US4797790A — Dimmed motor vehicle headlight

Claim 1

Independent Claim 237 words

A dimmed motor vehicle headlight operable to be mounted on the front of a motor vehicle and having a standard orientation at a motor vehicle comprising: a light-focussing reflector with a source of light at a focal point of said reflector; a lens for focussing light; a stamped sheet metal cup-like frame defining a centermost axis and comprising: first and second open ends, a plurality of arm-like webs extending between said ends, said first end mounted on front of said reflector wherein the lens is supported by said second end via radially inwardly receding connection pieces distributed over the circumference of a ring shaped frame forming support points for the lens inserted from the side with the smaller inner diameter, and a diaphragm having an edge disposed intermediate said ends to form a light-dark border, said diaphragm formed by bending a web having a free end toward said axis, where the frame narrows its inner diameter in the direction of light outflow, where a smaller inner diameter of the ring-shaped part corresponds to an outer diameter of the lens; a cracked ring disposed between the radially protruding connection pieces and the inwardly narrowing ring shaped frame under pretensioning, where the cracked ring is pressed against a slot formed by the lens and the ring shaped frame part without resting at the base of the slot and where the cracked ring presses the lens against respective support points.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 237 words

A dimmed motor vehicle headlight operable to be mounted on the front of a motor vehicle and having a standard orientation at a motor vehicle comprising: a light-focussing reflector with a source of light at a focal point of said reflector; a lens for focussing light; a stamped sheet metal cup-like frame defining a centermost axis and comprising: first and second open ends, a plurality of arm-like webs extending between said ends, said first end mounted on front of said reflector wherein the lens is supported by said second end via radially inwardly receding connection pieces distributed over the circumference of a ring shaped frame forming support points for the lens inserted from the side with the smaller inner diameter, and a diaphragm having an edge disposed intermediate said ends to form a light-dark border, said diaphragm formed by bending a web having a free end toward said axis, where the frame narrows its inner diameter in the direction of light outflow, where a smaller inner diameter of the ring-shaped part corresponds to an outer diameter of the lens; a cracked ring disposed between the radially protruding connection pieces and the inwardly narrowing ring shaped frame under pretensioning, where the cracked ring is pressed against a slot formed by the lens and the ring shaped frame part without resting at the base of the slot and where the cracked ring presses the lens against respective support points.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 64 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 wherein: the reflector is of ellipsoidal shape; wherein the collector lens is disposed opposite a second focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector relative to the reflector; and wherein the diaphragm is adjustable in its position and where an upper edge running substantially horizontal generates a light-dark boundary disposed in a plane orthogonal to the axis.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 64 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 further comprising: radially inwardly directed protrusions furnished at the ring shaped frame between a plane generated by the support points of the lens and the ring shaped frame end with the smaller diameter, where the faces of the protrusions directed toward each other serve as a centering surface for an outer edge of the lens.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 wherein said lens is supported from its rear and sides by extensions and protrusions formed in said frame.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 41 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 wherein the connection pieces and the protrusion are formed by portions cut free from the ring shaped frame and where the connection pieces and protrusions are formed by radially inwardly directed areas.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 wherein the ring shaped frame has the shape of a truncated cone between the largest and the smallest inner diameter.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 wherein the ring shaped frame is formed of four webs between the largest and the smallest inner diameter.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 44 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 wherein the cracked ring rests under pretension at a front surrounding edge of the collector lens at said second end and where the cracked ring engages and edge with forces directed away from said axis.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

The dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 1 wherein an outer surrounding edge of the collector lens against which the cracked ring rests under pretension is formed as a flange.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 106 words

A dimmed motor vehicle headlight operable to be mounted on the front of a vehicle and comprising: a light-focussing reflector with a source of light at a focal point of said reflector; and a stamped sheet metal cup-like frame defining a centermost axis and comprising: first and second open ends, a plurality of arm-like webs extending between said ends, said first end mounted on front of said reflector wherein a lense is supported by said second end, and a diaphragm having an edge disposed intermediate said ends to form a light-dark border, said diaphragm formed by bending a web having a free end toward said axis.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 106 words

A dimmed motor vehicle headlight operable to be mounted on the front of a vehicle and comprising: a light-focussing reflector with a source of light at a focal point of said reflector; and a stamped sheet metal cup-like frame defining a centermost axis and comprising: first and second open ends, a plurality of arm-like webs extending between said ends, said first end mounted on front of said reflector wherein a lense is supported by said second end, and a diaphragm having an edge disposed intermediate said ends to form a light-dark border, said diaphragm formed by bending a web having a free end toward said axis.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

The headlight according to claim 10, wherein said reflector lies on ellipsoidal surface which has a second focal point intermediate said ends, and wherein said edge is disposed in a plane orthogonal to said axis.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

The headlight according to claim 11, wherein said frame further comprises support elements for said diaphragm extending from intermediate portions of arm-like webs which are adjacent said diaphragm.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 18 words

The headlight according to claim 12, wherein: said support elements are connected to said diaphragm by laser welds.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

The headlight according to claim 13, wherein said support elements are connected to tongues bent to extend toward said second end from sides of said diaphragm.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 30 words

The headlight according to claim 14, wherein said connections are weld joints formed between edges of said support elements and surfaces of said tongues which face away from said axis.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 33 words

The headlight according to claim 15, wherein said support elements have portions joined to and offset from said intermediate portions, and where free ends of said support elements define said support element edges.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

The headlight according to claim 10, wherein the diaphragm is bent about a predetermined line defined by a mechanically weakened section of said diaphragm web.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 15 words

The headlight according to claim 17, wherein said weakened section results from a hole therein.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 12 words

The headlight according to claim 10, wherein said diaphragm is generally planar.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 18 words

The headlight according to claim 19, wherein said diaphragm lies in a plane not orthogonal to said axis.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 24 words

The headlight according to claim 19, wherein said diaphragm is connected to a cylindrical jacket defining said second end by a transitional planar section.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 14 words

The headlight of claim 21, wherein said transitional planar section is a peened flange.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 14 words

The headlight according to claim 10, wherein diaphragm web is provided with stiffening ribs.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 115 words

A method of adjusting a dimmed motor vehicle headlight comprising: providing support means at a first axial end of frame for supporting said frame on a headlight providing a diaphragm forming a single piece with said frame and having perpendicular tongues on the sides of a light limiting edge; said diaphragm having a bending line orthogonal to and displaced form a headlight center axis sliding the tongues of the diaphragm with their surfaces which face away from said axis along an adjacent surface of a support element on said frame until the position of the diaphragm edge is properly adjusted; and welding the tongue after positional adjustment of the diaphragm to a respective support element.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 115 words

A method of adjusting a dimmed motor vehicle headlight comprising: providing support means at a first axial end of frame for supporting said frame on a headlight providing a diaphragm forming a single piece with said frame and having perpendicular tongues on the sides of a light limiting edge; said diaphragm having a bending line orthogonal to and displaced form a headlight center axis sliding the tongues of the diaphragm with their surfaces which face away from said axis along an adjacent surface of a support element on said frame until the position of the diaphragm edge is properly adjusted; and welding the tongue after positional adjustment of the diaphragm to a respective support element.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method of adjusting a dimmed motor vehicle headlight according to claim 24 where the said sliding step includes bending said diaphragm which is planar so that its diaphragm forms an angle of from about plus to minus 20 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 132 words

A method of setting the degree of dimming of a dimmed motor vehicle headlight comprising the steps of: (a) providing a light source with a light focussing reflector; (b) providing a metal frame defining a centermost axis with first and second open ends with support means intermediate said ends and comprising a diaphragm having a free end with sides, and edge extending between said sides, tongues projecting from said sides, and a base defining a bending line; (c) bending said tongues to be generally perpendicular to said diaphragm; (d) bending said diaphragm about said bending line such that said diaphragm is operable to block light from said reflector to a predetermined extend and surfaces of said tongues are positioned adjacent said support means; and (e) welding said tongues to said support means.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 132 words

A method of setting the degree of dimming of a dimmed motor vehicle headlight comprising the steps of: (a) providing a light source with a light focussing reflector; (b) providing a metal frame defining a centermost axis with first and second open ends with support means intermediate said ends and comprising a diaphragm having a free end with sides, and edge extending between said sides, tongues projecting from said sides, and a base defining a bending line; (c) bending said tongues to be generally perpendicular to said diaphragm; (d) bending said diaphragm about said bending line such that said diaphragm is operable to block light from said reflector to a predetermined extend and surfaces of said tongues are positioned adjacent said support means; and (e) welding said tongues to said support means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method according to claim 26, wherein the diaphragm provided is planar and is positioned to lie in a plane forming an angle of no more than twenty degrees with a plane orthogonal to said axis.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-01-10	1992-07-11	1993-01-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-01-10	1996-07-11	1997-01-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-01-10	2000-07-11	2001-01-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Dimmed motor vehicle headlight

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