Vehicle headlamp system

• US 6,462,479 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John T. Griffin
• Original Assignee: John T. Griffin
• Inventors: Griffin, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/764,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20020096997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 315/77, 315/82, 315/80, 315/83, 315/78, 307/10.1, 307/10.8, 362/40, 362/65, 362/269, 362/277, 362/282, 362/285, 362/311, 362/307, 340/471
• US Class Current: 315/82
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1415 Dimming circuits

Abstract

The headlamp system provides a reduced amount of illumination adjacent a driver'"'"'s line of sight while providing a maintained or increased level of illumination from a source that is offset from the driver'"'"'s line of sight.

Claims

1. A headlamp system for a vehicle for providing increased visibility to a driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is in moisture-laden atmosphere, the system comprising:

a first headlamp that is adapted to provide a first level of illumination; and

a second headlamp adapted to simultaneously provide a second level of illumination that is lower than the first level of illumination, wherein the second headlamp is positioned on the vehicle closer to the driver than the first headlamp.

2. The headlamp system of claim 1, wherein the second headlamp comprises a lamp and a translucent cover for reducing the illumination of said lamp.

3. The headlamp system of claim 1, wherein said headlamp system further comprises:

a first switch in communication with said first and second headlamps; and

a voltage reducing device in communication with said second headlamp.

4. The headlamp system of claim 3, wherein said first switch is double-pole, double-throw switch.

5. The headlamp system of claim 3, wherein said voltage reducing device comprises a resistor.

6. The headlamp system of claim 3, wherein said headlamp system further comprises a high/low beam switch and wherein said first switch overrides said high/low beam switch.

7. The headlamp system of claim 3, wherein said voltage reducing device comprises a resistor.

8. A system adapted to retrofit a headlamp system on a vehicle having a first headlamp and a second headlamp, wherein said second headlamp is positioned closer to a driver than said first headlamp, said system comprising

a first switch adapted to be in communication with said first and second headlamps;

and

a voltage reducing device adapted to be in communication with said second headlamp, wherein said first switch and said voltage reducing device are adapted to simultaneously reduce the level of illumination of said second headlamp below the level of illumination of said first headlamp when installed in said headlamp system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first switch is a double-pole, double throw switch.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said voltage reducing device comprises a resistor.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said headlamp system includes a high/low beam switch and wherein said first switch overrides said high/low beam switch.

12. A system adapted to retrofit a headlamp system on a vehicle having a first headlamp and a second headlamp, wherein said second headlamp is positioned closer to a driver than said first headlamp, said system comprising a translucent cover adapted to be removably positioned to reduce the level of illumination of said second headlamp below the level of illumination of said first headlamp.