Display assembly with horn configuration for vehicle

• US 20070194891A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wolo Manufacturing Corporation (1847 Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Wolo Manufacturing Corporation (1847 Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Solow, Stanley
• Granted Patent: US 7,394,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A signal assembly mountable to an exterior of a vehicle is configured with a light-generating unit operable to emit a visually perceptible signal, and with a sound-generating unit operable to generate a sound signal. The light and sound generating units are coupled to one another to form a unitary assembly.

Claims

1. A signal assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a housing coupleable to the vehicle;

a light generating unit mounted to the housing and operable to generate a visually perceptible signal; and

a sound generating unit coupled to the housing and operable to generate a sound signal.

2. The signal assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing has a rear portion provided with an insignia display region.

3. The signal assembly of claim 2, wherein the insignia display region displays one or more of a brand name, an alpha-numerical message and a warning visual signal.

4. The signal assembly of claim 2, wherein the light generating unit comprises:

a plurality of light generating elements actuatable to generate an array of the visually perceptible signals to visually delimit the insignia display region on the rear portion of the housing after the light generating elements have been powered.

5. The signal assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of light generating elements comprises a plurality of LEDs.

6. The signal assembly of claim 4, wherein the light signal generating elements are simultaneously actuatabe to generate the visually perceptible signals, the visually perceptible light signals being uniform or having different intensity and hue.

7. The signal assembly of claim 4, wherein the light generating elements are selectively actuatable to generate the visually perceptible signals, the visually perceptible signals being uniform or having different intensity and hue.

8. The signal assembly of claim 1, wherein the light and sound generating units are operable separately from one another.

9. The signal assembly of claim 1, wherein the light generating unit is operable to generate the visual signal in response to generating the sound signal by the sound generating unit.

10. The signal assembly of claim 9, wherein the visual signal is a warning signal.

11. The signal assembly of claim 1, wherein the sound generating unit comprises a compressor operable to pressurize a medium, one or multiple trumpets coupled to the compressor and operable to generate the sound signal in response to actuating the compressor, the one trumpet having one end mounted to the housing.

12. The signal assembly of claim 10, wherein the sound generating unit further comprises a support bracket attachable to the vehicle and supporting the compressor and trumpet, the support bracket being coupled to the housing.

13. A signal assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a light generating unit operable to emit a visually perceptible signal; and

a sound generating unit operable to generate a sound signal, wherein the light and sound generating units are coupled to one another to form a unitary assembly mountable to the vehicle.

14. The signal assembly of claim 13, wherein the light generating unit comprises a housing mountable to the vehicle and a plurality of spaced apart light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to the housing and each generating the visual signal perceptible through a rear portion of the housing.

15. The signal assembly of claim 14, wherein the sound generating unit comprises a compressor operable to pressurize a medium compressor, and a plurality of trumpets in flow communication with the compressor so as to generate the sound signal in response to actuation of the compressor, the trumpets each having a rear end supported by the housing of the light generating unit.

16. The signal ass0.bly of claim 15, wherein the sound generating unit further comprises a support bracket supporting the trumpets and the compressor and coupled to the housing.

17. The signal assembly of claim 16, wherein the support bracket is detachably or fixedly coupled to the housing of the light generating unit.

18. The signal assembly of claim 13, wherein the the sound and light generating units are mounted to an exterior of the vehicle.

19. The signal assembly of claim 15, wherein the light and sound generating units comprise respective driver circuitries operable independently from one another, the light generating unit being configured with an insignia display region provided with an array of light components operable to define a context of a message on the display region.

20. The signal generating assembly of claim 16, further comprising an on-board processor coupled to the driver circuitry of the light and sound generating units and operable to actuate the sound generating unit when the vehicle is in a reverse gear,

actuate the driver circuitry of the light generating unit in response to actuating the sound generating unit, and

select an arrangement of the light components to form a warning context of the message on the display region when the vehicle is in the reverse gear.