Replaceable LED modules

• US 6,462,669 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2000
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 911EP Incorporated (Safariland LLC)
• Original Assignee: E P Survivors LLC
• Inventors: Pederson, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/605,801
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45, 340/815.47, 340/321, 362/800, 315/200.A
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/042 the advertising matter being fixed on the roof of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A modular warning signal light system comprising at least one support. The at least one support having at least one module receiving port. The module receiving ports constructed and arranged to removably receive the support engagement member of a module. Each module having at least one visible side. The at least one visible side having at least one light emitting diode light source engaged thereto. The at least one light emitting diode light source, module and support all in independent electrical communication with a controller. The controller constructed and arranged to selectively activate the at least one support, the at least one module, the at least one light emitting diode light source, and any combinations thereof to create at least one warning light signal.

Claims

1. A modular warning signal light system comprising:

at least one support, the at least one support having at least one module receiving port;

at least one module, the at least one module having at least one visible side, the at least one visible side having at least one light emitting diode light source engaged thereto, the at least one module having at least one support engagement member, the at least one support engagement member constructed and arranged to be removably received by the at least one module receiving port, the at least one module and the at least one light emitting diode light source in electric communication with one another and with the at least one support; and

a controller, the controller in electric communication with the at least one support, the at least one module and the at least one light emitting diode light source, the controller constructed and arranged to selectively activate the at least one light emitting diode light source to create at least one warning light signal, the controller constructed and arranged to provide variable illumination intensity to each of the at least one support, the at least one module and the at least one light emitting diode light source wherein the variable illumination intensity provides the at least one warning light signal with non-constant luminosity.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is in further electrical communication with a power source of an emergency vehicle, the controller adapted to vary illumination intensity provided to the selectively activated at least one light emitting diode light source.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one light emitting diode light source is a plurality of light emitting diodes.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one receiving port is a plurality of receiving ports.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the at least one module is a plurality of modules.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller selectively activates the at least one light emitting diode light source on the at least one visible side of the plurality of modules to thereby produce a plurality of warning light signals.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the controller is in independent electrical communication with each of the light emitting diode light sources.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of light emitting diode light sources are independently and selectively activated thereby providing at least one warning light signal to be displayed from each of the visible surfaces.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein at least two visible surfaces display warning light signals which are different from one another.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of light emitting diode light sources on each of the modules are selectively activated thereby providing each of the plurality of modules with at least one warning light signal.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein at least two modules display warning light signals which are different from one another.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein the at least one support is a plurality of supports.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality of light supports is selectively activated thereby activating the plurality of modules and the plurality of light emitting diode light sources thereon to produce at least one predetermined warning light signal.

14. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one module is a circuit board.

15. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one support is a circuit board.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is constructed and arranged to selectively activate the at least one light emitting diode light source to create at least two warning light signals of the group consisting of:

a flashing light, a stationary light, a simulated revolving light, a simulated oscillating light, a strobe light, a modulated light, a variable light, a pulsating light, a directional indicator, and any combinations thereof.

17. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is constructed and arranged to selectively activate the at least one light emitting diode light source to create at least two warning light signals of the group consisting of:

a flashing light, a stationary light, a simulated revolving light, a simulated oscillating light, a strobe light, a modulated light, a variable light, a pulsating light, a directional indicator, and any combinations thereof.

18. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one support is constructed and arranged to be engaged to a surface of the emergency vehicle.

19. The system of claim 1, the at least one support having a plurality of visible support sides, each of the visible support sides having at least one module receiving port.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is constructed and arranged to selectively activate the at least one light emitting diode light source to create at least one warning light signal on each of the plurality of visible support sides, wherein the at least one warning light signal of each of the visible support sides is different.