US3875561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flashing vehicle warning beacon with lens and reflector
Assignee: Hope Tronics Ltd
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Filing: 1972-09-20
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1992-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A warning beacon that more efficiently distributes light is disclosed. The beacon includes a flashing, largely omnidirectional, central light source, a conical reflector above the light source and an encircling lens system. The light source includes a partly circular, high intensity discharge lamp coaxial with the lens. One of several encircling lenses is selected for the desired beacon characteristics. A convergent lens, resembling, in section, a planoconvex lens, collects light into an encircling aureole of increased intensity emanating from the lens. A reflecting and refracting interior surface will spread the visual source. Fresnel lens sections can be chosen to increase visibility. The reflector diverts ordinarily wasted light. Between the reflector and the lens, light passes up and out to illuminate the beacon''s environs. The lens is constructed of segments whose color may differ one from another and from an encasing dome.
Inventors
- 👤 John J Scarpino
- 👤 Daniel B Ventre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/2611; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/10; F21S43/13; F21S43/30; F21S43/31; F21S43/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A surface vehicle-mounted emergency beacon including a lower support and mounting portion, a substantially cup-shaped, lightpassing casing dome, a light source, electrical means for applying pulsed energization to the light source for flashing thereof, lens means within the dome supported by the support and mounting portion and encircling the light source for collecting light from the source into an intensified band generally horizontally emanating, an upper reflector above the light source and spaced from both the lens and the light source within the dome and generally concentric with the lens, the lens and reflector defining a generally annular opening therebetween, said reflector being configured to provide an upward and outward light path through said opening both directly and by reflection, thereby to illuminate the beacon''s environs and to provide warning out of the line-of-sight to the beacon, the reflector further having a surface configuration defining means for diverting rays through both the lens and the opening, substantially reducing directly upward and wasteful skyward rays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A surface vehicle-mounted emergency beacon including a lower support and mounting portion, a substantially cup-shaped, lightpassing casing dome, a light source, electrical means for applying pulsed energization to the light source for flashing thereof, lens means within the dome supported by the support and mounting portion and encircling the light source for collecting light from the source into an intensified band generally horizontally emanating, an upper reflector above the light source and spaced from both the lens and the light source within the dome and generally concentric with the lens, the lens and reflector defining a generally annular opening therebetween, said reflector being configured to provide an upward and outward light path through said opening both directly and by reflection, thereby to illuminate the beacon''s environs and to provide warning out of the line-of-sight to the beacon, the reflector further having a surface configuration defining means for diverting rays through both the lens and the opening, substantially reducing directly upward and wasteful skyward rays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The beacon according to claim 1, wherein light from the light source is largely omnidirectional, and the source includes a horizontally disposed high intensity gaseous discharge lamp section encircled by the lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The beacon according to claim 2, wherein the horizontally disposed discharge lamp section is partly circular and substantially coaxially located with respect to the lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The beacon according to claim 1, wherein the lens has a light refracting and reflecting means formed on the lens inner surface for spreading the exteriorly visible lighting from within the lens horizontally across a larger lens area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The beacon according to claim 4, wherein the inner surface of the lens has multiple angularly arranged and vertically extending facets thereon for causing diffraction and reflection of light from the source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The beacon according to claim 1, wherein the lens is formed in molded plastic segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The beacon according to claim 6, wherein each lens segment has an integral downwardly projecting support section with a bore to receive a fastener attaching the segment to the support and mounting portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The beacon according to claim 1, wherein the dome differs in color from the lens and the beacon thereby produces light emanations of at least two colors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The beacon according to claim 8, wherein the dome is clear to leave unaffected the color of light that misses the lens and passes through the dome to thereby illuminate the beacon''s environs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |