US 6,382,818 B1 · Lighting device for a vehicle

Abstract

A lighting device includes a reflector, and a lens attached to a front open portion of the reflector. Cantilever-type elastic legs are formed on those portions of the lens respectively opposed to engagement holes in the reflector, and extend in a direction of the circumference of the lens. Engagement projections, for engagement in respective engagement holes, are formed at respective distal end portions of the elastic legs. When the lens is formed into a thin design, the length of the elastic legs in the circumferential direction is not limited, and each elastic leg can have a length sufficient to enable it to be elastically deformed so as to fit the engagement projection into the engagement hole. Therefore, the engagement projection can be positively and easily engaged in the engagement hole. Even if one tried to forcibly engage the engagement projection in the engagement hole, the elastic leg will not break.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A lighting device for a vehicle comprising:

a reflector having a front open portion, said front open portion including a peripheral edge portion, wherein at least one engagement hole is formed in said peripheral edge portion;
and
a lens attached to the front open portion of said reflector, wherein said lens includes:
at least one cantilever elastic leg formed on said lens so as to be opposed to the at least one engagement hole in said reflector, the entire elastic leg protruding and extending generally in a direction along a periphery of said lens, said at least one elastic leg further including a distal end portion and an outer surface:
and
an engagement projection formed at the distal end portion of said at least one elastic leg, and disposed in the at least one engagement hole so as to support said lens on said reflector.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lighting device for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Lighting device for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7