Wide angle warning light

• US 4,866,329 A
• Filed: 08/31/1988
• Issued: 09/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Whelen Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Ferenc, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WIEDER, KENNETH A
• Application Number:
  US07/239,203
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 313/110, 313/111, 313/113, 313/116, 362/296, 362/308, 362/327, 362/328
• US Class Current: 313/113
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/28 Cover glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings

Abstract

A compact, wide angle light comprising a concave reflector, lens and light emitter. The lens is provided with a pluraltity of light spreaders while the reflector is comprised of a linear section, with side walls interconnected by a parabolic section, disposed between dish end sections.

Claims

1. A wide angle light source comprising:

means defining a reflector, said reflector defining means including;

a first end section, said first end section having a concave reflective surface which at least in part defines a first portion of a paraboloid of revolution about a first axis, said concave reflective surface of said first end section extending inwardly from a forward edge which is at least in part arcuate;

a second end section, said second end section having a concave reflective surface which at least in part defines a portion of a paraboloid of revolution about a second axis, said second axis being oriented generally parallelly to said first axis, said concave reflective surface of said second end section extending inwardly from a forward edge which is co-planar with the forward edge of said first end section; and

a linear intermediate section having a concave reflective surface, said intermediate section being integral with and extending between said end sections, said intermediate section having a rear wall portion which interconnects a pair of parallel side wall portions, said rear wall portion at least in part having a profile which is a paraboloid having a focal point defining a straight line intersecting said first and second axes, said side wall portions of said intermediate section defining a pair of parallel linear forward edges which are generally co-planar with said forward edges of said first and second end sections;

a leans means adapted to be secured to said reflector defining means, said lens means and reflector-defining means cooperating to form a chamber bounded in part by said reflective surfaces; and

light emitter means disposed in said chamber, said light emitter means comprising a gaseous discharge tube having a pair of leg portions and an elongated linear intermediate portion which interconnects first ends of said leg portions, said leg portions extending outwardly from said light emitter means intermediate portion to said reflector-defining means whereby said light emitter is supported from said reflector-defining means by said legs, said linear intermediate portion of said light emitter means defining an axis which is oriented generally parallel to said reflector-defining means intermediate section forward edges, said light emitter means intermediate portion axis being positioned inwardly toward said reflector means intermediate section rear wall portion with respect to the plane in which said forward edges of said reflector defining means sections lie.

2. The wide angle light source of claim 1 wherein said lens means is provided with surface irregularities which disperse light incident thereon over an angle, said lens means surface irregularities being disposed at the opposite side of said plane of said forward edges of said reflector defining means sections when compared to said light emitter means linear intermediate portion.

3. The wide angle light source of claim 2 wherein said lens means is further provided with a window portion which is free of said surface irregularities, said window portion being in registration with said reflector defining means intermediate section.

4. The wide angle light source of claim 1 wherein the side of said lens means which faces said reflector defining means has a generally concave shape.

5. The wide angle light source of claim 4 wherein said lens means is provided with surface irregularities which disperse light incident thereon over an angle.

6. The wide angle light source of claim 5 wherein said lens means is provided with a window portion which is free of said surface irregularities, said window portion being in registration with said reflector defining means intermediate section.

7. The wide angle light source of claim 3 wherein said lens means surface irregularities have an arcuate shape when viewed in cross-section and are positioned on the side of said lens means which faces said reflector defining means.

8. The wide angle light source of claim 6 wherein said lens means surface irregularities have an arcuate shape when viewed in cross-section and are positioned on the side of said lens means which faces said reflector defining means.

9. The wide angle light source of claim 3 wherein said surface irregularities are separated by flat regions.

10. The wide angle light source of claim 6 wherein said surface irregularities are separated by flat regions.

11. The wide angle light source of claim 7 wherein said surface irregularities are separated by flat regions.

12. The wide angle light source of claim 8 wherein said surface irregularities are separated by flat regions.

13. The wide angle light source of claim 3 wherein the side of said lens means which faces said reflector defining means has a generally concave shape.

14. The wide angle light source of claim 13, wherein said lens means surface irregularities have an arcuate shape when viewed in cross-section and are positioned on the side of said lens means which faces said reflector defining means.

15. The wide angle light source of claim 14 wherein said surface irregularities are separated by flat regions.