Grote Industries, Inc.

Other

The Grote Manufacturing Co.

Troy L Roney

Bruce S Rigsby

Robert S VannRox

A system for providing an electrical power and electronic communication link between a tractor and trailer includes a tractor module associated with the tractor and a trailer module associated with the trailer. The tractor module controls a plurality of switching devices operable to switch a corresponding plurality of electrical lines extending between the tractor electrical system and the trailer to one of an electrical power line, a ground line and a communication line. The trailer module similarly controls a plurality of switching devices operable to switch a corresponding plurality of electrical lines extending between the trailer lighting system and the tractor electrical system to one of an electrical system of the trailer a communication line. The tractor and trailer modules are operable to establish a communication link therebetween and gather diagnostic data relating to the trailer electrical system, and to selectively route electrical power and/or ground to the trailer electrical system while maintaining control over the trailer lighting system each of the tractor and trailer modules is further operable to control their corresponding switching devices to switch back to the conventional electrical connection if the communication link is inoperable.

Power and communications link between a tractor and trailer

A completely solid state rotary beacon which produces a rotary beacon lighting effect without the use of mechanical components or rotating parts. The device of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources which are equicircumferentially spaced around the outer perimeter of the rotary beacon. These light sources are intermittently illuminated by an electronic controller in such a fashion that the illusion of a rotating light beacon is produced without the need for rotating mechanical components. The lighting sequence, in conjunction with the unique parabolic reflector arrangement of the present invention, create the illusion of a light source being rotated in a 360.degree. path. This effect is achieved by the present invention without the use of rotating mechanical components.

Solid state rotary apparent beacon

A lamp, such as for truck trailers and/or tractors, is provided with LEDs mounted to a circuit board placed in a housing. The housing is thereafter partially filled with a liquid resin material and a lip portion of a lens member is pressed into the resin into contact with the circuit board. The resin material is cured with thermally conductive particles suspended therein for conducting excess heat to the outer aluminum housing and the outer environment. A hermetic seal is formed by the resin material between the lens member and the LED bearing circuit board. The lens member has a series of parallel, elongated lens ribs providing constant optics while allowing additional LEDs to be positioned in a row behind a lens rib. The lens member is completely recessed within the housing for enhanced protection from mechanical damage thereto.

LED vehicle lamp assembly

A lamp, such as for truck trailers and/or tractors, is provided with LEDs mounted to a circuit board placed in a housing. The LEDs and circuit boards are fully embedded in a resin material cured with thermally conductive particles suspended therein for conducting excess heat to the outer aluminum housing and the outer environment. The lens cover has a series of parallel, elongated lens ribs providing constant optics while allowing additional LEDs to be positioned in a row behind a lens rib. The LED circuit board has large traces to enhance heat dissipation.

Led array vehicle lamp

A lamp for a motor vehicle, such as a side marker or clearance lamp which uses light-emitting diodes instead of incandescent bulbs. The lamp includes a housing which accurately positions the light-emitting diodes to provide a desired light pattern. The housing includes a pair of fixture halves which are positioned in facing abutment to form a fixture for positioning and holding the light-emitting diodes in place. Each fixture half includes light-emitting diode positioning grooves which cooperate when the fixture halves are assembled to accurately position and hold the light-emitting diodes in desired positions. A transparent lens is positioned over the housing.

Lamp assembly for motor vehicle

A conductive track circuit for shock mounting a light bulb within a lamp housing particularly well suited for use on motor vehicles to protect the light bulb from shock loads and vibrations. The conductor track circuit includes mounting flanges for attaching the track circuit to the lamp housing, electrical conductor strip members integral with the mounting flanges for connecting the track circuit to a source of electrical energy, and resilient arms integral with the mounting flanges for holding the light bulb in position and absorbing vibrations and shocks. A blank from which the track circuit is formed includes three coplanar conductor tracks each having a mounting flange with an integrally formed terminal strip member extending from the mounting flange and an integrally formed arm extending from the mounting flange, the conductor tracks being in spaced juxtaposition and connected together by integral webs.

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Madison, IN, United States of America

Troy L Roney