Vehicular light assembly with light sensor

• US 10,406,969 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2018
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Original Assignee: Michael Shipman
• Inventors: Shipman, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowman, Mary Ellen
• Application Number:
  US15/907,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20180186280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/64 using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/06 for filtering out ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/208 for use with infrared or ultraviolet radiation, e.g. for separating visible light from infrared and/or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/222 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/225 with electroluminescent lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/227 Electroluminescent displays for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The lighting system includes luminescent alphanumeric characters affixed upon a planar vehicle mounting plate so as to emit light upwardly so as to be seen from the air. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light bar affixed to the planar plate. The light bar is positioned to illuminate light primarily horizontally so as to be seen by those on the ground. Preferably, the luminescent planar sheets are connected by wiring to the light bar so that luminescent planar sheet obtains power from the light bar. In addition, the light bar includes a light sensor electrically connected between the power source and luminescent planar sheets which automatically disables the luminescent panels when ambient light is above a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A vehicular luminescent indicia assembly comprising:

a vehicle having a surface;

one or more luminescent planar sheets constructed to provide luminescent indicia in the form of one or more letters or numbers, said one or more luminescent planar sheets affixed upon said surface so as to face and emit light perpendicular to said surface;

an emergency response vehicle light bar affixed to said surface, said light bar constructed and affixed to said surface so as to emit light parallel to said surface, and thus perpendicular to light emitted from said one or more luminescent planar sheets;

a power source for providing power to said one or more luminescent planar sheets; and

a light sensor electrically connected between said power source and said one or more luminescent planar sheets, said light sensor automatically disabling the luminescent panels when ambient light is above a predetermined threshold.

2. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 1 wherein said light sensor is positioned upon said light bar.

3. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 1 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets are electro-luminescent panels.

4. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 1 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets comprise one or more light pipes connected to light emitting diodes (LEDs).

5. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 1 wherein the luminescent planar sheets can produce light that is not visible to the human eye.

6. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 1 wherein said vehicle has only one power source in the form of a battery which also provides power to the vehicle'"'"'s remaining electrical systems.

7. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 1 wherein said letters or numbers have a length of at least 18 inches.

8. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 1 wherein said letters or numbers have a length of 18 inches to 48 inches.

9. A vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly comprising:

a vehicle having four or more wheels, the vehicle having at least one substantially horizontal planar surface in the form of a hood surface, cabin roof surface, or trunk surface;

a frame which engages and affixes directly to said vehicle'"'"'s horizontal planar surface, said frame having a horizontal planar surface;

an emergency response vehicle light bar affixed to said frame, said light bar constructed and affixed to said frame so as to emit light horizontally;

one or more luminescent planar sheets, said one or more luminescent planar sheets affixed upon said frame'"'"'s horizontal planar surface and constructed to provide luminescent indicia in the form of one or more letters or numbers which face upwardly so as to emit light upwardly so as to be seen from above; and

a power source for providing power to said light bar and said one or more luminescent planar sheets; and

a light sensor electrically connected between said power source and said one or more luminescent planar sheets, said light sensor automatically disabling the luminescent panels when ambient light is above a predetermined threshold.

10. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 9 wherein said light sensor is positioned upon said light bar.

11. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 9 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets are electro-luminescent panels.

12. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 9 wherein said one or more luminescent planar sheets comprise one or more light pipes connected to light emitting diodes (LEDs).

13. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 9 wherein the luminescent planar sheets can produce light that is not visible to the human eye.

14. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 9 wherein said letters or numbers have a length of at least 18 inches.

15. The vehicular light bar and luminescent indicia assembly of claim 9 wherein said letters or numbers have a length of 18 inches to 48 inches.