`Umted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`”IllII III Hi ||||| |||1|IIIIIllll Illllill llfllllllllllflll III
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`USOOS711592A
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`[11] Patent Number:
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`5,711,592
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`Hotta
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jan. 27, 1998
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`[S4] LANIPLIGHT DEVICE FOR VEHICLE
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`[75]
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`Inventor: Yoshihiko Hotta. Wake. Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki
`Kaisha. Tokyo, Japan
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`5,101,193
`5,165,772
`5,186,533
`5,227,773
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`3/1992 Smith et all
`.............................. 359/15
`11/1992 Wu ................
`362/26
`
`
`2/1993 Hori
`......
`359/22
`.................................. 362/31
`7/1993 Wu et al.
`
`[21] App]. No.: 542,452
`'
`9
`[22] Filed'
`Oct. 12 1995
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Oct. 25, 1994
`[JP]
`Japan .................................... 6-283991
`
`Primary Examiner—Alan Cariaso
`Anomey, Agent, or Firm—Weiner. Carrier‘ Burt & Essex.
`RC; Joseph P. Carrier; Irving M. Weiner
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A lamplight device for a vehicle which is inconspicuous
`6
`when it is turned off is provided. The lamplight device
`[131g CC]l 36m352/3f6322/ég30 comprises a reflection type or transmission type optical
`'
`‘
`' 362/311362/327 362/3£0 359/1’5_ 359,34’
`member installed on a predeterminedplace of a vehicle body
`B"eld f.S rch,
`’
`’
`’
`'
`either directly or through an appearance member. and is
`1
`325/3734OI47981556 3155921}32522?
`adapted to reflect or retract a light of a specific wave length.
`o
`80 2,6 27 31’ 32 '293‘ 801 3’27 330‘
`a light projecting mechanism for projecting a light of the
`’
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`specific wave length. and a light guiding mechanism for
`guiding the light projected from the light projecting mecha—
`nism to an outer surface'or an reverse surface of the
`reflection type or transmisswn type opncal member.
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
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`[2;]
`58
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`]
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`[
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`[56]
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`4,892,369
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`References Cited
`U S PA
`D
`111990 Moss
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`S
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`359/22
`
`
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`Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Petitioner - EX. 1004
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`US. Patent
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`Jan. 27, 1993
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`1
`LAMPLIGHT DEVICE FOR VEHICLE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a lamplight device for a
`vehicle which is installed on a surface of a vehicular body
`and emits light to the surroundings for illumination or
`indication.
`
`2. Description of Relevant Art
`Generally. a lamplight device for a vehicle such as a
`winker. a taillight. a stoplight or the like has a lens covering
`the surface of the vehicular body and a bulb as a light source
`housed inside the lens. The lens has its own color. for
`example. amber in case of the winker and red in cases of the
`taillight and the stoplight. so that the color tone of the light
`portion is ditferent from that of the vehicular body even if
`the light is turned off. and it has been a large restriction for
`appearance design of the vehicle.
`Some vehicles have amber LED or red LED arranged for
`a lamplight device. but in this case also the color tone of the
`place arranged with the LED is diflerent from that of the
`vehicular body when the LED is turned off.
`Accordingly. there is a case that a smoky lens is adopted.
`For example. in the case of the winker a smoky outer lens
`is disposed over the outside of the amber lens. In this winker.
`since the inner lens appears dark when the winker is not
`turned on owing to the transmission factor of the smoky
`lens. the amber color is not conspicuous. Sometimes a lens
`colored by an amber pigment added with a smoky color
`pigment is used.
`Further. there is a case that a winker having a colorless
`transparent lens with a lens-cut and an amber filter provided
`around a bulb is used. In this case. since light from the turn
`on bulb becomes amber at the filter and is scattered at the
`lens—cut. an area of the portion colored amber can be reduced
`compared with the light emitting area of the winker. When
`the winker is not turned on. the interior of the winker can
`hardly be seen owing to the lens-cut and the amber color is
`not conspicuous.
`However. in the former case wherein the smoky lens is
`used. since light quantity from the bulb is decreased corre—
`sponding to the transmission factor of the smoky lens. a
`smoky lens having so dark color as to make a color tone of
`the inner lens invisible can not be provided.
`In the latter case wherein the filter is provided around the
`bulb. the interior of the winker can be seen more or less
`through the lens-cut because the Ions is colorless and
`transparent. Therefore. a suflicient effect to make the appear-
`ance inconspicuous can not be obtained and further there s
`a problem that the whole radiating surface does not emit
`light uniformly when the winker is turned on.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is accomplished in View of the
`above points and it is an object of the present invention to
`provide a lamplight device for a vehicle in which a color
`assumed by a lens when the device is not turned on can be
`set freely so as to a degree of freedom of the appearance
`design.
`In order to achieve the above object. according to the
`present invention. there is provided a lamplight device for a
`vehicle comprising a reflection type optical member
`installed on a predetermined place of a vehicular body
`directly or through an appearance member and adapted to
`reflect light of a specific wave length. a light projecting
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`means for projecting light of the specific wave length. and
`a light guiding means for guiding the light projected from
`the light projecting means to an outer surface of the reflec-
`tion type optical member.
`When the light projecting means projects the light of the
`specific wave length. the light is guided to the outer surface
`of the reflection type optical member by the light guiding
`means and reflected. therefore the predetermined place of
`the vehicle can be lit with the light of the specific wave
`length.
`When the light projecting means does not project the light
`of the specific wave length.
`the reflection type optical
`member lets exterior light pass so that the surface of the
`vehicular body or the appearance member can be seen
`through the optical member. Therefore. it is possible to
`freely give the place installed with the optical member the
`same color tone as the vehicular body color or a voluntary
`color tone by means of the appearance member.
`thus
`improving a degree of freedom of the appearance design.
`The present invention provides also a lamplight device for
`a vehicle comprising a transmission type optical member
`installed on a predetermined place of a vehicular body
`directly or through an appearance member and adapted to
`retract of a specific wave length. a light projecting means for
`projecting a light of the specific wave length. and a light
`guiding means for guiding the light projected from the light
`projecting means to a reverse surface of the transmission
`type optical member.
`In this lamplight device. when the light projecting means
`projects the light of the specific wave length. the light is
`guided to the reverse surface of the transmission type optical
`member by the light guiding means and refracted Therefore.
`the predetermined place of the vehicle can be lit with the
`light of the specific wave length.
`When the light projecting means does not project the light
`of the specific wave length. the transmission type optical
`member lets exterior light pass so that the surface of the
`vehicular body or the appearance member can be seen
`through the optical member. Therefore. it is possible to
`freely give the place installed with the optical member the
`same color tone as the vehicular body color or a voluntary
`color tone by means of the appearance member.
`thus
`improving a degree of freedom of the appearance design.
`In a lamplight device of the present invention. the light
`projected from the light projecting means enters into an end
`portion of the light guiding means. According to the lamp-
`light device. it is unnecessary to position the light projecting
`means behind the lens or transmission type optical member
`so that the lamplight device can be formed thin and the
`degree of freedom of the design is also improved.
`In another lamplight device of the present invention. first
`and second optical members adapted to reflect or refract
`respectively light of first and second specific wave lengths
`difierent from each other are combined. the light guiding
`means is arranged adjacent
`to the combined optical
`members. a first light projecting means for projecting light
`of the first specific wave length is positioned at an end
`portion of the light guiding means near to the first optical
`member. and a second light projecting means for projecting
`light of the second specific wave length is positioned at
`another end portion of the light guiding means near to the
`second optical member. thereby lights of different wave
`lengths enter into the light guiding means from both end
`portions thereof. This lamplight device can emit lights of
`different color tones in spite of a simple and compact
`constitution. Other advantages. objects and salient features
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`of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed
`description which. when taken in conjunction with the
`appended drawings. discloses preferred embodiments of the
`invention.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an automobile
`installed with lamplight devices according to one embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a disintegrated perspective view of a high-mount
`stoplight;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an integrated state
`of the high-mount stoplight;
`FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the high-mount stoplight;
`FIG. 5 is a disintegrated perspective view of a rear
`combination light;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an integated state
`of the rear combination light;
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the rear combination light;
`and
`
`FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a taillight according to
`another embodiment of the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Hereinafter. an embodiment of the present invention will
`be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 is an
`outside view of an automobile 1 applied with lamplight
`device of the embodiment viewed from rear and obliquely
`above.
`
`Arear wing3furuished on atrunklid2in arear part of
`the vehicular body has a rear end surface 3a facing rearward
`and extending transversely in the right and left direction. and
`at the middle of the end surface 30 is provided a laterally
`elongated high-mount stoplight 10. At right and left corner
`portions of a rear body cover 4 are provided rear combina—
`tion lights 20 having a winker and a brake lamp combined
`together.
`First. the construction of the high-mount stoplight 10 will
`be described with reference to FIGS. 2—4. FIG. 2 is a
`disintegrated perspective view of the high-mount stoplight
`10. A lens 11 constitutes a light guiding member as well as
`an outer surface of the vehicular body and is formed in a
`shape of an elongate board extending transversely in the
`right and left direction. Both end portions 11a. 11a of the
`lens 11 are bent a little in front. and end faces 11b. 11b face
`obliquely outside. A surface 11c of a long rectangular
`portion excluding both end portions 11a. Ila forms a part of
`the rear end surface 3a of the rear wing 3.
`To the reverse surface 11d of the lens 11 is joined a
`laterally elongate rectangular reflection type hologram sheet
`12 and further on the sheet 12 is joined a similarly laterally
`elongate and rectangular colored base sheet 13.
`The reflection type hologram sheet 12 is an optical
`member having a nature to selectively reflect red light and
`transmit the other light. The colored base sheet 13 is colored
`in the same color as the vehicular body color and the rear
`wing 3 is also painted in the same color.
`On each of the end faces 11b of both end portions 11a of
`the lens 11 is provided a light projecting means which
`comprises a paraboloid reflector 15. a bulb l4 housed within
`the reflector 15 and a red filter 16 covering the opening
`portion of the reflector 15 and attached to the end face 11b.
`FIG. 3 shows the assembled high-mount stoplight 10. It is
`elongate in the right and left direction and thin and flat in its
`entirety.
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`4
`When the bulbs 14 are turned off. exterior light passes
`through the lens 11 and the reflection type hologram sheet
`12. reflects at the colored base sheet 13 and again passes
`through the reflection type hologram sheet 12 and the lens
`11. so that the color of the colored base sheet 13. namely the
`color of the vehicular body. can be seen as it is on the lens
`surface of the high-mount stoplight 10. Therefore. the rear
`end surface 3a of the rear wing 3 becomes the same color in
`its entirely 11c and the existence or presence of the high-
`mount stoplight 10 is not sensed by observers when the
`bulbs 14 are not on.
`
`When the bulbs 14 are turned on. the light reflects at the
`paraboloid reflector 15 covering the behind of the bulbs 14
`to generate parallel light, which passes through the red filter
`16 to become red light and then enters into the lens 11 which
`acts as a fight guiding member. The red light advances
`within the lens 11 reflecting to the surface of the reflection
`type hologram sheet 12 and is reflected at the lens surface
`11c. Since the reflected red light passes through the lens 11.
`the lens surface 11c of the high—mount stoplight 10 lights in
`red.
`
`As described above. the high—mount stoplight 10 assumes
`the same color as the painted color of the rear wing 3 and its
`existence is not conspicuous when it is turned elf. 0n the
`other hand. when it is turned on. it lights in red and can play
`a role of the stoplight. Therefore. the degree of freedom of
`the vehicle appearance design is improved.
`In addition. since it is possible to construct the whole
`high-mount stoplight in a flat configuration by arranging the
`light source at an end portion. a large installing space is
`unnecessary and the degree of freedom of the layout is also
`improved.
`Hitherto. sometimes an exterior light entering into a
`conventional lamplight reflects at a reflector thereof and
`suspectedly lights the exterior lens of the lamplight in red
`However in the stoplight 10 according to the invention. even
`if the exterior light enters into the lens 11 when it is not
`lighted. the light reflects at the colored base sheet 13 to
`assume the same color as the vehicular body and the
`suspected lighting never occurs.
`Next. the construction of the rear combination light 20
`will be explained based on FIGS. 5—7.
`FIG. 5 is a disintegrated perspective view of the rear
`combination light 20 in which a board-shaped lens 21
`constituting a light guiding member as well as an outer
`surface of the vehicular body is bent along a comer portion
`of the rear body cover 4. The lens 21 is elongate in the right
`and left direction and has a slightly curved outside surface.
`On a central portion in the vertical direction of the outside
`surface is formed a belt-shaped swelled part 21a extending
`in the right and left direction. The surface of the swelled part
`21a forms a part of the rear body cover 4.
`Thicknesses of upper and lower end portions 21b. 21c of
`the lens 21 are gradually increased toward inside as
`approaching upper and lower end faces 21d. 21c. Laterally
`elongate rectangular board-shaped reflection type hologram
`sheets 22. 23 having a bent end portion are in contact with
`each other up and down so as to form a board and these
`hologram sheets 22. 23 are joined to a reverse surface 21f of
`the lens 21 except at the upper and lower end portions 21b.
`21c. Then, on the hologram sheets 22. 23 is joined a colored
`base sheet 24 having the same shape.
`The upper reflection type hologram sheet 22 is an optical
`member having a nature to selectively reflect amber light
`and transmit
`the other light. The lower reflection type
`hologram sheet 23 is an optical member having a nature to
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`selectively reflect red light and transmit the other light. The
`colored base sheet 24 is colored in the same color as the
`vehicular body color.
`On the upper and lower end faces 21d. 21a of the lens 21
`are attached bar-shaped LED supporting members 25. 27
`respectively. In the upper LED supporting member 25 are
`arranged lengthwise amber color LEDs 26 facing to the
`lower face and in the lower LED supporting member 27 are
`arranged lengthwise red color LEDs 28 facing to the upper
`face.
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`the rear combination light 20
`As shown in FIG. 6.
`assembled in such manner as described above assumes a
`shape of a very thin and flat board in its entirety with one end
`bent.
`When the amber color LEDs 26 and the red color LEDs
`28 are turned of. exterior light passes through the lens 21
`and the reflection type hologram sheets 22. 23 and reflects
`at the colored base sheet 24 so that the color of the colored
`base sheet 24. namely the color of the vehicular body. can be
`seen as it is on the lens surface of the rear combination light
`20. Therefore. the corner portion of the rear body cover 4.
`including the combination light 20. becomes the same color
`in its entirety and the existence of the rear combination when
`the LEDs 26. 28 are not lit light 20 is not conspicuous.
`When the amber color LEDs 26 are turned on. the amber
`light from the LEDs 26 enters into the lens 21 which acts as
`a light guiding member from the upper end face 21d and
`advances within the lens 21 reflecting to the outside surface
`of the reflection type hologram sheet 22 and is reflected at
`the surface. Since the reflected amber light passes through
`the lens 21. an upper portion of the lens surface of the rear
`combination light 20 lights in amber color.
`It is to be noted that as the reflection type hologram sheet
`23 does not reflect the amber color light. the lower portion
`of the lens surface of the rear combination light 20 does not
`light. Therefore. in response to turning on and oflr of the
`amber color LED 26. the upper portion of the rear combi-
`nation light 20 turns on and offin amber color and thus turn
`indication to the right or the left can be carried out.
`Next. when the red color LEDs 28 are turned on. the red
`light enters into the lens 21 from the lower end face 21e and
`advances within the lens 21 repeating reflection to the
`outside surface of the reflection type hologram sheet 23 and
`is reflected at the surface. The reflected red light passes
`through the lens 21 and the lower portion of the lens surface
`of the rear combination light 20 lights in red color.
`As the upper reflection hologram sheet 22 does not reflect
`the red color light. the upper portion of the lens surface of
`the rear combination light 20 does not light. Therefore. when
`the red color LEDs 26 are turned on. the lower portion of the
`rear combination light 20 lights in red color to enable a brake
`operation indication.
`In the rear combination light 20 also. a large degree of
`freedom of the appearance design can be achieved and the
`suspected lighting caused by external light in conventional
`lamplight devices can be prevented.
`Since the rear combination light is very thin in itself and
`arranged on the corner portion of the rear body cover 4. it
`does not reduce the volume of the trunk and a degree of
`freedom of the layout is improved.
`Though in the above-mentioned high-mount stoplight 10
`and rear combination light 20. the colored base sheets 13, 24
`have the same color as the vehicular body color so as not to
`be conspicuous. on the contrary, it is also possible to set a
`voluntary color freely for the colored base sheet or to give
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`it a pattern or indicia. Accordingly. the degree of freedom of
`the appearance design is increased still more.
`Next. another embodiment of the invention using a trans-
`mission type hologram sheet will be described based on FIG.
`8. This embodiment is a taillight and FIG. 8 is a sectional
`view of the taillight 40. Inside of a transparent outer lens 41
`is arranged a transmission type hologram sheet 42 joined to
`a light guiding member 43. and on a reverse side surface and
`at a position corresponding to the transmission type holo-
`gram sheet 42 is joined a colored base sheet 44.
`The transmission type hologram sheet 42 has a nature to
`refract selectively only red color light and the colored base
`sheet 44 is colored in the same color as the vehicular body
`color. The light guiding member 43 has an extension part
`43a extending downward and a red color filter 45 is arranged
`opposite to a lower end face 43b of the extension part 43a
`which is somewhat slant. The red color filter covers a
`paraboloid reflector 46 like a lid. and at a focus of the
`paraboloid reflector 46 is arranged a bulb 47.
`When the bulb 47 is turned off. exterior light passes
`through the outer lens 41. the transmission type hologam
`sheet 42 and the light guiding member 43 and reflects at the
`colored base sheet 44. so that the color of the colored base
`sheet 44. namely the color of the vehicular body. can be seen
`as it is on the outer lens surface of the taillight 40 and the
`existence of the taillight 40 is not conspicuous.
`When the bulb 47 is turned on. the light from the bulb 47
`reflects at the paraboloid reflector 46 to generate parallel
`light. passes through the red color filter 45 to become red
`light and enters into the light guiding member 43. The red
`light then advances within the light guiding member 43
`repeating reflection to the reverse side surface of the trans-
`mission type hologram sheet 42. is refracted at the surface
`and passes through the hologram sheet 42 to light the outer
`lens surface of the taillight 40 in red.
`The taillight 40 assumes the same color as the painted
`color of the vehicular body and its existence is not con-
`spicuous when the bulb 47 is turned off. but it can play a role
`as a stoplight because it lights up in red when the bulb 47 is
`turned on. Therefore. the degree of freedom of the appear-
`ance design is improved. Because it can be constructed flat
`in its entirety by arranging the light source part in a lower
`end portion. a large attaching space is unnecessary and the
`degree of freedom of the layout
`is also improved In
`addition. the suspected lighting caused by external light in
`conventional lamplight devices can be prevented.
`Instead of using the colored base sheet 44 of the same
`color as the vehicular body color. the light guiding member
`43 may be joined to the painted vehicular body surface
`directly. Therefore. the colored base sheet 44 is not indis-
`pensable.
`The present invention can be applied also to other various
`lamplight devices such as a fog fight. a front winker or the
`like.
`
`Although there have been described what are present
`considered to be the preferred embodiments of the
`invention. it will be understood that variations and modifi-
`cations may be made thereto without departing from the
`spirit and essence thereof. The scope of the invention is
`indicated by the appended claims. rather than by the fore-
`going description.
`What is claimed is:
`1 A lamplight device for a vehicle comprising:
`a reflection type optical member installed on a light-
`impervious. exterior surface of a vehicular body and
`adapted to reflect light of a specific wave length;
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`a light projecting means for projecting light of said
`specific wave length; and
`a light guiding means for guiding the light projected from
`said light projecting means to an outer surface of said
`reflection type optical member.
`2. A lamp light device for a vehicle comprising:
`a transmission type optical member installed on a light—
`impervious. exterior surface of a vehicular body and
`adapted to refract light of a specific wave length;
`a light projecting means for projecting light of said
`specific wave length; and
`a light guiding means for guiding the light projected from
`said light projecting means to a reverse surface of said
`transmission type optical member.
`3. Alamp light device for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1.
`including:
`first and second reflection type optical members respec-
`tively adapted to reflect light of first and second specific
`wave lengths diflerent from each other.
`the optical
`members being combined;
`said light guiding means includes a substantially planar
`member having said combined optical members
`arranged adjacent to one face thereof;
`a first light projecting means for projecting a light of a first
`specific wave length is positioned at an end portion of
`said substantially planar member near to said first
`optical member; and
`a second light projecting means for projecting light of said
`second specific wave length is positioned at another
`end portion of said substantially planar member near to
`said second optical member;
`thereby the fights of said first and second difl‘erent wave
`lengths are entered into said substantially planar mem-
`ber from both said end portions thereof.
`4. A lamp light device according to claim 1. wherein said
`optical member is installed directly on said exterior surface
`of the vehicular body. and an appearance of a surface of the
`exterior surface is visible through the optical member when
`said light projecting means is not projecting said light.
`5. A lamp light device for a vehicle according to claim 1.
`further including:
`a base member disposed between said optical member and
`the exterior surface of the vehicular body. and an
`appearance of a surface of said base member is visible
`through said optical member when said light projecting
`means is not projecting said light.
`6. A lamp light device according to claim 2. wherein said
`optical member is installed on the exterior Surface of the
`vehicular body through said light guiding means. and an
`appearance of a surface of said exterior surface is visible
`through said optical member when said light projecting
`means is not projecting said light.
`7. A lamp light device for a vehicle according to claim 2.
`further including:
`a base member disposed between said optical member and
`the exterior surface of the vehicular body. and an
`appearance of a surface of said base member is visible
`through said optical member when said light projecting
`means is not projecting said light.
`8. Alarnp light device for a vehicle as claimed in claim 2.
`including:
`first and second transmission type optical members
`respectively adapted to refract light of first and second
`specific wave lengths different from each other. the
`optical members being combined;
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`said light guiding means includes a substantially planar
`member having said combined optical members
`arranged adjacent to one face thereof;
`a first light projecting means for projecting a light of said
`first specific wave length is positioned at an end portion
`of said substantially planar member near to said first
`optical member; and
`a second light projecting means for projecting a light of
`said second specific wave length is positioned at
`another end portion of said substantially planar member
`near to said second optical member;
`thereby lights of said first and second different wave
`lengths are entered into said substantially planar mem-
`ber from said end portions thereof.
`9. A lamp light device according to claim 1. wherein said
`light guiding means includes a_ substantially planar member.
`said optical member is disposed on a surface of said sub-
`stantially planar member and together the light guiding
`means and the optical member have a layered. substantially
`flat configuration.
`10. A lamp light device according to claim 2. wherein said
`light guiding means includes a substantially planar member.
`said optical member is disposed on a surface of said sub—
`stantially planar member and together the substantially
`planar member and the optical member have a layered.
`substantially flat configuration.
`11. A lamp light device comprising:
`a specific light wave length optical member adapted to be
`installed on a light-impervious. exterior surface of an
`object;
`a light projecting means for projecting light of said
`specific wave length; and
`a light guiding means for guiding the light projected from
`said light projecting means to a surface of said optical
`member such that the light will then be projected away
`from the object by said optical member;
`said optical member permitting exterior light to pass
`therethrough when said light projecting means is not
`projecting said light of said specific wave length so that
`the exterior surface of said object is visible through the
`optical member.
`12. A lamp light device as claimed in claim 11 including:
`first and second optical members respectively associated
`with light of first and second specific wave lengths
`difierent from each other. the optical members being
`combined;
`
`said light guiding means includes a substantially planar
`member having said combined optical members
`arranged adjacent to one face thereof;
`a first light projecting means for projecting light of said
`first specific wave length is positioned at an end portion
`of said substantially planar member near to said first
`optical member; and
`a second light projecting means for projecting a light of
`said second specific wave length is positioned at
`another end portion of said substantially planar member
`near to said second optical member;
`thereby lights of said first and second different wave
`lengths are entered into said substantially planar mem-
`ber from both said end portions.
`13. A lamp light device according to claim 11. wherein
`said optical member is installed directly on said exterior
`surface of said object such that an appearance of the exterior
`surface is visible through the optical member when said light
`projecting means is not projecting light.
`
`9
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`5,711,592
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`14. A lamp light device according to claim 11. further
`including:
`a base member disposed between said optical member and
`the object. and an appearance of a surface of said base
`member is visible through said optical member when
`said light projecting means is not projecting said light.
`15. A lamp light device according to claim 3. wherein said
`first and second optical members as combined are disposed
`in a plane with an end edge of said first optical member
`connected to an end edge of said second optical member.
`16. A lamp light device according to claim 11. wherein
`said light guiding means also functions as an exterior lens on
`the vehicle.
`
`17. A lamp light device according to claim 5. wherein
`each of said fight guiding means. said optical member. and
`said base member is substantially planar. and said optical
`member. said light guiding means and said base member are
`joined together in a flat. layered configuration.
`
`18. A lamp light device according to claim 7. wherein
`each of said light guiding means. said optical member. and
`said base member is substantially planar. and said optical
`member. said light guiding means and said base member are
`joined together in a flat. layered configuration.
`19. A lamp light device according to claim 11. wherein
`said light guiding means includes a substantially planar
`member. said optical member is disposed on a surface of
`said substantially planar member. and together the substan-
`tially planar member and the optical member has a layer.
`substantially flat configuration.
`20. A lamp light device according to claim 11. wherein
`said exterior surface of said object is visible through both
`said optical member and said light guiding means when said
`light projecting means is not projecting light.
`*****
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT N0.
`
`DATED
`
`2
`
`1
`
`5,711,592
`
`27 January 1998
`
`INVENTOR$>2
`
`Yoshihiko Hotta
`
`Page 1 of 2
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby
`cmmmhuMmbmw
`
`in the Abstract,
`On the cover page,
`line 4, after "body" insert a comma;
`line 6, change "a light" to —~light-—;
`" to ——a reverse-—.
`
`line 10, change "an reverse
`Column 1,
`line numbered between 34 and 35, change "turn" to
`——turned——;
`line numbered between 48 and 49, change "Ions" to
`
`——lens——;
`line numbered between 50 and 51, change "there 5"
`to ——there is——;
`
`line 60, after "to" insert ——improve—-.
`Column 2, line numbered between 24 and 25, after "refract"
`insert ——light-—;
`line 67, begin a new paragraph at"0ther".
`
`line numbered between 33 and 34, change "direction"
`Column 3,
`to ——directions——;
`line numbered between 45 and 46, change "direction"
`to ——directions——;
`
`N
`line 66, change "direction to -—directions——.
`Column 4, line 7, after "surface" insert -—1lc——;
`line 9, change "entirely" to ——entirety—-; delete "11c";
`line 14, delete the comma;
`
`line numbered between 27 and 28, change "vehicle"
`
`to