Abstract:
A warning light having a switching system where the behavior of a warning light can be altered by actuation of a switching mechanism by rotary actuation of a connector plug. A rotary pin base located adjacent to a connector plug receptor port is rotated by an engaging connector plug to rotationally position pins in the rotary pin base for the purpose of contacting stationary switch pins in a stationary pin base to provide electrical current of different natures and attributes to a warning lamp.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for a warning light, and more particularly, pertains to a warning light having a switching system whose electrical configuration can be easily and readily changed to alter the behavior pattern of one or more warning lights between steady or flashing illumination or other illumination patterns or schemes without laborious configuration modifications, as desired. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Railroad crossing lights on a crossing gate or other supports are provided to exhibit either flashing or steady illumination or combinations of flashing or steady warning lights depending upon use requirements. Once the configuration of warning lights was decided upon, each of the warning lights was hardwired at a position internal to the warning light base or at a plug assembly to generate the desired illumination of each warning light where the illumination was of a steady or flashing nature as desired. Later and subsequent reconfiguration of the warning lights to reflect an altered illumination pattern required reconfiguration of the hardwired wiring system whether internal to the base or whether in the plug assembly. Such reconfiguration required one or more operations such as, but not limited to, desoldering and resoldering and taping of wires, removal and replacement of wire connectors and switching and reconnecting of wires, stripping of wires, reconnection and swapping of wires in pins at plug terminals, and the like. Such operations and reconfigurations require a lengthy reconfiguration time and generally require the use of qualified personnel, such as a licensed electrician or technician. Clearly, what is needed is a warning light having a switching system which is quickly and readily reconfigured in the field by personnel where technical knowledge is not required to execute a change in the behavior of a warning light system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is a warning light having a switching system. Opposing lenses, a lens frame and a light socket and bulb pivotally attach to a configured housing which serves as a mount for the warning light. Opposed connector plug receptor ports having male connection pins extend in an outward direction from opposite ends of the configured housing to accommodate connector plugs having female connection pins. One such set of male connection pins at one end of the configured housing is fixed in position to simply accommodate the female connection pins of one connector plug, as known in the art. However, the opposing male connection pins, also known as rotating pins, are located in and extend through a rotary pin base which is co-located in a connector plug receptor port cavity to align with and to contact stationary switch pins in a stationary pin base. The female pins of a connector plug are brought into intimate contact with the male rotating pins to establish electrical connection and also to provide a means to cause rotation of the rotary pin base and co-located rotating pins. Such a rotary movement about the axis of the rotary pin base is caused by manual rotation of the connector plug thereby causing the rotating pins to reposition in rotational fashion to contact successive stationary switch pins located in the stationary pin base. A spring and a ball located in the housing contacts detent grooves in the rotary pin base to index, reference, register and fix the rotating pins in the rotary pin base in alignment with the stationary switch pins in the stationary pin base. Subsequent to rotational switching, the cap of the connector plug is tightened against threads on the connector plug receptor port to fix and ensure desired alignment of the rotary pin base and the rotating pins, as desired. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a warning light with a switching system including a molded configured housing, a lens frame with opposing lenses and a light socket and bulb pivotally attached to the configured housing, opposing connector plug receptor ports extending from the configured housing, fixed male connection pins extending from one side of the configured housing within a connector plug receptor port, rotating pins extending from an opposing side of the configured housing within another connector plug receptor port, a rotary pin base through which the rotating pins fully extend and which is aligned within a connector plug receptor port cavity, stationary switch pins secured in a stationary pin base which align to the rotating pins in the rotary pin, base, a connector plug which is securable to the fixed male connection pins and a connector plug which is securable with respect to the rotating pins and which is incorporated to rotatingly actuate the rotating pins for contacting the stationary switch pins located in the stationary pin base. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a warning light having a switching system. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a switching system which can deliver electrical current of different attributes to alter the behavior of a warning light. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a warning light having a switching system which can be reconfigured by a person not having specialized mechanical or electrical skills. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a switching system for a warning light which eliminates the requirement for manual rewiring of wire configurations to change the attributes of a warning light. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a rotary pin base having co-located male rotating pins the entire assembly of which is rotated along and about its axis to interface with and to intimately contact stationary switch pins in a stationary pin base. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of a connector plug having female pins to intimately engage the male rotating pins of a rotary pin base whereby the connector plug is rotated to cause rotation of the male rotating pins of the rotary pin base resulting in switching of the male rotating pins with the stationary switch pins in a stationary pin base. 
     Having thus described an embodiment of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a warning light having a switching system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a warning light having a switching system, the present invention, for use with adjacently shown connector plugs; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the warning light having a switching system and adjacent connector plugs; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the rotary pin base and associated components aligned to the stationary pin base; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded isometric view showing the relationship of the rotary pin base and associated components with respect to the stationary pin base and associated components; 
     FIG. 5 is a separated cross section view along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3 showing, for the purposes of brevity and clarity in semi-exploded view, intended and actual points of intimate contact of the stationary switch pins with the rotating pins; and, 
     FIG. 6 is an end view showing the relationship of the grooved detents of the rotary pin base and associated components in alignment to the stationary pin base. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a warning light having a switching system, herein called the warning system  10 , for use with adjacently shown connector plugs  12  and  14 . The warning system  10  centers about a configured housing  16  which serves as a mounting structure for components described herein. The configured housing  16  includes opposing planar tabs  18  and  20  for mounting of the warning system  10  including a plurality of mounting holes  22   a-   22   n.  A lens frame  24 , opposing lenses  26  and  28 , and a lamp base  30  and electric bulb  32  (FIG. 2) pivotally attach to the upper region of the configured housing  16 . An orifice  34  provides access to a lens frame locking mechanism (not shown) which fixes the angular displacement of the lens frame  24  and lenses  26  and  28  with respect to the housing  16 . 
     A connector plug receptor port  36  extends outwardly from a side  38  of the configured housing  16 . A rotary pin base  40  having a plurality of rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  aligns in a connector plug receptor port cavity  44 . Rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  extend outwardly for accommodation by and electrical connection with the connector plug  14 . The connector plug  14 , in intimate contact with the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n,  can be rotated along and about its axis to correspondingly rotate the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  and rotary pin base  40  to effect switching, as later described in detail. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the warning system  10 , the present invention, and the connector plugs  12  and  14 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. Particularly illustrated is the alignment of the rotary pin base  40  and rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  with a stationary pin base  46  having spring loaded stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n.  The spring loaded stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  are located in cavities  49   a-   49   n  in the stationary pin base  46  and are biased in a direction to cause intimate contact with the ends of the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  which project slightly beyond the inwardly facing planar surface of the rotary pin base  40 . The relationship of the rotary pin base  40  to the stationary pin base  46  is also illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating a rotary pin base  40  being generally of multi-radiused construction and a stationary pin base  46  being generally in the form of a sculpted rectangular solid. The small radius portion  50  of the rotary pin base  40  aligns in and is rotatably positionable within the cylindrically-shaped connector plug receptor port cavity  44  extending into the body of the configured housing  16 . The larger radius portion  52  of the rotary pin base  40  and adjacent members provide and promote several features. One such feature is that an annular surface  54  (FIG. 3) which transitions between the large radius portion  52  and the small radius portion  50  of the rotary pin base  40  aligns to and acts as a stop against an inner planar surface  56  of the configured housing  16  which abuts the connector plug receptor port cavity  44 . Another feature provided by the large radius portion  52  and other members is the inclusion of a plurality of grooved detents  58   a-   58   n  radially and equally and appropriately spaced about the curved surface of the large radius portion  52  of the rotary pin base  40 . A vertically aligned cylindrically-shaped spring cavity  60  in the body of the configured housing  16  aligns transversely to the longitudinal axis of the large radius portion  52  of the rotary pin base  40  and includes a spring  62  and ball  64  arrangement correspondingly aligned where the ball  64  is forced by the spring  62  against the large radius portion  52  of the rotary pin base  40  to ultimately align with one of the grooved detents  58   a-   58   n  to provide reference, alignment and registration of the rotary pin base  40  and the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  with the stationary pin base  46  and stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n.  The stationary pin base  46 , being of sculpted rectangular solid construction, aligns to four planar surfaces of a chamber  66  which intersects the connector plug receptor port cavity  44  and also aligns in close proximity to the inwardly facing surface of the rotary pin base  40  located in the connector plug receptor port cavity  44 . Such alignment brings the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  in the stationary pin base  46  into intimate electrical and physical contact with the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  of the rotary pin base  40 , as shown and described in detail in FIG.  5 . An upper planar panel  68  having an access cutout  70  and a lower planar panel  72  are suitably secured by a plurality of screws  74   a-   74   n  into position between the tabs  18  and  20  to maintain the position of the stationary pin base  46  within the chamber  66  and to seal the bottom of the configured housing  16 . Connector plug  14  includes a pin base  76  which serves as a mount for fixed position female pins  78   a-   78   n.  Connector plug  14  includes a tubular body  82  in or on which the pin base  76 , fixed position female pins  78   a-   78   n  and a tightening ring  84  are located. An O-ring  80  is provided to seal the connector plug  14  to the connector plug receptor port  36 . Connector plug  12  is of similar construction. Another connector plug receptor port  86  having fixed position male pins  88   a-   88   n  is also provided opposite the connector plug receptor port  36  for connection with connector plug  12 . 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the relationship of the rotary pin base  40  and associated components in alignment to the stationary pin base  46 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. A plurality of vertically oriented grooves  90   a-   90   n  and connecting passages are located on the rear vertical surface of the stationary pin base  46  to accommodate internal wiring which connects to the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  previously described. Correspondingly, a plurality of vertically oriented grooves  92   a-   92   n  for wire passage are located in the configured housing  16  adjacent to the grooves  90   a-   90   n,  as viewed in FIG.  2 . Rotary motion in either direction of the rotary pin base  40  is indicated by arcuate arrow  94 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view showing the relationship of the rotary pin base  40  and associated components with respect to the stationary pin base  46  and associated components, and FIG. 5 is a separated cross section view along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3 showing, for the purposes of brevity and clarity in semi-exploded view, intended and actual points of intimate contact of the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  with the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  as shown by dashed lines, where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. Illustrated in particular in the stationary pin base  46  are cylindrical like cavities  49   a-   49   n  which are equally spaced from each other and which are equally spaced about an axis extending through a spacer pin  96  located on a planar surface  98  of the stationary pin base  46 . Cavities  49   a-   49   n  respectively accommodate springs  100   a-   100   n  located over and about the co-located shafts  102   a-   102   n  of each of the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  and also accommodate a portion of the domed pin heads  104   a-   104   n  of the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n,  as illustrated in FIG.  5 . Slightly domed pin heads  104   a-   104   n  extend slightly beyond the planar surface  98  of the stationary pin base  46  to provide for suitable sliding contact with the inwardly facing domed ends  106   a-   106   n  of the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n,  the shafts  114   a-   114   n  of which mount in cylindrical like holes  112   a-   112   n  and extend slightly beyond the planar surface  110  of the rotary pin base  40 . Holes  112   a-   112   n  are spaced and located about the central axis of the rotary pin base  40  to correspondingly align with cavities  49   a-   49   n  of the stationary pin base  46  to provide for suitable alignment of the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  with the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  residing respectively in the rotary pin base  40  and the stationary pin base  46 . The spacer pin  96  ensures a suitable clearance space between the planar surface  98  of the stationary pin base  46  and the planar inwardly facing planar surface  110  of the rotary pin base  40 . 
     FIG. 6 is an end view showing the relationship of the grooved detents  58   a-   58   n  of the rotary pin base  40  and associated components in alignment to the stationary pin base  46 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously or otherwise described. Also shown is the ball  64  and spring  62  which in combination engage one of the grooved detents  58   a-   58   n  to index, reference, register and fix the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  in the rotary pin base  40  in alignment with the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  in the stationary pin base  46 . Rotation in either direction of the rotary pin base  40  is indicated by arcuate arrow  116 . Rotation of the rotary pin base, such as by the connector plug  14 , forces the ball  64  out of engagement with one of the grooved detents  58   a-   58   n  into sliding or rotational tangential engagement with the large radius portion  52  of the rotary pin base  40  until reaching one of the next successive grooved detents  58   a-   58   n,  whereupon indexing, referencing, registration and/or fixation of the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  in the rotary pin base  40  in alignment with the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  in the stationary pin base  46  occurs. Such rotational urging of the rotary pin base  40  effects a switching between the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  and the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  to alter the behavior of the electric bulb  32  to be either flashing, steady or off, as required. Although sets of rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  and stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  indicate three pins in each set, other numbers of pins can be incorporated depending upon the number of switching combinations or settings desired and the use of only three-pin sets shall not be deemed to be limiting to the scope or intent of the invention. 
     Mode of Operation 
     FIG. 1, with reference to other figures, illustrates the mode of operation of the warning system  10 . In use, the female pins  78   a-   78   n  of a connector plug, such as connector plug  14 , engage the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  of the rotary pin base  40  in physical and electrical connection to provide various and appropriate desired electrical currents to the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  which then deliver such electrical current to the electric bulb  32  via the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  located in the stationary pin base  46 . Such desired engagement is provided firstly by proper orientation of the rotary pin base  40  by the engagement of the ball  64  in one of the grooved detents  58   a-   58   n,  and secondly, such engagement is ensured by securing of the connector plug  14  to the connector plug receptor port  36  by tightening of the tightening ring  84  over and about threads on the connector plug receptor port  36  to prevent any rotation of the tubular body  82  of the connector plug  14 . Rotation of the rotary pin base  40  to effect a change in behavior of the electric bulb  32  is simply accomplished by unscrewing and loosening or disengaging the tightening ring  84  from the connector plug receptor port  36  to allow subsequent manual rotation of the tubular body  82  of the connector plug  14 . Manual rotation of the tubular body  82  correspondingly causes rotation of the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  and of the rotary pin base  40  to a new detent position, such as determined by the engagement of the ball  64  with a successive grooved detent  58   a-   58   n.  Rotation of the rotary pin base  40  by the connector plug  14  forces the ball  64  out of engagement with one of the grooved detents  58   a-   58   n  into sliding or rotational tangential engagement with the large radius portion  52  of the rotary pin base  40  until reaching one of the next successive grooved detents  58   a-   58   n,  whereupon indexing, referencing, registration and/or fixation of the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  in the rotary pin base  40  in alignment with the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  in the stationary pin base  46  occurs. Such rotational urging of the rotary pin base  40  effects a switching between the rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  and the stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  to alter the behavior of the electric bulb  32  to be either flashing, steady or off or as otherwise required. Upon reaching the desired detented position, the tightening ring  84  is re-secured to prevent inadvertent rotation of the tubular body  82  of the connector plug  14 , further ensuring the desired rotational setting. Although opposing sets of rotating pins  42   a-   42   n  and stationary switch pins  48   a-   48   n  indicate three pins in each set, other numbers of pins and additional switching arrangements incorporating the teachings of the invention can be incorporated depending upon the number of switching combinations or settings desired. The use of only three-pin sets or only one set of switching means shall not be deemed to be limiting to the scope or intent of the invention. 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. 
     PARTS LIST 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  10 
                 warning system 
               
               
                   
                  12 
                 connector plug 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 connector plug 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 housing, configured 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 tab 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 tab 
               
               
                   
                  22a-n 
                 mounting holes 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 lens frame 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 lens 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 lens 
               
               
                   
                  30 
                 lamp base 
               
               
                   
                  32 
                 electric bulb 
               
               
                   
                  34 
                 orifice 
               
               
                   
                  36 
                 connector plug receptor part 
               
               
                   
                  38 
                 side 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 rotary pin base 
               
               
                   
                  42a-n 
                 rotating pins 
               
               
                   
                  44 
                 connector plug receptor port cavity 
               
               
                   
                  46 
                 stationary pin base 
               
               
                   
                  48a-n 
                 stationary switch pins 
               
               
                   
                  49a-n 
                 cavities 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 small radius portion 
               
               
                   
                  52 
                 large radius portion 
               
               
                   
                  54 
                 annular surface 
               
               
                   
                  56 
                 inner planar surface 
               
               
                   
                  58a-n 
                 grooved  detents 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 spring cavity 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 spring 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 ball 
               
               
                   
                  66 
                 chamber 
               
               
                   
                  68 
                 upper planar panel 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 access cutout 
               
               
                   
                  72 
                 lower planar panel 
               
               
                   
                  74a-n 
                 screws 
               
               
                   
                  76 
                 pin base 
               
               
                   
                  78a-n 
                 female pins 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 O-ring 
               
               
                   
                  82 
                 tubular body 
               
               
                   
                      84 
                 tightening ring 
               
               
                   
                  86 
                 connector plug receptor port 
               
               
                   
                  88a-n 
                 male pins 
               
               
                   
                  90a-n 
                 grooves 
               
               
                   
                  92a-n 
                 grooves 
               
               
                   
                  94 
                 arcuate arrow 
               
               
                   
                  96 
                 spacer pin 
               
               
                   
                  98 
                 planar surface 
               
               
                   
                 100a-n 
                 springs 
               
               
                   
                 102a-n 
                 shafts 
               
               
                   
                 104a-n 
                 domed pinheads 
               
               
                   
                 106a-n 
                 domed ends 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 planar surface 
               
               
                   
                 112a-n 
                 holes 
               
               
                   
                 114a-n 
                 shafts 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 arcuate arrow