Strip LED light assembly for motor vehicle

• US 7,038,593 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 911EP Incorporated (Safariland LLC)
• Original Assignee: 911EP Incorporated (Safariland LLC)
• Inventors: Pederson, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US10/750,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20040156210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.45, 340/463, 340/468, 362/240, 362/241, 362/243, 362/249, 362/252, 362/253, 362540-545
• 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 light emitting diode assembly comprising:

a) an integral substantially solid culminator assembly, said culminator assembly comprising three aligned adjacent reflector cavities, a pair of opposite end support walls, a pair of opposite longitudinal support walls, top surface, and a bottom surface, each of said reflector cavities having a top, a bottom, a light emitting diode aperture and a substantially conical reflector cup area;

b) at least one light emitting diode mounting surface comprising three light emitting diodes, each of said light emitting diodes being at least partially disposed within one of said light emitting diode apertures;

c) a cover, said cover having a forward surface and an interior, said culminator assembly being constructed and arranged for at least partial insertion within said interior of said cover;

d) at least one attachment member constructed and arranged to engage said light emitting diode mounting surface and said cover to position and releasably secure said culminator assembly at least partially within said cover; and

e) a controller in communication with said light emitting diodes, said controller constructed and arranged to selectively activate said light emitting diodes thereby producing at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals.

2. The light emitting diode assembly according of claim 1, said culminator assembly being substantially rectangular.

3. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 1, said reflector cavities defining a central cavity and two opposite end cavities, said central cavity and said two opposite end cavities being aligned along a common longitudinal axis.

4. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 1, said reflector cavities defining a central cavity and two opposite end cavities, said central cavity and said two opposite end cavities being regularly spaced along a common longitudinal axis.

5. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 1, said cavities being in contact with each other.

6. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 1, said cavities being separated from each other.

7. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 1, said cover comprising a transparent face constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to said top of said cavities.

8. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 1, said cover comprising a translucent face constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to said top of said cavities.

9. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 1, wherein said controller is constructed and arranged to produce said at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals in at least one combination.

10. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 9, said at least one combination comprising at least one pattern of visually distinct warning light signals.

11. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 9, said at least one combination comprising at least one sequence of visually distinct warning light signals.

12. A light emitting diode assembly comprising:

a) an integral substantially solid culminator assembly, said culminator assembly comprising a plurality of aligned adjacent reflector cavities, a pair of opposite end support walls, a pair of opposite longitudinal support walls, top surface, and a bottom surface, each of said reflector cavities having a top, a bottom, a light emitting diode aperture, and a substantially conical reflector cup area;

b) at least one light emitting diode mounting surface comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of said light emitting diodes being at least partially disposed within one of said light emitting diode apertures;

c) a cover, said cover having a forward surface and an interior, said culminator assembly being constructed and arranged for at least partial insertion within said interior of said cover;

d) at least one attachment member constructed and arranged to engage said light emitting diode mounting surface and said cover to position and releasably secure said culminator assembly at least partially within said cover; and

e) a controller in communication with said light emitting diodes, said controller constructed and arranged to selectively activate said light emitting diodes thereby producing at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals.

13. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 12, said culminator assembly being substantially rectangular.

14. A light emitting diode assembly according to claim 13, said cavities being in contact with each other.

15. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 12, said cavities being separated from each other.

16. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 12, said cover comprising a transparent face constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to said top of said cavities.

17. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 12, said cover comprising a translucent face constructed and arranged for positioning proximate to said top of said cavities.

18. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 12, wherein said controller is constructed and arranged to produce said at least two different types of visually distinct warning light signals in at least one combination.

19. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 18, said at least one combination comprising at least one pattern of visually distinct warning light signals.

20. The light emitting diode assembly according to claim 18, said at least one combination comprising at least one sequence of visually distinct warning light signals.