Wide angle beam pattern lamp

• US 5,373,430 A
• Filed: 04/16/1992
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kevin Mcdermott
• Original Assignee: Kevin Mcdermott
• Inventors: McDermott, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US07/869,786
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 362/297, 362/298, 362/299, 362/304, 362/346
• US Class Current: 362/299
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/28 Cover glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/336 with discontinuity at the junction between adjacent areas

Abstract

A vehicular warning light has multiple segments of concave parabolic reflectors assembled for cooperative spreading of the light emitted from a single electric lamp to form an elongated wide angle beam of light in a horizontal plane for alerting the neighborhood to the presence and movement of the emergency vehicle. The axis of revolution of each parabolic reflector is assembled at a differing azimuth angle within the common horizontal plane and the focal points and focal planes of the respective reflectors are dispersed. The equivalent center point of the single light source is therefore defocused relative to at least some of the reflectors. The axis of the elongated light source is centered on the common horizontal plane and is parallel to the fluted light cover lens which is contoured for efficiency in light transmission from the multiple reflectors and for additional spreading and luminous uniformity.

Claims

1. A lighting device for the projection of an elongated wide angle beam of light in a defined spatial plane wherein the improvement comprises:

a) a light source for the emission of light rays,

b) a first reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a first light beam said first reflector comprising;

a portion of a first concave surface of revolution developed about a first axis of revolution, said first surface of revolution having;

a first focal point;

a first vertex;

a first focal length and;

a first focal plane perpendicular to said first axis of revolution intercepting said first focal point;

c) a second reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a second light beam said second reflector comprising;

a portion of a second concave surface of revolution developed about a second axis of revolution, said second surface of revolution having;

a second focal point;

a second vertex;

a second focal length; and

a second focal plane perpendicular to said second axis of revolution intercepting said second focal point;

d) means for attachment of said second reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said second focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a first acute angle of intersection;

e) means for locating said light source relative to said first and said second focal points so that said first and said second reflected light beams first converge, then finally diverge at a first angle of divergence in said defined spatial plane which exceeds said first acute angle of intersection;

f) a third reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a third light beam. Said third reflector comprising;

a portion of a third concave surface of revolution developed about a third axis of revolution, said third surface of revolution having;

a third focal point;

a third vertex;

a third focal length; and

a third focal plane perpendicular to said third axis of revolution intercepting said third focal point;

g) means for attachment of said third reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said third focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a second acute angle of intersection.

2. A lighting device, as per claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) a molded body for a composite reflector of said light comprising;

a central concaveous reflecting surface, comprising

said first reflector about said first axis of revolution which passes through the center of said light source, said first reflector having said first focal point coincident with said center of said light source;

a portion of a first concaveous wing reflecting surface of revolution comprising said second reflector about a second axis of revolution angled relative to said first axis, said first wing surface located in a peripheral area of said molded body; and

a portion of a second concaveous wing reflecting surface of revolution comprising said third reflector about said third axis of revolution angled relative to said first axis, said second wing surface located in the diametrically opposing peripheral area of said molded body; and

b) a lens for attachment to said molded body for the transmission of said beam of light, said lens comprising;

a central lens section for transmission of light rays reflected from said first reflector along paths substantially normal to the interior surface of said central lens section;

a first wing lens section integrally contoured and angled in the peripheral area of said central lens section for the transmission of received light rays reflected from said second reflector along paths substantially normal to the interior surface of said first wing lens section;

a second wing lens diametrically located and integrally contoured and angled in the opposing peripheral area of said central lens section for the transmission of received light rays reflected from said third reflector along paths substantially normal to the interior surface of said second wing lens section; and

c) means for establishing optical registry between said second and said third reflectors and said first and said second wing lens sections, respectively.

3. A lighting device, as per claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) a multiplicity of parallel ridged flutes for said lens for refractive spreading of said wide angle beam of light; and

b) a locating pad for said molded reflector body for establishing and maintaining said defined spatial plane in a specified direction.

4. A lighting device as per claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) said first reflector formed of a bendable material;

b) said second reflector comprising a first wing reflecting sector formed by multiple lateral inward cuts from the periphery of said first reflector and by bending said first wing reflecting sector inward toward said first axis of revolution, and;

c) said third reflector comprising a second wing reflecting sector formed by multiple inward cuts from the diametrically opposing periphery of said first reflector and by bending said second wing reflecting sector inward toward said first axis of revolution.

6. A lighting device as per claim 1 or 5 wherein:

said light source is located at said second focal point.

8. A lighting device as per claim 1, 5 or 7 wherein:

said light source is located at said third focal point.

9. A lighting device as per claim 1, 5 or 7 which comprises:

means for locating said light source relative to said first and said third focal points so that said first and said third reflected light beams first converge, then finally diverge at a second angle of divergence in said defined spatial plane which exceeds said second acute angle of intersection.

11. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

said first and said second focal points are at separate locations.

12. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

said means for locating said light source relative to said first and said second focal points includes;

locating said light source beyond the side of said first focal plane opposite said first vertex.

13. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

said means for locating said light source relative to said first and said second focal points includes;

locating said light source beyond the side of said first focal plane opposite said first vertex; and

locating said light source beyond the side of said second focal plane opposite said second vertex.

14. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

said first and said second surfaces of revolution are paraboloids.

15. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

said first and said second reflectors are portions of a single paraboloid.

16. A lighting device, as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

light source comprises;

a) an elongated light source positioned parallel to said defined spatial plane.

17. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

said first, said second and said third surfaces of revolution are paraboloids.

18. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

said first, said second and said third reflectors are portions of a single paraboloid.

19. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 wherein:

at least two of said first, said second, and said third reflectors are located on opposite side of a geometric plane drawn perpendicular to said defined spatial plane and through the center of said light source for substantially symmetrical spreading of said wide angle beam of light about said geometric plane.

20. A lighting device as per one of claims 1 thru 10 which further includes:

a lens comprising;

a) a first lens section with a first interior surface for transmitting said first beam of light,

b) a second lens section with a second interior surface for transmitting said second beam of light,

c) a third lens section with a third interior surface for transmitting said third beam of light,

d) means to attach said lens to said first, said second and said third reflectors so that said first light beam impinges upon said first lens section along a path substantially normal to aid first interior surface, and;

said second light beam impinges upon said second lens section along a path substantially normal to said second interior surface, and;

said third light beam impinges upon said third lens section along a path substantially normal to said third interior surface.

5. A lighting device for the projection of an elongated wide angle beam of light in a defined spatial plane wherein the improvement comprises:

a) a light source for the emission of light rays,

b) a first reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a first light beam said first reflector comprising;

a portion of a first concave surface of revolution developed about a first axis of revolution, said first surface of revolution having;

a first focal point;

a first vertex;

a first focal length and;

a first focal plane perpendicular to said first axis of revolution intercepting said first focal point;

c) a second reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a second light beam said second reflector comprising;

a portion of a second concave surface of revolution developed about a second axis of revolution, said second surface of revolution having;

a second focal point;

a second vertex;

a second focal length; and

a second focal plane perpendicular to said second axis of revolution intercepting said second focal point;

d) means for attachment of said second reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said second focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a first acute angle of intersection;

e) means for locating said light source relative to said first and said second focal points so that said first and said second reflected light beams initially converge, then finally diverge at a first angle of divergence in said defined spatial plane which exceeds said first angle of intersection;

f) means for assembly of said light source and said first reflector wherein said first light beam initially converges upon said first axis of revolution then diverges from said first axis of revolution for increased final divergent spreading of said first and said second light beams in said defined spatial plane, said means including;

i) locating said first reflector on the side of said first focal plane facing said first vertex; and

ii) locating said light source between said first reflector and a plane that is perpendicular to said defined spatial plane and coincident with said first axis of revolution,

g) a third reflector of light for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a third light beam said third reflector comprising;

a portion of a third concave surface of revolution developed about a third axis of revolution, said third surface of revolution having;

a third focal point;

a third vertex;

a third focal length; and

a third focal plane perpendicular to said third axis of revolution intercepting said third focal point;

h) means for attachment of said third reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said third focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a second acute angle of intersection.

7. A lighting device for the projection of an elongated wide angle beam of light in a defined spatial plane wherein the improvement comprises:

a) a light source for the emission of light rays,

b) a first reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a first light beam said first reflector comprising,

a portion of a first concave surface of revolution developed about a first axis of revolution, said first surface of revolution having;

a first focal point;

a first vertex;

a first focal length and;

a first focal plane perpendicular to said first axis of revolution intercepting said first focal point;

c) a second reflector for reflecting light rays emitted said light source to form a second light beam said second reflector comprising;

a portion of a second concave surface of revolution developed about a second axis of revolution, said second surface of revolution having;

a second focal point;

a second vertex;

a second focal length; and

a second focal plane perpendicular to said second axis of revolution intercepting said second focal point;

d) means for attachment of said second reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said second focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a first acute angle of intersection;

e) means for locating said light source relative to said first and said second focal points so that said first and said second reflected light beams first converge, then finally diverge at a first angle of divergence in said defined spatial plane which exceeds said first acute angle of intersection;

f) means for assembly of said light source and said first reflector wherein said first light beam initially converges upon said first axis of revolution then diverges from said first axis of revolution for increased final divergent spreading of said first and said second light beams in said defined spatial plane, said means including;

i) locating said first reflector on the side of said first focal plane facing said first vertex; and

ii) locating said light source between said first reflector and a plane that is perpendicular to said defined spatial plane and coincident with said first axis of revolution,

g) means for assembly of said light source and said second reflector wherein said second light beam initially converges upon said second axis of revolution then diverges from said second axis of revolution for increased final divergent spreading of said first and said second light beams in said defined spatial plane, said means including;

i) locating said second reflector on the side of said first focal plane facing said second vertex; and

ii) locating said light source between said second reflector and a plane that is perpendicular to said defined spatial plane and coincident with said second axis of revolution,

h) a third reflector of light for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a third light beam said third reflector comprising;

a portion of a third concave surface of revolution developed about a third axis of revolution, said third surface of revolution having;

a third focal point;

a third vertex;

a third focal length; and

a third focal plane perpendicular to said third axis of revolution intercepting said third focal point;

i) means for attachment of said third reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said third focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a second acute angle of intersection.

10. A lighting device for the projection of an elongated wide angle beam of light in a defined spatial plane wherein the improvement comprises:

a) a light source for the emission of light rays,

b) a first reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a first light beam said first reflector comprising;

a portion of a first concave surface of revolution developed about a first axis of revolution, said first surface of revolution having;

a first focal point;

a first vertex;

a first focal length and;

a first focal plane perpendicular to said first axis of revolution intercepting said first focal point;

c) a second reflector for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a second light beam said second reflector comprising;

a portion of a second concave surface of revolution developed about a second axis of revolution, said second surface of revolution having;

a second focal point;

a second vertex;

a second focal length; and

a second focal plane perpendicular to said second axis of revolution intercepting said second focal point;

d) means for attachment of said second reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said second focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a first acute angle of intersection;

e) means for locating said light source relative to said first and said second focal points so that said first and said second reflected light beams first converge, then finally diverge at a first angle of divergence in said defined spatial plane which exceeds said first acute angle of intersection;

f) means for assembly of said light source and said first reflector wherein said first light beam initially converges upon said first axis of revolution for increased final divergent spreading of said first and said second light beams in said defined plane,

said means including;

i) locating said first reflector on the side of said first focal plane facing said first vertex; and

ii) locating said light source between said first reflector and a plane that is perpendicular to said defined spatial plane and coincident with said first axis of revolution,

g) means for assembly of said light source and said second reflector wherein said second light beam initially converges upon said second axis of revolution then diverges from said second axis of revolution for increased final divergent spreading of said first and said second light beams in said defined spatial plane, said means including;

i) locating said second reflector on the side of said second focal plane facing said second vertex; and

ii ) locating said light source between said second reflector and a plane that is perpendicular to said defined spatial plane and coincident with said second axis of revolution,

h) a third reflector of light for reflecting light rays emitted by said light source to form a third light beam said third reflector comprising;

a portion of a third concave surface of revolution developed about a third axis of revolution, said third surface of revolution having;

a third focal point;

a third vertex;

a third focal length; and

a third focal plane perpendicular to said third axis of revolution intercepting said third focal point;

i) means for attachment of said third reflector at an angle with respect to said first reflector such that said third focal plane intersects said first focal plane at a second acute angle of intersection,

j) means for locating said light source relative to said first and said third focal points such that said first and said third reflected light beams first converge, then finally diverge at a second angle of divergence in said defined spatial plane which exceeds said second acute angle of intersection;

k) means for assembly of said light source and said third reflector wherein said third light beam initially converges upon said third axis of revolution then diverges from said third axis of revolution for increased final divergent spreading of said first and said third light beams in said defined plane, said means including;

i) locating said third reflector on the side of said third focal plane facing said third vertex; and

ii) locating said light source between said third reflector and a plane that is perpendicular to said defined spatial plane and coincident with said third axis of revolution.