Signaling lamp having led light array with removable plastic lens

• US 6,254,262 B1
• Filed: 11/27/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Katherine A. Crunk, Paul D. Crunk, Peter J. Crunk
• Original Assignee: Katherine A. Crunk, Paul D. Crunk, Peter J. Crunk
• Inventors: Crunk, Paul D., Crunk, Katherine A., Crunk, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELGIZZI, RONALD ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US09/200,694
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 362/544, 362/545, 362/543, 362/541, 362/499, 362/505, 362/235, 362/268, 362/267, 362/800, 362/309, 362/331, 362/390, 362/369, 362/310, 362/329, 362/362
• US Class Current: 362/544
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/19 Attachment of light sources or lamp holders
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/48 with means for conducting heat from the inside to the outside of the lighting devices, e.g. with fins on the outer surface of the lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/50 Waterproofing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A signaling lamp allows improved serviceability and dependability. The lamp includes a light source, housing, backing and removable sealing mechanism. The housing includes a casing for coupling the housing to the backing, and a lens with a plurality of convex nodes along the interior surface for more efficiency collecting light from the light source. The modular structure and a pigtail socket achieve improved serviceability by allowing components to be individually replaceable and by increasing connectivity. Gaskets and an o-ring in conjunction with an o-ring slot formed in the backing of the lamp enhance sealing of the components. A heat sink on the backing operates to remove heat from the interior of the lamp. A current draw circuit and LED-based light source reduce the current draw to allow the lamp to use the standard battery from the primary vehicle as a power source.

Claims

1. A signaling lamp comprising:

a light source;

a housing;

a backing having a plurality of risers suspending the light source between the housing and the backing such that air surrounds the light source, the backing including a longitudinal surface defining an o-ring slot; and

a removable sealing mechanism for coupling the housing to the backing such that the light source is enclosed by the housing and the backing, the sealing mechanism including a plurality of sealing screws for coupling the housing to the backing, a sealing gasket disposed between the housing and a lateral surface of the backing such that the sealing screws pass through the sealing gasket, and an o-ring disposed between the housing and the o-ring slot.

2. The signaling lamp of claim 1 wherein the backing comprises:

a socket hole;

a pigtail socket extending from the light source through the socket hole;

a connector attached to the pigtail socket for coupling the signaling lamp to a power source; and

a socket hole sealing mechanism for stabilizing the pigtail socket.

3. The signaling lamp of claim 2 wherein the socket hole sealing mechanism comprises:

a socket hole gasket and an O-ring; and

a plurality of socket hole screws for coupling the socket hole gasket to the backing such that the pigtail socket is stabilized.

4. The signaling lamp of claim 1 wherein the backing comprises a heat sink for removing heat from the signaling lamp.

5. The signaling lamp of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a current draw circuit board and the backing comprises a plurality of circuit board risers for suspending the current draw circuit board between the housing and the backing.

6. The signaling lamp of claim 1 wherein the backing is made of an aluminum casting.

7. The signaling lamp of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises:

a casing coupled to the backing by the sealing mechanism;

a first lens attached to the casing, and

a second lens removably coupled to the first lens.

8. The signaling lamp of claim 7 wherein an interior surface of the first lens comprises a plurality of convex nodes.

9. The signaling lamp of claim 7 wherein the first lens is made of an acrylic material or Lexan.

10. The signaling lamp of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises:

an LED array; and

an LED board containing the LED array.

11. The signaling lamp of claim 10 wherein the light source further comprises a current draw circuit board electrically connected to the LED board for reducing a current draw of the signaling lamp.

12. The signaling lamp of claim 7, wherein a secondary lens is removably coupled with said housing.

13. A signaling lamp comprising:

a light source;

a housing surrounding said light source, said housing including a first lens for projecting light from said light source;

a backing removably coupled with said housing, said backing having an external heat sink for removing heat from air contained within the signaling lamp, the backing including surfaces defining a socket hole, a pigtail socket extending from the light source through the socket hole, a connector attached to the pigtail socket for coupling the signaling lamp to a power source, and a socket hole sealing mechanism for stabilizing the pigtail socket;

a sealing mechanism between said housing and said backing sealing said housing with said backing; and

a second lens spaced from said first lens for projecting light from said first lens, and said second lens removably coupled with said housing.