BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0001] Lighting, and in particular, lighting in transportation applications in which enhanced visibility of the lighting is an important attribute.

Background Art

[0002] In the operation of motor vehicles such as trucks, automobiles, and motorcycles on public highways, rearwardly directed lighting is an essential safety feature. Such lighting includes brake lights and left/right directional lights.

[0003] One of the major risks in the operation of motor vehicles on public highways is the risk of a rear-end or side collision, i.e. , the risk to the vehicle operator being struck from the rear or side by another vehicle. One of the main reasons that this risk is high is due to insufficient visibility of the rearward lighting of the vehicle. This is particularly the case in the operation of motorcycles on public highways. There is a need for lighting on motor vehicles that has enhanced visibility, especially so for motorcycle operation.

SUMMARY

[0004] One way to enhance the visibility of motorcycles and their riders is to provide a light that is mounted on the rider’s helmet, and that is operated synchronously with the lighting of the motorcycle. Examples of such lights may be found in commonly owned U.S. Patent 7,218,214, published PCT Appl. No. US2018/035547, and published PCT Appl. No. WO2020/247395, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] It is noted that the enhanced visibility lights described in the present disclosure are presented in the context of using such lights as motorcycle helmet lights. However, there is no intent to limit the lights of the present disclosure to uses solely on helmets. The lights of the present disclosure may be used in any applications in which enhanced visibility to the observer of a light is needed, including but not limited to lights on motorcycles, automobiles, and trucks, and lights on objects other than vehicles.

[0006] A light according to the present disclosure may include a base member, a light source mounted on the base member and emanating light outwardly from the base member at a first solid angle, and a light transmissive cover joined to the base member and comprising a focusing element aligned with the light source. The focusing element is located to receive a first portion of the emanated light from the light source, and transmit the first portion of the emanated light outwardly at a second solid angle less than the first solid angle. The light source may emit a second portion of emanated light at a third solid angle greater than the first solid angle. The second portion of emanated light is directed through the light transmissive cover outside of the focusing element. The focusing element may be a Fresnel lens. The light source may be a light emitting diode.

[0007] The base member may be further comprised of a light reflective area surrounding the light source. The light reflective area receives diffuse incoming light through non-focusing areas of the light transmissive cover, and retro-reflects light outwardly through the light transmissive cover. The light reflective area may be comprised of light reflective tape.

[0008] An alternative light according to the present disclosure may include a base member, a plurality of light sources joined to the base member, each of the light sources emanating light outwardly from the base member at respective first solid angles, and a light transmissive cover joined to the base member and comprising a plurality of focusing elements aligned with respective light sources. Each of the focusing elements is located to receive a first portion of the emanated light from one of the light sources, and transmit the first portion of the emanated light outwardly at a second solid angle less than the first solid angle. Each of the light sources may emit a second portion of emanated light at a third solid angle greater that the first solid angle. The second portions of emanated light are directed through the light transmissive cover outside of the respective focusing elements. The focusing elements may be Fresnel lenses.

[0009] The base member may be further comprised of light reflective areas surrounding the light sources. The light reflective areas receive diffuse incoming light through non-focusing areas of the light transmissive cover, and retro-reflect light outwardly through the light transmissive cover. The light reflective areas may be comprised of light reflective tape.

[0010] An alternative light according to the present disclosure may include a housing, a first light module directing light outwardly at a first angle relative to the housing, and a second light module directing light outwardly at a second angle relative to the housing. In one case, each of the first and second light modules may be comprised of a base member, a light source mounted on the base member and emanating light outwardly from the base member at a first solid angle, and a light transmissive cover joined to the base member and comprising a focusing element aligned with the light source, as described above. In another case, each of the first and second light modules may be comprised of a base member, a plurality of light sources mounted on the base member and emanating light outwardly from the base member at respective first solid angles, and a light transmissive cover joined to the base member and comprising a plurality of focusing elements aligned with respective light sources, as described above. In some cases, the respective pairs of light sources and focusing elements are each aligned on respective common central axes. In other cases, for respective pairs of light sources and focusing elements, a central axis of the light source may be offset from a central axis of the focusing element. In some cases, a central axis of a light source may be at a small angle with respect to a central axis of the focusing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present disclosure will be provided with reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a safety helmet with a light affixed thereto;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a safety helmet with a light affixed thereto;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light that may be affixed to a safety helmet;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the light of FIG. 3;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the light of FIG. 3, taken along arc 5-5 of FIG. 3;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of light rays emanated from the light of FIGS. 1-5 affixed to a safety helmet;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of a safety helmet with a light of the present disclosure affixed thereto;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a light of the present disclosure that may be affixed to a safety helmet;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a top view of a right half of the light of FIG. 8;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the light of FIG. 8;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the light of FIG. 8, taken along arc 11- 11 of FIG. 8; [0023] FIG. 12 is a top view of light rays emanated from the light of FIGS. 7-11 affixed to a safety helmet; and

[0024] FUG. 13 is a top view of light rays emanated from an alternative light affixed to a safety helmet.

[0025] The present invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiments described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] For a general understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. The drawings are to be considered exemplary, and are for purposes of illustration only. The dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary. Certain features in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and are rendered for simplicity of illustration.

[0027] In the following disclosure, certain lights are described in the context of their use as lighting on a safety helmet, such as a motorcycle helmet. However, such lights are not to be construed as being limited only to use on safety helmets. The lights of the present disclosure are adaptable to any use in which focused (or concentrated, or higher intensity) light is desirable to be provided from a light source. Such uses include but are not limited to lights on motorcycles, automobiles, and trucks, lights on objects other than vehicles, hand-held lights, and fixed mounting lights.

[0028] Additionally, the present disclosure may identify certain components with the adjectives “top,” “upper,” “bottom,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” etc. These adjectives are provided in the context of use of the lights of the present disclosure on a safety helmet and in the context of the orientation of the drawings. The present disclosure is not to be construed as limiting the lights disclosed herein to use in a particular spatial orientation. The lights of the present disclosure may be used in orientations other than those shown and described herein.

[0029] It is also to be understood that any connection references used herein (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, mounted, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a collection of elements and relative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.

[0030] The terms "preferred" and "preferably" refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] The terms "about" and "substantially" are used herein with respect to measurable values and ranges due to expected variations known to those skilled in the art (e.g., limitations and variabilities in measurements).

[0032] For purposes of this disclosure, the conjunction “oh ¹ is to be construed inclusively (e.g., “a wrench or a screwdriver” would be interpreted as “a wrench, or a screwdriver, or both”; e.g., “a wrench, a screwdriver, or a hammer” would be interpreted as “a wrench, or a screwdriver, or a hammer, or any two, or all three”), unless: (i) it is explicitly stated otherwise, e.g., by use of “either... or,” “only one of,” or similar language: or (ii) two or more of the listed alternatives are mutually exclusive within the particular context, in which case “oh ¹ would encompass only those combinations involving non-mutually- exclusive alternatives.

[0033] FIGS. 1-6 depict a light that lacks any provision to focus or concentrate light rays emanating from the light. The light 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 , 2, and 6 as being mounted on a safety helmet 2. The light 10 may be used in concert with the lighting on a motorcycle, as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 7,218,214, published PCT Appl. No. US2018/035547, and published PCT Appl. No. WO2020/247395. In general, the light 10 is comprised of a base member, a plurality of light sources joined to the base member, and a light transmissive cover joined to the base member. Each of the light sources emanates light outwardly from the base member at a respective first solid angle.

[0034] The light 10 of FIGS. 1-6 is comprised of two light modules, 11 L and 11 R. Each of the light modules 11 L and 11 R is comprised of a base member 20, a plurality of light sources 30 joined to the base member 20, and a light transmissive cover 40 joined to the base member 20. The light sources 30 may be light emitting diodes.

[0035] Referring in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the light sources 30 may operate as point sources, which emanate light in a broad solid angle 99 of nearly 180 degrees. (It is noted that in FIG. 4, light rays are shown as emanating from only one light source. It is to be understood that this is done for simplicity of illustration, and that all light sources 30 in the light 10 of FIG. 4 are emanating light in the same manner.)

[0036] FIG. 6 depicts a light 10 comprised of two light modules 11 L and 11 R, with light emanating from all light sources 30 in broad solid angles. It can be seen that light is emitted from the light 10 in a substantially uniform manner, i.e., the intensity of light across the entire solid angle is substantially uniform, and that the solid angle of emitted light is about 180 degrees. (It is noted that if the light 10 included only one light module, substantially the same result would occur, albeit with a slightly smaller solid angle of light distribution.)

[0037] While it might seem that uniform distribution of light from the light 10 might be desirable, that applicants have discovered that for the use of light 10 as a light on a safety helmet 2, this feature may be undesirable. Referring again to FIG. 6 (but noting that relative dimensions are not to scale), when someone (as indicated by observer’s eye 4) is following a rider on a motorcycle, that person receives and can observe only a small portion of the emitted light from the light 10 because the light is so widely distributed. When a motorcycle rider is riding on a single lane highway, it is most important to direct a majority of the light, i.e. higher intensity light, to the person following the motorcycle in that lane. It may be beneficial to also direct some light laterally toward lateral observers, to make the motorcycle and rider visible to them, thereby avoiding side collisions. When a motorcycle rider is riding on a multi-lane highway (such as of two or three lanes), it remains important to direct a majority of the light to a person following the motorcycle in that lane, and also toward one lane to the left and one lane to the right of the motorcycle rider. This will alert followers of the motorcycle across up to three lanes of the presence of the motorcycle, which is beneficial because any follower of the motorcycle one lane over is at risk of making an unsafe lane change and striking the motorcycle and rider. In either case, it is desirable to direct a majority of the light, i.e. higher intensity light, in a narrower solid angle toward potential followers of the motorcycle who are most at risk of not seeing the motorcycle and causing a rear-end collision.

[0038] The lights of the present disclosure meet this need for directing high intensity light toward a limited space occupied by these potential followers of the motorcycle, rendering them more visible to the followers, and thus reducing the risk of rear-end collisions with the motorcyclist. [0039] In a broad variant, a light according to the present disclosure may include a base member, a light source mounted on the base member and emanating light outwardly from the base member at a first solid angle, and a light transmissive cover joined to the base member and comprising a focusing element aligned with the light source. The focusing element is located to receive a first portion of the emanated light from the light source, and transmit the first portion of the emanated light outwardly at a second solid angle less than the first solid angle, so as to direct higher intensity light toward a follower of a motorcycle. The light source may emit a second portion of emanated light at a third solid angle greater than the first solid angle. The second portion of emanated light is directed through the light transmissive cover outside of the focusing element and toward potential lateral observers of the motorcycle. In some cases, the focusing element may be a Fresnel lens. In other cases, the focusing element may be a spherical lens or an aspheric lens. The focusing element may be integrally formed as part of the light transmissive cover, such as by molding the cover with the focusing element. The light source may be a light emitting diode.

[0040] The base member may be further comprised of a light reflective area surrounding the light source. The light reflective area receives diffuse incoming light through areas of the light transmissive cover surrounding the focusing elements, and retro-reflects light outwardly through the light transmissive cover. The light reflective area may be comprised of light reflective tape.

[0041] FIGS. 7-12 depict an exemplary light 100 according to the present disclosure. It is to be understood that although the exemplary light 100 is comprised of a housing 102, a first light module 110L and a second light module 11 OR, the exemplary light 100 may include only a single light module, while still retaining certain functions and benefits described herein.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 7-11 , the light modules 110L and 11 OR of light 100 may be comprised of a base member 120, a plurality of light sources 130 joined to the base member 120, and a light transmissive cover 140 joined to the base member 120. Each of the light sources 130 emanates light outwardly from the base member 120 at a respective first solid angle 98. The light transmissive cover 140 is comprised of a plurality of focusing elements 150 aligned with respective light sources 130. The light sources 130 may be mounted on a circuit board 135, which is joined to the base member 120. Electrical power may be supplied to the circuit board 135 and the light sources 130 by a battery (not shown). [0043] Each of the focusing elements 150 is located to receive a first portion of the emanated light from one of the light sources 130, and transmit the first portion of the emanated light outwardly at a second solid angle 97 less than the first solid angle 98. This is shown in detail in FIG. 11 , but for only one of the three light sources 130, with it being understood that the effect occurs for all light sources 130. It can be seen that the first portion of light passes through the focusing element 150, and is focused to a relatively small solid angle 97. In the case of the light of FIG. 11 , the second solid angle 97 is about 0.25 steradians. Other solid angles between about 0.15 steradians and about 0.3 steradians may be suitable, depending upon the particular lighting application.

[0044] Referring again to FIG. 11 , each of the light sources 130 may emit a second portion of emanated light at a third solid angle 96 greater that the first solid angle 98. The second portions of emanated light pass through the light transmissive cover 140 outside of the respective focusing elements 130. In that manner, for motorcycling applications, some light is directed toward lateral observers, to make the motorcycle and rider visible to them, thereby avoiding side collisions.

[0045] In some cases, the focusing elements 150 may be Fresnel lenses 150, as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 11. (It is noted that the relative angular features of the Fresnel lenses as shown are provided for simplicity of illustration and are not presented to scale; such features in practice have a much higher frequency.) In some cases, the light transmissive cover 140 may be made of a clear polymer material, and the Fresnel lenses 150 may be molded into the light transmissive cover 140.

[0046] In some cases, the Fresnel lenses 150 may be comprised of respective series of concentric circles formed in the light transmissive cover 140 as shown in FIG. 8. In other cases (not shown), the Fresnel lenses may be formed as a series of concentric ellipses. In other cases (not shown), the Fresnel lenses may be provided with only opposed partial arcuate portions, e.g., like pairs of opposed parentheses, (((( )))). In these latter two cases, a specific orientation of the major axis of the ellipses, or the equivalent axis of the opposed arcuate elements may be oriented in a chosen direction. When the axis is oriented in the horizontal direction, a larger portion of the light emitted from a corresponding light source 130 is emitted in the horizontal direction; and when the axis is oriented in the vertical direction, a larger portion of the light emitted from a corresponding light source 130 is emitted in the vertical direction. Other orientations of the axis are contemplated. The ability to choose to emit a greater portion of light from the light sources 130 in a desired direction may be beneficial depending upon the application of the light 100. For example, a vertical orientation of the axis may be advantageous for a light 100 on a helmet, where the motorcycle rider tends to lean forward when riding, and/or when the rider is in traffic among taller vehicles such as tractor-trailers or busses with the drivers of such vehicles are above the rider.

[0047] Referring again to FIGS. 7-10 and FIG. 12, the exemplary light 100 of the present disclosure is comprised of a housing 102, a first light module 110L directing light outwardly centered around a first angle 94 relative to the housing 102, and a second light module 110R directing light outwardly centered around a second angle 93 relative to the housing 102. In one case, each of the first and second light modules 110L and 11 OR may be comprised of a base member 120, a light source 130 mounted on the base member 120 and emanating light outwardly from the base member 120 at a first solid angle, and a light transmissive cover 140 joined to the base member 120 and comprising a focusing element 150 aligned with the light source 130, as described above. In another case, as shown in FIGS. 7-11 , each of the first and second light modules 110L and 11 OR may be comprised of a base member 120, a plurality of light sources 130 mounted on the base member 120 and emanating light outwardly from the base member 120 at respective first solid angles, and a light transmissive cover 140 joined to the base member 120 and comprising a plurality of focusing elements 150 aligned with respective light sources 130, as described above.

[0048] In summary, and as shown in FIG. 12, a light 100 of the present disclosure directs a portion of light laterally, but also directs a majority of its light, i.e. higher intensity light, in a narrower solid angle toward potential followers of the motorcycle in the same lane or in adjacent lanes who are most at risk of not seeing the motorcycle and causing a rear-end collision. This benefit is also applicable to lights of the present disclosure that are on the motorcycle itself, or on an automobile, truck, trailer, or other vehicle.

[0049] In the event that a light of the present disclosure is provided with light sources having sufficient intensity so as to not need to concentrate the light as described herein, in an alternative method of using the light, the power supplied to the light sources 130 may be decreased. Such an action will increase battery life, while still providing the desired high intensity light to observers 4 following the motorcyclist.

[0050] In some cases, the focusing elements 150, such as Fresnel lenses 150, and the light sources 130 may share the same central axis 95, as shown in FIG. 11. In other cases, the focusing elements 150 may be slightly offset from their respective light sources 130 as indicated by arrows 92. In some cases, the focusing elements 150 may be offset relative to the respective light sources by between 0 and one eighth of the diameter of the focusing element 150. For example, for a focusing element 150 having a diameter of 12mm, the light source may be offset by up to 1.5mm. In some cases, a central axis of a light source 130 may be at a small angle with respect to a central axis 95 of a focusing element 150. The small angle may be between 0 and 15 degrees.

[0051] Such an arrangement causes the light that passes through the focusing elements 150 to be emitted at a slight angle, which compensates for the respective outward angles 93 and 94 of the light modules 11 OR and 110L relative to the central orientation 91 of the light 100. The result of such an arrangement is shown for the light 101 in FIG. 13. It can be seen that the light emitted by light module 11 OR and the light emitted by light module 110L are centered around respective central rays 90R and 90L, which are parallel to the to the central orientation 91 of the light 101 . Such an arrangement may provide an improved distribution of the light emitted by the light 101 , rendering the emitted light more visible to observers 4 following the motorcyclist, and thus rendering the motorcyclist more visible and safer while riding.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 10 and in an additional variant of the light 100 depicted therein, the base member 120 of the light 100 may be further comprised of light reflective areas 160 surrounding the light sources 130. In some cases, the light reflective areas 160 may be comprised of light reflective tape adhered to the base member 120. The light reflective areas 160 receive incoming light through nonfocusing areas of the light transmissive cover 140, and retro-reflect light outwardly through the light transmissive cover 140.

[0053] In an application as a safety helmet light (or a vehicle light), the light reflective areas 160 may act as retro-reflectors for any headlights directed to light 100 at night, thereby increasing the visibility of the wearer of the helmet to vehicles that are shining their headlights on the helmet/rider. The retro-reflective nature of the reflective areas 160 also reduce the possibility that sun-glare will be reflected back to the eyes of a driver who is following the wearer of the safety helmet with light 100. The reduced sun-glare will increase the contrast and apparent brightness of the light sources 130, thereby increasing their visibility during daytime use. [0054] EXAMPLE

[0055] A prototype enhanced visibility light was fabricated and tested, with features as shown below. It is to be understood that this light is to be considered exemplary, and not limiting. The exemplary prototype light has certain features as follows:

[0056] - A pair of light modules 110L and 11 OR angled at + and -15 degrees relative to the housing 102.

[0057] - Eight white LED light sources 130 were provided in each light module.

[0058] - For each light module, eight Fresnel lenses were molded into a light transmissive cover in respective alignment with the light sources. The Fresnel lenses focused incoming light at a solid angle of about 0.15 steradians to outgoing light at a solid angle of about 0.3 steradian

[0059] - Reflective tape was applied to the base member so as to surround the LED light sources. The reflective tape was obtained from ORAFOL AMERICAS Inc. of Black Creek GA 31308 USA, having a product name/number Oralite V92-DB-COLORS Microprismatic Conspicuity Tape.

[0060] It is therefore apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present disclosure, an enhanced visibility light. The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.