Abstract:
The flush fitting front LED turn signal is adapted to provide a streamlined and nearly seamless transition to a motorcycle fairing. The present invention replaces bulky eternal front mounted motorcycle turn signals and utilizes the existing openings in the front fairing of the motorcycle. The present invention has an aluminum housing, and a LED assembly with a translucent dome extending outward from a bore within the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to light bulb assemblies for vehicles. More specifically, the invention is a flush fitting turn signal for motorcycles using light emitting diode (LED) lamps.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Light bulb assemblies for motorcycles or sportbikes typically are an assembly having an incandescent light bulb mounted in a reflector housing with a tinted lens or light-transmissive cover.  
           [0005]    Today&#39;s sportbikes purchased directly from the dealer are equipped with very large turn signals that protrude but from the sides of the front fairing. While functional, these lights often take away from the overall streamlined appearance of the motorcycle. Many owners remove these stock lights soon after purchasing the vehicle and have found alternative locations for more esthetically pleasing and functional front turn signals. One alternative has been handlebar-mounted lamps, utilizing either incandescent or light emitting diodes (LEDs), as described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,361,829, 5,247,431, and 6,081,190. Generally, the LED implemented turn signals are more effective in resisting damage due to vibration generated during normal and off-road use.  
           [0006]    The unique structural and environmental conditions experienced by motorcycles have resulted in a variety of lighting devices specifically developed for motorcycles, which have generally require additional support structures and do not maintain the streamline appearance of the motorcycle. Examples of these lighting devices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,950,727, 4,949,228, 5,418,696, 5,617,303, 5,689,232, 6,461,017, and 6,464,379.  
           [0007]    While motorcycle enthusiasts are sensitive to the issue of streamlined appearance, they are not willing to forgo practicality and safety, and therefore having a turn signal viewable from all positions is desired. Thus a flush fitting LED turn signal, which can be viewed from all positions, is desired.  
           [0008]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The flush fitting front LED turn signal has a flush mounted aluminum housing and an LED assembly with a domed lens extending beyond the upper surface of the housing. The housing, attached from behind the fairing, presents an outer surface flush with the front fairing of a motorcycle. Mounted within the housing is a multi-chip high-intensity, sunlight visible LED assembly, the dome of which protrudes beyond the surface of the housing and is visible from all angles. Mounted from within the fairing without any modification to the vehicle, the present invention presents a nearly seamless transition to the vehicle&#39;s bodywork, while providing the ruggedness and longevity of LED technology. The combination of housing and LED assembly may be provided in a variety of colors to match the factory finish.  
           [0010]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a flush fitting front LED turn signal for motorcycles and sportbikes.  
           [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide a turn signal for a motorcycle which is more rugged than the standard external mounted incandescent lamps supplied as original equipment on motorcycles through a flush mounted turn signal utilizing an LED assembly.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the invention to provide flush fitting front LED turn signals for a motorcycle in order to reduce the risk of damage if the motorcycle is laid on its side.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the invention to provide a turn signal for motorcycles, which is visible from all viewing perspectives for safety purposes, and which is also mounted flush within the motorcycle fairing for producing an aesthetically pleasing, streamlined appearance.  
           [0014]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0015]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a motorcycle with a flush fitting front LED turn signal according to the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of a protruding front turn signal according to the prior art.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a side view of a flush fitting LED turn signal according to the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of a flush fitting LED turn signal according to the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a representative schematic of the electronic components of a flush fitting LED turn signal according to the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a bottom, perspective view of a flush fitting LED turn signal according to the present invention. 
     
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a flush fitting front turn signal  100  mounted within the front fairing  104  of a motorcycle  102  that replaces the original equipment, large protruding stock turn signals  202  that extend from the sides of a motorcycle  204  as shown in the prior art of FIG. 2. The flush fitting front turn signal  100  of the present invention presents a nearly seamless transition to a motorcycle fairing  104 .  
         [0023]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flush fitting front turn signal  100  has a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machined aluminum housing  302  having a flat, planar, generally oval-shaped bottom surface  334  which is broader at one end than at the opposite end, and a preferably slightly convex top surface  308 . The top surface  308  slopes downward, so that the lateral surface  310  is taller at the broad end of the housing  302  than at the narrow end of the housing  302 . A first cylindrical bore  318  extends upward from the bottom surface  334  into the body of the housing  302 . A second cylindrical bore  320  coaxial with and merging into the first bore  318  extends downward from the top surface  308  into the housing  302 . The diameter of the first bore  318  is slightly greater than the diameter of the second bore  320 , defining a lip or ledge  340  at the junction between the first bore  318  and second bore  320 .  
         [0024]    An LED assembly  304 , having a translucent dome  314  mounted on a slightly larger circular base  316 , is received by the first  318  and second  320  bores. When fully inserted into the housing  302 , the base  316  of the LED assembly  304  abuts the ledge  340 . The depth of the first bore  318  is predetermined to position the LED assembly  304  such that the translucent dome  314  extends beyond the top surface  308  of the housing  302 , thereby allowing light emitted from the LED assembly  304  to be visible from all directions.  
         [0025]    As shown in FIG. 3 and further detailed in the exploded view of FIG. 4, a circular printed circuit board  324  is adapted to engage the leads or pins of six LEDs  430  of the LED assembly  304 . The leads of the LEDs  430  are soldered to the printed circuit board  324  or other mechanical support. The LEDs  430  are divided into three pairs of series connected LEDs, which are then wired in parallel. A first 33 ohm, 1 watt current limiting resistor  328  is connected to the cathode end of the three parallel connected LED pairs, and a second 33 ohm, 1 watt current limiting resistor  326  is connected to the anode end of the three pairs. The schematic drawing shown in FIG. 5 illustrates the electrical connectivity between the LEDs, including first pair  430   a,    430   b,  second pair  430   c,    430   d,  and third pair  430   e,    430   f,  and resistors  326 ,  328  provided by the printed circuit board  324 .  
         [0026]    The stripped ends  420  of two electrically conducting wires  306 , are soldered or otherwise secured to the circuit board  324 , and supply a DC voltage from the motorcycle battery across terminals T 1  and T 2  via a turn signal relay which flashes the LEDS  430  on and off at timed intervals to produce the flashing turn signal. A shrink-wrap cover  312  secures the wires together and, as shown in FIG. 6, epoxy or another adhesive material securely retains the light assembly  304 , circuit board  324 , and wires  306  within the housing  302 .  
         [0027]    The housing  302  is inserted from the outside of the motorcycle fairing  104 , the top surface flush with the surface of the fairing  104  and the dome  314  protruding therefrom. On the inside of the fairing  104 , a bolt  322 , lock washer  414 , and washer  412  are received by a threaded blind bore  332  which opens on the bottom surface  334  of the housing  302 , and secures the housing  302  to the motorcycle fairing  104 . The housing  302  is designed to fit within the original equipment factory turn signal mounting hole without any modification to the vehicle bodywork. The housing  302  may be painted to match the fairing, or may have a raw, polished aluminum finish.  
         [0028]    The LEDs  430  may be discrete components, or may be furnished in a six-chip, 12 pin dual in-line package (DIP), such as an L806TY3K available from Ledtronics, Inc. of Torrance, Calif. The LEDs  430  are preferably amber LEDS. The LEDs  430  are preferably high intensity LEDs, producing sufficient intensity that the flashing turn signal is visible in sunlight. The dome  314  may be either clear or tinted amber.  
         [0029]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.