Temporary Light Strip System

Abstract

A modular system of light strips is configured for use on a roadway surface. The light strips are configured to withstand vehicular traffic, such as passenger cars, trucks, and even heavy equipment such as found in a construction zone. The light strips have a rigid, durable housing that protects a series of LEDs within the housing. The LEDs are preferably positioned fully within the housing, with lenses directing light from the LEDs through the sidewall of the housing and toward vehicular traffic on the roadway. The channel is filled with a protective material, such as a polymer resin, for example a polyurethane resin, that serves to protect the LEDs and power supply running within the channel. The modular system can be provided with a power source, such as solar panels, or alternatively configured for connection to a power grid. The modular system can include one or more sensors to activate the system or alternatively to control the brightness of the lights in the system and be configured with light strips that connect together or can be substituted for one another allowing them to be interchangeable and easily carried, moved, installed and disassembled.

Claims

1. A modular light strip system for temporary use in a roadway, said light strip system comprising: a plurality of modular elongate light strips configured for attachment to the surface of a roadway, wherein said light strip is configured for withstanding vehicular traffic driving over said light strip, wherein said light strip is configured with a plurality of LED lights that are configured to be seen by a driver of a vehicle approaching the light strip, said LED lights connected by a power supply, wherein said light strip is configured for connection to a power source for powering said LED lights; wherein said light strips are configured for attachment to one another to provide continuous power through said light strips.

2. The light strip system of claim 1, wherein each of said light strips comprises a housing comprising a channel, wherein said LEDs are positioned within said housing, wherein a power supply is positioned within said each of said channels and configured to provide power to said LEDs, wherein a plurality of lenses are positioned within a wall of said channel and configured to direct light from said LEDs outward from said housing.

3. The light strip system of claim 2, wherein said channel comprises a rectangular channel.

4. The light strip system of claim 2, wherein said channel comprises a water resistant protective material filling said channel and configured to protect said LED lights and power supply in said channel.

5. The light strip system of claim 4, wherein said protective material comprises a polyurethane resin.

6. The light strip system of claim 1, wherein said light strip comprises at least one flange configured for placement of a connector through said flange to connect said light strip to a roadway.

7. The light strip system of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a sensor configured to detect the presence of an oncoming vehicle.

8. The light strip system of claim 7, wherein said sensor is configured to detect the presence of a pedestrian preparing to cross said roadway.

9. The light strip system of claim 1 further comprising said power source.

10. The light strip system of claim 9, wherein said power source comprises a power storage device.

11. The light strip system of claim 8, wherein said power source comprises a solar panel.

12. The light strip system of claim 1, wherein said power source comprises a power grid.

13. The light strip system of claim 1, wherein said first end of each of said light strips comprises a female connector, wherein said second end of each of said light strips comprises a male connector configured to mate and engage with said female connector so as to transmit power between said male and female connector.

14. The light strip system of claim 1, wherein said light strip system comprises a controller, wherein said controller is configured to cause said light strip to illuminate and/or flash in response to a signal received from said push button and/or sensor.

15. The light strip system of claim 14, wherein said sensor is wirelessly connected to said controller.

16. The light strip system of claim 1, wherein said light strip is configured to removably attach to said roadway by one or more of a mounting anchor, an adhesive, double sided tape, and strap connection.

17. A light strip system comprising: a plurality of modular elongate light strips, wherein said light strips each comprises a first end and a second end and a length extending between, wherein said light strips comprise a rigid channel housing a series of LEDs, wherein each of said light strips is configured for attachment to one another at a first end and a second end of each of said light strips, wherein said light strips are configured to receive power at a first end of said light strips and are configured to provide power to subsequent light strips connected at a second end of said light strips, wherein said light strips are configured for attachment to a road surface and configured for motorized vehicles to drive over said light strips; a connector for connecting said light strips to a power source;

18. The light strip system of claim 17, wherein said LEDs are mounted on a circuit board extending through said channel.

19. The light strip system of claim 17, wherein said channel comprises a polymer resin filling said channel.

20. The light strip system of claim 17, wherein said LEDs are positioned entirely within said channel, wherein said channel comprises a plurality of lenses extending through a sidewall of said channel to direct light from said LEDs through said sidewall of said channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a temporary light strip system used in conjunction with a construction zone.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a temporary light strip system used as a temporary cross walk.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an example of a temporary lights trip system indicating a cross walk.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of a temporary light strip system attached to a road surface.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a female connector for connecting modular light strip sections and/or a power supplies to a modular light strip section.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a male connector for connecting modular light strip sections and/or a power supplies to a modular light strip section.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section of the female connector of FIG. 5 connected to the male connector of FIG. 6.

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a second of a rectangular channel having recessed LED lenses extending through a wall of the channel.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates modular components of an LED light strip system for use on a roadway.

[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross section of an LED light strip having a lens extending through a sidewall of a rectangular channel toward an LED on a printed circuit board.

[0035] FIG. 11 illustrates a printed circuit board (PCB) having LEDs embedded in the circuit board and configured for insertion into a rectangular channel with the circuit board and LEDs to be positioned in place by a spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined in the claims.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a temporary light strip system in use in conjunction with a road way 2, and more particularly to illustrate a construction area 14. Two light strips 4 are positioned across the roadway. The light strips have a plurality of LED lights 5 that are configured to direct light from the LEDs at the oncoming vehicle 18. The LED lights are arranged in separate groups 7, 9 that can be configured for alternating illumination or simultaneous illumination, or individual LEDs within each group can be configured to alternate illumination and de-illumination. A power source 10 is proved to power two light strips via connection 6. The power source can be the depicted solar panel and associated battery or other energy storage device (not shown) or alternatively a connection to an energy grid. A sensor 8 is positioned to detect an oncoming vehicle 18. The depicted system is configured such that when the sensor senses the oncoming vehicle, the system causes the lights to be illuminated and/or flash (hereinafter illuminated and/or flash is referred to generically as “illuminate or illuminated”). The light strips illuminate to alert the oncoming vehicle of the construction workers 14 positioned in the construction zone F, alternatively called an active zone.

[0038] The light strips are constructed so as to withstand the rigors of vehicles driving over the light strips. A preferred embodiment of the light strips and associated system is shown in FIGS. 5-11. The light strips are preferably removably attached to the road surface, such as by adhesive, mounting anchors, double sided tape, straps, or other attachment mechanism.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a temporary light strip system in use in conjunction with a temporary cross walk. The embodiment of FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment in which the temporary light strip systems are constructed in a modular arrangement. FIG. 2 illustrates two light strips 23, 25 positioned in neighboring lanes 24, 26. The light strips are configured such that light from each LED is directed at the on-coming vehicle 22 and not at vehicle 21 that has traveled over the light strip

[0040] Each light strip section is preferably twelve (12) feet in length to extend the width of a standard lane of traffic, although alternate lengths can be utilized. In this system a series of light strips can be connected to extend across wider roadways, such as two, three, or four lane roadways. The connector mechanism 29 to connect two adjacent light strips to one another is also configured to connect the end of the light strip at connection 36 to a power supply 35, such as the depicted solar panel, an energy storage device and/or a power grid.

[0041] FIG. 2 further depicts a sensor 38 positioned on a pole 32. The sensor can be configured to detect the presence of a pedestrian or other person or animal prepared to cross at the location. The sensor can be a manual sensor such as a push button sensor that is manually actuated by the pedestrian. The solar panel is mounted on the pole. A pedestrian and bicyclist 40 are shown prepared to cross at the crosswalk. The sensor can further be configured to sense ambient light conditions for adjusting the brightness of the LEDs, or alternatively a separate sensor can be utilized.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates a top schematic of a road surface having a temporary light strip system attached having a series of vehicles 46 stopped at the light strip in the roadway. The light strip 42 is positioned to delineate the construction zone or active zone 40, or alternatively a cross walk area, from oncoming traffic in the roadway 44. The light strip is configured such that light emitted by the LEDs 48 is directed at the oncoming vehicles. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a roadway 52 having a light strip 50 attached to the roadway. As illustrated, light from the LEDs of the light strip is directed generally horizontally away from the light strip at oncoming traffic.

[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a female connector 70 positioned at an end of the light strip, or alternatively on a power supply or power supply cord. The depicted connector has four female electrical pins 76. The light source is embedded in the light strip housing 71. The light strip housing in the depicted embodiment is a rectangular channel, preferably of metal although other material that will allow the light strip to withstand vehicular traffic over the light strip can be utilized. The light will be directed outward from the sidewall 72 of the housing. The light strip housing is configured to provide protection to the internal wiring of the light strip, as well as to the light source(s). The female pins are shown housed in a rubber connector pin housing to prevent water and other contaminants, such as dust, from entering the channel. The female end connections are configured for mating engagement with male pins found on a corresponding light strip, or alternatively of a power input. The male and female configuration can be reversed with female pin receptacles provide on the power input and configured to mate with male pins of the light strip.

[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a male connector 80 positioned at an end of the light strip, or alternatively on a power supply or power supply cord. The depicted connector has four male electrical pins. The depicted male connector utilizes an alignment sleeve 86 for aligning the male connector end of the light strip with a female connector end of a second light strip, or alternatively with a power supply cord. The male pins 82 7) are shown housed in a rubber connector pin housing 82 to provide protection from water and other contaminants, such as dust. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section view of the assembled connector ends of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The male connector end has been inserted into the female connector end.

[0045] FIG. 8 depicts a view of a preferred embodiment of a light strip housing having LED lenses 91 installed in the side wall 93 of the housing. A circuit board strip with integral LEDs (illustrated in FIG. 10) is positioned within the metal housing. Lenses are positioned in openings 96 and extend through the housing proximate to each LED. The Lenses have a flange that is positioned so as to be countersunk in the sidewall of the channel in recess 94. Lenses 92 are shown partially positioned within openings.

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of components in a modular LED crosswalk system. A plurality of light strips 100 are provided. The light strips each has a series of lenses configured to direct light from LEDs positioned within the rectangular channel 104 out the sidewall 106 of each light strip. Each light strip is configured for attachment to a roadway via flanges 108 that have an opening 110 through which a connector is positioned to anchor each light strip to the roadway. Power connectors 112 are configured for mating engagement with the end 109 of each light strip. The power connectors are provided with flanges 112 that are configured for attaching the power connectors to the road surface. The flanges of the light strips can be aligned with the flanges of the power connector for mounting with a single connector through overlaid flanges. Similarly the end flanges of each light strip can be overlaid for concentric mounting. L-shaped sections are provided at generally a ninety (90) degree angle to the light strips to direct light at pedestrians to signal to the pedestrians when the light strips have illuminated. A power source is provided to power the lights strips. Rubber matting 120 is provided to protect the electrical cable, for example for us on the shoulder of a roadway.

[0047] The light strips of FIG. 9 are configured to provide continuous power between connected light strips. Preferably power conductors in the strip are continuous to minimize potential failure points. Preferably multiple power conductors are provided within each light strip to provide redundancy in the event of failure of a power line. The use of multiple power conductors can allow for control of groups of LEDs independently, thus allowing for alternating illumination to create a flashing effect between groupings.

[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates a partially exploded light strip showing printed circuit board 130 in a strip having LEDs 132 integral to the strip. A spacer 134 is provided to align the strip within the channel housing. The circuit board is inserted into the housing with a lens extending through the sidewall to the LED to direct light from the LED outward (see FIG. 11). The void 138 in the channel is then filled with a protective material, such as a polymer resin, for example polyurethane. The protective material serves to protect the circuit board and LEDs from water and other elements, such as dust, as well as to provide flexibility to the light strip and channel.

[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates a lens 140 extending through a sidewall 142 of the rectangular channel 144. The lens is cylindrical in the shape of a pipe and configured to direct light from the LED 148 of the circuit board 146 through the cylindrical lens and outward. A flange extends around the cylindrical pipe and is positioned in a recess in the side wall of the metal channel for mounting the lens in the sidewall. Recessing the lens in the sidewall increases protection of the lens.

[0050] While certain preferred embodiments are shown in the figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.