Headlamp adjusting mechanism

An adjusting mechanism for a headlamp, or the like, comprising:

• a housing member having a first gear receiving chamber, and a second gear receiving chamber, a first drive gear means disposed in said first gear receiving chamber, and a second adjusting gear means disposed in said second gear receiving chamber;
• drive means coupled with said first drive gear means and extending from said housing;
• and adjusting means coupled with said second adjusting gear means and extending from said housing for engagement with a headlamp or the like, such that by rotation of said drive gear means linear movement will be imparted to said adjusting means by said first and second gear means when engaged, said linear movement being usable to effect adjustment of a headlamp assembly or the like, and detent spring means including tab means for engaging the teeth of said gear means to prevent inadvertent rotation thereof.

An adjusting mechanism for a headlamp, or the like, comprising:

• a housing member having a first gear receiving chamber, and a second gear receiving chamber, a first drive gear means disposed in said first gear receiving chamber, and a second adjusting gear means disposed in said second gear receiving chamber;
• drive means coupled with said first drive gear means and extending from said housing;
• and adjusting means coupled with said second adjusting gear means and extending from said housing for engagement with a headlamp or the like, such that by rotation of said drive gear means linear movement will be imparted to said adjusting means by said first and second gear means when engaged, said linear movement being usable to effect adjustment of a headlamp assembly or the like, and wherein said first, gear receiving chamber is elongated axially to provide for axial movement of said drive gear means, a spring member disposed in said first gear receiving chamber and biasing said drive gear means in a direction such that said gear means is out of engagement with said adjusting gear, such that the application of axial force to said drive means will cause said first, drive gear to move axially into engagement with said second, adjusting gear means.

A housing assembly for a gear driven adjusting mechanism for a headlamp or the like, which adjusting mechanism includes a first, drive gear member and a second, adjusting gear member mountable within a housing, an elongate adjusting screw coupled to said second adjusting gear member, and external drive means coupled to said first, drive gear member, said housing assembly including, a one-piece molded housing member having a first bore open to one side of the housing and defining a bottom wall, and adapted to having the first drive gear member disposed therein;

• a second bore formed in said housing and disposed transversely of said first bore and opening to the exterior of said housing while defining a second bore bottom wall, said second bore being adapted to have said second, adjusting gear member disposed therein;
• said first and second bores intersecting at a peripheral location with respect to each, at which location said gears may be meshed;
• and aperture cap member for closing the open ends of said first and second bores, such that the adjusting screw and external drive means coupled with the gear member may extend from said cap member apertures, and said housing member and said aperture cap member including journaling means for rotatably supporting first and second gear members within said bores.

A housing assembly for a gear driven adjusting mechanism for a headlamp or the like, which adjusting mechanism includes a first, drive gear means and a second, adjusting gear means, mountable within the housing, an elongate adjusting screw coupled to said second adjusting gear means, and external drive means coupled to said first, drive gear means, said housing assembly including, a molded housing member having a first gear receiving chamber adapted to having the first drive gear means disposed therein;

• a second gear receiving chamber disposed transversely of said first chamber, said second chamber being adapted to have said second, adjusting gear means disposed therein;
• said first and second chambers intersecting at a peripheral location with respect to each, at which location said gear means may be meshed;
• and closure means secured to said housing to close said chambers, and aperture means formed in said housing assembly to permit said external drive means to be engaged with and secured to the first gear member, after said first and second gear members are mounted within the housing member and said closure means is attached thereto.

A housing assembly for a gear driven adjusting mechanism for a headlamp or the like, which adjusting mechanism includes a first, drive gear means and a second, adjusting gear means mountable within the housing, an elongate adjusting screw coupled to said second adjusting gear means, and external drive means coupled to said first, drive gear means, said housing assembly including, a molded housing member having a main cavity formed therein and opening to one side of said housing, said main cavity including shoulder means which separate said cavity into a first gear means receiving chamber and a second gear means receiving chamber which said chamber disposed transversely of each other and intersecting, such that said first drive gear means and said second adjusting gear means may both be disposed internally of said housing in their respective chambers through said cavity opening, and a cap member disposed over said cavity opening to close said cavity, said cap member including means for engaging the first and second gear means to maintain proper positioning thereof.