Automobile lighting system that includes an exterior indicating device
First Claim
1. In a lighting system for an automobile that comprises:
- (i) a light source that develops light when in an "on" state., (ii) an elongated light guide that has an input end for receiving light from said source and an output end to which the received light is transmitted by said light guide, (iii) an indicating device at said output end for controlling the passage of light from said output end to a location exterior to the automobile, and (iv) a lens located between said indicating device and said exterior location for receiving light passing through said indicating device from said light guide output end, said indicating device comprising;
(a) a shutter having a substantially opaque portion, a light-blocking position in which said substantially opaque portion blocks the passage of light from said output end to said lens, and a non-blocking position in which light is allowed to pass through said indicating device to said lens, and(b) shutter-actuating means for shifting said shutter between said light-blocking position and said non-blocking position while said light source remains in said "on" state.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In this automobile lighting system there is (i) a light source that develops light when in an "on" state, (ii) an elongated light guide that has an input end for receiving light from the source and an output end to which this light is transmitted by the light guide, (iii) an indicating device at the output end for controlling the passage of light from the output end to a location exterior to the automobile, and (iv) a lens located between the indicating device and the exterior location for receiving light passing through the indicating device from the light guide output end. The indicating device comprises a shutter having an opaque portion, a light blocking position in which the opaque portion blocks the passage of light from the output end to the lens, and a non-blocking position in which light is allowed to pass through the indicating device to the lens. The indicating device also includes shutter-actuating means for shifting the shutter between its light-blocking position and its non-blocking position while the light source remains in its "on" state.
64 Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a lighting system for an automobile that comprises:
- (i) a light source that develops light when in an "on" state., (ii) an elongated light guide that has an input end for receiving light from said source and an output end to which the received light is transmitted by said light guide, (iii) an indicating device at said output end for controlling the passage of light from said output end to a location exterior to the automobile, and (iv) a lens located between said indicating device and said exterior location for receiving light passing through said indicating device from said light guide output end, said indicating device comprising;
(a) a shutter having a substantially opaque portion, a light-blocking position in which said substantially opaque portion blocks the passage of light from said output end to said lens, and a non-blocking position in which light is allowed to pass through said indicating device to said lens, and (b) shutter-actuating means for shifting said shutter between said light-blocking position and said non-blocking position while said light source remains in said "on" state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- (i) a light source that develops light when in an "on" state., (ii) an elongated light guide that has an input end for receiving light from said source and an output end to which the received light is transmitted by said light guide, (iii) an indicating device at said output end for controlling the passage of light from said output end to a location exterior to the automobile, and (iv) a lens located between said indicating device and said exterior location for receiving light passing through said indicating device from said light guide output end, said indicating device comprising;
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3. The lighting system of claim in which said shutter has an aperture extending therethrough which is out of alignment with said output end of the light guide when the shutter is in its light-blocking position and is substantially in alignment with said output end when the shutter is in its non-blocking position.
Specification