Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided for illuminating the trunk of a motor vehicle having a retractable roof which can be stowed in the trunk. The retractable roof includes a front roof element and a rear roof element which can be moved between a position in which the roof elements cover the vehicle and a position in which the roof elements are stored in the trunk. At least one of the roof elements is provided with a lighting device for illuminating the passenger compartment when the roof is covering the vehicle. Detectors are provided for detecting when the roof is folded-up and stowed in the trunk and when the trunk lid of the vehicle is opened. The detectors are connected to a controller so that the lighting device is illuminated when the roof is folded-up in the trunk and the trunk lid is at the same time opened.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a liquid crystal display. The apparatus includes an array of light emitting diodes disposed alongside the liquid crystal display, which illuminate the display. Light pipes transmit the light from the light emitting diodes to the display, which light pipes span across a plane parallel with the liquid crystal display. A filter is disposed between the array and the light pipes for filtering out infra-red light from the light emitting diodes. This apparatus has special applications in the cockpit of an aircraft where the pilot is wearing infra-red light filtering goggles and needs to see outside the aircraft as well as read the instruments. The color of the light emitting diodes may be switched from red, to green to blue, depending upon the type of goggles the pilot is wearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to mirrors for use in confined spaces which are subject to being covered by fluids and debris, principally dental mirrors, for use by dentists and similar medical professionals. The mirror assembly includes a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion includes a housing with a rotor assembly and a rotor drive means. In accordance with the invention, a secondary member has a reflective surface. The mirror assembly includes attachment means for removably attaching the secondary member with respect to the rotor assembly so that the reflective surface can be replaced when degraded. In use, the rotor drive means spins the rotor assembly and with it the secondary member to remove fluids and debris that may fall on the reflective surface so that vision when using the reflective surface is not impaired by such fluids or debris. Advantageously the attachment means include magnetic components although mechanical attachment means may also be used.

Abstract: Functional yet decorative luminaires intended to create distinctive environments within specific areas of a space in which one or more luminaires are used, the luminaires of the invention visually tie to architectural elements of the space by providing a customizable glow of color surrounding a typically white light that acts to illuminate the space functionally. A downlighting luminaire configured according to the invention as one example is typically configured to utilize two separate reflectors, usually reflectors having concave reflective surfaces and being mounted concentrically within a housing, an inner reflector directing light centrally through an aperture of the luminaire with the light so directed typically being white light useful for illumination intended to facilitate usual activities within the space.

Abstract: The index of refraction of a light guide (6) for transmitting light outputted from a primary light source (1) is ng, and the light guide (6) has a light input end face (9), a light output surface from which the transmitted light is outputted, and a back surface opposed to the light output surface. A leaky ray modulator (8) is provided to at least either the light output surface or the back surface. The leaky ray modulator (8) has a composite layer (50) provided on the light output surface or the back surface and composed of first refractive index regions (3) having a refractive index n1 (ng>n1) and second refractive index regions (4) having a refractive index n2 (n2>n1) and a third refractive index layer (5) provided on the composite layer (50) and having a refractive index n3 (n3>n1). A reflecting plate (7) is provided adjacent to the back surface of the light guide (6).

Abstract: A vehicle headlight unit has a headlight housing covered by a pane on its front side. The headlight unit is held relative to the vehicle body by a support which yields in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle under the effect of force. The pane is fixedly connected with one side of the support and the opposite side of the support is fastened to the headlight unit housing. The yielding support may comprise a rubber bellows.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device for producing an illumination pattern (6) with a variable shape and luminous intensity to a target (5). The illumination device comprises at least partly translucent and light-reflecting optical piece (1), several light sources (3) producing a conical light pattern, fixed in such a manner that the position and angle of the same can be adjusted in relation to each other and/or to the optical piece (1), and an electronic control unit (4) that is electrically coupled to each light source (3) in such a manner that the intensity of the light produced by each light source (3) can be adjusted under the control of the control unit (4). The optical piece (1) is attached in such a manner that the light beams produced by the light sources (3) are arranged to propagate at least partly via the optical piece (1) to the target (5) to be illuminated.

Abstract: A shade is moved to a high-beam position by a driving force of a solenoid and held in that position. The shade is switched to a low-beam position by a spring force of a plate spring and held in that position. The solenoid is the pull-type solenoid. The shade is thin and therefore light in weight. As a result, low-cost and light-weight headlamp is obtained. Moreover, switching of the beams can be performed accurately.

Abstract: A simulated neon-light tube assembly (10) that is comprised of four major elements: a transparent tube (12) having a closed front end (16) and an open rear edge (18), a light-diffusing material (24), a light source (50) and a power source (60). The light-diffusing material (24) consists of stacks of thin acetate, or a like material, which are rolled and inserted into the tube (12) through the tube's open rear edge (18). The light source (50) can consist of a single LED (52) or an LED cluster. In either case, the LED(s) are located within a light-power assembly (70) that encloses the LED (52). The power source (60) for the LED can consist of an internal battery located within the assembly (70) or the assembly (70) can include a cable that is connected to an external battery. In either design, when the LED (52) illuminates, the light travels through the light emitting material (28) to cause the simulation of a neon-light.

Abstract: An insertion structure for inserting a lamp rod to a wire winding box comprises a lamp seat and an inserting head. The retaining seat has a flange and a lateral side of the flange is a threaded surface. The threaded surface passes through the via hole of the wire winding box. A hollow slot is formed on threaded surface of the retaining seat. A lateral side of the slot is locked with a reed. An inner side of the reed is punched with an embedded block. The embedded block protruding into the slot of the retaining seat. An interior of the insertion head is fixed with a conductive plug. A lateral side of the insertion head has a bank of teeth for buckling the retaining seat. Thereby, a lamp rod with the insertion structure is detachable from the wire winding box easily for storage and transfer.

Abstract: In the illumination device of the invention, an LED is oppose to a side surface of a flat light guide member. A light shield surface for shielding light from the LED and emitted toward the backside of the guide member in vicinity of the LED on the backside of the light guide member.

Abstract: A light reflector having a row of light reflecting segments separated by fold lines, wherein one segment is located at a top of the row and another segment is located at a bottom of the row. A pair of wings is connected at the sides of the row, each one of the wings including a plurality of light reflecting segments separated by fold lines, wherein at least some of the light reflecting segments of the row and at least some of the light reflecting segments of the wings form a shell-shaped arrangement wherein at least some light reflecting segments of the row and at least some light reflecting segments of the pair of wings are bent at their respective fold lines whereby the arrangement is generally curved along an imaginary line connecting the one segment and the another segment and generally curved along an imaginary line perpendicular to the first mentioned line.

Abstract: The present invention provides an illuminating apparatus capable of carrying out an illumination operation excellently by guiding the light from light sources to an illuminating member efficiently, and having a low price. The illuminating apparatus is provided with a pointer 2 adapted to be turned around a rotary shaft 1, a dial 3 positioned on a rear side of the pointer 2 and constituting a display member to be transmission illuminated, light-emitting diodes 6 positioned on a rear side of the dial 3 and in the vicinity of the rotary shaft 1 and constituting light sources for illuminating index portions 13 of the dial 3, a case 20 positioned on the rear side of the dial 3 and constituting a reflector provided with a reflecting portion 30, and a light guide member 19 positioned on the rear side of the dial 3 and adapted to guide the light from the light-emitting diodes 6 to the rear side of the dial 3.

Abstract: There is provided an optical structure. The optical structure includes a light source. The optical structure also includes an organic light management film having an index of refraction of less than 1.7 disposed above the light source, and a transparent inorganic film having an index of refraction of greater than 1.7 disposed adjacent the organic light management film. A optical device is also provided including the organic light management film and the transparent inorganic film. A method of forming the optical structure is also provided. The method includes depositing the transparent inorganic film under vacuum.

Abstract: An automotive headlamp shield may be formed with a self-locating mount. The housing contains a mounting receptacle with three closed sides, an open side, a substantially solid bottom with a laterally extending slot and a top containing an opening. One sub-assembly has a planar surface with an aperture, a solid rear wall and a depending side wall. When assembled, the depending sidewall fits into the slot and protrudes therefrom. Another sub-assembly has an upper surface and four walls including a front wall, a back wall and two sides. A compressible planar latch is associated with the upper surface and a first spring is associated with a side and a second spring is associated with the back. The second sub-assembly is hollow and the springs and the compressible latch are formed from the upper surface and respective sides. The structure is light weight and easy to manipulate.

Abstract: A retractable light/sound system for mounting on the eave of a structure includes a housing and an output subassembly. A hinge pivotably interconnects the housing and the output subassembly whereby the latter is pivotable between a retracted/stored position and an extended/display position. The output subassembly includes multiple lights and/or loudspeakers and provides output in response to input power and/or control signals from any control subsystem, which can include a microprocessor adapted for preprogramming to activate the output components in response to certain, predetermined input source conditions. The system is adapted for mounting on or in soffits, or on building fascias integrally with gutters.

Abstract: A light emitter is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the light emitter comprises a tube, a first aperture, a second aperture, a lens, a base mechanism, and a light path. The tube has a first end and a second end. The first aperture is located proximate the tube first end and the second aperture is located proximate the tube second end. The lens is located within the tube. The base mechanism is attached to the tube first end and has a cavity formed therein. The light path extends between the cavity and the second aperture and passes through the first aperture and through the lens.

Abstract: There is a vehicle headlamp in a multibeam mode comprising: a reflecting mirror for reflecting light emitted from a discharge tube having a single light emitting section; and a shield for blocking off light directly emitted forward and light emitted to the lower part of the reflecting mirror out of the light emitted from the discharge tube, wherein the headlamp includes a rotationally moving device for three-dimensionally moving the light emitting section of the discharge tube to any position of the reflecting mirror, which is suitable for low-beam or high-beam, by eccentrically rotating the discharge tube to move back and forth; and a rotation controller for controlling the rotation of the rotationally moving device. The headlamp can be used in several beam modes using a conventional reflection mirror and a discharge tube.

Abstract: Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.