Marker light

• US 6,461,017 B2
• Filed: 11/19/1999
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tom V. Selkee
• Original Assignee: Tom V. Selkee
• Inventors: Selkee, Tom V.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US09/444,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20020003700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 362/294, 362/249, 362/248, 362/545, 362/547, 362/800, 362/189, 362/186, 362/185, 362/267, 362/390, 362/369, 362/474, 362/473
• US Class Current: 362/237
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/04 Rear lights

Abstract

A flexible liquid tight marker light that comprises a light source encapsulated by injection molding a light transmitting elastomeric polymer to form a protective casing which further includes an imbedded wiring harness electrically connected to said light source and imbedded structural members that protect the light source from excessive flexing and impacts. The wiring harness and structural members provide heat sink means for the light source. The casing is comprised of variable durometer tinted polyurethane elastomers with light diffusing pigments added. Diverging optics are molded into the casing outer surface.

Claims

1. A lamp comprising:

an elastomeric body,

a plurality of light-emitting diodes embedded in said body,

a plurality of elongated electroconductive elements interconnecting the light-emitting diodes,

at least one substantially rigid means adjacent to at least certain ones of said light-emitting diodes to shield the diodes against damaging impact and bending loads, and

an electrical power source connected with said electroconductive elements to energize said light-emitting diodes.

2. A lamp according to claim 1, wherein:

said electroconductive elements comprise heat sink means for heat generated by the light-emitting diodes.

3. A lamp according to claim 1, wherein:

said elongated electroconductive elements comprise a harness which conducts heat from the light-emitting diodes generated by the diodes.

4. A lamp according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one outer surface portion of said elastomeric body is configured to define at least one diverging lens.

5. A lamp according to claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric body comprises at least one injection molded polyurethane elastomer ranging in durometer from 60A to 80 D.

6. A lamp according to claim 1, wherein:

said electrical power source comprises at least one positive and one negative electrical conductor extending from said elastomeric body.

7. A lamp according to claim 1, and further comprising:

at least one electrical conductor extending outwardly of the elastomeric body and adapted to support the elastomeric body after impact forces eliminate other substantial support for said body.

8. A lamp according to claim 1, and further comprising:

insulated metal cables connecting said electrical power source with at least one strain relief means having a body portion fixedly attached within said elastomeric body to transfer significant forces acting on said cables to said elastomeric body to prevent separation of said cables from said elongated electroconductive elements.

9. A lamp according to claim 1, wherein:

said elastomeric body comprises a substantially rigid elongate structural member embedded in said elastomeric body.

10. A lamp comprising:

a molded elastomeric polymer body,

a plurality of light-emitting diodes embedded within the body,

a plurality of electroconductive elements in said body and interconnecting said light emitting diodes, said electroconductive elements providing a heat sink for heat generated by said light-emitting diodes,

at least one substantially rigid portion of said elastomeric body adjacent to at least certain ones of said light-emitting diodes to shield the diodes and electroconductive elements against damaging impact and bending loads, and

an electrical power source connected with said electroconductive elements to energize said light-emitting diodes.

11. A lamp according to claim 10, and further comprising:

at least one elongate rigid structural member embedded in said elastomeric polymer body.

12. A lamp according to claim 10, wherein:

said elastomeric polymer body comprises at least one injection moldable polyurethane elastomer ranging in durometer from shore 60A to 80D.

13. A lamp according to claim 10, and further comprising:

insulated metal cables connecting said electrical power source with at least one strain relief means having a body portion fixedly attached within said polymer body to transfer significant forces acting on said cables to said polymer body to prevent separation of said cables from said electroconductive elements.

14. A lamp according to claim 10, and further comprising:

at least one electrical connection extending outwardly of said polymer body and adapted to support said polymer body after impact forces eliminate substantial support for said body.

15. A lamp according to claim 10, wherein:

said electrical power source comprises at least one positive and one negative electrical conductor extending from said polymer body.

16. A lamp according to claim 10, wherein:

at least one outer surface portion of said polymer body is configured to define at least one diverging lens.

17. A lamp according to claim 10, and further comprising:

a mounting bracket having a body mount member defining an open recess, an end of said polymer body being closely mounted in said recess, said mounting bracket including a releasable mounting bracket member attached to said polymer body and having means for securely attaching said mounting bracket to an external member.

18. A lamp comprising:

a polymer body comprising substantially discrete portions of different durometer materials,

said polymer body having a first inner core portion comprising substantially rigid thermoplastic material and a second outer portion disposed about said first inner core portion and comprised of thermoplastic elastomeric material of different durometer,

a plurality of light-emitting diodes embedded in said body first inner portion,

a plurality of elongated electroconductive elements interconnecting the light-emitting diodes,

electrical input conductors extending into said body and providing heat sink means for heat generated by the light-emitting diodes, and

an electrical power source connected with said electroconductive elements to energize said light-emitting diodes.

19. A lamp according to claim 18, wherein:

said polymer body comprises a plurality of injection moldable elastomers ranging in durometer from shore 60A to 80D.

20. A lamp according to claim 18, and further including:

electrical power insulating metal cables connected with at least one strain relief having a body portion fixedly attached to said cables within said polymer body to transfer significant forces acting on said cables to said polymer body to prevent separation of said cables from said elongated electroconductive elements.

21. A lamp according to claim 18, and further comprising:

at least one electrical connection extending outwardly of said polymer body and adapted to support said polymer body after impact forces eliminate substantial support for said polymer body.

22. A lamp according to claim 18, wherein:

said electrical power source comprises at least one positive and one negative electrical conductor extending from said polymer body.

23. A lamp according to claim 19, wherein:

at least one outer surface portion of said polymer body is configured to define at least one diverging lens.

24. A lamp according to claim 19, and further comprising:

a mounting bracket defining an open recess, said polymer body being mounted in said recess,

said mounting bracket including a releasable mounting bracket member attached to said polymer body, and

means for securely attaching said mounting bracket to an external member.