Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to adjustable lighting systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to deflectable and adjustable light mounting systems that assume multiple, yieldable, detented orientations, and thus may safely and reliably be moved from hidden, out-of-the-way positions to exposed highly visible positions. 
     II. Description of the Prior Art 
     It has long been recognized by those skilled in the art that light mounting assemblies may be movably mounted. Some systems use swivels, some use diverse other systems including flexible cabling or mounts. Known systems move between extended, highly visible positions, and retracted, out-of-the-way positions where they may be shrouded against impact damage and the like. 
     A variety of truck and trailer lighting systems exist in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,868 issued to Moore Sep. 25, 1984 illustrates a light assembly for trucks. A light carrying portion is pivotally mounted to an attaching portion normally on the vehicle top. The light can be moved between exposed and retracted positions. The attaching portion includes a pair of bracket members adapted to be secured to the frame. The light carrying portion has two arms, each having a dog which cooperates with a notch in a respective cam for locking the dog in the notch. A spring urges the dogs and notches into locking engagement. Manual input overcomes the bias of the spring to permit the lights to pivot into the retracted position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,398 issued Oct. 27, 1987 discloses an auxiliary brake light for vehicles. A socket is mounted securely on a frame and a light housing is pivotally mounted on the socket. The light housing is displaceably and pivotally connected with the socket with bolts engaging guide channels. At least one spring projects from the socket, which is adapted to be connected with the light housing in a detent-like manner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,990 issued to Saunders Jul. 17, 2001 illustrates a retractable truck light assembly ideal for trailer towing. A retractable light housing is affixed to the truck bedside wall by a pivotal mount enabling the light housing to swivel outwardly to an extended, highly visible position, or inwardly towards the truck body to assume a retracted position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,689 issued to Schmidt Jul. 19, 2005 shows a pivoting auxiliary light assembly for tractors. An upper support is pivotal with respect to a lower support that is attached to a frame. Detent recesses are formed in an upper end surface of the lower support. The upper support has a lamp housing attached to an end of a support rod, and a detent member. The detent member is selectively received by the recesses to releasably hold the upper support in selected positions relative to the lower support. A bushing member is received by the support members to maintain axial alignment thereof. A spring is received by the support members, and is biased to urge the support members towards each other. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A retractable light mounting assembly for trucks and/or trailers provides increased safety and reliability. The light mounting assembly can be quickly user-switched between retracted, out-of-the-way positions and highly visible exposed positions where increased lighting is achieved. Ideally the unit is deployed on trailers, where heightened visibility results when towing. 
     A light fixture of a selected configuration is coupled by a rotatable arm to a first hollow tube comprising a rigid stand. A second hollow tube comprises a rigid, tubular spring housing. The stand and spring housing can have different lengths and configurations. The stand is adjustable mechanically, coupled to the spring housing by an elongated bolt that is core drilled to allow the light wiring to pass through the entire assembly. A pair of friction washers, one on the stand and the other on the housing, mutually abut, and create friction resisting torsional displacements. In a preferred embodiment protrusions on one washer register with dimples on one another to cause a detent effect. The housing and the stands may in each embodiment be torsionally displaced against friction caused by the spring biased washers that interfit to form radially spaced-part semi-fixed “detented” positions. 
     Thus, it is an object of our present invention to provide a user-deployable and retractable light mounting assembly that can be quickly switched between hidden positions protected from impact, and highly visible exposed positions. 
     A related object of our present invention is to provide a user-deployable and retractable light mounting assembly of the character described that is ideal for trailers or trucks. 
     It is also an object of our invention to provide an auxiliary lighting system for vehicles. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a retractable light mounting assembly of the character described that can be user mounted in a wide variety of locations. 
     Yet another object of our invention is to provide an adjustable light mounting assembly that easily and quickly retracts when hit or deflected by impact with an obstacle. 
     A related object is to provide a detented light mounting system that responds to sudden, forcible impacts with yieldable deflections to avoid damage. 
     A still further object of our invention is to provide a mounting system for lights built in a wide variety of shapes, that facilitates their orientation either horizontally or vertically. It is a feature of our invention that unique backing plate designs may accommodate different light shapes and configurations, although not necessary for every application such as when used with lights that do not require use of a backing plate. 
     A still further object of our present invention is to provide a mounting system for lights that facilitates the advantages discussed. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal isometric view of a preferred light mounting assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the light mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the light mounting assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the light mounting assembly taken from a position generally above  FIG. 1  and looking down; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric assembly view of a preferred light mounting assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view of the preferred light mounting assembly taken generally along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a frontal isometric view of an alternative embodiment of our light mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric assembly view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of alternative the light mounting assembly taken from a position generally above  FIG. 6  and looking down; 
         FIG. 10  is a front plan view of the alternative light mounting assembly of  FIGS. 7-9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a left front isometric view of the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 7-10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear isometric view of the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 7-11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a longitudinal sectional view of the alternative light mounting assembly taken generally along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the alternative light mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 15  is a exploded isometric view of a second alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is a exploded isometric view of a third alternative embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a preferred first compression washer with circular dimples; 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view of the preferred first compression washer, taken generally along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view of a preferred second compression washer with rectangular dimples that mates with the first compression washer; 
         FIG. 20  is a sectional view of the preferred second compression washer taken generally along line  20 - 20  of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of an alternative, third second compression washer with slotted dimples that can mate with the first compression washer; and, 
         FIG. 22  is a sectional view of the alternative third compression washer taken generally along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-6  of the appended drawings, a light mounting system constructed in accordance with the best mode of our invention has been generally designated by the reference numeral  30 . In this embodiment, and those to be discussed hereinafter, an illuminated light is coupled to a first upright, hollow tube that is swiveled to a second hollow tube by a pair of cooperating friction washers described later. The friction washers abut one another in assembly, and their construction establishes a detented, pivotal connection. As a result, the light fixture can swivel or pivot to various radial positions against yieldable pressure established by the detents. The light mounting system can be employed in original equipment installations in new vehicles, or it can be retrofitted to diverse applications, such as truck bodies and trailers. On either case the maneuverability of the system allows adjustments to the lighting fixture for maximum visibility. Concurrently, due to the yieldable characteristics of the detented light mounting, a sudden impact against the light, such as might be experienced when backing up a truck trailer, for example, will only shift the position or orientation of the light, while not breaking or damaging it. 
     In the preferred embodiment of our light mounting system  30 , the luminaire  32  is coupled by an arm  34  to a rigid elongated, hollow tubular stand  38  that can house critical components. The second hollow tube in this embodiment comprises a rigid, generally tubular spring housing  40  (i.e.,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) that is generally cubicle. The stand  38  is adjustably mechanically, coupled to the spring housing  40  by a pair of friction washers  45 ,  47  that enable semi-rigid coupling, but which yieldably allow limited pivotal movement between detented positions. Luminaire  32  may thus be swiveled in the radial directions indicated by arrow  46  ( FIG. 1 ) which is established by the washers  45 ,  47 . 
     Luminaire  32  comprises a rigid, protective housing  50  which, in  FIGS. 1-6 , is generally cylindrical. Instead of being round or cylindrical, the light could be rectangular, square, triangular, oval or other desired geometries. The connection arm  34  is formed by an elongated, threaded shaft  52  fixed within housing  50  that extends into stand  38  and is mechanically secured thereto at a given angular orientation by an external nut  54  and an internal nut  56  disposed within stand  38  that secures the shaft  52  ( FIG. 6 ). When nut  54  is loosened, the luminaire  32  maybe rotated or radially adjusted in position about the plane indicated by arrow  56  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the luminaire  32  comprises at least one generally translucent plastic or glass lens  60  at the light front. Preferably there is a similar lens  62  at the light rear ( FIG. 2 ) with a series of LED&#39;s or an incandescent bulb  64  disposed between the lenses  60  and  62 . Bulb wiring is routed through arm  34 , stand  38 , stand  69  and fastener  82  through bore  87  and connected conventionally to a source of power, which may be switched or unswitched. 
     The stand  38  (i.e.,  FIGS. 2 ,  5 ) is elongated and rigid, and is generally in the form of a parallelepiped, with a generally rectangular profile. The bottom may be left open to enable assembly of bolt  82  ( FIG. 6 ). One side has a suitable orifice  67  that clears light arm  34  (i.e.,  FIG. 5 ) previously discussed. Compression washer  47  sits atop stand  38  and is centered with respect thereto. Washer  47  is welded to stand  38  and moves with it. 
     The preferred spring housing  40  is preferably shorter in length than stand  38 . The generally cubicle body  69  has a pair of integral sides that mater with and are integral with a base flange  70  that has mounting orifices  73 ,  74  (i.e.,  FIG. 2 ). When the light is mounted to an application, the underside  71  ( FIG. 2 ) of the flange will abut the surface upon which the light is mounted. The second compression washer  45  is welded at the base of body  69 , and is centered with respect thereto. In assembly it can be seen that washers  45 ,  47  are centered on their respective parts such that they are operationally disposed in a concentric relationship. 
     The spring housing  40  and the stand  38  are axially, forcibly spring-biased together. As best viewed in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an elongated core-drilled fastener  82  is concentrically inserted within spring housing  40 , and passes through aligned washers  45 ,  47 , entering stand  38 . A compression spring  84  ( FIG. 5 ) is coaxially captivated on the shank  85  of the fastener  82 . The bottom of the fastener  82  threadably receives a hex nut  86 . Tightening of fastener  82  causes spring  84  ( FIG. 5 ) to be forcibly compressed by the head  83  of fastener  82 . It will be observed from  FIGS. 5 and 6  that the preferred fastener  82  has an elongated through bore  87  extending from its head  83  all the way through its shank  85 . Bore  87  is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the fastener  82 . 
     Torsional friction between compressed washers  45 ,  47  (and between housing  40  and stand  38 ) is increased as the fastener  82  is tightened. Rotational friction between washers must be overcome when the luminaire  32  is deflected or impacted. Pivoting results when stand  38  is torsionally displaced as indicated by arrow  46  in  FIG. 1 . As explained later, means are provided for the coaxially aligned and abutting washers  45 ,  47  to assume semi-permanent detented positions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-14 , a first alternative embodiment  130  is shown. It is substantially similar to embodiment  30  discussed above. Here luminaire  132  is coupled by an arm  134  to the first hollow tube comprising a rigid elongated, hollow stand  138  constructed substantially as described before. The second hollow tube in embodiment  130  comprises a rigid, generally tubular spring housing  140  (i.e.,  FIG. 8 ) that is generally cubicle as before, but which lacks the flange  70  discussed earlier. As before, the stand  138  is adjustably mechanically, coupled to the spring housing  140  by a pair of friction washers  145 ,  147  which yieldably allow pivotal movements. Luminaire  132  connects to stand  138  with shaft  152  extending into stand  138  and being mechanically secured thereto by nut  154 . 
     The spring housing  140  and the stand  138  are forcibly spring-biased together by the through-bored fastener  182 . As best viewed in  FIG. 8 , the fastener  182  passes through washers  145 ,  147 , entering stand  138  and captivating compression spring  84  ( FIG. 8 ). Hex nut  186  secures fastener  182 , compressing spring  154  to develop washer friction. 
       FIG. 15  shows a preferred second alternative embodiment  230  which is substantially similar to the previous embodiments discussed above. Luminaire  232  is coupled by arm  234  and nut  235  ( FIG. 15 ) to a rigid stand  238  constructed substantially as described before. Spring housing  240  is generally cubicle as before, but lacks an analogous flange  70  discussed earlier. Stand  238  is mechanically coupled to spring housing  240  by a pair of different friction washers  245 ,  247  which again facilitate yieldable pivotal movements. Core drilled fastener  282  captivates pressure spring  284  and biases stand  238  and housing  240  together. 
       FIG. 16  shows a preferred third alternative embodiment  330  which is substantially similar to the previous embodiments. Luminaire  332  is secured by arm  333  and nut  334  to a rigid stand  338 . Spring housing  340  is biased to stand  338  by core-drilled fastener  382  that captivates compression spring  384 . Stand  338  is coupled to spring housing  340  by a pair of different friction washers  345 ,  347  that facilitate yieldable pivotal movements. 
     With reference now directed to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the washers  45  and  47  mentioned in the discussion of the first embodiment above are generally circular and flat. All washers can be made from either plastic or metal. Each washer has a central orifice that clears the fasteners discussed earlier. Each washer has a plurality of raised projections on one side, and a plurality of aligned depressions on its opposite side. Interaction and registration between the projections of one washer with the depressions on an adjacent washer create the desired detent effect. The washer projections and depressions can vary in size and placement and shape. 
     In the first washer embodiment of  FIGS. 17 and 18 . A plurality of radially spaced apart, generally convex and upwardly extending projections comprising protrusions  402  project upwardly from the upper face  401  of the washer  45  or  47 . The lower annular washer face  405  ( FIG. 18 ) has depressions formed by indented dimples  407  that are concave. Protrusions  402  align and register with dimples  407  on an opposite washer yieldably establishing radially spaced apart detented positions. In other words, when stand  38  ( FIG. 5 ) receives spring housing  40 , the upwardly extending convex protrusions on washer  47  can mate with and register with the lower dimples on washer  45 . Since the dimples are symmetrical with the protrusions, torsional displacements between the stand  38  and the housing  40  allow four separate, radially spaced apart detent positions where the dimples and protrusions mate, i.e., the convex upper protrusions are forced into the concave lower dimples by spring pressure. Of course, the washers can be reversed, with protrusions, for example, projecting downwardly, but the point is to establish detented positions when the protrusions and dimples register. When torsional displacements occur, friction is insured during twisting by the forces of spring  84 , that compressively urges mutually abutting faces of the dimpled washers together. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  show washers  245  or  247  that can also establish pivoting, and are desired in heavy duty applications. Instead of dimples and protrusions like washers  45 ,  47  discussed above, washers  245 , or  247  have machined grooves or valleys  411  on one side ( FIG. 20 ) and corresponding ridged (peaks)  413  on the other side. Here, abutting washers end up with valleys  411  receiving peaks  413  allowing the same nesting action as before. In both cases spring tension mates the washers together. However, more torsional force is necessary to overcome the spring-influenced detent positions. 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  show washers  345  and/or  347 . The upper washer surface  421  has radially spaced apart ridges  420  that are oriented ninety degrees from peaks  413  discussed with  FIG. 19 . In other words, the upwardly projecting ridges  420  are separated radially by ninety degrees, and run from the center of the washer towards the circumference. The underside  430  ( FIG. 22 ) has corresponding slots  432  that are penetrated by ridges  420  when the washers are aligned in the same manner as discussed earlier. 
     The ability of the light mounts described herein to pivot when hit from either direction provides the operator the opportunity to simply flip the undamaged light back into position before proceeding onto the highway. The mount also maintains high visibility by allowing the operator to mount the light in a more visible location without the fear of being damaged and/or broken off and thus a loss in investment. It can also be visible to oncoming traffic either by the unique design option of mounting lights in a forward-facing position on a backing plate or by using lights designed with that inherent function. (i.e., dual faced pedestal lights). 
     Use of the mounts addresses a major safety issue and drastically reduces the risk of traffic accidents due to damaged, missing or obscured lights on trailers leading to unexpected medical costs, elevated insurance premiums, lawsuits as well as loss of life in some situation. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages, which are inherent to the structure. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. 
     As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Technology Category: f