GB2054816A

GB2054816A - Warning beacons for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2054816A
Application number: GB8025139A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: PARKINSON RADIO TELECOMMUNICAT
Current assignee: PARKINSON RADIO TELECOMMUNICAT
Priority date: 1979-08-01
Filing date: 1980-07-31
Publication date: 1981-02-18
Also published as: GB2054816B

Abstract

A beacon lamp for motor vehicles incorporates a steady light source and a flashing light source operable simultaneously or alternatively through switches or a two way switch, the continuous beam being supplied by a gas filled incandescent bulb 6 and the intermittent flashing beam by a zenon gas tube 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in beacons for Police and other vehicles This invention relates to improvements in beacons for police, fire, ambulance or similar vehicles in which a beam or impulse of light is emitted in a horizontal and vertical plane.

The object of the invention is a beacon which emits a steady light from a gas filled incandescent lamp together with or alternatively to a discharge from a zenon gas tube at a regular impulse rate.

According to the invention a police or similar beacon affixed to the roof or other position on a vehicle comprises two light sources one a zenon gas tube to emit a discharge at a regular impulse rate and the second a steady light emission from a gas filled incandescent lamp, the two light sources being contained within a dome forming a cylindrical dioptric or barrel lens, and a two way switch for operating the light sources to give a continuous illumination of the beacon visible through 3600 in a horizontal plane and also vertically.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the beacon mounted on the roof of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view partly in section of the beacon.

A beacon A is formed with a transparent dome 1 having a circular outwardly flanged lower end 2 and seated upon a metal base plate 3 below with a truncated conical skirt 4 housing the known electrical mechanism for operating a zenon gas tube 5 and a steady light incandescent lamp 6, the zenon gas tube 5 and incandescent lamp 6 being mounted under the dome.

The electrical mechanism for actuating the tube and lamp and if required a rectifier and transformer are affixed to the underside of the base 3 of the dome. Leads for controlling the tube and lamp also pass through the base plate.

The lower rim of the skirt 4 carries a U-shaped rubber or similar ring 7 to form a seal between the bottom of the dome 1 the surface 8 of the vehicle upon which the beacon is mounted.

A U-shaped bracket depends from the base plate and carries a metal or other disc through which passes a hollow threaded bolt for attaching the dome to the vehicle, the bolt passing through a hole in the vehicle roof to which it is attached by a nut on the inside of the vehicle.

The leads from the tube and lamp may be connected to a two way switch within the vehicle to give a continuous light source. With the switch in one position the lamp is illuminated to provide a steady beam operated from a 6, 12 or 24 volt battery or by 110 or 240 volts A.C. for use when the vehicle is on patrol. With switch in the alternative position the lamp circuit is broken and the tube circuit energised to give a high intensity flash rate of between 60-1 60 impulses per minute for use when the vehicle is proceeding to an incident. The switch also has an off position or a separate switch to cut out both the lamp and the tube and is or are situated in a convenient position for operation by the drivers.

Alternatively as shown a switch 9 controlling the illumination of the lamp and a switch 10 for controlling the zenon tube.

The tube and the lamp are housed under the dome forming a cylindrical dioptic or barrel lens over which is mounted a coloured acrylic or other filter 11 which is coloured to indicate the type of vehicle on which the beacon is mounted, for example, blue for police work and other colours for fire or ambulance vehicles.

The dome 1 and skirt 4 are connected together by a U-shaped ring 12 engaging over a flange on the lower edge of the filter 11 and a similar flange on the upper rim of the skirt 4, the ends of the ring being provided with lugs by which they are bolted in position to unite the filter dome and skirt.

The flange 2 on the lower edge of the dome 1 is held in position by a rubber or similar ring 13 anchored by a metal ring 14 one flange of which engages over the ring 13 and the other flange passing below a second rubber or similar ring 14 sandwiched between the second flange on the ring 14 and the underside of the flange on the lower edge of the filter 11 to be clamped in position by the ring 12.

The lamp 6 is carried by a bracket 15 mounted on the base plate 3 with the leads 16 from the lamp and the leads from the zenon tube 5 passing through the base board to the interior of the skirt 4 and so to the switches 9, 10.

The beacon provides a continuous light source visible through 3600 in a horizontal plane and also vertically for identification from the air.

1. A police or similar beacon affixed to the roof or other position on a vehicle comprising two light sources one a zenon gas tube to emit a discharge at a regular impulse rate and the second a steady light emission from a gas filled incandescent lamp, the two light sources being contained within a dome forming a cylindrical dioptric or barrel lens, and a two way switch for operating the light sources to give a continuous illumination of the beacon visible through 3600 in a horizontal plane and also vertically.

2. A police or similar beacon as in Claim 1, in which the dome is enclosed by a coloured acrylic or other filter to indicate the type of vehicle on which the beacon is mounted.

3. A police or similar beacon as in Claims 1 or 2

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in beacons for Police and other vehicles This invention relates to improvements in beacons for police, fire, ambulance or similar vehicles in which a beam or impulse of light is emitted in a horizontal and vertical plane. The object of the invention is a beacon which emits a steady light from a gas filled incandescent lamp together with or alternatively to a discharge from a zenon gas tube at a regular impulse rate. According to the invention a police or similar beacon affixed to the roof or other position on a vehicle comprises two light sources one a zenon gas tube to emit a discharge at a regular impulse rate and the second a steady light emission from a gas filled incandescent lamp, the two light sources being contained within a dome forming a cylindrical dioptric or barrel lens, and a two way switch for operating the light sources to give a continuous illumination of the beacon visible through 3600 in a horizontal plane and also vertically. The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the beacon mounted on the roof of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view partly in section of the beacon. A beacon A is formed with a transparent dome 1 having a circular outwardly flanged lower end 2 and seated upon a metal base plate 3 below with a truncated conical skirt 4 housing the known electrical mechanism for operating a zenon gas tube 5 and a steady light incandescent lamp 6, the zenon gas tube 5 and incandescent lamp 6 being mounted under the dome. The electrical mechanism for actuating the tube and lamp and if required a rectifier and transformer are affixed to the underside of the base 3 of the dome. Leads for controlling the tube and lamp also pass through the base plate. The lower rim of the skirt 4 carries a U-shaped rubber or similar ring 7 to form a seal between the bottom of the dome 1 the surface 8 of the vehicle upon which the beacon is mounted. A U-shaped bracket depends from the base plate and carries a metal or other disc through which passes a hollow threaded bolt for attaching the dome to the vehicle, the bolt passing through a hole in the vehicle roof to which it is attached by a nut on the inside of the vehicle. The leads from the tube and lamp may be connected to a two way switch within the vehicle to give a continuous light source. With the switch in one position the lamp is illuminated to provide a steady beam operated from a 6, 12 or 24 volt battery or by 110 or 240 volts A.C. for use when the vehicle is on patrol. With switch in the alternative position the lamp circuit is broken and the tube circuit energised to give a high intensity flash rate of between 60-1 60 impulses per minute for use when the vehicle is proceeding to an incident. The switch also has an off position or a separate switch to cut out both the lamp and the tube and is or are situated in a convenient position for operation by the drivers. Alternatively as shown a switch 9 controlling the illumination of the lamp and a switch 10 for controlling the zenon tube. The tube and the lamp are housed under the dome forming a cylindrical dioptic or barrel lens over which is mounted a coloured acrylic or other filter 11 which is coloured to indicate the type of vehicle on which the beacon is mounted, for example, blue for police work and other colours for fire or ambulance vehicles. The dome 1 and skirt 4 are connected together by a U-shaped ring 12 engaging over a flange on the lower edge of the filter 11 and a similar flange on the upper rim of the skirt 4, the ends of the ring being provided with lugs by which they are bolted in position to unite the filter dome and skirt. The flange 2 on the lower edge of the dome 1 is held in position by a rubber or similar ring 13 anchored by a metal ring 14 one flange of which engages over the ring 13 and the other flange passing below a second rubber or similar ring 14 sandwiched between the second flange on the ring 14 and the underside of the flange on the lower edge of the filter 11 to be clamped in position by the ring 12. The lamp 6 is carried by a bracket 15 mounted on the base plate 3 with the leads 16 from the lamp and the leads from the zenon tube 5 passing through the base board to the interior of the skirt 4 and so to the switches 9, 10. The beacon provides a continuous light source visible through 3600 in a horizontal plane and also vertically for identification from the air. CLAIMS

3. A police or similar beacon as in Claims 1 or 2 in which the dome and filter are mounted on a truncated conical skirt are affixed thereto by a ring engaging over flanges on the filter and on the skirt.

4. A police or similar beacon substantially. as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.