Abstract:
A rotatable compartment light for vehicles is provided. A lens covering a light source is rotatably mounted to a panel of the vehicle. The lens defines at least two sections having different light passing characteristics. A first section is configured to pass light from the light source to form a spotlight. The lens is configured so that the spotlight may be directed to a desired area by rotating the lens. An adjusting mechanism is in operative communication with the lens and is configured to rotate the lens.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to lighting systems for vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a rotatable compartment light for vehicles. 
     Service vehicles, and particularly emergency vehicles, often have interior compartments ranging from large bays to relatively small storage compartments in or around which the vehicle operators must work. For example, it may be necessary to retrieve gear from or return gear to such compartments. Proper lighting in and about these areas is essential. 
     Lighting systems for service vehicles are known. These may include, for example, interior dome lights. Generally, however, such lights radiate light either in one fixed direction only or in all directions from a fixed position. Thus, such lights often fail to illuminate desired areas in or about the compartment and/or produce undesirable glare to the vehicle operator. 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a vehicle compartment light from which light can be selectively directed to a desired area in or about a compartment without hindering the work of a vehicle operator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, and others, of prior art construction and methods. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved compartment lighting for vehicles. 
     More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotatable vehicle compartment light which creates a spotlight which can be directed to a desired area in or about a vehicle compartment. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle compartment light having a marker light in addition to a spotlight. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle having a rotatable compartment light creating a spotlight which may be directed to a desired area in or about a compartment of the vehicle. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     Some of these objects are achieved by a rotatable compartment light having a lens covering a light source. The lens is rotatably mounted to a panel of the vehicle and defines at least two sections having different light passing characteristics. A first section is configured to pass light from the light source to form a spotlight. The lens is configured so that the spotlight may be directed to a desired area by rotating the lens. An adjusting mechanism is in operative communication with the lens and is configured to rotate the lens. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first section defines half the lens. The other half is defined by a second section that is colored to form a marker light. A manual tab is placed on the marker light to enable the vehicle operator to rotate the lens. Thus, the marker light identifies where the adjustment mechanism is located so that the vehicle operator can quickly turn the spotlight to a desired area. 
     The marker lights may be disposed at various positions proximate vehicle compartments. For example, lights may be placed above rear bay doors to light work areas outside the rear bay. They may also be positioned, for example, in compartment doors so that they may be rotated to light the interior of the compartment or the work area proximate the compartment. 
     Such lights are particularly effective in emergency vehicles such as ambulances. They may be used to effectively light an ambulance bay or compartment area and may be quickly rotated to light one or more work areas adjacent the ambulance. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, a vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention includes at least one rotatable compartment light configured to direct a spotlight to a desired area in or about a vehicle compartment. The compartment lights may be disposed on walls or doors having inner and outer panels. Lights are disposed on inner panels of doors so that when a door is opened a spotlight may be directed into its corresponding compartment or to a work area outside the compartment. A second lens may preferably be disposed on the outer wall to create a warning light on the outside of the door. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. dr 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof and directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2A through 2C are perspective views of rotatable compartment lights constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on compartment doors and rotated to direct spotlights to desired positions; 
     FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a rotatable compartment light constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the rotatable compartment light illustrated in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rotatable compartment light constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a rotatable compartment light constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     The present invention is concerned with an improved vehicle having rotatable compartment lights. Accordingly, FIG. 1 depicts a presently preferred embodiment of a vehicle 10. Rotatable compartment lights 12 emit spotlights 14 to areas in or around compartment 16. 
     Two compartment lights 12 are mounted on panel 18 of the rear wall of vehicle 10. Other compartment lights are mounted on panels 20 and 22 of a rear door 24 and a side door 26, respectively. 
     Compartment lights 12 are rotatable so that the spotlight 14 may be directed to desired areas in or about a compartment such as compartment 28 illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. FIG. 2A, for example, depicts compartment light 12 rotated such that spotlight 14 illuminates the interior of the compartment. FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate rotatable compartment light 12 illuminating work areas proximate the compartment. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary construction of compartment light 12. A light bulb 30 is mounted to a bracket 32 having a bowl shaped portion 34 and a circular track assembly 36 mounted to panel 38. Circular track assembly 36 includes an annular groove 40 receiving an annular flange 42 of a housing 44. Flange 42 is slidably received in groove 40 so that groove 40 guides and retains housing 44 as housing 44 rotates. 
     Lens 46 is secured to housing 44 such that lens 46 rotates with housing 44. A tab 48 is provided on lens 46 so that a vehicle operator can rotate lens 46 and housing 44 about track assembly 36 as indicated at double arrow A in FIG. 4. 
     Lens 46 defines a first section 50 configured to pass light from light bulb 30 to form a spotlight. First section 50 may be constructed, for example, from clear glass or plastic. Lens 46 also defines a second section 52 configured to emit a warning light. Second section 52 may be constructed, for example, from glass or plastic that is colored, checked or otherwise obscured to emit colored, dimmed or otherwise obscured light as a marker light. Tab 48 is preferably located on the marker light so that the marker light identifies the position of the mechanism used to rotate the lens and housing to direct the spotlight to a desired location. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 4, housing 44 includes a reflector 54 positioned opposite light bulb 30 from first section 50 of lens 46. Reflector 54 reflects light out through first section 50, increasing the spotlight effect. It also partially blocks light from passing through second section 52, thereby reducing the intensity of the marker light. 
     The construction illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 provides a rotatable compartment light that creates a spotlight and a marker light. An operator is thus able to direct light to a desired area in or about a compartment of the vehicle while avoiding glare often associated with dome lights or other floodlights. This exemplary construction, however, illustrates only one preferred embodiment, and other suitable constructions are understood to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, various lens section configurations and various constructions of the lens, housing and bracket are possible. For example, the housing may be configured to pivot within the bracket to provide a greater range of deployment for the spotlight. 
     Furthermore, various means of securing a light source such as light bulb 30 are possible. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates light bulb 30 attached to a base 56 secured to bracket 32 at fixture 58. Light bulb 30 extends through housing 44 at passage 60, which has a diameter at least large enough to permit housing 44 to rotate about light bulb 30. 
     Alternatively, referring to FIG. 5, light bulb 30 may be directly mounted to housing 44 such that light bulb 30 rotates with the housing. Wear strips 62 and 64 are provided in contact with light bulb 30 to energize the light bulb as it rotates. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a construction similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5, with the addition of apertures 66 and 68 in housing 44 and bracket 32, respectively, to permit the passage of light to a second lens 70 disposed on a second panel 72. Lens 70 may be obscured by various manners to provide a warning light in second panel 72. The construction illustrated in FIG. 6 may be used, for example, in vehicle walls or doors where it is desirable to provide a marker or warning light on the side of the wall or door opposite light 12. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is to be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. Thus, the embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited thereto since many modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the literal or equivalent scope of the appended claims.