US3558872A - Automotive driving light - Google Patents

Automotive driving light Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3558872A
US3558872A US758328A US3558872DA US3558872A US 3558872 A US3558872 A US 3558872A US 758328 A US758328 A US 758328A US 3558872D A US3558872D A US 3558872DA US 3558872 A US3558872 A US 3558872A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
canister
boot
fixture
cover
ring
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 - Lifetime
Application number
US758328A
Inventor
Harold L Hough
David R Dayton
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.)
GTE Sylvania Inc
Original Assignee
Sylvania Electric Products Inc
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 Sylvania Electric Products Inc filed Critical Sylvania Electric Products Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3558872A publication Critical patent/US3558872A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0064—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor with provision for maintenance, e.g. changing the light bulb
    • B60Q1/007—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor with provision for maintenance, e.g. changing the light bulb via a removable cap
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0088—Details of electrical connections
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/30—Ventilation or drainage of lighting devices
    • F21S45/33—Ventilation or drainage of lighting devices specially adapted for headlamps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
    • F21V31/005—Sealing arrangements therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V27/00—Cable-stowing arrangements structurally associated with lighting devices, e.g. reels 
    • F21V27/02—Cable inlets

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to lighting fixtures but more particularly to automotive fixtures that are exposed to the rigors of extreme weather and to road conditions.
  • the normal sealed-beam headlamp used by the automotive field has been recently supplemented with high intensity lighting fixtures that have controlled lighting beam spreads. These fixtures have been used successfully in conjunction with the low beams of a standard automotive lamp, to provide additional controlled light spread and deeper penetration of the road.
  • supplemental lighting fixtures were made in the form of a single canister, the front end being provided with a lens and the rear lamp receiving end having a removable cover.
  • the cover was usually made from material similar to the canister, that is, in the form of a cast or spun metal that was attached to the canister by suitable fastening means.
  • our fixture comprises a main canister having a suitable lens afiixed to the front end and a pliable or resilient cover boot attached to the other end of the fixture.
  • a pliable or resilient cover boot attached to the other end of the fixture.
  • One of the features of the boot is that with the provision of a pliable O- ring it can be snapped over the end of the fixture to provide a weatherproof cover for the lamp. Not only does the boot provide a weathertight cover but because of its pliable nature it will flex to relieve any internal buildup of pressure within the fixture.
  • the boot is also provided with power supply wires that are molded into suitable wireways that allow a power supply to enter the lamp. This also provides a weathertight fit at the point of entry.
  • FIG. I is a fragmentary elevational cross section view of the fixture.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical fixture of our design showing in particular the relationship of the boot and canister.
  • the housing canister 10 can be made from a variety of materials but in this particular instance we show a canister made from a metal cast as a single unit, tapering from the front to the rear.
  • the lens system 12 includes a conventional lens not shown, held in place by a bezel rim 16.
  • the pliable boot 14, preferably formed of rubber, is disposed at the rear of the canister and encloses a lamp holder. Wireways 15 extend through the boot and are molded thereabout so as to provide a vapor-tight seal.
  • FIG. 1 a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the rear end of the fixture is shown, showing in particular the boot and its relationship to the canister.
  • the canister 10 has an internal cavity 18, with the optical system fixed therein.
  • One part of the system is shown, that is, the lamp 20 and reflector 22 which are held in place by flange 24.
  • the lamp 20 is held in a fixed optical relationship with the reflector by a lamp holder 26 that is attached to the back end of the canister 10.
  • the lamp holder 26 has its outer edges 28 bent to form one half of a dovetail slot 20.
  • the other half of the slot is formed by a recess in the perimeter of the canister 10.
  • This dovetail slot 30 is utilized to secure the resilient boot 14 to the canister by the use of a molded O-ring 34 that can be snapped into the slot 30 to firmly hold the boot securely on the canister.
  • the boot 14 is provided with a pair of wireways 15 having suitable power wires 38 molded and sealed therethrough.
  • suitable power wires 38 molded and sealed therethrough.
  • the boot we have shownand described overcomes these disadvantages by allowing excessive pressures to be relieved by way of the lamp slot 40 in the canister to the chamber formed by the boot l4. Thereafter due to the resilient characteristics of the boot and its O-ring pressures can be relieved. This O-ring will be rolled back out of the slot by the increased internal pressure, until the resiliency of the boot counteracts it. The complete ring does not roll out, but only a small section, in this case the part that is more pliable. After the pressure is equalized in the canister and due tothe resiliency of the boot material, the ring 34 would seat itself back into the slot 30. With the above described arrangement, internal pressures can be relieved without allowing contaminants such as dust, etc. from entering the optical system.
  • An automotive headlight comprising:
  • a reflector disposed within said canister, said reflector being directed toward said lens
  • a lamp holder disposed at said other end of said canister and within said boot, the edge of said other end of said canister being recessed to define one half of a dovetail slot, the other half of said slot being formed by bent edges of said lamp holder;

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A combination weatherproof and pressure relief cover for an automotive lighting fixture is herein described. The cover or boot, as it is called, covers the lamp receiving end of the fixture. An internal molded O-ring is formed on the inner surface of the boot which seats within a dovetail-shaped groove on the fixture canister, thereby locking the cover to the canister. Due to the resilient material of the cover, excessive pressures built up within the fixture can escape by way of the pliable locking Oring of the boot. When the internal pressure is relieved sufficiently, the locking O-ring reseats itself in the groove. This arrangement assures a weathertight seal and prevents contaminants such as dust and moisture from entering the fixture.

Description

United States Patent [7 I nt Harold !lwgh; 2,286,448 6/1942 Wahlberg 240/41.6X Davi R- Dayton, Beverly, Mass- 2,824,214 2/1958 Bertsche 240 41 [21] Appl. No. 758,323 2,910,576 10/1959 Meese 240/4l.6 [22] Filed Sep 1968 3,486,019 12/ l969 Bryant et al. 240/41 [45] Patented Jan. '26 1971 I [73] Assignee Sylvania Electric Products, Inc. f Emml'fer jo!m Hora" I a corporation of Delaware Assistant ExammerR1chard M. Sheer Attorneys-Norrnan J. OMalley and Laurence Burns ABSTRACT: A combination weatherproof and pressure relief [54] P X LIGHT cover for an automotive lighting fixture is herein described. aims rawmg The cover or boot, as it is called, covers the lamp receiving [52] US. Cl 240/41-3, end of the fixture An internal molded O-ring is formed on the 24 /4 240/41 inner surface of the boot which seats within a dovetail-shaped [51 Int. Cl F2lr 13/04 groove on th fixture canister, thereby locking the cover to the [50] Field Of Search 240/41, canister, Due to the resilient material of the cover, excessive pressures built up within the fixture can escape by way of the pliable locking On'ng of the boot. When the internal pressure [56] References is relieved sufficiently, the locking O-ring reseats itself in the UNITED TATE PATENTS groove. This arrangement assures a weathertight seal and l,447,378 3/ I923 Fomaca 240/41 prevents contaminants such as dust and moisture from enterl,450,079 3/1923 Hawthorne 240/41 ing the fixture.
PATENIEU JANZS I97! HAROLD L DAVID R. DAY
INVENT ATTORNEY AUTOMOTIVE DRIVING LIGHT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to lighting fixtures but more particularly to automotive fixtures that are exposed to the rigors of extreme weather and to road conditions.
The normal sealed-beam headlamp used by the automotive field has been recently supplemented with high intensity lighting fixtures that have controlled lighting beam spreads. These fixtures have been used successfully in conjunction with the low beams of a standard automotive lamp, to provide additional controlled light spread and deeper penetration of the road.
In recent years highway improvements implemented faster rate of travel of the automobile-With increased speeds, especiallyduring the evening hours, it has become necessary to use the high beams of the vehicle more frequently than necessary which in turn increases the safety hazard to the oncoming drivers. With the use of the added supplemental lighting device such as described above, a more controlled and more penetrating beam is attained without sacrificing safety.
PRIOR ART Normally, supplemental lighting fixtures were made in the form of a single canister, the front end being provided with a lens and the rear lamp receiving end having a removable cover. The cover was usually made from material similar to the canister, that is, in the form of a cast or spun metal that was attached to the canister by suitable fastening means.
During the normal cycling operation of this type of fixture, pressure was built up within the canister during light-up and a lower pressure or vacuum was experienced if the fixture was subjected to rain or other cooling elements while in operation. To overcome this fluctuation of pressures within the canister, a vent system was required. This was accomplished by putting a hole through the canister in the lower portion of the fixture. This vent hole relieved the fluctuations of pressures but added a decided disadvantage to the fixture. When the pressure became lower than the outside pressure, the hole allowed contaminants to be drawn into the fixture. These contaminants were in the form of dust, dirt and various other harmful ingredients, that in time built up on the lamp and reflector. This dirt buildup clouded the optical system and drastically curtailed the efficiency of the fixture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In our invention we have designed a supplemental automobile lighting fixture that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages. Our fixture comprises a main canister having a suitable lens afiixed to the front end and a pliable or resilient cover boot attached to the other end of the fixture. One of the features of the boot is that with the provision of a pliable O- ring it can be snapped over the end of the fixture to provide a weatherproof cover for the lamp. Not only does the boot provide a weathertight cover but because of its pliable nature it will flex to relieve any internal buildup of pressure within the fixture.
The boot is also provided with power supply wires that are molded into suitable wireways that allow a power supply to enter the lamp. This also provides a weathertight fit at the point of entry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a fragmentary elevational cross section view of the fixture.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical fixture of our design showing in particular the relationship of the boot and canister.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 2, a complete supplemental lighting fixture is shown. The three major components that make up the fixture are the housing canister 10, thelens system 12 and the cover b oot 14. The canister can be made from a variety of materials but in this particular instance we show a canister made from a metal cast as a single unit, tapering from the front to the rear. The lens system 12 includes a conventional lens not shown, held in place by a bezel rim 16. The pliable boot 14, preferably formed of rubber, is disposed at the rear of the canister and encloses a lamp holder. Wireways 15 extend through the boot and are molded thereabout so as to provide a vapor-tight seal.
In FIG. 1, a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the rear end of the fixture is shown, showing in particular the boot and its relationship to the canister.
The canister 10 has an internal cavity 18, with the optical system fixed therein. One part of the system is shown, that is, the lamp 20 and reflector 22 which are held in place by flange 24.
As shown in the drawing, the lamp 20 is held in a fixed optical relationship with the reflector by a lamp holder 26 that is attached to the back end of the canister 10. The lamp holder 26 has its outer edges 28 bent to form one half of a dovetail slot 20. The other half of the slot is formed by a recess in the perimeter of the canister 10.
This dovetail slot 30 is utilized to secure the resilient boot 14 to the canister by the use of a molded O-ring 34 that can be snapped into the slot 30 to firmly hold the boot securely on the canister.
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the boot 14 is provided with a pair of wireways 15 having suitable power wires 38 molded and sealed therethrough. As mentioned above, some of the problems encountered in a fixture of this type are the excessive heat and pressure buildup within the canister 10. Normally, a vent hole was provided to equalize the pressures, but by doing so dirt and contaminants could enter and cloud the optical system.
The boot we have shownand described overcomes these disadvantages by allowing excessive pressures to be relieved by way of the lamp slot 40 in the canister to the chamber formed by the boot l4. Thereafter due to the resilient characteristics of the boot and its O-ring pressures can be relieved. This O-ring will be rolled back out of the slot by the increased internal pressure, until the resiliency of the boot counteracts it. The complete ring does not roll out, but only a small section, in this case the part that is more pliable. After the pressure is equalized in the canister and due tothe resiliency of the boot material, the ring 34 would seat itself back into the slot 30. With the above described arrangement, internal pressures can be relieved without allowing contaminants such as dust, etc. from entering the optical system.
It is apparent that changes and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. It is our intent, however, to be limited only the scope of the appended claims.
We claim:
1. An automotive headlight comprising:
a canister;
a lens attached at one end of said canister;
a removable pliable boot fitted about the other end of said canister;
a reflector disposed within said canister, said reflector being directed toward said lens;
a lamp holder disposed at said other end of said canister and within said boot, the edge of said other end of said canister being recessed to define one half of a dovetail slot, the other half of said slot being formed by bent edges of said lamp holder;
a lamp disposed within said reflector; and
a pair of power wires electrically associated with said lamp,
extending through said boot.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pliable boot is provided with an integral O-ring encircling the inner circumference, said pliable boot being held in position on said canister by the cooperative action of said lamp holder and said canister.
X'Tli talisman drain; i wliiiii said' boot is formed of rubber wherein gases and vapors held within said canister are vented by temporarily deforming said O-ring. I

Claims (3)

1. An automotive headlight comprising: a canister; a lens attached at one end of said canister; a removable pliable boot fitted about the other end of said canister; a reflector disposed within said canister, said reflector being directed toward said lens; a lamp holder disposed at said other end of said canister and within said boot, the edge of said other end of said canister being recessed to define one half of a dovetail slot, the other half of said slot being formed by bent edges of said lamp holder; a lamp disposed within said reflector; and a pair of power wires electrically associated with said lamp, extending through said boot.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said pliable boot is provided with an integral O-ring encircling the inner circumference, said pliable boot being held in position on said canister by the cooperative action of said lamp holder and said canister.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said boot is formed of rubber wherein gases and vapors held within said canister are vented by temporarily deforming said O-ring.
US758328A 1968-09-09 1968-09-09 Automotive driving light Expired - Lifetime US3558872A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US75832868A 1968-09-09 1968-09-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3558872A true US3558872A (en) 1971-01-26

Family

ID=25051343

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US758328A Expired - Lifetime US3558872A (en) 1968-09-09 1968-09-09 Automotive driving light

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3558872A (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4054792A (en) * 1976-02-26 1977-10-18 Dominion Auto Accessories Limited Lamp
EP0177753A1 (en) * 1984-10-11 1986-04-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Headlamp for motor vehicles
EP0300482A2 (en) * 1987-07-22 1989-01-25 Ichikoh Industries Limited Automotive lamp assembly
EP0710795A1 (en) * 1994-11-04 1996-05-08 MAGNETI MARELLI U.K. Ltd. Sealing member
DE10063578A1 (en) * 2000-12-20 2002-07-04 Hella Kg Hueck & Co Cup-shaped protective cap
US6533442B2 (en) * 1999-12-08 2003-03-18 Hella Kg Hueck & Co. Beam light unit for vehicles
US20040145909A1 (en) * 2003-01-28 2004-07-29 North American Lighting, Inc. Light device with incorporated path venting
US20150307017A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2015-10-29 Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh Closure System for Closing an Opening of a Vehicle Light and Vehicle Light

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1447378A (en) * 1920-01-12 1923-03-06 Fornaca Guido Lamp or searchlight for vehicles
US1450079A (en) * 1918-08-28 1923-03-27 Patent Holding Corp Lighting apparatus
US2286448A (en) * 1940-04-24 1942-06-16 Nash Kelvinator Corp Lamp mount
US2824214A (en) * 1953-08-13 1958-02-18 Gen Motors Corp Lamp mounting
US2910576A (en) * 1957-03-15 1959-10-27 Gen Electric Vehicle headlamp mounting
US3486019A (en) * 1966-06-13 1969-12-23 Lucas Industries Ltd Vehicle lamps

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1450079A (en) * 1918-08-28 1923-03-27 Patent Holding Corp Lighting apparatus
US1447378A (en) * 1920-01-12 1923-03-06 Fornaca Guido Lamp or searchlight for vehicles
US2286448A (en) * 1940-04-24 1942-06-16 Nash Kelvinator Corp Lamp mount
US2824214A (en) * 1953-08-13 1958-02-18 Gen Motors Corp Lamp mounting
US2910576A (en) * 1957-03-15 1959-10-27 Gen Electric Vehicle headlamp mounting
US3486019A (en) * 1966-06-13 1969-12-23 Lucas Industries Ltd Vehicle lamps

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4054792A (en) * 1976-02-26 1977-10-18 Dominion Auto Accessories Limited Lamp
EP0177753A1 (en) * 1984-10-11 1986-04-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Headlamp for motor vehicles
EP0300482A2 (en) * 1987-07-22 1989-01-25 Ichikoh Industries Limited Automotive lamp assembly
EP0300482A3 (en) * 1987-07-22 1990-02-07 Ichikoh Industries Limited Automotive lamp assembly
EP0710795A1 (en) * 1994-11-04 1996-05-08 MAGNETI MARELLI U.K. Ltd. Sealing member
US6533442B2 (en) * 1999-12-08 2003-03-18 Hella Kg Hueck & Co. Beam light unit for vehicles
DE10063578A1 (en) * 2000-12-20 2002-07-04 Hella Kg Hueck & Co Cup-shaped protective cap
US20040145909A1 (en) * 2003-01-28 2004-07-29 North American Lighting, Inc. Light device with incorporated path venting
US20150307017A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2015-10-29 Trw Automotive Electronics & Components Gmbh Closure System for Closing an Opening of a Vehicle Light and Vehicle Light
US10486585B2 (en) * 2012-07-12 2019-11-26 Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. Closure system for closing an opening of a vehicle light and vehicle light

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5117335A (en) Headlight for vehicle
US3558872A (en) Automotive driving light
US4868726A (en) Headlamps
ES284463U (en) Non-dazzling headlamp for motor vehicles.
US2544378A (en) Fog filter for headlights
US2246808A (en) Vehicle lamp
US5211465A (en) Projection type vehicular headlamp
US2824214A (en) Lamp mounting
GB2277796A (en) Headlight for vehicles
US4545001A (en) Sealed lens member for use in a motor vehicle lighting system
US3008039A (en) Vehicle light
GB1289776A (en)
US3032644A (en) Lamp assembly for motor vehicles
US4648014A (en) Headlight or lamp for vehicles
US2830174A (en) Automobile headlight glare guard
US3109159A (en) Combination tail lamp and back-up lamp
GB961111A (en) Motor road vehicle signal lamp system
GB1355947A (en) Bulb socket for motor vehicle headlamps
US2138077A (en) Lighting unit mounting
KR200160222Y1 (en) Shild of head lamp for automobile
CN211207041U (en) Stroboscopic lamp
US1680037A (en) Antiglare attachment for headlights
US1957080A (en) Light shield
JPH0244411Y2 (en)
KR910004571Y1 (en) Head lamp