Device and system for emergency vehicle lighting

#The present invention relates to a lighting system that can be removably affixed to an emergency vehicle to enhance the visibility of the emergency vehicle from all angles and from a distance that allows ample time for corrective action on the part of approaching drivers. More particularly, to a inexpensive exterior lighting system that can be easily integrated into the vehicle's electrical system or electronic alert sequencing unit and attached to exterior locations about the emergency vehicle such as the door or hood.

#Most conventional emergency vehicles today have a variable audible alert, sequenced flashing head/tail/side light assemblies and a roof mounted light bar containing at least one light source designed to disburse light in 360 degrees. These lights may be solid, stroboscopic, revolving, flashing, modulated, pulsing, oscillating, alternating or any combination thereof. While in most situations any of the aforementioned devices will adequately alert a passerby of the presence of the emergency vehicle, there are crucial situations in which this is not the case. Specifically, when an emergency vehicle must enter into an intersection at the junction of more than one road, problems arise.

#When exigent circumstances exist, the emergency vehicle often has to traverse the intersection against the prevailing traffic light. While those vehicles approaching approximately head on with the emergency vehicle receive the benefit of all of the emergency vehicle's alert devices, objects such as trees, bushes, other vehicles, or knolls often obstruct the view that vehicles approaching at acute angles have. Additionally, vehicles approaching the emergency vehicle at right angles (broadside) are already disadvantaged because they do not have the benefit of a visual line of sight with the emergency vehicle's front flashing lights as well as much of the roof mounted light bar alerts. Protocol is for the emergency vehicle to slowly creep into the intersection with the alert devices enabled. Herein lies the problem. The conventional system is not visible to the driver approaching at right angles until the center of the emergency vehicle is out into the middle of the intersection. At this time if the approaching vehicle is moving too fast to stop the emergency vehicle gets struck broadside and at the approximate center of the vehicle.

#FIG. 1 is perspective view of an emergency vehicle with a hood mounted LED assembly;

#FIG. 2 is a front side view of the door mounted LED strip;

#FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the door mounted LED strip showing the general arrangement of all components;

#There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

#In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

#The following system for emergency vehicle lighting entails the simultaneous use of at least one of each of the hood mounted light emitting diode (LED) assemblies and the door mounted LED strips although use of either of these alone could be sufficient to accomplish the task of enhancing the visibility of the emergency vehicle to approaching vehicles.