US20070070618A1 - Lighted guide strip - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighted guide strip includes an elongated metal housing defining an upwardly open U-Shape and outwardly extending upper flanges. The housing is secured to a pair of transversely extending mounting flanges for attachment to a support surface. A support body within the housing receives and supports a plurality of light emitting diode arrays together with reflective structure while a light transmissive top cover is secured to the outwardly extending flanges by a pair of generally L-Shaped retaining straps and conventional fasteners. The entire lighted guide strip may be embedded within a roadway, taxiway or runway in a flush mount installation. The top cover is removable to gain access to internal components by removing the fasteners and retaining straps.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to illuminated lighting and guidance systems and particularly to illuminated lighting and guidance systems which are embedded within surfaces traveled by vehicles and air crafts such as roadways, airport taxiways and runways.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• With the improvement of technology relating to vehicles and aircraft, travel has become a twenty-four hour a day endeavor. Private motorist and commercial vehicle operators have found it advantageous and often necessary to operate vehicles in the dark of night. This need in turn prompted practitioners in the art to provide lighting and guidance systems for streets and roads.
• At the same time, corresponding developments in aviation and the dramatic expansion of commercial private and military air operations has lead to a need for aircraft operations in both daylight and the dark of night. Thus, a need has also arisen in the commercial private and military aircraft operations environments for illuminated guidance and directional equipment upon airport runways and taxiways. The need for conducting air operations in the dark of night and the need for operating both private and commercial motor vehicles upon roadways during the dark of night has prompted practitioners in the art to provide a variety of illuminated direction guidance systems and related structures.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,735 issued to Talamo et al. sets forth a LIGHTING STRIP FOR DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE SYSTEMS having an elongated insulating base upon which one or more light emitting diode strips each supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes are positioned. A terminal housing supporting operative power systems and control apparatus is coupled to one end of the lighting strip while the remaining end may be coupled to an end cap or connected to a further lighting strip to increase the array size. The light emitting diodes are encapsulated within a light transmissive material cover to provide physical protection and seal for the light emitting diodes.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,845 issued to Gustafsoo et al. sets forth so INTEGRALLY FORMED LINEAR LIGHT STRIP WITH LIGHT EMITTING DIODES having at least one light emitting diode connected between electrical bus elements to provide illumination when the bus elements are electrically activated. An extruded plastic material completely encapsulates the bus elements and the at least one LED. The encapsulating material provides a barrier to protect the elements from damage and render the light strip impervious to moisture. A process for manufacturing the integrally formed single piece light strip using continuously fed bus elements and an extruder is also set forth.
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,868 issued to Eigeomano sets forth a CONTINUOUS PREFABRICATED ROAD-MARKING TAPE WITH COMPOSITE STRUCTURE AND PASSIVE AND ACTIVE OPTICAL EFFECT COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT FROM OUTSIDE INVESTMENT AND EXTERNAL ENERGY SOURCE includes a continuous horizontal road-marking tape which supports Light Emitting Diodes or high intensity micro lamps, solar cells sod retro-reflecting elements. The light emitting diodes may be focused sod grouped in pairs for better visibility. The road-marking tape balances the solar energy captured by its solar cells with the emitted light employed to signal or worn motorist.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,595 issued to Roper sets forth a POP-UP TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE which is supported within a roadway or pavement surface and which includes apparatus for extending the control device above the surrounding pavement surface or withdrawing the device to a generally flush position. The device includes a movable carrier within a housing supported by a lead screw sod follower. The rotation of the lead screw provides vertical movement of the pop-up device.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,300 issued to Rector, Jr. sets forth a LIGHTING DEVICE for providing light along a moway or taxiway at so airport. A base receptacle is adapted to be positioned along the moway and defines so open end. A sleeve member is movably received within the base receptacle and s replaceable light fixture sod connecting apparatus is supported within the sleeve member. The movement of the sleeve member provides corresponding vertical movement of the light apparatus.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,663 issued to Nakayama sets forth a LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH AUTO-RECHARGING having a secondary battery, at least two light emitters connected in parallel, and first and second switches. When the first switches are on and the second switches are off, the light emitters are connected in parallel with each other and in series with the secondary battery. When the first switches are off and the second switches are on, the light emitters and secondary battery are connected in series.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,691 issued to Barrow sets forth an AIRPORT RUNWAY OR TAXIWAY LIGHT FIXTURE fabricated for flush mounting within the moway or taxiway pavement. An optical prism is detachably mounted in a cavity formed in the device cover and beneath the windows of the device. The prism has three sides forming an equilateral triangle with two of the sides sloping upwardly to an upper edge. A special sealing member fits over the prism and preferably covers one of the two sides which slope upwardly. This member extends about a lower portion of the prism and forms a water tight seal. An electric light is mounted in a bottom receptacle which supports the cover and window. A light channel is formed in the top of the cover and extends from each window towards an edge of the cover.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,816 issued to Varga et al. sets forth a ROAD MARKER for use either flush with or preferably slightly below the surface of a road. The road marker includes recharging batteries which are solar operated together with light emitting diodes. During darker night conditions, the solar batteries provide energy sources for the light emitting diodes.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,570 issued to Parashar sets forth a SELF ENERGIZED AUTOMATIC SURFACE MARKER having a housing and filler to support and protect a solar powered energy storage system. The circuitry draws power from the solar cells and stores energy in a plurality of storage capacitors. When ambient light dims, the circuitry operates a timing device which causes one or more light emitting diodes to blink and provide directed light toward approaching traffic. The top of the housing protects the solar cell while facilitating its reception of solar energy. The duty cycle may be adjusted to levels consistent with sunlight and operating time.
• British Patent 965,583 issued to Greenhalgh sets forth IMPROVEMENTS IN REFLECTOR DEVICES FOR ROADWAYS OR LIKE SURFACES. A similar British Patent 1,018,831 also issued to Greeohalgh sets forth IMPROVEMENTS IN REFLECTOR DEVICES FOR ROADWAYS both of which utilize similar generally cylindrical housings received within appropriate recesses formed in roadway surfaces. The housings further support an upwardly extending member which includes one or more reflectors.
• European Patent Application EP0323682A1 sets forth MODULAR FLOOR COVERING UNITS WITH BUILT IN LIGHTING used for guiding the occupants of a building along a path of travel within the building. The modular floor comprises carpet tiles which are supported in abutting arrangement to cover the structure floor. Some of the tiles include signal units having a light transmissive molded plastic housing positioned within an opening formed in the tiles. Light emitting diodes are supported within the housing and are energized by an electrical cable to provide a visually discernible pathway on the floor.
• European Patent Application EP0562702A1 sets forth lighting elements which form a geometric structure within a floor surface. European Patent Application EP0658655A1 sets forth an illumination device having at least one light emitting diode partially embedded in a solid translucent material. The translucent material includes particles which are capable of diffracting light and a cohesive element. The device may be used in road marking or similar environments.
• While the foregoing described prior art devices have in varying extents improved the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for ever more effect, reliable and improved lighting strips for direction and guidance systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved lighted guide strip for illuminated guide systems. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved lighted guide strip which is suitable for being embedded within roadways, taxiways and runways of the type utilized by vehicles and aircraft. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved lighted guide strip which is suitable for being embedded within roadways, taxiways and runways while facilitating ready access to the internal components of the embedded lighted guide strip to facilitate repair, replacement or change of the elements of the lighted guide strip.
• In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a lighted guide strip for use in a roadway, taxiway or runway, the lighted guide strip comprising: an elongated generally U-Shaped housing having an interior channel and opposed outwardly extending mounting flanges; a support body, received within the interior channel, defining an upper surface having a plurality of light emitting diode channels formed therein; a plurality of light emitting diodes supported within the light emitting diode channels; a top cover formed of a light transmissive material received upon the mounting flanges covering the U-Shaped housing; and a pair of retaining straps and a plurality of fasteners cooperating to secure the top cover to the mounting flanges in a removable attachment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:
• FIG. 1 sets forth a top view of an improved lighted guide strip constructed in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 sets forth a section view of the improved lighted guide strip ofFIG. 1 taken along section lines2-2 therein;
• FIG. 3 sets forth a section view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention improved lighted guide strip;
• FIG. 4 sets forth a section view of a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention improved lighted guide strip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
• FIG. 1 sets forth a top view of an improved lighted guide strip constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced bynumeral10.Guide strip10 comprises an elongated generally rectangular structure having an elongated housing11 which, as is better seen inFIG. 2, comprises a generally U-Shaped channel formed of a metal such as stainless steel or the like.Guide strip10 includes a pair of transversely extending mountingflanges23 and24 secured to the underside of housing11 by conventional attachments such as welding or the like. Mountingflanges23 and24 each define respective apertures in the outer ends thereof suitable for attachment of the mounting flanges whenguide strip10 is installed.Guide strip10 further includes a wire pull andelectric equipment space12 at one end and awire pull space13 at the opposite end. Alight supporting portion16 extends betweenend portions12 and13. Light supportingsystems16 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in three elongated generallyparallel arrays17,18 and19. The structures of light emittingdiode arrays17,18 and19 is set forth below inFIG. 2 greater detail. However, suffice to note here that each elongated light emitting diode array supports a plurality of light emitting diodes in a generally linear arrangement. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that while three elongated light emitting diode arrays are shown inguide strip10, alternate arrangements and arrays of light emitting diodes may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Guide strip10 further includes atop cover12 formed of a transparent high strength plastic material such as lexan or the like.Top cover22 is maintained in place and secured upon housing11 in the manner set forth below in greater detail inFIG. 2. Suffice to note here thattop cover22 is secured to housing11 by a pair of generally L-Shaped retaining straps20 and21 together with a plurality ofconventional fasteners26.
• Guide strip10 further includes a pair ofconnectors14 and15 at each end of the guide strip.Connectors14 and15 are fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and are operative to provide electrical connection between corresponding cooperating electrical connectors of other guide strips in a multiple guide strip array or operative to provide electrical connection to ground wiring systems for operative power, control and the like.
• In accordance with the anticipated use of the present invention improved lighted guide strip, it is anticipated thatguide strip10 will be secured to a subsurface portion of the roadway, taxiway or runway within which guidestrip10 is to be utilized. The multi apertured mounting flanges such asflanges23 and24 facilitate this attachment. In further accordance with the anticipated use of the present invention improved lighted guide strip,guide strip10 is supported such thattop cover22 and retainingstraps20 and21 are generally flush with the surrounding roadway, taxiway or runway surface. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from examination ofFIG. 1 with particular attention to the attachment oftop cover22 utilizingremovable fasteners26 and retainingstraps20 and21 that the interior components of the present invention guide strip may be readily accessed to provide servicing, repair or reconfiguration thereof. Once the repairs or alterations or reconfigurations have been completed,top cover22 and retainingstraps20 and21 are again secured utilizingfasteners26.
• FIG. 2 sets forth a section view ofguide strip10 taken along section lines2-2 inFIG. 1. As described above,guide strip10 includes a generally U-Shaped upwardly open housing11 formed of a suitable metal such as stainless steel or the like. As is also mentioned above, a mountingflange24 is secured to one end of housing11 by aconventional welding attachment27. Housing11 defines an interior channel and a pair of outwardly extendingflanges47 and48 on each side of housing11.Guide strip10 further includes an elongated generally rectangular crosssection support body30 preferably formed of a suitable isolative material such as plastic or the like.Support body30 is sized and configured to generally fit within the channel of housing11 and extend upwardly aboveflanges47 and48.Support body30 defines a trio of light emittingdiode channels33,34 and35 extending generally the length ofsupport body30. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, light emittingdiode channels33,34 and35 are generally V-Shaped.Guide strip10 further includes areflector40 supported upon the upper surface ofsupport body30 and defining corresponding V-Shapedchannel portions41,42 and43 received within light emittingdiode channels33,34 and35 respectively.Reflector40 is preferably formed of a relatively thin material such as formed aluminum having a color anodized reflective upper surface. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2,reflector40 defines a yellow anodized reflective surface.
• A plurality of LED connector strips60,61 and62 are supported withinLED channels33,34 and35 respectively.Connector strip60 is fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and receives and supports a plurality of LEDs such asLED50 in an elongated array. Similarly,connector strip61 is fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and supports a plurality of LEDs such asLED51. Finally,connector strip62 is fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and supports a plurality of LEDs such as LED52.Support body30 further defines a pair ofelongated wire passages31 and32 which facilitate the passage of electrical wires for communicating power and control signals between lighted guide strips and for coupling operative power to the elongated arrays of light emitting diodes within the guide strip itself.Support body30 further defines an elongatedheat chase channel36 within which anelongated heat trace37 is supported.
• Aresilient gadget53 is received uponflanges47 and48. A light transmissivetop cover22 formed of a suitable high strength material such as lexan or the like is received uponreflector40 andgadget53.Top cover22 defines a pair ofelongated recesses28 and29 on each edge of the top cover. A pair of retainingstrips20 and21 define generally L-Shaped members which are received withinrecesses29 and28 respectively and are secured by a plurality ofconventional fasteners26.Fasteners26 simultaneously secure retaining straps20 and21 while providing attachment betweenflanges47 and48 and the outer portion oftop cover22. Thus,top cover22 is captivated uponreflector40 to complete the closure ofguide strip10.Resilient gadget53 provides a seal to protect the interior components ofguide strip10.
• In operation, the energizing ofLEDs50,51 and52 produces light energy which is in part directed outwardly throughtop cover22. Additionally, a portion of the light energies produced byLight Emitting Diodes50,51 and52 is reflected againstreflector40 and further transmitted outwardly throughtop cover22.
• FIG. 3 sets forth a section view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention improved lighted guide strip generally referenced bynumeral30. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the structure shown in the alternate embodiment ofFIG. 3 is vary similar to the structure shown above inFIGS. 1 and 2 forguide strip10. Thus, for the most part, the descriptive material ofFIG. 1 will be understood to apply equally well to guidestrip70 shown inFIG. 3.
• More specifically,guide strip70 includes an elongated housing11 defining a generally U-Shaped channel having a pair of outwardly extendingflanges47 and48. An elongated generally rectangularcross section body80 preferably formed of an isolative material such as plastic or the like is received within the channel portion of housing11. A transversely extending mountingflange24 is joined to the underside of housing11 by aweld27.Support body80 defines a pair ofelongated wire passages81 and82 together with a trio of light emittingdiode channels90,91 and92. In addition,support body80 further defines an elongatedheat trace channel83. Areflector105 preferably formed of a thin material such as aluminum or the like is received upon the upper surface ofsupport body80 and is conformed generally to light emittingdiode channels90,91 and92. Thus,reflector105 defines a corresponding trio ofelongated channels106,107 and108 conforming to light emittingdiode channels90,91 and92 respectively. A plurality of connector strips100,101 and102 are supported within light emittingdiode channels90,91 and92 respectively.Connector strip100 supports a plurality of light emitting diodes such aslight emitting diode95 in an elongated linear array. Similarly,connector strip101 supports a plurality of light emitting diodes such aslight emitting diode96 in an elongated array. Whileconnector strip102 supports a plurality of light emitting diodes such aslight emitting diode97. Electrical connection is provided between the various light emitting diodes of the structure shown inFIG. 3 and their respective connector strips using conventional fabrication means (not shown). Aheat trace84 is received withinchannel83. Aresilient gadget53 is received uponflanges47 and48 which in turn receivetop cover22.Top cover22 is preferably fabricated of a light transmissive high strength material such as lexan or the like.Top cover22 defines a pair of edge recesses28 and29 which in turn receive the upper portions of retainingstraps21 and20. A plurality of conventional fasteners such asfasteners26 extend through apertures formed intop cover22 such asapertures45 and46 to securetop cover22 uponreflector45 andgadget53. This attachment is completed byflanges47 and48 to provide a secure integrity forlight guide strip70.
• It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by comparingFIGS. 2 and 3 that the primary difference there between is found in the structure of light emitting diode channels and the orientation of light emitting diodes therein. Thus, it will be apparent that the structure ofFIG. 2 tends to have a directional light pattern while the structure ofFIG. 3 provides a light pattern which is generally uniformly upwardly directed. This facilitates the various needs of directional or upwardly directed light patterns within the operative environments utilizing the present invention lighted guide strip.
• FIG. 4 sets forth a section view of a still further alternate embodiment of the present invention improved lighted guide strip generally referenced by numeral110. By way of overview, it will be apparent by comparison ofFIGS. 3 and 4 that lighted guide strip110 differs from lightedguide strip70 shown inFIG. 3 solely in the accommodation and utilization of a plurality of solar elements (solar elements128 and129 seen inFIG. 4). In all other respects, the structure of light guide strip110 is substantially identical to that shown and described above inFIG. 3 aslight guide strip70.
• More specifically, guide strip110 includes an elongated generally U-Shaped housing11 secured to a mountingflange24 by aweld27. Housing11 further includes a pair of outwardly extending mountingflanges47 and48. Within housing11 asupport body80 defines a generally rectangular cross section element formed of an isolative material such as suitable plastic or the like.Support body80 defines elongatedwire passages81 and82 together with aheat trace channel83. Aheat trace84 is received withinchannel83.
• As mentioned above,support body80 defines a trio of light emittingdiode channels90,91 and92 which receive and support respective light emitting diode arrays comprises of connector strips100,101 and102. Connector strips100,101 and102 receive and support respective arrays of light emitting diodes such asdiodes95,96 and97.
• Guide strip110 further includes areflector105 formed of a thin material such as aluminum and defining a plurality ofreflector channels106,107 and108 which are received within and conform generally to light emittingdiode channels90,91 and92 respectively. Aresilient gadget53 is received uponflanges47 and48.
• Light guide strip110 further includes atop cover122 which is preferably fabricated of a high strength light transmissive material such as lexan or the like.Top cover122 is received upongadget53 andflanges47 and48.Top cover122 defines a pair of edge recesses123 and124 which receive portions of retainingstraps21 and22. Retainingstraps21 and22 are secured by a plurality ofconventional fasteners46 upongadget53 andflanges47 and48. As a result,top cover122 is captivated upon housing11 and enclosessupport body80.Top cover122 further defines a plurality ofsolar element channels127 and129. Withinchannels127 and129 array ofsolar elements128 and130 are received.Solar elements128 and129 function in response to light which is able to pass throughtop cover122 to provide electrical power for the arrays of light emitting diodes within guide strip110. While not seen inFIG. 4 it will be understood that conventional electrical apparatus required to operatively couplesolar elements128 and129 to the pluralities of light emitting diodes within guide strip110 are utilized. The provision of solar elements within guide strip110 facilitates the operation of the guide strip without resort to external power couplings and facilitates utilization of guide strip110 in a self sufficient operative environment.
• It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions and figures that the present invention provides an improved lighted guide strip having substantial advantage over the prior art structures. These advantages include the capability of gaining access to the present invention guide strips after installation in their operative environment. Thus, access to the operative apparatus within the present invention guide strip is provided by simply removing the plurality of fasteners which secure the retaining straps and top cover to the guide strip. Thereafter, the entire mechanism and structure of the guide strip may be accessed. This facilitates on-sight repair without the need for removing the embedded guide strip. The present invention structure also utilizes a highly advantageous metal fabricated housing base. The housing base of the present invention preferably formed of a suitable metal such as stainless steel or the like provides substantial advantage over prior art structures utilizing non-metal base material. In accordance with additional advantageous of present invention structure, the reflective material within the reflector structure is accessible upon removal of the retaining straps and top cover. This allows the user to change the color reflection of the light guide as needed in the operative environment. The preferred fabrication of the present invention utilizes light emitting diodes which produce white or non-colored light together with the color reflective material to provide a desired light output. This combination facilitates the ready color change by simply removing and replacing the reflectors within the light guide structures. In addition, the present invention structure readily facilitates the use of solar elements within the light guide to provide operative power to the light emitting diode. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the ease of access for servicing the present invention light guide subsequent to installation also facilitates the replacement of solar elements or alternatively the change in operation between solar power and conventional power not withstanding the installation of the guide strip. Thus, even though the present invention improved lighted guide strip is initially installed with one power source configuration, it may be reconfigured subsequent to installation without removal by simply accessing the interior and carrying forward a convenient conversion between solar power and conventional power.
• What has been shown is an improved lighted guide strip which is readily serviceable and reconfigurable subsequent to its installation within the surface of a roadway, taxiway or runway without the need for removal of the guide strip unit. The lighted guide strip shown is alternatively configurable to provide different light reflective and transmissive patterns as well as different light colors and reflective patterns.
• While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A lighted guide strip for use in a roadway, taxiway or runway, said lighted guide strip comprising:

an elongated generally U-Shaped housing having an interior channel and opposed outwardly extending mounting flanges;

a support body, received within said interior channel, defining an upper surface having a plurality of light emitting diode channels formed therein;

a plurality of light emitting diodes supported within said light emitting diode channels;

a top cover formed of a light transmissive material received upon said mounting flanges covering said U-Shaped housing; and

a pair of retaining straps and a plurality of fasteners cooperating to secure said top cover to said mounting flanges in a removable attachment.

2. The lighted guide strip set forth inclaim 1 wherein said top cover defines an upper surface, opposed edges and a lower surface, said lower surface facing said mounting flanges.

3. The lighted guide strip set forth inclaim 2 wherein said retaining straps each define a generally L-shaped cross-section.

4. The lighted guide strip set forth inclaim 3 wherein said retaining straps are secured to said upper surface at said opposed edges such that a portion of each L-shaped cross-section extends inwardly upon said upper surface and a portion extends downwardly.

5. The lighted guide strip set forth inclaim 4 wherein said inwardly extending portions of said L-shaped cross-sections each define a first plurality of apertures and wherein said top cover defines a second plurality of apertures aligned with said first plurality of apertures and wherein said fasteners pass through said first and second pluralities of apertures.

6. The lighted guide strip set forth inclaim 5 further including a resilient gasket interposed between said top cover and said mounting flanges.

7. The lighted guide strip set forth inclaim 6 further including a reflector supported upon said upper surface.

8. The lighted guide strip set forth inclaim 6 further including a plurality of solar-power elements supported upon said upper surface.

9. A lighted guide strip for use in an imbedded flush mount installation within a roadway, taxiway or runway, said lighted guide strip comprising:

an elongated housing defining an upwardly open channel;

a plurality of light emitting diodes supported within said housing;

a light-transmissive top cover; and

attachment means for securing said top cover to said housing to cover said light-emitting diodes in a removable attachment which allows said top cover to be removed and reinstalled while said lighted guide is installed in a flush mount installation.

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