With Ball And Socket Light Support Patents (Class 362/421)
  • Patent number: 7168821
    Abstract: Provided is a device mountable on a head covering. The device comprises a flexible clamp comprising an elongated gap open to its rear, a lower receptacle, two recessed slides at both outer sides of the receptacle, and a toothed-section on a top of the receptacle; a sliding seat of U-section comprising two tabs at both inner sides for retaining a lower portion of the clamp in place after removably sliding the slides therethrough, a latch projected from its bottom to urge against the toothed-section, and a flexible hook having a toothed inner surface; and a lens hingedly coupled to the inner surface of the hook in a gear manner, and a universal joint type light mounted on top of the clamp. The invention enables a desired object to be seen larger and more clear through the pivotal lens (e.g., a magnifying lens) and with light emitted from the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Gem Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 7140754
    Abstract: A transformable flashlight apparatus includes a body member, a head member with a light-emitting device, and a connecting member for connecting the head member to the body member and allowing the re-positioning of the head member with respect to the body member. Attaching structure connects an attachable and moveable object to one or both of the body member and the head member of the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: NTM Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Thuma, Paul Mann
  • Patent number: 7136280
    Abstract: The present invention is a computer controlled display device. In one embodiment, the display device includes a flat panel display having an input for receiving display data. Additionally, a moveable assembly may be coupled to the display. The moveable assembly may provide at least three degrees of freedom of movement for the flat panel display device. Additionally, the moveable assembly may have a cross-sectional area, which is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a display structure of the flat panel display. Additionally, the moveable assembly may include a plurality of stacked ball-and-socket assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Jobs, Jonathan Ive, Michael D. Hillman, Frank Tsai, Michael D. McBroom, Daniel L. McBroom, Brian T. Sudderth, Arthur S. Brigham, Joel F. Jensen, Robert B. Brownell, Jr., Sung Kim, Anwyl M. McDonald, Russell C. Mead, Jr., Arturo Meuniot, Jesus Beltran, Bartley K. Andre, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Riccio, Jr.
  • 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: 7040783
    Abstract: A clip-on task lamp has a ball-shaped head that is pivotally and frictionally mounted between the cup-shaped ends of two tines of a ball-holding fork so that the ball-head can be rotated to any position. The ball-head has a front lens with two LEDs that are backed by a reflector. The ball has a flexible two-state pushbutton switch on the rear side and an internal battery. The base of the ball-holding fork comprises a single leg with a small swivel ball. The lamp has a clamp part that has, at its top end, two arms with two respective cup ends that hold the small swivel ball by friction fit. The base end of the clamp part comprises two legs, a shorter one of which is springably pivoted on an ear of the other. The end of each leg has a swivel pad and the shorter leg has a projection for facilitating spreading the legs so that they can be sandwiched around a member and clamped to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: ShowerTek, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Christianson
  • Patent number: 7008135
    Abstract: A stamped ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket comprising a base having an opening which is adapted to accept a fastener. The ball socket further comprising at least two walls extending from the base and at least two lock-in fingers protruding at an angle from the walls. The lock-in fingers and the walls of the ball socket flex to allow a pivot ball to be inserted between the lock-in fingers such that when the pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained in the ball socket by the lock-in fingers. Additionally, the base, walls, and lock-in fingers of the present invention are integrally formed by stamping a single piece of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Jan A. Wisler, Paul D. VanDuyn
  • Patent number: 6986590
    Abstract: An articulated illumination device includes an elongated holding sleeve with one end threadably attached to a support body or base which communicates with an iron slug in an interior storage compartment for insertably receiving and magnetically holding the device. The storage compartment insertably receives a magnetic end of the illumination means that is releasably engageable with the iron slug and a battery-operated light is disposed at the other light or end. A universal joint includes a ball socket and joint formed in the support body or base for rotatably mounting a selected end of the illumination device. A magnet is intended to either attach to the support body or base by magnetic attraction to the iron slug when the illumination means is in the storage compartment or the magnet is employed for supporting the illumination means in a cantilevered position from a wall surface, a post or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen J. Padden
  • Patent number: 6971777
    Abstract: Lamp unit for a motor vehicle of the type including at least one housing into which is inserted a lighting module which is fixed in the housing by means of at least one pivot element incorporating a rod of substantially horizontal axial orientation, carried by the housing, of which a spherical head is housed in a capsule integral with the lighting module, wherein it includes at least one retaining enclosure which is traversed by at least part of the rod, which is carried by a wall of the housing, and in which a seating receives the capsule supported vertically substantially aligned with the spherical head, so that the weight of the lighting module bears on the housing, and in that a sidewall of the enclosure has two flanges which are received in a slideway carried by the associated wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Daniel Casses, Jean Masse
  • Patent number: 6971776
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a reflector tiltably supported by an aiming mechanism intervening between the reflector and a lamp body. An aiming fulcrum forming the aiming mechanism is formed with a ball joint including a pivot on the reflector side and a bearing on the lamp body side. The pivot is formed with a shaft portion on the base end side and a ball portion on the front end side. The bearing is formed with a cylindrical ball bearing portion formed on the inner periphery where a ball supporting surface in press-contact with the ball portion opening forward via a ring-like diameter reducing portion. Vertical slits are provided in the open peripheral edge portion of the ball bearing portion. The ball portion is formed into a substantially hemispheric ball portion such that its front side press-fitted into the ball bearing portion has a spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tomita, Yosiaki Aiso, Ken Matsuoka, Katutada Shirai
  • Patent number: 6951412
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a pivot stud with an axis of rotation in the horizontal plane for use within a visual optical aim light assembly. The axis of rotation of the pivot stud defines an axis of rotation about which the light assembly may be rotated so as to properly aim the visual optical aim light assembly. The pivot stub does not allow rotation about planes other than the horizontal plane. According to one embodiment, the pivot stud comprises a ball and socket of a generally ellipsoid shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Travis S. Floyd, R. Andrew Kidd
  • Patent number: 6913374
    Abstract: A headlamp adjuster for adjusting the position of a reflector includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing has mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing also has channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which engages the reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.” A marked-up version showing the changes is enclosed herewith in accordance with 37 CFR §1.121 (b)(iii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6824300
    Abstract: A mounting plug for pivotably connecting a first component to a second component. The mounting plug comprises a ball stud portion comprising a ball and a post. The post comprises means for attaching the ball stud portion to the first component. The mounting plug further comprises a base and a socket chamber integrally molded on top of the base. The socket chamber is adapted to removably and pivotably retain the ball stud portion. The mounting plug further comprises a channel integrally molded to the base adjacent to the socket chamber, with the channel adapted to allow the ball to be inserted there through and into the socket chamber. The mounting plug further comprises a retainer portion integrally molded below the base. The retainer portion comprises at least one tab integrally molded to the retainer portion and adapted to removably secure the socket portion to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin R. Drews, Michael W. Beeler
  • Patent number: 6793372
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a light assembly with LESDs mounted opposite to the reflective side of a reflector. A plurality of reflectors are arranged in an overlapping fashion such that the light emitted from the LESD of one reflector is directed to the reflective surface of an underlying reflector. In this fashion, a number of LESDs may be incorporated into a lighting device in a variety of patterns while maintaining the LESDs and their mountings hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn M. Wehner, David L. Rhorer
  • Patent number: 6793359
    Abstract: A transmission member is swingably connected respectively to a reflector and a nut member, about an axis substantially orthogonal to a tilting direction of the reflector and to an advancing and backward direction of the nut member. As a result, the transmission member, which forms a link of a link mechanism, converts the linear motion of the nut member into rotation motion and transmits the rotation motion to the reflector, and also adjusts a misalignment between the linear motion of the nut member and the rotation motion of the reflector. Accordingly, optical axis adjustment is carried out smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Miyoshi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6783264
    Abstract: A Surface-Mounted, Billet-Formed Ball-Type Headlight Mount is disclosed. Also disclosed is a headlight mount that includes a ball dome member that attaches to the outside surface of the headlight housing. The mount further includes a plurality of attaching bolts extending outward from the inside of the housing to engage threaded apertures formed in an annular face. Furthermore, the mount assembly includes a carriage bolt having a flat-sided head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Joel R. Felty
  • Patent number: 6779908
    Abstract: An adjustable downlight lighting fixture includes a rotatable housing of hemispherical configuration rotatably mounted within a stationary lower outer housing which is also of hemispherical shape with a top opening cut at a preselected angle to horizontal so that a lamp disposed within the rotatable housing may be positional at preselected angles to vertical for downlighting through a ceiling opening. The lower outer housing is integral with a base or mounting frame for attachment to an opening in a ceiling through which light from the lamp in the rotatable housing passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventor: Sherman Ng
  • Patent number: 6733162
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp. A lamp chamber is partitioned by a lamp body in a vessel-like shape and by a front face lens, a reflector is attachedly inserted with a light source and is contained in the lamp chamber, and an aiming mechanism is interposed between the lamp body and the reflector for supporting the reflector inclinably to the lamp body. The reflector is inclined by rotating an aiming screw supported by a screw inserting hole provided at the lamp body. A rear end portion of the aiming screw projects to the rear side of the lamp body and includes an integrated crown gear made of a metal. A disk face of the gear is provided with a raised wrench engaging portion for engaging with an L-shaped wrench to thereby operate to rotate the aiming screw by using the L-shaped wrench extending from the side of the lamp piece. Aiming screw adjustments can be carried out even when there is no rear space behind the lamp piece. The wrench engaging portion can be formed simply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kurita, Katsuhiko Iiyama
  • Publication number: 20030235057
    Abstract: A mounting plug for pivotably connecting a first component to a second component. The mounting plug comprises a ball stud portion comprising a ball and a post. The post comprises means for attaching the ball stud portion to the first component. The mounting plug further comprises a base and a socket chamber integrally molded on top of the base. The socket chamber is adapted to removably and pivotably retain the ball stud portion. The mounting plug further comprises a channel integrally molded to the base adjacent to the socket chamber, with the channel adapted to allow the ball to be inserted there through and into the socket chamber. The mounting plug further comprises a retainer portion integrally molded below the base. The retainer portion comprises at least one tab integrally molded to the retainer portion and adapted to removably secure the socket portion to the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Guide Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin R. Drews, Michael W. Beeler
  • Patent number: 6607293
    Abstract: A rear combination lamp 1 is arranged in a manner that a wiring portion 6 is formed and divided into plural pieces along the periphery of the socket inlet 5 of a lamp body 2, a conductor 7 is divided into plural pieces and the plural pieces of the conductors are wired at the plural pieces of the wiring portion 6, respectively, and stop ribs 10 for restricting the insertion amount of a socket 20 are provided at the vicinity of guide grooves 9 which guide bayonets 25 when the bayonets 25 provided at the socket 20 is fitted to the wiring portion thereby to attach the socket to the lamp body. At the time of attaching the socket 20 to the lamp body 2, when a socket body 21 is inserted into the socket inlet 5, terminal contacts are brought into contact with the conductors 7, whereby the one end of the socket 20 abuts against a top face of the stop ribs 10. Thus, since the insertion amount of the socket 20 is restricted, the excessive deformation of the terminal contacts can be surely prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Sanuki, Takanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6592244
    Abstract: An adjusting element for fastening a headlight arrangement on a vehicle. The adjusting element has a nut element and a screw element, the screw element being screwed into the nut element. An opening is formed at a vehicle-body-side supporting plate for the nut element. The nut element is formed by an expansion nut which can be inserted into the opening, can be adjusted and has an eccentrically constructed receiving groove, so that, in the insertion direction and transversely thereto, the opening has a larger measurement than the inside diameter of the receiving groove and that, as a result of the screwing of the screw element into the positioned expansion nut, the latter is fixed on the supporting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Thomas Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20030012031
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp. A lamp chamber is partitioned by a lamp body in a vessel-like shape and by a front face lens, a reflector is attachedly inserted with a light source and is contained in the lamp chamber, and an aiming mechanism is interposed between the lamp body and the reflector for supporting the reflector inclinably to the lamp body. The reflector is inclined by rotating an aiming screw supported by a screw inserting hole provided at the lamp body. A rear end portion of the aiming screw projects to the rear side of the lamp body and includes an integrated crown gear made of a metal. A disk face of the gear is provided with a raised wrench engaging portion for engaging with an L-shaped wrench to thereby operate to rotate the aiming screw by using the L-shaped wrench extending from the side of the lamp piece. Aiming screw adjustments can be carried out even when there is no rear space behind the lamp piece. The wrench engaging portion can be formed simply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Takashi Kurita, Katsuhiko Iiyama
  • Publication number: 20030002288
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device, including an optical system capable of generating a light beam and consisting of a light source and of a reflector, the optical system being mounted on a chassis by way of a fixed point including a ball-joint articulation. In accordance with the invention, the optical system is held on the chassis by a second elastic link and by a third link capable of being put into motion by an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jean Paul Ravier
  • Patent number: 6485217
    Abstract: A light adjustment device for a laser resonant socket having a laser base having a housing that defines a laser chamber that retains a laser diode therein, and a fixing seat disposed at one end of the housing. The light adjustment device further includes an upper cover that is removably coupled with the fixing seat to define a spherical groove, and an adjuster body having a ball and an adjusting shaft, with a resonant socket room defined in the ball, and with a laser resonant socket retained inside the socket room. The ball is seated inside the spherical groove in a manner such that the ball can be pivoted inside the spherical groove to adjust the orientation of the ball and the adjusting shaft with respect to the laser base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Quarton, Inc.
    Inventors: Teng-Yuan Chien, Chao-Chi Huang, Wan-Rone Liou
  • Patent number: 6481879
    Abstract: A head lamp with a movable reflector. The headlamp includes a lamp body, a reflector with a light source mounted thereon, and an aiming mechanism interposed between the lamp body and the reflector (14) for tiltably supporting the reflector (14) with respect to the lamp body. The reflector tilts by the rotational movement of the aiming screw which is rotatably supported in a screw insertion hole formed on the lamp body. The screw insertion hole is formed by a tubular portion, and the front portion of the tubular portion includes divided swinging strips (53) which are resiliently deformable in the radial direction. The swinging strips engage with an engaging groove formed on the aiming screw to prevent the aiming screw from being detached from the lamp body. The aiming screw includes a rotatably supported portion formed of resin, a male screw portion, and a gear portion behind the rotatably supported portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Kihachiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 6474850
    Abstract: A headlamp adjuster for adjusting the position of a reflector includes a base housing with a slide positioned at least partially therein. The base housing has mounting tabs so that the adjuster can be secured to the back of a headlamp assembly support frame. The base housing has channels along its sides in which rails extending from the slide are disposed. A ball stud extends from the slide, the ball of which engages the reflector within the headlamp assembly such that axial movement of the ball stud causes movement of the reflector. Movement of the slide is caused by rotation of an adjustment screw that is threaded into the slide but held in axial position with respect to the base housing. The adjuster may include a vehicle headlamp aiming device (“VHAD”) if required for the particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6443607
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a coupling nut for connecting an automotive headlamp adjustment assembly to a tubular protrusion or boss of a headlight reflector forming part of the headlamp assembly wherein the coupling nut has a tubular opening at one end thereof which fits over the tubular protrusion of the headlamp reflector and a cup shaped opening at the opposite end and a circumferential cut out area with a flexible inclined plane therein to allow an easy snap-in of the nut to a pair of protrusions extending from the outside surface of the tubular protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Trans Technology Engineered Components, LLC
    Inventor: Todd E. Cassidy
  • Patent number: 6419370
    Abstract: Book lamp structure including a lamp main body, a pivot unit and a base seat. One end of the lamp main body is pivotally connected with the pivot unit. The pivot unit is composed of a connecting member, a supporting rod and a ball joint section disposed on the base seat. One end of the connecting member is axially connected with the lamp main body, while the other end thereof is transversely pivotally connected with the supporting rod, whereby the lamp main body can be rotated about an axis normal to the connecting member and pivotally tilted up and down relative to the supporting rod. The other end of the supporting rod is formed with a spherical section which is pivotally connected with the ball joint of the base seat, whereby the supporting rod as well as the lamp main body can be rotated about the axis of the supporting rod and tilted forward and backward and leftward and rightward and freely universally adjust the angle of the book lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Chung-Yang M. Chen
  • Patent number: 6371628
    Abstract: A post-installation adjustable lighting fixture comprises an eyeball captured between a flange and retention means which are rotatably coupled so that the eyeball is swivelably received by the flange and retention means. The eyeball is constructed so that it can be removably attached to an open-ended adjusting tool which provides easy adjustment of the eyeball position after the fixture is installed on a mounting surface. The tool may be left in place to act as a glare reduction device, baffle, or projection device. The tool may alternatively be separated from the eyeball to provide a conventional appearance for the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Lucifer Lighting Company
    Inventor: Patrick H. Ward
  • Patent number: 6354722
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight has a cam mechanism for displacing the reflector and the light source of the headlight with respect to each other, between two relative positions in which the headlight emits two different types of light beam. The cam mechanism comprises a first cam member and a second cam member, and it converts rotation of the first cam member about an axis of rotation into a first straight line motion of the second cam member. The first straight line motion is collinear with the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Cesar Lopez Montenegro, Jean Paul Ravier
  • Patent number: 6315438
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp of a movable reflector type comprising a lamp body, a reflector having a lamp, and an aiming mechanism disposed between the lamp body and the reflector and structured so as to support the reflector and adjust the angle of the reflector with respect to the lamp body when aiming screws mounted in screw insertion holes of the lamp body are turned; and a portion of each of the aiming screws which is installed in and supported by the screw insertion hole is made of plastic, and annular elastic waterproofing ribs are formed on the plastic portion of the aiming screw so as to be brought into a sliding contact with the inner surface of the screw insertion hole, thus securing a waterproofing capability for the vehicle headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katutada Shirai, Takashi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6247868
    Abstract: A disengageable pivot connection includes a ball stud that is capable of being selectively removed from the corresponding socket. The ball stud includes an engagement head that has substantially flat faces or grooves that correspond to tabs extending from the rim of the socket into which the ball stud is engaged. To install, the ball stud is inserted into the socket such that the substantially flat faces or grooves on the head pass by the tabs extending from the rim of the socket. Then, the ball stud is rotated such that the head engages the tabs extending from the rim of the socket. Alternatively, the head of the ball stud is snap-fitted into the socket as is conventional in the art. As such, the head cannot be removed from the socket without additional rotation. The head remains free to pivot within the socket as required for the particular application. One particularly desirable application of the present invention is in automotive lamp assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6244735
    Abstract: A pivot connection includes a ball stud head that creates strong anti-rotation characteristics while retaining substantially full pivotability. The ball stud head includes a mid-section that grips the interior of the socket so as to resist rotation. The improved ball stud head is useful in connection with quarter turn style ball sockets and quarter turn headlamp adjusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6231220
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp having an aiming mechanism, in which a spherical pivot and a ball seat can readily be formed with great accuracy by reducing the number of parts and assembling steps. A fulcrum portion 7 of the aiming mechanism in a vehicle lamp includes a spherical pivot 10 formed integrally with a reflector 3, and a ball seat 20 formed integrally with a lamp body 1, which is used for receiving the spherical pivot 10. The spherical pivot 10 which has a spherical portion 12 and a strut portion 13 and is projected from the reflector 3 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mold-parting direction when the reflector 3 is molded, does not require sliders for use in molding the spherical pivot. Moreover, the ball seat 20 includes a curved surface groove portion 21 and a pair of ball holding-down plates 22 with the spherical portion 12 of the spherical pivot 10 held therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuzi Shibuya, Hidetsugu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6231215
    Abstract: A halogen shop light having an elongated housing defining an interior space and mountable to a support surface and which includes an external receptacle. The light also includes a light source comprised of a housing, handle, lens, halogen lamp, and outwardly extending post which terminates in a ball like free end. A second post extending from the housing is also provided. The second post has inner and outer sleeves which are rotatably connected. There is also a socket in the second post which receives the ball-like free end to form an universally rotatable ball and socket connection. Wiring for energizing the lamp and the external receptacle is further provided and the wiring is placed in a channel which travels through the posts and ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Regent Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Spitler, Pei Sheng Qian
  • Patent number: 6220735
    Abstract: A head lamp for vehicle use is provided, which includes a intermediate tilting member tiltably supported by a lamp body at three points. One point acts as a tilting fulcrum, while the other two points are supported by an aiming adjusting member of an aiming adjusting mechanism, for changing positions of the intermediate tilting member with respect to the lamp body. The head lamp also includes a reflector which is tiltably supported by the intermediate tilting member at three support points, wherein two points are formed into tilting fulcrums, and the other point is supported via a leveling actuator of a leveling adjusting mechanism, for changing a position of the reflector with respect to the intermediate tilting member by an automatic operation or a remote operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Matubara
  • Patent number: 6220728
    Abstract: A worklight mounting system having a post extending from a support and a light having a catch. The post is insertable into the catch and is releasably secured within the catch by the coaction between a groove and at least one roller. The coaction there between prevents axial movement while permitting rotational movement there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Regent Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Don Andrus, Pei Sheng Qian
  • Patent number: 6165010
    Abstract: A desktop extension power and telephone port station includes a station body and a base. The station body defines a body chamber therein and the base includes a supporting shell that defines a shell chamber for receiving a weight member therein for stability. A light emitting diode (LED) indicator, a telephone notch, a fuse switch, and an electrical socket are arranged to mount on a front surface of the station body. An elongated telephone cord has a first end connected to the telephone notch mounted on the front shell and a second end connected to a telephone clip. An elongated electrical wire has a first end portion connected to the electrical socket, the fuse switch and the LED indicator and a second end portion connected to an electrical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Prazoff
  • Patent number: 6022119
    Abstract: A book light having a pair of arms or a "U" bracket pivotally attached to a head at one end and a body at the other end. In the case of the "U" bracket, the head is attached by a ball joint and has infinite ranges of motion. The body has a clip for attachment to a book or a bed frame, an on/off switch, a plug for receiving an AC adapter, and a battery compartment. The head has a light assembly and a fluorescent light bulb for illuminating a book. A wire or conductive strip running along, and guided by wire guides, each of the arms provides an electrical connection between the light assembly and the source of power. The pivoting of the head and the body allow them to be pivoted for storage in the space between the arms or so that the book light be used as a free-standing desk lamp. Optionally, the two arms or the "U" bracket may be connected to a pivot arm which swivels about the body to increase the degrees of freedom and the flexibility of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Phorm Concept & Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Booty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6019490
    Abstract: An inverted L-shaped fixed-side bracket 13 for fastening a lamp body 2 to a vehicle body 10. A vehicle-body fitting hole 13c is vertically bored through a tongue edge portion 13b projecting rearwardly from the upper end portion of the fixed-side bracket, and a cylindrical body 19 having a tapping hole 18 is projected rearwardly from a main portion 13a. The tapping hole 18 has a polygonal shape and receives an aiming-adjusting screw 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michinobu Kibayashi
  • Patent number: 6004004
    Abstract: A portable dual flashlight assembly includes a flexible and deformable elongated body member for wrapping and retaining the assembly around an object, a battery compartment mounted to each end of the body member and providing a source of electrical power at each end thereof, a light bulb enclosure mounted to each battery compartment, a light bulb mounted in each light bulb enclosure and generating a beam of light at one end of each battery compartment and a mechanism associated with each light bulb enclosure for switching each light bulb on and off. The deformable body member includes an elongated deformable member and a flexible tubular covering enclosing the deformable member. The flexible covering extends around and along the deformable member and has a longitudinal central channel receiving the wire therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Lumatec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Altman, Velissa Van Scoyoc
  • Patent number: 5908239
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp has a reflector coupled to a lamp housing via a pivotal connection and two aiming mechanisms for tilting the reflector relative to the lamp housing about horizontal and vertical axes intersecting at the pivotal connection. One such aiming mechanism comprises an aiming screw rotatably mounted to the lamp housing, a socket member affixed to the back of the reflector, and a ball with a tapped hole extending therethrough to fit over the aiming screw. The socket member has a hollow extending therethrough for receiving the aiming screw with clearance. Part of the hollow in the socket member is formed into a socket for rotatably receiving the ball on the aiming screw. A lockpin on the ball is engaged in a slot in the socket member thereby locking the ball against rotation relative to the socket member about the axis of the hole therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 5906431
    Abstract: The movable reflector of the headlight of a motor vehicle can be orientated by means of an orientation adjustment device located inside the body of the headlight. The orientation of the reflected light beam is controlled with the help of an adjustable graduated scale which is connected to the reflector and which can move with respect to a stationary indicator fixed to the headlight, so as to indicate the changes in orientation of the reflector. The graduated scale is set to zero by means of a manual adjustment carried out by specialized personnel using a special tool, once the reflector has been correctly orientated by means of the adjustment device. The stationary indicator and the graduated scale are located so that they are clearly visible inside the headlight, beneath the transparent cover of a porthole which can be opened in order to set the scale to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gianpaolo Chianale, Franco Valente
  • Patent number: 5882109
    Abstract: An all-round marine navigation light which generally limits the direction of light transmission to a selected angle above and a selected angle below a plane in which light transmission is to be generally directed. The navigation light generally includes a base defining a light limiting perimeter wall, a circumferential lens which allows light transmission in all directions of the selected plane, the lens being secured to the base, a cap defining a downwardly projecting light limiting perimeter wall, the cap being secured to the lens, and the upwardly and downwardly projecting perimeter walls blocking light transmission through lower and upper portions of the circumferential lens, respectively, to generally limit the direction of light transmission to a relatively narrow band generally within and/or adjacent to a selected plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventors: Elzie McKinney, Bruce L. Reniger
  • Patent number: 5833347
    Abstract: An aiming apparatus for a headlamp having a structure such that nuts-for holding adjusting screws are protected from being loaded excessively when an operation for aiming the headlamp is performed is disclosed, the apparatus having brackets fixedly provided for a automobile body, and a headlamp unit provided in such a manner that the headlamp unit can be inclined so as to change the light emission axis of the headlamp when the headlamp unit is inclined, wherein the brackets and the headlamp unit are connected to each other by a rotation support portion and two adjusting screws screwed to nuts provided for brackets, a plane of the headlamp unit on which connection points between the members are located is inclined with respect to the optical axis, the adjusting screws are disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane, and each of the nuts has a cylindrical inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakamura, Mitsuhiro Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 5765938
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a flexible core comprising a pair of conductive wires which electrically connect a source of power to a power using implement. A flexible spine surrounds the pair of conductive wires and includes a plurality of interconnected universally rotatable members. A resilient sleeve engages the outer surface of the rotatable members forming the spine. The flashlight includes a working end housing and a base housing. A first anchor connects one end of the flexible core to the base end housing and a second anchor connects the other end of the flexible core to the working end housing. The outer surface of the resilient sleeve is restrained against relative twisting or longitudinal movement with respect to each housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Rousso, Paul R. Holbrook
  • Patent number: 5765935
    Abstract: A vehicular head lamp has a head lamp unit tiltabaly attached to a vehicle body by means of two distance adjusters including adjusting shafts and one rotational support section. The two adjusting shafts are coupled to the vehicle body via a bracket of a synthetic resin which has two nuts that are to be respectively fitted over the two adjusting shafts, and projections protruding toward the vehicle body are formed on nut-forming portions and are engaged with attachment holes formed in the vehicle body to secure the bracket to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Katsumata, Michinobu Kibayashi
  • Patent number: 5762415
    Abstract: A lamp assembly comprises a reflector body having a rear opening for receiving a replaceable light bulb. The reflector body is adjustably mounted on a support by an adjustment mechanism comprising a plurality of ball-and-socket joints. The socket of each joint is defined by a pair of arms having mutually co-operating socket parts. The arms of said pair are pivotally secured together for relative movement between a closed position in which the respective ball is held in the socket defined by the socket parts of the pair of arms, and an open position in which the respective ball of the joint can be engaged with/disengaged from the respective socket. A latch mechanism is provided for releasably retaining the pair of arms in said relatively closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Lucas Industries, plc
    Inventor: Robert Frank Tolley
  • Patent number: 5746559
    Abstract: A self-locking nut fitted into a fitting hole of a reflector with which an aiming screw engages for adjusting an inclination angle of a reflector of a vehicular lamp, the self-locking nut comprising: a nut leading portion having slits extending in radius direction; a flange arranged below said nut leading portion; a fitting portion formed below said flange, said fitting portion having slits extending in radius direction and a pair of legs for fitting into the fitting hole of the reflector, said pair of legs being elastically expandable and having a wedge shape; a shaft hole having an inner surface, said shaft hole passing through the nut leading portion, the flange and the fitting portion in vertical direction; and a threaded portion formed on the inner surface of said shaft hole engageable with the aiming screw, the threaded portion comprising: first grooves extending from said slit of said fitting portion; second grooves positioned perpendicular to said slit of said fitting portion; a divided circumferentia
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katutada Shirai
  • Patent number: 5672004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting apparatus of the type having a retainer, a lamp holder held by the retainer, and a lamp secured with respect to such holder. In the improvement, the lamp holder has a pair of support edges spaced from one another by a first dimension. The retainer includes first and second notches, each having a pair of notch edges spaced from one another by a second dimension which is greater than the first dimension. So configured, the holder may be removed through the notches without having access to the rear of the apparatus. In a specific embodiment, the lamp holder is a sphere truncated along two planes to form an "eyeball-like" structure which may be moved in the retainer for adjusting the position of the light beam. A new method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: IMO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Schmidt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5669695
    Abstract: An automotive vehicular headlamp adjustment mechanism comprises a ball rod having a ball element disposed upon a free end thereof for connection to a vehicular headlamp housing. A threaded drive rod, having oppositely disposed threaded sections formed thereon, is rotatably journalled within a bushing member which slidably supports the ball rod for slidable movement in extension and retraction directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Parker, Albert Willem van Boven, Samuel P. Amdahl