Patent ID: 6273593
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: B60Q,H01H

Abstract:
An automotive lighting system comprising:a casing which defines adjacent first and second interior space regions;a pair of lamps positioned in respective ones of said adjacent first and second interior space regions;first and second lenses covering respective ones of said adjacent first and second interior space regions, each of said first and second lenses having proximal and distal ends, and being positioned relative to one another so that said proximal ends thereof are adjacent to one another generally at a central region of said casing and said distal ends thereof are positioned remotely from one another near respective lateral regions of said casing,mounting assemblies for respectively mounting each one of said first and second lenses to said casing for independent operable movements with respect to the other of said first and second lenses, wherein said each of said mounting assemblies include;(1) opposed pairs of fulcrum shafts projecting from respective opposed sides of said casing near said central region thereof,(2) pairs of bearing sections formed at said proximal ends of said first and second lenses for engagement with a respective one of said pairs of fulcrum shafts to allow for pivotal movements thereabout;(3) opposed pairs of fixed shafts spaced from said fulcrum shafts and projecting from said opposed sides of said casing near said distal ends of said first and second lenses; and(4) pairs of engagement sections each having hooks for engagement with respective ones of said fixed shafts so as to allow said distal ends of said first and second lenses to be moved towards and away from said casing in response to pivotal movements of said proximal ends thereof about said fulcrum shafts; and wherein said system further comprises,a pair of push switches operatively connected to said respective ones of said lamps and positioned in respective ones of said first and second regions of said interior space such that each of said distal ends of said first and second lenses is in contact with a respective one of said push switches so as to allow said respective one of said push switches to be operated in response to a respective one of said distal ends of said first and second lenses being moved towards said casing when pivoted about said fulcrum shafts to thereby illuminate said lamp operatively connected thereto.