Abstract:
A push lens is integrated with a bezel and connected to the bezel by an integrally formed hinge to allow the lens to deflect for actuating a switch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention pertains to a vehicle interior light assembly, and particularly to one with a lens which can be pushed to activate the light.  
           [0002]    Automobile interior lights are typically mounted in the headliner of a vehicle to provide interior light under low ambient light conditions. These lights are typically actuated by a switch on an exposed bezel in which the lamp is mounted. Some lamp assemblies have an individual lens which can be pushed to actuate an associated switch. Also, some lamp assemblies have dual lamps with a separate fixed lens covering each lamp, requiring two switches. A common problem with these lamp assemblies is the multitude of parts necessary to mount the switch(es) to a bezel or lamp base in addition to the lens, and, in some assemblies, there is a need to mount a separate lens for each lamp. Thus, it is costly and inefficient to mount switches and lenses for each lamp.  
           [0003]    An alternative approach has been to use a push lens, which pivots on an axis at one end and rests on a switch at the other end. However, such push lenses typically require multiple pieces which are costly, create multiple edges, and do not provide a smooth surface between the lenses. Other push lenses have been suggested which contain separate components for each lens, components which form a separate hinge for each lens, as well as parts that connect each lens to the hinge as well as the bezel.  
           [0004]    There exists a need, therefore, for a push lens which is relatively inexpensive, integrated as one piece, and which is capable of providing a source of light for the interior of a vehicle. There also exists a need for a push lens that has improved gap quality between the lens(es) and bezel as well as consistency in the overall quality of the part. Further, with the increasing sensitivity to the cost of vehicle components by manufacturers, it is desirable to have a push lens which is relatively inexpensive, requires less materials, is easy to install, and relatively convenient to replace the light bulbs in the lamp assembly.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The integral push lens of the present invention solves the need for a relatively inexpensive push lens which has improved gap quality and is capable of satisfying the lighting needs of modern vehicles. It accomplishes this goal by providing an integral lens and bezel. The lens and bezel are joined by a flex point which acts as a hinge to activate a switch. The push lens has an undercut tab that remains below the bezel to activate an associated switch to turn on or off a light source positioned behind the lens.  
           [0006]    Lamp assemblies embodying the present invention include a housing having sockets that receive light sources such as lamps, LEDs or the like. The integral push lens and bezel is fastened to the housing and covers the light source which is activated by pressing the push lens which pivots around an integrally molded hinge.  
           [0007]    These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a lamp assembly with a dual push lens embodying the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the dual push lens of FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2A is an enlarged cross-section of the dual push lens of FIG. 1, taken along section line IIa-IIa of FIG. 2.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the dual push lens of FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a left end view of the dual push lens of FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the dual push lens of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a single push lens embodying the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a top view of a double push lens embodying the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a double push lens embodying the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a lamp assembly  8  embodying the present invention. Assembly  8  includes a housing  26  and an integral dual push lens  10 . The lamp assembly  8  is attached to the headliner  30  or overhead console of a vehicle using conventional fastening techniques. Lens  10  integrally includes a left lens  12  and right lens  14  and a bezel  16 .  
         [0018]    The left lens  12  pivots on integrally molded hinge  18  to activate a switch  20  (FIG. 5). The right lens  14  does not pivot or activate a switch but is also integrally molded with the bezel  16  (FIG. 2). The integral lens  10  is attached to the housing  26  by fasteners  34  which may be screws or any other suitable fastener which allows the integral lens  10  to be attached to and removed from the housing  26 .  
         [0019]    Light sources  22  such as a lamp LED or the like are mounted in a socket  24  of housing  26  and covered by the integral lens  10  as seen in FIG. 2A. The light source  22  is positioned with a reflector  38  which is connected to the housing  26  and serves to reflect light produced by the light source  22  such that the corresponding lenses  12  and/or  14  are illuminated in an efficient manner. The light sources  22  may be activated when the door of the vehicle is opened or alternatively by depression of the left lens  12  which has an undercut tab  28  that positions the left lens  12  with respect to the bezel  16  while activating an aligned switch  20  when the press area  32  (FIG. 2) is actuated. The switch  20  is mounted to the housing  26  such that it may be activated by the undercut tab  28  of the integral dual push lens  10  to supply electrical power from the vehicle&#39;s electrical system to the light source  22  within socket  24 .  
         [0020]    The housing  26  is integrally molded of a suitable polymeric material such as polycarbonate and includes an electrical circuit  40  which allows the switch  20  to activate the light source  22  through the lamp socket  24 . The housing  26  also includes a plurality of apertures for attaching the housing  26  to the supporting roof structure of a vehicle using threaded fasteners.  
         [0021]    In another embodiment (FIG. 6), a single lens  42  is attached to the bezel  40  by an integrally molded hinge  48 . The undercut tab  49  activates a switch  20  when a press area (such as area in the first embodiment) of lens  42  is compressed  
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment (FIG. 7), a left lens  52  pivots on an integrally molded hinge  58  to activate a switch  20  by an undercut tab  53 . Similarly, the right lens  54  pivots around a similar integrally molded hinge  58 . Each lens has a press area (such as area  32  in the first embodiment) which is pressed to activate a corresponding switch  20 . When the press area on the left lens  52  is actuated, switch  20  is actuated by the undercut tab  53  to turn the light source on or off. When the press area on the right lens  54  is actuated, switch  20  is activated by an undercut tab  57  to turn a light source on or off.  
         [0023]    The left integrally molded hinge  58  and the right integrally molded hinge  58  meet at the middle section  55  of bezel  56 . The undercut tabs  53 ,  57  rest above the bezel  56  to assist in activating the respective switches  20 .  
         [0024]    In an alternative embodiment (FIG. 8), a left lens  74  pivots on an integrally molded hinge  70  to activate a switch by an undercut tab  67 . Similarly, the right lens  72  pivots around the same integrally molded hinge  70  to activate a switch by an undercut tab  67 . The integral lens is attached to a housing by buttons  71  located at or near the molded hinge  70 . The area between the left lens  74  and the right lens  72  acts as the bezel  69 . When the press area of the left lens  74  is actuated, a switch is actuated by the undercut tab  67  to turn the light source on or off. When the press area of the right lens  72  is actuated, a switch is activated by the undercut tab  67  to turn a light source on or off.  
         [0025]    The light sources  22  that are placed beneath the integral lens in each embodiment are serviced by removing the bezel  16  from the housing  26 . The hinges that connect the bezel  16  to the left lens  12  and/or the right lens  14  are approximately 0.5 to 2.0 mm thick. The integral lens  10  is comprised of a polycarbonate material, however, various materials including, but not limited to, acrylic, may be used so long as the material is capable of allowing the light source  22  to illuminate the interior of a vehicle through each lens while allowing the integrally molded hinge  18  to move the lens with respect to the bezel  16  to actuate the switches  20  for light sources  22 .  
         [0026]    The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiment only. Modification of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.