LED truck logo lighting

• US 8,938,897 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2010
• Issued: 01/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Image Display, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Peter Anthony Borreggine
• Inventors: Borreggine, Peter Anthony, Bilbao, Gaston Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US12/723,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20110219651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 Days
• Field of Search: 405/41, 405/88, 405/92, 406/061.2, 407/38, 406/43, 405/91, 405/93, 405/89, 405/90, 296/180.4
• US Class Current: 40/541
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/001 For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

In combination with a highway tractor of the type having an operator'"'"'s cab mounted on a frame, a vertical pivotal coupling means coupled to the frame behind the cab adapted to be coupled to a trailer, and an aerodynamic structure at the top of the cab which includes a plurality of LED bulbs and a heat generating element in the front of the aerodynamic structure. A front panel of glass or plastic material having information such as a logo containing letters and/or images located on its first surface, second surface or embedded surface covers the LED bulbs with a weatherproof seal. Light from the LED bulbs provides illumination for the information on the front panel to be viewed from the front of the highway tractor and heat from the heat generating element helps to keep the front panel having information such as a logo free of snow and/or ice.

Claims

1. In combination with a highway tractor of the type having an operator'"'"'s cab mounted on a frame, a vertical pivotal coupling means coupled to said frame behind said cab adapted to be coupled to a trailer, and an aerodynamic structure having a front arcuate surface and coupled to the top of the cab comprising:

a support member including;

a rear panel having a rim, and

a plurality of bulbs mounted to the rear panel,

a back surface of the support member coupled directly to a front arcuate surface of the aerodynamic structure so that the support member is non-flush with the aerodynamic structure, said back surface including an arcuate cross-section that matches the front arcuate surface of the aerodynamic structure; and

a front panel coupled to said support member with a weatherproof seal, said front panel having information including at least one of letters and images located on a first surface, a second surface or an embedded surface of the front panel;

wherein light from the plurality of bulbs provides illumination for the information-to be viewed from the front of the highway tractor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said front panel is of a transparent material which includes glass, plastic or polycarbonate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 whereon said information on the first surface, second surface or embedded surface of said front panel is painted or printed.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 whereon said information on the first surface, second surface or embedded surface of said front panel is on a vinyl sheet.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of bulbs comprise a plurality of LED bulbs and are located in modules wherein each module has at least one LED bulb.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said modules are individually replaceable.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a heat generating element is located behind said front panel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat generating element is connected to an adjustable thermostat.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat generating element is an incandescent bulb.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat generating element is a resistor.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein activation of said heat generating element is by a switch located in the operator'"'"'s cab.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein activation of said heat generating element is by a thermostat which can be adjustable.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said thermostat is set to activate said heat generating element when the temperature reaches 32 degrees F. or below.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein activation of said heat generating element is by a switch located in the operator'"'"'s cab.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein activation of said heat generating element is by a thermostat.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said thermostat is set to activate said heat generating element when the temperature reaches 32 degrees F. or below.

17. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein activation of said plurality of LED'"'"'s is by a switch located in the operator'"'"'s cab.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a frame having a plurality of LED bulbs coupled to the side of the trailer;

and a front panel coupled to said frame with a weatherproof seal, said front panel having information such as a logo having letters and/or images located on its first surface, second surface or embedded surface;

wherein light from the LED bulbs provides illumination for the information on the front panel to be viewed from the side of the highway trailer of the tractor trailer.

18. The apparatus of 2 wherein a light transmitting frosted panel or diffuser is located between the bulbs and the front panel.