US5197794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle lamp aiming device
Assignee: Valeo North America Inc
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Filing: 1990-12-24
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Granted: 1993-03-30
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Expires: 2010-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle lamp aiming device is disclosed having an adjustment shaft with a first marking, and a mounting nut with a second marking. One of the other of the markings is formed on a clip firmly, but still adjustably mounted to either the shaft or nut as the case may be. Initial proper alignment of the adjustment shaft amy be made with respect to the mounting nut. The vehicle lamp is then in proper alignment. The adjustable marking clip is then moved to set the lamp calibration. A replacement lamp may then be brought into proper alignment by threading the adjustment shaft to align the alignment marks. By using a firm clip, subsequent, inadvertent resetting of the clip may be avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael T. Scott
- 👤 Robert L. King
- 👤 Hugh T. Bradley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/06; B60Q1/068; B60Q1/0683; B60Q1/0686; G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A vehicle lamp aiming device comprising: a) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and at least one shaft calibration mark b) a mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, and a marker support, and c) a marker positioned on the mounting nut having at least one location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the shaft calibration mark to mark the threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A vehicle lamp aiming device comprising: a) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and at least one shaft calibration mark b) a mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, and a marker support, and c) a marker positioned on the mounting nut having at least one location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the shaft calibration mark to mark the threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The aiming device in claim 1, wherein the adjusting shaft includes a series of calibration marks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The aiming device in claim 1, wherein the marker is a clip ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The aiming device in claim 1, wherein the mounting nut includes a support frame for the marker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The aiming device in claim 4, wherein the marker is adjustable along a length of the support frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The aiming device in claim 4, wherein the marker is an adjustable clip coupled along a length of the support frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The aiming device in claim 4, wherein the mounting nut support frame includes two parallel portions adjacent the adjusting shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A vehicle lamp aiming device comprising: a) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and at least one shaft calibration mark b) a mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, and an opening along a length of the adjusting shaft long enough to expose a predetermined proper range of the adjustment shaft, and c) a marker formed along the mounting nut opening to be near the adjustment shaft and marks formed on the adjustment shaft having at least one location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the shaft calibration mark to preserve the proper threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
A vehicle lamp aiming device comprising: a) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and at least one shaft calibration mark b) a mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, and an opening along a length of the adjusting shaft long enough to expose a predetermined proper range of the adjustment shaft, and c) a marker formed along the mounting nut opening to be near the adjustment shaft and marks formed on the adjustment shaft having at least one location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the shaft calibration mark to preserve the proper threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The aiming device of claim 8, wherein the calibration marks are narrow ring markings formed on the adjustment shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle lamp aiming device comprising: a) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and a marker support portion, b) a rotationally adjustable mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, having means for being anchored with reference to the vehicle, and having at least one calibration mark positioned adjacent the marker support portion of the adjusting shaft, and c) a marker, adjustably coupled to the marker support portion of the adjusting shaft, and having a location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the calibration marks of the mounting nut to preserve the proper threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle lamp aiming device comprising: a) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and a marker support portion, b) a rotationally adjustable mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, having means for being anchored with reference to the vehicle, and having at least one calibration mark positioned adjacent the marker support portion of the adjusting shaft, and c) a marker, adjustably coupled to the marker support portion of the adjusting shaft, and having a location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the calibration marks of the mounting nut to preserve the proper threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The aiming device in claim 10, wherein the adjusting shaft includes a series of calibration marks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The aiming device in claim 10, wherein the marker is a clip ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The aiming device in claim 10, wherein the mounting nut includes a support frame for the marker.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The aiming device in claim 10, wherein the mounting nut support frame includes two parallel portions adjacent the adjusting shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
A vehicle lamp including an aiming device comprising: a) a light source, b) a reflector housing enclosing the light source, and including a first coupling formed on the exterior of the reflector housing, c) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and at least one shaft calibration mark, d) a mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, and a marker support, and e) a marker positioned on the mounting nut having at least one location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the shaft calibration mark to mark the threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
123 words
A vehicle lamp including an aiming device comprising: a) a light source, b) a reflector housing enclosing the light source, and including a first coupling formed on the exterior of the reflector housing, c) an adjusting shaft having a first coupling, a threaded portion, and at least one shaft calibration mark, d) a mounting nut, with an internal threaded passage threaded to the adjusting shaft, a mounting face in contact with an element fixed to a vehicle, and a marker support, and e) a marker positioned on the mounting nut having at least one location mark whereby the marker may be registered with respect to the shaft calibration mark to mark the threading of the adjusting shaft with respect to the mounting nut.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The headlamp in claim 15, wherein the adjusting shaft includes a series of calibration marks.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The headlamp of claim 16, wherein the calibration marks are narrow ring markings formed on the adjustment shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The headlamp of claim 15, wherein the marker is a clip ring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The headlamp of claim 15, wherein the mounting nut includes a support frame for the marker.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The headlamp of claim 19, wherein the marker is adjustable along a length of the support frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The headlamp of claim 19, wherein the marker is an adjustable clip coupled along a length of the support frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The headlamp of claim 19, wherein the mounting nut support frame includes two parallel portions adjacent the adjusting shaft.
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) | 1996-03-29 | 1996-09-28 | 1997-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-29 | 2000-09-28 | 2001-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-29 | 2004-09-28 | 2005-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |