US3973114A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Headlamp tilting device in a motor vehicle
Assignee: Carello Lighting PLC
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Filing: 1975-07-15
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Granted: 1976-08-03
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Expires: 1995-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A headlamp tilting system in a motor vehicle has opposite ends of an inner cable connected respectively to the rear axle housing of the vehicle and an intermediate portion of a lever. An outer sleeve surrounds the inner cable and abuts against the underside of the vehicle body. One end of the lever is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body via a damper while the other end thereof is connected to the vehicle headlamps through a further cable and a movement reducer including two spring arms. The damper is arranged to oppose relatively short term changes but to permit relatively long term change so that, under braking and acceleration conditions, the inner cable tilts the headlamps as a result of pivotal movement of the lever. Under changing load conditions, body movement of the lever takes place as permitted by the damper to effect a reduced headlamp tilt.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick Raymond Patrick Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/08; B60Q1/10; B60Q1/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
In a motor vehicle having a body suspended on wheels and a headlamp mounted on said body for tilting movement in a vertical plane, a headlamp tilting device comprising (1) a sensor for sensing the attitude of said body relative to said wheels, said sensor producing an output movement related to said attitude; and (2) means operably connecting said sensor with said headlamp; said connecting means including (i) a lever connected with said headlamp and said sensor so that the output movements of said sensor are transmitted through said lever to said headlamp, and (ii) a damper, said damper having (a) a first part fixed relative to said body, (b) a second part movable relative to said first part, and (c) a damping medium which opposes relatively short term movements between said first and second parts; said lever being pivotally connected to said second part so that, when a relatively short term output movement of said sensor occurs, said lever pivots relative to said second part, whilst when a relatively long term output movement of said sensor occurs, the lever moves bodily relative to said body as a result of relative movement between said first and second parts; and said sensor, said headlamp and said second part being connected with said lever in such a manner that a relatively long term output movement of said sensor results in a smaller overall headlamp tilting movement than that resulting from the same output movement which occurs for a relatively short term.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
In a motor vehicle having a body suspended on wheels and a headlamp mounted on said body for tilting movement in a vertical plane, a headlamp tilting device comprising (1) a sensor for sensing the attitude of said body relative to said wheels, said sensor producing an output movement related to said attitude; and (2) means operably connecting said sensor with said headlamp; said connecting means including (i) a lever connected with said headlamp and said sensor so that the output movements of said sensor are transmitted through said lever to said headlamp, and (ii) a damper, said damper having (a) a first part fixed relative to said body, (b) a second part movable relative to said first part, and (c) a damping medium which opposes relatively short term movements between said first and second parts; said lever being pivotally connected to said second part so that, when a relatively short term output movement of said sensor occurs, said lever pivots relative to said second part, whilst when a relatively long term output movement of said sensor occurs, the lever moves bodily relative to said body as a result of relative movement between said first and second parts; and said sensor, said headlamp and said second part being connected with said lever in such a manner that a relatively long term output movement of said sensor results in a smaller overall headlamp tilting movement than that resulting from the same output movement which occurs for a relatively short term.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The headlamp tilting device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means further includes a second damper which serves to prevent very short term tilting movement of the headlamps which would otherwise occur as a result of very short term changes in the attitude of said body relative to said wheels, for example under conditions of wheel bounce and travel of the motor vehicle over a road with a rough surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The headlamp tilting device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises an inner cable connected at one of its ends with an unsprung part of the motor vehicle and at the other of its ends with said lever, and an outer sleeve surrounding said inner cable, said outer sleeve abutting a sprung part of said motor vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The headlamp tilting device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means further includes an angularly movable rod connected with said lever through the intermediary of a first spring arm, a second spring arm secured to said angularly movable rod, and an abutment against which said second spring arm is urged as a result of biasing of said first spring arm by tensioning in a portion of said connecting means between said sensor and said first spring arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The headlamp tilting device according to claim 1, wherein said lever is pivotally connected at one of its ends with said second part, is pivotally connected at the other of its ends with a portion of said connecting means leading to said headlamp and is pivotally connected intermediate its ends with said sensor.
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) | 1979-08-03 | 1980-02-02 | 1980-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-03 | 1984-02-02 | 1984-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-03 | 1988-02-02 | 1988-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |