Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2001-07-10
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S487000, C362S419000, C362S427000, C362S490000, C362S197000, C362S287000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257745
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a lamp for use in an automobile. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment shown, the present invention pertains to a flexible arm light for an automobile overhead console.
2. Discussion
Automobiles have typically included courtesy lamps to assist the vehicle operator at night. One of the most common courtesy lamp locations is beneath the dashboard to indirectly light the lower portion of the passenger compartment. Another type of courtesy light is commonly located on the interior surface of the overhead roof panel of the vehicle. Some overhead courtesy lights include one single lamp operated by a single switch while other designs consist of two or more lamps controlled by separate switches.
While the courtesy lamps previously described have assisted the vehicle operator by illuminating the passenger compartment at night, improvements may be made. Specifically, existing overhead lamps have a tendency to broadly disperse light throughout the passenger compartment to maximize passenger compartment illumination. Such a lamp is useful when the vehicle is stopped but becomes an unwanted distraction when the driver is operating the vehicle. In addition, many of the overhead light assemblies currently provide light from a fixed position and do not enable the vehicle operator to direct the light toward an object intended to be viewed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible arm light for an automobile overhead console for selectively directing light to an object within the vehicle compartment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flexible arm light operable in an aesthetically pleasing stowed position and a deployed position where the light may be selectively directed at a variety of objects.
The present invention includes a flexible arm light for a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment equipped with an overhead console with a first housing and a second housing interconnected by a flexible housing. The first housing includes a lamp coupled to the overhead console at a first location. The second housing is coupled to the console at a second location. The flexible arm light is operable in a stowed position and a deployed position wherein the flexible arm light is selectively directable toward a target when in the deployed position.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Sak Lawrence J.
Speth Stephan J.
Alavi Ali
Berry Donna L.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
O'Shea Sandra
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