US4503486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-locking nut for adjustable headlamp assembly
Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-08-23
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Granted: 1985-03-05
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Expires: 2003-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A lamp assembly for an automobile comprises a tilting member such as a lamp unit or reflector adapted to be moved by optical axis adjusting rods threadedly engaged with self-locking nuts relative to a support member such as a lamp unit casing or the like fixed to a vehicle body or the like so as to adjust an optical axis of the lamp unit or reflector. According to the invention, each self-locking nut is formed with two engaging grooves extending in directions perpendicular to each optical axis adjusting rod. One of the grooves has two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other. The other groove has a bottom having a convex along its generatrix.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroyuki Makita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/068; B60Q1/0683
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
In a lamp assembly for an automobile including a support member formed with mounting slots, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said support member, optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts, and a tilting member connected to said optical axis adjusting rods and having an optical axis adjusted by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each said self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said support member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said extensions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a lamp assembly for an automobile including a support member formed with mounting slots, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said support member, optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts, and a tilting member connected to said optical axis adjusting rods and having an optical axis adjusted by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each said self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said support member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said extensions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A lamp assembly for an automobile as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tilting member is a lamp unit comprising a reflector and a front lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lamp assembly for an automobile as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tilting member is a bracket supporting a lamp unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a lamp assembly for an automobile with including a support member, a tilting member formed with mounting slots and secured to said support member, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said tilting member, and optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts and connected to said support member, said tilting member having an optical axis adjustable by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each said self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves extending in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said tilting member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said round extensions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a lamp assembly for an automobile with including a support member, a tilting member formed with mounting slots and secured to said support member, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said tilting member, and optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts and connected to said support member, said tilting member having an optical axis adjustable by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each said self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves extending in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said tilting member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said round extensions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lamp assembly for an automobile as set forth in claim 4, wherein said tilting member is a bracket supporting a reflector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lamp assembly for an automobile as set forth in claim 1 or 4, wherein said support member is a bracket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lamp assembly for an automobile as set forth in claim 1 or 4, wherein said support member is a lamp unit casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lamp assembly for an automobile as set forth in claim 1 or 4, wherein said tilting member is a reflector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
168 words
An automobile having a vehicle body and a lamp assembly, said lamp assembly including a support member formed with mounting slots, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said support member, optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts, and a tilting member connected to said optical axis adjusting rods and having an optical axis adjusted by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves extending in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said support member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said round extensions, and wherein said support member is said vehicle body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
168 words
An automobile having a vehicle body and a lamp assembly, said lamp assembly including a support member formed with mounting slots, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said support member, optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts, and a tilting member connected to said optical axis adjusting rods and having an optical axis adjusted by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves extending in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said support member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said round extensions, and wherein said support member is said vehicle body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
176 words
An automobile having a vehicle body and a lamp assembly, said lamp assembly including a support member, a tilting member formed with mounting slots and secured to said support member, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said tilting member, and optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts and connected to said support member, said tilting member having an optical axis adjustable by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each said self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves extending in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said tilting member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said round extensions, and wherein said support member is said vehicle body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
176 words
An automobile having a vehicle body and a lamp assembly, said lamp assembly including a support member, a tilting member formed with mounting slots and secured to said support member, self-locking nuts respectively secured to said slots and supported by said tilting member, and optical axis adjusting rods respectively threadedly connected to said self-locking nuts and connected to said support member, said tilting member having an optical axis adjustable by said optical axis adjusting rods relative to said support member, the improvement comprising each said self-locking nut being formed with two engaging grooves extending in directions perpendicular to each said optical axis adjusting rod and engaged with each said mounting slot of said tilting member, one of said engaging grooves having two opposite surfaces formed with round extensions extending toward each other and the other of said engaging grooves having a bottom which is convex along its generatrix, said generatrix being located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the arcs of said round extensions, and wherein said support member is said vehicle body.
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) | 1988-03-04 | 1988-09-03 | 1989-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-04 | 1992-09-03 | 1993-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-04 | 1996-09-03 | 1997-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |