Synchronized flashing lighting device

• US 20040184266A1
• Filed: 03/17/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liteglow Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Liteglow Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Krumholz, Spencer
• Granted Patent: US 6,997,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/227
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashing lighting device, most specifically designed for mounting inside and outside an automobile, is comprised of a housing and, within in, a circuit for storing at least one flashing sequence signal. At least one first array of light-emitting elements is close to this housing and generates a flashing pattern responsive to the flashing sequence signal, and at least one second array of light-emitting elements are arranged more remotely from the housing than the at least one first array and is also responsive to said flashing signal. In this way the circuit actuates said the two arrays or series of arrays in a way substantially contemporaneous with the same flashing pattern so that observation of any one array conveys information regarding the flashing pattern displayed in the other array.

Claims

1. A flashing lighting device comprising a housing;

circuit means within said housing for storing at least one flashing sequence signal;

at least one first array of light-emitting elements in close proximity of said housing for generating a flashing pattern responsive to said flashing sequence signal;

at least one second array of light-emitting elements arranged more remotely from said housing than said at least one first array of light-emitting elements and responsive to said flashing signal, whereby said circuit means actuates said arrays substantially contemporaneously with the an associated flashing pattern so that observation of either array conveys information on the flashing pattern displayed in the other array.

2. A flashing device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for mounting said housing within the passenger compartment of an automobile.

3. A flashing device as defined in claim 2, wherein said circuit means is connected to the power source of the automobile.

4. A flashing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one first array comprises an array of LEDs.

5. A flashing device as defined in claim 4, wherein said LEDs are mounted within said housing, which is made of light transmissive material so that said LEDs are visible through said housing.

6. A flashing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said array of LEDs comprise a substantially linear row of LEDs.

7. A flashing device as defined in claim 6, wherein said LEDs are series connected.

8. A flashing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said array of LEDs comprise a plurality of substantially liner rows of LEDs.

9. A flashing device as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one second array comprises an array of LEDs.

10. A flashing device as defined in claim 9, wherein said LEDs are mounted within a transparent tube so that said LEDs are visible through said tube.

11. A flashing device as defined in claim 10, wherein a plurality of LED-containing tubes are provided.

12. A flashing device as defined in claim 11, wherein four tubes are provided, and mounting means for mounting said tubes on the undercarriage of an automobile.

13. A flashing device as defined in claim 12, wherein two longer and two shorter tubes are provided, said longer tubes being mountable along the longer sides of an automobile and said shorter tubes being mounted at the shorter front and rear ends of the automobile.

14. A flashing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit means stores a plurality of flashing patterns, and switching means for selecting one of said plurality of patterns.

15. A flashing device as defined in claim 14, wherein said switching means sequentially sequences through said plurality of flashing patterns with each actuation of said switching means.

16. A flashing device as defined in claim 14, wherein said switching means comprises a switch.

17. A flashing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes driving means for driving said light-emitting elements.

18. A flashing device as defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit means comprises a programmed microprocessor for generating said flashing signal and driving said light-emitting elements.

19. A flashing device as defined in claim 18, further comprising a momentary contact switch connected to said microprocessor programmed to sequence to a next flashing patter when it detects a change in state in said momentary contract switch.

20. A flashing device as defined in claim 19, wherein said microoprocessor is programmed to store (n+y) flashing patterns and to revert to pattern n after the circuit means is sequenced beyond pattern number (n+y).