Side lamp usable as a turn signal side lamp and as a side marking lamp

• US 5,893,638 A
• Filed: 12/13/1996
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Original Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Inventors: Porsche, Roman, Hufner, Werner, Brinkmann, Dirk, Hiesl, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US08/766,482
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/78, 362/80, 362/81, 362/82, 362/833.3, 362/83, 362/487, 362/495, 362/496, 362/500, 362/505, 362/506, 362/507, 362/293, 280/847, 280/848, 340/468, 340/475
• US Class Current: 362/506
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights

Abstract

This invention relates to a side lamp for vehicles which have an opening in their shell. In order to provide a side lamp which can be used as a turn signal side lamp and as a side marking lamp, it is suggested to construct the side lamp as part of an edge of an opening, preferably a wheel opening, on the shell of the vehicle. It is also contemplated to provide a reflector as a component of the side lamp which can be designed as part of a cover plate of the side lamp.

Claims

1. Side lamp for a vehicle of the type having a vehicle longitudinal centerline and a vehicle body shell with a wheel house opening facing laterally with respect to the vehicle centerline, said wheel house opening having a front edge and a rear edge defined by the body shell,

said side lams comprising a light source and a light permeable cover plate,

wherein the side lamp is arranged within a cutout in the body shell such that the light permeable cover plate forms a portion of the front edge of the opening and extends substantially flush with respect to laterally outwardly facing adjoining body shell portions,

wherein the light source faces rearwardly with respect to the vehicle, and

wherein the light permeable cover plate includes portions facing rearwardly of the vehicle so that light emerges therefrom in a rearward direction.

2. Side lamp according to claim 1, wherein the side lamp is arranged on the edge in an area of a joint of two parts of the shell.

3. Side lamp according to claim 1, wherein a reflector is part of the side lamp.

4. Side lamp according to claim 2, wherein a reflector is part of the side lamp.

5. Side lamp assembly for a vehicle of the type having a vehicle longitudinal centerline and a vehicle body shell with a front wheel house opening facing laterally with respect to the vehicle centerline, said front wheel house opening having a front edge and a rear edge defined by the body shell, said body shell including an inclined portion extending adjacent to and forwardly of the wheel house opening which is inclined in a forward direction of the vehicle toward the centerline, said side lamp assembly comprising:

a light permeable side lamp cover plate which extends substantially flush with adjoining portions of the body shell and forwardly from said opening such that a rear end of said cover plate forms part of the front edge of said opening and faces rearwardly so that light emerges therefrom in a rearward direction, and

a rearwardly facing lamp disposed under the side lamp cover plate.

6. Side lamp assembly according to claim 5, wherein said lamp and cover plate are operable as a vehicle turn signal lamp assembly.

7. Side lamp assembly according to claim 5, wherein said lamp and cover plate are operable as a vehicle side marking lamp assembly.

8. Side lamp assembly according to claim 5, wherein said cover plate in use forms a part of a joint between a fender defining an upper part of said opening of said front wheel house and a front end of the body shell.

9. A method of making a vehicle body structure with a side lamp assembly which can alternatively serve as a turn signal lamp and a side marking lamp, comprising:

forming a lamp accommodating opening in a forward vehicle body shell part, which shell part extends forwardly from a wheel house opening in an inclined direction tapered toward a vehicle centerline, said lamp accommodating opening being disposed at a front edge of the wheel house opening,

placing a light permeable side lamp cover plate in said lamp accommodating opening with laterally facing portions of the cover plate extending substantially flush with adjoining portions of the shell part, said lamp cover plate having a front end and a rear end, said rear end of said cover plate defining a part of the wheel house opening and facing rearwardly so that in use light emerges therefrom in a rearward direction, and

placing a rearwardly facing lamp under the side lamp cover plate.

10. A method according to claim 9,

wherein said cover plate in use forms a part of a joint between a fender defining an upper part of said front wheel house and opening a front end of the body shell.