Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-11
2001-11-13
Quach, Y. (Department: 3612)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S154000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315436
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
Priority is claimed with respect to German Application No. 199 02 666.1-21 filed in Germany on Jan. 26, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a storage compartment, in particular a glove compartment for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a glove compartment having multiple storage sections and providing sufficient illumination of each section.
2. Discussion
In a known glove compartment of this type (DE 38 33 499 A1) a security compartment is arranged in the upper housing wall of the compartment divided into an upper and lower storage section by means of a horizontal transverse wall, which security compartment can be swung down from a wall opening into the upper section and then can furthermore be pulled forwards, when it is to be used.
In a glove compartment which is likewise known (DE-C 893 450) a recess is provided in the compartment flap closing the compartment opening, into which recess a reading lamp unit which can be pivoted out is inserted. The reading lamp unit comprises a pivotable support which covers the recess, a lamp which is fastened on the support and a reflector protruding from the support at an acute angle. If the reading lamp unit is pivoted out, the lamp illuminates the knee region of the front passenger directly and via the reflector, with the result that a road map spread out there is lit up well. If the compartment flap is pivoted away in order to open the glove compartment, the reading lamp unit is situated at a distance in front of the compartment opening and the reading lamp illuminates the depth of the compartment interior directly and via the reflector, with the result that the contents stored therein are readily visible. The reflector is designed as a flat mirror.
A glove compartment is already known (DE 24 27 015 A1) whose compartment flap which closes the compartment opening is of a double-shell design with a cavity lying in between and in which a receiving section which is accessible from the inside of the flap is integrated. The receiving section is formed by a moulding in the inner shell of the flap, which moulding is sealed off in a flush manner by a pivotably arranged cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the object, in a storage compartment, in particular a glove compartment, of the type mentioned at the beginning with a compartment interior divided into sections, of ensuring, with little technical outlay, that sufficient illumination of the sections lying one above the other, even in the depth of each section.
The storage compartment according to the invention has the advantage that a single, cost-effective lamp with an integrated switch is sufficient in order to illuminate the sections lying one above the other and not every section needs to be lit up with a separate light source. The lamp which is arranged on or in the upper housing wall directly lights up the upper storage section, while the lower storage section is lit up by the lamp light which is reflected at the reflector. It is also possible, by a corresponding design of the reflector or by increasing the number of reflectors, for more than one section lying below the upper section to be lit up by the lamp arranged in the uppermost section.
Advantageous embodiments of the storage compartment according to the invention with expedient refinements and developments of the invention emerge from the other claims.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reflector is arranged on a pivoting cover which closes a receiving section which is accessible from the inside of the flap and is integrated in the flap. By means of this measure, the flap region, which is required for the attachment of the reflector, has a dual purpose, the pivoting cover accommodating the reflector which is formed as a foil. In the closed position of the cover, the reflector is optimally aligned to light up the lower section, and in the open position of the cover, an additional receiving section can be used.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the receiving section is designed to receive a pair of spectacles, and a mount for a pair of spectacles for putting the pair of spectacles in is formed on the rear side of the cover. The advantage of fastening the pair of spectacles on the rear side of the cover is that when the cover is swung out the pair of spectacles swings forwards in a manner which is favourable for taking hold of it.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3619592 (1971-11-01), Lamb, Jr.
patent: 3943351 (1976-03-01), Nilsson
patent: 5722759 (1998-03-01), Eklov et al.
patent: 893450 (1953-10-01), None
patent: 2427015 (1975-12-01), None
patent: 3833499 (1990-05-01), None
patent: 0 928 382 (1961-12-01), None
patent: 928382 (1963-06-01), None
Schenk Bernd
Zipperle Ralf
Crowell & Moring LLP
Daimler-Chrysler AG
Quach Y.
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