Adjustable elevated light for transportation vehicles

Abstract

An adjustable, elevated and externally mounted lighting device ( 21 ) for vehicles such as school busses ( 22 ) and other types of vehicles, that provides a pool of light ( 23 ) to passenger loading and unloading areas for better visibility of passengers, vehicle drivers, and other vehicle operators in the vicinity during hours of darkness. The light's adjustability, combined with a diffused lens ( 29 ), provides a broad and bright pool of light ( 23 ) without obstructing passenger visibility or driver use of side mirrors ( 30 ). The light ( 21 ) is connected to the vehicle's on-board electrical power system and is activated automatically without distracting driver attentiveness, but with provisions for manual over-ride activation if needed in special circumstances such as emergencies or wheelchair loading/unloading.

1 . An adjustable vehicle accessory for a commercial vehicle, comprising:
 a lighting device mounted on the commercial vehicle at an elevated position above at least one unloading or loading area;   a means for mounting the lighting device on said vehicle; and   a control means to activate the lighting device to illuminate the at least one loading or unloading area of said vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , further comprising the lighting device having at least one light source that is filtered by a filtering means. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the control means further comprises a circuit for activating the lighting device when a hazard warning light system of said vehicle is engaged. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the control means further comprises a circuit for activating the lighting device when an accident or emergency signal system of said vehicle is engaged. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the control means further comprises a circuit for activating the lighting device when a motion detection device senses motion at the at least one loading or unloading area of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the control means further comprises a circuit for activating the lighting device when a door opening means opens at least one door at the at least one loading or unloading area of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the control means further comprises a circuit for activating the lighting device when at least one door located at the at least one loading or unloading area of the vehicle is opened. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the control means further comprises a circuit for activating the lighting device by a mechanism actuated inside the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting device is mounted proximate to the at least one loading and unloading area that is a passenger ingress and egress door. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting device is mounted proximate to the at least one loading and unloading area that is an emergency exit passenger door. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting device is mounted proximate to the at least one loading and unloading area that is a handicapped passenger ingress and egress door. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting device is mounted proximate to the at least one loading and unloading area that is a cargo ingress and egress door. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable vehicle accessory of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting device is mounted proximate to the at least one loading and unloading area that is a driver ingress and egress door. 
     
     
         14 . A method for mounting an adjustable vehicle accessory for a commercial vehicle, comprising:
 providing the adjustable vehicle accessory comprising:
 at least one lighting source; 
 a mounting means being adapted to be mounted at an elevated position above at least one unloading or loading area of the commercial vehicle; and 
 a means for electrically connecting the vehicle accessory to an electrical wiring system of the vehicle to operably engage the lighting accessory; and 
   attaching, with the mounting means the vehicle accessory on the commercial vehicle, so that when thus mounted the vehicle accessory is at an elevated position above the at least one unloading or loading area.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: at least one lighting source that is filtered by a filtering means. 
     
     
         16 . A method for illuminating at least one unloading or loading area of a commercial vehicle, comprising:
 providing an adjustable lighting device comprising:
 at least one lighting source; 
 a mounting means being adapted to be mounted at an elevated position above at least one unloading or loading area of the commercial vehicle; and 
 a means for electrically connecting the lighting device to an electrical wiring system of the vehicle to operably engage lighting device; and 
   attaching, with the mounting means the lighting device on an exterior of the commercial vehicle, so that when thus mounted the lighting device is located at an elevated position above the at least one unloading or loading area.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: at least one lighting source that is filtered by a filtering means. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled)