Strip LED light assembly for motor vehicle

• US 6,700,502 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Safariland LLC
• Original Assignee: 911EP Incorporated (Safariland LLC)
• Inventors: Pederson, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/586,100
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45, 340/463, 340/479, 340/467, 340/468, 340/403, 340/433, 340/465, 340/464, 340/469, 340/470, 340/471, 340/472, 340/473, 340/475
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/00 Light sources using semiconductor devices as light-generating elements, e.g. using light-emitting diodes [LED] or lasers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/06 flashing, e.g. with rotating reflector or light source signalling lighting devices mounted on vehicles B60Q1/26
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) warning signal light, the warning signal light comprising a plurality of light sources constructed and arranged with a reflector or cullminator, the LED light source being in electrical communication with a controller and a power supply, battery, or other electrical source. The warning signal light provides various colored light signals for independent use or use by an emergency vehicle. These light signals may include a strobe light, revolving light, an alternating light, a flashing light, a modulated light, a pulsating light, an oscillating light or any combination thereof. Additionally, the warning signal light may be capable of displaying symbols, reverse characters, or arrows. The controller may further be adapted to regulate or modulate the power intensity exposed to the illuminated LED'"'"'s to create a variable intensity light signal.

Claims

1. A combination multiple warning signal light and motorized vehicle, the combination multiple warning signal light and motor vehicle comprising:

a) a plurality of strip light emitting diode light sources engaged to an exterior of said vehicle, each strip light emitting diode light source having a visible exterior surface;

b) a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged about and attached to the visible exterior surface of each strip light emitting diode light source; and

c) a controller in electric communication with the light emitting diodes, the controller being independent of a turn signal circuit and a brake light circuit, the controller constructed and arranged to selectively activate the light emitting diodes thereby producing at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals, said controller being further constructed and arranged to produce the at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals in at least one pattern of light signals, said light emitting diodes receiving power from a power source.

2. The combination of claim 1, the controller constructed and arranged to provide variable power intensity to the light emitting diodes.

3. The combination of claim 1, each of said strip light emitting diode light sources comprising a back side having an affixation member.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the controller independently controls the light emitting diodes on different strip light emitting diode light sources.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are in the form of an array.

6. The combination of claim 4, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are selectively illuminated to create the appearance of rotation.

7. The combination of claim 4, wherein the warning light signal is a directional indicator.

8. The combination of claim 4, wherein the motorized vehicle is a utility vehicle.

9. The combination of claim 4, wherein the motorized vehicle is an emergency vehicle.

10. The combination of claim 4, further comprising a cover enclosing said light emitting diodes.

11. The combination of claim 1, said pattern of light signals comprising alternating illumination of at least two of said visually distinct warning light signals.

12. The combination of claim 1, wherein said pattern of light signals is repeating.

13. The combination of claim 1, said pattern of light signals comprising repeated illumination of one of said visually distinct warning light signals for at least two occurrences.

14. The combination of claim 1, said pattern of light signals comprising repeated illumination of one of said visually distinct warning light signals for at least two occurrences and subsequent repeated illumination of another of said visually distinct warning light signals for at least two occurrences.

15. The combination of claim 1, wherein said at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals are illuminated in any combination to form said pattern.

16. The combination of claim 1, wherein three or more visually distinct warning light signals are generated in any combination to form said pattern.

17. The combination of claim 1, wherein three or more visually distinct warning light signals are generated alternatively in any combination to form said pattern.

18. The combination of claim 1, wherein three or more visually distinct warning light signals are generated in any combination of two or more visually distinct warning light signals to form said pattern.

19. The combination of claim 1, wherein three or more visually distinct warning light signals are generated alternatively in any combination of two or more visually distinct warning light signals to form said pattern.

20. The combination of claim 1, wherein said at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals are generated in a regular pattern.

21. The combination of claim 1, wherein said at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals are generated in an intermittent pattern.

22. The combination of claim 1, wherein said at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals are generated in an irregular pattern.

23. A combination multiple warning signal light and motorized vehicle, the combination multiple warning signal light and motor vehicle comprising:

a) a plurality of strip light emitting diode light sources engaged to an exterior of said vehicle, each strip light emitting diode light source having a visible exterior surface;

b) a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged about and attached to the visible exterior surface of each strip light emitting diode light source; and

c) a controller in electric communication with the light emitting diodes, the controller being independent of a turn signal circuit and a brake light circuit, the controller constructed and arranged to selectively activate the light emitting diodes thereby producing at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals, said controller being further constructed and arranged to produce the at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals in at least one sequence of light signals, said light emitting diodes receiving power from a power source.

24. The combination of claim 23, said sequence of light signals comprising alternating illumination of at least two of said visually distinct warning light signal.

25. The combination of claim 23, wherein said sequence of light signals is repeating.

26. The combination of claim 23, said sequence of light signals comprising random illumination of said light signals.

27. The combination of claim 23, said sequence of light signals comprising repeated illumination of one of said visually distinct warning light signals for at least two occurrences.

28. The combination of claim 23, wherein said at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals are illuminated in any combination to form said sequence.

29. The combination of claim 23, wherein three or more visually distinct warning light signals are generated in a regular sequence.

30. The combination of claim 23, wherein tree or more visually distinct warning light signals are generated in an intermittent sequence.

31. The combination of claim 23, wherein three or more visually distinct warning light signals are generated in an irregular sequence.

32. A combination multiple warning signal light and motorized vehicle, the combination multiple warning signal light and motorized vehicle comprising:

a) at least one light assembly, each light assembly having a set of three light emitting diode light sources, at least one of said light assemblies being engaged to an exterior of said vehicle, each light assembly comprising a support, a reflector, and a cover, and

b) a controller in electric communication with said at least one light assembly, the controller constructed and arranged to selectively activate the light emitting diode light sources thereby producing at least two different types of warning light signals, said controller being further constructed and arranged to produce the at least two different types of warning light signals in at least one pattern of light signals, said controller being independent of a turn signal circuit and a brake light circuit said light emitting diode light sources receiving power from a power source.

33. The combination of claim 32, the controller constructed and arranged to provide variable power intensity to the light emitting diodes.

34. The combination of claim 32, wherein the controller independently controls the light emitting diodes on different light assemblies.

35. The combination of claim 32, wherein the motorized vehicle is a utility vehicle.

36. The combination of claim 32, wherein the motorized vehicle is an emergency vehicle.

37. The combination of claim 32, said pattern of light signals comprising alternating illumination of at least two of said warning light signals.

38. The combination of claim 32, said pattern of light signals comprising repeated illumination of one of said warning light signals for at least two occurrences.

39. The combination of claim 32, said pattern of light signals comprising repeated illumination of one of said warning light signals for at least two occurrences and subsequent repeated illumination of another of said warning light signals for at least two occurrences.

40. The combination of claim 32, wherein said at least two different types of warning light signals are illuminated in any combination to form said pattern.

41. The combination of claim 32, wherein three or more warning light signals are generated in any combination to form said pattern.

42. The combination of claim 32, wherein three or more warning light signals are generated alternatively in any combination to form said pattern.

43. The combination of claim 32, wherein three or more warning light signals are generated in any combination of two or more warning light signals to form said pattern.

44. The combination of claim 32, wherein three or more warning light signals are generated alternatively in any combination of two or more warning light signals to form said pattern.

45. The combination of claim 32, wherein said at least two different types of warning light signals are generated in a regular pattern.

46. The combination of claim 32, wherein said at least two different types of warning light signals are generated in an intermittent pattern.

47. The combination of claim 32, wherein said at least two different types of warning light signals are generated in an irregular pattern.