US5172972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle headlamp
Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-08-15
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Granted: 1992-12-22
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Expires: 2011-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle headlamp having an improved mounting structure of an extension reflector provided between the front lens and the reflector of the headlamp. An extension reflector, formed separate from the lamp body, is provided between the reflector and the front lens. The front end of the extension reflector is held adajcent to or in contact with the inner surface of the front lens to minimize the gap between the extension reflector and the front lens, and the rear end of the extension reflector is spaced from the reflector so that the extension reflector cannot interfere with the opening end portion of the reflector during the aiming operation of the reflector. The headlamp may be combined with other lamps in such a manner that the other lamps are arranged on both sides of the headlamp inside a single lamp body with the headlamp and other lamps juxtaposed with one another, and light shielding walls are provided for the lamps on both sides of the headlamp to cover the gaps between the reflector and the extension reflector.
Inventors
- 👤 Hidetoshi Terao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0029; B60Q1/0041; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/50; F21S45/00; F21S45/40; F21S41/00; F21S41/10; F21S41/14; F21S41/162; F21S41/164; F21S41/20; F21S41/28; F21S41/30; F21S41/32; F21S41/321; F21S41/50; F21S41/55; F21S45/10; F21W; F21W2102/00; F21W2102/30; F21W2103/00; F21W2103/10; F21W2103/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A motor vehicle lamp comprising: a headlamp comprising a lamp body and a main headlamp reflector and a light bulb mounted in said reflector, an aiming mechanism for mounting said main reflector within said lamp body in such a manner that an aiming operation of said main reflector can be freely achieved; a front lens covering a front opening in said lamp body forward of said main reflector; and an extension reflector provided between said reflector and said front lens, an inner surface of said extension reflector being reflective and acting as an extension of a reflecting surface of said main reflector, said extension reflector being formed separate from said lamp body, a front end of said extension reflector being adjacent to or in contact with an inner surface of said front lens to minimize a gap between said extension reflector and said front lens, and a rear end of said extension reflector being spaced from said main reflector so that said extension reflector cannot interfere with an opening end portion of said reflector during the aiming operation of said main reflector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A motor vehicle lamp comprising: a headlamp comprising a lamp body and a main headlamp reflector and a light bulb mounted in said reflector, an aiming mechanism for mounting said main reflector within said lamp body in such a manner that an aiming operation of said main reflector can be freely achieved; a front lens covering a front opening in said lamp body forward of said main reflector; and an extension reflector provided between said reflector and said front lens, an inner surface of said extension reflector being reflective and acting as an extension of a reflecting surface of said main reflector, said extension reflector being formed separate from said lamp body, a front end of said extension reflector being adjacent to or in contact with an inner surface of said front lens to minimize a gap between said extension reflector and said front lens, and a rear end of said extension reflector being spaced from said main reflector so that said extension reflector cannot interfere with an opening end portion of said reflector during the aiming operation of said main reflector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The motor vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of other lamps mounted within said lamp body, said other lamps being arranged on both sides of said headlamp inside said lamp body, said headlamp and said other lamps being juxtaposed with one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 2, further comprising light shielding walls provided for said lamps on both sides of said headlamp to cover gaps between said main reflector and said extension reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The motor vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extension reflector is substantially in the form of a cylinder whose section is substantially equal in configuration to a front opening of said main reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The motor vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 4, wherein said extension reflector is made of aluminum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The motor vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 4, wherein said extension reflector is made of a synthetic resin with a reflecting coating formed on an inner surface thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
The motor vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first of said other lamps comprises a projection-type fog lamp comprising an elliptical mirror, a light bulb positioned at a first focal point of said elliptical mirror, a condenser lens positioned at a second focal point of said elliptical mirror, and a lens holder mounting said condenser lens on a front end portion of said elliptical mirror, and further comprising a protector covering a space between said condenser lens and said lamp body and a space between said lamp body and said main reflector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 7, wherein said protector comprises a cylindrical portion and a conical portion which are formed as one unit with said conical portion located inside said cylindrical portion and with a front end of said conical portion merging with a front end of said cylindrical portion, the diameter of a rear end opening of said conical portion being slightly larger than the outside diameter of said condenser lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 8, further comprising an auxiliary extension reflector formed integrally with an outer surface of one side wall of said extension reflector, said auxiliary extension reflector surrounding said protector, a rear end of said auxiliary extension reflector being joined to a rear end opening of said cylindrical portion of said protector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 7, wherein a second of said other lamps comprises a clearance lamp mounted on the opposite side of said main reflector of said headlamp from said fog lamp, said clearance lamp comprising a light bulb, a socket for holding said light bulb, and a reflector arranged inside said lamp body, said socket being mounted to said lamp body through a rear opening in said reflector of said clearance lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 10, wherein a side wall of said reflector of said clearance lamp extends forwardly and is joined to a front edge of a side wall of said extension reflector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 10, wherein a third of said other lamps comprises a turn signal lamp provided inside said lamp body on a side of said clearance lamp opposite from said main reflector, said turn signal lamp comprising a light bulb and a reflector, said reflector of said clearance lamp forming a part of said reflector of said turn signal lamp.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of a junction of a front wall and a top wall of said front lens is a reflecting surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of a junction of a front wall and a top wall of said front lens is colored, while other parts of said front lens are clear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 7, further comprising a light shielding film formed on a side wall of said front lens adjacent said fog lamp.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The motor vehicle lamp of claim 1, wherein said extension reflector is a plate-like member.
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) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-06-22 | 1996-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-22 | 2000-06-22 | 2000-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-22 | 2004-06-22 | 2004-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |