Lens and method of making same
US5657169A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29C45/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lens (10) is disclosed for use on automotive vehicles and which forms part of lamp assemblies used on the rear, front or side surfaces thereof. The lens utilizes a combination of optical elements (25) and reflex elements (24) interspersed therewith, the density of the reflex elements (24) relative to the optic elements (25) being graduated in selected areas of the lens surface, for example from the stop or brake light area (12) of the lens through the "running light" area (14) to a fog area (16). One form of the invention has the optic elements (25) and the reflex elements (24) on a single lens surface and, in another embodiment, the optic elements (25) of the lens (10) are located on one lens surface (52) and the reflex elements (24) are located in juxtaposition outwardly thereof on a second lens surface (48) and spaced from one another so that the reflex elements (24) are axially interspersed between the optic elements (25). The method of manufacturing both forms of lenses is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.