MARKER LIGHT

• US 20020003700A1
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tom V. Selkee
• Original Assignee: Tom V. Selkee
• Inventors: SELKEE, TOM V.
• Granted Patent: US 6,461,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/249
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/04 Rear lights

Abstract

A flexible liquid tight marker light that comprises a light source encapsulated by injection molding a light transmitting elastomeric polymer to form a protective casing which further includes an imbedded wiring harness electrically connected to said light source and imbedded structural members that protect the light source from excessive flexing and impacts. The wiring harness and structural members provide heat sink means for the light source. The casing is comprised of variable durometer tinted polyurethane elastomers with light diffusing pigments added. Diverging optics are molded into the casing outer surface.

Claims

1. A marker light comprising:

a light source comprising at least one light-emitting diode,

an electrical connection to a source of electrical power and said light source, and

an elastomeric casing bonded to said light source to attenuate transmission of impact energy, said casing having a generally light-transmitting region for transmission of light from the light source.

2. A marker light according to claim 1, wherein said casing comprises at least one injection-moldable polyurethane elastomer.

3. A marker light according to claim 1, wherein said casing light transmitting region has an outer surface configured to define at least one diverging optic.

4. A marker light according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said casing is pigmented with a light diffusing material.

5. A marker light according to claim 1, and further comprising:

at least one structural member disposed in said casing and at least partially surrounding said light source to protect the light source from excessive flexing and impact.

6. A marker light according to claim 5 wherein said structural member comprises a heat sink means for the light source.

7. A marker light according to claim 1, wherein said electrical connections comprise insulated wire cables with attached strain relief structure.

8. A marker light according to claim 1, wherein said casing has one tinted generally transparent side and one pigmented light blocking darker side.

9. A marker light according to claim 1, and further comprising:

generally rigid elongate members to modify flexual characteristics of said casing to prevent impact damage to said light source.

10. A marker light according to claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a plurality of regions of differing hardnesses and flexibilities.

11. A marker light according to claim 1, wherein said casing comprises variable durometer elastomeric polymers.

12. A marker light according to claim 1, and further including:

casing mounting structure to support the casing by said electrical connection when the casing is subjected to substantial impacts.

13. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp, comprising:

at least one wiring harness,

a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on and electrically connected with the wiring harness,

an injection molded casing wherein said at least one wiring harness is embedded, and

at least two electrical leads protruding from said casing.

14. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, wherein said casing comprises at least one injection-moldable polyurethane elastomer.

15. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, wherein a portion of the casing outer surface is con figured as a diverging optic.

16. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of said casing is pigmented with a light diffusing material.

17. A liquid-tight Impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, and further compromising:

at least one structural member disposed in said casing and at least partially surrounding said light source to protect the light source from excessive flexing and impact.

18. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, wherein said electrical connections comprise Insulated wire cables with attached strain relief structure.

19. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, wherein said casing has one tinted generally transparent side and one pigmented light blocking darker side.

20. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, and further comprising:

generally rigid elongate members to modify flexual characteristics of said casing to prevent impact damage to said light source.

21. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, wherein said casing comprises variable durometer elastomeric polymers.

22. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, and further including:

casing mounting structure to support the casing by said electrical connection when the casing is subjected to substantial impacts.

23. A liquid-tight Impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13, wherein said wire harness comprises thermal heat sink means for said light emitting diodes.

24. A liquid-tight impact resistant flexible marker lamp according to claim 13 wherein the casing comprises a plurality of regions differing in hardnesses and flexibilities.