WO2004037610A1

WO2004037610A1 - Light testing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2004037610A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/004578
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael James Mchale
Original assignee: Michael James Mchale
Priority date: 2002-10-22
Filing date: 2003-10-22
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: EP1556249A1; AU2003276391A1; GB2394532A; GB0224495D0

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for use in testing the functioning of a vehicle light, the apparatus (2) comprising light collection means (4) adapted to be placed substantially around a vehicle light and adapted to collect light emitted from the light when illuminated, and light transfer means (10) adapted to transfer said light collected by the light collection means (4) to a position where the collected light is visible from inside the vehicle (14).

Description

LIGHT TESTING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to light testing apparatus, particularly for use with vehicles .

Drivers of vehicles, for example, cars, lorries or trailers must ensure that all of the lights on their vehicle, in particular the rear of their vehicle, are fully functional prior to use. Moreover, drivers of heavy goods vehicles and long trailers must complete a daily vehicle defect report, which includes having to conduct a number of tests on their drive vehicle and trailer. Such tests include the examination of the rear brake, reverse and indicator lights .

Unfortunately, carrying out these tests can be particularly troublesome in situations where the driver is on his own, and therefore does not have someone to help him carry out these tests. If there is no-one available to help him perform the tests, the driver may have to use an arrangement of mirrors so that he can see whether a particular brake light illuminates upon depression of the brake pedal, or whether a particular indicator bulb illuminates upon activation of the indicator in the drive vehicle.

In circumstances where no-one is available to help the driver perform the daily tests on his lorry, or where mirrors are unavailable, or where there is nowhere convenient to place mirrors, the driver must either not drive the lorry at all, or drive the lorry without having carried out the necessary tests. Evidently, in the latter case, driving the lorry may be dangerous and possibly illegal.

It is one aim of embodiments of the present invention to address the above problems and to provide an apparatus with which a driver may test the functioning of the brake lights and indicator lights on the rear of a vehicle.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in testing the functioning of a vehicle light, the apparatus comprising light collection means adapted to collect light emitted from an illuminated light, and light transfer means adapted to transfer said light collected by the light collection means to a position where the collected light is visible from inside the vehicle.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in testing the functioning of a vehicle light, the apparatus comprising light collection means adapted to be placed substantially around a vehicle light and adapted to collect light emitted from the light when illuminated, and light transfer means adapted to transfer said light collected by the light collection means to a position where the collected light is visible from inside the vehicle.

Preferably, the collected light is transferred to a side of the vehicle.

Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to collect light from a vehicle light, preferably a light lens, which may comprise a brake light, indicator light and/or reverse light. Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to be placed over a vehicle light. The light may be on the rear of the vehicle, and may comprise a light lens. The apparatus may be temporarily or permanently attached to the light.

The light collection means may comprise a box, which preferably comprises a plurality of side walls, and preferably, a rear wall.

In a first embodiment, the light collection means may be adapted to be attached to the vehicle light, preferably substantially around the vehicle light such that light emitted from the vehicle light is substantially collected by the collection means . The light collection means may be attached to, or around the vehicle light, by any suitable means, for example, magnets, Velcro (RTM) , or by hanging the collection means over the vehicle light.

In a second embodiment, the light collection means may be permanently attached to the vehicle light, preferably substantially around the vehicle light such that light.

Advantageously, and preferably, the vehicle light collection means is adapted to catch or collect light emitted from the light behind the vehicle, which light is subsequently transferred from behind the vehicle to a side of the vehicle where it can be seen by an operator inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the collected light may be viewed through a rear window of the vehicle, in which case the light transfer means extends substantially upwardly.

Advantageously, and preferably, the light collection means is adapted to be placed around the outside of the light, preferably the light lens, preferably when it is illuminated. This is in contrast to being placed directly on to the light (bulb) itself as in prior art apparatuses, which include light detecting means, which are placed directly on to the light bulb and not outside of the light lens. The reason for this is that the light (bulb) itself may be functioning correctly and illuminating when activated, but the outside of the light lens may be so dirty that the emitted light is unable to penetrate through the light lens, and accordingly, cannot be seen by an vehicles behind the light. Hence, the prior art devices, which are attached directly on to the light bulb would send a signal to the operator that the light was in order, even though the light emitted would not be visible from behind the vehicle. Accordingly, the operator would believe his vehicle was safe to use with his lights being visible behind his vehicle, whereas in fact it is not.

Advantageously, the present invention solves this problem, by placing the light collection around the outside of the light lens, and so the apparatus (i) tests that the light bulb itself is functioning, and (ii) checks that the outside of the light lens is sufficiently clean to allow the light to pass therethrough.

In the second embodiment, the rear wall of the light collection means may be slidable between a first position in which the vehicle light is substantially uncovered, and a second position in which the vehicle light is substantially covered. Preferably, the light collection means comprises slots or channels along which the rear wall may slide between the first and second positions. Preferably, the rear wall comprises a shutter. Preferably, at least part of an interior of the light collection means is covered in a reflective coating. Preferably, the reflective coating is adapted to improve reflection of light inside the light collection means . Preferably, the rear wall of the light collection means is covered in a reflective coating.

Preferably, the light collection means comprises at least one light focusing means, preferably at least one lens. Preferably, the lens is adapted to focus light emitted from the vehicle light substantially towards the light transfer means. Preferably, the lens is supported in the light collection means by support means which, preferably extends from at least one of the sides of the box, preferably an interior side thereof.

Preferably,^' the light transfer means extends from, or is attached to, a side of the light collection means. The light transfer means may extend from, or is attached to, a rear wall of the light collection means. Preferably, the light transfer means extends from, or is attached, substantially adjacent a rear wall of the light collection means. Preferably, the rear wall is angled. Preferably, the light transfer means comprises a light tube. Preferably, the light transfer means extends to the position where the collected light can be seen from inside the vehicle by the user. Preferably, the light transfer means extends beyond the side of the vehicle. The light transfer means may extend to a rear window of the vehicle so that collected light may shine therethrough and be seen from inside the vehicle. Preferably, the light transfer means is attached to the light collection means by a first aperture. Preferably, the light transfer means comprises a second aperture at an end distal from the light collection means. Preferably, the second aperture is visible from inside the vehicle. Preferably, the light transfer means is substantially L- shaped.

Preferably, the light transfer means is covered in a reflective coating. Preferably, the reflective coating is adapted to improve reflection of collected light inside the light collection means. The reflective coating may comprise silver foil, light coloured paint or a mirror (s) . Preferably, the interior of the light collection means is substantially smooth and, preferably, shiny.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of testing a vehicle light on a vehicle, said method comprising :- (i) attaching the apparatus defined in the first aspect to a vehicle light on a vehicle; (ii) actuating said vehicle light; and (iii) determining whether the vehicle light emits light radiation.

Advantageously, the apparatus enables an operator to test the functioning of the vehicle light without the need to leave the vehicle once the apparatus has been attached to the vehicle light. The operator is able to see light emanating from the vehicle by viewing the second aperture of the light transfer means and therefore avoids the need to get out of the vehicle. Moreover, the operator is able to test the lights on the rear of the vehicle without assistance and without the need to use a system of mirrors to see the reflection of the light. The apparatus has great safety implications since it is easy to use by the operator and will therefore avoid any need to drive a vehicle without having first tested the functioning of lights on the rear of the vehicle.

According to another aspect, there is provided a vehicle comprising a light, light collection means adapted to collect light emitted from the light when illuminated, and light transfer means adapted to transfer said light collected by the light collection means to a position where the collected light is visible from inside the vehicle.

Preferably, the light comprises a light lens. Preferably, the light collection means is arranged substantially around the vehicle light.

All of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a light testing apparatus;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view from above of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 attached to a vehicle; Figure 3 shows a schematic view from above of a second embodiment of the apparatus attached to a vehicle;

Figure 4 shows a schematic rear view of the vehicle with the light testing apparatus attached;

Figure 5 shows a schematic rear view of a third embodiment of the light testing apparatus attached to the vehicle in a first position; and

Figure 6 shows a schematic rear view of the second embodiment of a light testing apparatus attached to the vehicle in a second position.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a rear view of a vehicle 14 having a rear window 30, wheels 32 and two rear light lenses 16 consisting of an indicator light 16a, a reverse light 16b and a brake light 16c. The vehicle 14 can be any vehicle having at least one rear light lens 16, for example, an HGV lorry, or car or van etc. Figure 4 further shows a temporary apparatus 2, which is used by a driver 40 of the vehicle 14 to check the functioning of light lens 16.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown the apparatus 2 used to check the functioning of the two rear light lenses 16 in more detail. The apparatus 2 consists of a light box 4 having side walls 6 and a rear wall 7 which is arranged at an angle to one of the side walls 6. A light tube 10 is attached to one side wall 6 of the box 4 via aperture 9 and is "L"-shaped having a first section 10a which extends transversely from one side wall 6 of the box 4, and a second section 10b which extends in a direction parallel with the side wall 6 to which the light tube 10 is attached.

The side walls 6 and rear wall 7 of the light box 4, and the interior of the light tube 10, are all coated with a reflective coating 8 which improves the transmission of light from the light box 4 through aperture 9, and along light tube 10, so that light is visible from viewing aperture 12 located at the distal end of the light tube 10 from aperture 9.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the apparatus 2 is shown secured to the rear of the vehicle 14. The light box 4 is attached over the light-lens 16 of the rear of the vehicle 14. This can be achieved by any suitable means, for example, by magnets (not shown) , velcro™ (not shown) , or by temporarily hanging the light box 4 over protrusion 18 at the top of the light lens 16. Most vehicles 14 have two light-lenses 16, i.e. one on either side of the rear of the vehicle 14 as shown in Figure 4.

The light tube 10 extending out of the light box 4 is of sufficient shape and dimensions such that section 10a extends along the rear of the vehicle 14, and section 10b extends forwardly so that the viewing aperture 12 is visible around the side of vehicle 14 as shown in Figure 4.

As shown in figure 4, in use, an operator or lorry driver 40, first places the apparatus 2 in position over the light-lens 16 and then returns to the drive vehicle where he can activate the brake 16c, reverse 16b and indicator lights 16a as desired. Upon pressing the brake pedal in the drive vehicle, providing the brake light 16c is functioning correctly, the light 16c will illuminate. The light will be projected rearwardly away from the rear of the vehicle 14. The light is reflected off the reflective coating 8 which covers the side walls 6 and rear wall 7 of the light box 4 and directed into aperture 9. Furthermore, because the rear wall 7 of the light box 4 is arranged at an angle to the side wall 6 to which the light tube 10 is attached, light tends to be reflected towards the aperture 9 and into the light tube 10.

The light is then reflected along the inside of the light tube 10 due to the reflective coating 8 and emerges at the viewing aperture 12. The viewing aperture 12 on the end of the light tube 10 is visible to the driver 40 either via mirrors 34 on the side of the drive vehicle (see figure 4), or if the driver 40 simply looks out of his window in a direction back to the rear of the vehicle 2 to the apparatus 2. In some circumstances, he may be able to see the reflected light through the rear windows 30 of the vehicle 14 as shown in Figure 4. The same effect also applies upon activation of the indicators 16a and reverse lights 16b, providing they are functioning correctly. If the brake light 16c, indicator lights 16a or reverse lights 16b are malfunctional because they have blown or fused or there is some other problem with the circuitry in the vehicle 14, then they will not illuminate upon activation. Accordingly, the lack of illumination will be witnessed via the viewing aperture 12.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the device 2 in which lenses 20 are provided inside the light box 4. The lenses 20 are orientated such that light emanating from the illuminated brake and indicator lights of the vehicle light lens 16 are focused onto the rear wall 7 of the light box and towards the aperture 9 of the light box 4 to which the light tube 10 is attached. The lenses 20 focus the light rays from the indicator and brake lights thereby intensifying the light and improving the visibility thereof as the light is reflected towards and through the light tube 10 and out of viewing aperture 12. The lenses 20 are kept in position by supporting arms/fingers (not shown) which extend inwardly from the side walls 6 of the light box 4.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear 7 of the light box 4 is angled to improve the reflection of light in a direction towards the aperture 9 which leads to the light tube 10. The light tube 10 is attached to the box 4 at a point on the side wall 6 furthest away from the light lens 16. This minimises the distance along which light emanating from light lens 16 must travel.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the light testing device 2 which is permanently attached to each of the rear light lenses 16 on the back of the vehicle 14, although only one rear lens 16 is shown in the Figures for convenience. The previously described embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-4, are attached to the vehicle by a user only when required to test the functioning of the lights 16a, 16b, and 16c. However, in this latter embodiment, the device 2 is permanently fitted to each of the light lenses 16 on the back of the vehicle 14, and tends not to be removed, unless for example, the vehicle needs to be cleaned. Hence, the device is attached so that light emitted from either the indicator 16a, reverse light 16b, or the brake light 16c is collected therein.

The device 2 is mounted around each light lens 16 by any suitable means, for example, adhesive, or it may be moulded into the body work of the vehicle 14. The side walls 6 of the device 2 project transversely away from the rear of the vehicle 14. In addition, a light tube 10 extends away from one of the side walls 6 which transfers the collected light ' from the back of the vehicle 14 to a side of the vehicle 14.

The rear wall 7 of the alternative embodiment of the device 2 consists of a movable shutter 19, which can slide behind the side walls 6 between an open position shown in Figure 5, when the vehicle 14 is being driven and the light lens 16 must be totally uncovered, and a closed position shown in Figure 6, when the light lens 16 is being tested, and is covered over by the shutter 19.. The shutter 19 slides along in channels or slots which are cut into the upper and lower side walls 6. The rear wall 7, which forms the inner surface of the shutter 19, can be coated with a reflective coating 8 although this is not essential. Therefore, if this embodiment of the device 2 is fitted around each light lens 16, then the user simply has to slide the shutter 19 from the open position to the closed position, which completely conceals the light lens 16 by forming a contained light box 4 with each of the side walls 6.

Although not illustrated in the figures, the light box 4 may be replaced with a light bag 4 (not shown) the interior of which is covered in reflective coating 8. The light bag can be attached to the vehicle 14 around the light lens 16 by any suitable means such as magnets, Velcro (RTM) or by hooking the bag over the top protrusion 18 of the light lens 16. As with the first light box 4 embodiment of the apparatus 2, once the apparatus 2 has been placed in position over the light lens 16 on the rear of the vehicle 14, the driver can very quickly carry out the necessary tests.

Advantages of the apparatus 2 reside in the effective manner in which the driver of a vehicle 14 is able to carry out the required tests on the functioning of the rear light lens 16 of the vehicle 14 on his own. He can simply place the apparatus 2 in position over the light lens 16, activate the indicator, brake lights and/or reverse lights from the drive trailer and see whether the lights are functioning correctly via the viewing aperture 12 without the need to get out of the dry vehicle or having to set up a system of mirrors. In addition, advantages of the third embodiment of the device 2 are that the apparatus is permanently fixed around the light lenses 16, and the shutter 19 which forms the rear wall 7 of the light box 4, can be very simply slid across the rear of the lens 16 to allow testing to be carried out. Once, testing is complete, the shutter 19 can be slide back off the rear of the light lens 16, and the vehicle 14 can be driven.

The reader' s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in testing the functioning of a vehicle light, the apparatus comprising light collection means adapted to be placed substantially around a vehicle light and adapted to collect light emitted from the light when illuminated, and light transfer means adapted to transfer said light collected by the light collection means to a position where the collected light is visible from inside the vehicle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to collect light from a brake light, indicator light and/or reverse light.

3. Apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be placed over a vehicle light.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light collection means comprises a box.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a rear wall of the light collection means is slidable between a first position in which the vehicle light is substantially uncovered, and a second position in which the vehicle light is substantially covered.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light collection means comprises slots or channels along which the rear wall slides between the first and second positions .

7. Apparatus according to either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the rear wall comprises a shutter.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least part of an interior of the light collection means is covered in a reflective coating.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light collection means comprises at least one light focusing means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the light focusing means comprises at least one lens .

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the lens is adapted to focus light emitted from the vehicle light substantially towards the light transfer means.

12. Apparatus according to either claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the lens is supported in the light collection means by support means .

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light transfer means extends from, or is attached to, a side of the light collection means.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the light transfer means extends from, or is attached to, a rear wall of the light collection means.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light transfer means extends from, or is attached, substantially adjacent a rear wall of the light collection means .

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the rear wall is angled.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light transfer means comprises a light tube.

18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light transfer means is attached to the light collection means by a first aperture.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light transfer means comprises a second aperture at an end distal from the light collection means.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the second aperture is visible from inside the vehicle.

21. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light transfer means is substantially L-shaped.

22. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the light transfer means is covered in a reflective coating.

23. A method of testing a vehicle light on a vehicle, said method comprising :- (i) attaching the apparatus defined in any of claims 1 - 22 to a vehicle light on a vehicle; (ii) actuating said vehicle light; and (iii) determining whether the vehicle light emits light radiation.

24. A vehicle comprising a light, light collection means adapted to collect light emitted from the light when illuminated, and light transfer means adapted to transfer said light collected by the light collection means to a position where the collected light is visible from inside the vehicle.

25. Apparatus as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

26. A method as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.