CA1277647C - Self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles - Google Patents

Self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles

Info

Publication number
CA1277647C
CA1277647C CA 565392 CA565392A CA1277647C CA 1277647 C CA1277647 C CA 1277647C CA 565392 CA565392 CA 565392 CA 565392 A CA565392 A CA 565392A CA 1277647 C CA1277647 C CA 1277647C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
headlight
pendulum
frame
electromagnet
pivot
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA 565392
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Karas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 565392 priority Critical patent/CA1277647C/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1277647C publication Critical patent/CA1277647C/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/06Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle
    • B60Q1/08Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights adjustable, e.g. remotely-controlled from inside vehicle automatically

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides a self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles to maintain proper forward vertical alignment of the headlight even when the vehicle is unevenly loaded in the front to rear direction. The system comprises a housing which is secured to the body of the vehicle. A headlight frame is provided, within which the headlight is mounted. The frame is mounted on a pivot secured to the housing, to pivot freely about a horizonal axis. The frame is balanced on the pivot so that the beam of the headlight is normally properly forwardly aligned. The balance means comprises a pendulum downwardly extending from the frame on an arm. A portion of the pendulum is attractive to magnetism. An electromagnet is secured to the car body and positioned in the vicinity of that portion of the pendulum so as, when actuated, to secure the pendulum and hence the headlight frame, in that particular relative position with respect to the car body. The electromagnet is actuable by a driver as required. When the electromagnet is actuated, the headlight frame is balanced on the pivot so that the headlights are properly positioned, in the vertical plane, and held in that position until the electromagnet is deactuated.

Description

76~L~

~CKGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a headlight syste~
for vehicles, and more particularly to a self-adjustable headlight system for maintaining proper forward alignment of the headlights even when the vehicle is unevenly loaded in the front-to-rear direction.
~ current problem faced with most vehicles such as pickup trucks, which may carry heavy loads which are supported unevenly in the front to rear direction, is that, at night-time, the resultant positioning of the headlights may be such that they are improperly aligned in a vertical plane. For instance, if the load is at the rear of the vehicle, the lights may be oriented too high, so that they do not properly shine on the roadway surface but instead shine at the eye level of an oncoming driver who then ~aces blinding bright lights. Such a dangerous problem may be solved by not hauling loads in such trucks at night, or by resetting the headlights of the truck with a screw driver to lower their beam.
Of background interest is U.S. Patent No. 2,270,458 of McAdoo issued January 20, 1942, which describes and illustrates a dampened pendulum which is linked by a bar to headlights which are arranged to pivot about a horizontal axis. The pendulum swings the headlights to and holds them in an appropriate position when, for example, a vehicle travels up an inclined road. Canadian Patent Wo. 180,029 of Colburn issued :

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October 30, 1917 describes and illustrates a somewhat similar construction of pendulum arran~ement, linked by bars to a pair of headlights pivotable about a horizonal axis for swinging ~he vehicle headlights in a vertical plane to ~ilt the headlights 5 when driving up or down hills. Another reference of general backyround interes~ is Canadian Patent ~o. 245,7~9 of Redding issued December 30, 1924, describing and illustrating a system of headlight pivotable about a ver-tical axis.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

10It is an object of the present in~ention to provide a self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles which will maintain proper forward alignment of the headlights when the vehicle is unevenly loaded in the front to rear direction.
.
~t SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles to maintain proper forward vertical alignment of each headlight beam even when the vehicle is unevenly loaded in the fcont to rear direction. The system comprises a housing for each headlight which is secured to the body of the vehicle. A
headlight frame is provided, within which the headlight is ; mounted. The frame is mounted on a pivot secured to the .

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housi~g to pivot freely about a horizonal axis. ~ balance means is associated wi-th the ~rame. The balance means com~rises a ~endulum downwardly extending from the frame on an arm, a portion of the pendulum being attractive to magnetism.
~n electromagne~ is secured to the vehicle body and positioned in the vicinity o the portion of the pendulum so as, when actuated, to secure the pendulum and hence the headlight frame, ; in that particular rela~ive eosition with respect to the car body. A means actuable by a driver is provided to actuate the electromagnet as required. The headlight frame is balanced with respect to the ~ivot so that the headligh~ is properly positioned, in the vertical ~lane, and held in that position duLing actuation oE the electromagnet.
In a preferred embodiment of the pLesent invention, the means for actuating the electromagnet is electrically associated with the light switch for the vehicle headlights, so that that means is actuated while the vehicle lights are turned on. As well, the pendulum extends outwardly, from either side of the end of the arm, to form an arc with the arm in the center thereof, the pivot forming its center of curvature.
Moreover, the aLm is provided with means for lateral displacement of the arm, for example by means of hinging separate portions of the arm, to permit the pendulum to abut against the electromagnet when actuated so that the pendulum is held in tha-t position and no-t permitted to pivot while the electromagnet i6 actuated.

The headlight system according to the present invention may be easily installed in an old or new vehicle, and is effec-~ive to maintain the vehicle headlights in a proper forward alignment, even when the vehicle may be heavily loaded at the rear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of -the invention will become apearent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side, schematic view of a heavily loaded pickup truck illustrating the problem addressed by the headlight system according to the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a section plan view of a headlight system according to the present invention.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with an examele embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION O~ THE IN~ENTION

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
Turning to -the drawings, and in earticular FIGURE 1, there is shown a truck 2 with a conventional set of non-adjustable headligh-ts 4, illustrating the peoblem for which the construc-tion of the present invention provides a solution. In particular, since the truck of FIGURE 1 has been heavily loaded at its rear, the headlights 4 of the truck, at night-time, will shine in an upward direction as illustrated, and not in the proper direction forwardly and slight downwardly towards -the road. This upward shining of the headlights creates a danger to oncoming drivers, because of the brightness of the lights shining towards such oncoming driver. ~s well, because 1~ headlights ~ aLe not properly downwardly focused, the driver of tha-t truck cannot properly see the roadway surface at night-time.
: i A ~roper orientation of headligh-t in truck Z, to rovide a beam as shown in chain line in FIGURE 1, by utili~ing a headlight system 6, is illustrated in FIGURE 2. In particular, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, headlight system 6 i.s self-adjusting, ensuring a proeer forward alignment of the beam of the headlight ~ to compensate for example for uneven loading in the front of the vehicle 2 in the front to rear direction.

~ ~7~
Tn accordance with the invention, headlight 8 is mounted within a retainer housing 10 which in turn is secured to the vehicle body through housing frame 12. Headlight retainer housing 10 is pivotally mounted, at pivot 14 and bushing 15 within housing frame 12 as illustrated, so that retainer housing 10 can pivot fLeely about eivo-t 14, preferably a limited amount as dictated for example by circumscribing edges 16 of housing frame 12. Pivot 14 is horizontally oriented, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body.
Downwardly depending from headlight retainer housing 10 is an articulated arm 18, the sections of which are secured ~ogether by means of hinge 20. At the lower end of articula-ted ar~ 18 is an elongated, arcuate balancing weight or pendulum 22, the curvature of which conforms to a segment of a circumference drawn from pivot 14. Headlight retainer housing 10 is also provided with a counterweight 24. The headlight 4, retainer housing 10, articulated arm 18, pendulum 22 and counterweight 24 are arranged so that, when the truck 2 is in perfectly level, horizontal position, the beam of headlight 8 is eroperly oriented, in the forward direction and in the vertical plane, for æroper high and low beam driving. As well, headlight 8 is thereby balanced so that~ for example, when the truck is loaded from the rear, causing the ~ruck body to be lower at its rear than at its front, headlight retainer housing 10 will pivot about pivot 14 sufficiently to maintain a proper forward orientation of the beam of headlight 8.

~ ~'7~

To maintain pendulum 22, headlight retainer housing 10 and headlight 8 in eroper orientation, an electromagnet 26 is mounted on housing frame 12 as illustrated, in the vicinity of pendulum 22. Pendulum 22 would for example be 3~16 of an inch away from electromagnet 26 when the electromagnet is not operational. Appropriate circuitry (not illustrated) connects electromagnet 26 to the electric circuitry operating headlight 8, preferably so that when the lights of truck 2 are turned on by the approeriate switch by the driver of truc~ 2, activation of that switch also, simultaneously, activates electromagnet 26. When electromagnet 26 is activated, pendulum 22 will then swing, on hinge 20, to rest against electromagnet 26 thus creating friction ~hat would cause headlight 8 and pendulum 18 to remain in that particular position while the vehicle is in motion with headlight 8 illuminated. Thus, with the truck ignition off and the vehicle loaded, be~ore the headlights are turned on. headlight eetainer housing 10, articulated arm L8, ~; pendulum 22 and counterweight 24 balance by pivoting about ; pivot 14, so that light ~ is positioned eroperly, in the vertical ~lane, for night-time driving. Once the ignition is on and the headlights are activated, electromagnet 26 locks the lights 8 in that position and the vehicle is ready to operate.
Thus it is apparent ~hat there has been provided in accordance with the invention a self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been 4~

described in conjunction with a specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be aeparent to those skilled in the art in light of the ; foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the seirit and broad sco~e of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles for maintaining proper forward vertical alignment of each headlight beam even when the vehicle is unevenly loaded in the front to rear direction, the system comprising:
a) a housing for each headlight secured to the body of the vehicle;
b) a headlight frame within which the headlight is mounted,the frame being mounted on a pivot secured to the housing to pivot freely about a horizonal axis;
c) balance means associated with the frame, the balance means comprising a pendulum downwardly extending from the frame on an arm, a portion of the pendulum being attractive to magnetism:
d) an electromagnet secured to the vehicle body and positioned in the vicinity of said portion of the pendulum so as, when actuated, to secure the pendulum and hence the headlight frame, in that particular relative position with respect to the car body: and e) means actuable by a driver to actuate the electromagnet as required;

the headlight frame being balanced, with respect to the pivot, so that the headlight remains properly forwardly aligned, in the vertical plane, during actuation of the electromagnet.
2. A headlight system according to claim 1 wherein the means for actuating the electromagnet is electrically associated with a light switch for the vehicle headlights, so that said means is actuated while the vehicle lights are turned on.
3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the pendulum extends outwardly, to either side of the end of the arm and forms an arc with the arm in the center thereof, the pivot forming its center of curvature.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein the arm is provided with means for lateral displacement of the arm to permit the pendulum to abut against the electromagnet when actuated so that the pendulum is held in that position and not permitted to pivot while the electromagnet is actuated.
5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the arm is divided into two sections, the sections being hinged together to permit the lateral movement of the arm and pendulum.
CA 565392 1988-04-28 1988-04-28 Self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles Expired CA1277647C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 565392 CA1277647C (en) 1988-04-28 1988-04-28 Self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 565392 CA1277647C (en) 1988-04-28 1988-04-28 Self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1277647C true CA1277647C (en) 1990-12-11

Family

ID=4137923

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 565392 Expired CA1277647C (en) 1988-04-28 1988-04-28 Self-adjusting headlight system for vehicles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1277647C (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2814434A1 (en) * 1999-06-23 2002-03-29 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc Aircraft e.g. tilt rotor aircraft, has position light that is provided on wing tip along with pivoting reflector

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2814434A1 (en) * 1999-06-23 2002-03-29 Bell Helicopter Textron Inc Aircraft e.g. tilt rotor aircraft, has position light that is provided on wing tip along with pivoting reflector

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