Headlight Patents (Class 362/475)
  • Patent number: 7137722
    Abstract: To provide a motorcycle front body structure of a simplified design, which contributes to reduction in motorcycle height and air resistance, by the employment of a dedicated removable cover for selectively opening and closing the access opening defined in an undersurface of the lamp unit, the motorcycle front body structure includes a fairing (21) having a lamp opening (21a), a lamp unit (23) positioned in the lamp opening (21a) and having an undersurface formed with an access opening (23c), and a cover (24) removably fitted to the lamp unit (23) for covering the access opening (23c). The lamp unit (23) and the cover (24) have respective undersurfaces exposed to an air flow passage (40) above a front wheel (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takumi Uemoto, Ryota Obuki, Nobumasa Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7080929
    Abstract: A lamp unit (23) mounted above a front fender (7) for a wheel (6) of a motorcycle includes left and right head lamps (23a, 23b), a single lens member (23d) positioned forwardly of and covering the head lamps (23a, 23b), and a mirror finished body (29) positioned rearwardly of the lens member (23d). The mirror finished body (29) includes a first mirror surface area (29a) aligned with an intermediate portion of the lens member (23d) extending vertically, and left and right second mirror surface areas (29b) continued from the first mirror surface area (29a) extending horizontally along a lower edge of the lens member (23d). The mirror finished body (29) is formed to reflect an image of the fender (7) when viewed either from front or slantwise from front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushika Kaisha
    Inventors: Takumi Uemoto, Ryota Obuki
  • Patent number: 7073618
    Abstract: A light assembly for mounting to a motorcycle fender that has an aperture sized to receive the light assembly, the light assembly in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a reflector, (b) a source of light, and (c) a lens having a shape conforming to an outer surface of the fender wherein the lens is flush with the outer surface of the fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Song
  • Patent number: 6834986
    Abstract: There is provided a bicycle head lamp employing an LED having high energy efficiency to be capable of provide sufficiently increased illuminance at a center position a predetermined distance ahead and also satisfying a predetermined distribution of light. A head lamp attached to a bicycle includes a casing, a plurality of adjacently arranged LEDs, and a lens arranged closer to an opening for each LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Cateye Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20040257821
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight includes a body case fixed to a vehicle body, a lens provided in front of the body case, a lamp bulb facing an inner space formed by the body case and the lens and an intermediate member interposed between the body case and the lens so as to be exposed to an external environment. The body case and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other, and the lens and the intermediate member are arranged with their end faces opposing each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Toyofuku
  • Publication number: 20040246732
    Abstract: A self-adjusting motorcycle headlight has a housing surrounding a light element and a lean-sensing device. In one embodiment, the lean-sensing is gyroscope, which adjusts a reflector of the light element to maintain a generally planer direction of the light beam emitted by the light element. In an alternative embodiment, an array of lights may be used for the light element, and the lean-sensing element may be used to determine which lights of the array are powered to produce a predetermined beam pattern, which may be generally planer or provide cornering or peripheral lighting. The self-adjusting motorcycle headlight has particular utility in connection with automatically directing light into the direction of travel of a motorcycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Chad J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6814477
    Abstract: A license light for a two-wheeled vehicle capable of uniformly illuminating a display plane of a license plate. A lamp main body is supported in a light housing portion of a light cover mounted to a license plate mounting portion of a rear fender. The lamp main body is configured such that a lamp fixed to a base via a socket is covered with a lens. A prism is provided on an upper surface portion of the lens through which light emitted from the lamp is directed for illuminating a display plane of the license plate. The prism is formed by arraying a plurality of prism elements, each of which is directed in a direction parallel to the center line of a vehicular body, in a direction perpendicular to the center line direction. The light emitted from the lamp is uniformly diffused by the prism, so that the license light is uniformly illuminated with the light with a uniform brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Yamaguchi, Toru Miyagawa, Toshinori Nakano
  • Publication number: 20040213006
    Abstract: In a cycle having a bolt integrally secured to a cycle main frame or an engine block of the cycle, the bolt projecting transversely from the cycle relative to a vertical plane of symmetry, a novel cycle frame slider includes an elongate hollow cylinder having an internal diameter, an outside diameter and an annular region, the cylinder formed of a durable optically transmissible polymer, the cylinder having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the cylinder proportioned for securable engagement with the bolt, the cylinder having an axial length in a range of about 10 to about 15 centimeters. The slider also includes a plurality of light-emitting elements circumferentially secured within and about the proximal end of the hollow cylinder, the light-emitting elements providing for control of on-off cycling and blinking, the light-emitting elements in optical communicating with the annular region of the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Pierre Elliott
  • Patent number: 6808298
    Abstract: A headlight system including a mounting device whereby the headlight system can be mounted on a vehicle, and a pair of spaced apart headlights carried by the mounting device. The mounting device includes an adjustment device whereby the distance between the headlights carried by the mounting device may be varied. The adjustment device includes a telescopic mounting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Todd Regan Christensen
  • Patent number: 6799872
    Abstract: A headlight for a motorcycle illuminates the space in front of the motorcycle, through which a longitudinally-extending, vertical central plane passes. The motorcycle headlight comprises a light source and a plurality of lenses having centers and arranged to receive light from the light source. The light source is disposed outwardly from the center plane of the motorcycle with respect to the centroid of the centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidenari Kawai
  • Publication number: 20040174712
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp used for a vehicle, includes an infrared light source for generating red light and infrared light, a visible light source for generating visible light whose wavelength is different from that of the red light, an optical system for emitting the red light and visible light towards a substantially same emission area in front of the vehicle and a lighting circuit for turning on the infrared light and visible light sources with the strength in order that the chromaticity in the emission area based on the red light and visible light can correspond to white light within a predetermined range in chromaticity coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Seiichiro Yagi
  • Publication number: 20040170024
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a tail light structure of a motorcycle/scooter and a motorcycle/scooter equipped with the tail light structure, which can provide a better indication of the rear indicators for safe driving. The tail light structure includes a base and a tail light, and the base can be connected to the rear cover and the fender of the motorcycle as an integrated module to improve rigidity. The base includes a first securing plate, a second securing plate and an extending plate, the extending plate including a first extending portion and a second extending portion, the front of the second securing plate being connected approximately perpendicular to the bottom of the first securing plate, and the first extending portion being perpendicularly disposed below the rear of the second securing plate. The top of the second extending portion is connected to the bottom of the first extending portion, and the second extending portion backwardly tilts at an angle to the first extending portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: YAMAHA MOTOR R&D TAIWAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Ching Sheu, Chia-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 6773147
    Abstract: The headlight device includes: a pair of left and right headlights, the one on the right road-shoulder side being a double filament type headlight which is switchable between low and highbeams, the other one on the left, oncoming vehicle's side, being a single filament type headlight dedicated for low beam only; and a lighting control circuit which activates the low beam filaments of both headlights in the low beam mode and which activates the high beam filament of the double filament type headlight and the low beam filament of the other headlight in high beam mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashige Kakizoe, Hisao Tsushima
  • Publication number: 20040145897
    Abstract: A Single-bolt Auxiliary Light Bracket is disclosed. The device provides a clean, sleek mounting apparatus for motorcycle auxiliary light fixtures. The device may further be provided in a variety of configurations to accomodate a variety of handlebar designs; in all embodiments, the bracket will attach to the existing motorcycle structure with a single bolt. The device is still further provided with recessed grooves formed in its surface for retaining headlamp wiring and other non-aesthetically-pleasing appurtances therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Joel R. Felty
  • Publication number: 20040114383
    Abstract: A bicycle light comprises a light head (18) operable to emit light of one colour such as white in one direction and light of another colour such as red in the opposite direction, and a mounting (20, 24) for attaching the light head to an end of a bicycle's handlebars (12), preferably the off-side end of the handlebars. The bicycle light enhances the visibility of the cyclist by adopting a novel position for the light, and it also encourages motorists to give the cyclist a wider berth while overtaking. The mounting may include a flexible stem (20), and in one embodiment the stem may be retractable into the handlebars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel John Beard
  • Patent number: 6729750
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a headlight system. The apparatus includes a control yoke control unit having a brake control, a dimmer switch, an actuating mechanism, and at least one control support for supporting the brake control and dimmer switch. Both controls are incorporated into the control unit. The control unit may have only a single control support with both controls therein, or it may have two control supports each with one control. The control unit also includes an electrical connector for connecting the dimmer switch to a headlight and a source of electrical power. The actuating mechanism is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the first direction actuates the brake control, and moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the second direction actuates the dimmer switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel Janisch, Ron Bergman
  • Publication number: 20030189835
    Abstract: There is provided a bicycle head lamp employing an LED having high energy efficiency to be capable of provide sufficiently increased illuminance at a center position a predetermined distance ahead and also satisfying a predetermined distribution of light. A head lamp attached to a bicycle includes a casing, a plurality of adjacently arranged LEDs, and a lens arranged closer to an opening for each LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Satoshi Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 6619818
    Abstract: A light bulb housing, method of making same and method of replacing a light bulb within the light bulb housing wherein the housing has an internal chamber which is almost completely closed except for a single access opening. A light bulb is mounted within the internal chamber. A biasing device, such as a coil spring, is mounted within the internal chamber and located between the light bulb and the access opening. A lens is then mounted within the internal chamber against the coil spring and while compressing of the biasing device a O-ring seal is installed within a groove formed in the sidewall of the access opening. Upon manual release of the lens, the coil spring forces the lens into watertight, airtight, dustproof engagement with the O-ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: James E. Grove
  • Publication number: 20030142502
    Abstract: A headlight for a motorcycle illuminates the space in front of the motorcycle, through which a longitudinally-extending, vertical central plane passes. The motorcycle headlight comprises a light source and a plurality of lenses having centers and arranged to receive light from the light source. The light source is disposed outwardly from the center plane of the motorcycle with respect to the centroid of the centers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Hidenari Kawai
  • Publication number: 20030142501
    Abstract: An orientation sensitive light for mounting on motorcycles and the like, having a light emitter, an orientation sensitive switch, and a power source, all connected in an electric circuit. The light is mounted on the underside of the motorcycle or on a side of the motorcycle, with the light emitter pointing downwards during normal operational orientation of the motorcycle. An orientation sensitive switch has a cavity with a quantity of an electrically conductive liquid such as mercury. The switch activates the light emitter when the motorcycle changes its orientation, as when a front or a rear wheel is raised above the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Georges Exilien
  • Patent number: 6595666
    Abstract: An orientation sensitive light for mounting on motorcycles and the like, having a light emitter, an orientation sensitive switch, and a power source, all connected in an electric circuit. The light is mounted on the underside of the motorcycle or on a side of the motorcycle, with the light emitter pointing downwards during normal operational orientation of the motorcycle. An orientation sensitive switch has a cavity with a quantity of an electrically conductive liquid such as mercury. The switch activates the light emitter when the motorcycle changes its orientation, as when a front or a rear wheel is raised above the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Georges Exilien
  • Publication number: 20030133306
    Abstract: The headlight device includes: a pair of left and right headlights, the one on the right road-shoulder side being a double filament type headlight which is switchable between low and highbeams, the other one on the left, oncoming vehicle's side, being a single filament type headlight dedicated for low beam only; and a lighting control circuit which activates the low beam filaments of both headlights in the low beam mode and which activates the high beam filament of the double filament type headlight and the low beam filament of the other headlight in high beam mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Takashige Kakizoe, Hisao Tsushima
  • Patent number: 6592243
    Abstract: A head lamp device includes a structure in which a discharge lamp has a discharge bulb and a reflector of a substantially hemispheric shape arranged in an upper part of a housing. A filament including a filament bulb and a reflector of a substantially hemispheric shape is arranged in a lower part of the housing. The front opening of the lamp housing is covered by a front lens. The discharge bulb can generate two to three times as much luminous flux as a conventional filament bulb. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the discharge bulb as compared to the filament bulb. This makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the head lamp device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Kodaira, Kenichi Takeda, Tetsuya Suzuki, Toru Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20030128547
    Abstract: A headlight allowing easy adjustment of a delicate light distribution pattern during manufacturing is provided. The headlight includes a light source, a reflector surrounding the light source from its backside to reflect light incident from the light source frontward, and a front lens located in front of the light source and the reflector. The front lens is provided with at least two portions different in light transmission characteristic from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Masao Shoji
  • Patent number: 6572249
    Abstract: A horizontal disk shaped bicycle light has a plurality of illuminating elements arrayed around its circumference, selectively illuminated at slow, medium and fast (or continuously “on”) rates and selectively illuminated in an all around or a side and rear only pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Randall B. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6568838
    Abstract: The rotatable and mountable light assembly of the present invention includes a base member, the base member pivotally connected to a clamping member, the clamping member comprising a means to removably secure the base member to a bar; a lamp holding member releasably secured to the base member, the lamp holding member comprising a lamp receiving space, the lamp receiving space being of sufficient space to receive at least one individual lamp. The lamp holding member is capable of altering its orientation with regard to the base member such that the orientation of the lamp holding member vis-à-vis the clamping member may be altered; the single lamp residing in a portion of the receiving space, the lamp comprising a tens and a means to illuminate; and a means to provide power to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Cycle, LLC
    Inventors: Harry B. Taylor, Paul Klinger
  • Patent number: 6565241
    Abstract: The present invention is an improvement to any motorized vehicle for human transport having an electrical system with at least one headlight. The improvement includes a flashlight base to which a headlight is connected, referred to herein as the flash-headlight. The base and flash-headlight are removably mounted on the vehicle, and the base has a rechargeable energy pack, e.g., a cell or battery pack for powering the flash-headlight when removed from the vehicle. The base has an on/off switch operable when the base and flash-headlight are removed from the vehicle. There is a disconnectable powering electrical contact connected from the vehicle electrical system to the flash-headlight for powering and operation thereof when the flash-headlight is not removed from the vehicle, and adapted for disconnection from the flash-headlight for removal of base and flash-headlight from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Alex P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 6511215
    Abstract: A lamp apparatus or a vehicle headlamp having first and second lamp units that are provided adjacent to each other in the lateral direction so as to tilt in a lamp body by first and second aiming mechanisms, respectively. First supporting portions for supporting a fulcrum pin and aiming screws of the fast aiming mechanism are provided behind the first lamp unit in the lamp body, and second supporting portions for supporting a fulcrum pin and aiming screws of the second aiming mechanism are provided behind the second lamp unit in the lamp body; and at least one of the plurality of first supporting portions and at least one of the plurality of second supporting portions are provided so as to overlap each other in a direction in which the lamp units are disposed when the headlamp is viewed from front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Hashigaya
  • Patent number: 6497506
    Abstract: A head lamp apparatus for a vehicle comprises a lamp housing mounted to a front portion of a vehicle body, a head lamp bulb disposed inside the lamp housing and adapted to radiate a light, a reflector for reflecting an irradiation light from the head lamp bulb in a direction forward of the vehicle body, and a position bulb disposed in front of the head lamp bulb inside the lamp housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashige Kakizoe
  • Patent number: 6454446
    Abstract: A motorcycle headlamp assembly has a headlamp for emitting a beam and a cover with a spherical shell that encloses the headlamp. The shell has an aperture through which the beam is emitted when the headlamp is operative. A shutter closes the aperture when the headlamp is inoperative. The shutter lies closely adjacent the inner surface of the shell so that an outer surface of the shutter closely conforms to the inner surface of the shell. The shutter is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis coincident with a center of the shell such that the shutter pivots about the axis between closed and open positions. In its open position, the closely conforms to the inner surface of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel John Hanna
  • Patent number: 6439753
    Abstract: A pair of right and left headlights are fitted with a front cowl. Each headlight has two lamps laterally arranged. A laterally inner one of the two lamps is a discharge lamp functioning as a low-beam emitting lamp, and a laterally outer one of the two lamps is a halogen lamp functioning as a high-beam emitting lamp. The halogen lamp is higher in position than the discharge lamp. Each headlight further has a reflector surface for the low beam and a reflector surface for the high beam. The reflector surface is larger in size than the reflector surface. A lens is provided on the front side of the reflector surfaces, and the width of a laterally inner portion of the lens is larger than the width of a laterally outer portion of the lens. The low beam emitted from the discharge lamp is reflected on the larger reflector surface to illuminate a wide area, and the high beam emitted from the halogen lamp is reflected on the smaller reflector surface to illuminate a spot area at a distant point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Sumada, Koji Kano, Shigeru Kodaira, Koichi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 6439733
    Abstract: A light system that attaches to a helmet. The light is designed to be removable. The system has a forward head light that enables a rider to illuminate in whatever direction the rider's head is looking. It has a translucent shell. In one embodiment, the shell is colored red. Light from the headlamp is allowed to leak through the rear of the shell, which gives the appearance of a taillight. In a second embodiment, the device has a forward headlamp and a second bulb that illuminates the rear shell. In a modification of this embodiment, the rear lamp has two filaments. One filament remains on all the time and acts as a taillight. The other filament is activated by the brake handle of the vehicle. In this way, it acts as a brake light, further warning other riders that the vehicle is slowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventors: Ernst W Fischer, Stephen Karcz
  • Patent number: 6428192
    Abstract: An adjustable front lamp assembled between a tube and a handlebar of a bicycle. The lamp has a stem having a chamber defined therein, and a battery seat received in the chamber. A cover is provided on a top of the stem and has a bar laterally formed on an inner face of a front end thereof. A lamp seat is movably assembled on the front end of the stem. The lamp seat includes an upper housing and a lower housing, and has a lamp switch provided therein and electrically connected with the battery seat. The upper housing has a tongue extending between the cover and the stem, and a lamp button provided at a top face thereof and engaged with the lamp switch. An illuminating member is assembled in the lamp seat and electrically connected with the lamp switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Pao-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 6390656
    Abstract: A headlight includes a low-beam lamp arranged on a longitudinally extending center line of a vehicle body and left and right high-beam lamps arranged on the opposite sides of the low-beam lamp as viewed in plan. This arrangement permits the total reflection area of the reflecting portions of the left and right high-beam lamps can be increased. The lens of the low-beam lamp and the left and right high-beam lamps is integrally formed and largely curved toward the front side of the vehicle body, thereby suppressing an increase in the air resistance by the headlight. Accordingly, the brightness of the headlight can be increased without changing the rated powers of the bulbs of the low-beam lamp and the high-beam lamps. Further, by symmetrically arranging the left and right high-beam lamps with respect to the low-beam lamp, the illumination condition on the road surface by the high beam in the case of cornering to the left can be made similar to that in the case of cornering to the right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Suda, Shigeru Kodaira, Koichi Hikichi
  • Publication number: 20020039297
    Abstract: A head lamp device includes a structure in which a discharge lamp has a discharge bulb and a reflector of a substantially hemispheric shape arranged in an upper part of a housing. A filament including a filament bulb and a reflector of a substantially hemispheric shape is arranged in a lower part of the housing. The front opening of the lamp housing is covered by a front lens. The discharge bulb can generate two to three times as much luminous flux as a conventional filament bulb. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the discharge bulb as compared to the filament bulb. This makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the head lamp device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Kodaira, Kenichi Takeda, Tetsuya Suzuki, Toru Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6345905
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp in which a spherical leading end portion of a tilting actuator is prevented from dropping out of a reflector-side groove-type ball bearing body in a reflector tilting device for tilting a reflector mounted within a lamp body. A reflector tilting device capable of tiltably adjusting a reflector contained in a lamp body includes a tilting actuator disposed in the lamp body having an actuator rod displaceable in the direction of the optical axis of the reflector. A groove-type ball bearing body is mounted to the reflector and fitted into a spherical leading end portion disposed at a leading end of the actuator rod. The groove-type ball bearing body has, at each end of a groove portion which has opposed open ends and into which the spherical leading end portion is fitted, a dropout-preventing strip portion protruding towards the interior of the groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michinobu Kibayashi, Hiroshi Shida, Katutami Oishi
  • Patent number: 6345906
    Abstract: The invention is a lamp (1) for motor vehicles, especially a rear lamp. The lamp includes a plurality of chambers each having a light source. The chambers are arranged adjacent to one another and each represents an illumination unit (3). Each illumination unit has a pot-shaped housing (6) with a light source. An opening of each housing is closed by a covering pane (7). The lamp is also provided with a locking device (13) with elements for fixing the illumination units to a common support (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Johannes J. Bahne, Susanne Pfarr, Reiner Pohl
  • Patent number: 6334701
    Abstract: A head lamp device includes a structure in which a discharge lamp has a discharge bulb and a reflector of a substantially hemispheric shape arranged in an upper part of a housing. A filament including a filament bulb and a reflector of a substantially hemispheric shape is arranged in a lower part of the housing. The front opening of the lamp housing is covered by a front lens. The discharge bulb can generate two to three times as much luminous flux as a conventional filament bulb. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the discharge bulb as compared to the filament bulb. This makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the head lamp device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Kodaira, Kenichi Takeda, Tetsuya Suzuki, Toru Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6264351
    Abstract: The rotatable and mountable light assembly of the present invention includes a base member, the base member pivotally connected to a clamping member, the clamping member comprising a means to removably secure the base member to a bar; a lamp holding member releasably secured to the base member, the lamp holding member comprising a lamp receiving space, the lamp receiving space being of sufficient space to receive at least one individual lamp. The lamp holding member is capable of altering its orientation with regard to the base member such that the orientation of the lamp holding member vis-à-vis the clamping member may be altered; the single lamp residing in a portion of the receiving space, the lamp comprising a lens and a means to illuminate; and a means to provide power to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Schwinn Cycling & Fitness Inc.
    Inventors: Harry B. Taylor, Paul Klinger
  • Patent number: 6227688
    Abstract: The rotatable and mountable light assembly of the present invention includes a base member, the base member pivotally connected to a clamping member, the clamping member comprising a means to removably secure the base member to a bar; a lamp holding member releasably secured to the base member, the lamp holding member comprising a lamp receiving space, the lamp receiving space being of sufficient space to receive at least one individual lamp. The lamp holding member is capable of altering its orientation with regard to the base member such that the orientation of the lamp holding member vis-à-vis the clamping member may be altered; the single lamp residing in a portion of the receiving space, the lamp comprising a lens and a means to illuminate; and a means to provide power to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Schwinn Cycling & Fitness Inc.
    Inventors: Harry B. Taylor, Paul Klinger
  • Patent number: 6152585
    Abstract: An illumination device is provided and associated with the gas tank of a motorcycle to help illuminate the area in front and to the sides of the motorcycle. The device includes a light panel and a light housing. The light housing is provided with a reflective surface area which reflects light received from a light bulb in the direction in front of the motorcycle and to the side of the motorcycle corresponding to the side of the motorcycle to which the tank is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: James Barry
  • Patent number: 6135625
    Abstract: To shorten a high voltage line connecting a lighting circuit and an electric discharge lamp, and to achieve weight reduction of a stay, in a head lamp of a motorcycle. A stay 26L is attached to a flange 24L, a head lamp 27 is attached to a front end of the stay 26L, and a lighting circuit box 30 is arranged substantially between the head lamp 27 and the flange 24L. The lighting circuit box is arranged on the front side of the head pipe of the motorcycle. Therefore, the lighting circuit box can be located near the head lamp. As a result, the lighting circuit is arranged at a position as near as possible to both the body of the motorcycle and the lamp body, the high voltage line is shortened, and countermeasures against insulation or high frequency hazards can be taken easily and inexpensively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Kodaira, Kenichi Takeda, Mutsumi Katayama
  • Patent number: 6120167
    Abstract: The present invention is a motorcycle tail light comprising a housing, a lens and a light source assembly. The light source assembly includes a resilient base and a light source detachably mounted to the base. The resilient base dampens vibrations which are transferred to the light source through the housing of the tail light. The resilient base of the present invention may also have an asymmetrical shape to ensure that the light source is properly aligned within the tail light. In addition, the base may also include one or more resilient ribs adapted to compress when the base is mounted within the housing of the tail light. The rib configuration permits easy insertion of the base into the housing while making withdrawal of the base from the housing more difficult. The light source assembly also includes an elastomer member positioned between the base and the light source to further dampen the vibrations that reach the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventor: John E. Nace
  • Patent number: 6109773
    Abstract: A motorcycle forward lamp comprising a housing having an optically transmissive lens and an opening, an elastomer member mounted to the housing, and a light source assembly mounted (e.g., detachably) to the elastomer member and positioned within the opening. The light source assembly is isolated from the housing by the elastomer member. A shield is detachably mounted and positioned within the housing between the light source and the lens. A fastener and a washer are secured to the housing and positioned to maintain the light source assembly in the opening, and a dust cap is detachably mounted over the opening. The dust cap includes a notch in which the washer is positioned to thereby maintain the dust cap in position over the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventor: John E. Nace
  • Patent number: 6017140
    Abstract: A multifunctional bicycle lamp includes a press-button switch installed on a bicycle lamp body the switch being in connection with a control circuit in the bicycle lamp body. The control circuit primarily includes a microprocessor which is respectively in connection with a lamp bulb and a plurality of light emitting diodes. By controlling the press-button switch, the lamp bulb produces an illumination effect of a high-beam light or a low-beam light, and the light emitting diodes serve as hazard lights or power indication lights for a multifunction purpose through the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Ming-Fu Chou
  • Patent number: 5975732
    Abstract: A light distribution screen is constructed of a main light distribution region including a main optical axis, a low light intensity region darker than an upper part of the main light distribution region, and high light intensity regions brighter than an upper region of the low intensity region. A corner can be brightly illuminated when the motorcycle is cornering, which means that the visibility of the corner can be improved and oncoming traffic is not dazzled when the motorcycle is travelling straight on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hajime Tabata, Toshiya Nagatuyu, Tetsuya Suzuki, Yosihisa Hirose
  • Patent number: 5938320
    Abstract: A mirror assembly has a housing that defines a cavity therein. A mirror is disposed within the cavity. The mirror transmits and reflects at least a portion of the light incident thereupon. A light guide has a first surface spaced a predetermined distance apart from the second surface. The light guide is placed within the mirror housing. A plurality of light sources are coupled to the light guide and direct light between the first and second surfaces. Light is reflected out of the light guide and transmitted through the mirror to provide an indicator function on the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Harman Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Crandall