LED flashing lantern

• US 5,608,290 A
• Filed: 01/26/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dominion Automotive Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dominion Automotive Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Hutchisson, James T., Straub, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Frank
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ratliff, Reginald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/379,890
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 315/200 A, 315/185 R, 315/360, 315/362, 362/227, 362/327, 362/800
• US Class Current: 315/200.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 7/00 Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/09 in which the lamp is fed by pulses automatic circuit devices built into or on the incandescent lamp H01K1/625; vehicle winking devices B60Q1/38
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/30 Driver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashing lantern (11) capable of emitting light through a 360-degree arc using LEDs as a light source is disclosed. The lantern comprises an array of LEDs (15) positioned in a substantially horizontal plane. An inverted conical reflector (19) is positioned above the array of LEDs (15) such that the apex of the reflector is pointed toward the array of LEDs (15). A fresnel-type lens (17) is positioned around the array of LEDs (15) and the conical reflector (19).

Claims

1. A flashing lantern comprising:

(a) an array of light-emitting diodes mounted in a plane for emitting light in a direction perpendicular to the plane;

(b) a reflector positioned to intersect the light emitted by said array of light-emitting diodes and redirect the light outwardly through a predetermined arc;

(c) a magnifying lens surrounding said reflector; and

(d) a control circuit for controlling the application of power to said array of light-emitting diodes such that said array of light-emitting diodes flashes on and off.

2. A flashing lantern as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined arc is a 360-degree arc.

3. A flashing lantern as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reflector is a conical reflector positioned such that the apex of said conical reflector points toward said plane in which said array of light-emitting diodes is mounted.

4. A flashing lantern as claimed in claim 3, wherein said array of light-emitting diodes includes a plurality of sets of light-emitting diodes, said sets being connected in series, said sets including a plurality of light-emitting diodes connected in parallel.

5. A flashing lantern as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control circuit comprises:

a metal oxide silicon field-effect transistor (MOSFET) connected in series with said array of light-emitting diodes;

a power source connected to said MOSFET and said array of light-emitting diodes to supply power to said array of light-emitting diodes when said MOSFET is conducting; and

a timer for supplying pulses to the gate of said MOSFET that cause said MOSFET to become conducting.

6. A flashing lantern as claimed in claim 1, wherein said array of light-emitting diodes includes a plurality of sets of light-emitting diodes, said sets being connected in series, said sets including a plurality of light-emitting diodes connected in parallel.

7. A flashing lantern as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control circuit comprises:

a metal oxide silicon field-effect transistor (MOSFET) connected in series with said array of light-emitting diodes;

a power source connected to said MOSFET and said array of light-emitting diodes to supply power to said array of light-emitting diodes when said MOSFET is conducting; and

a timer for supplying pulses to the gate of said MOSFET that cause said MOSFET to become conducting.