US3596837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic headlamp-aiming system
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1969-09-18
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-09-18
Abstract
Abstract An automatic headlamp-aiming system for a motor vehicle wherein a headlamp is hingedly connected to the vehicle for controlled rotation about a horizontal axis as driven by a vacuum motor which is energized upon operator initiation of an aiming cycle. Control means including a single-ended mercury switch electrically connected to a solenoid serves to automatically deenergize the vacuum motor and lock the system against further movement when the headlamp attains a properly vertically aimed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold E Todd
- 👤 David P Clayton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/08; B60Q1/10; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/10; B60Q2300/11; B60Q2300/116; B60Q2300/13; B60Q2300/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A system for automatically vertically aiming the headlamps of a motor vehicle comprising: a lighting unit which is in a correctly vertically aimed position when oriented in a known plane relative to the motor vehicle; hinge means connecting the lighting unit to the vehicle for controlled pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis; means for pivoting said lighting unit about said axis to improperly aimed position; a power source; electromagnetic motor means connected to said power source; switch means connected between said power source and said electromagnetic motor means operable to selectively actuate the latter; a single-ended mercury switch connected to the electromagnetic motor means in parAllel with the switch means and referenced to said known plane, said mercury switch being operable to maintain energization of electromagnetic motor means until the lighting unit is positioned in said known plane; vacuum motor means operatively associated with the lighting unit for unidirectionally pivoting the latter about said axis from said improperly aimed position; locking means for conditioning the system against movement operatively connected between the lighting unit and the electromagnetic motor means, said locking means being operable to unlock the system upon actuation of the switch means and automatically lock the system when the lighting unit is in said known plane; and control means between said electromagnetic motor means and the lighting unit for energizing said vacuum motor means at said improperly aimed position and automatically deenergizing the vacuum motor means when the lighting unit is positioned in said known plane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
249 words
A system for automatically vertically aiming the headlamps of a motor vehicle comprising: a lighting unit which is in a correctly vertically aimed position when oriented in a known plane relative to the motor vehicle; hinge means connecting the lighting unit to the vehicle for controlled pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis; means for pivoting said lighting unit about said axis to improperly aimed position; a power source; electromagnetic motor means connected to said power source; switch means connected between said power source and said electromagnetic motor means operable to selectively actuate the latter; a single-ended mercury switch connected to the electromagnetic motor means in parAllel with the switch means and referenced to said known plane, said mercury switch being operable to maintain energization of electromagnetic motor means until the lighting unit is positioned in said known plane; vacuum motor means operatively associated with the lighting unit for unidirectionally pivoting the latter about said axis from said improperly aimed position; locking means for conditioning the system against movement operatively connected between the lighting unit and the electromagnetic motor means, said locking means being operable to unlock the system upon actuation of the switch means and automatically lock the system when the lighting unit is in said known plane; and control means between said electromagnetic motor means and the lighting unit for energizing said vacuum motor means at said improperly aimed position and automatically deenergizing the vacuum motor means when the lighting unit is positioned in said known plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
248 words
An automatic vertical headlamp-aiming system for a motor vehicle comprising: a lighting unit which is correctly vertically aimed when oriented in a known plane relative to the motor vehicle; hinge means connecting said lighting unit to the vehicle for controlled pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis; spring means for pivoting said lighting unit about said axis to an extreme rotated position; a power source; solenoid means connected to said power source; switch means connected in series between said power source and said solenoid means for selectively actuating the latter; a single-ended mercury switch connected in parallel with said switch means and in series with said solenoid means, said mercury switch being referenced to said known plane and thereby operable to maintain energization of said solenoid means independently of said switch means until said lighting unit is positioned in said known plane; a vacuum source; a unidirectionally energized vacuum motor fluidly connected to said vacuum source and adapted upon energization to pivot said lighting unit about said axis from said extreme rotated position; locking means connected between said lighting unit and said solenoid means for unlocking the system upon actuation of said switch means and for automatically locking the system against movement when said lighting unit is in said known plane; control means connected between said solenoid means and said lighting unit for energizing said vacuum motor at said extreme rotated position and automatically deenergizing said vacuum motor when said lighting unit is positioned in said known plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
248 words
An automatic vertical headlamp-aiming system for a motor vehicle comprising: a lighting unit which is correctly vertically aimed when oriented in a known plane relative to the motor vehicle; hinge means connecting said lighting unit to the vehicle for controlled pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal axis; spring means for pivoting said lighting unit about said axis to an extreme rotated position; a power source; solenoid means connected to said power source; switch means connected in series between said power source and said solenoid means for selectively actuating the latter; a single-ended mercury switch connected in parallel with said switch means and in series with said solenoid means, said mercury switch being referenced to said known plane and thereby operable to maintain energization of said solenoid means independently of said switch means until said lighting unit is positioned in said known plane; a vacuum source; a unidirectionally energized vacuum motor fluidly connected to said vacuum source and adapted upon energization to pivot said lighting unit about said axis from said extreme rotated position; locking means connected between said lighting unit and said solenoid means for unlocking the system upon actuation of said switch means and for automatically locking the system against movement when said lighting unit is in said known plane; control means connected between said solenoid means and said lighting unit for energizing said vacuum motor at said extreme rotated position and automatically deenergizing said vacuum motor when said lighting unit is positioned in said known plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention recited in claim 2 wherein interlock means are operatively connected between said vacuum source and said solenoid means for preventing actuation of the system until predetermined conditions are established.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention recited in claim 2 wherein said control means includes a valve which is opened at said extreme rotated position to energize said vacuum motor by fluidly connecting the latter to said vacuum source and is closed when said lighting unit is in said known plane to thereby deenergize said vacuum motor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
184 words
An automatic vertical headlamp-aiming system for a motor vehicle comprising: a lighting unit which is correctly vertically aimed when oriented in a known plane relative to the motor vehicle; a plastic hinge having first and second sections respectively connected to said lighting unit and said motor vehicle; an integral transverse horizontal web of reduced cross section pivotally connecting said sections; a spring connected between said lighting unit and the motor vehicle which biases the former about said web to an extreme downwardly rotated position; a battery; a solenoid connected to the battery; an aiming switch connected in series between said battery and said solenoid that is operable to selectively actuate the latter; a single-ended mercury switch connected in parallel with said aiming switch and in series with said solenoid, said mercury switch being referenced to said known plane and opeRable to maintain energization of said solenoid independently of said aiming switch until said lighting unit is positioned in said known plane; a vacuum source; a unidirectionally energized vacuum motor fluidly connected to said vacuum source; a shaft connected to the vacuum motor; a lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
184 words
An automatic vertical headlamp-aiming system for a motor vehicle comprising: a lighting unit which is correctly vertically aimed when oriented in a known plane relative to the motor vehicle; a plastic hinge having first and second sections respectively connected to said lighting unit and said motor vehicle; an integral transverse horizontal web of reduced cross section pivotally connecting said sections; a spring connected between said lighting unit and the motor vehicle which biases the former about said web to an extreme downwardly rotated position; a battery; a solenoid connected to the battery; an aiming switch connected in series between said battery and said solenoid that is operable to selectively actuate the latter; a single-ended mercury switch connected in parallel with said aiming switch and in series with said solenoid, said mercury switch being referenced to said known plane and opeRable to maintain energization of said solenoid independently of said aiming switch until said lighting unit is positioned in said known plane; a vacuum source; a unidirectionally energized vacuum motor fluidly connected to said vacuum source; a shaft connected to the vacuum motor; a lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
An automatic aiming system for properly aiming a headlamp of a motor vehicle which is stationary on a level surface, said aiming system comprising: hinge means for supporting said headlamp on said vehicle for movement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the vehicle; means connected between the headlamp and the vehicle for pivoting said headlamp about said horizontal axis in one direction to an extreme rotated position wherein the headlamp is improperly aimed each time said system is energized; and motor means unidirectionally effective after said headlamp reaches said extreme rotated position for moving the headlamp in the opposite direction about said horizontal axis; and control means including leveling means carried by the headlamp and referenced to the optical axis of the headlamp for automatically stopping movement of the headlamp in said opposite direction when the headlamp attains a predetermined aimed position relative to said level surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
An automatic aiming system for properly aiming a headlamp of a motor vehicle which is stationary on a level surface, said aiming system comprising: hinge means for supporting said headlamp on said vehicle for movement about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the vehicle; means connected between the headlamp and the vehicle for pivoting said headlamp about said horizontal axis in one direction to an extreme rotated position wherein the headlamp is improperly aimed each time said system is energized; and motor means unidirectionally effective after said headlamp reaches said extreme rotated position for moving the headlamp in the opposite direction about said horizontal axis; and control means including leveling means carried by the headlamp and referenced to the optical axis of the headlamp for automatically stopping movement of the headlamp in said opposite direction when the headlamp attains a predetermined aimed position relative to said level surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |