Mesh lighting system for emergency vehicles

• US 9,248,778 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2011
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 9609385 Canada Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
• Inventors: Ford, Timothy D. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US13/010,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20110175719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,839 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/468, 340/471, 340/472, 340/473, 340/815.45, 340/902, 340/904, 340/906
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 5/00 Inflatable pneumatic tyres or inner tubes B60C1/00, B60C9/00 - B60C17/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2615 mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• 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: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 7/00 Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles

Abstract

A mesh lighting system for emergency vehicles and method for retrofitting a vehicle with emergency lights is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of independent signalling light sources each supplied by a dedicated source of energy, a control module, and a low powered wireless network connecting said control module with the plurality of light sources. The plurality of independent signalling light sources emit at least one light flash in response to a control signal received from the control module.

Claims

1. A mesh lighting system for an emergency vehicle comprising a vehicle electrical system, the system comprising:

a plurality of batteries unconnected to the vehicle electrical system and a plurality of independent signalling light sources each comprising a blue LED and a red LED, each of said light sources comprising a receiver and powered by a different dedicated collocated one of said batteries;

a control module comprising a transmitter;

a low powered wireless network for wirelessly connecting said control module transmitter with each of said plurality of receivers; and

a toolless fastener for removeably attaching each of said light sources and their respective dedicated collocated battery to the vehicle;

wherein each of said plurality of independent signalling light sources emits a flashing blue and red light sequence in response to a control signal received from said control module via said low powered wireless network.

2. The mesh lighting system of claim 1, wherein said low powered wireless network is a Bluetooth network.

3. The mesh lighting system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sound emitting source, wherein said sound emitting source emits a pre-recorded sound in response to a control signal received from said control module.

4. The mesh lighting system of claim 3, further comprising a microphone and an interconnection between said sound emitting source and said microphone for transmitting sounds received by said microphone to said sound emitting source, said sound emitting source emitting said transmitted sounds.

5. The mesh lighting system of claim 4, wherein said interconnection is provided by a Bluetooth network.

6. The mesh lighting system of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a magnet.

7. The mesh lighting system of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a visor clip.

8. The mesh lighting system of claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises a belt and clip assembly for attaching at least one of said light sources to a roof of the vehicle.

9. The mesh lighting system of claim 1, wherein said fastener is a suction cup.

10. The mesh lighting system of claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of independent light sources comprises a translucent lens covering said LEDs, wherein said suction cup comprises an inner adhering surface and wherein said translucent lens is positioned towards a centre of said suction cup such that when said inner adhering surface is pressed against a window of the vehicle, said inner surface is retained against the window by a suction force and light emitted by said light source propagates through the window.

11. A method for retrofitting a vehicle comprising a vehicle electrical system with an emergency lighting system comprising:

providing a plurality of batteries unconnected to the vehicle electrical system and a plurality of independent signalling light sources each comprising a blue LED, a red LED and a receiver;

supplying power to each of said light sources from a different dedicated collocated one of said batteries;

removeably attaching each of said light sources and their respective dedicated collocated battery about the vehicle with a toolless fastener and such that said light sources are visible from a vehicle exterior; and

interconnecting a receiver of each of said independent signalling light sources with a transmitter of a control module using a low powered wireless network;

wherein each of said plurality of independent signalling light sources emits a flashing blue and red light sequence in response to a control signal received via said receiver from said control module transmitter via said low powered wireless network.

12. The method for retrofitting a vehicle with an emergency lighting system of claim 11, further comprising providing a sound emitting source and interconnecting said sound emitting source with said control module using said low powered wireless network wherein said sound emitting source emits a pre-recorded sound in response to a control signal received from said control module.

13. The method for retrofitting a vehicle with an emergency lighting system of claim 11, further comprising positioning at least one of said independent signalling light sources such that they are directed rearwards relative to the vehicle and at least one of said independent signalling light sources such that they are directed forwards relative to the vehicle.

14. The method for retrofitting a vehicle with an emergency lighting system of claim 13, further comprising positioning a pair of said independent signalling light sources such that they are directed sideways relative to the vehicle and in a direction opposite to one another.

15. The method for retrofitting a vehicle with an emergency lighting system of claim 13, further comprising positioning at least one of said independent signalling light sources on a roof of the vehicle.