Front-mounted vehicle brake light

• US 5,373,426 A
• Filed: 09/24/1993
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan L O'Sullivan
• Original Assignee: Alan L O'Sullivan
• Inventors: O'Sullivan, Alan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US08/125,761
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/80.1, 362/83.3, 340/467, 340/479
• US Class Current: 362/496
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

A vehicle brake light signal for alerting pedestrians or other vehicle drivers positioned in front of a vehicle to a deceleration of the associated vehicle. The device includes signal assembly which may be secured to a front area of the vehicle. The signal assembly is electrically coupled to both the brake lights of the vehicle and a variable rate flasher. Upon a depression of the brake pedal of the vehicle, the signal assembly will illuminate or flash to warn others of the vehicle'"'"'s deceleration. Alternate embodiments of the present invention further include a variable aperture assembly controlled by a deceleration sensor for varying the intensity of the signal assembly as a function of the vehicle'"'"'s deceleration, and a lens cover positionable over the signal assembly operable to produce three distinct light zones.

Claims

1. A new vehicle front brake light for mounting to a front area of a vehicle having a brake light electrical system, said vehicle front brake light comprising:

a base mountable to said front area of said vehicle;

a reflective member having an arcuate shape mounted to a center area of said base;

a socket secured to a center of said reflective member;

wire means electrically connected to said socket and connectable to said brake light electrical system for providing electrical communication between said light bulb and said brake light electrical system;

a signal flasher means having a variable flashing rate, said signal flashier means being in electrical communication with said light bulb for adjustably flashing said light bulbs;

and,

a lens means removably coupled to said base for both enclosing said light bulb and modifying light emitted therefrom.

2. The new vehicle front brake light of claim 1, and further comprising a servo-operated variable aperture means positioned between said light bulb and said lens means for mechanically adjusting an intensity of said light bulb viewed exteriorly of said lens means.

3. The new vehicle front brake light of claim 2, and further comprising a deceleration sensor means in electrical communication with said servo-operated variable aperture means for operating said variable aperture means as a function of a deceleration of said vehicle.

4. The new vehicle front brake light of claim 3, and further comprising a lens cover releasably coupled to said lens means for modifying light passing therethrough.

5. The new vehicle front brake light of claim 4, and further comprising a diffuser lens coupled to a center area of said lens cover, said diffuser lens being of a color different than a color of said lens cover.

6. The new vehicle front brake light of claim 5, wherein a diameter of said diffuser lens is smaller than a diameter of said lens cover such that light passing through said cover defines three light zones of differing colors.