic reflector 56) and the light source (lamp 37) on
base 10 such that the reflecting means is positioned to reflect
light emitted by the light source as a beam of light. Accordingly,
reflector 4 constitutes reflector means adjacent the base having at
least three reflector segments arranged generally along a curve,
each reflector segment being adapted to reflect the beam of light
emitted by the lamp for observance by an observer remote from the
vehicle.
A dome-shaped lens, generally designated 58, of impact-resistant
clear polycarbonate or the like is positioned on base 10 to form an
enclosure for the parts located upon the base including lamp 37.
Leg 52 of reflector support 26 functions to deflect heat emitted by
lamp 37 so that the heat rising from lamp 37 does not directly
impinge upon lens 58. The lens is of one-piece molded construction
and is generally frusto-conical in shape, having a side wall 59
with front and rear portions 59F,59R, a substantially flat opaque
top 76 generally parallel to base 10 joined to the side wall by a
tapered annular edge 78, and a circular rim 84 at the bottom of the
lens. A plurality of screw bosses 60 are integrally formed with the
rim for receiving screws 62 which affix the lens 58 to base 10. As
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 8A and 8B, a notch 64 extends up from the
bottom edge 57 of the lens, the design being such that when the
lens 58 is positioned on base 10, notch 64 forms, in conjunction
with the edge 57 of base 10, an aperture through which wire 36
passes. Alternatively, a notch 64' may be located in side edge of
base 10 and extend inwardly from the side edge to form, in
conjunction with the edge 57 of base 10, an aperture for receiving
wire 36.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the edge of notch 64 presses wire 36,
including optional jacket 51 enclosing conductor 45 and insulation
47, which surrounds the conductor, against the edge 49 of base 10,
which edge projects below the base. At least one tooth 65 extending
into notch 64 engages wire 36 to assist in holding it in fixed
position relative to lens 58 and base 10 when lens 58 is mounted on
base 10 so that axial force on wire 36 is not transmitted to
terminals 40 and 42 and does not result in damage to the electrical
connection of wire 36 to the terminals. Thus, notch 64 and tooth 65
constitute strain relief means for securing wire 36 against strain
adjacent the location where wire 36 exits the enclosure formed by
base 10 and lens 58. Notch 64' in base 10 (shown in FIG. 1) may be
used in place of notch 64. In either case, the notch is sized and
configured so that the wire is clamped in fixed position when lens
58 is mounted on base 10.
Disc-shaped magnet 66 is optionally, permanently attached to the
underside of base 10 by a sheet metal screw 68 threaded in an
aperture 70 in base 10. Magnet 66 magnetically engages a portion of
the vehicle to which light 2 is to be mounted. Alternatively, a
support bracket 204 such as illustrated in FIG. 7 may be used to
support light 2 on the vehicle. The bracket is preferably made of a
rigid ferromagnetic material and is of channel shape, having a
generally horizontal web 205 and parallel side flanges 206, 208
bent upwardly therefrom. A pair of flaps 200,202 have tabs 210,
212, 214 and 216 perpendicular thereto which are connected to these
flanges at opposite ends of the bracket for pivotal movement about
generally horizontal axes extending in side-to-side direction with
respect to the bracket. This bracket 204 permits the light 2 to be
mounted on any inclined surface with base 10 of light 2
substantially horizontal. This may be accomplished by attaching the
flap 200 to the underside of the base 10 by means of the magnet 66,
or by a screw 220. Alternatively, an adhesive may be used to attach
flap 200 to light 2. Flap 202 may be attached to a vertical
mounting surface by bolts, adhesive, a magnet or other well known
means.
Filter 6 is also preferably of molded plastic and generally has the
shape of and is adapted to cover the front portion 59F of lens 58.
In particular, filter 6 has a curved surface 80 which generally
conforms to the front portion 59F of lens 58 when the filter 6 is
mounted on the lens 58. Filter 6 is of a generally transparent
synthetic resin such as plastic which allows only one color of
light to pass therethrough. It is contemplated, for example, that
filter 6 may be red, blue, amber, or green. Filter 6 is provided
with sections adapted to be removed from filter 6 to decrease the
area of lens 58 covered by filter 6. In particular, these sections
may be panels 82 of reduced thickness adjacent opposite vertical
side edges of filter 6, the panels being selectively removable
(e.g., by cutting) in order to minimize the coverage of filter 6
over lens 58.
As best shown in FIG. 1, the filter has a curved channel formation
90 along its bottom edge comprising a generally vertical web 92 and
inwardly projecting, generally horizontal, upper flanges 94 and
lower flange 96 generally parallel to the upper flanges. The
channel portion 90 has a shape generally corresponding to the shape
of the bottom rim 84 of the lens, the arrangement being such that a
portion of the lens bottom rim is receivable in the channel
formation between flanges 94 and 96 to mount the filter on the lens
at the front of the lens. Detents 88 integrally formed with the web
92 of the channel formation have a snap fit in recesses 86 in the
bottom rim of the lens to removably fasten the filter to the
lens.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a plurality of spacers 100 project from
and are integral with the inner surface of filter 6 to space the
filter 6 from the front portion 59F of lens 58 when the filter is
mounted on the lens. This permits air to pass through the space 514
between the filter 6 and lens 58 so that heat built up on the
filter 6 (particularly when it is opaque) can be dissipated and is
not directly transferred to lens 58.
The outer surfaces of the top 76 and tapered edge 78 of lens 58 are
coated with an opaque paint 501 or the like to prevent light from
passing through
top 76 and being reflected by the windshield or otherwise entering
the passenger compartment. Paint 501 absorbs heat, as indicated by
arrows 504 in FIG. 5, radiated by the lamp 37 and dissipates this
heat, as indicated by arrows 506, to the air surrounding lens 58.
It is significant that the paint 501 (or any suitable opaque
coating) be applied to the outer surfaces of the lens 58, because
if it is applied to the inner surface of the lens, heat will not
dissipate as readily to the surrounding air. This will cause heat
to build up within lens 58. If the light is operated for an
extended period of time, this build-up may deform lens 58.
Therefore, applying paint 501 to the outer surface of lens 58 is
preferred.
Heat is also radiated to the side walls 59F,59R of lens 58, as
indicated by arrows 508. This heat is absorbed by the side wall and
some portion of the heat is re-radiated inwardly to air enclosed by
lens 58 as indicated by arrows 510. A larger portion of the heat is
re-radiated outwardly as indicated by arrows 512. The air space 514
between lens 58 and filter 6 permits this outwardly radiated heat
to dissipate to the air as indicated by arrow 516. In addition,
some of this outwardly radiated heat is absorbed by filter 6 and
re-radiated as indicated by arrows 518 and 520. Similarly, air
space 524 between the housing of reflector assembly 4 and lens 58
permits this outwardly radiated heat to dissipate to the air as
indicated by arrow 526. In addition, some of this outwardly
radiated heat is absorbed by assembly 4 and re-radiated as
indicated by arrows 528 and 530. Therefore, air spaces 514 and 524
minimize heat build-up within lens 58. It will be understood that
spacers 100, detents 88 and channel 90 constitute means for
mounting filter 6 in proper position on the front portion 59F of
lens 58 to form air space 514.
As shown in FIG. 4, reflector 4 is mounted on the rear portion 59R
of lens 58 and includes a generally curved reflector housing 102
made of synthetic resin or other rigid material. Housing 102 is of
one-piece molded construction and includes a substantially
horizontal bottom wall 114, a substantially vertical back wall 116,
and a substantially horizontal top wall 118 (see FIG. 1). A channel
formation 104 (similar to channel formation 90 on filter 6) on the
underside of the bottom wall 114 of the housing 102 is provided for
engaging a portion of the rim 84 of lens 58. Channel formation 104
has vertical web 106 formed with detents 108, an upper horizontal
flange 110 constituted by an arcuate marginal edge portion of the
bottom walls 114 of the housing, and a lower horizontal flange 112.
This channel formation 104 received a portion of the bottom rim 84
of the lens, with the detents 108 snapping into recesses 86 on the
rim to mount the reflector housing on the lens 58 in a position
wherein the lens is located centrally of the housing with the
housing extending laterally outwardly on opposite sides of the
lens.
Housing 102 supports a pair of reflectors, one located at the left
side of the housing (as viewed in FIG. 3) and being generally
designated 120L and the other being located at the right side of
the housing and being generally designated 120R. The reflectors are
substantially identical and symmetrically arranged with respect to
the central vertical plane V of the housing. Together these
reflectors constitute a reflecting surface lying generally on curve
122 (e.g., ellipse, parabola, circle) preferably having one of its
focal points 124 (see FIG. 4) generally coaxial with the filament
of lamp 37. In particular, for a parabolic curve reflectors 120R
and 120L should have coaxial focal points, and for circular and
elliptical curves the reflectors should have a non-focused
orientation with the lamp center located behind the focal
points(s). The reflectors 120L and 120R are adapted to reflect
light emitted by the light source (lamp 37) and/or reflected by the
reflecting means (reflector 56) in a plane corresponding to or
substantially parallel to the generally planar area 301 shown in
FIG. 3.
Reflectors 120L,120R may be of any highly polished reflective
material such as metal or plastic or silvered glass forming the
flat sections. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, each reflector
120L,120R is shown as comprising three discrete flat reflective
segments or sections 126, 128, and 130 arranged side by side with
the central segment 128 of each set forming an obtuse angle 135
with adjacent segment 126 and forming an obtuse angle 135 with
adjacent segment 130. The reflective sections are arranged in a
generally curved configuration, such as curved path 122 located
within a plane parallel to generally planar area 301 when reflector
4 is positioned adjacent rear portion 59R of lens 58. It is
contemplated that each reflector 120L,120R may be formed as a
single, continuous curved surface generally talking the shape of
curve 122. Alternatively, a single reflective surface lying on
ellipse 122 (or other curve such as a parabola or non-centered
circle) may replace the two reflectors 120L, 120R shown in the
drawings. The back wall 116 of the housing 102 includes horizontal
ribs 132 (only one shown in FIG. 4) for supporting sections 126 and
128. A flat double-sided adhesive pad 133 may be located between
each rib 132 and a respective section 126 to secure the two
together and thereby support the section. Another pad, designated
134, may be positioned between section 130 and the back wall 116 of
the housing to support section 130 in a substantially vertical
orientation. As shown in FIG. 4, which illustrates only one half
(the left halt) of reflector assembly 4 (the right half being a
mirror-image thereof), reflective section 128 is integral with
segments 126 and 130 and is not separately supported. However, it
is contemplated that segments 126, 128, and 130 need not be an
integral, unitary structure and may be separately supported.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the reflective sections 126, 128, 130 of
reflector 4 are preferably mounted substantially vertical. As a
result, light emitted by lamp 37 is primarily reflected in plane
300 which is substantially horizontal. Thus, light reflected by
parabolic reflector 56 and/or reflected by reflectors 120L,120R
forms a beam which is adapted to sweep a generally planar area of
illumination 301 which includes plane 300.
The multicolored light-emitting function of the light 2 according
to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A-6F
(which are not to scale) from the point of view of an observer
located within the area or zone 150 swept by the beams emitted from
the light 2 of this invention. For the preferred embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 6A, assume that lens 58 transmits amber light,
that filter 6 transmits red light, that reflectors 120L, 120R, and
reflector 56 reflect all light (i.e., the whole visible light
spectrum) and that lamp 37 emits white light. White light emitted
by lamp 37 as well as light reflected by parabolic reflector 56 and
striking reflector sections 130 is directed along paths 140.
Because light along paths 140 passes only through amber lens 58 at
points 141, this light is generally amber as viewed by an observer
in zone 150. White light emitted by the lamp and light reflected by
reflector 56 striking reflector sections 126 is directed along path
143. Because light along paths 143 passes through panels 82 of
filter 6, this light is filtered and only the color of filter 6
(i.e., red) is emitted. However, if panels 82 are removed from
filter 6, light along path 143 would then be amber, i.e., the color
of lens 58. Sections 128 serve as interruptions between segments
126 and 130 so that flashes from sections 126 and 130 are discrete
and do not appear as continuously emanating from the light. An
observer in zone 150 would also see light emitted directly by lamp
37 as well as light reflected by reflector 56 along path 144 as
filtered (i.e., red) light.
The primary reflecting surfaces of assembly 4 including reflectors
120R,120L are reflector sections 126 and 130. Therefore, the
reflector 4 of this invention can be said to provide five-flash
operation when used in combination with light 2 because an observer
in zone 150 will see five flashes: (1) a (red) flash from left
reflector section 126 of reflector 120L; (2) a (amber) flash from
left section 130 of reflector 120L; (3) a (amber) flash from right
section 130 of reflector 120R; (4) a (red) flash from right section
126 of reflector 120R; and (5) a (red) flash from lamp 37 and
reflector 56 along path 144.
By providing various colors to filter 6, lens 58 (and/or lamp 37
and/or reflector 56) and the reflector sections 126 and 130 of each
of the reflectors 120L,120R, a plurality of color combinations for
five-flash operation can be obtained. For example, lens 58 may be
amber, filter 6 may be red, and all sections of reflector 120L and
reflector 120R may reflect all colors of light to provide
repetitive cyclical flashing of red, amber, amber, red and red.
Amber and red are adjacent in the light spectrum so that an amber
lens also passes red light. In other example, lens 58 may be clear,
filter 6 may be amber, sections 126 may reflect red light only and
sections 130 may reflect all colors of light to provide repetitive
cyclical flashing of amber, red, white, white and red.
Alternatively, filter 6 need not be used, lens 58 may be clear and
each reflector section may reflect a different color light (e.g.,
red, amber, green and blue, respectively) to provide five flashes
of different colors (i.e., red, amber, green, blue and white). In
addition, filter 6 may be made of an opaque material to form an
opaque cover interchangeable with and having the same construction
as filter 6. The opaque cover may be substituted for filter 6 so
that only light reflected by the reflector sections is emitted. In
this configuration, light would be visible only to those observers
located within the sectors of zone 150 which are illuminated by the
reflector sections as noted below with regard to FIGS. 6B-6F. An
opaque cover constitutes means for blocking the light beam emitted
by the light source, reflected by parabolic reflector 56 and
passing through the front portion 59F of lens S8. Alternatively,
the outer surface of the front portion 59F of the lens 58 may be
painted black, as is the top of the lens.
Other combinations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art. In general, lens 58 transmits light within a first
predetermined wavelength range (such as clear or amber), and/or
filter 6 transmits light within a second predetermined wavelength
range different from the first range (such as amber or red,
respectively) and/or reflector 4 transmits light within a third
predetermined wavelength range different from the first and second
ranges (such as red or clear, respectively). Alternatively, or in
addition, the front portion 59F of the lens may transmit light
within a predefined wavelength range and the rear portion 59R of
the lens may transmit light within another, different predefined
wavelength range.
As noted above, the reflectors 120L,120R may be replaced by a
single reflecting, curved surface (e.g., ellipse, parabola, circle)
in place of discrete reflector sections of the type shown in FIG.
4. If a single curved surface is used, light 2 and assembly 4 will
provide a three-flash combination, one flash along path 144, a
second flash as the beam of light reflected by reflector 56
traverses across reflector 120L to the left of light 2, and a third
flash as the beam traverses reflector 120R to the right of light 2.
These second and third flashes would each appear as a continuous
flash of light for an extended period of time (as compared to the
period of time of the flash along path 144 which more or less
appears as a point beam due to the focusing of the light into a
parallel beam by reflector 56). When the reflector assembly is
parabolic or elliptical, these second and third flashes which occur
as light beams reflected by reflector 56 sweep across the left and
right sides (wings) of reflector assembly 4 and are each referred
to as a "smear" of light. Accordingly, reflector 4 constitutes
reflector means adjacent the base having at least two curved
reflector segments, each reflector segment being adapted to reflect
the beam of light emitted by the lamp for observance by an observer
remote from the vehicle.
Referring to FIGS. 6B and 6C, as parabolic reflector 56 rotates
counterclockwise, beam 160 strikes reflector section 130 and is
reflected to sweep from right (R) to left (L) through a sector A
and appears to an observer in zone 150 a first flash. In general,
sector A is an area within which the multiple flashes of light 2
may be observed and includes zone 150. Sector A may be as large as
120.degree. to 180.degree. depending upon the width of reflectors
120L,120R and slope of path 122 (FIG. 4) along which the reflector
126, 128, 130 are located. As illustrated in FIGS. 6D and 6E, as
parabolic reflector 56 continues to rotate counterclockwise, beam
160 strikes reflector section 126 and is reflected. To an observer
located in zone 150, bean 160 appears to sweep from right (R) to
left (L) and appears a second flash. As suggested by FIG. 6F, beam
160 as reflected by parabolic reflector 56 sweeps across an
observer located in zone 150 to generate a third flash which
appears to the observer to sweep from left (L) to right (R).
Eventually, as parabolic reflector 56 continues to rotate
counterclockwise, beam 160 will strike and be reflected by sections
130 and 126 of reflector 120R to create fourth and fifth flashes
sweeping right (R) to left (L).
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of
the invention are achieved and other advantageous results
attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description or shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *