The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Vincent A. Runfola, Apopka, FL (US);
Robert Fernandez, Miami, FL (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F21V 2/100 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F21V 2/100 ;
Abstract
A light assembly for mounting on the exterior of a vehicle such as a taillight, a stop light, or a turn signal is provided with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's). These have distinct advantages over incandescent bulbs for longer life and reduced power. They have the disadvantage that they are so energy efficient that they do not heat up the external lens enough to melt snow and ice thereon. The invention overcomes this problem by providing an electrical heater in the assembly that is actuated by a thermal switch that is closed only when the temperature is below a preset value.