Automobile Patents (Class 362/487)
  • Patent number: 7046125
    Abstract: A system for indicating race position to spectators of a race, includes lights on the race participants that are configured to provide visual displays to the spectators indicating the position of the respective racer. The race participants also carry a receiver and a controller for receiving a signal indicating race position and selecting the appropriate visual display based on the received signal. The visual display can be a series of lights, such as linear arrays of LEDs, where the color, number, pattern and/or position of the lights indicates race position. The system can also be used to highlight selected racers of interest, for example in conjunction with information being relayed over the public address system of the racetrack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: David K. Fugit
  • Patent number: 7025481
    Abstract: A vehicular lighting system including an elongated mounting base having a body. The body has a central portion with a central bearing surface for contacting a mounting surface. The body includes a pair of flanges having upwardly depending portions extending from the central portion and downwardly depending portions extending from the central portion. The downwardly depending portions form bearing surfaces spaced from the central bearing surface for bearing on the mounting surface. The central portion includes an elongated groove extending along the base opposed from the central bearing surface. The elongated groove and inner surfaces of the flanges defining an elongated receptacle for a flexible light strip, which is positioned and retained in the receptacle by the flanges. The light strip is substantially contained within the receptacle and comprises a substantially transparent polymeric body with a plurality of light sources encapsulated in the polymeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nexlite
    Inventor: Gregory R. Moll
  • Patent number: 7011436
    Abstract: An in-grade light fixture is described herein. The in-grade light fixture has a main housing having an open top end with a lens covering the open top end. A side car splice compartment is adjacent to the lens along an upper portion of the housing. A hydraulic isolation chamber extends vertically downward from the splice compartment to a receptacle which is an electrical connection to a lamping module contained within the housing. A ballast may be utilized for proper supply of power to the lamp if a non-incandescent lamp is utilized. The hydraulic isolation chamber is filled with the potting material and prevents wicking of moisture through the receptacle into the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Riebling, David A. Smith, William M. Niemier, Adam Clark
  • Patent number: 6997587
    Abstract: The invention proposes an illumination module (10) producing an illumination beam with cutoff, comprising, arranged from back to front along a horizontal optical axis (A—A), an elliptical reflector (12) which delimits a volume of reflection and which has an elliptical surface of reflection (18, 20), at least one light source (14) which is arranged in the vicinity of a first focus (F1) of the reflector (12), and a convergent lens (16) whose focal plane is arranged in the vicinity of the second focus (F2) of the reflector (12), characterized in that the reflector (12) has a horizontal flat surface (22), the upper face (24) of which is reflective, which delimits vertically towards the bottom the volume of reflection, and in that the flat surface (22) of the reflector (12) has a cutoff edge (28) which is arranged in the vicinity of the second focus (F2) of the reflector (12). The invention also proposes a lamp comprising such an illumination module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 6976774
    Abstract: A combined assembly of a center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) assembly and a cargo lamp assembly for a vehicle including a housing having compartments including at least one compartment for housing a CHMSL component and having a stop lens. The housing further includes left and right compartments, respectively on opposite sides of the CHMSL compartment, each having a cargo light lens and a white LED for directing a beam of light to the respective cargo light lens. Each of the cargo lamp assemblies includes one of the cargo lenses and one of the LEDs, the LEDs each having an aperture for emitting the light beam in an arc of about 120° in horizontal and vertical planes, and each of the cargo lenses being adapted to reduce the light beam in a horizontal plane to about 60° and reducing the light beam in a vertical plane to about 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Benoit Reiss
  • Patent number: 6948836
    Abstract: A light source unit including an LED mounted on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with its light output directed upward, and a reflector is provided above the LED having a first reflecting surface for collecting the light emitted by the LED and reflecting the light generally in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The first reflecting surface is formed in such a manner that a distance L in a vertical direction from the LED to the first reflecting surface is approximately 10 mm in a preferred embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Patent number: 6916109
    Abstract: The hitch-locating device has a telescopic stem to which a pedestal is attached at one end and a light is attached at the opposite end. Two such devices are used in conjunction with a hitching assembly having a hitch-cap at the front end of a trailer and a ball connected to a tongue which extends to the rear of a towing vehicle. A magnet is located in each pedestal for removably attaching one hitch-locating device to or adjacent to the ball and the other to or adjacent to the hitch-cap. In use, the devices are placed on or adjacent to the hitch-cap and the ball and the vehicle is backed toward the trailer. The driver of the vehicle watches the two hitch-locating devices in his rear view mirror and he steers the vehicle in order to bring the two devices into alignment. When the vehicle reaches the trailer, one of the devices will be knocked over, either by the tongue at the rear of the vehicle or by the front end of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Inventor: Jack Julicher
  • Patent number: 6910793
    Abstract: Decorative structure of car exhaust pipe, including a hollow tubular body, an exhaust cap, a heat-insulating cap and a decorative article. The heat-insulating cap is enclosed in the exhaust cap for insulating the waste hot gas exhausted from the engine from the exhaust cap. The waste gas is exhausted from the exhaust opening of the heat-insulating cap, whereby the exhaust cap is prevented from being affected by the heat conduction of the waste hot gas and thus the heat will not be conducted to the decorative article. Therefore, the light emitting elements can be mounted in the decorative article without being damaged by the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Janchy Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Tian Shuen
  • Patent number: 6886956
    Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Mark D. Miller, Thomas A. Hough
  • Patent number: 6877887
    Abstract: A vehicle accessory color-changing illumination assembly includes a control box, a plurality of vehicle accessories and a plurality of light sources. The control box is provided with a control button and a control circuit. Each of the vehicle accessories is assembled on a vehicle body and includes a transparent casing. The light sources are respectively mounted inside the vehicle accessories. The control circuit of the control box is electrically connected to control circuits of the light sources to control simultaneous color changes of the light sources. The vehicle accessories include a external right and left rearview mirrors, a liquid jet nozzle, a gear lever and a interior rearview mirror that simultaneously change their color under the control of the control box to increase warning performance and therefore driving safety. Additionally, it also improves the pleasure of driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Rocky Lin
  • Patent number: 6874921
    Abstract: A lighting arrangement for the ignition lock of a motor vehicle has a light ring comprising a translucent material and fitted on to the housing of an engine immobilizer of the vehicle. Light-guide extensions in leg form lead to the light ring from light emitting diodes on the circuit board of the immobilizer. Preferably arranged at the side of the light ring which is towards the ignition lock are notches for producing a light-dark pattern, wherein the notch depth and position can vary for the purposes of producing a uniform emission of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alwin Verlage, Lars Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 6866408
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a light source, a reflector possessing first and second focal regions, and a converging lens. The source is located in the first focal region and the lens possesses a focus situated in the second focal region. The reflector and the lens have axes which are essentially coincident defining the optical axis of the headlamp. The headlamp is intended to generate a light beam exhibiting high intensity along the optical axis and a limited extension below the optical axis. A first area of the reflector extending in the vicinity of an axial vertical plane generates, in a focal plane of the lens, images of the source the center which is substantially offset with respect to the focus of the lens, while two second areas of the reflector located on either side of said first area generate, in the same focal plane, images of the source the centers of which pass close to or onto the focus of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 6863427
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a source, a mirror possessing first and second focal regions, and a converging lens. The source is located in the first focal region and the lens possesses a focus situated in the second focal region. The mirror and the lens have axes which are essentially coincident defining an optical axis of the headlamp, and the headlamp further includes a mask located in the region of the focus of the lens, in order to project a beam an upper cut-off of which is defined by said mask. Finally, the mirror concentrates the light, in the vertical direction, towards a vertical focusing baseline extending substantially horizontally and transversely to the optical axis and passing close to the focus of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Pierre Albou
  • Patent number: 6863426
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflector which provides for good ventilation of a light source located in the said reflector and facilitates the passage of the reflector on production lines for the purpose of covering an internal surface of the reflector with powder. To this end, there is proposed according to the invention a reflector in which a reflector and a lamp holder are produced separately, prior to being interlocked. The reflector produced thus comprises a set of supports which are arranged such that a light source subsequently fitted in the reflector can be ventilated in a satisfactory manner. The lamp holder is interlocked with the reflector on the supports by means of centering pins and assembly studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Jean-François Delourme
  • Patent number: 6851839
    Abstract: A lamp assembly comprising a transparent body having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface having at least one convex curved portion, each such convex curved portion having at least one axis perpendicular to the front surface, and an internally reflective curved surface facing the front surface of the transparent body, a cavity in each convex curved portion, having sidewalls and a bottom, adapted to receive a light emitting source, and a reflective surface at the bottom of each cavity oriented so that light emitted by the light emitting source is reflected by the reflective surface onto the internally reflective curved surface of the convex curved portion. In some embodiments, the internally reflective curved surface also provides one or more electrical circuits for one or more light emitting sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Malone, Todd M. Nykerk, Timothy J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6848819
    Abstract: An LED array surface-mounted on a circuit board and applied to a cooling member, such that any generated heat is optimally eliminated. The cooling member can be in any desired shape so that motor vehicle lights, such as blinkers, can be adapted to the outside contour of the vehicle. For a rotating light, the circuit board can be applied around a cooling member fashioned as a hollow cylindrical member which is adapted to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: KarlHeinz Arndt, Guenter Waitl, Georg Bogner
  • Patent number: 6840659
    Abstract: A transition region between an engine hood or front trunk lid and a headlight is configured such that the front hood or trunk lid and the headlight adjoin each other without any support to the greatest possible extent. Thus, in the case of a collision with a pedestrian, the front hood or trunk lid can be deformed without any support. In addition, the headlights are arranged outside a zone which is highly likely to be struck by a child's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Garry Brown, Thomas Frank, Klaus Rathje, Oliver Tomlin, Maya Ziegs
  • Publication number: 20040264166
    Abstract: A lighted soft device for automobile equipment includes electro-luminescent element(s) to provide illumination and add to driving safety. A lighted soft device may be used for a safety belt, steering wheel, seat cover, seat pillow, dash board mat, or car front bra, and may be made of a textile, garment, cloth, or plastic material to offer protection from sun, weather, moisture, heat, water, rust, and scratches to keep said equipment as durable as possible. The electro-luminescent element may be a panel, strip, tube, fiber, twisted panel, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Publication number: 20040264206
    Abstract: A cover for a LED sign is manufactured from a stainless steel sheet that is dimensionally larger than the array of light emitting diodes comprising the LED sign. The stainless steel sheet is laser cut and then bent to simultaneously form a plurality of apertures and a corresponding plurality of louvers each extending adjacent one of the apertures. The apertures facilitate viewing of the LED sign and the louvers shield the light emitting diodes comprising the LED sign from excessive light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: William H. Miller
  • Publication number: 20040264205
    Abstract: A method for installing a modular light assembly in a vehicle includes first providing a common printed circuit board base. One of a plurality of different types of illumination sources is then attached onto the printed circuit board base to form a modular light assembly. The modular light assembly is then mounted onto one of a plurality of trim bezels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: John M. Tiesler, Ted Chou, Chuck Minear
  • Publication number: 20040264199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a LED spotlight (type III), which includes a lampshell and a light-collecting cover, wherein the cover has its bottom provided with an aperture to engage with a LED. The light-collecting cover is capable of reflecting and concentrating the light emitted from the LED to a same direction that provides an efficient spotlight. An IC board, which is a DC-DC transformed, is provided under the LED for providing a suitable input current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Kuo-Fen Shu, Chung Zon Wong
  • Patent number: 6834987
    Abstract: A kit for retrofittedly illuminating transmission shifter knobs. The kit comprises a retrofit knob cavity cover to replace a preexisting knob cavity cover for a knob cavity of a knob body made by a particular entity connected to a transmission shifter. The retrofit cover has a lens aperture and a switch aperture. A lens has a transparent portion disposed within the lens aperture. An illuminating mean is positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover. A portion of the illuminating means extends within an illuminating well illuminating the lens when activated. A switching means having a portion extending into the switch aperture activates the illuminating mean. A battery receiving structure is positioned to be disposed within the knob cavity when the knob cavity cover is replaced by the retrofit knob cavity cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis R. Zynda
  • Publication number: 20040256914
    Abstract: In a circuit configuration provided in a vehicle, a first circuit is directly connected to an electric junction box to supply a notification signal indicating a condition of a part of the vehicle. A second circuit is adapted to transmit the notification signal. A first lamp module is disposed at a first part of the vehicle, and provided with a switch, and a junction circuit at which the first circuit and the second circuit are connected or disconnected in accordance with a state of the switch. A second lamp module is disposed at a second part of the vehicle and connected to the first lamp module via the second circuit. A light emitter which emits light when the notification signal is supplied thereto is provided in each of the first lamp module and the second lamp module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagai, Haruyuki Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20040257823
    Abstract: A supplemental right-turn signal having a sickle-shaped sign provided for large vehicles such as trailers, tank-lorries, large trucks, and buses which require a wide radius for making right turns is comprised of a support, a sign plate, and plurality of small light bulbs implanted on the plate along the sickle-shaped signal. The supplemental right-turn signal is attached to the rear bumper and/or rear face of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Youngill Chio
  • Publication number: 20040252519
    Abstract: A light bulb retention assembly for an automobile headlight includes an socket with an opening adapted to receive a light bulb, plural holes in the socket and around the opening that each have an end surface with an upper step and a lower step, plural pins that are each in a respective one of the holes, where each of the pins has a head with a first underside part that bears against the upper step and a second underside part that is separated from the lower step by a gap, and a lock ring having plural latching parts that each rotationally fit into a respective gap. The socket has a sealing edge and the plural latching parts mate with the sealing edge to hold a seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: William Brent Fields, Sanders R. Brott
  • Publication number: 20040252518
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for lighting up an entrance of a vehicle, capable of decreasing the sound of wind roaring caused during driving. The lighting apparatus includes: at least one lighting element; a clear molded plastic cover member; and an attaching member for attaching the lighting element with the clear molded plastic cover member onto a bottom surface of a side mirror. The side surface of the lighting apparatus adjacent to a vehicle body is formed so as to broaden from the front of the side mirror toward the rear thereof along a direction departing from the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA ACCESS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Iwai, Hidekazu Hayakawa, Masato Endoh
  • Publication number: 20040246735
    Abstract: The Dragon Aluminum ATX Computer Chassis enables the user to implement their computer components and maintain their stability with high tech electronic components such as the Dragon LCD display. Its features does not end there, Dragon's exterior shell was designed with an “Out of the Box” concept, in which the MGE core developer invented the term and utilized this term as the basis of the Dragon ATX Aluminum Computer Chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: EDWARD HUANG
  • Publication number: 20040246734
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly (10) comprises a mounting bracket (12) having a first end (14) formed for affixation to a vehicle and a second end (16) formed for affixation to the lamp assembly (10). A housing (18) for the lamp assembly (10) includes a central axis (20) and a light source (22) mounted with respect to the central axis (20), the housing (18) having a forward portion (24). A lens cover (26) is provided for the lamp assembly (10), and the lens cover (26) has an external, circumferential rim (28) formed to engage the forward portion (24) of the housing (18) and an adjusting tab (30) extending from the rim (28) formed to cooperate with the second end (16) of said mounting bracket (12). The lens cover (26) is freely rotatable about the central axis (20) to allow for variable positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Chad E. Spencer, Doug A. Waltrip
  • Publication number: 20040240219
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a first semiconductor light-emitting element for emitting visible light, a reflector having an optical center in the vicinity of the first semiconductor light-emitting element and forming at least a part of a light distribution pattern of the vehicular headlamp, and a second semiconductor light-emitting element, for emitting infrared light, which is disposed at a position different from that of the first semiconductor light-emitting element, and which emits infrared light to be reflected by the reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kazutami Oishi, Kiyoshi Sazuka
  • Patent number: 6824299
    Abstract: A marker lamp for a vehicle that has a tail lamp function and a stop lamp function including a bulb, light-emitting diodes and a reflector which are disposed in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body and a front cover that covers the front portion of the lamp body. The bulb is positioned at the center of the reflector, the reflector is formed with a plurality of openings around the bulb and a primary reflective surface that reflects the light from the bulb substantially forward, and the light-emitting diodes are disposed so as to surround the bulb and face the front cover through the openings formed in the reflector. The tail lamp function is executed by lighting the bulb, and the stop lamp function is executed by lighting the light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Mohri, Hiroki Fujinami, Hideyuki Aihara, Norihiro Nishitani
  • Publication number: 20040223335
    Abstract: A lamp or winker apparatus for a vehicle for saving power and providing a long life and for achieving miniaturization of a lamp body by using a light emitting diode as a light source. The lamp or winker apparatus for a vehicle includes a front winker having a light emitting diode as a light source in a lamp body, and a resistance circuit for adjusting the voltage to be applied to the light emitting diode. The resistance circuit is provided separately outside the lamp body. The lamp body case may be formed from a heat transfer member with the light emitting diode attached to the lamp body case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Takao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6814475
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp that radiates light by indirect illumination and employing a plurality of LED light sources, wherein the entire reflective surface of the reflector has a substantially uniform brightness and the degree of freedom of designing the outer shape of the lamp is increased. First and second LED light source groups are formed by arranging a plurality of LED light sources back-to-back in a row. First and second lens groups are formed by arranging a plurality of Fresnel lenses for forming light from each of the LED light sources into parallel light fluxes with the directions of the parallel light fluxes of each LED light source group being aligned. First and second reflectors are provided for reflecting the parallel light fluxes from each of the lens groups forward of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Amano
  • Publication number: 20040213007
    Abstract: An applique and method for creating an applique for use on vehicle lights is disclosed. A decal is placed on the lights or tail lights of vehicles for showing a design or a trademark. A method for advertising using the applique to display trademarks for goods or services is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Dominic Gomez Portillo
  • Publication number: 20040208012
    Abstract: An illuminating door device has an illuminating article disposed on a vehicle. The illuminating article is a door escutcheon. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are disposed in the illuminating door escutcheon. The illuminating door escutcheon is made of a fluorescent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Ming-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 6796691
    Abstract: An indicator lamp for a motor vehicle is delimited at least on one side by a partition (22) running along the lamp over a substantial depth and comprises a light source (10), a flux concentrator and/or recuperator element (211), glazing (30), and an auxiliary reflecting area (212) able to direct, towards the glazing in the vicinity of the partition (22), an auxiliary luminous flux the average direction (x′-x′) of which is substantially inclined with respect to the principal axis of emission (x-x). The auxiliary reflecting area comprises a segment of axisymmetric paraboloid focused in the vicinity of the source, and the axis of which is oriented along the said average direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Valérie Molto, Claude Tribouiller, Jean Rit
  • Patent number: 6796668
    Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Mark D. Miller, Thomas A. Hough
  • Publication number: 20040184276
    Abstract: A vehicular lighting system including an elongated mounting base having a body. The body has a central portion with a central bearing surface for contacting a mounting surface. The body includes a pair of flanges having upwardly depending portions extending from the central portion and downwardly depending portions extending from the central portion. The downwardly depending portions form bearing surfaces spaced from the central bearing surface for bearing on the mounting surface. The central portion includes an elongated groove extending along the base opposed from the central bearing surface. The elongated groove and inner surfaces of the flanges defining an elongated receptacle for a flexible light strip, which is positioned and retained in the receptacle by the flanges. The light strip is substantially contained within the receptacle and comprises a substantially transparent polymeric body with a plurality of light sources encapsulated in the polymeric body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory R. Moll
  • Publication number: 20040179370
    Abstract: A switch structure of a lamp unit mounted at an interior wall member, includes a switch member and a switch knob. The switch member includes a switch lever which slides in a first direction for turning on or off the lamp unit. The switch knob includes an engagement portion for engaging with the switch lever of the switch member, and the switch knob being slidably retained on a design member. The switch lever is inserted in the engagement portion of the switch knob in the first direction and in a second direction in which the design member is mounted to the interior wall member while the engagement portion is elastically deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagai, Mitsuyoshi Ohno
  • Publication number: 20040156207
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior mirror assembly having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is configured to mount to a side of the vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element and is movable about the fixed portion between a normal viewing position where the movable portion is extended outwardly from the vehicle and a folded position where the movable portion is folded toward the side of the vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes at least one light assembly projecting a light pattern from the exterior mirror assembly. A proximity detector is preferably provided that actuates a powerfold mechanism when the proximity detector detects an object so as to move the movable portion from the normal viewing position to the folded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Donnelly Corporation, a corporation of the State of Michigan
    Inventors: Todd W. Pastrick, Michiel P. van de Ven, Peter J. Whitehead, Rick Mousseau
  • Publication number: 20040156206
    Abstract: An improved light emitting rear-view mirror structure comprises a light emitting device installed in the front of a casing of the rear-view mirror of a motor vehicle; characterized in that said casing of the rear-view mirror at its front end comprises at least one transversal long protruded base; a long lamp cover with a special stylish design disposed on said long protruded base; and a light emitting device disposed in said long lamp cover. Since said casing of the rear-view mirror has a protruded long lamp cover installed at the front end of said casing to give a larger and longer light emitting surface at the front end of the rear-view mirror, therefore such structure has a better warning effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Yen-Chun Lin
  • Publication number: 20040145900
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting system which has the primary purpose to provide the visual cues necessary to allow for the accurate determination and manual orientation of the track of a vehicle in relationship to objects which are adjacent to the path of travel. The invention herein described is comprised of one or more laser lights which are affixed to the forward portion of the vehicle in such as manner as to accurately indicate the point or points on the roadway which will be traversed by the tire or tires of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: John Matthew Camp
  • Publication number: 20040145899
    Abstract: An in-grade light fixture is described herein. The in-grade light fixture has a main housing having an open top end with a lens covering the open top end. A side car splice compartment is adjacent to the lens along an upper portion of the housing. A hydraulic isolation chamber extends vertically downward from the splice compartment to a receptacle which is an electrical connection to a lamping module contained within the housing. A ballast may be utilized for proper supply of power to the lamp if a non-incandescent lamp is utilized. The hydraulic isolation chamber is filled with the potting material and prevents wicking of moisture through the receptacle into the main housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Michael L. Riebling, David A. Smith, William M. Niemier, Adam Clark
  • Patent number: 6768067
    Abstract: A switch device in a steering wheel includes a front switch assembly and a back switch. The front switch assembly is provided on a front side of the steering wheel that faces the driver, and rotates integrally with the steering wheel. The back switch is provided on a back side of the steering wheel. The front switch assembly includes at least one front switch. The front switch assembly also includes a circuit board. A front switch light source is provided on the circuit board. The front switch light source illuminates a switch marking provided on the front switch. On the circuit board is also provided a back switch light source for illuminating a switch marking provided on the back switch. Accordingly, a manipulation switch on the steering wheel is reliably illuminated regardless of the rotation angle of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yukio Adachi, Kazuhiko Yoshikawa, Yoshinori Otsubo
  • Patent number: 6764207
    Abstract: A mirror head assembly for mounting adjacent to or at a distance from exterior surfaces of a vehicle. The mirror head assembly includes one or more mirrors that enable a person to view areas surrounding the vehicle that the person could not easily view via a direct line of site. One or more lights are mounted to an outer shell of the mirror head assembly. The outer shell of the mirror head assembly may be constructed with a narrow portion disposed between adjacent mirrors so that the mirror head assembly presents less obstruction to the view of persons in the vehicle of areas surrounding the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Santiago C. Abalos, William R. Headlee
  • Publication number: 20040136196
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a set of first reflection surfaces that reflect the light emitted by a first diode toward a lamp lens, and a set of second reflection surfaces that reflect light emitted by a second diode toward the lamp lens. The first reflection surfaces and the second reflection surfaces are alternately provided in the path of the light that is reflected from the lamp lens. Each of the first reflection surface is a part of a rotational paraboloid having a focus on a light emission source of the first diode such that the paraboloids corresponding to the first reflection surfaces that are farther from the first diode have longer focal lengths. Each of the second reflection surface is a part of a rotational paraboloid having a focus on a light emission source of the second diode such that the paraboloids corresponding to the second reflection surfaces that are farther from the second diode have longer focal lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: ICHIKOH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kiyohiro Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20040136197
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp employing a semiconductor light-emitting device having a plurality of light-emitting elements such as LEDs and for which light distribution design is made easy. Separate ones of the light-emitting elements within the light-emitting device are employed for forming high and low headlamp beams. The light-emitting device also includes a reflector and a lens. The beams are switched by selectively activating predetermined ones of the light-emitting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Publication number: 20040130905
    Abstract: An illumination system periodically directs a short burst of bright light onto rotating indicia or vehicle design features which makes the indicia or design features appear to be stationary or animated. An exact location of the indicia on the sidewall of the vehicle tire may be determined by an emitter and sensor during each revolution of the tire, and a short burst of bright light is then directed onto the indicia which makes the indicia appear to be stationary or animated. The system may simply comprise a flasher connected to a battery and a control that causes the flasher to periodically flash onto a vehicle wheel and/or tire at a fixed frequency independent of the rotational speed of the wheel. In another embodiment, an illumination system has a housing that rotates with a vehicle wheel, and the housing has a cavity with lighting and controls within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Roger Olds, Marquis Burnett, Jason Ng
  • Publication number: 20040130903
    Abstract: An auxiliary illuminator for vehicles is composed of a light guiding loop with a plurality f grooves. A light-emitting diode is arranged in each of said groove. The light guiding loop is disposed on rear view mirrors, frame for license plates, headlights, turn signals, tail lights, fog lights, brand names, a dripping baffle, stick shift, or handle of parking brakes for lighting and safety warning. Or the light guiding loop is designed into a linear light guiding bar so as to be disposed on doorsills of cars as safety lighting device or decorative edgings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Kuan-Hsu Chen
  • Publication number: 20040130904
    Abstract: A vehicular marker lamp such as a tail and stop lamp, including a translucent member extending substantially along a translucent cover which is red and transparent with first light-emitting diodes in the back and second light-emitting diodes near the side end of the cover. The translucent member has a direct light-emitting region that transmits light, which is incident to the translucent member from the first light-emitting diodes, toward the front, and indirect light-emitting regions that internally reflect light, which is incident to the translucent member from the second light-emitting diodes, so as to emit such light toward the front. The direct light-emitting region is a red transparent region, and the indirect light-emitting regions are colorless transparent regions, thus allowing the appearances of the direct and indirect light-emitting regions to be significantly different from each other when the lamp is lit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Yasuo Teranishi
  • Publication number: 20040125610
    Abstract: A modular automotive light device is provided. The light device may include multiple light emitting diodes (LED). Multiple light devices may be arranged in a desired manner comprising an automotive headlamp, for example. The light devices may be stacked on top of each other and/or positioned side by side to form the headlamp. Using multiple light devices provides a sufficient amount of radiated light rays in order to comply with regulations and standards for light output of light devices for use on the exterior of an automobile, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: North American Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Andrew Lekson, Ben Wang, Dianna Lynn Stadtherr, Derek Scott Mallory, Jianzhong Jiao, Brian Curtis Wells