Housing Patents (Class 362/546)
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Patent number: 6495222Abstract: A moisture reduction assembly 10 for use in a vehicle headlamp 12 which operatively reduces and/or substantially eliminates moisture 22 within the headlamp 12. The moisture reduction assembly 10 includes a selectively energizable bulb 18 and a bulb shield 16. The bulb shield 16, in one non-limiting embodiment, receives and/or is lined with a heat activated catalyst 20 which is heated by the selectively energizable bulb 18 and which, when heated, chemically converts the contained moisture 22 to at least one non-condensing gas. The catalyst 20 may also be selectively applied to the bulb 18. In another non-limiting embodiment, a desiccant member 30 is disposed within and/or upon the bulb 18 or disposed within the bulb shield 16.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Visteon Global tech., Inc.Inventors: Drew Donald Mosser, David L. Crossman, Robert T. Babcock
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Patent number: 6491418Abstract: An exhaust pipe with illuminating devices is formed by an inner pipe enclosed in an outer pipe. A gap is formed in between the two pipes. The gap comprises a light socket connected to at least one illuminating device. The light socket and the illuminating device are connected by means of an electric cord. The outer pipe comprises holes on its wall. When the illuminating devices are lighted, the light will shine from the tail end and the holes of the exhausting pipe either directly or reflectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: Kuo-Tai Chen
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Patent number: 6482281Abstract: The present invention is drawn to hot-melt adhesives for bonding vitreous plastic materials to thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic materials, and to the use of these adhesives for making vehicle lamps or headlamps comprising lenses, especially bearing a scratch-proofing coating, made of a vitreous plastic material, and lamp bodies made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material, where the lenses and lamp bodies are bonded together with these hot-melt adhesives. The hot-melt adhesives of this invention are characterized in that they contain: a) from 0.5 to 15% by weight of optionally grafted thermoplastic elastomers; b) from 5 to 40% by weight of optionally grafted poly-&agr;-olefins except polyisobutylene; c) from 5 to 45% by weight of adhesive resins; and d) from 5 to 55% by weight of polyisobutylenes.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1997Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.Inventor: Stephan Schmidt
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Patent number: 6478456Abstract: Headlamp, in particular for motor vehicles, with a headlamp housing that can be inserted into a housing receiver from the front, whereby—in the event of a defined impact in a longitudinal direction that exceeds a specific force opposite to the driving direction—the headlamp housing is displaced within the housing receiver a predetermined energy-absorption path.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.Inventors: Henning Eichhorn, Christian Huether, Dirk Kersting, Roland Lachmayer, Bernd Mennen
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Patent number: 6474856Abstract: A motor-vehicle headlight uses a gas-discharge lamp with a power-supply circuit, the lamp being mounted in a mirror. A screening device reduces interfering electromagnetic emissions. The power-supply circuit is in a housing to the rear of the lamp, and the screening device has a conducting material entirely surrounding the housing and able to provide electrical continuity between a screening braid of a power-supply cable arriving at the said housing and screening arrangements which are associated with the mirror. The invention also proposes a gas-discharge lamp incorporating such screening means.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Valeo VisionInventor: GĂ©rard Billot
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Patent number: 6471386Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting structure of automobile headlamp which can cope with the current Safety Rule for Pedestrians in Europe by properly absorbing the impact during automobile accident with inserting and mounting a bellow spring to conventional mounting boss divided by two and a bellows spring bracket to conventional bolt and snap fitting pin.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Se Wook Oh
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Patent number: 6469622Abstract: An automobile lamp having a colorless and transparent light source, a housing whose front portion is an-aperture covered with a lens, wherein the housing has a color to be perceived as a uniform color of the automobile lamp when the light source is off, and reflecting portions arranged on the inner back surface of the housing such that they form a mesh or striped pattern when combined with the remaining portion of the inner back surface of the housing. Color uniformity of the automobile lamp when the automobile lamp is off is greatly improved. Furthermore, in spite of small proportion of the reflecting portions as compared with the conventional composition, the automobile lamp is able to emit light in sufficient quantity without any light source with high luminance accompanying high power consumption. There is also provided an automobile rear combination lamp having a turn signal lamp, a back-up lamp, and a stop lamp based on the automobile lamp disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Komatsu, Tomoaki Seki, Masayoshi Tajima
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Publication number: 20020145883Abstract: Due to an effect of a solenoid of a moving mechanism, when a valve and a shutter are positioned at a first position, a light source is positioned at a first light source position and a shutter is in a state of closing a window. A lighting luminous flux from a light source is reflected by a reflector so as to be irradiated as a first light distribution pattern. Thus, a part of the lighting luminous flux is introduced to the reflector from the open window. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the lighting luminous flux emitted from one valve in correspondence to a light distribution pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 10, 2002Applicant: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kunio Akizuki, Yasumitsu Nakabayashi
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Patent number: 6454439Abstract: A light assembly (20) that includes a frame (28) and a body (22) disposed within the frame. A reflector (26), a socket (46) and a bulb (24) are disposed in the body. A lens (30) is fitted over the reflector, socket and bulb. The lens is snap fitted in a bezel ring (32). The bezel ring is snap fitted over to the body so as to be positioned around the reflector. The body is snap-fitted to the frame. An assembler of the light assembly of this invention can maintain a stock of frames, bodies and bezel rings that have different colors or other characteristics, such as on/off switches. Upon receiving an order for a light assembly in which the specific characteristics of the color are specified, the assembler selects the appropriate components from stock and assembles them together to provide the desired assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: ITC IncorporatedInventor: Richard J. Camarota
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Patent number: 6450675Abstract: A vehicular lamp and method for manufacturing including the steps of: providing a lamp body that has been formed from a resin composition obtained by incorporating 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of an antistatic agent in 100 parts by weight of a rubber-reinforced styrene resin; pressing a heated hot plate against the lamp body, thereby melting a portion of the lamp body; and adhering the melted portion of the lamp body to a lamp lens under pressure, thereby bonding the lamp body to the lamp lens.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Kaneka Corp.Inventors: Kenji Nishimoto, Yoshihiko Hashimoto
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Patent number: 6450676Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle lamp device capable of relieving the impact acting from the vehicle lamp device to an obstacle, and thereby achieving a simple and relatively spaceless structure. The vehicle lamp device comprises a thin grooved portion 17 (a displacement allowing structure) for allowing the housing 3 to be displaced. The displacement allowing structure is provided in an interfering portion of the housing 3 interfering with a front side frame 16 (a vehicle body member) which locates in the displacement area where the housing 3 is displaced and interrupts the housing 3 to be displaced when the vehicle lamp device collides with an obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Tarou Maeda, Arihiro Furumoto, Kazuma Kondou
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Publication number: 20020126498Abstract: A lighted vehicle body opening weather strip includes a longitudinally extending gripping portion having an outside wall, a co-extending tubular sealing portion disposed on the outside wall of the gripping portion, a carrier embedded within the gripping portion, a light source extrusion carried by the gripping portion, and an extrusion solid surrounding the light source extrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Arthur William Atkinson, Bruce Donald Burnside, Donald Paul Iacovoni, David Arthur Wade, Jon W. Stanley
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Publication number: 20020122311Abstract: A vehicle lamp structure that enables reliable engagement even when variations occur during molding is described. In a vehicle lamp, an attachment base body 2 may be coupled to a lens 6 covering a front surface thereof by engagement of at least a part. The lens is provided with an engagement leg portion 9 which is inserted into the body so as to be engaged with an engagement portion 10 of the body. First and second engagement protruding portions 11, 12 are formed, with a space therebetween that face the engagement portion of the body. A front surface 11a of the first engagement protruding portion is a slanted surface that is increasingly displaced to a side opposite the insertion direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventor: Atsushi Iwase
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Publication number: 20020122312Abstract: Optical unit for an automotive vehicle, comprising a housing (5) suitable for being integral with a structural or bodywork element (2) of a vehicle, said housing (5) defining an interior and a main opening (13) facing the vehicle exterior, and a glass (15) suitable for being fixed to the housing (5) such as to close off at least partially said main opening (13) by means of fastening members (21, 22, 31, 32). The fastening members (21, 22, 31, 32) join the glass (15) together with the housing (5) with a substantially axial play relative to the vehicle axis, the play being defined between a normal working position and a retracted position of the glass (15).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2002Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: Sebastien Berne, Caroline Riviere
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Patent number: 6439733Abstract: A light system that attaches to a helmet. The light is designed to be removable. The system has a forward head light that enables a rider to illuminate in whatever direction the rider's head is looking. It has a translucent shell. In one embodiment, the shell is colored red. Light from the headlamp is allowed to leak through the rear of the shell, which gives the appearance of a taillight. In a second embodiment, the device has a forward headlamp and a second bulb that illuminates the rear shell. In a modification of this embodiment, the rear lamp has two filaments. One filament remains on all the time and acts as a taillight. The other filament is activated by the brake handle of the vehicle. In this way, it acts as a brake light, further warning other riders that the vehicle is slowing.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Inventors: Ernst W Fischer, Stephen Karcz
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Patent number: 6428186Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle is disclosed that includes a reflector for supporting a discharge bulb in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a front lens, and a lighting circuit unit for lighting the discharge bulb attached to an outer surface of a lower wall of the lamp body. The headlamp includes a unit cover attached to the outer surface of the lower wall covering the lighting circuit unit and an upright wall formed on the lamp body in front of the unit cover. The upright wall projects downwardly to a position lower than a surface of a front end portion of the unit cover.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Masatoshi Yoneyama
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Publication number: 20020093831Abstract: A protruding outer wall 702 is provided that surrounds cord insertion holes 704 (704a, 704b) used for inserting power supply cords 6 (6a, 6b) that supply current to light source bulbs 1 (1a, 1b). An inside region 705 of the outer wall 702 is filled with a soft synthetic resin 9 which is then cured. Further, inner walls 703 (703a, 703b) are provided in an interior region 705 so as to ensure air tightness and waterproof performance of the cord insertion holes 704 (704a, 704b). The structure ensures air tightness and waterproof performance of a back cover for a lamp body while reducing the number of man hours required to fix a power supply cord to the back cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Akira Nagakura, Katsumi Takao
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Patent number: 6409362Abstract: A vehicle lamp boot structure is disclosed wherein the lip edge of a boot is captured in a groove. One defining wall of the groove is higher than the other defining wall to thereby help latch the insert lip in the groove and prevent disengagement of the lip from the groove. The boot seal as a result has been found to be more durable.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Valeo Sylvania LLCInventors: Andrew J. Lundberg, Christopher E. Swygart
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Publication number: 20020067617Abstract: A vehicle headlamp including a lamp body, a front cover that covers the front of the lamp body, a reflector disposed in the lamp body, a discharge bulb supported by the reflector, a lighting circuit assembly formed by housing a ballast circuit for lighting the discharge bulb and a starting circuit in a casing, and a power feeding connector connected to the lighting circuit assembly by a cord and removably coupled to the connector portion of the discharge bulb. A lighting circuit case that houses the lighting circuit assembly is integrally disposed on the lamp body with a connecting portion in between, the lighting circuit case is provided on the side of the lamp body, and the connecting portion is in a shape of a lateral U in vertical cross-section so as to allow the power feeding connector to pass through.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Tetsumasa Imachi, Masahiro Masuda, Tutomu Naito
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Publication number: 20020067613Abstract: A light bulb housing, method of making same and method of replacing a light bulb within the light bulb housing wherein the housing has an internal chamber which is almost completely closed except for a single access opening. A light bulb is mounted within the internal chamber. A biasing device, such as a coil spring, is mounted within the internal chamber and located between the light bulb and the access opening. A lens is then mounted within the internal chamber against the coil spring and while compressing of the biasing device a O-ring seal is installed within a groove formed in the sidewall of the access opening. Upon manual release of the lens, the coil spring forces the lens into watertight, airtight, dustproof engagement with the O-ring seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2000Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventor: James E. Grove
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Patent number: 6398396Abstract: A vehicle component assembly includes a hard coated polymeric element with a resinous polymeric molded element or gasket integrally molded to a predetermined area thereof. Preferably, the element is a polycarbonate optical lens, such as a headlight lens, which is coated with a protective coating or hard coat which provides abrasion resistance and optionally includes ultraviolet radiation absorbers to protect the resinous polymeric molded element from UV radiation degradation. Adhesion is improved by priming the area of the polycarbonate element which receives the gasket with a primer coating. Preferably, the area to be gasketed is primed with a first adhesion promoting primer followed by a second adhesion promoting primer, wherein the first adhesion promoting primer improves the adhesion of the second primer to the protective coating, while the second primer, in turn, improves the adhesion of the molded element or gasket to the first primer and the hard coated element.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: David E. Nestell, James T. Ainsworth
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Patent number: 6394636Abstract: A vehicular headlamp comprising a lighting compartment, first and second reflectors, a bulb, and a lighting circuit unit. The lighting compartment is defined by a lamp body and a front lens. The first and second reflectors are provided in the lighting compartment, and the second reflector is beside the first reflector. The bulb is mounted on the second reflector. The lighting circuit unit is provided below the first reflector and electrically connected to the bulb.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhisa Ashizawa, Yu Shinomiya, Kazutami Oishi
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Patent number: 6390658Abstract: A vehicle lamp device supporting structure 5 for supported by a front end of a vehicle, comprises a fragile portion 21 breakable in vehicle collision. The fragile portion is provided in mount brackets 7, 8 and 9 which protrude from a housing 10 of the lamp device 5. A shroud panel 4 supporting the lamp device 5 includes an opening 2 to allow the lamp device 5 to be displaced rearward when the mount brackets 7, 8 and 9 are broken up.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventor: Tarou Maeda
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Patent number: 6390653Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle, in particular for aircraft, has a housing in which a light source is arranged, with the housing including a first housing part detachably attached to a second housing part, the first and second housing parts being coaxially arranged. Each of the first and second housing parts has at least one projection extending in the axial direction from an edge thereof, for inter-engaging in a corresponding recess of the other housing part. Each projection has a retaining nose protruding in the radial, transverse, direction to form a groove into which a locking element can be inserted to lock the first housing part to the second housing part.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Hella Aerospace GmbHInventor: Elmar Schrewe
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Patent number: 6382823Abstract: A vehicular headlamp of a type having a lighting circuit unit mounted on an outer surface of a bottom wall of the lamp body in which failure of the seal between the lamp body and a front lens mounted thereon is prevented. A bottom wall extension portion is formed at a rear end portion of a bottom wall of the lamp body, extending rearward beyond a bulb replacement opening formed in a rear wall of the lamp body. This structure provides sufficient rigidity for the rear end portion of the bottom wall, which otherwise would have insufficient rigidity because of its location adjacent the bulb replace opening. Therefore, the bottom wall is protected from deflection deformation due to the weight of the lighting circuit unit. As a result, the front end opening of the lamp body is protected from deformation.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Michinobu Kibayashi
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Publication number: 20020051366Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting structure of automobile headlamp which can cope with the current Safety Rule for Pedestrians in Europe by properly absorbing the impact during automobile accident with inserting and mounting a bellow spring to conventional mounting boss divided by two and a bellows spring bracket to conventional bolt and snap fitting pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventor: Se Wook Oh
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Patent number: 6379030Abstract: An external aiming headlamp assembly including a plastic housing supported on a vehicle body in a headlamp port for universal articulation to aim the headlamp assembly and an adjustable flexible seal on the plastic housing. The flexible seal includes an outer lip bearing against the headlamp port, an inner lip flush against an outside surface of the plastic housing, and a convex web exposed in a clearance gap between headlamp port and the plastic housing. Posts on the plastic housing protrude through slots in the inner lip and include barbs which prevent dislodgment of the inner lip. The slots in an adjustable fraction of the inner lip are elongated and cooperate with the corresponding posts in guiding the adjustable fraction of the inner lip for translation through a range of positions to vary the exposure of the convex web. The edges of the elongated slots are interrupted by notches separated by flexible gates.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James Joseph Jankowski, Donald Kevin Porter
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Publication number: 20020044450Abstract: The present invention relates to a fog lamp mounting structure of an automobile wherein said fog lamp mounting structure comprises a reflector 14 which reflects the lights of a light bulb 20 in the lamp, a folder 12 which holds the body frame of a vehicle, and a dust cover 16 which is mounted on the rear end and prevents the entrance of impurities inside the fog lamp 10, are manufactured as an integrated body by means of injection molding and mounted subsequently, thus enabling the improvement in workability as well as cost reduction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventor: Se Wook Oh
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Patent number: 6361197Abstract: A vehicular lamp is inserted into an opening in a side panel of a vehicle without significantly protruding from the surface of the side panel and without reducing the strength of the side pane.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiyuki Katsumata, Junji Takeshima
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Patent number: 6361196Abstract: An electrical module, in particular for a block of signalling lights for a motor vehicle, comprises, in combination: a lamp-carrier implementing a plurality of recesses used as sockets for lamps; an electronic circuit for processing a control and switching signal to selectively switch on and switch off lamps received in the sockets as a function of instructions contained in the control signal; a printed circuit carrying said electronic circuit; electrical power link means between the electronic circuit and the sockets; and means for associating the lamp-carrier with the printed circuit and for establishing an electrical connection between said printed circuit and the electrical power link means.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1997Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: Jean-Louis Boucheron, Daniel Segaud
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Publication number: 20020024820Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly comprises a lamp housing, a lens, and a closeout sub-assembly. The closeout sub-assembly comprises a closeout and a template attached to the closeout. The closeout sub-assembly is created by forming the closeout around the outer periphery of the template such that the outer portion of the closeout is located adjacent to and outside of the peripheral edge of the template. The vehicle lamp assembly is created by affixing the closeout sub-assembly to the outer periphery of the inner surface of the lens and attaching the lens to the housing such that the closeout sub-assembly is located between the lens and the housing and such that the outer portion of the closeout is located adjacent to and outside of the peripheral edge of the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Applicant: Guide CorporationInventor: Paul E. Young
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Publication number: 20020024810Abstract: A structure that ensures air tightness and waterproof performance of a cord insertion hole in a back cover of a lamp body. The arrangement allows a reduction of man hours for fixing a power supply cord to the back cover. In an implementation, a cylindrical outer wall 702 is provided that surrounds cord insertion holes 704a, 704b through which power supply cords 6a, 6b are inserted for sending current to light source bulbs 1a, 1b. A resin mold portion filled inside the outer wall fixes and integrates the power supply cords 6a, 6b in the cord insertion holes 704a, 704b. The resin mold portion includes a lower mold layer 9a on the side of the cord insertion holes 704a, 704b that adheres well to the back cover 7, and an upper mold layer 9b laminated over the lower mold layer 9a and having good heat resistance properties. The upper mold layer 9b prevents creep in the lower mold layer 9a, and the lower mold layer maintains air tightness and waterproof performance at the cord insertion hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventor: Akira Nagakura
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Patent number: 6347881Abstract: A vehicle lamp having a lamp body, which includes a rear surface portion and peripheral side surface portions where these portions are formed integrally by resin molding, is provided with thin-walled portions along boundary portions where the rear surface portion and the peripheral side surface portions meet. The thin-walled portions is designed to have a thickness thinner than that of other portions. For a lamp body with substantial width and depth, the large upper and lower surface portions can be prevented from being deformed by forming the thin-walled portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Serizawa, Kenichi Kubota
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Publication number: 20020008977Abstract: A motor vehicle having a lamp unit which is arranged on the outwardly facing end of a supporting structure of the vehicle, the arrangement of the lamp unit including an energy-absorbing deformation element which surrounds the circumference of an associated reflector and as a consequence of being supported axially on an opposite surface of the supporting structure collapses, with a reduction in length, when subjected to excessive impact stress, and the reflector forming a constructional unit together with a transparent lens and a lamp housing. The lamp housing itself is designed as an energy-absorbing deformation element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: Karl-Heinz Baumann, Ulrich Bruhnke
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Patent number: 6340236Abstract: A hot melt adhesive is provided with which foams are not remained at an adhered interface when a molded product of a polycarbonate resin, an acrylic resin or the like is adhered in an atmosphere of 80° C. or higher. The adhesive is obtained by blending calcium oxide with a hot melt adhesive containing rubber, amorphous polyolefin and a resinous tackifier.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2000Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Hisanaga
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Publication number: 20020006043Abstract: A lighting or signaling device for a vehicle comprises a plastic back wall (24) and a lamp holder (10) fixed to the back wall. It further includes a metal plate (4) fixed to the back wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2001Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventor: Frank Dinant
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Publication number: 20010040811Abstract: A lamp assembly provides an integrated flexure member/bezel extending between a lamp lens and a housing for the lamp reflector. The flexure member has forward and rearward peripheral edges shaped to conform to the mating shapes of the lens and housing, respectively, for holding the elements together. The flexural member has internal surfaces which extend rearwardly toward the reflector surrounding the edges of the reflector such that no gaps are visually present and which can be metalized such that the overall lamp assembly has a shiny appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Inventors: Lee A. Chase, Jason A. Gilliam
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Patent number: 6309089Abstract: A vehicle lamp comprising a reflector, a discharge bulb, a connector, and a electrically-conductive cover. The reflector includes an electrically-conductive film on a surface of the reflector and a contact terminal portion electrically connected to the electrically-conductive film. The discharge bulb is supported in the reflector. The connector is detachably connected to the discharge bulb, and the electrically-conductive cover covers the connector. In the vehicle lamp, the electrically-conductive cover is in contact with the contact terminal portion of the reflector when the connector is connected to the discharge bulb.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masatoshi Yoneyama, Hironori Tsukamoto, Toru Nakayama
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Publication number: 20010030874Abstract: A vehicular headlamp apparatus with a washing function for washing the transparent member of the headlamp apparatus, comprising a washing unit for washing the surface of the transparent member and a light irradiation unit installed in a lamp housing comprised of the transparent member and a lamp body. The nozzle section of the washing unit that includes an injection nozzle and horizontally movable has a cover assembly. When washing the injection nozzle is moved to project out of the lamp apparatus and injects washing liquid to the transparent member. When washing is not performed, the injection nozzle is retracted inside the lamp apparatus and the decoration cover assembly forms the front surface of the headlamp apparatus together with its transparent member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Masaru Nishiyama, Yasuo Teranishi
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Publication number: 20010030876Abstract: A self-cleaning automotive head lamp, wherein the inner surface of the lens has applied to it an amphiphilic coating containing a photocatalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2000Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Ing-Feng Hu, Paul J. O'Connor, Yi-Hung Chiao
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Patent number: 6302568Abstract: A head lamp for a vehicle having a power supply includes a discharge bulb, a reflector for holding the discharge bulb, a lamp body for accommodating the reflector, the lamp body having an opening in the reflector for replacing the discharge bulb, a back cover coupled to the lamp body to close the opening, a starting circuit coupled to the discharge bulb for lighting the discharge bulb, a first connector coupled to the starting circuit, a second connector coupled to the power supply; and a detachable lock member fastening the back cover to the first and second connectors, wherein the lock member is covered by the first and second connectors when the connectors are coupled with each other, so that the back cover cannot be open before disengaging the lock member.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sumito Ohtaki
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Patent number: 6302569Abstract: A vehicle light holder ring for vehicle light fixtures and mounted within an aperture provided on a body of a vehicle, including a central opening and at least three mounting apertures. A rim is attached to the light holder ring and surrounds the central opening. A flange is attached to the rim to form an interior diameter for retaining one diameter of the light fixture. A plurality of springs are attached to a rear edge of the flange and extend inwardly in a radial direction to form a diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the flange for tightly retaining a plurality of different diameters of the light fixture. The light holder ring further includes at least three retaining clips attached to a bottom edge of the rim for holding a bottom end of the light fixture to the light holder ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Grand General Accessories Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Nan Huang Huang
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Publication number: 20010028568Abstract: A vehicular lamp in which bonding failure between a front lens and a lamp body is prevented while enhancing the bonding strength and improving the quality of the outer appearance around the bonded surface therebetween. An edge surface of a seal leg of the front lens and a receiving surface of a lamp body are bonded together by laser beam welding so as to improve the quality of the outer appearance of the portion around the bonded surfaces. The bonded surface is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the bonding direction. Even if the edge surface of the seal leg or the receiving surface has a wave-like irregularity such that gaps are created in areas therebetween, the pressure in the bonding direction acting on the members to be bonded causes slippage between them, resulting in sealing the gaps.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Inventors: Kazuo Akiyama, Fujihiko Sugiyama
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Publication number: 20010028567Abstract: A vehicular lamp in which bonding failure between a front lens and a lamp body is prevented while enhancing the bonding strength and improving the quality of the outer appearance around the bonded surface therebetween. An end surface of a seal leg of a front lens and a receiving surface of a lamp body are bonded through laser beam welding so as to improve the outer appearance quality of the area around the bonded surfaces. The end surface is formed on an end portion of the seal leg that is bent and extended outward at a predetermined angle with respect to the bonding direction. The laser beam is irradiated onto the receiving surface through the end portion from a direction substantially orthogonal to the end surface. The resultant permeation distance of the laser beam is made short, resulting in a sufficient amount of irradiation energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Inventors: Kazuo Akiyama, Fujihiko Sugiyama
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Publication number: 20010026455Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly is disclosed which incorporates a warning light actuatable in conjunction with the vehicle turn signals to alert adjacent motor vehicles of an anticipated turn. The warning light is integrated into a first decorative cover member and may be connected to the vehicle turn signal circuit by way of connectable electrical leads or by an integrally formed plug and outlet arrangement. A second decorative cover member may be substituted for the first decorative cover member when it is not desired to incorporate the warning light.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: Britax Vision System (North America) Inc.Inventors: Mark Stidham, Dale Gathergood, Charles Furlotte
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Patent number: 6283624Abstract: A shade assembly for covering a lamp assembly of a headlamp is provided. The shade assembly mainly includes a shade holder and a shade seated on a number of anti-vibration supports provided on inner wall surface of the shade holder. The shade holder is also provided on its peripheral wall with a number of radially outward extended fork-headed legs that are adapted to engage with lugs provided on a lamp holder of the lamp assembly independent of the US or European specification of the lamp holder. Heated produced by the lighted lamp is allowed to dissipate from the shade via convection holes provided on the wall of the shade holder and a heat-diffusing hole provided on a top of the shade through the effect of air convection in the shade.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Inventor: Chin-Ming Tsai
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Patent number: 6273597Abstract: A roadside warning sign system including sign support comprised of a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, opposed side walls, an open front face, and an open back face. The housing has a light source disposed interiorly thereof. The light source has a power source. A plurality of signs are provided that are each couplable with the open front and rear faces of the housing of the sign support. The signs each have indicia thereon corresponding with vehicle problems or hazardous conditions. The signs are translucent. A base portion is provided that is adapted for coupling with a roof of a vehicle. The base portion is comprised of a lower horizontal member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The base portion includes a pair of side brackets extending upwardly from the upper surface of the lower horizontal member. The side brackets secure the sign support to the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Inventor: William Rolack
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Patent number: 6270242Abstract: A vehicle lamp has a plastic lamp body (10) with a sealing leg (16) that extends from the back of the lamp body and is pressure-welded and held on a vehicle body panel (18), via an elastic sealing material (20). The elastic sealing material is formed by injection-molding of a thermoplastic foamable elastomer where the lamp body (10) is inserted into a mold (40A) and the sealing leg (16) is projected into a sealing-material molding cavity (C1). The sealing material is molded over the whole area of the sealing leg and has a transverse cross section that is U-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michihiko Suzuki, Fumihiko Sugiyama, Kazuhiro Yamazaki
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Patent number: 6267491Abstract: This invention discloses a lamp housing adaptable for snapped-in installation of the lens member. The interior wall of the housing is provided with an annular step and integrally formed raised projections which together form slots for receiving the peripheral edge of the lens member. The raised projections are shaped to facilitate the installation and retention of the lens. The lens member, made of resilient material, is of sufficient flexibility that it can be pressed past the raised projections and be lodged in the slots. A gasket is interposed between the lens member and the annular step. The slots are so dimensioned that the raised projections press against the lens and the gasket to retain the lens in the slots and additionally seal the interior of the housing from the outside environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.Inventor: Albert Parrigin
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Patent number: 6254263Abstract: A protected lamp mounting assembly for an operator's cab roof of a work vehicle having a front edge, two side edges and two outwardly angled edges extending between the front edge and the exterior side edges. Two lamp housings are mounted to the side edges of the roof. The lamp housings are provided with a top plate corresponding to the roof and outwardly angled flanges corresponding to the outwardly angled edges of the roof, so that the roof and top plates and the outwardly extending edges and outwardly angled flanges provide a smooth transition between the roof and the lamp housings. The lamp housings are also provided with a mounting flange and a lamp mounting plate that extends downwardly from the top plate. The lamp housing is secured to the vehicle by the mounting flange. The lamp mounting plate in turn is provided with a lamp aperture having a specified perimeter that is smaller than the outer dimension of the lamp. The lamp is provided with a bulb portion and a rubber lamp deflector.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Daniel Joseph Mueller, Kevin Henry Torborg