Visual safety auto lights for braking system

• US 5,831,523 A
• Filed: 07/03/1997
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward A. Lange
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Lange
• Inventors: Lange, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/888,256
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 340/479, 340/467, 340/465, 340/477, 340/468, 340/466, 340/469, 340/475, 340/478, 340/463, 340/464, 362/80, 362/80.1, 188/1.11
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect

Abstract

A vehicle light system is provided for use with a vehicle having a rear window with a periphery defined by a linear top edge, a linear bottom edge, and a pair of side edges formed therebetween. Provided is a plurality of spaced red light emitting diodes formed along the top edge of the rear window. The red light emitting diodes include a first set of diodes situated to the left of a central extent of the rear window and a second set of diodes situated to the right of the central extent thereof. In use, the red light emitting diodes are adapted to illuminate only during the actuation thereof. Finally, a brake relay control mechanism is adapted to actuate the red light emitting diodes in sequence upon the braking of the vehicle with a short delay therebetween, wherein the red light emitting diodes are actuated in sequence from the central extent of the top edge of the rear window to a side extent thereof.

Claims

1. A vehicle light system comprising, in combination:

a vehicle having a rear window with a periphery defined by a linear top edge, a linear bottom edge, and a pair of side edges formed therebetween;

a plurality of spaced circular shaped red light emitting diodes formed along the top edge and the side edges of the rear window, the red light emitting diodes including a first set of diodes situated to the left of a central extent of the rear window and a second set of diodes situated to the right of the central extent thereof, wherein the red light emitting diodes are adapted to illuminate only during the actuation thereof;

a plurality of spaced arrow-shaped yellow light emitting diodes formed along the top edge of the rear window, the yellow light emitting diodes including a first set of diodes situated to the left of the central extent of the rear window and a second set of diodes situated to the right of the central extent thereof, wherein the yellow light emitting diodes are adapted to illuminate only during the actuation thereof;

brake relay means connected to an existing brake light of the vehicle and adapted to transmit an activation signal upon the illumination of the brake light as a result of a user of the vehicle braking and further transmit a deactivation signal upon the lack of illumination of the brake light;

a pair of turn signal relay means each connected to an associated one of a pair of turn signal lights of the vehicle and adapted to transmit an activation signal upon each illumination of the associated turn signal light as a result of a user of the vehicle actuating a corresponding turn signal lever and further transmit a deactivation signal upon the lack of illumination of the associated turn signal light;

brake control means connected between the brake relay means, the red light emitting diodes and an oscillator, the brake control means adapted to actuate the red light emitting diodes in sequence upon the receipt of the activation signal with a short delay between the actuation of each of the red light emitting diodes, wherein the red light emitting diodes are actuated in sequence from the central extent of the top edge of the rear window to a lower extent of the side edges thereof, the brake control means further adapted to cease the actuation of the red light emitting diodes only upon the receipt of the deactivation signal; and

turn signal control means connected between each turn signal relay means, an associated one of the sets of yellow light emitting diodes and an oscillator, the turn signal control means adapted to actuate the associated set of yellow light emitting diodes in sequence upon the receipt of the activation signal with a short delay between the actuation of each of the yellow light emitting diodes, wherein the yellow light emitting diodes are actuated in sequence from the central extent of the top edge of the rear window to an associated side extent thereof, the turn signal control means further adapted to cease the actuation of the associated yellow light emitting diodes upon the receipt of the deactivation signal.

2. A vehicle light system comprising:

a vehicle having a rear window with a periphery defined by a linear top edge, a linear bottom edge, and a pair of side edges formed therebetween;

a plurality of spaced light emitting diodes formed along the top edge of the rear window, the light emitting diodes including a first set of diodes situated to the left of a central extent of the rear window and a second set of diodes situated to the right of the central extent thereof, wherein the light emitting diodes are adapted to illuminate only during the actuation thereof; and

brake relay control means adapted to actuate the light emitting diodes in sequence upon the braking of the vehicle with a short delay between the actuation of each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the light emitting diodes are actuated in sequence from the central extent of the top edge of the rear window to a side extent thereof.

3. The vehicle light system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the light emitting diodes are red and the brake control relay means further comprises:

brake relay means connected to an existing brake light of the vehicle and adapted to transmit an activation signal upon the illumination of the brake light as a result of a user of the vehicle braking and further transmit a deactivation signal upon the lack of the illumination of the brake light; and

brake control means connected between the brake relay means, the red light emitting diodes and an oscillator, the brake control means adapted to actuate the red light emitting diodes in sequence upon the receipt of the activation signal with a short delay between the actuation of each of the red light emitting diodes, wherein the red light emitting diodes are actuated in sequence from the central extent of the top edge of the rear window to a lower extent of the side edges thereof, the brake control means further adapted to cease the actuation of the red light emitting diodes only upon the receipt of the deactivation signal.

4. The vehicle light system of claim 2 additionally comprising:

turn signal control relay means adapted to actuate the set of light emitting diodes associated with the direction of turning upon the turning of the vehicle, said set of light emitting diodes being actuated in sequence with a short delay between the actuation of each of the light emitting diodes, wherein the light emitting diodes are actuated in sequence from the central extent of the top edge of the rear window to an associated side extent thereof.

5. The vehicle light system of claim 4 wherein the light emitting diodes are arrow shaped, each said set of diodes pointing outwardly from said central extent of the rear window.

6. The vehicle light system of claim 5, wherein the light emitting diodes are yellow.

7. The vehicle light system of claim 2, wherein said plurality of spaced light emitting diodes extends along each of said pair of side edges of said rear window.