Housing Patents (Class 362/546)
  • Publication number: 20090185390
    Abstract: An emergency wheel light located in a protected environment behind an access door when not in use is extractable from under the wheel well or frame/bed of a vehicle to illuminate a wheel for servicing in darkness. The lamp portion, preferably of LED bulbs, is held in a retainer attached to the weatherproof access door or within the vehicle frame/wheel well. A plurality of the lamps is independently selectable for activation, such that any combination of the lamps can be on. To use, the lamp is pulled from its retaining mount and extended on its retractable cord reel into a position where it can be utilized to shine on the wheel servicing area by placing the lamp's flat base for placing the lamp on a ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Ferdinand Alvin Hines, JR.
  • Patent number: 7534021
    Abstract: A bumper assembly that includes a molded bumper fascia and a molded cover/bezel mounted in an opening in the bumper. The bezel/cover is adapted to contain a fog lamp and is accurately positioned within the opening of the bumper fascia to avoid motion along the longitudinal axis of the opening, both in the forward and reverse directions, by external ribs on the cover/bezel that engage edges of the bumper to act as detents. Living hinges may be integrally molded with the bumper fascia to provide a mechanical fixation to the cover/bezel after the cover/bezel is installed in the opening and the hinges are bent from their mold positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Naik, Randy S. Hodder, James Castro
  • Patent number: 7534000
    Abstract: A vehicle display having an LCD display that is employed to communicate a first type of vehicle information and a second set of vehicle information in which the information that is to be communicated can include or consist of symbols. A display light guide is employed to distribute light from two light sources to selectively illuminate portions of the display screen of the LCD display. The LCD display can be employed to generate telltale warning indicators. The LCD display provides flexibility in the display of information so that a relatively large quantity of telltale warning indicators can be handled without specifically dedicating a light source, a light tunnel and space on the vehicle display for each telltale warning indicator that may be employed in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Adachi, Ching Fong, Zinoviy Kelman, Joseph A Pasek, Brian Dehmlow
  • Publication number: 20090122571
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to smart light apparatuses compunctions particularly well suited for providing wireless communications between a true vehicle and a died in being towed such as a trailer. A smart light controller comprising a process for his electrically associated with a traditional wiring harness associated with a two vehicle. The smart light controller detects light signals such as stop, left turn, right turn, and lights on and generates a corresponding RF control signals. The RF control signals are transmitted to smart lights associated with a vehicle can configured to receive the RF control signals. The smart light generates a light signal based on the receive control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Isaiah Monty Simmons, William Monty Simmons, Joseph Frank Preta, Dominic Joseph Preta, Hans Christer Preta
  • Publication number: 20090103324
    Abstract: An electrical supply device for a discharge lamp of a motor vehicle headlight that comprises: an electronic module for converting source electric current into supply electric current for the discharge lamp; a housing that encloses the electronic module and is produced from an electrically conductive material so as to form electromagnetic shielding; an electrical connection harness that is intended to electrically connect the electronic conversion module with the discharge lamp; an envelope produced from an electrically conductive material that surrounds the connection harness so as to form electromagnetic shielding; the housing and envelope being electrically connected to a common reference electrical potential (?); wherein the housing and the envelope are connected in parallel to the common reference electrical potential (?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe CLAVIER
  • Patent number: 7517124
    Abstract: A lighting and/or signaling device for an automobile comprising a xenon lamp and a mating part comprising a reflector and a lamp holder providing the holding of a bulb of the discharge lamp in front of the reflector. A system for fixing the xenon lamp on the mating part comprising a rigid ring able to be mounted, so as to be able to move in rotation, about the lamp holder and a flexible annulus mounted inside the rigid ring and fixed to the lamp holder so as to be non-removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Daniel Josquin, Jean Masse
  • Publication number: 20090052201
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing receiving at least one light source. The housing includes a covering pane and including first and second fixing arrangement for releasably securing the lamp to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: JAGUAR CARS LIMITED
    Inventors: David Ballinger, Simon Andrew Whorlow
  • Patent number: 7461959
    Abstract: Cigarette lighter having a main unit comprising a substantially cylindrical heating insert and a substantially sleeve-like lighter body to receive the heating insert, comprising a substantially annular attachment of transparent and light-guiding material which is slid onto the main unit, for illuminating a region of the cigarette lighter which is visible to a viewer when the cigarette lighter is in the installed state, which attachment has an entry opening for light to couple light into the attachment to enable the attachment to be illuminated, and comprising a lighting unit, fastened to the attachment, having a receiving unit to receive a lighting insert which can be inserted as an exact fit, the lighting insert having at least one light-producing means, characterized in that the receiving unit is provided with at least one aperture serving as an exit opening for light and in that the lighting insert is arranged in the receiving unit between the entry opening for light in the attachment and the exit opening
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Casco Schoeller GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Baldauf, Ronald Schwarzbach, Norbert Graeser
  • Publication number: 20080266892
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight is arranged to prevent moisture from entering into a lighting circuit and a lighting space. A back cover has a cover main body 19 fitted into a fitting portion 5 of a lamp body 2 and made of resin material and connection terminals 20 embedded in the cover main body (except a part of the terminals) and made of metal material and in which the cover main body and the connection terminals are molded integrally. Component inlaying portions in which electronic components that constitute a lighting circuit of a discharge lamp and are connected electrically to the connection terminals are inlaid respectively are provided to the cover main body. A part of the connection terminals protruding from the cover main body is formed as connector terminal portions of a power supply connector for supplying power to the discharge lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Yashiki, Hiromi Umehara
  • Publication number: 20080259618
    Abstract: An exterior auxiliary lighting system is provided including a light source for generating a beam of visible light, the light source having an aperture through which the beam of light is projected. A cover can be detachably connected to the light source to overlay at least a portion of the aperture. A sensor is provided for detecting whether the cover is attached to the light source. A switch responsive to an output signal from the sensor is adapted to selectively decouple the light source from a power supply when the sensor detects that the cover is attached to the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Tyll, Jason Nantais, Chris Prisby, Tom Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20080225545
    Abstract: An electrical center assembly used in a vehicle provides ambient light to the assembly and the area around the assembly using a light-emitting diode. The electrical center assembly generally includes a housing, an electrically conducting link, removable electrical components and at least one light-emitting diode for illuminating the electrical center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Robert J. Seidler
  • Publication number: 20080219020
    Abstract: Comprises in combination: at least one light source; a support plate for the light source, which is at least one; a protective cover that permits the light emitted by the light source to reach the outside; at least one wall which, in combination with the cover, forms a casing to hold the said light source, in which at least the said support plate has a black coloured surface facing the said cover; and in which the position of said light source, which is at least one, in relation to the casing, is such that it emits the light directly to the exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Santiago Miguel Sanz, Daniel Bande Martinez, Maria Luisa Novella Requena
  • Publication number: 20080212335
    Abstract: A collapsible closeout for a gap between a vehicle lamp and closure, and particularly well suited for a gap between a headlamp and a hood, is disclosed. The closeout may include a base mounted to a lamp housing, a closeout wall extending from the base, and a contact flange extending under the hood and having a free end extending toward a headlamp lens. The closeout may also include first support ribs extending from the closeout wall toward the headlamp and opposed second support ribs extending from the closeout wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Leo F. Schwab
  • Patent number: 7419291
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headlamp for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing enclosing a light source, fixed on a chassis, together with means for connecting the housing to the chassis, these means being deformable in a plastic way and capable of absorbing at least part of the energy of an impact on the headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe Arlon
  • Publication number: 20080186729
    Abstract: A mounting assembly configured to attach a headlight to a vehicle includes a mounting bracket and a support member attachable to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion. The first portion is configured for attachment to the vehicle, and the second portion includes a major surface defining a longitudinally curved saddle. The support member includes a base configured for attachment to a housing of the headlight and a curved seat configured to couple to the curved saddle of the mounting bracket. In this regard, the curved saddle and the curved seat are configured to have substantially complementary curvature such that the curved seat nests relative to the curved saddle. Longitudinal movement of the curved seat of the support member relative to the curved saddle of the mounting bracket permits a height adjustment of the headlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Madden
  • Publication number: 20080170410
    Abstract: A vehicle bulb shield with material differences in configuration, thickness, strength, grade or surface coating in the leg and shield sections, manufactured from a tailor welded steel strip of different materials to obtain desired corresponding combinations of features in each component from each material. A progressive forming process is used to accommodate the different metal combinations within the tailor welded steel strip (e.g. material type and/or thickness), and thereby allow new material property configurations in the bulb shield components. A material property configured bulb shield design enables consideration of formability of material in different component sections, the rigidity of material in different component sections, and cost of different materials, in a single component design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Strazzanti, Zi Qiang Sheng
  • Patent number: 7390114
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight arrangement includes a headlight housing adapted to enclose a light source, a vehicle body-connecting device connecting the headlight housing to a vehicle body part, and a vehicle-frame connecting device connect which connects the headlight housing to a vehicle frame. The vehicle frame connecting device includes a side-connecting component that allow a movement of the headlight housing relative to the vehicle frame along a single defined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Rehau AG & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas König, Thomas Mett, Stefan Herrmann, Tobias Pfretzschner, Stefan Lux
  • Patent number: 7374322
    Abstract: A center high mounted stop lamp (12) including a plurality of LEDs (34) mounted on a printed circuit board (30). TIR lenses (40) are employed to focus the light from the LEDs (34) to give an even lighting appearance. The TIR lenses (40) include a prism (44) for directing the light in a desired direction. The circuit board (30) and lenses (40) are mounted in a housing (18) so that each LED (34) includes a separate lens (40) configured relative thereto to provide the desired collection and reflectance of the light. The housing (18) includes a plurality of posts (70) that extend through openings (48, 50) in the circuit board (30) and the lenses (40) to align the LEDs (34) to the lenses (40) relative to the housing (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald L. Steen, Kyle P Lucas, Richard A. Dymond, Charles D. McKittrick
  • Patent number: 7357547
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to an assembly and method for attaching a stud to a lamp housing that decreases the overall size of the automotive lamp assembly. The apparatus has a collar molded over a stud. The collar attaches the stud to the lamp housing by being shear welded to the lamp housing. The stud is prevented from rotating about its longitudinal axis, so that it can serve to mount the lamp housing to an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy King, Michael W. Beeler, Jack D. Bodem, Edwin R. Drews
  • Patent number: 7354176
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method of fixing a outer lens to the housing of a lighting and/or signaling device for an automobile, the housing being provided, in the area of joining with the outer lens, with a bonding groove, a method during which adhesive which is not totally hardened is disposed in the said groove, the foot of the outer lens is inserted in a groove so that it is outer lens with adhesive over a sufficient height, the adhesive hardens in particular to fix the foot of the outer lens in the bonding groove. At least one step of temporary fixing of the outer lens to the housing is provided, after the insertion of the foot of the outer lens in the bonding groove and after any hardening of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jacques Bouteiller, Jean-Claude Puente, Alain Levilain
  • Patent number: 7338191
    Abstract: A method for positioning a headlamp on a vehicle body, which includes: setting the headlamp temporarily in a first position on a first member of the vehicle body; and putting the first member and a second member of the vehicle body together, bringing the first member along with the headlamp closer to the second member, allowing the headlamp to move relative to the first member from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Konno, Hiroki Takii
  • Patent number: 7325955
    Abstract: An LED headlamp assembly for a vehicle. The headlamp assembly includes a plurality of LED units mounted to a common carrier, where the LED units include one or more LEDs and generate white light. The headlamp assembly further includes a headlamp housing that is mounted to the vehicle by a mounting frame. The carrier is sealed to the housing by a flexible bellows. An outer lens is mounted to the housing so that the LED units are positioned within a sealed compartment. A backside of the carrier outside of the sealed compartment includes fins or other heat sinking devices to remove heat generated by the LED units. The frame allows convective air to flow around the heat sink to remove heat from the LED units. A series of actuators and/or pivots are mounted to the frame and to the carrier so that the carrier can be moved on at least one axis to adjust the direction of the LED headlamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Kyle P. Lucas, Ronald L. Steen
  • Patent number: 7315127
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp 10 is provided with a lamp unit 30 which applies beams of the desired patterns ahead, and a double axis actuator 50 having a first drive mode in which the lamp unit is rotated in one of two planes that are orthogonal to each other and a second drive mode in which the lamp unit is rotated in the other of the two planes. The double axis actuator is provided with a single output part 540 which rotates the lamp unit in the two planes, and a drive part (including a drive source 550 and a movable part 561) which drives the output part. The double axis actuator can rotate the lamp unit in the each plane regardless of the rotational positions along the above two planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kolto Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Tajima
  • Patent number: 7306358
    Abstract: The taillight assembly is mountable to a swing arm of a rear suspension motorcycle frame and includes a tubular cover housing and an LED lamp disposed within the cover housing. The LED lamp is electrically wired to the motorcycles electrical system by wires that are run internally through the cover housing and swing arm. The LED lamp uses a plurality of individual light emitting diodes (LEDs), which convert electric energy into electromagnetic radiation (light). The LED lamp is configured so that one portion of the LEDs emit a red light and another portion emit a white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Inventor: Troy R. Treat
  • Patent number: 7298245
    Abstract: An emergency light includes a flash light lamp and a plurality of LED lamps activated in strobe-like fashion to alert emergency personnel in transit the proper household needing their assistance. The LED lamps activated in excess of 120 times per minute is visible at distances in excess of one mile. The emergency light may be mounted to a window pane using suction cups, to a steel door or other ferrous-metallic surface using magnetic strips, hung on a door using an integral hanger or stood on a flat bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Harold D. VanHoose
  • Patent number: 7287877
    Abstract: A beam welding method in a vehicular lighting device where a transparent cover is mounted on a housing so as to cover its front face is characterized in that a transparent cover and a housing each includes a joining part. The method includes a step of integrating an elastic member with the joining part of the transparent cover, a step of bringing the elastic member into contact with the joining part of the housing, and a step of irradiating beams onto the joining part of the housing to weld the elastic member and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Yasuda, Fujihiko Sugiyama, Michihiko Suzuki, Kazuhiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7282841
    Abstract: An LED light source applied to surveillance cameras as an infrared source or a visible-light source has a light emitting diode (LED) as the light emitting mechanism. The LED chip is mounted on a surface of a metallic body of high thermal conductivity, the surface being planar for scattering light or convex for collimating light. The heat produced in the LED chip is quickly guided to a heat-sink structure much massive than the chip and having large contact area with a heat radiating structure, thereby effectively dissipating the heat and increasing the power capacity of the chip. The heat-sink structure has a plurality of elongated heat conducting members confined by an insulating bracket at one end and mounted on a metallic base on the other end. The metallic base can be coupled with a heat radiator to enhance heat radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Chia Mao Li
  • Patent number: 7264388
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a vehicle body has a vehicle body skin, an exterior illuminating device which is inserted into a slide-in opening in the vehicle body skin, and an illuminating device receiving system which is fastened adjacent to the slide-in opening on the interior side of the vehicle body skin. The illuminating device receiving system has at least one approximately horizontally oriented receiving plate and first and second fastening flanges which are connected with first and second fastening surfaces constructed on the interior side of the vehicle body skin. To optimize the gap measurement between the exterior illuminating devices and the slide-in opening, the fastening flanges and the fastening surfaces are situated in a plane with respect to which a vertical vehicle axis is parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reza Shakory-Tabrizi
  • Patent number: 7226194
    Abstract: Exterior rearview mirrors have mirror base, a mirror body, and a lighting unit with a lighting means. A lighting unit can be a repeating direction indicator lamp or, for example, a lamp for illuminating the surroundings. In order to enable the lighting unit to be easily mounted while requiring little mounting space, the lighting unit is part of an add-on element, which is physically separate from the exterior rearview mirror. The lighting unit with the lighting means can be easily produced and mounted. No mounting space is required inside the exterior rearview mirror. The lighting unit can be easily accessed for mounting. The exterior rearview mirror is used in motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Schefenacker Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Roland Oehmann
  • Patent number: 7195365
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle lamp that is designed to reliably remove snow, etc. adhering to a lens. A carbon-based heating element is mounted within a lamp body so that the heat rays radiated from the heating element irradiate a rear surface of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Suda, Noboru Kanba
  • Patent number: 7175325
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a lamp body having an opening, a first reflector disposed within the lamp body, a lens, and a second reflector. The second reflector serves as an extension reflector to cover a gap between the opening of the lamp body and the first reflector. The lens and the second reflector are joined together at an edge portion thereof by laser welding. The second reflector has a leg portion on a back surface thereof. An edge portion of the opening has a groove to receive the leg portion, and seal material having a predetermined adhesibility, which can be pulled off, is injected into the groove. The second reflector joined to the lens is mounted on an edge of the opening of the lamp body via the seal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Otani, Fujihiko Sugiyama, Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Michihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7172316
    Abstract: Lighting or indicating apparatus for a motor vehicle comprises in particular a light emitting element which includes a reflector, a light source, and a casing which defines a set of faces, comprising side, lower and upper faces. There is, optionally, at least one opening formed in at least one of the said faces and having removable obturating means. The lighting or indicating apparatus is adapted to be combined with at least one complementary module with the aid of at least one pair of assembly elements comprising a guiding slide and a projecting element. The projecting element is adapted to be inserted at least into one end of the guiding slide with which it is associated, and to slide in the said guiding slide. Each of the assembly elements of one pair of assembly elements is disposed either on the headlight element or on the module. The two assembly elements in one assembly pair are not both disposed on the light emitting element; nor are they both disposed on the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Marc Duarte, Jean-Marc Nicolai, David Myotte
  • Patent number: 7140760
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to automotive lighting assemblies. Specifically, the subject invention relates to a device and method for retaining wires, which provide power to the light source, in the proper orientation. In an exemplary embodiment, a wire retaining cavity is formed by a molded rib on a cover and a molded retention feature with a hook portion on a light source retaining compartment. In this exemplary embodiment, the cover and retaining compartment are integrally connected to one another by a living hinge. The wire retaining cavity is formed once the cover is folded over the retaining cavity bringing the rib into close proximity of the wire retention feature and adjacent to the hook portion of the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventor: R. Andrew Kidd
  • Patent number: 7048415
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for easily molding projections on an end edge along an opening in a housing which project towards an opposite side of the end edge to the opening, and to provide a housing structure related to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7040791
    Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for a work vehicle includes a front illuminating unit, a side illuminating unit, a frame supporting the front illuminating unit and the side illuminating unit and a translucent lens unit covering the front illuminating unit and the side illuminating unit. The front illuminating unit and the side illuminating unit are supported to the frame. The translucent lens unit comprises a one-piece translucent lens directly connected and supported to the frame. The frame includes an attaching portion for attaching the frame to a front portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nakamura, Isamu Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 7036968
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp including a resin-made plain outer cover that covers the lamp body. The plain outer cover has an interior lens step (cylindrical step) formed in a region that faces a gap between an extension element (or a reflector) installed in the lamp body and the inner surface of a leg portion of the outer cover. The lens step optically reduces the gap between the leg portion and the extension element (or a reflector) and thus optically magnifies the leg portion of the outer cover, allowing the lamp to have a sense of stateliness and a sense of luxury seen in the lamp that uses a glass-made outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naruhiro Michiba
  • Patent number: 7025486
    Abstract: A light assembly for a vehicle mirror is provided. The light assembly in one aspect has a light directing arrangement attached to a transparent pane, which directs a light beam into a specified zone, controls a color of the light beam and controls an intensity of the light. In another aspect, a pane is provided having similar attributes and a water drain and drip edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Georg Hecht
  • Patent number: 7025487
    Abstract: A lamp system, especially for a motor vehicle, has a casing that is covered by a clear, optically neutral lens and that contains at least one light source composed of a light bulb and an associated reflector. A screen in the form of a semireflecting mirror is positioned between the lens and the light source in such a way as to separate a posterior lamp section that accommodates the light source from an anterior lamp section defined by the screen and the lens. Consequently, to an observer looking in the direction of the light source, the posterior lamp section is indiscernible while the screen is transparent to the light emitted by the light bulb when the lamp is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Holzmann, Marek Djordjevic
  • Patent number: 7021803
    Abstract: A headlight housing (10) is provided. The housing is adapted to be mounted upon a vehicle, the vehicle adapted to ride upon a ground surface (20). The housing includes a front section (12) adapted to emit light from a headlight (24). The housing also includes a top surface (14) of a substantially constant width extending aft of a top edge (11) of the front section, wherein the top surface is oriented substantially parallel with the ground surface when mounted upon the vehicle in an illuminating position. The housing further includes a bottom surface (16) of a substantially constant width extending aft of a bottom edge (34) of the front surface, wherein the bottom surface approaches the top surface as the top and bottom surfaces extend aft to taper a height of the housing. The method of positioning a headlight housing in an aerodynamic position is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Alec C. Wong, Daniel Farmer
  • Patent number: 7008097
    Abstract: An illumination device includes: an optical waveguide having a first lateral surface for emitting light and a second lateral surface for receiving light; a scattering cap secured to the first lateral surface of and extending substantially the length of the waveguide; and a light source (e.g., a plurality of LEDs spaced a predetermined distance from one another) positioned adjacent to the light-receiving surface of the waveguide. Light entering the waveguide is efficiently transmitted to the scattering cap and is then preferentially scattered so as to exit with a broad elongated light intensity distribution pattern being formed along a lateral surface of the scattering cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: iLight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Hulse
  • Patent number: 7004608
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight unit has a headlight housing covered by a pane on its front side. The headlight unit is held relative to the vehicle body by a support which yields in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle under the effect of force. The pane is fixedly connected with one side of the support and the opposite side of the support is fastened to the headlight unit housing. The yielding support may comprise a rubber bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Goller
  • Patent number: 6997585
    Abstract: A headlamp unit (30) is mounted between opposite sides of a radiator core support panel (10) in a widthwise direction of a vehicle and a front portion of a front fender. One of a front mounting position of a front portion of the headlamp unit (30) and a rear mounting position of a rear portion of the headlamp unit (30) is provided with a fastening structure (50). The other one of the front mounting position and the rear mounting position is provided with an inserting structure (40) capable of adjusting an inserting amount. The headlamp unit (30) is allowed to slide and move by the fastening structure and/or the inserting structure, thereby making it possible to adjust a mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Ito
  • Patent number: 6998174
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper (20) integrates rigid and flexible components into a single co-injection molded structure. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible fascia (58) is provided with integrated rigid fastener brackets (62, 66, 70, 71), energy absorption structure and head lamp brackets and housings (62). A method for manufacturing such a bumper provides for the injection of two different plastic materials during the same molding process. The flexible plastic material first injected into the mold. Then, the rigid plastic material is injected at gates located where the rigid material is desired. In one embodiment, the rigid material is completely contained within the flexible material. The rigid material may be either a higher stiffness plastic or a fiber reinforced plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Conix Corporation
    Inventors: Marshall Ray Porter, Norman E. Guschewski, Michael B. Smith, Keith Korte, Todd C. Parker, Russell R. York
  • Patent number: 6981777
    Abstract: An emergency running light for vehicles such as watercraft includes a cup-shaped housing made of a transparent, thin flexible wall which defines a cup-shaped interior chamber. A liquid component of a two-component chemiluminescent compound and a breakable capsule containing a second component thereof are disposed within the interior chamber. The running light is activated to produce a predetermined color of light by squeezing the flexible housing to break the container. This causes the first and second component liquids to form the chemiluminescent compound and resulting light. The housing is attachable to a surface of the watercraft following activation using an adhesive ring which engages a flat rim of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: David P. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6971775
    Abstract: A light module for an interior rearview mirror assembly is positionable at least partially within the mirror casing. The light module includes an illumination source, a housing generally surrounding the illumination source, and a cover generally encasing the illumination source within the housing. The light module includes an electrical connector for electrically connecting the light module to an electrical conductor of the mirror assembly when the light module is positioned at least partially within the mirror casing. The light module may include a user actuatable input for activating and deactivating the illumination source. The electrical connector may comprise conductive elements that are molded within a polymeric housing. The conductive elements may include light contacts for electrically contacting the illumination source and may be configured to support the illumination source. The illumination source may comprise a festoon light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, John O. Lindahl, Rick Mousseau
  • Patent number: 6971758
    Abstract: In the illumination device of the invention, an LED is oppose to a side surface of a flat light guide member. A light shield surface for shielding light from the LED and emitted toward the backside of the guide member in vicinity of the LED on the backside of the light guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Inui, Moriyuki Hashimoto, Osamu Yamanaka, Yoshio Sano, Mitsuhiro Nawashiro, Hiroshi Ito, Akihiro Misawa, Takayuki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6953273
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp has first and second lamp chamber portions each including: a light source; a casing having opening and portion for reflecting light emitted from the light source; and lens portion for closing the opening of the casing; the first and second lamp chamber portions each forming lamp chamber partitioned with the casing and the lens portion, wherein the lens portion of the first lamp chamber portion passes light through substantially forward or backward from a vehicle; at least a part of the second lamp chamber portion is disposed within the lamp chamber of the first lamp chamber portion; and the second lamp chamber portion overlaps with the light source of the first lamp chamber portion in the substantially longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakajima, Atsushi Kochi
  • Patent number: 6926433
    Abstract: An automotive headlamp shield may be formed with a self-locating mount. The housing contains a mounting receptacle with three closed sides, an open side, a substantially solid bottom with a laterally extending slot and a top containing an opening. One sub-assembly has a planar surface with an aperture, a solid rear wall and a depending side wall. When assembled, the depending sidewall fits into the slot and protrudes therefrom. Another sub-assembly has an upper surface and four walls including a front wall, a back wall and two sides. A compressible planar latch is associated with the upper surface and a first spring is associated with a side and a second spring is associated with the back. The second sub-assembly is hollow and the springs and the compressible latch are formed from the upper surface and respective sides. The structure is light weight and easy to manipulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Sylvania L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin G. Burke
  • 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: 6863416
    Abstract: Lighted reading glasses are provided to enable clear reading of normal sized text to occur when the reading material is held at usual distances from the reader in dimly lit or dark locations. The lighted glasses have high intensity lights, such as in the form of LEDs that generate narrow light beam cones and which are oriented via light mounts as by inward canting of the light beam cones to meet and overlap so high brightness light is generated in a conical overlap area of light which is maximized in size in the range of normal reading distances. The light mounts include housings that are very compactly sized via the use of small coin cell batteries for powering the LEDs they hold. The housings are tapered from their maximum width sized to be slightly larger than the diameter of the disc-shaped cell batteries to either end thereof along their length, and have a depth sized to accommodate two of the stacked very thin, e.g., one-eighth of an inch each, coin cell batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Waters