Screw Actuated Patents (Class 362/289)
  • Patent number: 6481879
    Abstract: A head lamp with a movable reflector. The headlamp includes a lamp body, a reflector with a light source mounted thereon, and an aiming mechanism interposed between the lamp body and the reflector (14) for tiltably supporting the reflector (14) with respect to the lamp body. The reflector tilts by the rotational movement of the aiming screw which is rotatably supported in a screw insertion hole formed on the lamp body. The screw insertion hole is formed by a tubular portion, and the front portion of the tubular portion includes divided swinging strips (53) which are resiliently deformable in the radial direction. The swinging strips engage with an engaging groove formed on the aiming screw to prevent the aiming screw from being detached from the lamp body. The aiming screw includes a rotatably supported portion formed of resin, a male screw portion, and a gear portion behind the rotatably supported portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Kihachiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 6474855
    Abstract: An adjustable fixing element, particularly for headlights of motor vehicles, has a setscrew on which a first screw element and a second screw element are arranged with locating surfaces which face each other. In order to create an adjustable fixing device which can be adjusted higher from the side of the plate facing away from the object to be fixed or from another holder, it is proposed to provide a handling aid on the first screw element which projects beyond its locating surface. The second screw element exhibits a corresponding recess in its locating surface for receiving the handling aid of the first screw element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Kluenker, Gerald Hiesl, Peter Heimpel
  • Publication number: 20020136010
    Abstract: A diode light source system for stage, theatrical and architectural lighting that includes a plurality of separate flat panels for mounting a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit a plurality of diode light beams to a common focus area, each separate panel being mounted with a plurality of grouped diodes of the plurality of diodes, each separate panel having an outer panel portion and an inner panel portion. A housing containing the panels has a center base portion and a circular rim defining a housing aperture aligned with a circular rim plane having a rim plane center that is arranged transverse to an axis aligned with the center base portion. A first connecting means flexibly secures each outer diode panel portion to the housing rim. A screw arrangement positions the panels at a plurality of selected positions wherein each of the panels is oriented at a selected angle relative to the axis and the grouped diodes emit diode light beams transverse to each separate panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: John F. Luk
  • Patent number: 6443608
    Abstract: An integrated lamp and fascia system for a vehicle comprises a lamp having a lamp housing. A vehicle fascia includes a fascia pocket defined by two side walls, a bottom wall, and a rear wall, in which the lamp housing is disposed. The rear wall has a fixed portion, a flanged portion, and a cross car hinge seam about which the flanged portion flexes. The lamp housing is mounted to the flanged portion. An adjustment means includes an adjustment clip mounted to the fixed portion of the rear wall to provide a vertical extension thereto, and an adjustment screw accessible from a forward surface of the lamp housing and extending through an upper region of the lamp housing and through the adjustment clip. Turning the screw either moves the upper region of the lamp housing closer to or further from the pocket rear wall by rotating the lamp housing about the hinge seam to adjust vertical aim of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Alan G Storck, Drew D Mosser, Ross J Parpart
  • Publication number: 20020093823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting installation, in particular as a danger light, obstruction light or daytime and night-time marker, having at least one luminaire, at least one lighting means being arranged in a housing of the luminaire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Ralph Rohlfing, Wolfgang Serfass
  • Publication number: 20020085386
    Abstract: A reflector movable type headlamp for an automobile includes a lamp body, a reflector, and an aiming mechanism. The aiming mechanism includes: a screw insertion hole; an aiming fulcrum constituting an inclining fulcrum of the reflector; an aiming screw; a bracket formed at the reflector; a nut member operable to be extracted and retracted in a front and rear direction in cooperation with the pivotal movement of the aiming screw; and a nut sliding guide integrally and extendedly formed with the lamp body. A mounting portion of the nut member and the bracket is provided with stress relieving means. The stress relieving means includes a ball and socket joint structure. The nut sliding guide is provided at a position offset to a side position of a position of arranging the aiming screw on a side opposed to the aiming fulcrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katutada Shirai
  • Publication number: 20020085385
    Abstract: A headlamp for an automobile includes a lamp body, a light source, a reflector, and an aiming mechanism. The aiming mechanism includes a screw insertion hole and an aiming screw operable to move the reflector by pivoting the aiming screw. The aiming screw includes a supported portion supported by the screw insertion hole, a male screw portion forward from the supported portion, and a pivotal movement operating force transmitted portion rearward from the supported portion. A front end side of the supported portion includes an elastic locking portion operable to pass through the screw insertion hole by being deformed elastically to an inner side in a radial direction, and a rear end side of the supported portion is integrally formed with an elastic rib brought into press contact with a peripheral edge portion on a rear end side of the screw insertion hole to fixedly position the aiming screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventor: Katutada Shirai
  • Publication number: 20020080620
    Abstract: An adjusting element is provided for fastening a headlight arrangement on a vehicle. The adjusting element has a nut element and a screw element, the screw element being screwed into the nut element. An opening is formed at a vehicle-body-side supporting plate for the nut element. The nut element is formed by an expansion nut which can be inserted into the opening, can be adjusted and has an eccentrically constructed receiving groove, so that, in the insertion direction and transversely thereto, the opening has a larger measurement than the inside diameter of the receiving groove and that, as a result of the screwing of the screw element into the positioned expansion nut, the latter is fixed on the supporting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. H.c.F. Porsche AG.
    Inventor: Thomas Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20020054496
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp wherein aiming adjustment of two reflectors can be conducted accurately regardless of the positional relation between aiming screws operating in conjunction with each other. The headlamp includes first and second reflectors mounted in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body opening at its front and a lens covering the front opening of the lamp body, the reflectors each being tiltable by turning of an aiming screw of a corresponding aiming mechanism that supports the corresponding reflector in a tiltable manner relative to the lamp body. A belt mechanism rotationally couples the two aiming screws for allowing the first aiming screw for tilting the first reflector and the second aiming screw for tilting the second reflector to be turned in conjunction with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Fujino, Takasumi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20020051361
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustment mechanism by which a luminaire may be adjusted and secured along an arcuate path. The adjustment mechanism includes a mounting bracket, adjustment bolt, adjustment brace, which is attached to the optical housing of the luminaire, and a positioning means, such as an eyebolt. The adjustment bolt is threadably attached to the adjustment brace via a non-rotatable nut. The adjustment bolt, which is disposed through the positioning means, is turned in order to adjust the position of the luminaire. As the adjustment bolt turns, the non-rotatable nut, along with the adjustment brace and optical housing attached thereto, moves along the threaded shaft of the bolt. When the turning of the bolt has ceased, the non-rotatable nut, adjustment brace and optical housing are secured in position by the frictional engagement of the thread of the bolt and the thread of the nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony J. Gutierrez, Robert L. Summerford
  • Patent number: 6341886
    Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle is provided for generating a light beam, and particularly a dipped beam, of a given configuration. The headlight has a light source, a reflector of the elliptical type having a first focus in the vicinity of which the light source is situated, and a lens placed in front of the reflector. The reflector has at least two zones which are situated side by side and which are adapted to form, in a focal region of the lens, patches of light which are preformed in width, and overlap each other in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Philippe Dussans, GĂ©rard Billot
  • Patent number: 6315438
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp of a movable reflector type comprising a lamp body, a reflector having a lamp, and an aiming mechanism disposed between the lamp body and the reflector and structured so as to support the reflector and adjust the angle of the reflector with respect to the lamp body when aiming screws mounted in screw insertion holes of the lamp body are turned; and a portion of each of the aiming screws which is installed in and supported by the screw insertion hole is made of plastic, and annular elastic waterproofing ribs are formed on the plastic portion of the aiming screw so as to be brought into a sliding contact with the inner surface of the screw insertion hole, thus securing a waterproofing capability for the vehicle headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Takashi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6315439
    Abstract: A headlamp adjustor which includes an adjustor output shaft that is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The adjustor output shaft extends from a housing, and a worm gear generally in the housing is spur gearably engaged with the adjustor output shaft. Drive structure is engaged with the worm gear such that actuation of the drive structure causes at least a portion of the drive structure to thread into at least a portion of the worm gear, thereby causing the adjustor output shaft to translate relative to the housing and adjust the position of the headlamp reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Elco Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Denley
  • Patent number: 6290379
    Abstract: An aiming mechanism of a headlamp for an automobile, comprises: a lamp housing which is mounted on a vehicle body; a headlamp unit supported tiltably about a tilting fulcrum provided in front of the lamp housing; a hollow cylindrical nut member supported rotatably about an axis by a bearing provided in the lamp housing; and an aiming screw which is threadedly engaged with the nut member, extends forward, is prevented from rotating with respect to the headlamp unit, and is adapted to advance and retract in an axial direction to tilt the headlamp unit connected to a forward end thereof as the nut member is rotated, wherein a crown-shaped gear capable of meshing with teeth of a screwdriver disposed in a direction perpendicular to the aiming screw is formed integrally on the nut member, and at least two screwdriver guides for guiding the screwdriver are provided in vicinities of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Iwasaki, Masataka Chouji
  • Patent number: 6290373
    Abstract: A light fixture which is adapted to accommodate either tungsten filament and gas discharge light bulbs in an adjustable carriage to permit an operator to adjust the focus of the light and to switch bulbs to illuminate a scene, such as the scene of a motion picture film, with different lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Dwight Crane Rentals Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Dwight, David Dwight
  • Patent number: 6257747
    Abstract: A headlamp adjuster includes a gear housing having a neck through which an input shaft extends in an interference fit. The interference fit provides a resistance to rotation of the input shaft. A drive gear is disposed within the gear housing and is connected to the input shaft such that rotation of the input shaft causes rotation of the drive gear. An adjustment gear is disposed within the gear housing such that it intermeshes with the drive gear. The adjustment gear has a bore therethrough that is at least partially threaded. An adjustment shaft is threaded through the bore through the adjustment gear. The adjustment shaft may include a force-limiting feature to prevent over-adjustment of the adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6152571
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable lamp which can be fitted into a wall such as the, wall of a swimming pool or other water tank the bulb of the lamp can be positioned so that it is parallel to the horizontal, or have with a downward slant, typically between about 3.degree. to about 8.degree.. The lamp can include an elbow duct for receiving electric cables to the lamp. The lamp can be directed in at least eight different angles relative to the point on the wall where these cables reach the lamp by positioning its lighting axis so that it is parallel to the horizontal, or with a downward slant, while the elbow duct for electric cables to the lamp, can be directed in eight different angles, towards the point on the wall where these cables reach the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Sacopa, S.A.
    Inventor: Robert Garrigos Ruiz
  • Patent number: 6132073
    Abstract: A headlamp comprises an aiming adjustment device having an adjusting element for allowing the aiming adjustment, and an adjustment prevention mechanism for preventing any aiming adjustment by unauthorized workers. The adjustment prevention mechanism comprises an external rib which, having a tool insertion hole, forms part of a headlamp assembly and surrounds the adjusting element, and a cover member of which external wall fits to an internal wall of the external rib. Installation of the adjustment prevention mechanism is possible by means of a simple operation, namely, just by pushing the cover member into the external rib. The cover member is formed similarly to a cap so that the cover member covers all openings on the external rib. In addition, the cover member is provided with a fitting means to the adjusting element or the external rib, making it impossible to remove the cover member after it is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Akiyama, Masaki Takase, Toshikazu Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6082882
    Abstract: An adjustment prevention mechanism includes a fixing member provided to a part of a headlamp, and a moving member which is movable to an adjustment position and a shipping position relative to the fixing member and covers the adjusting member. The fixing member includes a tool guide, a moving member guide and a stopper. The moving member has a tool insertion hole which permits a tool to reach the adjusting element in accordance with the tool guide in the fixing member when the moving member is in the adjustment position, and prevents the tool from reaching the adjusting element when the moving member is in the shipping position. This adjustment prevention mechanism is attachable to the headlamp prior to mount the headlamp on an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Akiyama, Masaki Takase, Toshikazu Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6050712
    Abstract: Each horizontal adjuster mechanism used in connection with low beam headlamps must be either non-readjustable after the initial adjustment or equipped with a non-recalibratable vehicle headlamp aiming device (VHAD) which is set to zero when the vehicle leaves the factory. Vehicle manufacturers must either aim the lamps and provide a non-recalibratable VHAD which is properly zeroed or aim the lamps and provide a mechanism to prevent future readjustment. A headlamp adjuster may be rendered non-readjustable after the headlamp has been aimed by snapping down a snap-socket, placing a covering cap over the drive shaft, closing a one-way lid on a drive shaft cover, or by otherwise preventing rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6042254
    Abstract: Each horizontal ad juster mechanism used in connection with low beam headlamps must be either non-readjustable after the initial adjustment or equipped with a non-recalibratable vehicle headlamp aiming device (VHAD) which is zeroed when the vehicle leaves the factory. Vehicle manufacturers must either aim the lamps and provide a non-recalibratable VHAD which is properly zeroed or aim the lamps and provide a mechanism to prevent future readjustment. A headlamp adjuster is provided with a non-recalibratable VHAD dial which zeroed after the lamp has been properly aimed and which indicates any subsequent adjustments to the aim of the headlamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6017137
    Abstract: An automobile headlamp is equipped with a lamp body that can deal with different aiming specifications. An automobile headlamp such that a light source unit in a lamp body is made tiltable vertically and horizontally by an aiming mechanism, and rotatable portions of a vertical and a horizontal aiming screw as members of the aiming mechanism, are provided outside the lamp body, so that these rotatable portions are turned to adjust the light source unit by tilting the light source vertically and horizontally. A cap can be fitted to the rotatable portion of at least the horizontal adjustable aiming screw in order to cover the rotatable portion thereof where horizontal aiming is unnecessary according to specifications applicable to the headlamp. Thus, horizontal aiming is made ineffective by not allowing a rotatable tool to engage with the rotatable portion of the horizontal aiming screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Suehiro, Masahiro Kusagaya, Katutada Shirai
  • Patent number: 6017136
    Abstract: An adjusting apparatus for the reflector in an automotive lamp assembly has a screw, a mounting clip for mounting the adjusting apparatus to the reflector, and a retainer clip for positioning the adjusting apparatus such that it can properly adjust the reflector. The adjusting apparatus can be installed as a unitary piece through the lens, or through the support from of the automotive lamp assembly. The adjusting apparatus reduces the labor required to assemble the automotive lamp assembly and the number of parts the assembler must keep in inventory. Thus, the overall cost to produce a completed automotive lamp assembly is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 5951157
    Abstract: In an automobile headlamp, a light source unit in a lamp body is inclined vertically and horizontally with an aiming mechanism, the rotating operation sections of a vertical aiming screw and a horizontal aiming screw which form the aiming mechanism are provided outside of the lamp body, and the rotating operation sections are turned to incline the light source unit vertically and horizontally. In the automobile headlamp, a protruding wall is extended at least at the horizontal aiming screw in such a manner as to surround the rotating operation section of the horizontal aiming screw, and a part of the protruding wall extending end portion is integrated through a thin hinge with a lid, namely, a tongue-shaped plate in such a manner that the latter is extended in the same direction as the protruding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Yoshio Suehiro
  • Patent number: 5904417
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a discharge arc lamp illumination source, an elliptical reflector completely surrounding the illumination source for collecting and projecting light from the illumination source, a shutter for dimming the amount of light generated by the illumination source and emanating from the lighting apparatus. The shutter is mechanically operable to defined an optical passageway therethrough of variable cross sectional area. The shutter includes a plurality of shutter blades mounted in a movable relationship relative to each other in response to user input. The shutter blades is movable to define the optical passageway of variable cross sectional area to dim the amount of light from the illumination source passing therethrough over the range of from about 0 to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Buhl Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Hewett
  • Patent number: 5863107
    Abstract: A headlight for vehicles includes a headlight insert with a reflector and a light source inserted in the reflector, a holder mountable on a vehicle part and supporting the headlight insert so that the headlight insert is turnable about a horizontal axis relative to the holder for orientation of a light bundle emitted from the headlight insert, an adjusting screw cooperating with an adjusting element and actuatable to turn the headlight insert about the horizontal axis and a releasable mounting element for mounting the headlight insert at least directly on the holder. The adjusting screw being held on the holder rotatably and axially non-displaceably and the adjusting element being held on the holder axially displaceably and non-rotatably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Dobler, Jan Fischer
  • Patent number: 5853261
    Abstract: A lock assembly, for securing an adjusting screw engaging with a frame of a car to a car light optical block to lock the optical block to the frame of the car, including a female member connected to the optical block having at least one aperture formed therein and a male member having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is insertable in the aperture of the female member and includes a locking mechanism for locking the male member to the female member. The second portion includes a receiving mechanism for receiving an end of the adjusting screw. A second locking mechanism is provided for locking the adjusting screw in the receiving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Cibie Do Brasil Ltda.
    Inventor: Alain Keruzore
  • Patent number: 5842768
    Abstract: An oscillating signal light mechanism is comprised of at least one signal light assembly mounted on a base for rotation of the light assembly relative to the base, a source of motive power including an output shaft selectively rotated in opposite directions of rotation, and a mechanism mechanically connecting the output shaft to the signal light assembly for converting the rotation of the output shaft in opposite directions of rotation to cycling movements of the signal light assembly through two different arc segment oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: The Fire Products Company
    Inventor: W. Kenneth Menke
  • Patent number: 5800048
    Abstract: A lighting fixture for control of a concentrated high intensity light beam to a relatively distant target location. A reflector end high intensity light source are enclosed within a housing. The light source is moveable with respect to the reflector. The reflector has first and second portions which are moveable with respect to each other. The movement between portions of the reflector and the movement of the light source relative to the reflector allow a variety of different beam configurations and orientations from the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventor: Myron K. Gordin
  • Patent number: 5779343
    Abstract: A headlight adjuster for adjusting the aim of a headlight. The adjuster provides relatively fine incremental control of headlight motion in response to relatively coarse adjustment of a drive shaft. This functionality is achieved by use of a link having two gear driven sections. A first helical section engages a drive gear which serves as the mechanical input. A second threaded section of relatively fine thread engages a nut fixed in the adjuster housing. The link is carried in a linear bearing which allows free rotation of the link in accordance with the mechanical input. The degree of translation, however, is controlled by the pitch of the thread engaging the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Elco Industries
    Inventor: Ronald S. Denley
  • Patent number: 5775795
    Abstract: A vehicular headlight position adjusting assembly (100) is provided that has angularly oriented drive and driven gears (4) and (8) that upon rotation in opposite directions cause an elongate adjusting member (14) to traverse in opposite axial directions through a housing (7) where adjusting member (14) is prevented from rotating by cooperation between the side walls of at least one open-ended axial extending groove (26) adapted to receive at least one protrusion (34) that extends radially inwardly from the periphery of an opening (30) in housing (7) through which adjusting member (14) extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Christian, Thomas Franz
  • Patent number: 5758943
    Abstract: The headlamp is structured such that a reflector 4 is supported within a lamp body 2 so as to be inclinable with respect to the lamp body 2 and, by rotatively operating an aiming screw 20 which extends through and forwardly of the lamp body 2 and is supported rotatable in the extend-through portion thereof, the reflector 4 is inclined right and left with respect to the lamp body 2 by an amount equivalent to the amount of rotation of the aiming screw 20 to thereby be able to adjusted the right and left illumination angle of the headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Hironori Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 5741059
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp having a structure for supporting an aiming screw which includes an aiming screw constituted by a threaded part, a ball part integrally formed at a front end of the threaded part and a slide shaft part, which is not circular in cross section, formed at a rear end of the threaded part, a gear shaft rotatably supported by a lamp housing having a gear part and a threaded hole into which the threaded part of the aiming screw engages threadably, and a fastener member having a slide hole, which is not circular in cross section, and a fixing part for fixing the gear shaft to the lamp housing. The slide shaft part of the aiming screw slidably engages the slide hole of the fastener member, and the fastener member is prevented from rotating with respect to the lamp housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kusagaya
  • Patent number: 5709452
    Abstract: The headlamp has a headlamp insert (10), which is mounted pivotably at its front marginal region (22) in a portion (26) of a receiving fixture (12) and which is acted upon, at a distance from its bearing point, by an adjusting device. The receiving fixture portion (26) surrounds the headlamp insert (10) on its periphery and between the headlamp insert (10) and the receiving fixture portion (26) there is clamped an elastically deformable element (29) in the form of a ring. By means of the ring (29), the headlamp insert (10) is mounted pivotably without play in the receiving fixture portion (26). Changes in distance which, upon a swivel motion of the headlamp insert (10), arise between this and the receiving fixture portion (26) are counterbalanced by the ring (29) and this ring, together with the receiving fixture portion (26), constitutes a very simple mounting for the headlamp insert (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Bertling, Hans Daumueller, Karl-Otto Dobler, Juergen Mueller, Lothar Streit, Albert Vent
  • Patent number: 5707134
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp including a reflector, a member for tiltably supporting the reflector, and an aiming screw for driving the reflector to tilt by rotating. The aiming screw serves as a shaft member linking to the reflector supporting member by a so-called rotation pair, while linking to the reflector by a so-called screw pair. The reflector is formed with an aiming screw stopper which comes into abutment against a tip end part of the aiming screw when the reflector tilts up to a predetermined angle position thereby to inhibit the reflector to tilt beyond the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5707133
    Abstract: An adjuster mechanism having an aiming device carried on the shaft of the ball stud. The adjuster mechanism includes a gear housing having a track for guiding the aiming device and an indicator for reading the position of the aiming device. The adjuster mechanism also includes a gland for sealing the headlamp housing. The gland is fitted over the shaft of the ball stud and is squeezed between the headlamp housing sealing bore and the ball stud shaft. The bearing surfaces of the gear housing and sealing bore are slanted to automatically center the ball stud. The adjuster mechanism further includes an anti-rotation insert seated within a cover. The insert engages a groove in the shaft of the ball stud to prevent rotation of the ball stud within the gear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Burton Technologies
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 5697691
    Abstract: An oscillating signal light mechanism is comprised of at least one signal light assembly mounted on a base for rotation of the light assembly relative to the base, a source of motive power including an output shaft selectively rotated in opposite directions of rotation, and a mechanism mechanically connecting the output shaft to the signal light assembly for converting the rotation of the output shaft in opposite directions of rotation to cycling movements of the signal light assembly through two different arc segment oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: The Fire Products Company
    Inventor: W. Kenneth Menke
  • Patent number: 5678915
    Abstract: A reflector with an electric lighting bulb mounted thereto is coupled to a lamp body via a ball-and-socket connection and a vertical and a horizontal aiming screw. Each aiming screw comprises a threaded shank engaged with a nut on the back of the reflector, a journal joined to the threaded shank and rotatably received in a bearing sleeve formed on the lamp body, and a head portion joined to the journal and projecting rearwardly from the bearing sleeve. The aiming screw is formed to include two collars for engaging the bearing sleeve therebetween and so the aiming screw is restrained from axial displacement relative to the sleeve. The diameters of the various parts of the aiming screw and of the bearing sleeve are so determined in relation to one another that, in the assemblage of the headlamp, the aiming screw can be inserted, with its head portion foremost, into and through the bearing sleeve from inside the lamp body, either before or after coupling the aiming screw to the reflector via the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Yoshio Suehiro, Hironori Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 5673992
    Abstract: A novel sealing device is used to seal an adjustor mechanism which is used to adjust the position of a movable headlamp component housed within a sealed stationary component in a headlamp arrangement. The stationary component has an opening through a rear wall for insertion of the adjustor mechanism therethrough. The adjustor mechanism includes a housing connected to the stationary component and an adjusting screw member. A shank of the adjusting screw member extends from the housing and extends through the opening in the stationary component wall and into the interior of the stationary component. The novel sealing device of the present invention includes a flexible, elastomeric shroud member having a body portion; a forward sealing structure for sealedly attaching the body portion to the shank of the adjusting screw member; and a rearward sealing structure for sealedly attaching the body portion to the opening in the stationary component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Karl R. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5673993
    Abstract: A cylindrical member is formed integrally on a lamp housing and enclosing a threaded portion formed on the rear end of an aiming screw. First and second sliding members are disposed coaxially inside the cylindrical member around the threaded portion of the aiming screw. The first sliding member is slidable from first to second position in relation to the second sliding member. In the first or second position, the first and second sliding members are blocked from sliding relative to each other. The second sliding member has formed thereon an elastic flap having a stopper which is to be engaged in the cylindrical member when the first sliding member takes the first position. When the first sliding member is in the second position, the stopper is disengaged from the cylindrical member. Further, the second sliding member has formed thereon teeth which are engaged with the threaded portion upon disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Fukui
  • Patent number: 5664865
    Abstract: An oscillating signal light mechanism producing substantially constant angular velocity oscillation cycles of a single light is comprised of at least one signal light assembly mounted on a base for rotation of the light assembly relative to the base, a source of motive power including an output shaft rotated at a constant velocity in a single direction of rotation, and a mechanism mechanically connecting the output shaft to the signal light assembly for converting the constant velocity single direction rotation of the output shaft to cycling movements of the signal light assembly through arc segment oscillations at substantially constant angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: The Fire Products Company
    Inventor: W. Kenneth Menke
  • Patent number: 5660455
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp having a tilt measuring device for measuring an amount of horizontal tilt of a reflector is mounted between an aiming screw and a guide member extending parallel to the aiming screw. The aiming screw is supported by a lamp body. By turning (or moving back and forth) the aiming screw, the reflector is tilted in the horizontal direction. The tilt measuring device includes a slide member loosely coupled to the aiming screw and slidable along a guide member, a screw holding member functioning such that when the screw holding member grasps the aiming screw in proximity to the slide member, the sliding motion of the slide member is associated with the rotation (or the back and forth movement) of the aiming screw, and when the screw holding member is retracted to the side of the aiming screw, the coupling of the slide member with the aiming screw is released, a cursor provided on the slide member, and a scale provided on the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Tsukamoto, Katutada Shirai
  • Patent number: 5647659
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp including a lamp body, a reflector accommodated in the lamp body and tiltably supported with respect to the lamp body by an aiming mechanism, and an aiming screw which constitutes a part of the aiming mechanism and extends in a front-rear direction of the lamp body. The rear end part of the aiming screw penetrates the rear wall of the lamp body and protrudes rearward from the lamp body. An orthogonal conversion gear mechanism engaging a rear end part of the aiming screw and has a rotational operating shaft linked with the aiming screw for causing the same to rotate. The rotational operating shaft is provided on an upper end thereof with a concave engaging part engageable with the tip of a driver tool. An expanding member protruding from the rear wall of the lamp body covers the orthogonal conversion gear mechanism like a visor. The expanding member also serves as a driver guide for guiding the tip end of the driver to a concave engaging part of the rotational operating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideshi Mori
  • Patent number: 5622421
    Abstract: A headlamp aim adjuster is provided including a housing generally secured to a fixed portion of a vehicle and an aim pointer fixed to the housing. The headlamp aim adjuster further has a driven rod mounted by the housing and extendable therefrom to set a distance between the fixed portion of the vehicle and a lamp unit, a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the housing wherein rotation of the drive shaft determines the extension of the rod from the housing, and a position indicator being spring biased to a first position for adjustable movement relative to the housing. The position indicator has a zero ("0") marking so that upon establishing the desired aim position of the lamp unit by rotating the drive shaft, the position indicator is located with the zero ("0") marking in line with the aim pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Turley, Jr., David R. Mc Mahan, William W. Froehner
  • Patent number: 5607220
    Abstract: A headlight has a housing and a reflector arranged in the housing adjustably by an adjusting screw. An indicating device controls the setting of the reflector and has a movable indicating part which follows turning of the adjusting screw and a substantially stationary indicating part arranged outside of the housing. The substantially stationary indicating part is arranged on a guide so that it is difficult to displace. In other words, the substantially stationary indicating part can be displaced to assume a base setting and in its set position is fixed. However, during travels of the vehicle, it no longer displaces on the guide under the action of vibrations and other influences. The ability of the substantially stationary indicating part to be difficult to displace can be provided for example by arranging of the substantially stationary indicating part on the guide with a slight press fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Weihing, Georg Ebinger, Ulrike Hartick, Horst Runtschke, Eberhard Baur
  • Patent number: 5584569
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser module including a barrel screwed up with a screw cap and a semiconductor laser beam generating device mounted inside the barrel and triggered to emit a laser beam out of a laser beam firing hole on the screw cap, wherein the semiconductor laser beam generating device has two opposite pairs of planes spaced equiangularly spaced around the periphery and respectively stopped against; the barrel has springs mounted in respective locating holes and respectively stopped against two adjacent planes on the semiconductor laser beam generating device and two adjustment screws mounted in respective screw holes and respectively stopped against the other two adjacent planes of the semiconductor laser beam generating device and turned to align the longitudinal central axis of the position of the semiconductor laser beam generating device with that of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Quarton, Inc.
    Inventor: Chaochi Huang
  • Patent number: 5580150
    Abstract: The headlamp has a headlamp insert (10), which is mounted pivotably at its front marginal region (22) in a receiving fixture (12). A part (50) of the receiving fixture (12) has an opening (52) through which there is placed from above an adjusting screw (54), which is supported by its head (55) against the top side of the receiving fixture part (50), which is screwed into a threaded bore (43) in the headlamp insert (10) and onto which there is screwed, between the headlamp insert (10) and the receiving fixture part (50), a female part (57). The female part (57) enables the adjusting screw (54) and hence the headlamp insert (10) to be fixed to the receiving fixture part (50) and, once the female part (57) is loosened, the adjusting screw (54) can be twisted in order to adjust the alignment of the optical axis (28) of the headlamp insert (10) in a vertical longitudinal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Bertling, Hans Daumueller, Karl- Otto Dobler, Juergen Mueller, Lothar Streit, Albert Vent
  • Patent number: 5580149
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp including a gear apparatus having a cylindrical gear shaft supporting wall extending from an opening edge of a shaft insertion hole formed in a supporting wall of a lamp housing, the gear shaft supporting wall being formed on an edge surface thereof with slits or protrusions, a gear shaft having a gear part which is provided at a surface thereof facing the edge surface of the gear shaft supporting wall with projections or slits which engage with the slits or projections of the gear shaft supporting wall, the gear shaft further including an engagement groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of a portion in the vicinity of the other end thereof, and a fastener engaging with the engagement groove for holding the gear shaft in position when it is inserted into the gear shaft supporting wall and the shaft insertion hole. The fastener is provided with resilient pieces extending outward from an outer peripheral edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kusagaya
  • Patent number: 5573326
    Abstract: An optical axis adjusting device of a vehicle lamp is provided which comprises a reflector tiltably fixed to a lamp housing by a joint member; an aiming screw, turnably laid between the lamp housing and the reflector, for tilting the reflector; a drive gear fastened to an end of the aiming screw; a racing gear facing the drive gear and mounted on the aiming screw so as to rotate relatively with the aiming screw; toothed parts formed in respective surfaces of the drive and racing gears facing each other; and a guide, formed on the housing, for guiding a tool to be engaged with the toothed parts. When the tool is turned, the aiming screw is turned simultaneously with the rotation of the drive gear. The racing gear rotates in a direction opposite to that of the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Iijima
  • Patent number: 5546283
    Abstract: In vehicular headlamp an adjusting shaft is provided in a lamp housing for adjusting the irradiating angle of the headlamp. The adjusting shaft is threadedly joined to a nut formed with a threaded hole and a notch which opens the threaded hole into a side surface. The threaded shaft portion of the adjusting shaft is engaged with the threaded hole through the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ohtsuka, Katutada Shirai, Ken Matsuoka, Yoshio Suehiro, Hideki Ohashi