US4588619A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for converting a lens
Assignee: FISCUS WALTER J
•
Filing: 1984-08-27
•
Granted: 1986-05-13
•
Expires: 2004-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle lens manufactured for use in the European market is converted to comply with United States laws and regulations by grinding the textured interior surface of the lens, applying multiple coats of a transparent filler to the ground interior surface of the lens, applying a colored stain to the exterior and interior surfaces of the lens, and mounting a reflective panel to the interior surface of the lens. The converted motor vehicle lens comprises a translucent plastic panel contoured to fit a support housing, the panel having an exterior stained surface and a stained substantially flat interior surface. The substantially flat interior surface is formed by grinding the interior surface and applying multiple coats of the transparent filler to the interior surface of the lens. A reflective panel mounted to the interior surface of the lens permits the transmission of light from an incandescent bulb located in the support housing to pass through the converted lens. Light originating from an exterior source and passing through the lens is reflected back through the lens by the reflective panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Fiscus
- 👤 Ronnie L. Byrum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:31
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/20; F21S43/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for converting a translucent motor vehicle lens having an exterior surface and a textured interior surface into a lens through which light can be reflected, the method comprising: grinding the textured interior surface of said lens to a reduced height; applying multiple coats of a transparent filler to reduce the texturing of said interior surface of said lens; applying a translucent colored stain to the exterior surface of said lens and to the interior surface of said lens; and affixing a reflective panel to said lens adjacent said interior surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for converting a translucent motor vehicle lens having an exterior surface and a textured interior surface into a lens through which light can be reflected, the method comprising: grinding the textured interior surface of said lens to a reduced height; applying multiple coats of a transparent filler to reduce the texturing of said interior surface of said lens; applying a translucent colored stain to the exterior surface of said lens and to the interior surface of said lens; and affixing a reflective panel to said lens adjacent said interior surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reflective panel is permanently mounted on a frame, and said frame is affixed to said lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said application of filler drys to form a substantially flat surface over said ground textured interior surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional step of drying said transparent filler by radiant heat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 including the additional step of drying said transparent colored stain by radiant heat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reflective panel is capable of transmitting light from a light source located behind said reflective panel and said reflective panel is positioned at a location relative to said lens for lateral visibility relative to the motor vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A motor vehicle lens comprising: a translucent plastic panel contoured to fit a support housing, said panel having an exterior surface and a textured interior surface to diffuse light waves; a transparent coating applied to said textured interior surface, said coating drying to a substantially flat surface thereby reducing the diffusion of light waves passing through said panel and said coating; a translucent stain applied to said exterior of said panel and to said interior surface of said panel; and a reflector shaped to fit and permanently affixed to said paned adjacent to said interior surface, said reflector being capable of transmitting light from a light source located behind said reflector in said support housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A motor vehicle lens comprising: a translucent plastic panel contoured to fit a support housing, said panel having an exterior surface and a textured interior surface to diffuse light waves; a transparent coating applied to said textured interior surface, said coating drying to a substantially flat surface thereby reducing the diffusion of light waves passing through said panel and said coating; a translucent stain applied to said exterior of said panel and to said interior surface of said panel; and a reflector shaped to fit and permanently affixed to said paned adjacent to said interior surface, said reflector being capable of transmitting light from a light source located behind said reflector in said support housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
The motor vehicle lens comprising: a translucent plastic panel contoured to fit a support housing, said panel having an exterior surface and a textured interior surface to diffuse light waves; a transparent coating applied to said textured interior surface, said coating drying to a substantially flat surface thereby reducing the diffusion of light waves passing through said panel and said coating; a translucent stain applied to said exterior surface of said panel and to said interior surface of said panel; and a reflector permanently affixed to a frame which mounts on said lens, said reflector being capable of transmitting light from a light source located behind said reflector in said support housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
The motor vehicle lens comprising: a translucent plastic panel contoured to fit a support housing, said panel having an exterior surface and a textured interior surface to diffuse light waves; a transparent coating applied to said textured interior surface, said coating drying to a substantially flat surface thereby reducing the diffusion of light waves passing through said panel and said coating; a translucent stain applied to said exterior surface of said panel and to said interior surface of said panel; and a reflector permanently affixed to a frame which mounts on said lens, said reflector being capable of transmitting light from a light source located behind said reflector in said support housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens of claim 7 wherein said translucent plastic panel is of amber color.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 9 wherein said translucent stain is of red color.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens of claim 8 wherein said translucent plastic panel is of amber color.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 11 wherein said translucent stain is of red color.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1623711A
Cited
US1828233A
Cited
US2241365A
Cited
US2351536A
Cited
US2685231A
Cited
US3973342A
Cited
US4025158A
Cited
US4284453A
Cited
US4443832A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-12 | 1989-11-11 | 1990-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-12 | 1993-11-11 | 1994-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-12 | 1997-11-11 | 1998-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |