Patent · US Expired

Flexible lamp mounting

US6190030A · kind A · utility

27Cited by
46References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 1999
Grant dateFeb 20, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21S45/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A headlamp and/or taillamp system having an impact-absorbing bumper that is designed to be mounted substantially flush with the surrounding vehicle body panels and bumper, while also being capable of deflecting with the stroke of the impact-absorbing bumper during impact to obviate the need for the headlamp and/or taillamp to pivot about an anchor point or to be mechanically displaceable with additional hardware. The headlamp and/or taillamp is preferably formed from resilient, impact resistant material, such as a high impact plastic, in combination with a deformable flexure member that is located selectively between the lens and the vehicle to resiliently respond to impact. The material for the flexure member must be selected to have a yield strength that is adequate to sustain a predetermined degree of deformation, corresponding to the amount of deflection required to deflect with the bumper stroke. The flexure member permits the lens or other components of the headlamp assembly to move rearward upon impact without damage to itself or any other surrounding assembly components, acts as a seal between the lens and the housing so that moisture, water, dust or other contaminants do n…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.