Adjustable elevated light for transportation vehicles

• US RE44,787 E1
• Filed: 02/05/2009
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bus Safety Lights, LLC
• Original Assignee: Bus Safety Lights, LLC
• Inventors: Burgess, Lynn Emerson
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US12/366,281
• Time in Patent Office: 1,853 Days
• Field of Search: 362/493, 362/497, 362/459, 362/494, 362/470, 362/479, 362/543, 362/549, 340/433
• US Class Current: 362/478
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0483 mounted on a bracket, e.g. details concerning the mouting of the lamps on the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/24 for lighting other areas than only the way ahead
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An adjustable, elevated and externally mounted lighting device (21) for vehicles such as school busses (22) and other types of vehicles, that provides a pool of light (23) to passenger loading and unloading areas for better visibility of passengers, vehicle drivers, and other vehicle operators in the vicinity during hours of darkness. The light'"'"'s adjustability, combined with a diffused lens (29), provides a broad and bright pool of light (23) without obstructing passenger visibility or driver use of side mirrors (30). The light (21) is connected to the vehicle'"'"'s on-board electrical power system and is activated automatically without distracting driver attentiveness, but with provisions for manual over-ride activation if needed in special circumstances such as emergencies or wheelchair loading/unloading.

Claims

1. An adjustable, elevated and externally mounted lighting device comprising a means for mounting an illumination source on a public or private commercial passenger vehicle so that a majority of the loading and unloading side of said vehicle is illuminated aiding in the loading and unloading of passengers;

said lighting device having multiple light sources that are filtered by filtering means, said light device is located directly above said loading and unloading side and is initialized by automated or manual control means within said vehicle;

said control means and lighting device powered by vehicle on-board electrical elements within said vehicle.

2. A method for lighting a loading and unloading area near a door of a vehicle, the method comprising:

activating an illumination source positioned approximately above the door of the vehicle;

directing light from the illumination source in a direction of the loading and unloading area; and

minimizing reflective glare of the light from a side mirror proximate the door as viewed by a driver of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising diffusing the light from the illumination source.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising positioning the illumination source in a shroud attached to the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein directing the light includes adjusting an orientation of the illumination source relative to the door.