US4545001A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed lens member for use in a motor vehicle lighting system
Assignee: Valeo North America Inc
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Filing: 1984-04-10
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Granted: 1985-10-01
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Expires: 2004-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A lens member for use in a motor vehicle and adapted for being mounted in a recess within a front, contoured surface of the motor vehicle. The system especially designed for using the invention includes a plurality of separate lighting modules, each in turn including a light source and reflector means. The lens member comprises a hollow, enclosed, single piece lens element having a front, clear surface positioned to coincide with the vehicle's front, contoured surface so as to enhance aerodynamic performance of the lighting system (as well as the vehicle), a rear lensing portion positioned substantially at a predetermined angle (i.e., 0 to 30 degrees) relative to the front, planar surface of the modules located adjacent thereto, and side and bottom walls for enclosing the lens member to provide a sealed, dirt-free component.
Inventors
- 👤 George J. English
- 👤 Robert E. Levin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0005; F; F21; F21S; F21S41/00; F21S41/10; F21S41/14; F21S41/162; F21S41/17; F21S41/172; F21S41/20; F21S41/28; F21S41/285; F21S41/30; F21S41/32; F21S41/321; F21S41/323; F21S41/36; F21S41/37; F21S45/00; F21S45/10; F21S45/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A lens member for use in a lighting system designed for providing forward illumination for a motor vehicle wherein said lighting system includes a plurality of individual light sources located adjacent each other, said lens member comprising: a hollow, enclosed single piece element having a front, clear surface adapted for coinciding with the front, contoured surface of said motor vehicle, a rear lensing portion positioned at a predetermined angle relative to said individual light sources for having the light emitted by said sources pass therethrough, and a plurality of side walls for enclosing said element to provide a sealed, dirt-free member, said front clear surface and said side walls not including lensing elements thereon or as part thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A lens member for use in a lighting system designed for providing forward illumination for a motor vehicle wherein said lighting system includes a plurality of individual light sources located adjacent each other, said lens member comprising: a hollow, enclosed single piece element having a front, clear surface adapted for coinciding with the front, contoured surface of said motor vehicle, a rear lensing portion positioned at a predetermined angle relative to said individual light sources for having the light emitted by said sources pass therethrough, and a plurality of side walls for enclosing said element to provide a sealed, dirt-free member, said front clear surface and said side walls not including lensing elements thereon or as part thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The lens member according to claim 1 wherein said rear lensing portion includes a plurality of separate lens surfaces located internally of said single piece element and each adapted for aligning with a respective one of said light sources.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lens member according to claim 2 wherein the number of said lens surfaces is four.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lens member according to claim 2 wherein each of said lens surfaces occupies a plane, said planes being positioned in a substantially parallel and offsetting orientation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lens member according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined angle between said rear lensing portion and said individual light sources is within the range of from about zero degrees of about thirty degrees.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lens member according to claim 1 wherein said lens member has a bottom wall also enclosing said member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lens member according to claim 6 wherein said bottom wall includes an internal surface having thereon means for preventing reflection of said light emitted by said light source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lens member according to claim 7 wherein said means for preventing reflection comprises a plurality of grooves formed within said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lens member according to claim 7 wherein said means for preventing reflection comprises an opaque coating on said internal surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4329738A
Cited
US4459644A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-30 | 1989-04-01 | 1989-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-04-01 | 1993-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-04-01 | 1997-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |