Abstract:
A vehicle emergency light beam system for the purpose of coupling to a disabled vehicle in order to warn oncoming motorists with indirect lighting. The rear facing light utilizes a programmable plurality of light fixtures each of which is directed using a light visor extension in a manner that avoids blinding an approaching driver. The device can emit various light colors and modes such as strobe, flashing, or constant light making it versatile in the event of a breakdown no matter what time of day it is. The device may be removably coupleable to a vehicle or alternately integrated into a vehicle&#39;s body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 62/284,226, filed Sep. 24, 2015 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of emergency lighting for disabled vehicles and more specifically relates to vehicle emergency light beam systems. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0004]    Motor vehicles are mechanical devices that are subject to breakdown. A disabled vehicle that is along a busy road is a hazard to motorists using the road. Alert systems for identifying a disabled vehicle use lights as a warning to oncoming traffic. Often times these lights flash or strobe as a warning. As lighting improves in efficiency and brightness direct lighting can blind oncoming drivers. A better solution is sought. 
         [0005]    Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,811 to Bordak, U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,317 to Wang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,058 to Collier, U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,876 to Brusca, and DE2003108508, to Moos and Naber. This art is representative of emergency lighting for disabled vehicles. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0006]    Preferably, a vehicle emergency light beam system should provide a warning that a vehicle is disabled and immobile and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable vehicle emergency light beam system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known emergency lighting for disabled vehicles art, the present invention provides a novel vehicle emergency light beam system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a vehicle emergency light beam system. 
         [0008]    A vehicle lighting emergency light beam system is disclosed herein for the purpose of coupling to the rear of a disabled vehicle in order to warn oncoming motorists with indirect lighting. The rear facing light utilizes a programmable plurality of light fixtures each of which is directed using a light visor extension in a manner that avoids blinding an approaching driver. The device can emit various light colors and modes such as strobe, flashing, or constant light making it versatile in the event of a breakdown no matter what time of day it is. The disclosure is made of high impact plastic and sealed from the weather. A rechargeable battery and a plurality of charging ports enable operation without vehicle power and charging via a number of methods including USB and automotive 12 volt sources. An illuminated, mult-function switch enables a driver to easily power the device as well as select an operation mode. The switch also provides an indication of battery charge levels. 
         [0009]    The vehicle emergency light beam system comprises together in functional combination a weatherproof housing including a plurality of LED light fixtures at least one multi-function switch, a plurality of charging ports, a rechargeable battery, at least one light electronics module, and at least one magnetic attachment mechanism. The plurality of LED light fixtures includes a plurality of LED lights, a clear protective lens, and a light reflective housing. The at least one multi-function switch includes a battery level indicator light. The light electronics module, plurality of LED lights, at least one multi-function switch, plurality of charging ports, and rechargeable battery are electrically connected in functional combination for the purpose of indirectly transmitting light from a rear of a vehicle during an emergency situation as well as charging and directing power from the rechargeable battery. The plurality of LED lights comprises a multitude of colors. The weatherproof housing may be composed of at least six, flat sides made of high impact plastic and arranged in a functional combination with the plurality of LED light fixtures the plurality of light visor extensions, at least one multi-function switch, and the plurality of charging ports in a manner that provides a hermetic seal. The plurality of LED light fixtures is oriented such that the light visor extensions project light from the plurality of LED lights at an angle of 30 degrees with respect to one flat side of the weatherproof housing. 
         [0010]    The at least one multi-function switch controls power to a vehicle emergency light beam system, color choice of the plurality of LED lights and activates a strobe mode, a flashing mode, or a constant light mode of a plurality of LED lights. The plurality of charging ports accepts 12 volt automotive power and USB input power. The at least one magnetic attachment mechanism is mounted to an external surface on a weatherproof housing for the purpose of coupling the vehicle emergency light beam system to a disabled vehicle. 
         [0011]    The vehicle emergency light beam system can be sold as a kit including a set of instructions and a plurality of charging cords with end connectors that match a plurality of charging ports and a source power. The disclosure includes a method of using a vehicle emergency light beam system including the steps of obtaining a vehicle emergency light beam system, charging a vehicle emergency light beam system, attaching a vehicle emergency light beam system to a vehicle, and activating a vehicle emergency light beam system via at least one multi-function switch. The disclosure also includes the steps of deactivating a vehicle emergency light beam system via the at least one multi-function switch, and removing the vehicle emergency light beam system from a vehicle. 
         [0012]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a vehicle lighting emergency light beam system. 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 method(s) of use for the present invention, vehicle emergency light beam systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a vehicle emergency light beam system during an ‘in-use’ condition showing the disclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an ‘in-use’ condition view illustrating the vehicle emergency light beam system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the vehicle emergency light beam assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the vehicle emergency light beam system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the vehicle emergency light beam system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0019]    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 
       [0020]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a lighted warning for a disabled vehicle and more particularly to a vehicle emergency light beam system as used to improve the ability to warn oncoming drivers without blinding them with direct light. 
         [0021]    Generally speaking, a vehicle emergency light beam system is used to warn oncoming traffic of a disabled vehicle. The vehicle emergency light beam system disclosed herein offers various operating modes in addition to providing the advantage of constant light for illumination of a given area. The disclosure provides a warning system that projects indirect light thus avoiding the potential for blinding oncoming traffic. The disclosure claims a removably coupleable system in the preferred embodiment as well as an integrated system in alternate embodiments. 
         [0022]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a vehicle emergency light beam system  100  during an ‘in-use’ condition  150 . User  140  is shown coupling vehicle emergency light beam system  100  to a vehicle  142  with at least one magnetic attachment mechanism  118  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , vehicle emergency light beam system  100  is shown during an ‘in-use’ condition  150  with a user  140  activating the plurality of LED light fixtures  120  by depressing at least one multi-function switch  130 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  is weatherproof housing  110  that provides structure for supporting plurality of LED light fixtures  120 , plurality of charging ports  114 , and at least one multi-function switch  130 . In the preferred embodiment weatherproof housing  110  is made of high impact plastic and is hermetically sealed. In alternate embodiments weatherproof housing  110  may be made of metals such as aluminum or steel. Light visor extension  112  is preferably oriented at a 30 degree visor downward angle  108  with respect to one surface of weatherproof housing  110  so as to display emergency lighting that alerts approaching drivers without shining directly in their eyes. At least one multi-function switch  130  enables several modes of operation including strobe, flashing, and constant light. Also in the preferred embodiment, plurality of charging ports  114  comprise at least one, female USB port and one standard, 12V automotive, cylindrical, receptacle for the purpose of charging rechargeable battery  116 . In alternate embodiments plurality of charging ports  114  may comprise connectors associated with standard household AC voltage. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , vehicle emergency light beam system  100  is shown with plurality of LED light fixtures  120 . Plurality of LED light fixtures  120  includes clear protective lens  124 , light reflective housing  126 , light visor extension  112 , and plurality of LED lights  122  together in functional and structural combination so as to shine emergency lighting in a predetermined direction. In the preferred embodiment, plurality of LED lights  122  is composed of white LEDs. In alternate embodiments plurality of LED lights  122  is composed of a multitude of colors. 
         [0025]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  is at least one light electronics module  128  and rechargeable battery  116  that work together in functional combination to power and control emergency lighting from plurality of LED light fixtures  120 . At least one multi-function switch  130  ( FIG. 2 ) is electrically connected to and works in functional combination with rechargeable battery  116  and at least one light electronics module  128  to power and control the plurality of LED light fixtures  120  operation and mode. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , vehicle emergency light beam system  100  is shown in the preferred embodiment comprising weatherproof housing  110 , plurality of LED light fixtures  120 , at least one magnetic attachment mechanism  118 , and at least one multi-function switch  130 . At least one multi-function switch  130  includes battery level indicator light  132  as a method of alerting user  140  of charge levels. At least one multi-function switch  130  has the additional benefit of being illuminated for user identification when in the “OFF” state. 
         [0027]    Weatherproof housing  110 , plurality of LED light fixtures  120 , and at least one magnetic attachment mechanism  118  work together in structural and functional combination for the purpose of directing emergency lighting from the back of vehicle  142 . In the preferred embodiment vehicle emergency light beam system  100  is removable coupleable from vehicle  142 . In alternate embodiments vehicle emergency light beam system  100  may be integrated into a surface of vehicle  142 . In the preferred embodiment at least one magnetic attachment mechanism  118  is mounted on the surface directly opposite the plurality of LED light fixtures  120 . In alternate embodiments one or several of at least one magnetic attachment mechanism  118  may be mounted on any of the external surfaces of the weatherproof housing  110  thus enabling a multitude of removably coupleable arrangements for adjusting to varying surfaces on vehicle  142 . 
         [0028]    It should be noted that vehicle emergency light beam systems  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one vehicle emergency light beam system  100  and at least one set of user instructions. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Vehicle emergency light beam system  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 lighting means and combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for vehicle emergency light beam system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , obtaining vehicle emergency light beam system  100 , step two  502  charging vehicle emergency light beam system  100 , step three  503  attaching vehicle emergency light beam system  100  to a vehicle  142 , step four  504  activating vehicle emergency light beam system  100  via at least one multi-function switch  130 , step five  505  deactivating vehicle emergency light beam system  100  via at least one multi-function switch  130 , and step six  506  removing vehicle emergency light beam system  100  from vehicle. 
         [0030]    It should be noted that steps  505  and  506  are optional and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 
         [0031]    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. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. 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. 
         [0032]    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.