Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Visual identification light
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-06-05
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Visual identification light
C362S544000, C362S546000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241372
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of automobile lamp assemblies, and in particular, to a one-piece molded high mounted stop lamp assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
High mounted stop lamps (“HMSL”) have been a requirement in this country for several years. Automobile manufacturers have provided various types of lamp assemblies to meet this requirement.
A conventional high mounted stop lamp consists of a housing with a reflective coating on the inside and a lens mounted thereto with a bulb inside. While this type of lamp assembly may come in various shapes and sizes, many of these assemblies require several components to be connected together, including in addition to the lens and housing, a separate bracket to facilitate the attachment of the bulb socket. A disadvantage of these structures is the high tooling and lamp costs, as well as the difficulty of assembly and the length of manufacturing time. Other indirect consequences of these designs include high left-over scrap and added vehicle weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a one piece molded vehicle lamp includes a a housing portion, a lens portion, and a hinge connecting the housing portion to said lens portion. At least one connector is used to secure the lens portion to the housing portion. A bulb is located on an inside of the housing portion, wherein light emanating from the bulb reflects light from the bulb outward through the lens portion.
In another aspect of the present invention, a molded high mounted stop lamp includes a housing portion having a parabolic shaped interior. The stop lamp also includes a bulb is mounted in the interior, a reflective finish, and a lens portion. A living hinge connects the housing portion to the lens portion, such that the reflective finish reflects light from the bulb through the lens portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention represents an improvement over prior high mounted stop lamps in that it is constructed from a one piece body molded from a plastic material. The one piece body is formed from a transparent plastic material and comprises a housing portion with a reflective finish and a lens portion. The body is folded along a living hinge, connecting the lens portion like a lid to the housing portion, forming a box-like structure.
Preferably, the body is molded out of a transparent plastic material. In this manner, the lens portion of the body is pre-made to allow light from a bulb located inside the housing portion to emanate therethrough. The reflective finish is applied directly to the housing portion of the body, preferably on the inside surface thereof, but not the lens portion. In this manner, in use, the interior surface of the housing can reflect light from the bulb outward through the transparent lens portion.
The one piece body may also be molded with additional components. For example, means for securing that unsecured end of the lens portion to the housing portion can be provided, i.e., the lens portion can be molded with a snap member and housing portion can be molded with a corresponding hole in which the snap member can be inserted. In this manner, after the body is molded and the finish is applied, the lens portion is simply folded over along the living hinge and snapped to the housing portion.
Also, one or more openings can be molded in the housing portion to allow bulb members to be inserted and attached therein. Mounting tabs may also be molded on the exterior of the housing portion which can be used to mount the body to the automobile. The body may also be molded in virtually any shape, including having a portion of the housing behind the light source in the shape of a parabola, for reflecting and directing the light outward through the lens portion.
The present invention makes manufacturing and assembly easy and lower in cost in relation to prior devices. Once the body is molded and the reflective finish is applied to the housing portion, the lens portion is simply folded toward the housing portion and snapped together. The steps needed to install a separate lens onto the housing and secure other components thereto are substantially eliminated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 728789 (1903-05-01), Wellman
patent: 1074537 (1913-09-01), Obeles
patent: 1286170 (1918-11-01), Cook
patent: 2587807 (1952-03-01), Arenberg et al.
Bloomfield Richard M.
Desai Deval
Wheat Ronald A.
McDonnell & Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff
North American Lighting, Inc.
Tso Laura K.
Wettermann Thomas E.
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