US5692827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tail lamp for an automotive vehicle using an elongated hyperbolic cylinder
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1996-03-01
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Granted: 1997-12-02
•
Expires: 2016-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A rear lighting system includes an elongated light source emitting light and a solid lens having an inner surface comprised of a hyperbolic cylinder, said hyperbolic cylinder having a first focal line and a second focal line and a cylinder length. The first focal line is coincident with the light source and the outer surface is comprised of a generally planar shape perpendicular to the horizontal plane and the vertical plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeyachandrabose Chinniah
- 👤 Alfred Wasilewski
- 👤 Balvantrai G. Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:22
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/20; F21S43/26; G; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/22; G03H1/2202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A lighting system for an automotive vehicle having a front portion, a rear portion, a horizontal plane and a vertical plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, said lighting system comprising: an elongated light source emitting light and mounted within the rear portion of the vehicle; and an elongated solid lens, longitudinally rearward of the elongated light source, having an inner, light source facing, hyperbolic surface with a curvature toward the light source, the inner surface having a focal line coincident with said light source, and an outward facing surface with a plurality of planar stepped surfaces, positioned to decrease a thickness of the solid lens, perpendicular to said horizontal plane and said vertical plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A lighting system for an automotive vehicle having a front portion, a rear portion, a horizontal plane and a vertical plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, said lighting system comprising: an elongated light source emitting light and mounted within the rear portion of the vehicle; and an elongated solid lens, longitudinally rearward of the elongated light source, having an inner, light source facing, hyperbolic surface with a curvature toward the light source, the inner surface having a focal line coincident with said light source, and an outward facing surface with a plurality of planar stepped surfaces, positioned to decrease a thickness of the solid lens, perpendicular to said horizontal plane and said vertical plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A lighting system as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer surface has fluting formed on said planar stepped surfaces for redirecting light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A lighting system as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer surface has holographic film formed on said planar stepped surfaces for redirecting light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lighting system as recited in claim 1 wherein said light source has a generally uniform distribution of light over its length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A lighting system as recited in claim 1 wherein said fluting formed of cylinders having predetermined radii.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A lighting system as recited in claim 4 wherein said light source is a neon tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A lighting system as recited in claim 4 wherein said light source is a row of light emitting diodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
A lighting system for an automotive vehicle having a front portion, a rear portion, a horizontal plane and a vertical plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, said lighting system comprising: an elongated light source emitting light and mounted within the rear portion of the vehicle; and an elongated solid lens, longitudinally rearward of the elongated light source, having an inner, light source facing, hyperbolic surface with a curvature toward the light source, the inner surface having a focal line coincident with said elongated light source and an outward facing surface with a plurality of generally planar stepped surfaces with fluting disposed thereon so as to provide a small package depth while providing a uniform light distribution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
A lighting system for an automotive vehicle having a front portion, a rear portion, a horizontal plane and a vertical plane perpendicular to said horizontal plane and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle, said lighting system comprising: an elongated light source emitting light and mounted within the rear portion of the vehicle; and an elongated solid lens, longitudinally rearward of the elongated light source, having an inner, light source facing, hyperbolic surface with a curvature toward the light source, the inner surface having a focal line coincident with said elongated light source and an outward facing surface with a plurality of generally planar stepped surfaces with fluting disposed thereon so as to provide a small package depth while providing a uniform light distribution.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-01 | 2001-06-02 | 2001-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-01 | 2005-06-02 | 2005-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-01 | 2009-06-02 | 2009-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |