US 4,058,720 AGranted

Suspension means for automobile fog light

OwnerLonnie C. Renfrowinventor

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Abstract

Means for attachment of one of two fog lights to the front bumper of an automobile, as applied to an automobile structure in which the fog lights, which are generally rectangular and have integral lugs for engagement by connecting bolts and nuts, are attached to the under side of the bumper, which is channel shaped in transverse section and is spaced apart from the body of the automobile, the fog lights being positioned rearwardly of the bumper and in use extending downwardly below the bumper, forwardly of the automobile and in close proximity to the ground, where they are most effective, penetrating the fog and illuminating the ground for some distance, also visible to oncoming traffic. The specific improvement which comprises the invention consists of a spring biased hinged bracket which is connected to the under side of the bumper and to the top side of a fog light, and which enables the fog light to swing bodily downwardly and rearwardly about the axis of the hinge on impact.

In an automobile having a front bumper and a fog light, the improvement comprising:

a hinged bracket comprising:
a pivot pin having the axis thereof extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the front bumper and transversely of the automobile;
a first planar, elongated side portion connected to the underside of the front bumper, the first side portion having integral tabs adjacent the ends of the side thereof nearest the automobile curved about the pivot pin and pivotally attaching the first side portion to the pivot pin;
and
a second planar, elongated side portion connected to the fog light with the fog light directed forwardly relative to automobile in a normal position of the second side portion, the second side portion having integral tabs adjacent the ends of the side thereof nearest the automobile curved about the axis of the pivot pin in alternating manner with the tabs of the first side portion and pivotally attaching the second side portion to the pivot pin;
and
a coil spring assembly comprising:
a coil spring having opposite ends, the coil spring being disposed coaxially around the pivot pin intermediate the ends of the pivot pin and between the tabs of the first and second side portions;
a cylindrical spring housing, open at its ends, surrounding the pivot pin and the coil spring intermediate the ends of the pivot pin and between the connecting tabs, with one end of the coil spring being removably connected to the spring housing and turning therewith;
a pair of collars loosely encircling the pivot pin and journalled on the ends of the spring housing, with the opposite end of the coil spring being removably connected to the one of the collars adjacent thereto and turning therewith;
and
means on the one collar and on the spring housing, extending radially outwardly therefrom for abutting engagement with the first and second side portions respectively to yieldably urge the second side portion toward the normal position thereof in response to the action of the coil spring, the tension applied to the coil spring being adjustable, as determined by the relative position of the spring housing.

9 more elements

Abstract

Claims1