Retractable Headlight Patents (Class 362/527)
  • Patent number: 9387793
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle lamp. Three lamp units are arranged such that an optical axis of each lamp unit is oriented in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body. A base of a front lamp unit is fixed to the vehicle body, and bases of a middle lamp unit and a rear lamp unit are provided to be movable in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body. A housing of each of the middle and rear lamp units is suspended on an output shaft of an actuator by an arm. The actuator pivots the output shaft around a horizontal axis and swings the arm around an axis in which is parallel with the optical axes of the middle and rear lamp units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Takii
  • Patent number: 8757851
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a telescoping mast with a stern navigation light source, a first rear facing illumination source, a second rear facing illumination source, a front-facing inboard light source stationed between the first and second light sources, a weather receiver which receives location-based weather information, and a geo-location receiver in communication with the weather receiver. The mast automatically telescopes and retracts, and the stern navigation light source automatically turns on and off, based at least in part on the information. The illumination device can be provided in an outboard marine motor, or as a system for retrofitting existing outboard marine motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Edward Clemons
  • Patent number: 8496365
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which includes a housing, first and second light sources located in the housing, and an articulating lighting device. The articulating lighting device is located within the housing and moves between a use position in front of another light source to provide light and a retracted position. Accordingly, light assembly housing is effectively used to provide a secondary light source, such as a daylight running lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sarbjit Singh, Edward R. Golden
  • Patent number: 8475022
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided which includes a housing, first and second light sources located in the housing, and an articulating reflector. The articulating reflector is located within the housing and moves between a use position in front of the first light source to reflect light from the second light source and a retracted position. Accordingly, light assembly housing is effectively used to provide a secondary light source, such as a daylight running lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sarbjit Singh, Edward R. Golden
  • Patent number: 7866864
    Abstract: A guiding structure includes a base and a guiding unit. The base has an opening, and an inner wall of the base, facing the opening, is formed with at least one first guiding element and at least one first restricting element disposed adjacent to the first guiding element. The guiding unit is inserted into the opening and has at least one second guiding element and at least one second restricting element. The second guiding element is correspondingly coupled to or separated from the first restricting element by deforming, bending, rotating or displacing. The first guiding element is disposed corresponding to the second guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Chu Hsu, Chun-Hua Yang, Chia-Ying Hsu
  • Patent number: 7775695
    Abstract: A multi-functional vehicle lighting assembly includes a controller, an housing, a plurality of light-emitting sources, a mechanism for selectively pivoting the light-emitting sources, and a mechanism for selectively swiveling the light-emitting sources along clockwise and counter clockwise directions when the light-emitting sources are adapted to the vertical position. The swiveling mechanism further includes a ball and socket coupling and a support beam with axially opposed proximal and distal ends directly coupled to the second beveled gear and one of the light-emitting sources respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Lance Rose
  • Patent number: 7264387
    Abstract: A reduced depth headlamp assembly for use in a motor vehicle. The housing includes an exterior lens, and a mirror, and defines a housing axis extending between the exterior lens and the mirror. The projector includes a light source, a reflector, and a condenser lens co-axially arranged along a projector axis defined between the light source and the condenser lens. The projector is mounted to the housing such that the projector axis and the housing axis form an angle, preferably a ninety (90) degree angle, thereby minimizing the depth of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn McCarter, Arun Kumar, Todd D. Irgang
  • Patent number: 7252419
    Abstract: An adjustable motorcycle headlight with multiple degrees of freedom enables the rider to aim the light where it is needed, as well as facilitating the factory assembly process by enabling fine adjustment after the headlight is mounted. The motorcycle headlight is attached to the frame via a ball and socket structure cooperatively coupled to at least one positioning arm provided in tandem with the ball and socket structure for accommodating and stabilizing the movement of the ball and socket joint and locking same in position. The positioning arm includes a series of straight segments rotatably attached to one another via adjusters which can be loosened to enable adjustment, and tightened to affix the positioning arm into place. The combination of the ball and socket joint with a pair of positioning arms also provides a stable, robust three-point attachment mount for the headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jesse G. James
  • Patent number: 7204336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight which comprises, on the one hand, an impact member displaceable between a position of use and a deployed position in which it may come into contact with an obstacle in the event of an impact of the latter with the headlight, and, on the other hand, a safety device able to cause the displacement of the impact member from its position of use to its deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Philippe Arlon, Laurence Marechal, Pascal Harand, Francois Boumaza
  • Patent number: 7021806
    Abstract: An illuminated display includes a light source positioned within an optical chamber defined by a first optical element having a first reflective surface with an image thereon. A second optical element is positioned within the chamber and is spaced from the first optical element to define a gap therebetween, through which gap the image is visible. The second optical element has a second reflective surface thereon for reflecting light from the light source onto the image. A third reflective surface is positioned on the first optical element and also reflects light from the light source to the second reflective surface from which light is directed to the image on the first optical element and out through the gap. In this way the efficiencies of the illuminated display are enhanced. The illuminated display is used in combination with an automotive vehicle to display branding information and logos.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jay H. Ovenshire
  • Patent number: 6843589
    Abstract: A low profile lighting system for military or other heavy equipment vehicles that includes a high intensity discharge (HID) headlight, and light emitting diode (LED) turn signals and running light. A microprocessor controller is included to interface to the vehicle lighting control system. An electromechanical actuator lifts and holds the light unit in place. The light unit is mounted on a hidden hinge in an armored and signature managed housing. The unique hinge design allows for electromechanical actuation of the lights from a micro-controller. The special hinge enables the external surfaces of the vehicle to be generally planar, and thereby ready to accept further signature management treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: United Defense LP
    Inventors: Jaspal Singh Dhillon, Valent Horvatich, James Robert Turner, Marco Albert Middione
  • Publication number: 20020181244
    Abstract: A headlamp system for a motor vehicle for providing increased visibility to a driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is in a moisture-laden atmosphere. The system includes at least one headlamp adapted to produce a beam of illuminating light and a shield mounted for placement adjacent to said at least one headlamp. The headlamp is selectively movable between a first position in which it is recessed into the body of the vehicle and a second position in which it projects in front of the body of the vehicle to permit the shield to deflect at least a portion of the beam of illuminating light emitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: John T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 6126304
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp capable of ensuring adequate adhesiveness between the lamp body and the lens and airtightness in a lamp space as well as attractive appearance when a lamp is turned on, and reducing the non-radiating portion of the lens as much as possible. The vehicular lamp comprises a mounting means 17 provided on the extended section 15 of the lens 3 formed along the peripheral edge of the lens such that the projection 18 extending toward the center of the lens and an insert 19 contiguous to the projection are substantially L-shaped in cross section, and the mounting means 10 of the lamp body 2 corresponding to the extended section of the lens comprises the mounting groove 11, which is substantially C-shaped in cross section and into which the insert on the lens is adapted to be inserted, and a portion 12 contiguous to an open edge of the mounting groove and facing the projection on the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Gotoh, Tamaaki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6067012
    Abstract: This apparatus conceals an emergency warning device, which may be in the form of an array of laterally spaced lights and/or sirens, mounted on an emergency vehicle below a vertically movable roof section in an opening formed in the roof of the emergency vehicle. In a first lowered position, the lights are concealed below the roof line of the vehicle. A power source, such as an electric motor, can be selectively activated to raise the roof section above the roof line of the vehicle so that the lights attached thereto are also raised above the roof line and pivoted into a second operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Phil Harding
  • Patent number: 6033099
    Abstract: An add-on flip-up headlight winking system which controls the flip-up headlights of the vehicle to give the appearance that a headlight has winked. Moreover, the add-on flip-up headlight winking system may be provided with a optional headlight flasher module which causes the headlights to flash during the winking mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Philip Kulis