US3636343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-levelling vehicle lamps
Assignee: MARTIN WARD DEVELOPMENTS Ltd
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Filing: 1969-05-08
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1989-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A self-levelling vehicle light system in which a control from the vehicle suspension provides a signal in accordance with changes in attitude of the vehicle relative to the road. A lamp support is tiltable about a horizontal pivotal axis in response to the signal, a resilient connection being provided both between the signal and the lamp support and the lamp support and a fixed mounting and a damper being provided for damping sudden movements of the lamp support.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick R P Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/08; B60Q1/10; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/10; B60Q2300/13; B60Q2300/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
In an automotive vehicle having a resiliently displaceable suspension, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp support, means mounting said lamp support for pivotal movement, a resilient force transmission linkage connected to said lamp support, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to displacements of the vehicle relative to a road surface and a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and said linkage, said resilient linkage applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by aid signal-providing means, wherein the signal-transmitting means includes a summation linkage having a single output signal member connected to said linkage and first and second input members connected to the signal-providing means at the front and rear vehicle suspension respectively, said summation linkage comprising a fixed housing, an output lever having said output signal member secured thereto, and a bellcrank pivoted to said housing and having one arm pivotally supporting one end of the output lever, the other end of said output lever being pivoted to the second input signal member, said second input signal member being carried by said housing for movement substantially at right angles to said output member and said first input signal member being secured to the other arm of said bellcrank whereby the position of the output signal member is responsive to the position of both the input signal members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
In an automotive vehicle having a resiliently displaceable suspension, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp support, means mounting said lamp support for pivotal movement, a resilient force transmission linkage connected to said lamp support, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to displacements of the vehicle relative to a road surface and a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and said linkage, said resilient linkage applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by aid signal-providing means, wherein the signal-transmitting means includes a summation linkage having a single output signal member connected to said linkage and first and second input members connected to the signal-providing means at the front and rear vehicle suspension respectively, said summation linkage comprising a fixed housing, an output lever having said output signal member secured thereto, and a bellcrank pivoted to said housing and having one arm pivotally supporting one end of the output lever, the other end of said output lever being pivoted to the second input signal member, said second input signal member being carried by said housing for movement substantially at right angles to said output member and said first input signal member being secured to the other arm of said bellcrank whereby the position of the output signal member is responsive to the position of both the input signal members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
177 words
In an automotive vehicle having a resiliently displaceable suspension, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp support, means mounting said lamp support for pivotal movement, a resilient force transmission linkage connected to said lamp support, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to displacements of the vehicle relative to a road surface and a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and said linkage, said resilient linkage applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by said signal-providing means, and further comprising a fixed mounting secured to said vehicle and wherein the resilient linkage comprises a pair of interconnected spring means arranged in series with one spring means being connected to an tensioned between said fixed mounting and the interconnection with the other spring means, said other spring means being connected and tensioned between said interconnection and the signal-transmitting means, said lamp support being controlled in accordance with movements of said interconnection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
In an automotive vehicle having a resiliently displaceable suspension, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp support, means mounting said lamp support for pivotal movement, a resilient force transmission linkage connected to said lamp support, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to displacements of the vehicle relative to a road surface and a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and said linkage, said resilient linkage applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by said signal-providing means, and further comprising a fixed mounting secured to said vehicle and wherein the resilient linkage comprises a pair of interconnected spring means arranged in series with one spring means being connected to an tensioned between said fixed mounting and the interconnection with the other spring means, said other spring means being connected and tensioned between said interconnection and the signal-transmitting means, said lamp support being controlled in accordance with movements of said interconnection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
In an automotive vehicle having a resiliently displaceable suspension, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp support, means mounting said lamp support for pivotal movement, a resilient force transmission linkage connected to said lamp support, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to displacements of the vehicle relative to a road surface and a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and said linkage, said resilient linkage applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by said signal-providing means, wherein the signal-transmitting means comprises a pivoted control output lever pivotally movable in response to the transmitting signal, said lamp system including a fixed sprIng mounting and the resilient linkage comprising tension springs connected to the top and bottom of the lamp support to exert forces biasing the lamp support in opposite directions, one spring being connected to the control lever and the other to said fixed spring mounting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
In an automotive vehicle having a resiliently displaceable suspension, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp support, means mounting said lamp support for pivotal movement, a resilient force transmission linkage connected to said lamp support, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to displacements of the vehicle relative to a road surface and a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and said linkage, said resilient linkage applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by said signal-providing means, wherein the signal-transmitting means comprises a pivoted control output lever pivotally movable in response to the transmitting signal, said lamp system including a fixed sprIng mounting and the resilient linkage comprising tension springs connected to the top and bottom of the lamp support to exert forces biasing the lamp support in opposite directions, one spring being connected to the control lever and the other to said fixed spring mounting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lamp system according to claim 1, wherein the position of securement of the output signal member to the output lever is adjustable lengthwise of the output lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A lamp system according to claim 2, wherein the lamp support itself provides said interconnection, both said spring means being directly connected to said lamp support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A lamp system according to claim 3, including adjustable means connecting the springs respectively to said control lever and said fixed spring mounting whereby the spring tensions are adjustable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a vehicle having road wheels, a body and a resiliently displaceable suspension supporting the body on the road wheels, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp, means mounting said lamp for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of the lamp at midheight thereof, means for damping pivotal movement of the lamp about said axis, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to the displacement of the vehicle body relative to the road wheels, a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and a signal output member, and a resilient linkage connected to said output member for applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support about said axis responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by said signal-providing means, said resilient linkage comprising a fixed support, a movable member, a first spring tensioned between said fixed support and said movable member, and a second spring tensioned between said movable member and said output member, said movable member being connected with said lamp whereby said lamp is movable about said axis in accordance with movements of said movable member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a vehicle having road wheels, a body and a resiliently displaceable suspension supporting the body on the road wheels, a self-levelling lamp system comprising a lamp, means mounting said lamp for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely of the lamp at midheight thereof, means for damping pivotal movement of the lamp about said axis, signal-providing means carried by said vehicle suspension to provide a mechanical signal having an amplitude responsive to the displacement of the vehicle body relative to the road wheels, a mechanical signal-transmitting means connected between said signal-providing means and a signal output member, and a resilient linkage connected to said output member for applying a correcting bias to tilt the lamp support about said axis responsive to changes in said mechanical signal upon changes in vehicle attitude as measured by said signal-providing means, said resilient linkage comprising a fixed support, a movable member, a first spring tensioned between said fixed support and said movable member, and a second spring tensioned between said movable member and said output member, said movable member being connected with said lamp whereby said lamp is movable about said axis in accordance with movements of said movable member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A lamp system according to claim 7, wherein said lamp is carried by said movable member, said movable member itself being pivotally mounted for tilting movement about said horizontal axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |