Patents Assigned to Whelen Engineering Company
  • Patent number: 7712931
    Abstract: An optical element is configured for use in conjunction with a directional light source such as an LED to form an illuminator. The optical element includes a light entry surface, a reflector and an emission surface. Each of the light entry, reflector and emission surfaces are surfaces of revolution defined by revolving straight or curved lines about an axis of revolution. The light entry, reflector and emission surfaces are configured to produce a radiation pattern from the illuminator that is collimated in a first direction and divergent or swept in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7710253
    Abstract: An embodiment of an LED warning light includes a plurality of LED banks, each including a series of light emitting diodes. The LED warning light monitors an operational parameter of each LED bank to detect failure of an LED and produce a fault indication. The LED warning light includes a microcontroller programmed to evaluate the fault indications and take one or more pre-determined failure mode actions. Failure detection and failure mode actions are defined by program steps taken by firmware running in the microcontroller. Failure mode actions may include increasing the current delivered to remaining LED banks to compensate for the loss of luminance from the LEDs in a failed LED bank. Multiple bank failures may require shutting down the LED warning light to provide an obvious indication that the warning light is no longer in compliance with relevant regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Fredricks
  • Patent number: 7683772
    Abstract: An integrated LED warning and vehicle lamp has a base configured to replace an existing vehicle lamp by reception into the lamp's reflector shell. The integrated warning and vehicle lamp includes first and second arrays of LEDs arranged on a support projecting from the base. One array is used to reproduce the vehicle signal and the second array provides a warning light signal. A collimator organizes light from one or more LED in a direction aligned with the intended direction of light emission from the vehicle lamp. An interface electrical circuit connects one array of LEDs to the vehicle electrical system. A warning signal electrical circuit energizes the other array to produce a variety of warning signals and/or illumination patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7655875
    Abstract: A lever operated switch employs an actuating surface and a plurality of tactile switches to generate electrical states corresponding to distinct angular orientations of the lever. The lever extends from a cam having an actuating surface configured to change the state of one switch when the lever is moved between adjacent positions. The cam is reversible, permitting the switch to be mounted on opposite sides of a support with the same lever movement and switch actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Dornfeld
  • Patent number: 7611269
    Abstract: A light bar snap bracket assembly includes an elongated rail member, multiple light modules, multiple snap brackets, and multiple locking devices. The light modules are disposed within the rail member channel in a line of light modules extending longitudinally from a first light module disposed at the first end of the rail member to a last light module disposed at the second end of the rail member, the line of light modules defining pairs of adjacent light modules. One of the snap brackets is disposed intermediate each light module in each pair of light modules, one of the snap brackets is disposed intermediate the first light module and the first end of the rail member, and one of the snap brackets is disposed intermediate the last light module and the second end of the rail member. Arm segments of each snap bracket extend longitudinally over tabs extending from the light module sides, of the adjacent light module half portion, with the tabs being received within the notches of the arm segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: 7611270
    Abstract: A lighthead mounting structure provides both precise alignment of a lighthead and an effective heat transfer path away from heat generating components of the lighthead. Cooperating aluminum brackets are configured to lock together and overlap to provide an effective heat transfer path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon H. Lyons, Richard H. Morrow
  • Patent number: 7520650
    Abstract: Illumination configurations employ optical elements configured to organize divergent light from an LED light source into collimated beams having a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the LED. Alternative optical elements organize light from a row of LEDs into planes perpendicular to a plane including the optical axes of the LEDs. Pairs of optical elements are configured to define a cavity for receiving an LED. One optical element may be employed to organize approximately one half of the light generated by the LED, with the remainder being permitted to radiate from the LED in its usual pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7517120
    Abstract: A mounting foot assembly including a base member with a front wall having a front surface and a foot member with a rear wall having a rear surface. The foot member is adjustably secured to the base member with the rear surface of the rear wall being in facing relationship with the front surface of the front wall of the base member, whereby the angular position of the base member relative to the foot member may be varied. A bracket may be mounted on the foot assembly having a rear crossbar portion adapted to be positioned in a cross channel in the base member and a forward portion extending down in front of the rear wall of the foot member to which a light unit may be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: D589834
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon H. Lyons, William J. Pokorny
  • Patent number: D589835
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Pokorny
  • Patent number: D589836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Pokorny
  • Patent number: D591187
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Pokorny
  • Patent number: D591188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Pokorny
  • Patent number: D593428
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: D595172
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Pokorny
  • Patent number: D600584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: D603740
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: D608674
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: D610931
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: D614521
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons