Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2001-10-16
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S485000, C362S540000, C362S191000, C362S398000, C362S486000, C362S413000, C362S430000, C340S431000, C340S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302567
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to vehicle warning lamps and, more particularly, to a selectively attachable and vertically adjustable warning lamp for indicating the presence of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND ART
The use of auxiliary lighting devices positioned at the top of a vertical support for increased vehicle visibility is known, and such fixed length devices which extend above the vehicle are disclosed in S.E. McClintock, U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,359, “STOP AND TURN INDICATOR FOR AN AUTOMOBILE”, and K. Brungardt et al, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 395,275, “HITCH MOUNTABLE BICYCLE CARRIER WITH TAIL LIGHTS”, discloses an auxiliary lamp mounted on a bracket supported by a fixed length vertical support hitch.
Such prior art patents utilize a vertical post of a fixed length to elevate auxiliary lamps to a position for increased visibility of the lamp, and thereby, the vehicle. In the McClintock patent, a pair of tubular members are secured to the rear bumper of an automobile by means of a pair of bumper mounts. Lamps are mounted at the top of the tubular members, and are thereby held in a fixed position for enhanced vehicle visibility. In the Brungardt patent, a bicycle carrier is shown having a pair of tail lights mounted from a vertical post of a fixed length which is supported from a vehicle through a hitch.
While these prior art devices provide desired features, the present invention is directed to overcome one or more of the problems associated with the prior art.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle warning lamp is provided for removable attachment to a vehicle through use of a standard trailer hitch coupling. The warning lamp is mounted at the distal end of a vertical post which telescopes between an extended position wherein the lamp is elevated, to provide enhanced visibility in all directions, and a lowered or storage position. The lowered position enables the lamp to remain on the vehicle in the lowered position so that the vehicle can be moved into areas of restricted height, such as a parking garage, and under other obstructions which the lamp might otherwise come into contact with when extended to its uppermost position.
The base of the vertical post is equipped with a hook or retainer which is engageable by a chain, cable or other such force-exerting device so that an extricating force can be applied to the vehicle through the auxiliary lamp in the event it becomes necessary to assist the attached vehicle in being extricated from such things as mud, sand or snowbanks.
For convenience of illustration, the invention is described in a preferred embodiment with reference to its use on a snow plow, although the scope of the invention is not to be so limited. During snow plowing operations, when surfaces are plowed to remove snow the plowed snow is piled, and such piles increase in height which often extend above the vertical height of the vehicle lamps which are carried within the structure of the vehicle body.
When snow plowing operations are done, for example, on a driveway leading to a street or roadway, the plow moves back and forth along the driveway. Because a plowing vehicle usually begins its first driveway plowing operation from the street or roadway, after the initial plowing pass the vehicle moves in reverse along the path which it has cleared to begin another plowing operation. During such reverse movement, the plowing vehicle may enter upon or cross the street or roadway. When the snow extends to a height above the vehicle head lamps and tail lamps, the movement of the plowing vehicle may not be visible to vehicles moving on the street or roadway creating a hazardous situation, particularly when the plowing vehicle is moving in reverse with the headlights pointing inwardly away from the roadway. Accordingly, positioning a flashing elevated warning light at the rear of the plowing vehicle will enhance the visibility of the vehicle and promote safer operation.
The present invention is removably attachable to a plowing vehicle by being connected with a standard trailer hitch to provide a warning lamp positioned above the vehicle which is visible in all directions. In this manner, as the plow moves back and forth along a driveway, and near the street or roadway, a flashing light above the vehicle will provide an enhanced warning and better visibility of the plow at work. The hook at the connecting portion of the warning lamp provides a readily accessible point by which an extricating force can be applied to the plow to assist in removing the plow from any drifts or other circumstances under which it may have become stuck.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 395275 (1998-06-01), Brungardt et al.
patent: 3487359 (1969-12-01), McClintock
patent: 3590236 (1971-06-01), Ussery
patent: 3731082 (1973-05-01), Blaylock
patent: 3761706 (1973-09-01), Frey
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patent: 4646952 (1987-03-01), Timmers
patent: 4859982 (1989-08-01), Seaburg
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patent: 5157591 (1992-10-01), Chudzik
patent: 5161874 (1992-11-01), Benes
patent: 5438490 (1995-08-01), Woodbury
patent: 5524398 (1996-06-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5980070 (1999-11-01), Hulse et al.
patent: 6100795 (2000-08-01), Otterbacher et al.
patent: 6110795 (2000-08-01), Otterbacher et al.
Hancock & Estabrook, LLP.
Husar Stephen
Roehrig, Jr. August E.
Ton Anabel
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