Emergency light signal

• US 6,799,877 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leslie Watkins
• Original Assignee: Don't Die LLC
• Inventors: Alerich, Michael, Watkins, Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US10/318,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20040114391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 362/497, 362/498, 362/499, 362/541, 362/542, 402/04, 402/05, 340/475
• US Class Current: 362/542
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/56 for illuminating registrations or the like , e.g. for licence plates

Abstract

An emergency light signal adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle using at least one motor vehicle license plate mounting bolt. The light signal is comprised of a signal housing having at least one high-intensity light-emitting diode deriving power from circuitry which when activated from within the passenger compartment of a vehicle, generates a brilliant flashing signal to draw the attention of nearby vehicles or pedestrians. The switch within the passenger compartment may be hardwired to the signal hot using or alternatively may be activated by remote control. The light signal may draw power from either the vehicle'"'"'s own battery, or may be powered by a separate voltage source.

Claims

1. A emergency light signal for attachment to the exterior of a motor vehicle, comprising:

(a) a light signal housing having a front, a rear, and an operating circuit board, wherein at least the front of said housing is made of light transmitting material, said housing being dimensioned and configured for attachment to the vehicle using the vehicle'"'"'s license plate mounting bolts;

(b) at least one high-intensity light emitting diode (LED) disposed in said circuit board; and

(c) an oscillator circuit disposed on said circuit board, said oscillator circuit having an intermittent output signal, a LED driver circuit connected to the LED, the LED driver circuit responsive to the output of the oscillator circuit, said circuit board having means for applying power to said oscillator circuit and said LED driver circuit operable by an occupant from within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

2. The emergency light signal according to claim 1, wherein said power applying means includes a dashboard mounted switch wired to said circuitry.

3. The emergency light signal according to claim 1, wherein said power applying means includes a remote control transmitter and receiver.

4. The emergency light signal according to claim 1, wherein said housing is a frame encompassing the perimeter of the vehicle license plate with apertures therein adapted to receive the motor vehicle license plate mounting bolts.

5. The emergency light signal according to claim 1, wherein said signaling unit further comprises at least one reflector for directing and focusing the light emitting from said at least one LED.

6. The emergency light signal according to claim 1, wherein said circuitry includes an oscillator circuit for generating an intermittent pulse of predetermined electrical characteristics, and a lamp driver circuit responsive to said intermittent pulse for intermittently powering said at least one LED when said power applying means is activated.

7. The emergency light signal according to claim 1, wherein at least said front is clear.

8. A emergency light signal for attachment to a license plate mounted on a motor vehicle, comprising:

(a) a light signal housing having a front, a rear, a left side and a right side, said left and right sides having apertures disposed within for attachment to a license plate, and an operating circuit board;

(b) at least one high-intensity light emitting diode (LED) disposed in said housing; and

(c) LED driver circuitry electrically connected to said at least one high intensity LED, said circuitry having means for applying power to said circuitry operable by an occupant from within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;

wherein at least said front is made of light transmitting material, said power applying means includes a dashboard mounted switch wired to said circuitry, and said circuitry includes an oscillator circuit for generating an intermittent pulse of pre-determined electrical characteristics and a lamp driver circuit responsive to said intermittent pulse for intermittently powering said at least one LED when said power applying means is activated.

9. The emergency light signal according to claim 8, wherein said power applying means includes a remote control transmitter and receiver.

10. The emergency light signal according to claim 9, wherein said receiver is contained within said housing.

11. The emergency light signal according to claim 8, wherein said housing encompasses the perimeter of the vehicle license plate.

12. The emergency light signal according to claim 8, wherein said signaling unit further comprises at least one reflector for directing and focusing the light emitting from said at least one LED.

13. The emergency light signal according to claim 8, further comprising a battery electrically connected to said circuitry.

14. The emergency light signal according to claim 8, wherein at least said front is clear.

15. The emergency light signal according to claim 8, wherein at least said front contains indicia.

16. The emergency light signal according to claim 8, wherein at least said front has means for focusing the light emitting from said at least one LED.