US 4,663,696 A · Dual purpose lamp assembly for use, for example, as a combined fog and cornering lamp on a motor vehicle

Abstract

A lamp assembly integrally comprising the functions of a fog lamp and a cornering lamp on a motor vehicle. Included are an electric bulb or like light source immovably mounted within a lamp housing, a fixed reflector behind the light source, and a movable reflector between the light source and the fixed reflector. The fixed reflector reflects the light rays from the source in the forward direction of the lamp assembly. Considerably less in size than the fixed reflector, the movable reflector is pivotable between a first position, where it coacts with the fixed reflector to reflect the light rays from the source forwardly as when the lamp assembly is being used as a fog lamp, and a second position where the movable reflector deflects part of the light rays from the source toward one side of the lamp assembly as when the lamp assembly is desired to serve the additional function of a cornering lamp. An electric control circuit can be provided to cause the displacement of the movable reflector from the first to the second position upon manual activation of a cornering switch. An alternate embodiment is disclosed which has but one reflector.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A dual purpose lamp assembly comprising:

(a) housing means;
(b) a light source within the housing means;
(c) a fixed reflector fixedly mounted within the housing means and disposed behind the light source for reflecting the rays of light therefrom in a predetermined direction forwardly of the lamp assembly;
(d) a movable reflector, smaller than the fixed reflector, disposed between the light source and the fixed reflector and pivotable between a first position, where the movable reflector coacts with the fixed reflector for reflecting the light rays from the source in the predetermined forward direction, and a second position where the movable reflector reflects part of the light rays from the source toward one side of the lamp assembly;
and
(e) drive means for pivoting the movable reflector between the first and second positions.

3 more elements

A combined fog and cornering lamp assembly readily adaptable for installation on either side of a motor vehicle, comprising:

(a) a housing having an open front end;
(b) a lens closing the front end of the housing;
(c) a light source within the housing;
(d) a fixed reflector fixedly mounted within the housing for reflecting the light rays from the source in a predetermined forward direction of the lamp assembly through the lens;
(e) a movable reflector, smaller than the fixed reflector, pivotally mounted within the housing and normally held in a neutral position for reflecting the light rays from the source in the predetermined forward direction of the lamp assembly in coaction with the fixed reflector, the movable reflector being capable of angular displacement from the neutral position toward both sides of the lamp assembly for throwing part of the light rays from the source toward the opposite sides of the lamp assembly;
and
(f) two way drive means for pivoting the movable reflector between the neutral position and an angled position which is angularly displaced from the neutral position toward either side of the lamp assembly depending upon which side of the motor vehicle the lamp assembly is to be installed on.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual purpose lamp assembly for use, for example, as a combined fog and cornering lamp on a motor vehicle

Life of this patent

Dual purpose lamp assembly for use, for example, as a combined fog and cornering lamp on a motor vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18