Abstract: The present invention provides a navigational safety lighting system for use in low visibility conditions caused by fog, mist, rain, snow or other particulate matter in the atmosphere. A laser light source is utilized which emits a beam of laser light that is visible to the naked eye when it strikes the particulate matter in the atmosphere. The laser light source may be mounted on an air, water or land craft, or may be mounted on navigational or other objects to identify them in such low visibility conditions. Also, the laser light source on an air, water or land craft may be directed in the direction of movement of the craft to identify obstacles in the path of the craft in such low visibility conditions.

Abstract: A car locator is provided comprising a base for holding one or more LED light bars in position to mark the location of a vehicle. Each light bar includes a series of LEDS connected to a power source. The power source may include batteries mounted to or contained within the base. In addition, a selector switch may be mounted directly on the base to effect illumination of a selected combination of light bars. To facilitate replacement or substitution of different colored light bars, each light bar includes an end plug for plugging in and out of respective receptacles on the base.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a headlight for vehicle use in which an upper reflector unit and a lower reflector unit are arranged, capable of ensuring a sufficiently large quantity of light of a main beam so that the visibility can be enhanced in the case of driving at night. A low beam reflector unit and a main beam reflector, are integrated with each other, each having a light source bulb. Direct light emitted from the main beam light source bulb passes through a space in the front of the boundary section between both reflectors and is incident on the reflector surface of the low beam reflector unit. Therefore, when the main beam light source bulb is turned on, direct light emitted from the main beam light source bulb is reflected on the reflecting surface of the low beam reflector and irradiated to the front. At the same time, direct light emitted from the main beam light source bulb is also reflected on the main beam reflecting surface and irradiated to the front.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety lighting device for use on a snowmobile. The safety lighting device includes a light emitting diode for providing illumination, an energy source for providing a current, a switch for controlling electrical connectivity between the light emitting diode and the energy source, and an energy source mounting assembly for holding the energy source on a snowmobile. The light emitting diode preferably provides a luminous intensity of at least about 1,000 mcd at 25.degree. C. and a forward current of 20 mA. The energy source preferably provides a current of between about 1 and about 5 volts. The energy source mounting assembly preferably includes a first surface constructed and arranged for mounting to a snowmobile, and a second surface constructed and arranged for holding the energy source. Preferably, the energy source is either an alkaline battery source or a lithium battery source.

Abstract: Light shielding portions made from light shielding resin material, and light conducting portions made from transparent or translucent resin material are formed integrally with each other by two-layer molding to thereby reduce the number of manufacturing steps and to thereby make the assembling easy. The light conducting portions for conducting light from light sources furnished in a control panel to light-emission portions of the control panel are constituted by operating dial light-emission portions, label light-emission portions, a CD insertion hole light-emission portion, and so on. Further, temporarily locking claws for locking the light shielding portions in the control panel temporarily may be formed by integral molding with the light shielding portions to thereby make the assembling easier.

Abstract: A lighting device for the rear end of a vehicle which has at least one light chamber in which at least one incandescent lamp is disposed. A main reflector which rearwardly emits light is associated with the incandescent lamp. A transparent covering is used to cover the lighting device. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are disposed in the light chamber. The lighting direction of the light-emitting diodes is aimed at least approximately in the direction of travel against a side reflector which is disposed in the light chamber. As a result, the light rays striking the side reflector are directed outwardly in an approximately transverse direction to the vehicle.

Abstract: An inventive rear lamp module for a vehicle incorporates a trailer tow connector to provide electrical signals to a trailer that is to be pulled by the vehicle. Preferably, two separate connectors are formed on a rear face of an electric lamp module. A first connector receives input signals from the vehicle and a second connector is an optional connector to be connected to a trailer connector when the trailer is connected to a vehicle. The present invention eliminates the need of a separate wire harness for the trailer connector, and thus reduces cost. In addition, by positioning the trailer tow connector within a plastic part mounted in a secure position in the vehicle, the trailer tow connector is easily maintained.

Abstract: A vehicular headlamp provided with a reflector composed of a low-beam reflecting surface and a high-beam reflecting surface disposed closely adjacent vertically one another, which headlamp provides a high yield of high-beam luminous energy. The reflector is formed so that the focal distance of the lower, high-beam reflecting surface is less the focal distance of the upper, low-beam reflecting surface so as to increase the solid angle defined by the high-beam reflecting surface. Preferably, the rear end portion of the high-beam reflecting surface is displaced rearward of a rear end portion of the low-beam reflecting surface, thus further increasing the solid angle of the high-beam reflecting surface.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a reflector, a light source mounted on the reflector and including a light bulb positioned near a first focus of the reflector, a lens holder having a rear end side opening portion secured to a front opening portion of the reflector and a front end side opening portion, a convex lens secured to the front end side opening portion of the lens holder and positioned in front of the reflector, and a ring-like lens support surface for supporting a bottom surface of a circumferential edge portion of the convex lens formed in the front end side opening portion of the lens holder and constructed of a metal material capable of being plastically deformed, wherein a circumferential edge of the front end side opening portion of the lens holder surrounding the outer circumferential edge of the convex lens is bent radially inward to hold the circumferential edge portion of the convex lens by the lens holder, and wherein the reflector is substantially ellipsoidal.

Abstract: A combination light fixture/HVAC duct/advertising card holder for public transportation vehicles such as buses and trains. The light fixture includes a lens having a transparent bottom portion and ribbed side portions for directing light downward towards the passengers and diffusing light sideways towards the windows and driver. The advertising panel forms part of the HVAC duct, with the vehicle side and roof forming the remainder. The advertising panel and light fixture are pivotally secured by a detachable hinge allowing them to either pivot downwards or be completely detached. The HVAC duct and advertising panel may further include other light fixtures, ventilation openings, speakers, or other comfort aids.

Abstract: A light bar for mounting on an emergency vehicle to provide warning light signals. An elongate body portion has an elongate axis, the elongate body portion adapted to be mounted on the emergency vehicle so that the elongate axis traverses an axis coaxial with the direction of the travel of the emergency vehicle. At least three vertically spaced lighting layers are provided, each layer having at least one emergency light source, the emergency light sources on each layer cooperating to provide a transient high intensity warning light signal 360.degree. around the light bar. At least four linear rows of emergency light sources as viewed from the top of the light bar are also provided, the rows being substantially parallel to the elongate axis, each row having at least two emergency light sources, at least one row located in each of the layers and at least one layer having at least two rows, the emergency light sources in each row cooperate to provide a transient high intensity warning signal 360.degree.

Abstract: A reversible taillight assembly that can be used on either the right or left side of a vehicle. The taillight assembly includes a lens housing, a bracket, a lens and a spring clip. The lens housing has a parabolic configuration and accepts a lens at either its left or right hand side. The bracket can be used on either the right or left hand side of the vehicle by simply rotating the bracket 180.degree.. The lens fits within the lens housing after removing the portion of the front face of the lens housing depending upon which side the assembly is attached to. A method for reversing the taillight assembly is also provided. The method contains the steps of rotating the taillight fixture 180.degree. about its z-axis, replacing a first lens portion, removing a second lens portion, and placing a lens in the lens housing. The lens will be placed in the hole that remains from the removal of the second lens portion.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp having a resin lens includes: an elongated lens body including a flat portion large in radius of curvature and a curved portion small in radius of curvature with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lens body; and a peripheral flange formed along the peripheral of the lens body, wherein the curve portion is smaller in wall thickness than the flat portion.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lamp chamber formed by covering the front opening of a lamp body with an outer lens in order to mount a reflector carrying a bulb of a vehicle lamp as a primary vehicle lamp in the lamp chamber, and an extension disposed on the periphery of the opening of the reflector mounted in the lamp chamber. The extension is fixed to the lamp body or the outer lens, and the reflector of a vehicle lamp as an auxiliary vehicle lamp and an inner lens for covering the opening of the reflector therewith are fixed to the extension.

Abstract: A vehicular lamp with a first lamp housing and a second lamp housing adjacent to each other. The vehicular lamp further includes a lens having a first lens portion for the first lamp housing, and a second lens portion for the second lamp housing. The first and second lens portions are different in color from each other, and each include flanges which extend rearwardly from respective ends of the first and second lens portions. Each of the flanges includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a rear end face. The first lens portion and the second lens portion are joined to each other by the outer surfaces of their flanges. A lamp body is provided adjacent the lens, and includes a border portion dividing the lamp body into the first and second lamp housings. Further, an elongated wall is formed in the border portion of the lamp body, and extends along an inner surface of the flange of the first lens portion, to a position which is more forward than a rear end face of that flange.

Abstract: A service cover for a rear combination lamp is provided with a substantially rectangular cover body having an area enough to close a working hole, first and second retainer portions projecting from a pair of opposite sides of the cover body in opposite directions, respectively, and a jaw portion formed at a tip end of the first retainer portion for preventing the falling of the service cover. The working hole is closed by inserting the first and second retainer portions into slits formed at both edge portions of the working hole, respectively, and the working hole is opened by drawing the second retainer portion from the corresponding slit and rotating the cover body about the first retainer portion.

Abstract: A vehicle fascia assembly includes a main body portion adapted to be interconnected to a frame of a motor vehicle and a horizontally elongated lamp having an inboard end and an outboard end. The lamp, which in one embodiment is a sidemarker lamp, is normally retained in an operative position within an opening in the main body portion of the fascia assembly and is permitted to move relative to the main body portion during an impact to accommodate elastic deformation of the main body portion. In the preferred embodiment, an inboard end of the lamp is interconnected to the main body portion of the fascia assembly through a resiliently deflectable mounting member. The mounting member is preferably constructed of spring steel.

Abstract: A number plate housing mainly includes a front, a middle and a back member firmly assembled together to protect a number plate set therein from dust and thieves. The front and the back members are provided with studs which can engage with stud receiving holes formed on the middle member to tightly and firmly connect the three members together. A stepped recess provided along rear outer periphery of the back member engages with an inward extended flange around rear outer periphery of the front member further ensures tight seal of the middle member and the number plate in and between the front and the back members. The middle member has a central convexo-convex portion which magnifies figures on the number plate for easy reading. Light units each having multiple light emitting diodes are connected to the middle member so that the number plate can be illuminated in the dark. And, the light units can also serve as additional brake lights.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp comprises: a lamp body including a front opening and a plurality of lamp units which are juxtaposed; and a lens assembly formed by unifying the lenses of the lamp units, the lens assembly mounted on the front opening of the lamp body, wherein the lenses have joining legs at the boundaries thereof which are adapted to unify the lenses into the lens assembly such that the joining legs protrude towards the lamp body, and the lamp body has confronting surface portions which are confronted with the inner end portions of the joining legs and are able to reflect light.

Abstract: A headlight for automobiles with a head light filament and a high beam filament installed in the same poly-ellipsoid system. A part from the necessary parts in a conventional headlight, a reflector and a high beam filament are added. Thus, a high efficiency and a clear boundary of brightness are obtained under the conditions of smaller surface area.

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.

Abstract: An auxiliary vehicle light comprises a housing having an opening in the front wall thereof, a lens permanently mounted on the front wall and sealingly closing the opening therein, and a reflector in the housing sealingly mounted about the opening in the front wall and cooperable with the lens to provide laterally adjacent headlight and parking/turn signal light bulb receptacles are removably mounted on the reflector for supporting light bulbs in the two light chambers, and the receptacles are accessible through an opening in the rear wall for removal from the reflector and which access opening is sealingly closed by a door.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a lens attached to a lamp body, the lens including a curved portion, a circumferential wall-like attachment rib projecting from an inner surface of the curved portion of the lens and having an even projection height, and a sealing plate having a circumferential edge portion and a cover portion on an inner side of the circumferential edge portion for ultrasonically welding a welding portion formed in the circumferential edge portion to the attachment rib, and a reflection portion including a plurality of recursive reflection elements formed in a space defined by the lens, the attachment rib and the sealing plate, wherein a pressed portion extends from the circumferential edge portion in a direction opposite to the lens, the pressed portion being adapted to be pressed against a vibrating portion of an ultrasonic welding apparatus and formed in the sealing plate so that a forward end surface of the pressed portion is located in the same plane.

Abstract: A rearview mirror for vehicles includes a mirror case, a reflective element, a support for mounting the assembly on a vehicle, at least one lamp assembly having a reflector member which substantially directs light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle, and a circuit board mounted within the mirror case and having at least one holder for holding a light source which projects into the reflector member. A lens provides shaping and directing properties for light emitting from different areas of the reflector and includes a prescription region which focuses light from the reflector member to a particular target area of the vehicle, and a second region having a prescription different from said first prescription region.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted laser spotlight system employs a coherent/incoherent spotlight as a light source to produce an eyesafe light dispersion pattern to illuminate an ambient environment. The laser spotlight system includes an integrated laser unit having an integrated laser, power supply and control unit for selectively transmitting coherent light. A fiber optic cable optically couples the laser unit to a spotlight which receives the coherent light from the laser and transmits a beam of coherent light into the ambient environment. An incoherent light transmitter selectively transmits a beam of incoherent light coincident with the beam of coherent light. A converter module may be disposed intermediate the laser and the spotlight to convert the frequency and wavelength of the coherent light.

Abstract: A rear facing light bar for a passenger vehicle comprises a housing shaped to define a rearwardly directed roof extension which increases in depth in the downstream direction. The housing is permanently attached to the vehicle and supports, behind an outer lens, a linear array of individually controllable lights which are rearwardly directed.

Abstract: An illumination device for a vehicle has a housing having a light outlet opening, a light-permeable cover member closing the light outlet opening of the housing, a light source arranged in the housing, a unit forming a side marker light, the a unit including at least one light guiding element in which a light emitted by the light source is uncoupled, the at least one light guiding element extending over a part of a contour of the illumination device, the light guiding element being arranged so that the light exits from the at least one light guiding element over its course from a part of an outer surface of the light guiding element.

Abstract: The headlight apparatus has at least one headlight unit which includes several headlight subunits (20;40;60; 61;70;90). A base low beam which illuminates a base region in front of the vehicle is produced by at least one of the headlight subunits (20;40) in such a way as to fulfill the basic minimum requirements for a low beam. Additional headlight subunits (60;61;70;90) are connectable to the headlight subunit (20;40) producing the base low beam. At least one of the headlight subunits (20;70) is constructed according to the projection principle and has a reflector, a light source and, following the reflector, a lens and a diaphragm. At least one of the headlight subunits (40;60;61) is constructed according to a reflection principle and has a reflector, a light source and, if necessary, a light permeable disk with optical elements in it.

Abstract: A lamp using a discharge bulb 7 as a dipped-beam lamp LL is arranged in the middle of a triple headlight, and a lighting circuit 23 is arranged in the middle of the headlight. A cord 22 for connecting the lighting circuit 23 and the discharge bulb 7 is short, and the weight balance of the headlight as a whole is stabilized even if the lighting circuit 23 is relatively heavy. Light projected from the discharge bulb 7 expands horizontally toward the auxiliary lamp CL and the main-beam lamp HL, so that the headlight is illuminated as a whole, which in turn improves the external appearance of the headlight.

Abstract: A multilayered lens for a lamp, e.g., an automotive lamp. The lens includes a transparent, unitary, polymeric lens blank having an inner surface and an outer surface; a thin, translucent, color layer disposed on, conforming to, and bonded to the inner or outer lens blank surface; and a thin, transparent, protective coating disposed on and over-lying the color layer. The color layer includes a thermoplastic polymer film of at least one color. Optionally, the film may be patterned to include two or more colored regions and/or indicia. Also disclosed are a lamp assembly, e.g., an automotive lamp assembly including the multilayered lens and methods for fabricating the multilayered lens and the lamp assembly by heat transfer of the color layer to the lens blank from a heat transfer carrier film.

Abstract: A light source arrangement includes at least a lighting cell which includes a cell body having a concave light projecting surface and a semi-spherical reflecting cavity surrounded by the concave light projecting surface, a luminary electronic diode cell having two electric terminals extended therefrom, an electrode supporter mounted on the cell body to support the luminary electronic diode cell positioning within reflecting cavity at a focus point of the concave light projecting surface for emitting light towards the concave light projecting surface upon energized, whereby all the emitting light from the luminary electronic diode cell is accumlatively collected and reflected by the concave light projecting surface to provide high intensity light source.

Abstract: A reflection mirror includes a main reflection portion including a region close to a main optical axis of the reflection mirror, and circumferential wall portions surrounding the main reflection portion. An inner surface of the circumferential wall portions of the reflection mirror is formed into an inclined surface with respect to the main optical axis of the reflection mirror, and such an inclined surface is made to be smoothly continuous to an inner surface of the main reflection portion to thereby form a fundamental surface of a reflection surface. Then, a group of paraboloids of revolution consisting of many paraboloids of revolution whose focal distances are different from one another is prepared. Then, intersecting lines between the fundamental subrace of the reflection surface and the group of paraboloids of revolution are obtained. Further, many reflection steps are formed on the main reflection portion and the circumferential wall portion.

Abstract: A light bar for mounting on an emergency vehicle has a modular construction using trays for mounting lights. The trays are integral members having cells formed therein for receiving components of light fixtures. The light bar has two lighting tiers. The lights on the lower tier are received in the cells of the trays. The tops of the trays provide a platform for mounting lights on the upper tier. Alternatively, the upper-tier lights may be mounted on the upper shell of the housing of the light bar. Snap-fit fasteners are formed on the trays for mounting components of the lights. In one configuration, the light bar includes a speaker which has a driver mounted inside the light bar housing and a horn which fits in an opening in the housing and is coupled to the driver for transmitting audio signals.

Abstract: A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly and a light module removably positioned within the exterior mirror housing. The light module is moisture impervious and includes an enclosure, a light-transmitting opening in the enclosure facing generally downwardly and/or rearwardly of the vehicle, a cover for the light-transmitting opening, and a light source in the enclosure radiating light through the light-transmitting opening. The light source may be received in a socket which removably engages another opening in the enclosure. In this manner, the light source may be replaced by removing the module from the exterior mirror housing, removing the socket from the enclosure and replacing the light source. The enclosure and mirror housing preferably are configured to self-retain the module in the exterior mirror moving with no, or fewer than one or two, separate fasteners.