Multi-chamber lamp for vehicles

• US 6,296,382 B1
• Filed: 05/06/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HELLA KG Hueck & Co.
• Original Assignee: HELLA KG Hueck & Co.
• Inventors: Hamelbeck, Antonius
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US09/304,261
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 362/544, 362/518, 362/520, 362/241, 362/240, 362/247, 362/509, 362/311, 362/235, 362/522, 362/310
• US Class Current: 362/544
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/255 Filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/50 characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/51 Attachment thereof

Abstract

A multi-chamber lamp has a lamp housing with a plurality of reflectors. A closure pane is provided on the lamp housing. An intermediate pane, located between the reflectors and the closure pane extends over an entire light emergence plane of at least one reflector. The closure pane as well as the intermediate pane are at least partially free of optical function. The intermediate pane supports a shield device for the light source associated with the at least one reflector, which is surrounded by an optics-free area. A cover apparatus completely encompasses the at least one reflector provided with the intermediate pane and covers also a peripheral rim of the intermediate pane as well as shields an interior of the lamp housing from view from the outside.

Claims

1. A multi-chamber lamp for vehicles comprising:

a lamp housing having a plurality of reflectors, a common closure pane for the reflectors and at least one intermediate pane which extends over an entire light-emergence area of at least one of the reflectors, wherein at least partial areas of the closure pane as well as the at least one intermediate pane are smooth optics-free areas, free of optical functions so as to pass light therethrough without substantially modifying the light to thereby allow a reflection surface of the at least one of the reflectors to be clearly seen therethrough, the at least one intermediate pane supporting a shield device for a light source of the at least one reflector and surrounding the shield device with the smooth optics-free area of the intermediate pane, wherein the at least one reflector is fully surrounded by a cover apparatus which shields an outer peripheral rim of the smooth optics-free area of the at least one intermediate pane and shields an interior of the lamp housing from being viewed from outside the lamp housing;

wherein the shield device is positioned in a central area of the at least one intermediate pane, with the shield device'"'"'s outer peripheral rim corresponding in shape to a configuration of a backward-turned rim, extending toward the reflectors, of the cover apparatus bordering on the intermediate pane.

2. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate pane is situated with its rear side bordering a forward, peripheral, rim of the at least one reflector, and with its forward side bordering a backward turning rim, turning toward the reflector, of the cover apparatus.

3. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein there are at least two neighboring intermediate panes, each respectively corresponding to a reflector, said at least two neighboring intermediate panes being constructed as one piece, and being respectively surroundingly encompassed by the cover apparatus.

4. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein said at least one intermediate pane is made as one piece with a connection piece and a light-source-encapsulating light hood, with the connection piece being covered by the cover apparatus and at least an outer surface of the light hood having a shielding arrangement.

5. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein the shield device carried by the at least one intermediate pane is formed of optical elements.

6. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein the shield device is constructed as a retroflector.

7. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein at least reflectors provided with shield devices have facet-like structured reflection surfaces.

8. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein a frame-like cover apparatus serves as the cover apparatus between the reflector and the closure pane.

9. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 8, wherein the intermediate pane as well as the cover apparatus have holding means which are self affixing to the lamp housing and covered by a covering part.

10. A multi-chamber lamp as in claim 1, wherein the cover apparatus has a forward surface facing away from the reflection surface of the at least one of the reflectors which is also a reflecting surface similar to the reflecting surface of the at least one of the reflectors.

11. A multi-chamber lamp for vehicles comprising:

a lamp housing having a plurality of reflectors, a common closure pane for the reflectors and at least one intermediate pane which extends over an entire light-emergence area of at least one of the reflectors, wherein at least partial areas of the closure pane as well as the at least one intermediate pane are smooth optics-free areas, free of optical functions so as to pass light therethrough without substantially modifying the light to thereby allow a reflection surface of the at least one of the reflectors to be clearly seen therethrough, the at least one intermediate pane supporting a shield device for a light source of the at least one reflector and surrounding the shield device with the smooth optics-free area of the intermediate pane, wherein the at least one reflector is fully surrounded by a cover apparatus which shields an outer peripheral rim of the smooth optics-free area of the at least one intermediate pane and shields an interior of the lamp housing from being viewed from outside the lamp housing;

wherein the shield device carried by the at least one intermediate pane is formed of optical elements.

12. A multi-chamber lamp for vehicles comprising:

a lamp housing having a plurality of reflectors, a common closure pane for the reflectors and at least one intermediate pane which extends over an entire light-emergence area of at least one of the reflectors, wherein at least partial areas of the closure pane as well as the at least one intermediate pane are smooth optics-free areas, free of optical functions so as to pass light therethrough without substantially modifying the light to thereby allow a reflection surface of the at least one of the reflectors to be clearly seen therethrough, the at least one intermediate pane supporting a shield device for a light source of the at least one reflector and surrounding the shield device with the smooth optics-free area of the intermediate pane, wherein the at least one reflector is fully surrounded by a cover apparatus which shields an outer peripheral rim of the smooth optics-free area of the at least one intermediate pane and shields an interior of the lamp housing from being viewed from outside the lamp housing;

wherein at least reflectors provided with shield devices have facet-like structured reflection surfaces.