High signal lights for automotive vehicles

• US 6,840,660 B2
• Filed: 12/08/1998
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hi-Lite Safety Systems, L.C.
• Original Assignee: Hi-Lite Safety Systems, L.C.
• Inventors: Hymer, Jeff L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANSON JR, JAMES W
• Application Number:
  US09/207,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,226 Days
• Field of Search: 362/548, 362/493, 362/545, 362/541, 362/540, 362/457, 362/485, 362/227, 362/234, 362/236, 362/237, 362/240, 362/242, 362/243, 362/244, 362/251, 362/543, 362/544, 340/467, 340/464, 340/478, 290/190.02, 296/190.02
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/30 for indicating rear of vehicle, e.g. by means of reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal

Abstract

A device for an automotive vehicle to signal braking, deceleration, turning of the vehicle or an emergency situation. The device has two bodies facing rearwardly, mounted near the top of the back or the highest point of the vehicle adjacent the sides of the vehicle. Each body has a base and a cover with translucent lenses. Light sources and reflectors are disposed on the base for illuminating the lenses to create the signaling as required. Lighting one or more lenses in the cover indicate braking while lighting an arrow shaped lens in the cover and a side lens facing out from the vehicle indicate intended turning. The light transmitted through the lenses in the cover is directed downwardly either by a downward tilt to the cover or by directional configurations formed on the lenses. The lenses signifying braking are formed from red material while the arrow shaped and side lenses signifying turning are formed from red or yellow material. The device can be powered directly from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system or from a separate back-up battery that can be trickle charged as the vehicle is operating. A deceleration sensor such as a piezo electric crystal also operates the braking signals. An auxiliary switch near the back of the vehicle activates the turn indicators to operate in an intermittent emergency mode.

Claims

1. A device for a first relatively tall commercial vehicle for signaling to a plurality of other vehicles of much lesser height following there behind comprising

at least two bodies, each body having a base, and a cover joined to the base,

means for attaching each base to the first vehicle, the two bodies being mountable adjacent to the top on the back of the first vehicle and adjacent to each side of the vehicle with the covers facing rearwardly, and

a plurality of translucent lenses in each cover and a plurality of illumination means for illuminating each of said lenses selectably to signal to the plurality of following vehicles, said first vehicle having the two bodies mounted adjacent the top thereof at an elevation sufficient for viewing by a plurality of following vehicles arrayed serially behind the first vehicle.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said illumination means each comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes set in an array to illuminate at least one lens.

3. The device of claim 2 comprising a printed circuit board positioned between the cover and the base in at least one body, said plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the printed circuit board.

4. Vehicle signaling lights for signaling change of vehicle speed or direction from a first relatively tall commercial vehicle to a plurality of other vehicles of much lesser height following there behind comprising,

at least one light adjacent the upper right rear corner on the back of the first relatively tall vehicle,

at least one light adjacent the upper left rear corner on the back of the first relatively tall vehicle,

each of said at least one light having a base and a cover enclosing the light,

each of said at least one light located at an elevation sufficient for viewing by the plurality of following vehicles arrayed serially behind the first vehicle, and

electric circuitry communicating from first vehicle driver controls to each of said at least one light whereby a first vehicle driver can selectably illuminate each or both of said at least one lights by applying the first vehicle brakes or turn signal switches.

5. The vehicle signaling lights of claim 4 wherein each of said at least one light is a single light combining the function of brake light and turn signal light.

6. The vehicle signaling lights of claim 4 wherein each of said at least one light comprises separately illuminateable brake light and turn signal light.

7. The vehicle signaling lights of claim 4 wherein said at least one light comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes set in an array to illuminate the at least one light.

8. The vehicle signaling lights of claim 7 comprising a printed circuit board having the array of light emitting diodes mounted on the printed circuit board.