BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side, rear perspective view of the air horn with light signal of the present invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the light generating assembly and transparent diaphragm removed from the back end of the trumpet fixture of the horn;
FIG. 3 is an isolated view, shown in partial cross-section, illustrating the light generating assembly in a rear chamber of the trumpet fixture, in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the trumpet fixture, removed from the pressurized canister, and showing light from the internal light generating source being directed outwardly, in a directed beam, from the open bell end of the trumpet fixture;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a trumpet fixture, wherein the trumpet fixture is formed of a transparent or translucent material, allowing light from the light generating source to be directed omnidirectionally through the back cover, side walls of the trumpet and out through the open bell end;
FIG. 6 is an isolated view, shown in partial cross-section, showing the rear chamber of the trumpet fixture with an arrangement of LEDs, providing multiple light generating sources in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 7 is an isolated view, shown in partial cross-section, showing the rear chamber of the trumpet device with yet another embodiment of the light generating source, and with a transparent diaphragm having a central projecting pocket structure for accommodating the LED or other light producing element therein and an offset retaining rim about the periphery of the diaphragm that eliminates the need of a spring;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the transparent diaphragm of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7; and
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, in partial cross-section, illustrating a further embodiment of the invention that uses a battery powered electronic horn and one or more lights in the rear chamber of the trumpet fixture.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1-3, the horn and light signal device is shown and is generally indicated as 10. In each of the embodiments of the invention, the device 10 includes a trumpet fixture 20 that has a central portion 22, a rear portion 24 and a forwardly extending bell shaped wall structure 26 with an enlarged open bell end 28.
In several embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the trumpet fixture 20 is adapted for removable attachment to a canister 30 containing a charge of pressurized gas or air. More specifically, the central portion 22 of the trumpet fixture is defined by a vertical tubular passage 40 that has an open bottom end 42 with interior threads 44 for threaded attachment to a valve structure on the top of the canister 30. An actuator pin 46 within the vertical tubular passage aligns with a valve stem within the valve structure of the canister when the trumpet fixture 20 is attached to the canister 30. An actuator button 48 on the top of the central portion of the trumpet fixture is depressed to urge the actuator pin 46 downwardly and against the valve stem in the valve structure, causing the valve to open and release the pressurized gas or air contents upwardly through the vertical tubular passage 40 of the trumpet fixture.
Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the rear portion 24 of the trumpet fixture has a cylindrical collar 50 surrounding a rear chamber 52. An outer surface of the cylindrical collar is provided with threads 54 for screw-on threaded attachment of the rear cover 56 in order to enclose the rear chamber 52. A hub 60 extends rearwardly from the central portion and into the rear chamber. The hub 60 is concentrically aligned with the cylindrical collar 50 and terminates at an open end 62 within the rear chamber. The open end 62 of the hub 60 communicates with the hollow vertical interior passage 40.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and 6, a transparent diaphragm 70 is held against the open end 62 of the hub 60 within the rear chamber with the use of a spring 72. The transparent diaphragm 70 is formed of a rigid material, such as a plastic composition, and is caused to vibrate when a forced flow of air is released from the canister, up through the trumpet fixture vertical tubular passage 40 and outwardly through the trumpet fixture. Vibration of the transparent diaphragm 70 creates a loud horn noise that is transmitted forwardly and out through the enlarged bell end 28 of the trumpet fixture.
As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, when the rear cover 56 is attached to the trumpet fixture, the spring 72 is partially compressed between the transparent diaphragm 70 and a circuit board 74 mounted within the interior of the cover 56. With the rear cover 56 fully attached to the threaded cylindrical collar 50, the spring 72 is compressed to a sufficient tension to urge the transparent diaphragm 70 against the open end 62 of the hub 60, while allowing the transparent diaphragm 70 to vibrate, separating slightly from the open end 62 of the hub, when a rush of compressed air travels through the trumpet fixture. The circuit board 74 houses electronic components, including a push button 76, momentary or spring-loaded switch 77 and a battery power source 78 for energizing an electrically powered light emitting source 80 fixed to a forward facing side 75 of the circuit board 74. In a preferred embodiment, the light emitting source 80 is one or more LED's. Operation of a push button 76 on the back side 57 of the rear cover 56 operates the switch 77 to energize the light emitting source 80. The circuit board 74 may be provided with programmable circuitry that allows for selective activation of the light emitting source 80 according to several modes of operation, including a steady illumination mode and at least one flash sequence mode. As seen in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 6, the light emitting source 80, such as an LED, is positioned centrally in alignment with the open end 62 of the hub 60. Thus, upon illumination of the light emitting source 80 by operation of the push button switch 77, light is transmitted through the transparent diaphragm 70 and through the open end 62 of the hub. The directed light continues through the bell shaped wall structure 26 of the trumpet fixture and outwardly from the open bell end 28, as depicted in FIG. 4. It should be noted that the light intensity, transmitted beam width, flash sequence, and other light transmission characteristics can be made to comply with federal regulations for use as an electric distress light signal and/or navigational lights for boats. Alternatively, the bell shaped wall structure 26 of the trumpet fixture 20 and the rear cover 56 can be made of a transparent or translucent material allowing the light to be emitted omnidirectionally, as depicted in FIG. 5. To prevent inadvertent operation of the actuation switch 77, a rigid half-round shield 82 may be provided over the push button 76 on the back side 57 of the rear cover. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the half-round shield 82 extends beyond the actuation push button 76 to guard against accidental depressing of the actuation push button which might otherwise result in draining of battery power when the device is stored in a drawer or other cramped compartment. It is noted that the shield may be made as a full-round structure to completely surround the push button 76 or as an alternative structure that prevents accidental operation of the actuation switch 77.
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, multiple light emitting sources 80 may be provided, such as a close cluster of LED's, on the forward facing side 75 of the circuit board 74, including a centrally located LED 80a positioned in alignment with the open end 62 of the hub 60.
In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the transparent diaphragm 70a may be formed to include a forwardly protruding pocket 84 that extends within the hub 60. The pocket formed in the diaphragm is sized and positioned to receive the light emitting source 80 (e.g., LED), as seen in FIG. 7. The wall thickness of the pocket 84 may be formed to provide a lens for magnifying and/or focusing the light beam through the trumpet nozzle and outwardly from the open bell end 28. Specifically, the forward end 85 of the lens pocket 84 on the diaphragm 70a may be formed with an appropriate thickness and angled surfaces to refract light emitted from the LED 80 according to a desired beam width and light intensity. Naturally, the lens pocket 84 and preferably the entire diaphragm 70a is formed of a transparent material, such as a plastic composition. Much like the embodiments described above, the light emitting source 80 (e.g., LED) is powered by a battery source 78 and is actuated by a depressible push button 76 and switch 77. As an alternative design to the push button arrangement described above in connection with FIGS. 1-6, the actuating push button 76 in any of the embodiments described herein may be concealed within the rear cover 56 to provide water tight integrity. In this instance, the back side 57 of the rear cover 56, and particularly that area of the rear cover that surrounds the enclosed actuating push button 76, may be formed of a flexible, elastomeric material that allows the actuating push button to be depressed by applying inward pressure of the back side of the cover.
The transparent diaphragm 70a in the embodiment in FIGS. 7-8 is designed to be held against the open end 62 of the hub 60 without the use of a spring. As seen in FIGS. 7-8, the outer periphery of the diaphragm 70a is formed with an offset rim 90 that is pinched between a seat 92 on the end of the cylindrical collar 50 and an internal ring 94 formed within the rear cover 56. More particularly, upon tightening the rear cover 56 onto the threaded cylindrical collar 50, the internal ring 94 in the rear cover is moved against the offset peripheral rim 90 of the diaphragm which is seated against the end seat surface 92 of the cylindrical collar 50. This holds the transparent diaphragm 70a against the open end 62 of the hub and allows the diaphragm 70a to vibrate and separate slightly from the open end 62 of the hub upon the rush of air flow passing upwardly through the vertical tubular passage 40 and outwardly from the bell shaped end 28 of the trumpet fixture, thereby creating the loud horn noise.
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the horn and light signal device which operates entirely by battery power. Specifically, the device in FIG. 9 is generally indicated as 100 and eliminates the use of compressed air as the driving force to generate the horn noise. Instead, an electronic sound emitting device 122, such as a speaker, is provided within the rear chamber 152, behind or within the open end 162 of the hub 160. Additionally, one or more light emitting sources 80, such as LED's, are provided within the rear chamber 152 for directing light through the hub 160 and bell shaped structure of the trumpet 120, and outwardly form the open bell end and/or through the bell shaped wall structure 126 of the trumpet. As seen in FIG. 9, one or more batteries 178 are carried within a handle portion 130 which attaches to the trumpet fixture. The device may be made to allow replacement of the batteries. The batteries 178 provide power to a switch 177 which is actuated by a push button actuator 176 on the back side 157 of the rear cover 156. Programmable circuitry may be provided for selectively activating either or both the horn and light emitting sources according to several selected modes of operation, including a steady mode and a programmed sequence of activation. Specifically, the electronic sound emitting device 122 may be actuated in either a steady horn blast mode or, alternatively, in an intermittent, programmable horn blast sequence (e.g. short and/or long horn blast). Additionally, the electronic sound emitting device 122 may be operable to generate sounds of varying pitch and intensity to play a programmed musical tune or other sound arrangement. Likewise, the one or more light emitting sources 80 may be selectively actuated in either a steady illumination mode or a programmed sequence which may coincide with the sound emission sequence of the electronic sound emitting device 122. Any of the above described embodiments may be made to be water-proof.
While the invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims, as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalence.
Patent Application
20070272144
