US4821154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-bulb light source
Assignee: TRIO ENGINEERING Inc A Co OF ONTARIO
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Filing: 1987-09-28
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Granted: 1989-04-11
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Expires: 2007-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A light source for use in traffic signals has a plurality of light bulbs, in which each bulb is used in turn until it burns out, at which time power is switched to an operable bulb. By means of lenses and mirrors in the light source, a substantially identical pattern of light rays is produced regardless of which bulb is lit.
Inventors
- 👤 Ireneusz J. Kotecki
- 👤 Slawomir Patocki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:53
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V19/00; F21V19/04; F21W; F21W2111/00; F21W2111/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An optical device for directing the light rays from a plurality of light bulbs, for use in association with means for directing an electric current to each of said light bulbs, one at a time, and for switching said electric current from a light bulb when it burns out to another, operable one of said light bulbs, until all of said light bulbs are burnt out, said device comprising: (a) a concave mirror comprising a plurality of wedges of ellipsoidal mirrors; (b) means for holding said light bulbs within the concavity of said concave mirror; and (c) means for focusing light rays from each of said light bulbs to produce a substantially identical pattern of light rays emitting from said device to a common focal area regardless of which one of said light bulbs is lit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An optical device for directing the light rays from a plurality of light bulbs, for use in association with means for directing an electric current to each of said light bulbs, one at a time, and for switching said electric current from a light bulb when it burns out to another, operable one of said light bulbs, until all of said light bulbs are burnt out, said device comprising: (a) a concave mirror comprising a plurality of wedges of ellipsoidal mirrors; (b) means for holding said light bulbs within the concavity of said concave mirror; and (c) means for focusing light rays from each of said light bulbs to produce a substantially identical pattern of light rays emitting from said device to a common focal area regardless of which one of said light bulbs is lit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said focusing means comprises a plurality of lenses disposed within the concavity of said concave mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of lenses comprises a plurality of unsymmetrical double convex lenses, disposed one adjacent each of said light bulbs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of lenses comprises a plurality of spherical mirrors disposed one adjacent each of said light bulbs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of lenses comprises a plurality of pairs of Fresnel lenses, disposed one pair adjacent each light bulb.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of lenses comprises a plurality of pairs of lenses, one of each pair being a Fresnel lens and one of each pair being a planar convex lens, disposed one pair adjacent each light bulb.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of lenses comprises a plurality of pairs of Fresnel lenses disposed one pair between each pair of adjacent light bulbs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of lenses comprises a plurality of symmetrical double convex lenses, one disposed between each pair adjacent light bulbs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the number of light bulbs is four, and wherein the plurality of lenses further comprises a two-directional cubic lens disposed between said four light bulbs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the number of light bulbs is four and wherein the plurality of lenses further comprises two pairs of Fresnel lenses, disposed one pair of Fresnel lenses between each pair of opposite light bulbs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 2 further comprising means to receive and transmit light rays emitted by said device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 11 wherein said light receiving and transmitting means is a light guide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
An optical device for directing the light rays from a plurality of light bulbs, for use in association with means for directing an electric current to each of said light bulbs, one at a time, and for switching said electric current from a light bulb when it burns out to another, operable one of said light bulbs, until all of said light bulbs are burnt out, said device comprising: (a) a concave mirror comprising a plurality of wedges of mirrors selected from the group comprising parabolic, spherical and hyperbolic mirrors; (b) means for holding said light bulbs within the concavity of said concave mirror; and (c) means for focusing light rays from each of said light bulbs to produce a substantially identical pattern of light rays emitting from said device to a common focal area regardless of which one of said light bulbs is lit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
145 words
An optical device for directing the light rays from a plurality of light bulbs, for use in association with means for directing an electric current to each of said light bulbs, one at a time, and for switching said electric current from a light bulb when it burns out to another, operable one of said light bulbs, until all of said light bulbs are burnt out, said device comprising: (a) a concave mirror comprising a plurality of wedges of mirrors selected from the group comprising parabolic, spherical and hyperbolic mirrors; (b) means for holding said light bulbs within the concavity of said concave mirror; and (c) means for focusing light rays from each of said light bulbs to produce a substantially identical pattern of light rays emitting from said device to a common focal area regardless of which one of said light bulbs is lit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 13 wherein said focussing means comprises a plurality of lenses disposed within the concavity of said concave mirror.
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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) | 1992-04-10 | 1992-10-10 | 1993-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-10 | 1996-10-10 | 1997-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-10 | 2000-10-10 | 2001-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |