Light bar mounting arrangement

• US 6,966,682 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
• Original Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
• Inventors: Gergets, Paul M., Frank, George R.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/459,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252021A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 362/544, 362/542, 362/549, 362/546, 362/249, 362/457, 362/493, 362/543, 362/548, 362/184, 362/185, 362/368, 340/815.73
• US Class Current: 362/544
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle

Abstract

A signaling system for mounting to an exterior surface of an emergency vehicle opposite an interior surface of the vehicle to which objects are mounted is provided. The signaling system includes a light bar having a plurality of signaling devices supported on and distributed along a base member and enclosed by a cover. A plate is secured to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle by one or more fasteners of a first type, which pass through the vehicle into its interior. The plate includes a surface for engaging the base of the light bar such that the light bar can be suspended from the plate. An opening is provided in the plate for communicating electrical wiring to the light bar. One or more fasteners of a second type that do not pass through the surface of the vehicle into its interior are provided for securing the light bar to the plate and thereby the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle such that the light bar can be removed from the exterior surface of the vehicle without removing the fasteners of the first type, which hold the plate to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A signaling system for mounting to an exterior surface of an emergency vehicle opposite an interior surface of the vehicle to which objects are mounted, the signaling system comprising:

a light bar comprising a plurality of signaling devices supported on and distributed along a base member and enclosed by a cover;

a plate secured to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle by one or more fasteners of a first type, which pass through the vehicle into its interior, the plate including a surface engaging the base member of the light bar such that the light bar is suspended from the plate with substantially the entire plate sandwiched between the light bar and the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle; and

one or more fasteners of a second type that do not pass through the surface of the vehicle into its interior for securing the light bar to the plate and thereby the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle such that the light bar can be removed from the exterior surface of the vehicle without removing the fasteners of the first type, which hold the plate to the vehicle.

2. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the plate includes an opening for communicating electrical wiring to the light bar.

3. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the one or more first type of fasteners comprise one or more bolts and mating nuts.

4. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the one or more second type of fasteners comprise one or more set screws supported on the light bar and engageable with the plate.

5. The signaling system of claim 4 wherein the one or more set screws engage a surface on the plate which is configured such that the light bar is drawn towards the plate as the set screws are moved into engagement with the plate.

6. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the one or more second type of fasteners comprise bolts that extend through the light bar and are received in corresponding recesses in the plate.

7. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the base member is further configured to receive fasteners of a third type that can be used to secure the light bar directly to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle.

8. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the one or more first type of fasteners comprise one or more bolts and mating nuts.

9. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the one or more second type of fasteners comprise one or more set screws supported on the light bar and engageable with the plate.

10. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the base member is further configured to receive fasteners of a third type that can be used to secure the light bar directly to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle.

11. The signaling system of claim 1 wherein the base member is further configured to receive fasteners of a third type that can be used to secure the light bar directly to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle.

12. A method for mounting a signaling system to a substantially vertical exterior surface of an emergency vehicle comprising, in any appropriate order, the steps of:

securing a plate to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle using one or more fasteners of a first type that pass through the vehicle into its interior;

suspending a light bar on the substantially vertical exterior surface of the emergency vehicle by engaging the light bar with a support surface on the plate such that the light bar is held in position on the substantially vertical exterior surface without any fasteners, the light bar comprising a plurality of signaling devices supported on and distributed along a base member and enclosed by a cover; and

securing the light bar to the plate using one or more fasteners of a second type which do not pass through the surface of the vehicle into its interior such that the light bar can be removed from the exterior surface of the vehicle without removing the fasteners of the first type.

13. The method of claim 12 further including the step of feeding electrical wiring associated with the light bar through an opening in the plate.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the one or more first type of fasteners comprise one or more bolts and mating nuts.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the one or more second type of fasteners comprise one or more set screws supported on the light bar and engageable with the plate.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the one or more set screws engage a surface on the plate which is configured such that the light bar is drawn towards the plate as the set screws are moved into engagement with the plate.

17. A signaling system for mounting to an exterior surface of an emergency vehicle opposite an interior surface of the vehicle to which objects are mounted, the signaling system comprising:

a light bar comprising a plurality of signaling devices supported on and distributed along a base member and enclosed by a cover;

a plate secured to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle by one or more fasteners of a first type, which pass through the vehicle into its interior, the plate including a surface engaging the base member of the light bar such that the light bar is suspended from the plate with the base member of the light bar engaging the exterior surface of the motor vehicle; and

one or more fasteners of a second type that do not pass through the surface of the vehicle into its interior for securing the light bar to the plate and thereby the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle such that the light bar can be removed from the exterior surface of the vehicle without removing the fasteners of the first type, which hold the plate to the vehicle.

18. The signaling system of claim 17 wherein the plate includes an opening for communicating electrical wiring to the light bar.

19. The signaling system of claim 17 wherein the plate includes an opening for communicating electrical wiring to the light bar.

20. A signaling system for mounting to an exterior surface of an emergency vehicle opposite an interior surface of the vehicle to which objects are mounted, the signaling system comprising:

a light bar comprising a plurality of signaling devices supported on and distributed along a base member and enclosed by a cover;

a plate secured to the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle by one or more fasteners of a first type, which pass through the vehicle into its interior, the plate including a surface engaging the base member of the light bar such that as the light bar is suspended from the plate the light bar is drawn towards the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle; and

one or more fasteners of a second type that do not pass through the surface of the vehicle into its interior for securing the light bar to the plate and thereby the exterior surface of the emergency vehicle such that the light bar can be removed from the exterior surface of the vehicle without removing the fasteners of the first type, which hold the plate to the vehicle.