Portable multi-color signal light with selectively switchable LED and incandescent illumination

• US 5,374,876 A
• Filed: 12/21/1992
• Issued: 12/20/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hiroshi Horibata
• Original Assignee: Hiroshi Horibata
• Inventors: Horibata, Hiroshi, Azumaya, Gunjirou
• Primary Examiner(s): MIS, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US07/993,603
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 315/33, 315/178, 315/179, 315/180, 315/181, 315/182, 315/183, 315/250, 315/313, 315/317, 315/362
• US Class Current: 315/313
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/006 Portable traffic signalling devices G08B5/004 takes precedence; emergency signalling devices to be placed on roads or vehicles B60Q7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0955 transportable
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 35/00 Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits

Abstract

A portable multi-color signal light having at least two color LED, such as red or blue or green or yellow, with or without covering color films, and at least one incandescent lamp, with or without covering color films. Independent switches allow for the selective operation of the LED and the incandescent lamp. The power source may be disposed within the signal light or relocated to a cell box to be worn on the belt of the user to provide weight decrease for long-term usage. The signal light may be used as a signal light for traffic control and illumination.

Claims

1. A multi-color signal light comprising:

light means comprising at least one color LED means disposed longitudinally along the extent of a hood means and at least one incandescent lamp means disposed in the hood means and spaced from the color LED means;

the hood means comprising tube means having an outer light permeable tube surrounding an inner light permeable tube, the outer tube having means for diffusing light transmitted through the inner tube;

the hood means having a longitudinal interior divided by diametrically disposed partitions to form a chamber for respective color LED means, the partitions being supported by the tube means;

a power source means electrically connected to the color LED means and the incandescent lamp means for energizing the LED means and the incandescent lamp means;

at least two switch means connected to the power source means and respectively to the color LED means and the incandescent lamp means for selectively and independently electrically connecting the power source to the color LED means and the incandescent lamp means;

the switch means being disposed on a longitudinal extension of the hood means;

a printed circuit board disposed in and supported by the tube means, the board supporting the color LED means; and

an adapter extending longitudinally from the hood means and connected to the hood means for supporting the incandescent lamp means.

2. The signal light of claim 1 wherein the adapter is surrounded by a funnel connecting the hood means with the longitudinal extension of the hood means.

3. The signal light of claim 1 wherein the color LED means is electrically connected in a parallel circuit with the incandescent lamp means.

4. The signal light of claim 1 wherein the incandescent lamp means is disposed in a chamber of the hood means located nearest to the longitudinal extension of the hood means.

7. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 further comprising a buzzer electrically connected to the power source by a further switch means.

8. The signal light of claim 7 wherein the buzzer is disposed at a longitudinal end of the hood means;

and means for covering the buzzer, the cover means having openings to permit sound to pass therethrough.

9. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the power source is located in the longitudinal extension of the hood means.

10. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the power source is disposed in a cell box separate from the hood means and electrically connected to the switch means.

11. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the tube means not tapered.

12. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the tube means is tapered with the larger diameter nearer to the longitudinal extension of the hood means.

13. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the color of the LED means is selected from the group comprising:

red, green, blue and yellow.

14. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the color emitted from the LED means is transmitted through a colored film.

15. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the light from the incandescent lamp is transmitted through a colored film.

16. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the switch means is located on the longitudinal extension of the hood means.

17. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein circuit means for controlling the flash interval of the light means is connected to the power source and the light means.

18. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein the color LED means comprises at least two different colors disposed alternately in the chambers of the hood means.

19. The signal light of claim 18 wherein the switch means associated with the color LED means is multi-step to electrically alternatively connects the power source to only one color LED means and simultaneously energizes all LED means of the same color.

20. The signal light of claims 2 or 6 wherein a flange extends diametrically across the smaller diameter of the funnel and a stem extends through the funnel between the printed circuit board and the flange.

21. The signal light of claims 2 or 6 wherein an assembly means is disposed in the funnel and between the printed circuit board and the longitudinal extension of the hood means, the assembly means having passages for the electrical connection of the light means and the switch means and the power source means.

22. The signal light of claims 1 or 5 wherein a series circuit connects a plurality of color LED means.

5. A multi-color signal light comprising:

light means comprising at least one color LED means disposed longitudinally along the extent of a hood means;

the hood means comprising tube means having an outer light permeable tube surrounding an inner light permeable tube, the outer tube having means for diffusing light transmitted through the inner tube;

the hood means having a longitudinal interior divided by diametrically disposed partitions to form a chamber for respective color LED means, the partitions being supported by the tube means;

a power source means electrically connected to the color LED means for energizing the LED means;

switch means connected to the power source means and to the color LED means for electrically connecting the power source to the color LED means;

the switch means being disposed on a longitudinal extension of the hood means; and

a printed circuit board disposed in and supported by the tube means, the board supporting the color LED means.

6. The signal light of claim 5 wherein the hood means is connected to the longitudinal extension of the hood means by a funnel.