Textron Corporation

Elco Textron Inc.

Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC

Karl R Schmitt

Douglas E Pherigo

James Patrick Clinch

David M Mosnot

Bradley C Miller

Usman Yusuf Shami

Gary Eugene Hendricks

A clip which is configured to keep a headlamp adjuster together during installation (and preferably also shipping), thereby allowing for one hand, easier installation. The clip can be left on the assembly after installation, or it can be removed, whichever is preferred. The clip is configured such that leaving it in place will not interfere with standard operation of the headlamp adjuster. A method of installing a headlamp adjuster with one hand is also provided.

Temporary assembly clip for snap-fit gear boxes

A headlamp adjuster configured for engagement with a reflector of a headlamp assembly. The headlamp adjuster includes a U-shaped structure which is engaged with a screw and which is engageable with the reflector. The screw is prevented from translating substantially upon rotation, but the headlamp adjuster is configured such that rotation of the screw causes the U-shaped structure to translate thereby moving the reflector. The screw includes an externally threaded shaft portion which is threadably engaged with an internally threaded bore of the U-shaped structure. The U-shaped structure may be a single piece which is engaged with the screw and is engageable with the reflector, or may include a U-shaped member which is engaged with the screw and a slide member, where the slide member is engageable with the reflector.

180-degree adjuster

A bulb shield for use in an automotive headlamp assembly, and a method for making same. The bulb shield includes a cup portion and a portion which extends from the cup portion and is configured for mounting to a reflector of the automotive headlamp assembly or to another, proximate structure. When the bulb shield is mounted, the cup portion is generally horizontally aligned with a headlamp bulb in the automotive headlamp assembly, thereby eliminating a &ldquo;hot spot&rdquo; which would otherwise be viewable when looking into the headlamp beam. The bulb shield includes a part made of a glass and polymer blend, and at least a portion of the part includes a vacuum aluminized coating. Such a bulb shield is relatively inexpensive and easy to make, yet can withstand the high temperatures which are typically experienced in an automotive headlamp assembly. Additionally, the bulb shield may include a complex cup shape.

Bulb shield

A window lift bracket for attachment to a mounting edge of a movable window and which is connectable to a window lifting mechanism. The window lift bracket includes a base which is attachable to the window lifting mechanism and spaced apart portions extending from the base being positionable on either side of the movable window. The spaced apart portions define a channel therebetween. The window lift bracket includes at least one member, such as a flexible beam member, which is disposed generally in the channel for engaging the window when the window is disposed therein. Preferably, the engagement between the member and the window provides a reduced stress area at the bottom of the channel. Opposing surfaces of the spaced apart portions may provide convoluted surfaces, such as protrusions and depressions, which effectively increase the surface area to which the adhesive adheres, thereby improving the adhesion of the adhesive to the window bracket and the window.

Window lift bracket

A venting structure is provided on a headlamp adjustor for venting the inside of a sealed stationary component which houses a movable headlamp component in a headlamp arrangement. The headlamp adjustor is mounted to the sealed stationary component and is used to effect pivotal motion of the headlamp component. The headlamp adjustor includes a housing member and an adjusting screw member which is operatively engaged with an axial bore through the housing member. A vent passageway is formed through the housing member or through the screw member. The venting structure is formed of a vent which is connected to headlamp adjustor and is in communication with the vent passageway through the housing member. The vent allows pressure and moisture laden air to pass outwardly from the inside of the sealed stationary component to the atmosphere while only allowing air and a limited amount of moisture to pass from the atmosphere to the inside of the sealed stationary component. The vent may take the form of a microporous filter material housed in tube-like body member; a rubber flapper valve; absorbent material, such as a porous cloth, swab or granulated material enclosed in a housing; a burper housed in a protective housing; a check valve; a bladder or balloon housed in a protective housing; or a condenser.

Headlamp adjustor with vent tube

A headlamp position indicator device is used to visually indicate the 'zero position' of a headlamp in a headlamp arrangement. The headlamp arrangement generally includes a movable reflector mounted in a stationary component. The device includes a metal spring clip having a bubble level assembly mounted thereon. The clip is attached to a pocket formed on the reflector at an attachment point. An adjusting screw is provided on the device, and when engaged against a surface of the reflector, causes flexure of the clip proximate to the attachment point to adjust the position of the device relative thereto. Specifically, flexure of the clip occurs between the attachment point and the point where the bubble level assembly is affixed to the clip. To adjust the position of the device relative to the reflector after the headlamp has been adjusted to the desired zero position, the adjusting screw is rotated to cause the bubble level assembly and base portion of the spring clip to move along the length of the adjusting screw until an air bubble in the bubble level assembly is centered. Once centered, the zero position of the headlamp is indicated. If the headlamp becomes misaligned, it is easily returned to its zero position by adjustments using the adjustor mechanism. When the air bubble becomes re-centered, the headlamp has been reset to its zero position.

Headlamp position indicator device

A headlamp position indicator device is used to denote the proper aiming position of a headlamp in an adjustable headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly includes a housing, a movable component adjustably retained in the housing, and adjustor mechanisms for aiming the movable component. The headlamp position indicator device of the present invention includes a magnet mounted on the movable component and an assembly mounted on the housing. The assembly includes a holder having a cover member mounted thereon and a position indicator mounted therebetween. The cover member has a plurality of indicia thereon. The position indicator may be a ferrous ball bearing or a pointer member. The position indicator is magnetically attracted to the magnet and moveable relative to the housing according to the position of the magnet. Once the headlamp is zeroed, a zero indicia on the cover member is moved so as to be proximate to the position indicator. Thereafter, if the headlamp becomes misaligned, the headlamp adjustor mechanisms are used to move the headlamp back to its zero position which will be indicated when the position indicator re-aligns with the zero indicia.

Headlamp assembly with magnetic indicator for horizontal and vertical

A novel sealing device is used to seal an adjustor mechanism which is used to adjust the position of a movable headlamp component housed within a sealed stationary component in a headlamp arrangement. The stationary component has an opening through a rear wall for insertion of the adjustor mechanism therethrough. The adjustor mechanism includes a housing connected to the stationary component and an adjusting screw member. A shank of the adjusting screw member extends from the housing and extends through the opening in the stationary component wall and into the interior of the stationary component. The novel sealing device of the present invention includes a flexible, elastomeric shroud member having a body portion; a forward sealing structure for sealedly attaching the body portion to the shank of the adjusting screw member; and a rearward sealing structure for sealedly attaching the body portion to the opening in the stationary component. The body portion encircles a portion of the screw shank which is in the interior of the stationary headlamp component. The flexible shroud member substantially prevents the entrance of contaminants into the interior of the stationary component through the adjustor mechanism and through the opening in the stationary component wall.

Sealing device for a headlamp adjustor mechanism

A venting structure is provided on a headlamp adjustor for venting the inside of a sealed stationary component which houses a movable headlamp component, such as a reflector member, in a headlamp arrangement. The headlamp adjustor is mounted to the sealed stationary component and is used to effect pivotal motion of the headlamp component. The headlamp adjustor includes a housing member and an adjusting screw member which is operatively engaged with an axial bore through the housing member. A vent passageway is formed through the housing member or through the screw member. The venting structure is formed of a one-way vent which is connected to headlamp adjustor and is in communication with the vent passageway through the housing member. The vent allows pressure and moisture laden air to pass outwardly from the inside of the sealed stationary component to the atmosphere while only allowing air and a limited amount of moisture to pass from the atmosphere to the inside of the sealed stationary component. The one-way vent may take the form of a microporous filter material housed in a tube-like body member or a rubber flapper valve.

An indicator assembly, which is used with an adjusting mechanism, designates an initial or 'zero' position of a movable headlamp component. The adjusting mechanism includes a housing, an adjusting screw which is disposed through the housing, and a driving mechanism which is operatively associated with the screw. A first end of the screw is operatively associated with a movable headlamp component. The indicator assembly includes a hollow, vial-like member which is attached to the housing and a follower member. The second end of the screw is enclosed within the hollow member. The follower member is operatively associated with and selectively positionable on the hollow member to provide an indication of the zero position of the adjusting screw.

Horizontal zero indicator assembly

A simplified adjusting mechanism for adjusting the aiming of a headlamp assembly in automobiles and the like includes a gear encircling a bushing and an adjustor screw that is journaled through the bushing. The adjustor mechanism is snapped into a stationary component of the headlamp assembly and the aiming of the headlamp is manually adjusted by using a drive tool. The adjustor mechanism has a series of indication lines that allow the user to adjust the aiming of the headlamp assembly back to its desired position if the headlamp assembly becomes misaligned.

Snap-fit right angle adjustor mechanism

The present invention envisions a headlamp calibration assembly for use with an adjustable headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly includes a housing, a reflector adjustably retained in the housing and horizontal and vertical aiming devices. The housing has a viewing port formed therethrough for viewing inside of the housing for observing the movable headlamp component, for example the reflector. The calibration assembly includes an adjustably mounted lens positioned over the viewing port, horizontal position indicia on the reflector positioned for viewing through the lens and viewing port including a zero adjustment indicator represented by a selected one of the horizontal position indicia, and sight means on the lens in the form of indicia or the like for sighting and alignment with the horizontal position indicia to attain zero adjustment as discussed above. The sighting device on the lens includes two pairs of spaced apart parallel lines on either side of the lens to eliminate parallax when viewing the horizontal position indicia. Additionally, the sighting device can be formed on a magnifying prism formed in the lens so that smaller indicia may be used to thereby increase the precision of the horizontal adjustment. The horizontal position indicia may be positionable on or proximate to a vertical position indicating device such as a spirit level. The vertical position indicating device may be positioned for viewing through the lens and viewing port.

Horizontal zero viewing port assembly

A headlamp adjusting mechanism having a housing member with a passage formed therethrough and an independent nut body is retained in the housing member. The independent nut body has a threaded aperture which is substantially coincident with the passage in the housing. An elongated threaded shaft extends through the passage in the housing and cooperatively engages the threaded aperture in the independent nut body. An assembly for driving the elongated shaft such as a mitered gear arrangement is operatively associated with the housing. The driving assembly transfers motion applied to the assembly to rotate the elongated shaft cooperatively engaged with the threaded aperture in the independent nut body to produce axial displacement of the elongated shaft through the passage. A friction or prevailing torque increasing device is provided on the housing for canting or forcibly angling the independent nut body to increase the frictional forces between the threaded bore in the independent nut body and the threaded surface of the shaft. The increased friction between the independent nut body and the shaft not only increases the prevailing torque, but eliminates all axial play and prevents angular deflection of the shaft. The friction increasing device is sized and dimensioned to control the degree of prevailing torque between the independent nut body and the shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Rockford, IL, United States of America

Karl R Schmitt