Abstract: A vehicular lamp assembly such as a combined fog and cornering lamp has a lamp cover mounted to its housing for pivotal movement between an open position, where the lamp cover uncovers the front lens of the lamp housing, and a closed position where the lamp cover covers the front lens. For pivoting the lamp cover between the open and closed positions a lamp cover drive mechanism comprises a drive shaft protruding from the lamp housing and coupled directly to the lamp cover. The drive shaft is driven by a reversible electric drive motor via a torque limiter which permits the motor to rotate independently of the drive shaft upon jamming of the lamp cover, as by being clogged with snow. Also included is an electric control circuit which controls the drive motor for opening and closing the lamp cover in response to the actuation and deactuation of a hand switch within easy reach of the vehicle driver. The control circuit further turns on the light source of the lamp assembly only when the lamp cover is opened.

Abstract: A lighting fixture consisting of a downwardly opening housing having a plurality of fluorescent lamps mounted therein, a louver assembly substantially closing the open bottom of the housing and dividing its area into vertically open cells only certain of which receives light from each of the lamps, the louvers being of sufficient vertical height to restrict light passing directly through the cells to a restricted primary area of brighter illumination in the room below, and a translucent light-diffusing panel covering the cells of the louver assembly receiving light from each of the lamps. The lamps may be selected to emanate light of respectively different colors, and both the louvers and the light-diffusing panels may be of selectively different tints and colors, so as to impart a novel, decorative appearance to the louver assembly when viewed from outside of the primary lighting area.

Abstract: A device to provide overload protection for a shape memory metal (SMM) wire of an SMM-type actuator and to automatically compensate for cyclic creep and maintain the tension of the SMM wire. During normal operation, a restraining drum, in cooperation with a biasing spring, maintains the position of one end of the SMM wire so that the other end of the SMM wire can move an actuator. Under excessive loads, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move, thereby reducing the tension and preventing damage to the SMM actuator. When the excessive load is removed, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move under the influence of the biasing spring to its original position. By permitting the first end of the SMM wire to move in dependence upon the tension on the SMM wire, the device automatically takes up any slack caused by cyclic creep and maintains proper tension of the SMM wire.

Abstract: A shape memory metal (SMM) actuator includes an SMM actuator element mounted to an end fitting. An end portion of the actuator element adjacent the end fitting is cold formed to a thickness no more than 40% of the original thickness of the actuator element. This cold formed region extends by about 5 times the diameter of the actuator element away from the end fitting. The cold formed end region remains in the austenitic state, and is therefore relatively hard and strong. For this reason, the tendency of the actuator element to break at the end fitting is reduced, even though the end fitting acts as a temperature sink and maintains the cold formed end region below the transition temperature of the SMM actuator element.

Abstract: A shape memory metal actuator includes an actuator element that is secured at one end to an end fitting which is in turn secured to an overload protection spring. An adjustable screw is mounted to a frame and is positioned such that the overload protection spring biases the end fitting into contact with the adjustment screw. The end fitting lifts off of the adjustment screw when excessive stretching forces are applied to the actuator element. The adjustment screw can be moved to vary the rest position of the end fitting, thereby allowing manual compensation for cyclic creep of the actuator element.

Abstract: A lamp such as a fog lamp for a vehicle is provided with a housing which serves to mount an array of parallel louvers. The louvers are controlled by a heat driven actuator. Such as one which incorporates a shape memory metal actuator element. This actuator element is heated either by resistive heating or by direct heat of the light bulb when the lamp is activated. When heated, the actuator serves to pivot the louvers into an open position. Once the lamp is deactivated, heating of the actuator is terminated, and the louvers are automatically closed to protect the lens by a spring as the actuator cools.

Abstract: A light reflector for specific use in combination with an elongate light source such as a fluorescent lamp. It has a plurality of reflecting surfaces disposed behind and symmetrically of the light source and includes opposed central tangent reflecting surfaces. The cumulative effect of the reflecting surfaces is to synthesize the light rays emitted upwards with those emitted downwards by the sourve towards the area to be lighted.

Abstract: Two nested downwardly diverging frustoconical lamp shades are supported at their upper ends by a base which also supports a lamp bulb. The shades have openings therein which, when aligned by adjustment of one of the shades, passes a beam of light from the bulb to a reading or like area. The intensity of illumination can be controlled by changing the extent of overlapping of the openings. Shade elements extend across the lower ends of the shades and have openings therein. One of the shade elements is adjustable relative to the other to move the openings therein in and out of register with the openings in the other element whereby to vary the intensity of illumination of light projected downwardly by the lamp bulb.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling reflected radiant energy to progressively vary distribution of the reflected radiant energy between spot and flood configurations comprises a housing body having a reflector surface, a lamp mounted in the housing body at the focal point of the reflector surface, and a dual light transmitting unit supported at an outer side of the housing body. The dual light transmitting unit includes a light transmitting disk component of circular shape fixed in abutting relation to the housing body, and a light transmitting disk cover component mounted for rotative movement about the central axis of the housing body and against the light transmitting disk.The light transmitting disk component is of generally circular shape and has an inner portion removed to form a substantially semi-circular opening.

Abstract: An easy-to-assemble, self-locking, low brightness louver for a fluorescent lamp lighting fixture is comprised of a plurality of longitudinally-extending light baffles which are aligned at right angles to a corresponding plurality of transversely-extending light baffles. The baffles are assembled and locked with snap-type action in a criss-crossed grid-type lattice arrangement to form a unitary structure.

Abstract: A light distribution louver for a lighting fixture wherein the louver together with supporting apparatus closes at least the bottom of the light fixture. The louver may be of unitary construction or preferably formed of individual louver sections or sectors depending upon the shape of the supporting apparatus. The louver sections or sectors may have fixed or movable vanes and in the case of sections, they may be positioned in a variety of orientations to attain varied light distribution characteristics. The invention further contemplates a structure wherein the supporting apparatus encloses the lighting fixture to afford more complete protection.