Removable, multi-purpose utility light for motor vehicles
First Claim
1. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing comprising at least first and second housing elements, wherein the first housing element is rotatable with respect to the second housing element;
a light emitting element positioned in the housing, said light emitting element emitting a first light output in accordance with a first mode of operation and a second light output in accordance with a second mode of operation; and
a switch incorporated into the light assembly in a manner such that relative rotation of the first and second housing elements allows a user to select a mode of operation from the group including at least the first and second modes of operation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Auxiliary lighting for motor vehicles. The lighting system of the invention may be configured so that it both mounts to and draws power from a socket on the vehicle. The lighting systems may use one or more heat management strategies to help dissipate heat generated during operation. A user may easily switch among two or more operational modes. In preferred modes, the user may select among available modes simply by relative rotational motion among housing components. Some aspects of the invention also use a combination of reflecting elements that provide a very favorable pattern of illumination. According to one such embodiment, a primary reflector includes a dichroic surface that reflects some light outward, but allows some light to pass. A secondary reflector is then used to capture and reflect the passing light outward as well.
43 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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a housing comprising at least first and second housing elements, wherein the first housing element is rotatable with respect to the second housing element;
a light emitting element positioned in the housing, said light emitting element emitting a first light output in accordance with a first mode of operation and a second light output in accordance with a second mode of operation; and
a switch incorporated into the light assembly in a manner such that relative rotation of the first and second housing elements allows a user to select a mode of operation from the group including at least the first and second modes of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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a housing;
a light emitting element positioned in the housing; and
wherein the light assembly is both mounted to and electrically coupled to a socket on the vehicle in a manner that allows a user to select a mode of operation from among a group including at least first and second modes of operation, wherein said selecting causes the light emitting element to generate a light output depending upon a state of the vehicle.
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15. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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a light emitting element that is electrically coupled to the vehicle in a manner such that the light emitting element generates a light output in accordance with a mode of operation that depends upon a state of the vehicle; and
a dichroic surface positioned in a manner effective to reflect a portion of the light output and is light transmissive with respect to a second portion of the light output.
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16. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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a light emitting element that is electrically coupled to the vehicle in a manner such that the light emitting element generates a light output in accordance with a mode of operation that depends upon a state of the vehicle;
a dichroic surface positioned in a manner effective to reflect a portion of the light output and is light transmissive with respect to a second portion of the light output; and
a secondary reflecting surface positioned in a manner effective to reflect a portion of the light transmitted through the dichroic surface.
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17. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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a light emitting element that is electrically coupled to the vehicle in a manner such that the light emitting element generates a heat output and further generates a light output in accordance with a mode of operation that depends upon a state of the vehicle; and
a reflector comprising a reflecting surface that reflects at least a portion of the light output outward to provide illumination and an elongated neck, wherein the elongated neck is in thermal contact with the light emitting element in a manner such that the elongated neck functions as a heat sink to help dissipate at least a portion of the heat output.
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18. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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a light emitting element that is electrically coupled to the vehicle in a manner such that the light emitting element generates a heat output and further generates a light output in accordance with a mode of operation that depends upon a state of the vehicle; and
an encasement having an interior in which the light emitting element is positioned, said encasement comprising a light and heat reflecting surface positioned in a manner effective to reflect at least a portion of the light and heat output and a light transmissive cover through which the light output and the reflected light pass to illuminate an area in the proximity of the light assembly.
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19. A light assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
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a light emitting element that is electrically coupled to the vehicle in a manner such that the light emitting element generates a heat output and further generates a light output in accordance with a mode of operation that depends upon a state of the vehicle; and
an encasement having an interior in which the light emitting element is positioned, said encasement comprising a light and heat reflecting surface positioned in a manner effective to reflect at least a portion of the light and heat output and a light transmissive cover through which the light output and the reflected light pass to illuminate an area in the proximity of the light assembly.
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Specification