US3700878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighting systems for road vehicles
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1971-05-14
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1991-05-14
Abstract
Abstract In a lighting system for a road vehicle automatic sensing means senses the attitude of the body of the road vehicle relative to the ground and operates a first indicator means within the vehicle so that the occupant knows the attitude of the vehicle relative to the ground. There is also control means operable by an occupant of the vehicle for adjusting the attitude of the headlamp and a second indicator means, which can be brought into alignment with the first indicator means by adjusting the headlamp to the correct position.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Dickens Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A lighting system for a road vehicle, said system including: automatic electrical sensing means for sensing the pitch of the body of the road vehicle relative to the ground, said sensing means comprising a pair of rheostats associated with the front and rear suspension members of the vehicle respectively, each rheostat having a fixed part and a moveable part, one part being coupled to a suspension member, the other part being coupled to the body of the vehicle, and a pair of windings through which current flows by way of the rheostats respectively; first moveable indicator means within the vehicle and coupled to said pair of windings, the windings when energized serving to move said first indicator means in opposite directions, respectively, so that the occupant of the vehicle receives an indication of said vehicle pitch; control means within the vehicle operable by an occupant of the vehicle for adjusting the attitude of a headlamp of the vehicle; second moveable indicator means within the vehicle and associated with said control means for indicating attitude of the headlamps with respect to the body of a vehicle, said second indicator means being substantially juxtaposed with respect to said first indicator means, said first and said second indicator means being calibrated such that alignment of said indicator means with respect to one another by operation of said control means adjusts the headlamp of the vehicle to a predetermined attitude with respect to the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A lighting system for a road vehicle, said system including: automatic electrical sensing means for sensing the pitch of the body of the road vehicle relative to the ground, said sensing means comprising a pair of rheostats associated with the front and rear suspension members of the vehicle respectively, each rheostat having a fixed part and a moveable part, one part being coupled to a suspension member, the other part being coupled to the body of the vehicle, and a pair of windings through which current flows by way of the rheostats respectively; first moveable indicator means within the vehicle and coupled to said pair of windings, the windings when energized serving to move said first indicator means in opposite directions, respectively, so that the occupant of the vehicle receives an indication of said vehicle pitch; control means within the vehicle operable by an occupant of the vehicle for adjusting the attitude of a headlamp of the vehicle; second moveable indicator means within the vehicle and associated with said control means for indicating attitude of the headlamps with respect to the body of a vehicle, said second indicator means being substantially juxtaposed with respect to said first indicator means, said first and said second indicator means being calibrated such that alignment of said indicator means with respect to one another by operation of said control means adjusts the headlamp of the vehicle to a predetermined attitude with respect to the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 1, in which the windings heat a pair of bi-metallic strips respectively, the strips being coupled to the first indicator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the windings are electromagnet windings acting on a common pole coupled to the first indicator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second indicator means are pointers, the headlamps being in the correct position when both pointers are aligned with one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein one of the indicator means is in the form of a plate having therein an aperture which is illuminated by a light source, and wherein the other indicator means is a pointer which covers the aperture when the headlamp is in the correct position.
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) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |