IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,905,571
Granted Patent B2
US 8,905,571 · App. 13/847,603 · Granted Dec 9, 2014

Illuminated warning panel

Inventor: Charles A. Sigler (New Smyrna Beach, FL)
F21V33/00G02B6/0096F21K9/52
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,905,571
App. No.
13/847,603
Granted
Dec 9, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A detectable warning panel including an illumination feature. The warning panel includes an array of raised domes as for prior art warning panels. The tops of at least a portion of the domes are illuminated. Preferably the tops of all the domes are illuminated. While the illumination feature may remain on at all times, in the preferred embodiment the illumination feature is switched on and off according to ambient lighting conditions.

Claims (68)

1. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel located in a sidewalk, comprising:

a. providing a detectable warning panel, including,

i. an upward facing surface,

ii. a downward facing surface,

iii. a plurality of illuminated domes extending upward from said upward facing surface,

iv. a vertically-oriented light pipe in each of said illuminated domes, wherein each of said light pipes has an exit surface located in a top of one of said plurality of illuminated domes and an entry surface located distal to said exit surface;

b. providing a cavity in said sidewalk;

c. providing a light source in said cavity;

d. placing said detectable warning panel in said cavity, with said light source positioned to cast light upon said entry surface of said light pipes; and

e. switching on said light source.

2. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 1 , wherein:

a. said light source includes a plurality of individual lights; and

b. at least one of said individual lights is placed adjacent to each of said entry surfaces of said light pipes.

3. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 2 , wherein each individual light is a light emitting diode.

4. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 1 , wherein:

a. each of said light pipes is made of a transparent thermoplastic; and

b. the balance of said detectable warning panel is made of concrete.

5. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 2 , wherein

a. each of said light pipes includes a cavity; and

b. said entry surface for each of said light pipes is located in said cavity.

6. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 5 , wherein:

a. each of said individual lights is a light emitting diode; and

b. each of said light emitting diodes is located within one of said cavities.

7. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 6 , wherein said cavities are filled with potting resin after said light emitting diodes have been placed in said cavities.

8. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel located in a sidewalk, comprising:

a. providing a detectable warning panel, including,

i. a plurality of illuminated domes extending upward from said detectable warning panel,

ii. a vertically-oriented light pipe contained within each of said illuminated domes, each of said light pipes having an entry surface and an exit surface, wherein said exit surface is located in a top of one of said domes and said entry surface is located distal to said exit surface;

b. providing a light source;

c. placing said light source in a position where said light source casts light upon said entry surfaces of said light pipes;

d. placing said detectable warning panel and said light source in said sidewalk; and

e. switching on said light source.

9. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 8 , wherein:

a. said light source includes a plurality of individual lights; and

b. at least one of said individual lights is placed adjacent to each of said entry surfaces of said light pipes.

10. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 9 , wherein each individual light is a light emitting diode.

11. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 8 , wherein:

a. each of said light pipes is made of a transparent thermoplastic; and

b. the balance of said detectable warning panel is made of concrete.

12. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 9 , where

a. each of said light pipes includes a cavity; and

b. said entry surface for each of said light pipes is located in said cavity.

13. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 12 , wherein:

a. each of said individual lights is a light emitting diode; and

b. each of said light emitting diodes is located within one of said cavities.

14. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 13 , wherein said cavities are filled with potting resin after said light emitting diodes have been placed in said cavities.

15. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel located in a sidewalk, comprising:

a. providing a detectable warning panel, including,

i. an upward facing surface,

ii. a downward facing surface,

iii. a plurality of illuminated domes extending upward from said upward facing surface,

iv. a vertically-oriented light pipe contained within each of said illuminated domes, each of said light pipes having an entry surface and an exit surface, wherein said exit surface is located in a top of one of said domes and said entry surface is located on said downward facing surface;

b. providing a light source adjacent to said downward facing surface of said warning panel;

c. placing said light source and said detectable warning panel in said sidewalk; and

d. switching on said light source.

16. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 15 , wherein:

a. said light source includes a plurality of individual lights; and

b. at least one of said individual lights is placed adjacent to each of said entry surfaces of said light pipes.

17. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 15 , wherein each individual light is a light emitting diode.

18. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 15 , wherein:

a. each of said light pipes is made of a transparent thermoplastic; and

b. the balance of said detectable warning panel is made of concrete.

19. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 16 , wherein

a. each of said light pipes includes a cavity; and

b. said entry surface for each of said light pipes is located in said cavity.

20. A method for illuminating a detectable warning panel as recited in claim 19 , wherein:

a. each of said individual lights is a light emitting diode; and

b. each of said light emitting diodes is located within one of said cavities.

Continuity (1)
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