Screw Actuator Patents (Class 362/273)
  • Patent number: 5047904
    Abstract: A capsule, in particular for mounting the head of an angle-adjustment screw on a reflector of a motor vehicle headlight, the capsule being of the type comprising, in the vicinity of a first end, means for receiving the head, and in the vicinity of a second end, fixing means for fixing the capsule to a mount fixed to the reflector. The capsule comprises a first portion including a housing for the head, and a second portion including the fixing means for fixing the capsule to the reflector. Said fixing means comprise flexible means suitable for entering into latching engagement with said mount. Said first portion of the capsule is capable of sliding relative to the second portion to a locking position in which it bears against the flexible means, preventing them from moving out from their latching engagement with the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Didier Vraux
  • Patent number: 5023759
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight position adjustment assembly is provided that in a preferred embodiment (100) has a rotary input member (8) that upon rotation causes a threaded output adjustment member (6) to transverse axially through openings (34) and (34') in opposite side walls of first housing part (2) of a two part housing. The second part (4) or cover for the housing includes at least one pedestal (44) and preferably two spaced-apart pedestals (44) and (44') having apertures therethrough through which output member 6 extends enabling the pedestals to hold housing parts 2 and 4 together in the event that they become detached from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert T. Eckenrode
  • Patent number: 4980804
    Abstract: A headlight comprises a reflector, an adjusting device for adjusting a position of the reflector relative to a vehicle chassis, the adjusting device having an actuating element connected with the reflector and a miter gearing adjusting the actuating element, the miter gearing including a driving bevel gear connected with the actuating element and an adjusting bevel gear cooperating with the driving bevel gear, a housing receiving the miter gearing, the adjusting bevel gear having an annular groove, and a movable securing element which engages in the annular groove to secure the adjusting bevel gear and is held in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Karl-Otto Dobler
  • Patent number: 4959758
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly having a lamp unit supported by three ball pivots each of which is connected to the reflector member of the lamp unit by a bearing member which encloses substantially all of the ball portion so as to prevent foreign material from entering the spherical bearing surface provided by the bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Philip C. Filosa, Robert G. Roeske, Bartley A. Haydu
  • Patent number: 4916587
    Abstract: A tilting device of a vehicle headlight having a tiltable member defining the direction of the light beam and being tiltably supported on a supporting member. The tilting device comprises an adjust rod being rotatable and displaceable in the fore and aft directions and supported on the supporting member with the front end being connected to the tiltable member and the rear end projecting rearward of the supporting member, and a drive mechanism for rotating the adjust rod and being mounted on the rear surface of the supporting member. The drive mechanism comprises an output shaft slidably and irrotatably connected to the rear end of the adjust rod, a detecting device for detecting the position of the adjust rod and disposed coaxially with the output shaft, a drive mechanism for rotating the output shaft and a transmit mechanism for trasmitting the rotation of the output shaft to a rotatable portion of the detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Koito Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Hirose, Masahiro Kusagaya, Nobumi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 4893219
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a headlamp or the like is provided with a molded gear housing having a gear-journaling bore and an apertured cap portion closing the outer end of the bore. A drive gear is rotatably journaled in the bore and is coupled to a drive shaft extending through the apertured end cap portion. A retainer member is mounted within the bore and engages the shaft and bears against the interior surface of the cap portion in order to prevent correspondingly uncoupling and retraction of the shaft end from the housing and the drive gear. The drive gear is rotatably meshed with an adjusting gear which is journaled with a second bore integrally molded in the gear housing. The second gear has a nut portion which is threaded to a linearly movable screw which produces the pivoting torque for adjusting realignment of the headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Ryder International Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen P. Lisak
  • Patent number: 4843523
    Abstract: A headlight device including a movable member connected to a stationary supporting member at spaced apart three points, at two of said three points said movable member being connected respectively to the stationary supporting member through aiming mechanisms which enable to change the space between the supporting member and the movable member respectively. At least one of the aiming mechanism comprises an adjusting rod and a gear unit, and the gear unit includes a casing mounted on the supporting member, a worm gear, a worm wheel meshing with the worm gear, a pinion gear co-axial with the worm gear, a driving gear meshing with the pinion gear, with the axis of the driving gear being arranged orthogonal to the axis of the worm wheel, and an actuating rod connected to the driving gear and extending through the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Koito Seisakusho Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4811179
    Abstract: A display device which comprises a case in which a light source is accommodated, color changing means by which the color of light from the light source is changed to a predetermined color of illumination, a display panel that is formed of a light-transmitting material to cover the front opening of the case and which is provided with a light-shielding film in areas other than those corresponding to a display portion, and color display controller that is disposed on the display panel and which controls the color of illuminating light that issues from the light source and is transmitted through the display portion. The color display controller is composed of a plurality of thin strips that have a color different from that of illumination provided by the color changing means and which are spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Komatsu, Atsushi Yamada
  • Patent number: 4794495
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly having a retainer ring for supporting a lamp unit and which includes a level device that allows the lamp unit to be readily aimed about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David R. McMahan, Richard W. Nicholas, Thomas E. Persing, John D. Geddie
  • Patent number: 4757428
    Abstract: An assembly for adjustable mounting of a headlamp assembly relative to a frame permits both vertical and horizontal pivotal movement of the headlamp assembly relative to the frame to allow aiming of the headlamp beam. The frame has an elongate slot for receiving the mounting assembly and the headlamp assembly has a housing to be coupled to the mounting assembly so as to permit pivotal motion for adjustment thereof relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignees: Ryder International Corporation, Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Francis E. Ryder, Stephen P. Lisak
  • Patent number: 4737891
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a support and adjustment mechanism for a headlamp mounted in a carrier panel of the body of a vehicle, there also being a fixed pivot point support also connecting the headlamp with the panel. The mechanism comprises a support bracket adapted to be secured to the carrier panel, the bracket having an angle lever pivotably mounted on it. The lever has one end threadedly coupled to a generally vertical shaft, and its other end pivotably coupled to a generally horizontal shaft, the pivotable connection to the bracket being between the two ends of the lever. The vertical shaft is connected to the support bracket such that it may be rotated but is restrained against axial movement, whereby rotation of the vertical shaft results in pivotal movement of the lever and horizontal movement of the horizontal shaft. A guide is mounted on the bracket and resiliently engages the horizontal shaft for reducing vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Accurate Threaded Fasteners, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 4713739
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a headlamp or the like, comprises a first housing piece and a second housing piece defining first and second orthogonally disposed gear-receiving bores when assembled. The bores intersect at a peripheral location with respect to each other so as to receive respectively a drive gear member and an adjusting gear member disposed with the gear members being engageable at the locations where the bores intersect. The housing pieces receive and guide a drive shaft for engagement with the drive gear and extending outwardly from the housing. The second housing piece receives an adjusting shaft for engagement with the adjusting gear and extending from the housing for engagement with a headlamp or the like, such that by rotation of the drive gear members, rotational movement will be imparted to the adjusting shaft to effect adjustment of a headlamp assembly or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignees: Ryder International Corporation, Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis E. Ryder, Stephen P. Lisak
  • Patent number: 4703399
    Abstract: An adjustment means located at the rear of a lamp body for adjustably positioning the lamp body about an aiming axis and characterized by having a pair of orthogonally arranged shafts which are interconnected in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Van Duyn, John D. Geddie
  • Patent number: 4674013
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of the headlamps of a vehicle both in azimuth and in elevation, the headlamp having a swivel joint at one end by which it is adapted to be mounted to the bodywork of the vehicle. The headlamp is connected to a mobile element by two pins at the other end of the headlamp, one of the pins lying on the horizontal axis of the headlamp and the other being offset with respect to the horizontal axis. The mobile element is mounted to slide horizontally on a support member fixed on the bodywork, and there is provided an adjusting device between the support member and the mobile element for adjusting the mobile element in azimuth. There is also provided a device for adjusting the mobile element in elevation, and this device is selectively adjustable either manually or by a drive member, this device for adjusting the mobile element in elevation acting on the pin that is offset with respect to the horizontal axis to drive the headlamp about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Manzoni-Bouchot
    Inventor: Stephane Manzoni
  • Patent number: 4623956
    Abstract: A recessed adjustable lighting fixture for general purpose illumination. The fixture has a base member which may be held against a wall or ceiling, and the major components of the fixture are recessed behind the base member. The lamp is held behind the base by a tiltable platform which is moved by turning a worm gear which cooperates with a curved strap to permit adjustment of the tilt of the lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventor: Mario W. Conti
  • Patent number: 4580202
    Abstract: The support comprises dismountable fixing means for mounting the optical unit on an annular member, which are provided as members made of rigid and resilient wire, each one comprising a linear portion forming a rotation axis, engaged within a corresponding bearing provided in the peripheral portion of the annular member, and two extensions extending on either side from the linear portion and bent transversely with respect to the latter one of the extensions called "inner extension" corresponding to the inner edge of the annular member and being provided at its end with a hook which can be resiliently engaged below said edge in view of its locking, while the other extension called "outer extension" carries at its end a bent portion oriented towards the central portion of the annular member when the inner extension is in the locking position, and the outer extension being, in this position, in close-contact with the outer face of the optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Jacques Morette
  • Patent number: 4578740
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headlamp with adjustable reflector for motor vehicles, comprising a housing mounted on the body of the vehicle and a cover disc which is attached to the housing by means of a groove-rib connection, also a reflector arranged in the housing, which is horizontally and vertically adjustable. The reflector carries on its circumference a joint ball, which rotates in a bearing connected to the housing on the cover disc, and an axle which is located substantially in the same horizontal plane as the joint ball and is rotatable in a shoe which is attached in the housing with substantially horizontal sliding mobility. Bearing and shoe are accommodated in spaces which are located in alignment on the housing behind at least one groove-rib connection of the cover disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Societe de Signalisations Automobiles S.E.I.M.A.
    Inventor: Jacky Krizmanic
  • Patent number: 4574334
    Abstract: A light axis adjusting device for use to the headlamps of motor vehicles comprising casings, a motor arranged in the casings, a speed reduction mechanism arranged in the casings and functionally connected to the motor and a hollow gear, respectively, to reduce the output of the motor and transmit it to the hollow gear, a sleeve inserted into the hollow gear and moved linearly when the hollow gear is rotated, a converting mechanism for converting the rotation of the hollow gear to a force which causes the sleeve to be moved linearly, and a driver shaft passed through the sleeve to control and adjust the light axis of the headlamp, following the movement of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenkichi Igura
  • Patent number: 4524407
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the inclination of the light axis of a headlamp for motor vehicles comprising a level-adjusting mechanism including a casing, a driver mechanism having a motor housed in the casing, a hollow gear operationally connected to the driver mechanism and located in the casing in such a way that it is rotated at a certain position in the casing by means of the driver mechanism, a cylindrical body inserted into the hollow gear and moved linearly when the hollow gear is rotated, a converter mechanism for converting the rotation of the hollow gear to a force which causes the cylindrical body to move linearly, and an adjusting rod arranged through the cylindrical body and reciprocated in association with the movement of the cylindrical body to adjust the light axis of the headlamp; and aim-adjusting mechanism having a connecting rod, which is connected, at one end thereof, to the adjusting rod of the level-adjusting mechanism through a first universal coupling mechanism, arranged coaxially with the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenkichi Igura
  • Patent number: 4488209
    Abstract: A portable lighting apparatus having a lamp assembly attached to the top of an elongated mast, preferably formed of interconnectable relatively short sections. The lamp assembly includes at least one electric lamp affixed to a horizontal shaft for rotation about a horizontal axis. Associated with the horizontal shaft are a pair of gears, suitably a vertical rack and a pinion engaged therewith, the pinion being operatively attached to the horizontal shaft. A spring associated with the pinion tends to rotate the gear in a direction which biases the engaged rack downwardly. The lower end of the rack abuts a movable pushrod generally centrally located within the hollow mast and running the length thereof. The lower end of the mast is telescopically mounted on a mast support provided with a fixed vertical stoprod which abuts the lower end of the pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Earl W. Gosswiller
  • Patent number: 4471413
    Abstract: A headlight unit for a motor car has a reflector which is held pivotably at its edge areas on holding elements, one of which forms a fixed bearing and the other two of which are setting screws which form pivot bearings which permit the horizontal and vertical basic setting of the headlight to be adjusted. At the outer upper corner of the reflector there is provided a ball and socket joint which forms the fixed bearing of the headlight, and at the inner upper and lower corners of the reflector there is formed, in each case, a guiding edge which extends in an arcuate path relative to the fixed bearing. Guide catches formed at the top and bottom of a fastening member slide on the guiding edges. The fastening member is supported at the top by a pin which fits in a sleeve on the car bodywork to form--with the fixed bearing--the horizontal pivot axis of the headlight. At the bottom, the fastening member is supported by a slope-setting screw on the bodywork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Heinz Dick
  • Patent number: 4419721
    Abstract: A control system for positioning a searchlight (2) in azimuth and elevation including an upper torque tube (34) and a lower torque tube (39) which are coupled together; an upper push rod (46), push rod coupling (50) and lower push rod (54) which are coupled together; and control elements (65, 90 & 93, 100) operative to rotate the lower torque tube and also operative to reciprocate the lower push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Phoenix Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Gregoire, Rupert O. Yantz
  • Patent number: 4356539
    Abstract: This invention relates to polymer sealed beam headlamp units and more particularly to a mounting assembly for securing these headlamp units to vehicles. The assembly includes a headlamp having a plurality of mounting blocks integral with and mediately articulated from the reflector portion of the lamp envelope. The mounting blocks project outwardly from the exterior surface of the envelope and reference the lamp beam through the envelope reflector. The mounting blocks have openings for receiving and engaging fasteners therein for securing the headlamp to a vehicle. The fasteners are inserted in the blocks and adjusted relative thereto to referentially relate the lamp alignment to the vehicle. The fasteners are resiliently biased by buggy springs which at least partially surround the fastener. The non-attached head of the fastener is inserted within a slotted vehicle panel and is tensionally secured thereto by the buggy springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bruce E. Shanks
  • Patent number: 4336572
    Abstract: The invention relates to a slide member of a remote controller of a device for adjusting the angle at which the headlight beams from a motor vehicle are directed down onto the road surface, from within the vehicle. The remote controller comprises a guide case and a slide member mounted to the guide case for axial movement but against rotation with respect to the guide case. The slide member is adjusted by a threaded rotatable shaft mounted to the guide case for rotation but against axial movement with respect to the guide case. The slide member includes an end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a block having a part-cylindrical surface formed with a threaded portion with which the threaded rotatable shaft engages. The first and second side walls extend parallel to each other and are connected to the end wall and the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Company Limited, Ichiko Industries Limited
    Inventor: Yasunobu Takata
  • Patent number: 4306276
    Abstract: This specification discloses a motor vehicle flashing lamp and headlamp fixture to be attached to a motor vehicle body. The fixture provides a pivotable mouunting so that the flashing lamp and the headlamp can be aligned with respect to each other as well as the automobile body while maintaining a simple and relatively secure mounting. The mounting of the flashing lamps and headlamps in a body aperture of the motor vehicle includes a headlamp braced by an upper swivel providing an upper swivel point for the headlamp relative to the flashing lamp. An outer lateral lower adjusting device, movable forward and backward for the illumination range adjustment, is attached through a bracket to the flashing lamp or the body. An inner lateral upper adjusting device, which is movable forward and backward for the illumination direction adjustment, is attached to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Heinz Dick
  • Patent number: 4186427
    Abstract: A wire length adjusting device comprises an adjust screw threadedly engaging a nut fixed to one end of a headlight mounting frame, the other end of which is hingedly mounted to a vehicle body. The adjust screw has a head disposed within an area on outside of the headlight mounting frame. A wire for adjusting a headlight beam has one end anchored to the adjust screw and the other end operatively connected to a controller having its manually operative dial extending into the passenger compartment. A member, such as a headlight finisher or a radiator grill, mounted to the vehicle body within an area on outside of the headlight mounting frame is formed with a hole so as to permit a mating tool for turning the head of the adjust screw to reach the head of the adjust screw, whereby the wire length compensation can be carried out from the outside of the vehicle without removing the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Company, Limited, Ichiko Industries Limited
    Inventors: Masao Ishikawa, Tatuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: RE32088
    Abstract: This invention relates to sealed beam headlamp units and more particularly to a unitary coupling assembly for securing these headlamp units to vehicles. The assembly includes a headlamp having a plurality of couplers secured to the exterior surface thereof. The couplers have curved mating surfaces, centered about point for pivotal movement, which engage the surfaces of complementary couplers secured to a vehicle. The couplers are lockingly secured to each other and form a coupling for attaching the lamp to a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the assembly employs adjustable couplers for the adjustable and/or preaimed attachment of a headlamp to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jiri G. Sip