Abstract:
A pulsating vehicle reverse alert light system comprising an enclosed signal light bulb having a connection base wherein the connection base is installable to an open reverse light region/enclosure of a vehicle. The enclosed signal light bulb integrally comprises a first illumination element and a second illumination element. In a preferred embodiment, the first illumination element comprises a filament light emitter which may emit a steady indication light and the second illumination element may comprise a strobe light emitting diode comprising an intermittent alert signal. Both illumination elements are operable on varying frequencies and may cooperatively combine to create constructive interference. In use, the first illumination element and the second illumination element are electronically activated when the vehicle is being operated in a reverse condition providing increased visibility to surrounding motorists and pedestrians that the vehicle is backing up.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/296,367, filed Jan. 19, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the field of alert lights for vehicles and more specifically relates to a pulsating reverse light with dual integral illumination sources to alert surrounding pedestrians and motorists that a vehicle is being operated in reverse. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Vehicle alert lights are helpful in preventing automobile accidents by alerting motorists and pedestrians that a vehicle is moving in reverse. Traditionally referred to as stop lamps, a conventional brake and reverse light may comprise a continuous illumination light source emitting a continuous steady light. Generally, a solid red light is indicative that a car is braking and a solid white or yellow light above a brake light alerts surrounding persons that the vehicle is being driven in reverse. Brake and reverse lights are required to be installed in pairs to a rear portion of a motor vehicle to conform to a vast majority of state laws and local ordinances. However, often times a conventional brake/reverse lamp may be difficult to detect by other motorists in places such as congested shopping malls, busy streets, crowded parking lots, and apartment complexes. Furthermore, a traditional reverse light may be difficult to see during daytime hours on a sunny day when a motorist may be battling with a sun glare from the windshield or a walking pedestrian is temporarily blinded by the sun. 
         [0007]    An example illustrating a common problem of conventional reverse lights occurs in crowded parking lots such as shopping mall parking lots. Often times, a small car may be parked between two SUVs, which are much larger, and therefore the small car may be almost completely hidden from view of an oncoming motorist driving down the parking lot aisle and looking left and right for an open parking spot. When the small car backs out of a space, the oncoming motorist may not see a continuous white light emitting from a conventional reverse light because the car is obstructed by the larger vehicles in the adjacent parking spots. As a result, the oncoming motorist may collide with the car backing out leading to an avoidable accident and necessitating expensive auto repairs and possible hospital visits. An effective solution is necessary. 
         [0008]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,403,210, 5,404,130, 5,847,513, 2004/0246740, 5,342,117, and 3,382,405. This prior art is representative of pulsating alert lights for vehicles. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0009]    Ideally, a pulsating alert light system should gain motorists and pedestrians immediate attention, operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable pulsating vehicle alert light system to alert nearby pedestrians and motorists that a vehicle is moving in reverse thus reducing the likelihood of accidents and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known vehicle alert light safety art, the present invention provides a novel increased visibility reverse light system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an alert light for removable installment to a vehicle&#39;s existing reverse light region comprising two light emitting elements/means encased within a signal light bulb. The light emitting elements may be operable on different wave and color frequencies wherein a first illumination element may comprise a filament light emitter preferably emitting a solid white light and a second illumination element may comprise a strobe light emitting diode preferably emitting a powerful pulsating red (or other colored) light. 
         [0011]    The light emitting elements of the present invention may be encased within an alert light shell comprising a transparent lens allowing for unobstructed passage of light. The pulsating reverse alert light may receive illumination power via the vehicle&#39;s battery (and electrical system) via a connection base attached to the bottom of the signal light bulb. When a user operates vehicle in a reverse condition (direction), power may be transmitted from the battery to a light power circuit located on a rear portion of the vehicle. When the vehicle is moving in reverse, the pulsating reverse alert light may provide increased detectability/visibility/warning means to surrounding motorists and pedestrians and thereby serving to reduce the probability an accident or a collision resulting. It should noted that two of the present invention may be used, one in each side rear socket of the car for ease of viewing from either side. 
         [0012]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an improved alert light system for vehicles. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and a method of use for the present invention, pulsating vehicle reverse alert light systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a magnified perspective view of the pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles system in an in-use condition from a side angle according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a pulsating reverse alert light comprising a strobe light emitting diode and a filament light bulb encased within a signal light bulb according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the power source of the pulsating reverse alert light according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view illustrating how nearby motorists and pedestrians may observe (be warned by) the pulsating reverse alert light in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0020]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles system and more particularly to an improved visibility reverse light for installation to an existing brake or reverse light enclosure/region which may serve to sufficiently alert surrounding motorists and pedestrians that the vehicle is in a reverse condition/direction thereby reducing the number of accidents and collisions. 
         [0022]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1  pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  in an in-use condition  150  installed to a rear portion of vehicle  110  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  may comprise alert light shell  200  wherein alert light shell  200  may comprise signal light bulb  210  having connection base  302 . Signal light bulb  210  comprises filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215  within the present embodiment. 
         [0023]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , vehicle  110  may comprise car  160  which may be of a coupe or two-door style automobile (or other) located in parking spot  115 . Car  160  may be parked between truck  162  and SUV  164 . When operated by user  140  in reverse condition  120 , pulsating reverse alert light  104  may simultaneously emit both continuous light  242  from filament light emitter  212  and pulsating light  250  from strobe light emitting diode  215 . Filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215  may be positioned within signal light bulb  210  in such a manner so that light emitting from both illumination elements projects outwardly through plastic lens  205  of enclosed alert light shell  200  and may be easily observed by nearby motorists  502  and pedestrians  504 , thereby transmitting a visible warning means. 
         [0024]    As alluded to in both  FIGS. 1 and 2 , pulsating reverse alert light  104  may be removably installed to vehicle  110  by removing an existing reverse light and connecting pulsating reverse alert light  104  to existing light power circuit  420 . In such a manner, pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  may be purchased by user  140  and installed to OEM vehicle  110  ‘after market’. It should be further noted that pulsating reverse alert light  104  may be pre-installed in vehicle  110  from the factory based on customer/manufacturer preference. 
         [0025]    Referring more now to  FIG. 2 , a magnified side perspective view illustrating pulsating reverse alert light  104  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . As seen, alert light shell  200  integrally comprises signal light bulb  210  wherein signal light bulb  210  comprises filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215 . In a preferred embodiment, filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215  are operable on different frequencies. Preferably, filament light emitter  212  may emit continuous light  240  and strobe light emitting diode  215  may emit pulsating light  250 . In other embodiments of pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100 , strobe light emitting diode  215  may comprise an adjustable frequency thereby allowing user  140  to control the intermittences of strobe light emitting diode  215 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , showing a perspective view of pulsating reverse alert light  104  comprising signal light bulb  210 . Light bulb  210  may integrally comprise filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 3 , strobe light emitting diode (LED)  215  may be preferably positioned within center region of light bulb  210  and securably held in place by connection base  302 . Strobe light emitting diode  215  may emit strong pulsating light  250  projecting outward through signal light bulb  210 . In a preferred embodiment, strobe light emitting diode  215  may emit red light  238  that may blink intermittently. The variable frequency of strobe light emitting diode  215  may provide for additional detection of pulsating reverse alert light  104  while in an in-use condition  150 . Signal light bulb  210  further comprises filament light emitter  212  that may emit continuous light  242  comprising red light  238  as seen in  FIG. 3 . In a preferred embodiment, filament light emitter  212  may emit white light  240 . However, in alternative embodiments, filament light emitter  212  may emit other colored lights such as yellow and orange or other suitable like colors. 
         [0027]    The illuminating duality of filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215  may emit frequency waves wherein the intensity of pulsating light  250  may be amplified by continuous light  242  projecting along a same/similar path. Temporal coherence is the measure of the average correlation between the values of a wave at any pair of times, separated by delay. The intermittent frequency of strobe light emitting diode  215  yields pulsating light  250  which may preferably increase the temporal coherence of the infused light emitting from signal light bulb  210  and thus may amplifying the illumination of the light source thereby increasing the likelihood of detectability by surrounding motorists  502  and pedestrian(s)  504 . 
         [0028]    Referring further to  FIG. 3 , alert light shell  200  may be constructed of durable, hard plastic. Further, alert light shell  200  may comprise plastic lens  205  which may be transparent thereby permitting unobstructed passage of light while protecting pulsating reverse alert light  104  from outdoor environmental conditions while installed to vehicle  110  in an in use condition  150 . In this way the present invention is designed to be durable in-use promoting longevity in such a product for consumers. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , illustrating pulsating reverse alert light  104  being powered by (electrical system of) vehicle  110  using power source  410  generated by battery  405  of vehicle  110 . In one embodiment of the present invention, pulsating reverse alert light  104  may receive power from a standard 12v power source. Power may be transferred from battery  405  to light power circuit  420  which may be in contact with connection base  302  of signal light bulb  210 . In such a manner, when user  140  operates vehicle  110  in reverse condition  120 , pulsating reverse alert light  104  may receive illumination power from power source  410  causing filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215  to emit light. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , showing an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1  from an overview perspective. The combination of an intermittent red light  238  and a steady white light  240  emitting from the rear of vehicle  110  while in reverse condition  120  may serve to attract an increased amount of attention to vehicle  110 . Eyes of motorists  502  and pedestrian  504  are naturally attracted to pulsating light  250 , especially red light  238 . For example, pedestrian  504  may be walking in a crowded parking lot during daytime amongst a row of parked cars. While walking past SUV  164 , pedestrian  504  notices pulsating red light  250  reflecting off the side of vehicle  110  and discontinues walking behind vehicle  110 . Pedestrians  504  often walk in blind spots of parked cars thus inhibiting user  140  from noticing pedestrian  504  suddenly passing rear of vehicle  110 . Pedestrian  504  may further not have noticed white light  240  emitting from a conventional reverse light because of sun glare during daytime hours or due to being distracted by other cars or by children, phone call, etc. Thus, in these ways pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  may serve to reduce accidents and injury to motorists  502 , pedestrians  504 , and the like due to the increased likelihood of attention between drawn to pulsating light  250  emitted by pulsating reverse alert light  104 . It should noted that two of the present invention may be used, one in each side rear socket of vehicle  110  for ease of viewing from either side. In this way the present invention is clearly visible and thus safety is increased. 
         [0031]    As further seen in  FIG. 5 , pulsating reverse alert light  104  in a similar way may be used to alert motorist  502  in oncoming car  160  that vehicle  110  is moving in reverse condition  120  as signified by activation of pulsating reverse alert light  104 . In such an instance, motorist  502  may be distracted while looking for an available parking spot  115 . If two larger automobiles such as truck  162  and SUV  164  are surrounding vehicle  110  comprising a smaller automobile, motorist  502  may have difficulty observing vehicle  110  while being obstructed. As a result, motorist  502  may not detect vehicle  110  backing up into traffic an accident may occur. However, motorist  502  will more likely observe pulsating light  250  emitting from pulsating reverse alert light  104  even while vehicle  110  is obstructed from view as a result of the increased wave frequency and combination of lights of both illumination elements and thereby serving to diminish the probability of an accident occurring. 
         [0032]    Pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  may be sold as kit  550  including the following parts: at least one alert light shell  200  preferably comprising plastic lens  205  and integrally comprising at least one signal light bulb  210 ; wherein signal light bulb  210  comprises at least one filament light emitter  212 ; at least one strobe light emitting diode  215 ; at least one connection base  302 . Kit  550  may comprise a plurality of the devices and be offered with different color warning means, and at least one set of user instructions. Pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, tunable frequencies, different frequencies, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0033]    In alternative embodiments of the present invention, pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  may be manufacturable in various shapes and sizes to fit vehicle  110  wherein vehicle  110  may include, but not limited to, car  160 , truck  162 , SUV  164 , bus  166 , or limousine  168  (or train or other land vehicle or optionally a non-land vehicle such as a boat). Further, pulsating reverse alert light for vehicles systems  100  may comprise filament light emitter  212  and strobe light emitting diode  215  which may comprise colors other than red light  238  and white light  240  based on customer preference. In other embodiments, the frequency of strobe light emitting diode  215  may vary thereby modifying the intermittency of pulsating light  250 . 
         [0034]    As seen in  FIG. 6 , method of use  600  may comprise the steps of; step one  601  installing pulsating reverse alert light  104  to reverse light region/enclosure/socket of vehicle  110 ; step two  602  operating vehicle  110  in reverse condition  120 ; and step three  603  uninstalling pulsating reverse alert light  104  from vehicle  110  (to replace as needed). It should be noted that step three  603  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  600  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 6  so as to distinguish them from the other steps. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0036]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.