Modular rotatable warning light

• US 20030016524A1
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin Michael Smith
• Original Assignee: Kevin Michael Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,789,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/35
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle

Abstract

A modular rotatable warning light incorporates a standardized shaft, rotatable sub-assembly, motor and worm gear to form the mechanical core of the assembly. The rotatable sub-assembly includes a rotatable reflector mount supported by two axially spaced bearings for rotation around a hub. The axially spaced bearings significantly improve the function and service life of the rotatable warning light. The standardized parts are combined with a selected base plate, lamp holder, lamp and reflector to produce a modular rotatable warning light having a specified overall configuration. The efficiency of production and maintenance of various rotatable warning light configurations is improved by reducing engineering, production, maintenance and inventory costs.

Claims

1. A reflector support subassembly for a modular rotatable warning light assembly, said reflector support subassembly comprising:

a hub having inside and outside surfaces and first and second ends and defining a substantially cylindrical through space having an axis;

a reflector mount disposed around said hub and including inward and outward facing surfaces and axially spaced upper and lower ends, said outward facing surface including gear means for receiving rotational forces applied to said reflector mount;

at least two bearings for supporting said reflector mount for rotation relative to said hub,

wherein said bearings are axially spaced from each other and disposed between said reflector mount inward facing surface and said hub outer surface in a generally orthogonal relationship to said axis.

2. The reflector support subassembly of claim 1, wherein said hub second end axially extends beyond said reflector mount lower end.

3. The reflector support subassembly of claim 1, wherein said gear means comprise a gear wheel configured to receive rotational force from a worm gear.

4. The reflector support subassembly of claim 1, wherein each said bearing means comprise an array of angularly spaced ball bearings arranged to travel in a pair of radially opposed races provided on said outer surface and said inward facing surface, respectively, said races being substantially parallel to each other and generally orthogonal to said axis.

5. The reflector support subassembly of claim 1, wherein said upper surface comprises a mounting means for fixing a reflector to said reflector mount for rotation therewith.

6. The reflector support subassembly of claim 1, wherein said hub and reflector mount are molded from plastic material selected from the group consisting of nylon and acetal.