Screw Actuator Patents (Class 362/273)
  • Patent number: 11167686
    Abstract: A device including at least one optical module for emission of a light beam which is mounted on a support arranged on a frame orthogonal to the axis of emission and is mounted in adjustable manner on the frame by means of a sighting mechanism which includes at least two parallel threaded rods carried by the support. Each module extends an associated hole in the frame and carries a spherical nut having an active clamping spherical face which cooperates with a complementary bearing surface formed of the frame. The two threaded rods include one reference threaded rod carrying a nut whose active face cooperates with a complementary spherical reference bearing surface of truncated spherical profile, and at least one adjustment threaded rod which carries a nut whose active face cooperates with a complementary cylindrical adjustment bearing surface of truncated cylindrical profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Cyril Dubuc, Pascal Garin
  • Patent number: 11142119
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly installation method includes, among other things, coupling an outer panel of a vehicle to a body structure of the vehicle, biasing a lighting assembly outward away from the body structure toward the outer panel, and securing the lighting assembly to the body structure during the biasing. A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a body structure of a vehicle, an outer panel secured to the body structure, a lighting assembly secured to the body structure, and a biasing member that biases the lighting assembly outward away from the body structure toward the outer panel when securing the lighting assembly to the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Nicholas Aquilina, Nicholas Bernard Douglas, Michael Bryan VanBelle
  • Patent number: 11084903
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aromatic polycarbonate resin having high fluidity and thin-wall moldability as well as excellent transparency, impact strength, and bending resistance; a polycarbonate resin composition containing it; and a method for producing a molded article by injection molding thereof. This object is achieved by an aromatic polycarbonate resin containing a carbonate structural unit (A) represented by Formula (1) and a carbonate structural unit (B) represented by Formula (2), which aromatic polycarbonate resin satisfies the following: (i) the flow value (Q value) as measured using a Koka flow tester according to Appendix C of JIS (1999) K7210 at 240° C. at 160 kgf/cm2 is not less than 6 (unit: 10?2 cm3/sec.); and (ii) the glass transition temperature (Tg) is 90 to 145° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Monden
  • Patent number: 10940789
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for the mechanical adjustment of the beam range of at least one light unit of a headlight for a vehicle, comprising a main adjustment shaft, wherein the main adjustment shaft is rotatable arranged at a housing of the headlight and wherein the main adjustment shaft comprises or is coupled with a screw member, by means of which a rotary motion of the shaft can be caused in a shaft axis in order to adjust the beam range of the at least one light unit. According to the invention the main adjustment shaft comprises an engagement component, which is configured to engage with a counter engagement geometry when tilting the main adjustment shaft about a tilting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Michael Duerkopp, Michael Eusterbrock
  • Patent number: 10926691
    Abstract: An aiming apparatus for horizontal aim adjustment of a lighting device of a motor vehicle that uses an adjuster that could be broken at a neck recess portion after the horizontal aim is adjusted, thereby reducing the likelihood of any inadvertent change of the horizontal aim without the need for an additional part to cover a head portion of the adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Amadeus Alfredo Ortega, Julien Hemon
  • Patent number: 10543774
    Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting a position of at least one light module in a housing of a headlight, with a rotary member for at least indirectly transmitting a rotary motion to the at least one light module, wherein the rotary member at least at one point is guided through an opening in the housing and wherein for sealing the housing against the rotary member, an elastic sealing member is provided against an annular surface bordering the opening, which bears against the housing. To reduce the friction between the sealing member and the annular surface, the sealing member comprises a non-elastic annular element which is provided for abutment against the annular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGAA
    Inventor: Helmut Jakobsmeyer
  • Patent number: 10518697
    Abstract: An adjuster mechanism includes a housing having a neck and an adjustment shaft extending from the housing. The adjustment shaft is engageable in a reflector of a headlamp. An input shaft extends through the neck of the housing and rotation thereof causes movement of the adjustment shaft. At least one lobe is situated on the input shaft so as to create a non-circular interference fit that establishes a resistance to rotation of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 10457198
    Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosure, the system comprises a frame mounted in sealed relation to a surface. The frame includes movable engagement features and surfaces that mate with an accessory body. A gasket positioned between the frame and a mounting surface seals the space between the frame and the mounting surface from surrounding external elements. The frame may be fastened to the mounting surface with tool-free rivet fasteners, or more conventional threaded fasteners. The assembled accessory body and bezel fit over the frame and the movable engagement features of the frame mate with complementary structures on the accessory body to fix the accessory body to the frame. Openings in the accessory body allow a threaded fastener to secure the movable engagement feature of the frame in the mated position, preventing unintentional disengagement of the accessory body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: 10351046
    Abstract: A lamp adjuster is provided that includes a housing having a first adjustment point and a nose, a gear having an extended cylindrical portion, an output shaft disposed longitudinally within the housing, the output shaft having a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion, a first channel and a first retraction stop. The adjuster further including a first housing tang extending from the nose, the first retraction stop engageable with the first housing tang to prevent further retraction of the output shaft, and wherein the first threaded portion has a major thread diameter greater than a major thread diameter of the second threaded portion, and the first and second threaded portions functionally engage the threaded interior of the extended cylindrical portion, and a clutching slot provided at the first threaded portion to allow for selective disengagement of the first threaded portion from the partially threaded interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Fladhammer
  • Patent number: 10300838
    Abstract: A device for micro-adjustment of a lighting module has a first end including a thread to be driven into a surface of the lighting module. A second end of the device includes a micro-adjustment thread for attachment of a nut. A flange is positioned between the thread of the first end and the micro-adjustment adjustment thread of the second end. The device also includes a driving feature positioned between the flange and the micro-adjustment adjustment thread. The driving feature has an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kayla Greene, Gavin Warner, Mark Madden, Mark Singleton, Brad Baker
  • Patent number: 10227037
    Abstract: A lamp device for a vehicle includes a lamp housing and a light-emitting unit disposed therein. The light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting surface adjustable in at least one of a shape, an intensity of illumination, or a color of illumination. The lamp device further includes a bracket that supports the light-emitting unit to be mounted in the lamp housing, and that is configured to change the shape of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit. The lamp device further includes a driving unit configured to apply a driving force to the bracket that changes the shape of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit. The lamp device is configured to at least partially change, based on a plurality of lighting modes, at least one of the shape of the light-emitting surface, the intensity of illumination emitted from the light-emitting surface, or the color of illumination emitted from the light-emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taeyoung Na, Ana Kim
  • Patent number: 9134016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a luminaire having a base assembly and a lighting assembly. The luminaire further includes an adjustment arm having a first portion pivotally connecting to a first one of the assemblies. The adjustment arm has a second portion pivotally connecting to and being moveable relative to a second one of the assemblies along a defined path. The adjustment arm has an elongate opening positioned between the first and second portions. The luminaire includes an adjustment member adjustably connected to and selectively moveable from a first position adjacent to the first one of the assemblies to a second position spaced-apart from the first one of the assemblies. The adjustment member operatively connects to and engages with the adjustment arm via the elongate opening of the adjustment arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: DASAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Norm David, Russ Jensen, He (Henry) Zhang
  • Patent number: 8662709
    Abstract: An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the achromatic doublet lens, the singlet lens, or both the singlet and the doublet lens have a planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Byung J. Chang
  • Patent number: 8596825
    Abstract: A solid state light having a solid state light source such as LEDs, and optical guide, and a thermal guide. The optical guide is coupled to the light source for receiving and distributing light from the light source, and the thermal guide is integrated with the optical guide for providing thermal conduction from the solid state light source and dissipating heat through convection for cooling the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. Johnston, Michael A. Meis, Martin Kristoffersen, Brian W. Lueck, Katie B. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8511859
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for a laser or reflector may consist of a gross adjustment mechanism and a fine adjustment mechanism. The gross adjustment mechanism may enable a laser or reflector to be oriented in an approximate orientation and locked in place. The fine adjustment mechanism may enable a fine and precise adjustment to be applied. The mounting mechanisms may include a mounting plate that may mount to the surface of a wall and protect the rest of the mounting mechanism from disruption, but may also allow the fine adjustment mechanism to be tuned. The mounting mechanisms may be used to create a durable yet easily adjustable laser maze amusement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Theodore Bruce Ziemkowski, Patrick Gene Bashor
  • Patent number: 8480259
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes one or more of a lens and a focus adjuster, a tilt adjuster, and a pan adjuster, each with corresponding indicia for setting focus, pan and tilt of the light apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Andrew Tanton Nichols
  • Patent number: 8401741
    Abstract: A headlamp in an automobile, which is rotatable about a yaw axis when negotiating a bend, has a controller for controlling the rotary movement. In order to improve the illumination of a roadway lying in front of an automobile, the controller may take into account a driving profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Justus Illium, Torsten Kanning
  • Patent number: 8304971
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb includes a light shade, a heat conduction base, a plurality of heat sink fins, a heat conduction member and a plurality of LED light emitting elements. The heat conduction base has a circumferential portion connected with the plurality of heat sink fins and a central hole to accommodate the heat conduction member. The heat conduction member has an exposed end formed with a plurality of inclined planes and a top plane by stamping. Each of the inclined planes and the top plane are coupled with at least one of the LED light emitting elements, respectively. With the inclined planes and the top plane, the LED light emitting elements project light in different directions. The heat from the LED light emitting elements is transmitted to the plurality of heat sink fins through the heat conduction member to dissipate the heat quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Tsung-Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 8057069
    Abstract: A graphical-user-interface manipulable lighting system is disclosed in which a light source having a position of focus is moved by an articulator adapted to receive and send signals through a control box indicating the current and intended positions of the focus of the light source, and further a computer interface operating wirelessly which graphically displays the current position of the light source and is adapted to allow a user to drag an icon indicating the current position of the light source onto a new intended position thereby resulting in the movement of the light source to the new position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Optimus Services AG
    Inventors: John R. Mangiardi, John W. Gebbie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8047684
    Abstract: An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Byung J. Chang
  • Patent number: 7909475
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a lamp set is provided. The apparatus includes: a motor; a shaft which is rotatable by the motor and includes screw threads formed thereon; a sliding unit which includes a hole having screw threads formed therein that are engaged with the screw threads of the shaft and an insertion ball, the sliding unit being movable along the shaft upon rotation of the shaft; and a holder unit which includes a groove, the insertion ball being inserted into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: SL Seobong, SL Lighting
    Inventors: Sang-Woo Jeon, Young-Ho Son
  • Patent number: 7789533
    Abstract: A light fixture comprising a lamp assembly including a socket and a light source extending along a light fixture axial direction from one side of the socket. The light source is placed in a reflector such that light emitted by the light source is reflected by the reflector in the axial direction. The socket is supported by an inner ring which is supported by a middle ring and the middle ring is supporting by an outer ring. The inner ring is tiltable about a first axis that is orthogonal to the axial direction for tilting the light source, the middle ring is tiltable about a second axis that is orthogonal to both the axial direction and the first axis for tilting the inner ring, and the middle ring being movable with respect to the outer ring in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Martin Professional A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Aleksander Henrik Von Preyss
  • Patent number: 7762686
    Abstract: A lamp adjuster for adjusting the aim of a headlamp. The adjuster includes a housing having a first adjustment point, a gear having a second adjustment point, and an output shaft disposed at least partially within and functionally engaging the gear. Movement of the output shaft can be effected using either the first adjustment point or the second adjustment point. The adjuster can also include a clutching feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Fladhammer
  • Patent number: 7682045
    Abstract: A linear actuator (1) comprising a housing (6), a motor (2) comprising a stator with coils (4), a screw-nut system, and a rotor (5) axially and radially supported on the motor side by a bearing (11). The bearing comprises a ball (14) rigidly attached to the rotor, a cylindrical cavity (15) formed or positioned in the housing into which the ball (14) is inserted. A stop (17) is positioned in the cavity, supported in an axial direction of the rotor, against the ball (14) in essentially one point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle de Sonceboz S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Pfister
  • Patent number: 7264376
    Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The adjuster is secured to the bracket prior to the reflector being mounted to the mounting bracket. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John E Burton
  • Patent number: 7168835
    Abstract: An aligning device for a headlight in a vehicle body of a motor vehicle has an adjusting element which is arranged between the vehicle body and a carrying part of the headlight. The adjusting element comprises an elastic ring clamped in between holding parts by way of an adjusting screw, which elastic ring is supported in a ring sleeve of the carrying part, and the adjusting screw is held on the vehicle body in a threaded nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Steinbeck, Hans Weiner
  • Patent number: 7150541
    Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is also secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion such that the lamp may be easily attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 7118259
    Abstract: An adjuster having a housing or lamp housing with an adjuster portion, a gear positioned inside the housing or adjuster portion, a control rod engaged to the gear and extending from the housing or adjuster portion, and at least one tang outside the housing or adjuster portion such that the tang engages the control rod and prevents rotation thereof. As such, rotation of the gear results in linear movement of the control rod. The adjuster may be positioned on a lamp housing, or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Fladhammer
  • Patent number: 7090384
    Abstract: A headlamp adjuster which includes a housing, an expandable member on the housing, and an adjuster member which is extendable and retractable relative to the housing. One end of the adjuster member is engageable with a reflector of a headlamp assembly, and the other end of the adjuster member is receivable in the expandable member. The expandable member is configured to expand to accommodate retraction of the adjuster member. The expandable member may be a bellows which is, for example, molded to the housing. The housing may be molded over the bellows, or vice versa. Alternatively, the bellows may be attached to the housing using, for example, a snap ring, adhesive or some other suitable means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 7072001
    Abstract: A multi-axis adjusting apparatus includes a base with an upper surface, and each side of a central line of the base has at least one slot; a sliding seat, which is set on the upper surface of the base, and each of two ends of an upper surface of the sliding seat has at least one screw hole, each position of two sides of the upper surface of the sliding seat corresponding to the slot has at least one sliding plate, which has a U-shaped slot; a plurality of fixing screws, which are inserted into the U-shaped slot and the slot; a carrier, which is mounted on the upper surface of the sliding seat, and each of two ends of the upper surface corresponding to the screw hole has at least one fillister with one penetrating hole; plural adjusting screws are going through the screw holes and connecting to the penetrating holes by way of a floating structure. It is therefore the function of simultaneous adjustment of the multi-axis can be approached to rapidly complete the adjustment and reduce cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Fan-Chieh Chang, Kuo-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 7052164
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly including a simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aim of the headlamp. The mechanism includes a gear screw that is snap fit into the headlamp housing with or without an adjuster housing. The gear screw has an O-ring in radial compression so as to ensure a good seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 7040788
    Abstract: A headlamp adjuster and a headlamp adjustment assembly have a fixed annular boss, a shaft axially moveable through the boss, and a gear having a thread engagement with a threaded portion of the shaft. A cap is non-rotatably engaged with the shaft and the boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: Peter B. Brazas, Michael T. Gattone
  • Patent number: 6974231
    Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is also secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion such that the lamp may be easily attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 6918687
    Abstract: A leveling apparatus for a vehicle headlamp has a case body, a motor disposed within the case body, a worm wheel supported by the case body rotatably but unmovably in the longitudinal direction and rotated by the motor and a shaft screwed into the worm wheel. The shaft and the worm wheel are screwed together by thread ridges provided on the inner side of the worm wheel and thread ridges provided on the outer periphery of a driven portion forming the shaft. The thread ridges on one side out of the thread ridges on two sides are formed by one to two pitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirohisa Deguchi
  • Publication number: 20040196657
    Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The adjuster is secured to the bracket prior to the reflector being mounted to the mounting bracket. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6749326
    Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle, having a light module, at least one reflector, the module having at least one holding frame which is turnable about two axes extending substantially perpendicularly to one another in a plan parallel to a light outlet plan of the light module, the axis intersecting one another and having an intersecting point located inside the light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Reutlingen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Dobler, Klaus Nagel, Hans-J. Schmidt, Wolfgang Krieg, Harry Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20040090780
    Abstract: A lamp assembly that may be used as a fog lamp or headlamp includes a mounting bracket, a reflector, and an adjuster. The reflector is pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket and the adjuster is secured to the reflector. The adjuster is also secured to the mounting bracket such that rotation of an aiming screw forming part of the adjuster causes pivoting of the reflector and aiming of the lamp. The bracket and adjuster are provided in pre-assembled fashion such that the lamp may be easily attached thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: John Burton
  • Patent number: 6715908
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp which employs one or more projector lamp units and which is capable of preventing a reflector from being deformed by weight-induced strain while achieving and maintaining required light distribution characteristics. In one embodiment, the vehicular lamp includes first and second lamp units provided with respective reflectors, light sources, and projection lenses, with each lamp unit being tiltably supported on a lamp body via brackets formed separately at least from the reflectors. The brackets are tiltably supported at fulcrums the lamp body. Even in a case where stresses resulting from the weights of the lamp units are applied to bearings to the fulcrums, the stresses can be attenuated or absorbed by the brackets and the reflectors of the lamp units are not strained. Thus, the reflectors are prevented from being deformed, and the lamp units can achieve desired light distribution characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Serizawa
  • Patent number: 6706847
    Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is described, based on a copolycarbonate which includes at least two structural units. Structure I is usually a conventional carbonate based on bisphenol A, while structure II is a bisphenol carbonate which includes branched or linear groups extending from a bridging carbon atom or carbon group which connects two aromatic rings. The compositions exhibit very good melt flow, along with enhanced shear-thinning behavior. These characteristics are important for optical disc applications. Thus, related articles are described, along with processes for preparing such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary Charles Davis, Rein Mollerus Faber, Jan-Pleun Lens, Kathryn Lynn Longley, Marc Brian Wisnudel
  • Publication number: 20030174512
    Abstract: A headlight having a light module, adjusting units adjusting said light module and formed so that a vertical adjustment is performed independently from a horizontal adjustment, said adjusting units including adjusting devices; a cover cap which covers at least one of said adjusting devices; a headlight housing, said cover cap being connected of one-piece turnably with said headlight housing and having an arresting structure which is arrestable with a corresponding arresting units on said headlight housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Holger Rohr
  • Patent number: 6619809
    Abstract: An orientation-adjusting device for a vehicle head light comprises a housing encasement, an active unit, a driven unit, a cover, and driven screw rod, an elastic unit, and an elastic sealing unit. The housing encasement is installed with an elliptical hole and an axial hole. The active unit has an axial portion axially installed to the axial hole, and a gear portion located in the housing encasement. The driven unit is installed with a gear portion engaged with the gear portion of the action unit, and an axially-formed penetrating hole, which includes a threaded hole section near the active unit and a threadless hole section remotely away from the active unit. The cover is installed on the housing encasement to cover the interior of the housing encasement for preventing the driven unit from projecting out from the housing encasement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ekpac Taiwan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Zu-Yu Chiang
  • Patent number: 6607292
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Gutierrez, Robert L. Summerford
  • Publication number: 20030117810
    Abstract: A compact reflector movable type headlamp which can reliably prevent the vibration of a reflector, can maintain the smooth rotation of an aiming screw, and furthermore, can prevent the shape of the reflector and the structure of a mold for reflector molding from being complicated. The headlamp includes a lamp body and a front lens which constitute a lamp housing. A reflector is accommodated in the lamp housing to which a light source attaches. An aiming mechanism serves to tiltably support the reflector with respect to the lamp body. The aiming mechanism is constituted by an aiming fulcrum, aiming screws, and nut members attached to the reflector and screwed into the aiming screws. The nut members are guided by sliding guides formed in the lamp body, and stress releasing means having a ball-and-socket joint structure are provided in an attachment portion of the nut members and brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Nakazawa, Takeyuki Tachiiwa, Norihiro Nishitani, Katutada Shirai
  • Patent number: 6550948
    Abstract: Disclosed is an vertically aimable motor vehicle lamp of a one-piece construction. The lamp includes a housing and mounting bracket joined by at least one integral living hinge positioned at the substantial side of the housing at the housing and bracket interface. The integral living hinges define a line of weakness between them about which the housing is pivotable. The housing includes an integral tab extending radially outwardly from the housing and adjacent to the front of the housing. The integral tab is engaged and operable by a vertical-direction adjuster. Further, the one-piece bracket and housing are suitable for manufacture via injection molding and may, because they are a unitary element, be molded in a single injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Nova K. Filbrun, Kenneth L. Trimpe
  • Patent number: 6537636
    Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for use in optical article. The polymer blends comprise a first and second polycarbonate and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marc Brian Wisnudel, Irene Dris, Gary Charles Davis, Ramesh Hariharan, Cornelis Jan Maria Rijken, Jeroen Johannes Cornelis van Ginneken, Steven Frederick Hubbard
  • Patent number: 6499871
    Abstract: The invention concerns a lighting or signalling equipment for a motor vehicle comprising a housing and adjustable means for fixing said housing on a structural part of the vehicle, and stop means countering the headlamp displacement in a specific direction to define a reference position for said headlamp relative to the car body. The invention is characterized in that the adjustable fixing means comprise a rotary fixing member capable of co-operating with said structural part and driving during an initial phase of its rotation means forming a cam capable of urging the equipment in said specific direction. The invention also concerning adapted structural element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventor: Jean-Nicolas Guyomard
  • Publication number: 20020196640
    Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle, comprising a light module, at least one reflector, the module having at least one holding frame which is turnable about two axes extending substantially perpendicularly to one another in a plan parallel to a light outlet plan of the light module, the axis intersecting one another and having an intersecting point located inside the light module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Dober, Klaus Nagel, Hans-J. Schmidt, Wolfgang Krieg, Harry Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6481880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a aiming apparatus to be interposed between a reflector and a housing to adjust direction of light reflected by the reflector; the aiming apparatus comprising an adjusting screw rotatably engaged at one end with the housing at a predetermined position; a pivot nut having at one end a nut portion capable of achieving thread engagement with the other end of the adjusting screw and at the other end a pivot portion, respectively; a pivot holder attached to a rear side of the reflector; and a nut receiver fixed on the front side of the housing at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Aoyama Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Mizuno, Hisashi Ito, Yoichi Tatsumi
  • Patent number: RE49082
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp controller, a vehicle lamp system, and a vehicle lamp control method are provided. The vehicle lamp system includes an acceleration sensor, a vehicle lamp, and the vehicle controller. The controller includes a receiver configured to receive an acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor, a control unit configured to derive a vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a vehicle vertical direction acceleration from the acceleration information, and to generate a control signal for instructing an adjustment of an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, based on a variation in a ratio between a temporal change amount of the vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a temporal change amount of the vehicle vertical direction acceleration during at least one of an acceleration and a deceleration of a vehicle, and a transmitter configured to transmit the control signal to an optical axis adjusting portion of the vehicle lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kasaba, Masashi Yamazaki, Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: RE49776
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp controller, a vehicle lamp system, and a vehicle lamp control method are provided. The vehicle lamp system includes an acceleration sensor, a vehicle lamp, and the vehicle controller. The controller includes a receiver configured to receive an acceleration information detected by the acceleration sensor, a control unit configured to derive a vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a vehicle vertical direction acceleration from the acceleration information, and to generate a control signal for instructing an adjustment of an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, based on a variation in a ratio between a temporal change amount of the vehicle longitudinal direction acceleration and a temporal change amount of the vehicle vertical direction acceleration during at least one of an acceleration and a deceleration of a vehicle, and a transmitter configured to transmit the control signal to an optical axis adjusting portion of the vehicle lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kasaba, Masashi Yamazaki, Atsushi Toda