NO20160500A1

NO20160500A1 - Light bar for emergency vehicles

Info

Publication number: NO20160500A1
Application number: NO20160500A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Rafel Sardá Vallduví
Original assignee: Fed Signal Vama Sa
Priority date: 2015-08-14
Filing date: 2016-03-30
Publication date: 2017-02-15
Also published as: ES1144958U; CH711425A2; DE202016101881U1; CH711425B1; FR3040025A3; ES1144958Y; FR3040025B3; ES1144958U8; PT11303U

Description

LIGHT BAR FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As expressed in the title of this descriptive report, the present invention refers to a light bar for mounting on emergency vehicles which comprises a structure with two different configurations: a first linear configuration and a V-shaped angular configuration, both configurations also comprising several lenses for better reflecting the light emitted.

The special structure of the light bar allows for easily manufacturing both linear and angular-shaped light bars, with or without built-in loudspeaker, of high or low profile, sharing moulds, so that different pieces may be manufactured for different light bars adding or removing detachable mould-related elements using the same mould.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO ADDRESS AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, emergency vehicles are generally equipped with light bars featuring several different configurations, but they may be basically divided into linear and angular-shaped light bars, of either high or low profile.

In some cases, light bars include built-in loudspeakers and different lens finishes depending on aesthetic distribution of light, said lens being either smooth and clear or else engraved (with vertical tubular lenses).

For each light bar model, certain number of injection moulds are used which, in principle, cannot be used to manufacture a different light bar, this resulting in an increased final manufacturing cost of said light bars.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With the aim of reaching the goals and preventing the inconveniences mentioned in the previous sections, the invention proposes a light bar for emergency vehicles which comprises at least one central module and two side modules which are joined to the central module through pairs of bedplates combined with an outer central plate and an inner central plate.

Bedplates comprise first parts fitting into first opposing openings of the central module and second parts fitting into second openings of the side modules, where the first and second openings are adjacent to and facing each other.

The central module comprises at least one lower base consisting of a bottom and several side walls, whereas the side modules comprise at least other lower bases consisting of a bottom and several side walls; wherein several opposing flat walls of the central module and several inner flat walls of the side modules are adjacent to each other and are in contact therewith.

The first openings of the lower base of the central module cut the continuity of the bottom and the opposing flat walls of the lower base of the central module, thus forming several first parallel guides where several first parts of straight ribs of the bedplates are coupled.

The second openings of the lower bases of the side modules cut the continuity of the bottoms and inner flat walls of the side modules, thus forming several second parallel guides where several second parts of the straight ribs of the bedplates are coupled.

The outer central plate is placed against the outer side of the bottom of the lower base of the central module whereas the inner central plate is placed against the inner side of the bottom of said lower base.

The outer central plate has several side lugs which are embedded into several orifices located in the bedplates and are also embedded in other opposing orifices located in several opposing extensions of the inner central plate.

The inner central plate also includes several central lugs where a loudspeaker, should the light bar include it, is fixed, and several lugs with angled corners where several corner braces which comprise vertical members and horizontal members håving through bores to anchor in said lugs with angled corners are fixed.

In addition, the vertical members of the corner braces have other through bores where several screws are threaded to fasten a closure element selected among a protection grill for the loudspeaker and a glass screen, wherein said closure element is adjusted in a front window located in mutual position with a curved wall of the lower base of the central module.

In an embodiment, the light bar of the invention comprises a straight structure where the opposing flat walls of the lower base of the central module are parallel to each other, whereas in another embodiment, the light bar of the invention comprises an angular structure where the opposing flat walls of the

lower base of the central module make up an angle.

Considering the angular structure of the light bar, the outer central plate and the opposing extensions of the inner central plate have several L-shaped end portions arranged perpendicularly to the plane of the pair of opposing flat walls of the lower base of the central module.

The lower base of the central modules and the lower bases of the two side modules include several upper mouths which are respectively closed by means of a central lid and two side lids.

The central lid and the two side lids are fastened to the lower bases by means of several anchoring elements which are fastened to several tubular lugs that extend from the bottoms of said lower bases, while said anchoring elements traverse through bores of the central lid and side lids.

The bedplates and the side modules are common for both solutions: straight light bar structure and V-shaped angular light bar structure.

On the other hand, in one embodiment, the light bar has a lower profile where the side modules are shorter than the central modules, whereas in another embodiment, the light bar has a profile where the side modules are higher than the central module.

The central module together with the central plates, inner and outer, which are fixed to the side bedplates provide robustness and strength to the light bar assembly of the invention.

In the central module, both the lower base and the central lid of said central module will be carried out with both plastic injection moulds, with the peculiarity that said moulds contain a system of detachable elements that allows for the manufacturing of all possible versions with one single mould, adding or removing detachable elements:

- Straight (linear) or angular (V-shaped) structure.

- With or without loudspeaker located in the central module.

- With or with engraved lens incorporated in one of the side walls of the central module.

Therefore, the central module is composed of the lower base and a central lid which, based on the configuration of the detachable elements in the moulds, will allowfor making the above-mentioned configurations.

The side modules also may or may not include the engraved lenses, thus multiplying the options to combine the previously mentioned elements.

In addition, along the same lines, we may also include a light bar with flat profile or a light bar with high profile, only by changing the upper lids or housings. Hereinafter, in order to give a better understanding of the description, and as an integral part thereof, there follows a series of figures where the object of the invention is depicted for illustration purposes and without limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the light bar for emergency vehicles according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the light bar displays a linear configuration. It basically comprises a central module and two side modules. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the light bar with linear configuration represented in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a lower plan view of the light bar of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the light bar for emergency vehicles according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the light bar displays an angular configuration. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the light bar with angular configuration represented in figure 4. Figure 6 shows a lower plan view of the light bar represented in Figure 4. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the light bar of the first embodiment, wherein the side modules are higher than the central module. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the light bar of the second embodiment, wherein the side modules are higher than the central module.

DESCRIPTION OF A SAMPLE EMBODIMENT

Considering the numbering adopted in the figures, the light bar for emergency vehicles comprises one central module (1, 2) and pairs of side modules (3) which are joined to the central module (1, 2) through pairs of bedplates (4) combined with an outer central plate (5, 6) and an inner central plate (7, 8). Each bedplate (4) is composed of a base (4a) and a pair of longitudinal ribs (4b) parallel to each other.

The bedplates (4) comprise in turn several first parts that are fitted in several first openings (9) opposing to the central module (1, 2) and several second parts which are fitted in several second openings (10) of the side modules (3), wherein the first and second openings (9, 10) are adjacent to and facing each other.

The central module (1, 2) comprises a lower base that includes the first opposing openings (9) which fit the first parts of the two bedplates (4), while said lower base of the central module (1, 2) comprises a bottom (1a, 2a), two opposing flat walls (1b, 2b) adjacent to the side modules (3) and two opposing curved walls (1c, 2c) arranged in the front.

The side modules (3) comprise a lower base which includes the second openings (10) wherein the second parts of the two bedplates (4) are fitted. Said lower base of each side module (3) comprises a bottom (3a), two opposing flat walls (3b) arranged in the front, an outer curved wall (3c) and an inner flat wall (3d) adjacent to the related opposing flat wall (1b, 2b) of the central module (1, 2).

Both in the lower base of the central module (1, 2) and in the lower bases of the side modules (3), several upper mouths are formed respectively closed by means of a central lid (11a, 11b) and two side lids (12), all of which fixed by means of lower screws (26) which are threaded in several upper nut elements (13), where the lower screws (26) are inserted through several tubular lugs (14) that extend from the bottoms (1a, 2a) of said lower bases, while said upper nut elements (13) are fitted in several through bores (15) of the central lid (11a, 11b) and side lids (12).

The first openings (9) of the lower base of the central module (1, 2) cut the continuity of the bottom (1a, 2a) and of the opposing flat walls (1b, 2b) of the lower base of said central module (1, 2), thus composing several first parallel guides (16) where several first parts of the straight ribs (4a) of the bedplates (4) are coupled.

Likewise, the second openings (10) of the lower bases of the side modules (3) cut the continuity of the bottoms (3a) and of the inner flat walls (3d) of the side modules (3), thus composing second parallel guides (17) where the second parts of the straight ribs (4a) of the bedplates (4) are coupled.

The outer central plates (5, 6) are placed against the outer sides of the bottoms (1a, 2a) of the lower bases of the central modules (1, 2), while the inner central plates (7, 8) are placed against the inner sides of the bottoms (1a, 2a) of said lower bases, such that the outer central plates (5, 6) have several side lugs (18) which are embedded in several perforations located in the bases (4b) of the bedplates (4) and which are also embedded in other opposing perforations located in opposing extensions (7a, 8a) of the inner central plates (7, 8).

On the other hand, the inner central plates (7, 8) include several central lugs (19b) in between which a loudspeaker (27), should the light bar include it, and several pairs of lugs with angled corners (19a) are encased, where several corner braces (20) are fixed, said corner braces comprising several vertical and several horizontal members håving through bores to be anchored to said lugs with angled corners (19a). Moreover, the vertical members of the corner braces (20) have other through bores where several screws (21) are threaded to attach a protection grill (28) for the loudspeaker (27), or otherwise a glass screen (22) adjusted in a front window (23) located in mutual position with one of the curved walls (1c, 2c) of the lower base of the central module (1, 2), whereas the other curved wall of the pair has a smooth structure in a first embodiment and an engraved structure in a second embodiment.

It is worth highlighting that said curved walls (1c, 2c) of the lower bases of the central modules (1, 2) may also have a straight instead of curved configuration. In figures 1 to 3 a light bar with a straight or linear structure is shown where the opposing flat walls (1b) of the lower base of the central module (1) are parallel to each other.

On the other hand, in figures 4 to 6 a light bar with an angular structure is shown, where the opposing flat walls (2b) of the lower base of the central module (2) make up a V-shaped angle. In this case, both the outer central plate (6) and the two opposing extensions (8a) of the inner central plate (8) have several L-shaped end portions (24, 25) arranged in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the pairs of opposing flat walls (2b) of the lower base of the central module (2).

In this invention, a single bedplate (4) is used both for the light bar of angular structure and for the light bar of straight structure. The same pairs of side modules (3) are also used in both cases and the same glass screen (22) or protection grill (28) may also be used.

Claims

1. - A light bar for emergency vehicles,characterized in that: - it comprises at least one central module (1, 2) and two side modules (3) which are joined to the central module (1, 2) through pairs of bedplates (4) combined with an outer central plate (5,6) and an inner central plate (7, 8); - the bedplates (4) comprise first parts that are fitted in first opposing openings (9) of the central module (1, 2) and second parts which are fitted in second openings (10) of the side modules (3), where the first and second openings (9, 10) are adjacent to and facing each other.

2. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 1,characterized inthat the central module (1,2) comprises at least one lower base composed of a bottom (1a, 2a) and side walls, while the side modules (3) comprise at least other lower bases composed of a bottom (3a) and side walls; wherein the opposing flat walls (1b, 2b) of the central module (1, 2) and the inner flat walls (3d) of the side modules (3) are adjacent to each other and in contact therewith.

3. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 2,characterized inthat: - the first openings (9) of the lower base of the central module (1, 2) cut the continuity of the bottom (1a, 2a) and of the opposing flat walls (1b, 2b) of the lower base of the central module (1, 2); composing first parallel guides (16) where the first parts of the straight ribs (4a) of the bedplates (4) are coupled; - the second openings (10) of the lower bases of the side modules (3) cut the continuity of the bottoms (3a) and of the inner flat walls (3d) of the side modules (3); composing second parallel guides (17) where the second parts of the straight ribs (4a) of the bedplates (4) are coupled;

4. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 3,characterized inthat: - the outer central plate (5, 6) is placed against the outer side of the bottom (1a, 2a) of the lower base of the central module (1, 2), while the inner central plate (7, 8) is placed against the inner side of the bottom (1a, 2a) of said lower base; - the inner central plate (7, 8) have side lugs (18) which are embedded in perforations located in the bases (4b) of the bedplates (4) and are also embedded to other opposing perforations located in opposing extensions (7a, 8a) of the inner central plate (7,8).

5. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 1,characterized inthat: - the inner central plate (7, 8) includes several central lugs (19b) in between which a loudspeaker (27) and other lugs with angular shape (19a) are encased, where several corner bases (20) comprise horizontal members that contain through bores to be anchored to said lugs with angled corners (19a); - the vertical members of the corner braces (20) contain other through bores where screws (21) are threaded to fasten a closure element adjusted in a front window (23) located in contact with a curved wall (1c, 2c) of the lower base of the central module (1, 2); wherein the closure element is an element selected among a glass screen (22) and a protection grill (28).

6. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 2,characterized inthat it comprises a straight structure wherein the opposing flat walls (1b) of the lower base of the central module (1) are parallel to each other.

7. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 2,characterized inthat: - it comprises an angular-shaped structure wherein the opposing flat walls (2b) of the lower base of the central module (2) make up an angle; - the outer central plate (6) and the opposing extensions (8a) of the inner central plate (8) contain L-shaped end portions (24, 25) arranged perpendicularly to the plane of the pairs of opposing flat walls (2b) of the lower base of the central module (2).

8. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 2,characterized inthat the lower base of the central module (1, 2) and the two lower bases of the side modules (3) include upper mouths that are respectively closed by means of a central lid (11) and two side lids (12).

9. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 8,characterized inthat the central lid (11) and the two side lids (12) are fixed by means of lower screws (26) which are threaded in upper nut elements (13), where the lower screws (26) are inserted through tubular lugs (14) that extend from the bottoms (1a, 2a) of said lower bases, while said upper nut elements (13) are embedded in several through bores (15) of the central lid (11a, 11b) and side lids (12).

10. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 8,characterized inthat the side modules (3) are of the same height as the central module (1, 2).

11. - A light bar for emergency vehicles, according to claim 8,characterized inthat the side modules (3) are of the same height as the central module (1, 2).