Indicator light cover for vehicles and the like
OwnerGeorge A. Van Strateninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An indicator light for vehicles and the like including a heated lens or cover. The heated cover is operatively connected to the indicator light, and is comprised of a thermally conductive, translucent cover plate. The cover plate has interior and exterior surfaces to which an elongate electrical resistor is operatively connected in a widespread pattern to heat at least a major portion of the exterior surface of the cover. The resistor is electrically connected to the electrical system of the vehicle to induce an electric current through the cover, such that frozen particulate on the exterior surface thereof is melted for improved visibility through the indicator light and related vehicle safety.
Claims21
In an indicator light for vehicles and the like of the type having a self-contained electrical system electrically connected with a bulb portion of the light to selectively illuminate said bulb for indicating vehicle activity, the improvement of a heated cover comprising:
- a thermally conductive, translucent cover plate having interior and exterior surfaces through which light from said bulb is transmitted when said bulb is illuminated;
- means for operatively connecting said cover plate with said light;
- an elongate electrical resistor operatively connected with said cover plate and arranged thereon in a sufficiently widespread pattern to heat at least a major portion of the exterior surface of said cover, yet permit light from said bulb to pass through said cover plate;
- means for electrically connecting said resistor with the electrical system of the vehicle to induce an electrical current through said resistor and thereby produce sufficient heat in said cover plate to melt frozen particulate on the exterior surface thereof for improved visibility of said indicator light and related vehicle safety.
An indicator light cover for vehicles and the like of the type having a self-contained electrical system electrically connected with a bulb portion of a light to selectively illuminate the bulb for indicating vehicle activity, said cover comprising:
- a thermally conductive, translucent cover plate having interior and exterior surfaces through which light from the bulb is transmitted when the bulb is illuminated;
- means for operatively connecting said cover plate with the light;
- an elongate electrical resistor operably connected with said cover plate and arranged thereon in a sufficiently widespread pattern to heat at least a major portion of the exterior surface of said cover, yet permit light from the bulb to pass through said cover plate;
- means for electrically connecting said resistor with the electrical system of the vehicle to induce an electrical current through said resistor and thereby produce sufficient heat in said cover plate to melt frozen particulate on the exterior surface thereof for improved visibility of the indicator light and related vehicle safety.
A method for manufacturing a vehicle indicator light cover comprising:
- providing a thermally conductive, translucent cover plate having interior and exterior surfaces;
- operatively mounting an elongate electrical resistor on the cover plate in a sufficiently widespread pattern to heat at least a major portion of the exterior surface of the cover plate, yet permit light to pass through the cover plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.