With Actuator Patents (Class 362/284)
  • Patent number: 5333102
    Abstract: What is described is a compact, light weight and relatively small theatrical search lighting system which includes a frame having a rectangular base and four legs which embrace a lamp and its reflector, and two containers for ballast and a data receiver. Also mounted to the frame is a scroller and a motorized mirror for reflecting the light from the lamp. The frame may be suspended from a truss, or because of two projections attached to two legs and a tail, the system may be rotated through 90 degrees and positioned in a generally vertical condition if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Dave Oberman, Richard J. Ramano
  • Patent number: 5317487
    Abstract: A vehicle warning light assembly includes an elongated hollow casing having an open front, a lamp unit extending longitudinally between two sides of the casing adjacent to the open front, a wheel member that is mounted rotatably in the casing on one of the two sides of the casing, an elongated reflector plate which is disposed in the casing on one side of the lamp unit and which has one end secured to the wheel member, a driving mechanism which is activatable to rotate the wheel member to rotate correspondingly the reflector plate around the lamp unit, and a transparent pane that is mounted on the casing at the open front of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Wu-Shaun Su
  • Patent number: 5276593
    Abstract: A new and improved high visibility light signal apparatus for use on a bicycle includes a strobe light assembly which includes a source of electric power and a strobe lamp/driver assembly. A support assembly supports the strobe lamp/driver assembly on the bicycle. The support assembly includes a first end and a second end. The first end includes a lamp support for supporting the strobe lamp/driver assembly. The second end includes a connector for attaching the support assembly to the bicycle. The support assembly has a predetermined length; and the support assembly, in conjunction with the connector, is capable of supporting the strobe lamp/driver assembly on the bicycle in a plane spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bicycle, such that light emitted from the strobe lamp/driver assembly is visible from the front, the left side, the right side, and the back of the bicycle and to the rider, simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventors: Von Lighthill, Charlie Lewis
  • Patent number: 5258895
    Abstract: A moire effect light assembly for the enhancement of energizable lamps. The assembly includes a pair of moire effect grid patterns which are movable with respect to lamp as it is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas W. Bosse
  • Patent number: 5239452
    Abstract: A color changing lamp comprising a lamp, a housing, and a projection shifting device, said lamp fixed on the outside of the housing to reflect the colored light beam coming from the projection shifting device which has a light beam generator, a concave lens to receive the parallel light beam from said generator, a guide plate to limit the focused light beam from the concave lens to pass through its fan-shaped opening to a color disc divided into a plurality of different colored sections, a color disc rotating device to rotate said color disc to position only one of the colored sections to be in line with the guide plate to color the light beam with the color to reach the lamp, which can reflect the colored light beam, and a lighting time indicating device to show the length of lighting time of each color for the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Liang-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 5197799
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp has adjusting means for adjusting the orientation of its reflector by essentially linear displacement of an application point on the reflector. This application point is defined by one end of a threaded rod which includes at its opposite end an adjusting head, and which is threadedly mounted with a first degree of friction in a fixed part of the headlamp. The threaded rod is also threadedly engaged, but with a second degree of friction, in an adjusting cap. The second degree of friction is greater than the first degree of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Guy Dehaene
  • Patent number: 5193900
    Abstract: Provided is an illumination device in which natural light having a correlated color temperature equivalent to that of artificial light can be obtained so that there is no feeling of physical disorder against the artificial light when the natural light is used in combination with the artificial light for energy saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Yano, Kenjiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5158352
    Abstract: A headlamp provided with correcting means for correcting a light distribution characteristic which is caused by an inclination of a vehicle body with respect to a road surface. An outer lens section fixed to the vehicle body is provided forwardly of a lamp body section of the projector type which is pivoted around an optical axis so as to maintain the light distribution characteristic horizontal in response to the inclination of the vehicle body, and the outer lens section has a lens cut formed thereon for diffusing a variation component of passing light to a turning direction when the car body is inclined for turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Ikegami, Kaoru Hatanaka, Tsuneo Sekiguchi, Hideyuki Tanabe, Satoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5142455
    Abstract: This vehicle headlamp comprises a housing adapted to be fixed to the body of a vehicle and having a light-transmissive portion through which upper and lower beams are directed. Within the housing is a discharge-type lamp serving as the light source for both these beams and an arrangement for mounting this lamp in a fixed location with respect to the housing. Also located within the housing is a reflector that is mounted on the housing in such a manner as to permit relative movement between the reflector on one hand and the housing and the lamp on the other hand. An actuating arrangement causes movement of the reflector between two spaced-apart positions while the lamp remains fixed relative to the housing. The reflector in one of said positions causes light from the lamp to be reflected from the reflector as the upper beam, and the reflector in its other position causes light from the lamp to be reflected from the reflector as said lower beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Walter J. Kosmatka
  • Patent number: 5130903
    Abstract: An arrangement in vehicle headlamps which are intended to emit a significant proportion of ultraviolet light. The invention is characterized by a control circuit (1) for adjusting, via means (3; 5, 9, 10), the intensity of the ulraviolet light emitted by the headlamp (6); vehicle speed sensing means (2) intended to deliver to the control circuit (1) an electric signal corresponding to prevailing vehicle speed; and further characterized in that the control circuit (1) is constructed to decrease said intensity to a predetermined, lower level when the speed lies beneath a predetermined value, and to increase the intensity to a predetermined, higher level when the speed lies above a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Ultralux AB
    Inventors: Peder Fast, Lars-Goran Rosengren
  • Patent number: 5113332
    Abstract: A lighting system aperture mechanism formed by a movable carriage including a frame with openings for mechanically formed or electronic pattern apertures. The frame is moved to position a selected opening around a beam of light and the pattern aperture disposed within the selected opening may be rotated as desired to produce special effect patterns in the beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Brain E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5097397
    Abstract: A light bar is provided for mounting to a roof of an emergency vehicle such that the signalling devices comprising the light bar are distributed across the roof to form a non-linear pattern. A dome assembly covers the signalling devices and also forms a non-linear pattern traversing the roof. The light bar provides for enhanced visibility at angles approaching 90.degree. to the heading of the vehicle. Moreover, the non-linear pattern of the signalling devices allows the light bar to provide a signalling pattern whose warning effect can be alternatively directionalized into different distinct zones about the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, each of the signalling devices is contained in a module comprising a base and a dome such that enhanced transmittance of light is provided at angles approaching 90.degree. from the heading of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Edward S. Stanuch, Michael Benner, Earl Gosswiller
  • Patent number: 5095414
    Abstract: An improved single light fixture for use in intermittently illuminating plants in a greenhouse. A bulb of a particular selected light output frequency is selected, and the fixture comprises an oscillating parabolic mirror which sweeps the light from the bulb across all of the plants in the greenhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Richard W. Tinus
  • Patent number: 5089946
    Abstract: A device for manipulating any lighting fixture's light beam by means of a servo motor (82), linkage (80), a universal joint (90), and a reflecting means (76). The main plate (54) can be positioned along the rods (38) to intercept the focal point of the lighting fixture's light beam. The frame plate (36) can be interchanged with other size frame plates to allow different size lighting fixtures to use the same manipulation device. The invention can be controlled by any lighting console or computer with a accessable control signal. The unit can be controlled by either a wired or wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventors: Thomas A. Mayer, Mark W. Spivey
  • Patent number: 5067056
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp in which the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the two aiming points and the pivot point is large. An inclination member with a light reflecting surface which establishes an axis of irradiation of the headlamp is supported at one pivot point fixed in position with respect to a reference member and two aiming points which are engaged with two aiming screws supported by the reference member in such a manner that the distances of the two aiming points from the reference member are adjusted by turning the respective aiming screws. The one pivot point and two aiming points are positioned at the vertices of a triangle which has one side which is horizontal as viewed from the front, and the inclination member is swung about an inclination axis passing through the pivot point by turning the two aiming screws, so that the direction of the axis of irradiation of the lamp is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Suzuki, Yoshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5041948
    Abstract: A head lamp for motor vehicle comprising a reflector, an adjusting member for adjusting a reflector position, and an assembly for connecting the adjusting member with the reflector and including a socket that receives a ball portion formed at an end of the adjusting member, and has a hair pin-shaped resilient portion which extends through a sleeve body defined by a reflector connecting portion, and includes an outer surface complementary to a guide surface defined by an inner surface of the sleeve body, and an end having a shoulder thereat that engages a shoulder formed on an end portion of the sleeve body, in the end position of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Krieg, Walter Weber
  • Patent number: 5031080
    Abstract: A portable incandescent light assembly having a selectably interposable filter is disclosed. The light assembly is particularly applicable to night vision situations for airplane pilots. The light assembly comprises a housing in which a light source and a filter for filtering out infra-red light are located. The light assembly further comprises a mechanism for rotating the filter within the housing between a filtering position in which the filter is disposed across a light output axis and a non-filtering position in which the filter is disposed parallel to the light output axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Gulton Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace R. Aikens, Stephen A. Sharp, James K. Stawitzky
  • Patent number: 5015917
    Abstract: An adaptor for fluorescent tubes having contact pins, the adaptor having a fluorescent tube-compatible plug-in socket and an incandescent lamp-compatible screw cap. The adaptor having an external casing. The external casing having the incandescent screw cap. A printed circuit board and an inner casing are both secured to the incandescent lamp-compatible screw cap. The inner casing part having a fluorescent tube compatible plug-in socket and the inner casing having a socket area which has a plurality of contact members. The contact members are electrically connected by bridges on the printed circuit board. A flexible connection of the inner casing to the light fittings is created. The fluorescent tube-compatible plug-in socket receives different shaped caps of the light fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: Juerg Nigg
  • Patent number: 5014172
    Abstract: A space lighting fitting comprises a support, lamp holder means and light directing means adjustable between first and second positions giving direct and indirect lighting respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Light Years Ahead Limited
    Inventors: Michael Burn, Colin Adby
  • Patent number: 5010464
    Abstract: An arc length changing apparatus for an exposing device, and a method in which the light quantity incident on the peripheral and central portion of a Braun tube panel is made constant by changing variably the arc length of the exposing device so that bending phenomenon of a fluorescent film stripe formed on the internal surface of the panel is improved. Apparatus of the invention is comprised of a mercury lamp, a lamp house, a shutter and etc. as usual, and a circular control disc 10 having an elliptical opening 11 at its center and sprocket teeth 12 around its periphery, a rack 15a formed at one side frame of the shutter 3, a pinion 16 for meshing with said rack, and a sprocket wheel 13 integrally formed with said pinion and coupled with said sprocket teeth by a chain 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Samsung Electron Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee Kwang-sik, Kim Chul-woo
  • Patent number: 5003445
    Abstract: A space lighting fitting comprises a support, lamp holder means and light directing means adjustable between first and second positions giving direct and indirect lighting respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Light Years Ahead Limited
    Inventors: Michael Burn, Colin Adby
  • Patent number: 5003444
    Abstract: Structure for the all-around display of a flat image over an angle of 360.degree.. The image should be visible with a continuous luminous intensity, regardless of the rotary speed. According to the invention, the maximum variation of the luminous flux from the light source--as a function of the rotary speed--must not reach a degree which is detectable by the human visual apparatus. Advantage is taken of the sluggishness of the human visual apparatus if, during each complete revolution of the image carrier through 360.degree., the total time of all bright phases is at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, in particular at least 70%, of the time of a revolution of the image carrier, and/or if the frequency of the bright phases is at least 200 Hz, the bright phases preferably emitting at least 75%, in particular at least 90%, of the maximum luminous intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Inventors: Jan Secka, Kurt F. Buchel, Paul Rosenich
  • Patent number: 4998184
    Abstract: A hard plastic reflector (1) is mounted on a receiving member (4) by a joining assembly which comprises a first joining member (5) mounted on the receiving member and a second joining member (6) of plastic which flatly overlaps and lies on a wide side surface of a wall member (2) of the reflector. The overlapping portion of the wall member and the second joining member define overlapping openings (12, 13) or recesses in which a sleeve (16) of elastic material having an elongated fastening device (17) extending therethrough is positioned. The elongated fastening device presses axially, on the sleeve, or extends a bore in the sleeve outwardly, sufficiently so that an outer surface of the sleeve engages surfaces defining the openings and an inner surface of the sleeve engages the elongated fastening device in a compressed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Henning Honig
  • Patent number: 4989121
    Abstract: A bright light indicator adapted for use with a first vehicle for providing a high beam indication when a second vehicle having headlights emitting light and traveling generally behind the first vehicle has the headlights in the high beam condition. The indicator includes reflective means which are mountable on the first vehicle and positioned for receiving light emitted from the headlights of the second vehicle and for reflecting the received light generally toward the second vehicle in an on position of the reflective means, the reflected light providing the high beam indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Inventor: E. L. Bo Hall
  • Patent number: 4987521
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight of the type comprising a single light source, a reflector including two zones suitable for generating two different respective light beams, a closure glass, and masking means situated in the vicinity of the source and capable of being displaced for selectively masking the light rays delivered by the source and propagating towards at least one of the two zones. According to the invention the two zones of the reflector are disposed side by side, each of them extending over the entire height of the reflector, each zone of the reflector is constituted by a portion of a reflecting surface sufficing on its own to generate the associated beam, and the masking means comprise at least one screen which, in its masking position, is situated to one side of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Hector Fratty, Joel Leleve
  • Patent number: 4980804
    Abstract: A headlight comprises a reflector, an adjusting device for adjusting a position of the reflector relative to a vehicle chassis, the adjusting device having an actuating element connected with the reflector and a miter gearing adjusting the actuating element, the miter gearing including a driving bevel gear connected with the actuating element and an adjusting bevel gear cooperating with the driving bevel gear, a housing receiving the miter gearing, the adjusting bevel gear having an annular groove, and a movable securing element which engages in the annular groove to secure the adjusting bevel gear and is held in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Karl-Otto Dobler
  • Patent number: 4974133
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided which comprises a color disc capable of transmitting light therethrough and arranged within a housing having an opening. The color disc has a planar surface parallel to the opening, and a large number of subdivided sections defined on the planar surface. The subdivided sections are individually colored in one of a plurality of colors such that, when viewed as a whole, the planar surface has a plurality of identical coloration patterns each consisting of the subdivided sections of the same color and that any adjacent ones of the coloration patterns are different in color from each other. A shutter disc is arranged between the color disc and the opening and has a large number of windows for permitting only those subdivided sections forming one of the coloration patterns to be exposed to the outside of the housing when the shutter disc is at a predetermined rotational angle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Iskra Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Fujiki
  • Patent number: 4945459
    Abstract: A beam steering mechanism for deflecting a light beam along any selected azimuth and elevational direction. The beam is movable without limitation about a pan axis and through a range of 180 degrees about a tilt axis, by drive motors that are rigidly mounted to a housing and are not bodily moved with the light beam. Movement about the pan axis is effected by rotation of a first mirror mounted in a first rotatable cylinder. Movement about the tilt axis is effected by rotation of a second mirror mounted in a second cylinder that is panned with the first cylinder and is itself mounted for rotation about the tilt axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Charles F. Harrison, Clinton B. Hope, Robert J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 4931916
    Abstract: A light projector, suitable for entertainment lighting and comprising a light source and associated light collecting means producing an elongated beam having an optical centerline that is preferably substantially horizontal, is provided with a means, typically a mirror, mounted to a first support adapted for rotation about an axis coincident with that centerline, for redirecting the beam through a first plane perpendicular to that substantially horizontal axis and centerline. A second mirror is rotatably mounted to the first support so that the redirected beam falls upon it, redirecting the beam a second time, through a second plane perpendicular to the centerline of the beam in the region between the first and second mirrors; a second plane that is also substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the first support. The first support is supported for rotation about said axis on both sides of the means for redirecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Callahan
  • Patent number: 4916583
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicular headlamp which comprises a lamp housing having a front portion opened; a lens covering the opening of the front portion; a lamp bulb installed in the lamp housing for generating light when electrically energized; a light reflector installed in the lamp housing for reflecting the light from the lamp bulb toward the lens; an angular position adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angular position of the light reflector relative to the lamp housing; a spirit level fixed to an outer surface of the light reflector to move therewith; and a window structure defined by either one of the lens or the lamp housing, through which the level is viewed from the outside of the headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Koito Seisakusho Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hidehiko Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 4910647
    Abstract: A lamp includes a bulb that is held within an openable housing. When the lamp is turned on, the bulb gradually lights and the housing gradually opens to expose the bulb. When the lamp is turned off, the housing closes around and thereby conceals the bulb. Methods for opening the housing include a sliding piston system, a cam and lifter system and a gear and rack system. When the lamp is turned on or off, music may also be played or other such sounds generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Zuxiang Gong
  • Patent number: 4899267
    Abstract: A multifunction spotlight and control system therefor, the spotlight functions each being adjustable by a bipolar stepper motor, a control means such as a dimmer unit for enabling analogue control of the rotational positions of the motors, and a second control means such as a microprocessor which enables a multichannel serial datastream to be supplied for selectively controlling the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Pulsar Light of Cambridge Ltd
    Inventor: Paul F. Mardon
  • Patent number: 4891738
    Abstract: A lighting system aperture mechanism formed by a movable carriage including a frame with openings for aperture means. The frame is moved to position a selected opening around a beam of light, and an aperture means disposed in the selected opening may be rotated as desired to produce special effect patterns in the beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Richardson, John R. Richardson
  • Patent number: 4890208
    Abstract: The disclosed stage lighting apparatus includes a constant-direction beam forming unit and an adjustable beam redirector for aiming the beam at a wide range of locations varying in azimuth and elevation, and programmable remote-control equipment for the various adjustments of the beam-forming unit and the beam redirector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Lehigh University
    Inventor: George C. Izenour
  • Patent number: 4875141
    Abstract: A headlight for use in a vehicle and comprising a lamp body a reflective mirror mounted in the lamp body and having a front opening, a bulb mounted in the reflective mirror and acting as the light source of the headlight, a douser plate mounted on the lamp body at the location between the front opening of the mirror and the bulb and intercepting a part of the light emitted from the bulb. The douser plate is supported on the lamp body such that the douser plate can incline transversely with respect to the lamp body, and driving device is provided on the lamp body for transversely inclining the douser plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Koito Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizuya Miyauchi, Kiyoshi Wada
  • Patent number: 4872098
    Abstract: A variable beam floodlight fixture is provided for simply and quickly changing the width of the beam by means of a single operating lever which controls ganged, multiple, pivoted reflector sections. Pivoted reflector sections are provided on opposite sides of a fixed central reflector, and the multiple sections on each side simultaneously pivot in different amounts under control of the operating lever to provide a uniform beam at the various angles available from the narrowest beam to the widest beam attainable from the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: LPI Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Perry Romano
  • Patent number: 4868721
    Abstract: A headlamp for motor vehicles comprises a light source of the type adapted to generate a concentrated unidirectional pencil of light, and a motorized deflector device for intercepting the pencil of light and causing continuous rapid scanning thereof within at least one predetermined solid angle to obtain a light beam of predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Paolo Soardo
  • Patent number: 4849860
    Abstract: A bushing made of elastic plastic, spherically receives a ball pivot of an adjusting screw and is fixed in a socket which protrudes from a back side of a reflector. Two spring clips of the bushing grip two catches of the socket from behind, and two rails of the hollow journal cooperate with two slot links of the frame. This ball-and-socket mounting, which is coaxial with respect to the adjusting screw can be assembled by robots and does not cause any bending moments that unfavorably affect the reflector mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Schauwecker
  • Patent number: 4849859
    Abstract: A laser-type handpiece including a reflector pivotably connected inside a head section and a control sleeve which is connected to the reflector and fitted over the external circumference of the handpiece body so that the sleeve can move back-and-forth along the axis of the handpiece body, whereby the reflector can be adjusted to any desired angle by the back-and-forth movement of the sleeve. When this handpiece is used for dental treatment, the head section of the handpiece can be smoothly inserted into and taken out from a narrow oral region and the angle of laser beam can be changed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Morita Seisakusho
    Inventor: Akinori Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 4843529
    Abstract: A stage lighting unit including a beam former and beam redirector. The beam redirector allows for the remote control of beam over a large expanse of the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Lehigh University
    Inventor: George C. Izenour
  • Patent number: 4843523
    Abstract: A headlight device including a movable member connected to a stationary supporting member at spaced apart three points, at two of said three points said movable member being connected respectively to the stationary supporting member through aiming mechanisms which enable to change the space between the supporting member and the movable member respectively. At least one of the aiming mechanism comprises an adjusting rod and a gear unit, and the gear unit includes a casing mounted on the supporting member, a worm gear, a worm wheel meshing with the worm gear, a pinion gear co-axial with the worm gear, a driving gear meshing with the pinion gear, with the axis of the driving gear being arranged orthogonal to the axis of the worm wheel, and an actuating rod connected to the driving gear and extending through the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Koito Seisakusho Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4831506
    Abstract: A lamp assembly capable of functioning both as a fog lamp and a cornering lamp on a motor vehicle, comprising a fixed reflector within a housing, a movable reflector positioned forwardly of the fixed reflector, and a light bulb mounted to the fixed reflector and extending forwardly therefrom through an aperture in the movable reflector. The fixed reflector reflects the light rays from the bulb in the forward direction of the lamp assembly. Considerably less in size then the fixed reflector, the movable reflector pivots about a vertical axis between a first position, where it coacts with the fixed reflector to reflect the light rays forwardly in the use of the lamp assembly as fog lamp, and a second position where the movable reflector deflects part of the light rays toward one side of the lamp assembly to enable the same to server as cornering lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Koito Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 4827388
    Abstract: A lamp assembly capable of functioning both as fog lamp and cornering lamp on a motor vehicle, comprising a fixed reflector within a housing, a movable reflector positioned forwardly of the fixed reflector, and a light bulb mounted to the fixed reflector via a bulb holder, with the bulb holder extending forwardly from the fixed reflector through an aperture in the movable reflector. The fixed reflector reflects the light rays from the bulb in the forward direction of the lamp assembly. Less in size then the fixed reflector, the movable reflector pivots about a vertical axis between a first position, where it coacts with the fixed reflector to reflect the light rays forwardly in the use of the lamp assembly as fog lamp, and a second position where the movable reflector deflects part of the light rays toward one side of the lamp assembly to enable the same to serve as cornering lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Koito Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 4827387
    Abstract: A beam steering mechanism for deflecting a light beam along any selected azimuth and elevational direction. The beam is movable without limitation about a pan axis and about a tilt axis, by drive motors that are rigidly mounted to a housing and are not bodily moved with the light beam. Movement about the pan axis is effected by rotation of a first mirror mounted in a first rotatable cylinder. Movement about the tilt axis is effected by rotation of a second mirror mounted in a second cylinder that is panned with the first cylinder and is itself mounted for rotation about the tilt axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Strand Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Charles F. Harrison, Clinton B. Hope, Robert J. Kohut
  • Patent number: 4823237
    Abstract: A door actuating mechanism is provided for opening and closing of door structures over recessed headlights in a vehicle. The actuating mechanism includes means to cause pivoting of the doors to the open or closed positions and simultaneous sliding of the doors sideways with respect to the opening for the recessed headlightsto prevent engagement of the doors with the side edges of the opening during opening and closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John Horansky, John H. Schult, Jr., Henry J. Kessler
  • Patent number: 4811180
    Abstract: A car light structure has the dual purpose of an auxiliary illuminating light and foglight. The light has a protective cover capable of automatically opening and closing, wherein the structure can light when opening the protective cover actuated by the revolution and counterrevolution of a motor, and can extinguish or light when closing the protective cover so as to achieve the dual purpose of an auxiliary illuminating light and foglight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Inventors: Wen Tsung Tsai, Ed Wang
  • Patent number: 4797795
    Abstract: Improvements are disclosed to systems adapted for the control of automated or variable parameter lighting fixtures and devices capable of varying a plurality of beam parameters such as the pan, tilt, size, shape, color, and focus on the basis of desired adjustments stored by the control system for each of a plurality of desired lighting effects. Such a control system is provided with a means, such as a port, for coupling to an external device having at least one output and capable of a plurality of conditions each of which may be used to identify a different lighting effect so that the operation of the control system and the external device may be synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Michael Callahan
  • Patent number: 4769743
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for adjusting the azimuth and elevation of a light projector suitable for entertainment lighting, comprising a light source with associated light collecting and beam forming means producing an elongated beam having an optical centerline is disclosed. A means, typically a mirror, is used to redirect the beam at substantially right angles to the optical centerline, and is rotated to vary beam azimuth through a first plane. Both the light source and the means for redirecting are coupled to a common mechanical support, which is rotated around an effective pivot point perpendicular to the optical centerline and parallel to first plane, to vary beam elevation through a second plane at substantially right angles to the first plane. The unique advantages of the apparatus for remotely-adjusting fixtures and for systems mounting a plurality of lighting fixtures to a common mechanical support are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Michael Callahan
  • Patent number: 4757426
    Abstract: The illumination system has primary and secondary light sources with a lamp current sensor control circuit for automatically switching from the primary lamp to the secondary lamp in the event the primary lamp fails. An illumination directing mirror is positioned between the light sources and directs one or the other of the light sources towards a fiber optic cable. The lamps are mounted on a movable carriage which is remotely controllable by a pneumatic cylinder. The carriage moves to alter the distance from the lamp to the port of the fiber optic cable. This controls the intensity of illumination entering the cable without changing the color temperature of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Storz Instrument Company
    Inventors: Gregg D. Scheller, Kevin Klug, Richard Wendt
  • Patent number: RE34253
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight of the type comprising a single light source, a reflector including two zones suitable for generating two different respective light beams, a closure glass, and masking means situated in the vicinity of the source and capable of being displaced for selectively masking the light rays delivered by the source and propagating towards at least one of the two zones. According to the invention the two zones of the reflector are disposed side by side, each of them extending over the entire height of the reflector, each zone of the reflector is constituted by a portion of a reflecting surface sufficing on its own to generate the associated beam, and the masking means comprise at least one screen which, in its masking position, is situated to one side of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Hector Fratty, Joel Leleve