Blackout lighting for vehicles

• US 4,277,819 A
• Filed: 07/03/1979
• Issued: 07/07/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Sobota, Valentine M., Vinson, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US06/054,721
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/285, 362/800, 313/499
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Four red light emitting diodes are embedded in a synthetic resin encapsul. Two diodes in each of two pairs are connected in parallel and the two pairs are connected in series with a resistance, a blocking diode, and an on-off switch. A fifth diode which emits yellow light when energized is connected in series with a resistance, a blocking diode, and a brake-actuated switch.

Claims

1. Blackout lighting for vehicles operating in wartime conditions, comprising:

(a.) a first pair of light emitting diodes connected in parallel,

(b.) a second pair of light emitting diodes connected in parallel,

(c.) a blocking diode,

(d.) a blackout marker operator-operable switch mounted accessible to the vehicle operator, having a first terminal connected with the vehicle battery and a second terminal, the switch being operable between a closed-circuit position and an open-circuit position,

(e.) a first resistance,

(f.) a series electrical circuit comprising the first and second pairs of light emitting diodes, the blocking diode, and the first resistance, to a ground,

(g.) means connecting the second terminal of said blackout marker switch with the aforesaid series circuit.

2. Blackout lighting as in claim 1, and:

(a.) a fifth light emitting diode,

(b.) a second resistance,

(c.) a second blocking diode,

(d.) a second switch comprising an operator-operable switch connected to be closed when the vehicle brakes are energized,

(e.) means to complete a circuit from the vehicle battery to a ground and including said second switch, the second blocking diode, the second resistance, and the fifth light emitting diode.

3. Blackout lighting as in claim 2, wherein all five light emitting diodes, both blocking diodes, and both resistances are encapsulated.

4. Blackout lighting as in claim 3, and an electrically conductive mounting plate secured to the encapsulant.

5. A brake lighting circuit for vehicles operating in wartime conditions, comprising:

(a.) a light emitting diode,

(b.) a resistance,

(c.) a blocking diode,

(d.) an operator-operable switch connected to be closed when the vehicle brakes are energized, and

(e.) means to complete a circuit from the vehicle battery to a ground and including said switch, the blocking diode, the resistance, and the light emitting diode.

6. A brake lighting circuit as in claim 5, wherein the blocking diode, the light emitting diode, and the resistance are encapsulated.