1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to light bars connectable to a vehicle.
More particularly, the subject invention relates to safety and warning apparatus which has light bars that are selectively extendable beyond the sides of a vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Workmen often have to perform various functions which requires them to be in close proximity or on a lane of a highway. There have been numerous instances where one of the workmen parked his truck on the shoulder of the road prior to exiting to perform some task. Upon opening the door to exit the vehicle, a car approaching from the rear hit the opening door and sometimes the workman.
In other instances the vehicle is parked on the other side of a lane next to a median for example. In those cases, a workman riding as a passenger was injured or killed by a vehicle approaching from the rear.
This invention warns oncoming vehicle to steer clear of the vehicle. In other embodiments the apparatus of the invention can be used to block traffic from one or more lanes.
Hereto fore, workmen attempted to protect themselves by setting out warning barrels or markers and by actuating the flashers of their taillights. These methods were less effective than desired since there was no indicator to warn oncoming traffic to steer clear of the edge of the workmen's vehicle.
A safety and warning apparatus is provided for attachment to a vehicle having an electrical power source. The safety and warning apparatus has first and second primary light bars each having lights, first and second power elements, and first and second controlling elements. The first and second primary light bars are pivotally connectable to the vehicle. Each primary light bar is pivotally moveable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle. The first and second power systems are each connected to a respective primary light bar and adapted for controllably moving the respective light bar between said first and second positions. The first controlling element is connected to the lights and connectable to the electrical power source for controllably actuating the lights of the light bars and the second controlling element is connected to the power system and adapted to move the light bars to preselected positions.
Referring to
The first and second primary light bars 16,17 are each pivotally connectable to the fire truck 12. Each primary light bar 16,17 is pivotally moveable between first and second positions relative to the truck or vehicle 12. As can be seen, the light bars 16, 17 are connectable to the vehicle 12 adjacent a respective side of the vehicle 12 and are pivotally moveable between a first position shown in
Each of the primary light bars 16,17 have a length of at least 3 feet. This minimum length is required to provide a warning bar extending beyond the truck 12 a minimum distance sufficient for an individual to exit the truck 12 while maintaining the light bar between himself and oncoming traffic approaching from the rear of the truck 12. At a distance less than the stated minimum distance, an oncoming driver would not be advised of how closely he could drive next to the truck 12. By the apparatus of this invention, the truck operator can stop the vehicle, actuate a light bar to move to an extended position, actuate the light to warn approaching traffic, and then more safely open the door and exit the truck 12.
Often, highway work vehicles necessarily park on the left side of the highway. It is therefore necessary to have the apparatus of this invention mounted adjacent each side of the vehicle in order for workers to be protected when exiting the passenger side of the vehicle.
In the construction of the second controlling elements 34,35 of this invention the light bars can be responsively moved either simultaneously or, more preferably, selectively.
Referring to
In the preferred embodiment of a primary light bar 16/17 having a secondary light bar 38/39, it is desire that at the extended positions laterally outwardly from a respective side of the vehicle 12, a terminal end 44 of the secondary light bar 38/39 is positioned a preselected minimum distance of about 6 feet from the respective side of the vehicle. A distance less than about 6 feet is undesirable because such minimum distance is necessary to effectively block one lane of an average highway. It should also be understood that a vehicle equipped with the apparatus of this invention could quickly move to the cite of an accident or a disaster, extend both primary and secondary light bars and block and/or provide safety warnings to two or more lanes of traffic.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, each light bar 16,17, 38,39 will have a plurality of lights 18,22 and 24,28 respectfully and will be connectable via lines 46,47 to the electrical power source 14 of the vehicle 12 through a first control element 34. The first controlling element 34 is for controllably actuating the lights of the light bars 16,17/38,39 and is programmable to actuate individual lights 18-22,24-28 in preferred sequence, as is known in the art.
It is preferred that the light bars 16,17, 38,39 be formed of rubber or other soft material. However, the light bars 16,17,38,39 can be formed of metal or organic plastic without departing from this invention. As a safety measure, a chain or cable can be connected to the light bars and the vehicle to prevent separation from the vehicle if impacted.
The first and second power systems 30,31 are each connected to a primary light bar 16,17 and adapted for controllably moving the respective light bars 16,17 between first and second positions as described above. In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
In the light bar embodiment shown in
Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention will be come apparent from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.