Abstract:
Apparatus and methods of tribar headlights with removable/replaceable tribar elements are presented. In accordance with an embodiment, a tribar element assembly comprising a dot element and a retaining plug is removably coupled in a tribar hub allowing replacement and change out of the dot element through the bulb aperture of the lamp envelope.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a PCT application claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/807,201, filed Jul. 13, 2006, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is related to lighting, and more particularly, to tribar headlights with removable/replaceable tribar elements. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts consider it highly desirable to incorporate customized and personalized aesthetics into their stock or custom vehicles. Tribar headlights, also known as tripod headlights, are one such desirable aesthetic element that lends distinction to the vehicle. Tribar headlights were popular in the 1950&#39;s and 1960&#39;s and add an authentic or classic touch to the enthusiast&#39;s vehicle. 
         [0004]    One historical tribar headlight is the Lucas Electric LTD P700 which was supplied to the British car industry in the 1950&#39;s and 1960&#39;s. The P700 was distinctive in that the headlight  100  contained a tripod support  120  that supported a focusing shield  107  within the light beam as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The tripod support  120  includes three tripod arms  121  that radiate outward from a tripod hub  123 . The tripod arms  121  terminate so as to couple with the perimeter edge  132  of a lamp body  130 . The tripod arms  121  support the tripod hub  123  within the light beam and substantially along the optical axis of the lamp body  130 . The lamp body  130  had a parabolic shape with a reflective inner surface  133 . The focusing shield  107  was coupled to the tripod hub  123  and aligned for proper optical characteristics. The focusing shield  107  had a concave reflective surface  117  that was effective in focusing and concentrating the light from a filament bulb  108  that was placed in the focus of the lamp body  130 . An emblem disk  141  bearing the Lucas name was coupled to the tripod hub  123  by a retaining nut  129  for prominent display when the headlight  100  was viewed from the front. The emblem disk  141  and the tripod arms  121  were clearly seen when the headlight  100  was viewed from the front. 
         [0005]    Periodic maintenance of the tribar headlight  100  was required as the reflective surfaces  117  and  133  would become discolored, corroded and otherwise needing cleaned or replaced. The lamp body  130  was made of metal having a peripheral edge  132  that was crimped over the ends of the tripod arms  121  and a peripheral edge  142  of a front glass  140 . The crimped peripheral edge  132  could be uncrimped in order to remove the front glass  140  and the tripod support  120 . 
         [0006]    In later years the focusing shield was no longer necessary but the classic appearance of the tripod support was still desired and retained within the headlight. The tripod hub was changed to a ring and the emblem was replaced with a translucent, commonly blue-colored glass or lens. These headlights became known as the “blue dot” tribar headlights referring to the lens. Further, headlights evolved such that the separate metal lamp body  130  and front glass  140  has been replaced by a unitary all-glass envelope that precludes access to the tripod support  120 . 
         [0007]    The availability of tribar headlights is very limited to only a few stock sizes and “dot” colors. The market for tribar headlights is relatively limited and it is prohibitively expensive to provide all the sizes, colors, and wattages that the marketplace requires. Therefore the enthusiast is required to contend with adaptor kits and other modifications in order to incorporate the tribar headlight into the vehicle. 
         [0008]    An alternative that is offered to enthusiasts is a clip-on tribar element that attaches to the outside of the front lens of stock headlights. The tribar element is captured between the perimeter of the front lens and the headlight circumferential trim ring, or adhesively coupled to the front lens. The clip-on tribar elements are a poor substitute for the reproduction tribar headlights that have the tribar assembly inside of the headlight. The clip-on tribar elements do not provide a smooth headlight front surface, are hard to clean, are prone to damage, and are aesthetically unpleasing presenting a cheap, fake appearance. 
         [0009]    It would, therefore, be highly desirable to have a tribar headlight that provides the tribar assembly within the headlight in keeping with the classic style, is less expensive to manufacture, and provides the manufacture, dealer or the purchaser the ability to change-out the “dot” to a different color or emblem to change the aesthetics of the headlight without the high cost associated with inventory burdens and major assembly and change-out issues. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Like reference numbers generally indicate corresponding elements in the figures. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a tribar headlight known in the art; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a tribar headlight known in the art; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a tribar headlight in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a tribar headlight of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a threaded dot element assembly comprising a dot element and a threaded retainer ring, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side exploded view of the threaded dot element assembly and a partial view of the tripod hub, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a plan exploded view of a dot element assembly and a partial view of the tribar support, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a plan exploded view of a dot element assembly and a partial view of the tribar support, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a plan exploded view of a dot element assembly and a partial view of the tribar support, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded view of a dot element assembly and a partial view of the tribar support, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembled dot element assembly and tribar support within an envelope body portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded view of a dot element assembly and a partial view of the tribar support, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    References will now be made to embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language which will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, as such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein as being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0024]    Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to providing a tribar headlight with removable and interchangeable tribar elements. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are top and side views of a tribar headlight  2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The tribar headlight  2  comprises a one-piece glass envelope  12 , a tribar support  20 , and a removable bulb  10 . The envelope  12  includes a body portion  17  and a translucent front portion  18 . The body portion  17  includes an optically configured reflective surface  13  that reflects and directs the light produced by the bulb  10 . The body portion  17  includes a bulb aperture  16  for receiving at least a portion of the bulb  10  from external the envelope  12  to internal the envelope  12 . The bulb  10  is removable from the body portion  17  so as to allow replacement as well as access to a dot element  50 . 
         [0026]    The body portion  17  and the translucent front portion  18  meet to define a perimeter edge  33 . The embodiment of  FIG. 3  provides a headlight  2  that has a generally circular top-view profile. It is understood that other top-view profiles, such as, but not limited to, oval, may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0027]    The envelope  12  is described as being a one-piece glass configuration, but it is appreciated that envelope may comprise other configurations and materials. Other configurations include multiple components such as, but not limited to, a lamp body and a front glass as shown in  FIG. 2 . Other materials include, but are not limited to, glass, metal, and polycarbonate. 
         [0028]    The tribar support  20  comprises three tripod arms  21  that radiate outward from a tripod hub  23 . The tribar support  20  is contained within the envelope  12 . The tripod arms  21  terminate so as to couple with the inside of the perimeter edge  32  of the envelope  12 . The tripod arms  21  support the tripod hub  23  within the light beam and substantially along the optical axis of the body portion  17 . The tripod hub  23  is adapted to removably couple with and support a dot element  50  as described below. The tripod hub  23  defines a hub aperture  24 . The hub aperture  24  is adapted to accept the dot element  50  therein. The hub  23  comprises elements for removably coupling with dot element  50  or with a dot element assembly including a dot element  50 . 
         [0029]    The tribar support  20  comprises a material suitable for the particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, painted steel, aluminum, colored anodized aluminum, and plastic. 
         [0030]    The dot element  50  is coupled to the tripod hub  23  and aligned for desired optical characteristics. 
         [0031]    The dot element  50  may comprise any number of decorative and/or functional elements suitable for a particular purpose. The dot element  50  is generally disk shaped as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , but it is understood that the dot element  50  can comprise any geometric shape suitable for a particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, oval, square, triangle, and hexagon. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the dot element  50  is translucent and tinted an aesthetically pleasing color. The dot element  50  comprises a material suitable for a particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, glass and polycarbonate. In an embodiment, light from the bulb  10  is caused to illuminate through the dot element  50 . 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the dot element  50  is a non-translucent material such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, colored anodized aluminum, and plastic, and may be engraved with a design or brand identification. 
         [0034]    The dot element  50  is removably coupled to the tripod hub  23  for prominent display when the headlight  2  is viewed from the front. The dot element  50  and the tripod arms  21  are clearly seen when the headlight  2  is viewed from the front. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a threaded dot element assembly  52  comprising a dot element  50  and a threaded retainer ring  53 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a side exploded view of the threaded dot element assembly  52  and a partial view of the tripod hub  23 . The threaded retainer ring  53  is coupled to the dot element  50  about a perimeter of the dot element  50 . The threaded retainer ring  53  comprises ring threads  54  about a perimeter  55 . The threaded retainer ring  53  further comprises tool elements (not shown) suitable for engaging a tool to assist in installing and removing the dot element assembly  52  from the hub  23 . Tool elements may include, but not limited to, slots, pegs, and dimples that engage a tool so as to allow the tool to rotate the dot element assembly  52  relative to and within the hub aperture  24 . 
         [0036]    The hub aperture  24  comprises aperture threads  25  for removable engagement with the ring threads  54  of the threaded retainer ring  53 . 
         [0037]    Referring also to  FIG. 4 , the bulb aperture  16  of the body portion  17  is configured to allow the dot element assembly  52  to pass through. The dot element assembly  52  may be coupled with and removed from the hub  23  using a suitable tool passing through the bulb aperture  16 , wherein the bulb  10  having been removed. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a plan exploded view of a dot element assembly  56  and a partial view of the tribar support  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dot element assembly  56  comprises a dot element  50  and a ring  57 . The ring  57  is coupled to the dot element  50  about a perimeter of the dot element  50 . The ring  57  comprises a plurality of key tabs  38  about a perimeter  39 . The ring  57  further comprises tool elements (not shown) suitable for engaging a tool to assist in installing and removing the dot element assembly  56  from the hub  23 . Tool elements may include, but not limited to, slots, pegs, and dimples that engage the tool so as to allow the tool to rotate the dot element assembly  56  relative to and within the hub  23 . 
         [0039]    The hub  23  comprises a respective keyway  40  for removable engagement with each of the key tabs  38  of the ring  57 . The keyway  40  is adapted to accept the key tab  38  therein and engage the key tab  38  when the ring  57  is rotated relative to the hub  23 . The engagement may be facilitated by friction, locking means, capture means, among others. 
         [0040]    In an embodiment, the keyway  40  defines a tapered slot  42  adapted to engage the key tab  38 . The keyway  40  comprises a key notch  41  and a tapered outwardly extending side portion  43 . Each of the key notches  41  are adapted to accept a respective key tab  38  of the ring  57  therethrough with the key tab  38  engaging respective side portions  43  when the ring  57  is rotated. A friction engagement between the key tabs  38  and the side portions  43  removably couples the dot element assembly  56  to the tribar hub  23 . 
         [0041]    In another embodiment, the keyway  40  defines locking features that engage the key tab  38  to prevent undesired disengagement. Suitable locking features include, but not limited to, detent/extend elements, spring-biasing of the key tab  38 , as well as retention of the key tab  38  within a tab slot  47  by a locking tab  49  as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0042]    The bulb aperture  16  of the body portion  17  is configured to allow the dot element assembly  56  to pass through. The dot element assembly  56  may be coupled with and removed from the hub  23  using a suitable tool passing through the bulb aperture  16 , wherein the bulb  10  having been removed. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a plan exploded view of a dot element assembly  60  and a partial view of the tribar support  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dot element assembly  60  comprises a dot element  50  and a plug  62 . The plug  62  is adapted to couple the dot element  50  to the tripod hub  23 . The plug  62  comprises a plurality of key tabs  38  about a perimeter  39 . The plug  62  further comprises tool elements (not shown) suitable for engaging a tool to assist in installing and removing the dot element assembly  60  from the hub  23 . Tool elements may include, but not limited to, slots, pegs, and dimples that engage the tool so as to allow the tool to rotate the dot element assembly  60  relative to and within the hub aperture  24 . 
         [0044]    The hub  23  comprises a respective keyway  40  for removable engagement with each of the key tabs  38  of the plug  62 . The keyway  40  is adapted to accept the key tab  38  therein and engage the key tab  38  when the plug  62  is rotated relative to the hub  23 . The engagement may be facilitated by friction, locking means, capture means, among others. 
         [0045]    In an embodiment, the keyway  40  defines a tapered slot  42  adapted to engage the key tab  38 . The keyway  40  comprises a key notch  41  and a tapered outwardly extending side portion  43 . Each of the key notches  41  are adapted to accept a respective key tab  38  of the plug  62  therethrough with the key tabs  38  engaging respective side portions  43  when the plug  62  is rotated. A friction engagement between the key tabs  38  and the side portion  43  removably couples the dot element assembly  60  to the tribar hub  23 . 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the keyway  40  defines locking features that engage the key tab  38  to prevent undesired disengagement. Suitable locking features include, but not limited to, detent/extend elements, spring-biasing of the key tab  38 , as well as retention of the key tab  38  within a tab slot  47  by a locking tab  49  as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0047]    The hub  23  further comprises a lip  26  about the hub aperture  24  adapted to engage the perimeter edge of the dot element  50  when the dot element  50  is located within the hub  23 . The dot element  50  is retained between the plug  62  and the lip  26  when assembled. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is a plan exploded view of a dot element assembly  65  and a partial view of the tribar support  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dot element assembly  65  comprises a dot element  50 , a biasing member  66 , and a plug  62 . The plug  62  is adapted to couple the dot element  50  to the tripod hub  23 . The biasing member  66  is adapted to apply a biasing force between the dot element  50  and the plug  62 . The plug  62  comprises a plurality of key tabs  38  about a perimeter  39 . The plug  62  further comprises tool elements (not shown) suitable for engaging a tool to assist in installing and removing the dot element assembly  65  from the hub  23 . Tool elements may include, but not limited to, slots, pegs, and dimples that engage the tool so as to allow the tool to rotate the dot element assembly  65  relative to and within the hub aperture  24 . 
         [0049]    The hub  23  comprises a respective keyway  40  for removable engagement with each of the key tabs  38  of the plug  62 . The keyway  40  is adapted to accept the key tab  38  therein and engage the key tab  38  when the plug  62  is rotated relative to the hub  23 . The engagement may be facilitated by friction, locking means, capture means, among others. 
         [0050]    In an embodiment, the keyway  40  defines a tapered slot  42  adapted to engage the key tab  38 . The keyway  40  comprises a key notch  41  and a tapered outwardly extending side portion  43 . Each of the key notches  41  are adapted to accept a respective key tab  38  of the plug  62  therethrough with the key tabs  38  engaging respective side portions  43  when the plug  62  is rotated. A friction engagement between the key tab  38  and the side portion  43  removably couples the dot element assembly  65  to the tribar hub  23 . 
         [0051]    In another embodiment, the keyway  40  defines locking features that engage the key tab  38  to prevent undesired disengagement. Suitable locking features include, but not limited to, detent/extend elements, spring-biasing of the key tab  38 , as well as retention of the key tab  38  within a tab slot  47  by a locking tab  49  as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0052]    The hub  23  further comprises a lip  26  about the hub aperture  24  adapted to engage the perimeter edge of the dot element  50  when the dot element  50  is placed within the hub aperture  24 . The dot element  50  is retained between the plug  62  and the lip  26  with the dot element  50  biasedly urged against the lip  26  by the biasing element  66  when assembled. The biased engagement provides a secure coupling of the dot element  50  with the hub  23 . Further, the biased engagement ensures that the dot element  50  does not rattle due to vibration and the like. The biasing element  66  may be any resilient element suitable for the particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, a wire spring, a curved plate, a rubber disk, a rubber washer, and a split metal washer. 
         [0053]    In an embodiment, the plug  62  comprises a plug aperture  63  to allow light to pass from the bulb through the plug aperture  63  to the dot element  50 . 
         [0054]    The tribar headlight  2  is manufactured having the tribar support  20  contained within the envelope  12 . The dot element and the bulb  10  may be assembled at the manufacturer, at the dealer, or by the consumer. 
         [0055]    The dot element  50  may be removed from the tribar headlight  2  by first removing the bulb  10  and by use of a tool, turning the plug  62  with respect to the hub  23 , disengaging the dot element assembly  65  from the hub  23 . The dot element assembly is thus removed from the headlight through the bulb aperture  16 . A replacement dot element assembly is inserted through the bulb aperture  16  and coupled to the hub  23  with the assistance of a tool. 
         [0056]      FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded view of a dot element assembly  65  and a partial view of the tribar support  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembled dot element assembly  65  and tribar support  20  of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  within an envelope body portion  17 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The dot element assembly  65  comprises a dot element  50 , a biasing member  66 , and a plug  62 . The plug  62  is adapted to couple the dot element  50  to the tripod hub  23 . The biasing member  66  is adapted to apply a biasing force between the dot element  50  and the plug  62 . The plug  62  comprises a plurality of key tabs  38  about a perimeter  39 . The plug  62  further comprises a tool element  71  suitable for engaging a tool to assist in installing and removing the dot element assembly  65  from the hub  23 . The plug  62  further comprises a plug perimeter lip  73  for engaging the biasing member  66 . 
         [0057]    The hub  23  comprises a respective keyway  40  for removable engagement with each of the key tabs  38  of the plug  62 . The keyway  40  is adapted to accept the key tab  38  therein and engage the key tab  38  when the plug  62  is rotated relative to the hub  23 . The engagement is facilitated by locking means comprising an engagement slot  47  and an engagement tab  49 . Each key tab  38  enters and rotates within a respective engagement slot  47  and is retained within the engagement slot  47  by the combination of the engagement tab  49  and the urging bias of the biasing member  66 . 
         [0058]    The hub  23  further comprises a lip  26  about the hub aperture  24  adapted to engage a front perimeter edge  59  of the dot element  50  when the dot element  50  is placed within the hub  23 . The dot element  50  further comprises a front portion  91  that is adapted to extend within and through the hub aperture  24 . The dot element  50  is retained between the plug  62  and the lip  26  with the dot element  50  biasedly urged against the lip  26  by the biasing element  66 , the biasing element  66  engaging a dot element front perimeter edge  93  of the dot element  50 , and wherein the biasing member  66  engaging the plug perimeter lip  73  when assembled. The biased engagement provides a secure coupling of the dot element  50  and the plug  62  with the hub  23 . Further, the biased engagement ensures that the dot element  50  does not rattle due to vibration and the like. The biasing element  66  may be any resilient element suitable for the particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, a wire spring, a curved plate, a rubber disk, a rubber washer, and a split metal washer. 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded view of a dot element assembly  65  and a partial view of the tribar support  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the plug  162  has a front portion  51  that replaces the dot element  50  of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . The dot element assembly  65  comprises a biasing member  66  and a plug  162 . The plug  162  is adapted to couple to the hub  23 . 
         [0060]    The hub  23  comprises a respective keyway  40  for removable engagement with each of the key tabs  38  of the plug  162 . The keyway  40  is adapted to accept the key tab  38  therein and engage the key tab  38  when the plug  162  is rotated relative to the hub  23 . The engagement is facilitated by locking means comprising an engagement slot  47  and an engagement tab  49 . Each key tab  38  enters and rotates within a respective engagement slot  47  and is retained within the engagement slot  47  by the combination of the engagement tab  49  and the urging bias of the biasing member  66 . 
         [0061]    The hub  23  further comprises a lip  26  about the hub aperture  24  adapted to engage and contain the biasing element  66 . The plug  162  further comprises a front portion  51  that is adapted to extend within and through the hub aperture  24 . The plug  162  defines a perimeter lip  73  for engagement with the biasing element  66 . The plug  162  is retained within the hub  23  with the biasing element engaging the lip  26  and the plug perimeter lip  73  of the plug  162  with the key tabs  38  retained in the keyways  40 . The biasing element  66  may be any resilient element suitable for the particular purpose, such as, but not limited to, a wire spring, a curved plate, a rubber disk, a rubber washer, and a split metal washer. 
         [0062]    The plug  62  further comprises a tool element  71  suitable for engaging a tool to assist in installing and removing the plug  162  from the hub  23 . 
         [0063]    It is appreciated that the features of the tribar headlight as described above may be utilized for other lighting configurations, such as, but not limited to, automobile interior lighting, exterior lighting, commercial lighting, residential lighting, portable lighting, and other lighting applications. 
         [0064]    While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.