Abstract:
An emergency light system for increasing the visibility of emergency vehicles and the operators to oncoming traffic, the apparatus and method relating to such mounting and light fixtures for a system adapted for use on a vehicle such as a motorcycle to provide constant and uniform 360 degree illumination without gaps in the illumination around the entire circumference of the vehicle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention pertains to an emergency light system for increasing the visibility of emergency vehicles and the operators to oncoming traffic. More particularly, the apparatus and method relates to such mounting and light fixtures for a system adapted for use on a vehicle such as a motorcycle to provide constant and uniform 360 degree illumination without gaps in the illumination. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Comparatively small strobe flash lamp assemblies incorporating parabolic reflectors and front lenses have been used for a number of years on emergency vehicles such as police cars, police motorcycles, ambulances and fire engines. The high intensity, focused pulsed output of the strobe lamp assemblies provides a readily noticed warning to motorists who must yield to the emergency vehicle. Due to the lack of protection afforded to a police officer riding a motorcycle and due to the small size of a motorcycle in comparison to other emergency vehicles, police officers responding to emergencies on a motorcycle have experienced a comparatively high accident rate. Even though the installation of strobe warning lights on motorcycles has reduced the accident rate in comparison to motorcycles utilizing lower intensity incandescent warning lamps, the accident exposure problem of motorcycles and other emergency vehicles has not been solved. 
         [0003]    Emergency lighting systems for vehicles are well known, such as light bars for emergency vehicles which are generally mounted atop vehicles and house strobe lights which timely and cyclically flash in various different colors and at various levels of brightness and illumination to alert passersby and oncoming traffic as to the presence of the emergency vehicle. It is also known for other types of lights and flashing light systems to be mounted on the dash, side panels or mirrors of the emergency vehicle or even inside the vehicle for instance on the visor. 
         [0004]    A desirable feature of an efficient emergency light system is that it is capable of being viewed from 360° around the entire vehicle. Until now, this is accomplished by merely placing as many lights as possible upon the vehicle so that there is hopefully some light visible at different points around the vehicle. Such numerous side-marker lights and their relative intensities have heretofore consisted of various different lights from headlights and tail lights to side-marker lights and strobe lights which all utilize different intensities, illumination fans and brilliance characteristics. A need exist for positioning and alignment of vehicle lighting to more completely illuminate the area surrounding the emergency vehicle to better protect vehicle operators, police officers and other emergency personnel from oncoming traffic. 
       OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The general objective of the present invention is to provide an emergency light system which improves over certain functions of the prior art in a convenient, efficient and economical manner. 
         [0006]    Another object of the invention is to provide emergency light systems which include an improved consistent illumination fan and when arranged accordingly on the vehicle augments the lighting efficiency around the entire vehicle. 
         [0007]    A still further object of the invention is to provide a mounting system which is quickly and easily connectable to common vehicle components and a mount which accounts for the significant vibrations created by police motorcycles. In one specific aspect of the invention the mounts enable an LED type light including a consistent 180° output to be appropriately arranged about the entire circumference of the vehicle so as to overlap with the light output of adjacent lights in order to provide 360° constant illumination output around the entire vehicle. 
         [0008]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for mounting emergency lights to a motorcycle comprising a plurality of light sources providing an illumination fan of approximately 180 degrees from each light source; a mounting plate comprising a support surface for securely attaching the light source to the mounting plate; at least a support bracket for removably affixing the mounting plate to a support structure on the motorcycle; and wherein each of the plurality of light sources direct their respective illumination fan substantially equally on either side of a central illumination axis and the central illumination axis of each light source is directed at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle. 
         [0009]    An apparatus for mounting emergency lights to a motorcycle comprising a plurality of light sources providing an illumination fan of approximately 180 degrees from each light source; a mounting plate comprising a support surface for securely attaching the light source to the mounting plate; at least a support bracket for removably affixing the mounting plate to a support structure on the motorcycle and an elastic insulator positioned between the support bracket and the support structure of the motorcycle to facilitate secure attachment and vibration damping between the support bracket and support structure; and wherein each of the plurality of light sources direct their respective illumination fan substantially equally on either side of a central illumination axis and the central illumination axis of each light source is directed at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle to ensure that each of the illumination fans of adjacent respective light sources overlap to provide illumination around the entire circumference of the motorcycle. 
         [0010]    The invention is further directed to a method of mounting emergency lights to a motorcycle comprising the steps of providing a plurality of light sources, each light source defining an illumination fan of approximately 180 degrees emanating from each light source; attaching a mounting plate comprising a support surface to each light source for securely attaching the light source to the mounting plate; removably affixing the mounting plate to a support structure on the motorcycle with a support bracket and positioning an elastic insulator between the support bracket and the support structure of the motorcycle to facilitate secure attachment and vibration damping between the support bracket and support structure; and directing an illumination fan of each of the respective plurality of light sources substantially equally on either side of a central illumination axis of the light source and the central illumination axis of each light source is directed at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle to ensure that each of the illumination fans of adjacent respective light sources overlap to provide illumination around the entire circumference of the motorcycle. 
         [0011]    These and other features, advantages and improvements according to this invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of a light for use with a mount supporting an illumination angle of 180 degrees; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a diagrammatic representation of a light having an illumination angle of 180 degrees; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the light supported on the mount of a vehicle; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the application of the mount and 180 degree illuminating lights to the vehicle; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a top planar view of an embodiment of the present invention using three 180 degree illuminating lights; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a top planar view of an embodiment of the present invention using four 180 degree illuminating lights 
           [0019]      FIG. 4C  is a top planar view of an embodiment of the present invention using four 180 degree illuminating lights. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The emergency light apparatus and system of the present invention includes a mounting apparatus  1  for securing an emergency light, particularly a light which disperses its light rays at 180 degrees relative to the motor vehicle as shown in  FIG. 1A . In one embodiment the mounting apparatus  1  is specifically designed to mount the emergency lights to the crash bars of a police motorcycle although other alternative uses are imagined for example marine and boat or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) applications using such emergency lights. The apparatus  1  includes a mounting plate  10  having a central aperture  12  formed almost directly in the center of the mounting plate to accommodate the electrical wires  14  and components for operating the emergency light  16 . It is to be appreciated that this aperture  12  may also be formed at other parts of the mounting plate  10  depending on the specific location the electrical wires  14  and conduit originate from and are attached to the emergency light itself. The aperture  12  is located so as to facilitate the flush mounting and engagement of the emergency light  16  to the mounting plate  10 . After passing through the aperture  12  the electrical wires  14  generally communicate with a fuse box  11  and/or a bus/controller  15  shown diagrammatically here such that the emergency lights may be operated when necessary. 
         [0021]    The mounting plate  10  is further provided with a plurality of light mounting apertures  20  which are intended to facilitate engagement with either an intermediate spacer or shim  13 , or directly with the light  16  itself to secure the light  16  (and spacer) to the mounting plate  10 . The intermediate spacer  13  is generally a plastic spacer between the light  16  and the mounting plate  10  which acts as a base for the light  16  and may provide a passage for the wiring harness to pass out to the side of the light  16  and/or an angled seating arrangement so the light  16  is set on a plane angled relative to a plane defined by the mounting plate  10  itself. The light  16  may attach in any known fashion to the spacer  13  so that it is securely affixed thereto. The mounting apertures  20  may be formed to receive a screw  17  or other type of removable securing means by which the spacer  13  and/or the light  16  is directly secured to the mounting plate  10 . Additionally, a number of support bracket apertures  22  are formed spaced apart and adjacent an outer edge of the mounting plate  10 . The mounting plate  10  is also provided with a diameter D which is slightly larger than the diameter d of the light  16 . The mounting plate  10  is made of aluminum or other metal alloy that is more resistant to vibration than the plastic spacer  13  and that can protect the light if the motorcycle falls on its side. The rigidity and sturdiness of a metal mounting plate with the larger diameter D can absorb vibrations and an impact to the mounting apparatus  1  helping to prevent damage to the light  16 . 
         [0022]    The support bracket apertures  22  enable a support bracket  24  to directly engage and support the mounting plate  10 , and hence the light  16 , on desired vehicle components, for example on the crash bar(s) of a motorcycle. The support brackets  24  are flexible in that they are designed to be circumferentially formed around and generally conform to different types of components or different cross-sections and sizes of motorcycle crash bars and crash bar shapes and still securely engage the mounting plate  10  so that the mounting plate  10  and light  16  do not move out of a desired, predetermined position relative to the crash bar and motorcycle. 
         [0023]    The support brackets  24  are generally metal and provided with a first and second end with a passage  25  each of which engage the opposing sides of the mounting plate  10  at a respective support bracket aperture  22 . A securing bolt  26  may be inserted through the passage  25  in the first and second ends and also through the aperture  22  in the mounting plate  10  and thus secure the support brackets  24  to the mounting plate using a nut  28 . The bolt  26  may be for example a ¼ inch by ¾ inch stainless or grade (5) hardened steel bolt. Additionally, the support brackets  24  are at least partially encased by a vibration insulator  27  such as an elastic shim sandwiched between the support bracket and the vehicle component, e.g. the crash bar. The elastic shim or insulator  27  is important with respect to for example a police motorcycle because of the very high vibration frequency from the engine which is transmitted directly to the motorcycle frame and the crash bars. It is generally standard operating procedure for emergency vehicles including motorcycles to most often be kept running during an event in which the emergency lights are used so that the vehicle battery is not run down. The elastic shim or a similar material insulator  27  between the support brackets  24  and the crash bar helps to reduce the transmission of mechanical vibrations from the vehicle to the emergency light. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the present invention the vibration insulator  27  can cover not only the inner side of the support bracket  24  between the crash bar and the bracket, but also the outer side of the support bracket  24  as well. This is important because a portion of the mounting plate  10  may in some circumstances directly touch the outer side of the support bracket  24  and the insulator material  27  when provided on the outer side of the support bracket provides an elastic buffer between the mounting plate  10  and the outer side of the support bracket  24 . This arrangement helps eliminate metal on metal contact where vibrations from the motorcycle could damage the metal surfaces and such vibrations can be better absorbed by providing the elastic insulator material  27  between the metal surfaces of the mounting plate  10  and the outer side of the support bracket  24 . 
         [0025]    The emergency lights  16  of the present invention are specifically designed to direct the illumination and visible light waves from a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s)  30  in a 180 degree arc as seen in  FIG. 1B . This specific illumination fan  33  is helpful in that the light waves emanating in the 180 degree arc can be specifically directed by the use of for example a convex reflector  32  arranged with and between the LED&#39;s and ensures that the LED illumination is decollimated and directed at a desired angle away from and relative to the motorcycle. This is extremely helpful to the operator of the motorcycle or other type of vehicle so they are not unduly affected by back glare or direct light waves from the emergency light  16  when the direction of the light waves emanating from the emergency lights is directed essentially entirely away from the vehicle. 
         [0026]    The use of a pair of support brackets  24  as described above is also important because it ensures that the light  16  and its resultant illumination fan  33  is maintained in a desired angular orientation relative to the motorcycle. It is possible to use only a single support where space constraints may dictate, and where for example on the front crash bars the vibration is lower because most of the vehicle vibration is caused by the exhaust and is thus stronger towards the rear of the motorcycle where the larger exhaust pipes are positioned. However, where only a single support point for the mounting plate  10  is provided, the light  16  and mounting plate  10  could be rotated about the single support point when bumped or vibrated. The use of two attachments points and two spaced apart support bracket apertures  22  ensures that the mounting plate  10  and the light affixed thereto cannot be easily moved out of a predetermined alignment relative to the motorcycle, even if the support points loosen due to vibration, to maintain the necessary complete 360 degree illumination of the vehicle as discussed below in further detail. 
         [0027]    As seen in  FIG. 2  for a motorcycle  40 , the mounting plate  10  and lights  16  are attached to the front and rear crash bars  42 ,  44  of the motorcycle  40 . The front and rear crash bars  42 ,  44  for a motorcycle  40  are designed to protect the rider the motorcycle  40  in the event of a crash or even if the vehicle falls or tips over when at rest. The crash bars  42 ,  44  are generally connected to the frame F having a top horizontal section  46  of the crash bar extending outwards from a connection point to the frame F and at a point distal from the frame F turning downwards to a substantially vertical section  47  which in turn bends inward to again connect along a lower horizontal section  48  to the motorcycle frame F. The vertical section  47  is spaced far enough from the frame F to protect the rider&#39;s legs and the motor M from directly contacting the ground in the event the motorcycle falls on its side. The rear crash bars  44  are similarly mounted with top, vertical and lower sections, and similarly referenced as  46 ,  47  and  48 , as the front crash bars  42 , connected to the frame F towards the rear of the motorcycle  40 . Together the front and rear crash bars  42 ,  44  prevent damage to the rider&#39;s legs, and/or the motor M and other components of the motorcycle in the event of a crash, or the vehicle being struck or merely falling over. 
         [0028]    The crash bars  42 ,  44  are advantageous support structures for the mounting apparatus  1  since they provide a substantial length along which the mounting plate  10  can be connected and arranged onto the motorcycle  40 . The mounting plate  10  would generally be connected to the top horizontal section  46  or on the vertical section  47  of the crash bar by the support brackets  24  being fastened around the desired section of the crash bar  42 ,  44 . The securing bolt  26  would then be inserted through the passage  25  in the first and second ends and also through the aperture  22  in the mounting plate  10  and the tightening of a nut  28  on the bolt  26  would securely tighten the support brackets  24  around the crash bar as well as securing the mounting plate  10  in a desired orientation relative to the crash bar  42 ,  44 . 
         [0029]    In a first configuration a mounting plate  10  would be oriented so that the 180 degree light would illuminate the entire opposing sides of the motorcycle as seen in  FIG. 3 . In this orientation with the centerline C of each 180 degree light extending perpendicular, i.e. 90 degrees, to the longitudinal axis R of the motorcycle  40 , the illumination is directed outwards from the sides of the motorcycle  40  in a 180 degree fan. The light rays, and hence the illumination, which are directed at 180 degrees outward radially from the light  16  in this case however do not overlap, or intersect, and so there is an illumination gap G in the front and rear of the motorcycle. This creates a safety concern with directly oncoming traffic facing the front and rear of the motorcycle. It is to be appreciated that the shown arc of the light fan  33  in the figures is not the limit of the visible light rays emanating from the light  16 , but merely a diagrammatic representation of the 180 degree angle at which the light rays are directed from the LED light  16 . 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIGS. 4A-C  are an embodiment of the present invention which arranges three (3) and four (4) of the 180 degree emergency lights  16  with the above described mounting apparatus  1  to provide a complete 360 overlapping illumination coverage around the motorcycle.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a three (3) light illumination pattern with the 180 degree lights mounted on the front crash bars  42  oriented at approximately a 60 degree angle relative to the longitudinal axis R of the motorcycle. The rear 180 degree light  16  is mounted on a rear support bar  50  or similar support so that the entire rear emergency light  16  is oriented with its center line C co-linear with the longitudinal axis R of the motorcycle  40 . In this way there are 3 overlapping illumination fans  33  which provide 360 degree illumination coverage around the entire motorcycle. The rear 180 degree light  16  may in actuality be two 180 degree lights  16  spaced apart on either side of the back of the motorcycle, and with their center lines C parallel with the axis R of the motorcycle so that each is providing an overlapping 180 degree illumination fan behind the motorcycle as shown in  FIG. 4C . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4B  is another embodiment utilizing a 180 degree light and the above described mounting apparatus  10  on each of left and right side, front and rear crash bars  42 ,  44 . The light mount  10  is attached to the front and rear crash bars on either side of the motorcycle  40  so that the center lines C of the lights  16  are each at a 45° angle relative to the longitudinal length R of the motorcycle and provides for greater overlap than the three light embodiment of  FIG. 4A  to provide complete illumination coverage around the entire motorcycle. 
         [0032]    A still further embodiment provides that where one of the front and rear pair of lights is angled, for instance at 45 degrees, either the remaining front or rear lights may be angled so that the center lines C are parallel with the axis R. As shown in  FIG. 4C , the use of the rear lights being directed rearward provides for more illumination to be visible towards the rear of the motorcycle for traffic approaching the motorcycle from behind, an important safety consideration. The resultant illumination fans  33  still ensure 360 degree illumination coverage around the entire motorcycle. It is possible to arrange the centerlines C of the lights  16  at other angles, however it is to be kept in mind that the preferred angles are those that ensure the illumination fans  33  of the lights  16  intersect as close to the motorcycle as possible to provide complete coverage of the motorcycle  40  immediately about the periphery of the motorcycle  40 . 
         [0033]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.