US4644447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lamp unit for vehicles
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
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Filing: 1985-11-22
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2005-11-22
Abstract
Abstract Lamp unit for vehicles which is retained slidably under the effect of force in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to reduce the danger of injury to pedestrians et cetera, and also the danger of damage to the lamps in the case of minor accidents.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Sturtz
- 👤 Reiner Jocher
- 👤 Hartmut Baitinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/0491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A lamp unit for vehicles which exhibits a lamp housing covered by a light-diffusing glass on the front side and is retained relative to the vehicle body via a bracing means yielding to the effect of force, particularly to the effect of shock, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which bracing means comprises mounting means with parts arranged on the vehicle body and on the lamp housing, characterized in that the mounting parts are formed on the one hand by guide elements with guide tracks extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and on the other hand by tensioning elements tensionable relative to the guide elements and guided via their guide tracks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A lamp unit for vehicles which exhibits a lamp housing covered by a light-diffusing glass on the front side and is retained relative to the vehicle body via a bracing means yielding to the effect of force, particularly to the effect of shock, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which bracing means comprises mounting means with parts arranged on the vehicle body and on the lamp housing, characterized in that the mounting parts are formed on the one hand by guide elements with guide tracks extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and on the other hand by tensioning elements tensionable relative to the guide elements and guided via their guide tracks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide elements are associated with the vehicle body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide elements are associated with the lamp housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide tracks are formed by slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide tracks are open at their one end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide elements are formed by brackets which are constructed as a partially covered channel, in the cover of which the guide tracks are provided.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A lamp unit according to claim 3, characterized in that in the case of guide tracks associated with the lamp housing, the slots are open at their ends located opposite the direction of an effect of force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp unit according to claim 2, characterized in that in the case of guide elements associated with the vehicle body, the slots are open at their ends located in the direction of effect of force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the tensioning elements are formed by spring clamps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A lamp unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the spring clamps are of U-shaped configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lamp unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the spring clamps each comprise a tapped bore for a tensioning screw in at least one member thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A lamp unit according to claim 11, wherein each spring clamp comnprises plural members joined by a bridge, the members being limited in their mutual pivoting by a stop at an end region thereof remote from said bridge between said members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A lamp unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the stop is formed by at least one tab bent out of one of the members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lamp unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the stop and tapped bore are located in a common plane, substantially in the longitudinal vehicle median, of the tensioning element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lamp unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the stop comprises a transverse guide element engaging into the slots.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lamp unit according to claim 12, characterized in that at least a first of the members of the spring clamps is provided in the region of its free end with catch lugs directed towards a second member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A lamp unit according to claim 16, characterized in that the catch lugs are provided on at least a member section projecting beyond the other member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lamp unit according to claim 17, characterized in that catch lugs, stop and tapped bore are associated with the same member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A lamp unit according to claim 12, characterized in that, relative to the longitudinal direction of the said members, the stop is located between said tapped bore and said catch lugs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A lamp unit according to claim 16, characterized in that for at least one of said brackets, the length of a bracket cover thereof corresponds to the free length of the member carrying said catch lugs between said catch lugs and said bridge of the tensioning element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lamp unit according to claim 20, characterized in that for one of said brackets, the member of the tensioning element carrying tapped bore, stop and catch lugs engages under the cover of the said bracket.
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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |