Light bar for mounting to a vehicle

Abstract

A kit for a front and/or rear light bar, for providing auxiliary illumination for a vehicle in the forward and/or rearward direction. The light bar typically includes several high intensity flood lights and two infrared illuminator modules, i.e. infrared lights. A switch box is provided for placing in the cabin of the vehicle for turning on and off the lights. A light bar, typically a front light bar, can be provided with strobe lights in place of some of the flood lights. A shield is provided as part of a front light bar to protect the lights when not in use, and to keep the lights from striking the front of the vehicle.

1 . A kit, for providing an apparatus for providing auxiliary illumination for a vehicle having a source of electric power, comprising:
 a light bar, including a housing holding at least one flood light and at least one infrared illuminator; and   a switch box, including switches for providing control signals for switching on or off the at least one flood light and the at least one infrared illuminator.   
   
   
       2 . A kit as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one strobe light, and wherein the switch box further includes a switch for switching on or off power to the strobe light. 
   
   
       3 . A kit as in  claim 1 , wherein the flood light is a high intensity discharge flood light. 
   
   
       4 . A kit as in  claim 1 , wherein the flood light is a filament flood light. 
   
   
       5 . A kit as in  claim 1 , wherein the light bar includes a shield rotatably attached to the housing so as to allow covering the flood light and the infrared illuminator in one position, and so as to allow blocking light from the flood light and the infrared illuminator from reaching the body of the vehicle, in another position. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for providing auxiliary illumination for a vehicle having a source of electric power, comprising:
 a light bar, including a housing holding at least one flood light and at least one infrared illuminator; and   a switch box, including switches for providing control signals for switching on or off the at least one flood light and the at least one infrared illuminator.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , further comprising at least one strobe light, and wherein the switch box further includes a switch for switching on or off power to the strobe light. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the flood light is a high intensity discharge flood light. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the flood light is a filament flood light. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the light bar includes a shield rotatably attached to the housing so as to allow covering the flood light and the infrared illuminator in one position, and so as to allow blocking light from the flood light and the infrared illuminator from reaching the body of the vehicle, in another position. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the light bar also includes relays connected to each of the at least one flood light and at least one infrared illuminator, and wherein the control signals are provided to the relays, and wherein the cabling connects the at least one flood light and the at least one infrared illuminator to the source of electric power via the respective relays, and connects the switch box to the relays so as to enable providing the control signals to open or close one or more of the relays.