United States Patent [19]
`
`Skoff
`
`-
`
`4,024,388
`[11]
`[45] May 17, 1977
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`[73]
`
`[22]
`[21]
`[52]
`[51]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`CORNERING LIGHT SYSTEM FOR
`TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES
`Inventor: Roger E. Skoff, Los Angeles, Calif.
`Assignees: Marvin H. Kleinberg, Inc.; Richard
`Morganstern Inc.; Seymour A.
`Scholnick, all of Beverly Hills, Calif.
`Mar. 24, 1975
`Filed:
`Appl. No.: 561,649
`U.S. Cl. ............................ 240/7.55; 240/7.1 R;
`240/8.24
`Int. Cl* ....................... B62V 5/00; B600 1/12
`Field of Search ............. 240/7.1 R, 7.55, 62 R,
`240/62.2, 62.4, 58, 8.24
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`Hancock .......................... 240/62 R
`6/1923
`Showalterbaugh .............. 240/62 R
`10/1923
`Calkins ............................ 240/62 R
`12/1925
`..... 240/62 R
`8/1952 Tostevin .....................
`
`1,458,761
`1,472,141
`1,567,112
`2,606,999
`
`3,567,918 3/1971 Schable ...............". . . . . . . . . . . 240/7, 1 R
`FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
`A19,916 8/1965 Germany .......................... 240/7.55
`Primary Examiner—George H. Miller, Jr.
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Seymour A. Scholnick
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A cornering light system has a left beam and a right
`beam, each having a novel combination of cross sec
`tional shape and orientation with respect to the vehicle.
`The cross sectional shape and orientation used have
`been found to provide optimum illumination of the
`roadway in the direction of turn. A two-wheeled vehi
`cle necessarily leans toward the inside of the turn when
`cornering. As the vehicle tilts the appropriate beam is
`tilted into an efficient orientation for illuminating the
`roadway. An electrical switch activated by tilt of the
`vehicle is provided to operate the appropriate beam
`only when the vehicle is actually cornering.
`8 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`SL Corporation v. Adaptive Headlamp Technologies, Inc.
`
`
`
`SL Corp. Exhibit 1038
`Case IPR2016-00193
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent May 17, 1977
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`U.S. Patent May 17, 1977
`U.S. Patent May17, 1977
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`U.S. Patent May 17, 1977
`U.S. Patent May 17, 1977
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`U.S. Patent May 17, 1977
`U.S. Patent May 17, 1977
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`Sheet 4 of4
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`4,024,388
`4,024,388
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`

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`1
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`4,024,388
`4,024,388
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`tives. They are interesting here in that they both show
`tives. They are interesting here in that they both show
`pendulous means for rotating the headlight as the loco
`CORNERING LIGHT SYSTEM FOR
`CORNERING LIGHT SYSTEM FOR
`pendulous means for rotating the headlight as the loco-
`motive rounds a bend. Because the effect of centrifugal
`TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES
`TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES
`motive rounds a bend. Because the efiect of centrifugal
`force on the pendulous element was not taken into
`force on the pendulous element was not taken into
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`account in the design of these inventions, it would
`account
`in the‘ design of these inventions,
`it would
`appear that their effectiveness is limited to curves on
`l. Field of the Invention
`1. Field of the Invention
`appear that their effectiveness is limited to curves on
`which the road bed is overbanked.
`I
`The present invention relates to a lighting system for
`which the road bed is overbanked.
`The present invention relates to a lighting system for
`Thus, it would appear that none of the prior art dis
`use on two-wheeled vehicles, and more particularly to
`Thus, it would appear that none of the prior art dis-
`use on two-wheeled vehicles, and more particularly to
`closes or suggests the canting of the beam pattern of
`a system including a non-rotatable headlight for mount
`closes or suggests the canting of the beam pattern of
`a system including a non-rotatable headlight for mount-
`the cornering lights to compensate for the tilt of a two
`ing on the frame of a two-wheeled vehicle to enable an
`the cornering lights to compensate for the tilt of a two-
`ing on the frame of a two-wheeled vehicle to enable an
`wheeled vehicle during a turn.
`operator to see hazards lying in his path as the vehicle
`wheeled vehicle during a turn.
`operator to see hazards lying in his path as the vehicle
`executes a cornering maneuver. Two-wheeled vehicles
`executes a cornering maneuver. Two-wheeled vehicles
`SUMMARY
`SUMMARY
`tilt toward the inside of the curve when making a cor
`tilt toward the inside of the curve when making a cor-
`Unlike a three— or a four-wheeled vehicle, a two-
`Unlike a three- or a four-wheeled vehicle, a two
`nering maneuver, thereby rendering the conventional
`nering maneuver, thereby rendering the conventional
`15
`wheeled vehicle necessarily leans to the inside of the
`headlight mounted thereon ineffective for illuminating
`wheeled vehicle necessarily leans to the inside of the
`15
`headlight mounted thereon ineffective for illuminating
`curve while turning. This condition of leaning creates a
`the path. The cornering light system of the present
`curve while turning. This condition of leaning creates a
`the path. The cornering light system of the present
`peculiar and severe problem for the two-wheeled vehi
`invention includes a lamp having a rectangular beam
`peculiar and severe problem for the two-wheeled vehi-
`invention includes a lamp having a rectangular beam
`cle regarding night-time lighting.
`-
`mounted in such a way that its centerline is inclined to
`cle regarding night-time lighting.
`.
`mounted in such a way that its centerline is inclined to
`Part of the problem is that the road ahead of the
`the horizontal plane and oriented so that the projection
`Part of the problem is that the road ahead of the
`the horizontal plane and oriented so that the projection
`20
`two-wheeled vehicle curves out of the area illuminated
`two-wheeled vehicle curves out of the area illuminated
`of the centerline onto the horizontal plane forms a
`of the centerline onto the horizontal plane forms a
`20
`by the vehicle's main conventional headlight. This ef
`predetermined angle with the vehicle longitudinal axis,
`by the vehicle's main conventional headlight. This ef-
`predetermined angle with the vehicle longitudinal axis,
`fect is made worse by the peculiar way in which a two
`and whose rectangular cross-section is rotated about
`fect is made worse by the peculiar way in which a two
`and whose rectangular cross-section is rotated about
`wheeled vehicle is caused to turn at high speeds. At
`wheeled vehicle is caused to turn at high speeds. At
`the centerline of the beam to a particularly advanta
`the centerline of the beam to a particularly advanta-
`high speeds turning is not accomplished by steering or
`geous angle. In operation, the lamp is fixed to the front
`high speeds turning is not accomplished by steering or
`geous angle. In operation, the lamp is fixed to the front
`turning the front wheel but rather by leaning. The oper
`fork or to the frame of the vehicle and does not rotate
`fork or to the frame of the vehicle and does not rotate
`turning the front wheel but rather by leaning. The oper-
`ator shifts his weight to which ever side he desires to
`with respect thereto, tilting with the vehicle as the
`ator shifts his weight to which ever side he desires to
`with respect thereto, tilting with the vehicle as the
`turn, and the vehicle then executes the turn without
`vehicle tilts into the corner, and thereby being brought
`turn, and the vehicle then executes the turn without
`vehicle tilts into the comer, and thereby being brought
`any significant turning of the front wheel. Thus, the
`into an orientation effective for illuminating hazards
`into an orientation effective for illuminating hazards
`any significant turning of the front wheel. Thus, the
`headlight, even if mounted on the front wheel or on the
`lying ahead on a curved road.
`headlight, even if mounted on the front wheel or on the
`lying ahead on a curved road.
`30
`2. The Prior Art
`handle bars remains pointed in the direction of the
`handle bars remains pointed in the direction of the
`2. The Prior Art
`30
`longitudinal axis of the body of the vehicle. As a result,
`Much work has been done on systems for pivoting
`longitudinal axis of the body of the vehicle. As a result,
`Much work has been done on systems for pivoting
`the light beam or the headlight does not anticipate in
`automobile headlamps. Unlike a two-wheeled vehicle,
`the light beam or the headlight does not anticipate in
`automobile headlamps. Unlike a two-wheeled vehicle,
`any way the direction in which the vehicle is turning; in
`an automobile tends to roll outwards during a turn,
`an automobile tends to roll outwards during a turn,
`any way the direction in which the vehicle is turning; in
`fact, it tends to lag the turning of the vehicle. More
`rather than to tilt into the turn. As a result, systems for
`fact, it tends to lag the turning of the vehicle. More-
`rather than to tilt into the turn. As a result, systems for
`over, some drivers under some turning conditions find
`pivoting automobile headlamps must invariably direct
`over, some drivers under some turning conditions find
`pivoting automobile headlamps must invariably direct
`it advantageous to steer in a direction slightly opposite
`the beam more and more downwards as the rotating
`the beam more and more downwards as the rotating
`it advantageous to steer in a direction slightly opposite
`to the direction in which the motorcycle or bicycle is
`headlight pivots away from its straight ahead position.
`to the direction in which the motorcycle or bicycle is
`headlight pivots away from its straight ahead position.
`actually turning. This simply aggravates the illumina
`Therefore, it is necessary to consider only the prior art
`actually turning. This simply aggravates the illumina-
`Therefore, it is necessary to consider only the prior art
`tion problem.
`dealing with two-wheeled vehicles.
`tion problem.
`dealing with two-wheeled vehicles.
`The required degree of leaning is proportional to
`U.S. Pat. No. 606,974, issued July 5, 1898, and U.S.
`The required degree of leaning is proportional to
`U.S. Pat. No. 606,974, issued July 5, I898, and U.S.
`both the speed of the vehicle and the sharpness of the
`both the speed of the vehicle and the sharpness of the
`Pat. No. 614,733, issued Nov. 22, 1898, both to Leuc
`Pat. No. 6l4,733, issued Nov. 22, 1898, both to Leuc-
`turn. Unfortunately it is precisely under the conditions
`kert show a compound reflecting surface for use with a
`turn. Unfortunately it is precisely under the conditions
`kert show a compound reflecting surface for use with a
`of high speed and sharp turns that the need for ade
`non-electric lantern, for producing a beam pattern
`of high speed and sharp turns that the need for ade-
`non-electric lantern, for producing a beam pattern
`quate lighting is greatest, and the performance of the
`having side lobes. The lamp cannot be switched off and
`quate lighting is greatest, and the performance of the
`having side lobes. The lamp cannot be switched off and
`45
`conventional headlight is least effective.
`conventional headlight is least effective.
`on easily, and the cross-section of the beam is not
`45
`on easily, and the cross-section of the beam is not
`To compensate for the functional limitations of con
`canted with respect to its centerline to compensate for
`To compensate for the functional limitations of con-
`canted with respect to its centerline to compensate for
`ventional lighting systems the present invention is di
`tilt of the vehicle as the vehicle rounds a curve.
`ventional lighting systems the present invention is di-
`tilt of the vehicle as the vehicle rounds a curve.
`rected towards a cornering light system for two
`rected towards a cornering light system for
`two-
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,710,819, issued Apr. 30, 1929, to
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,710,819, issued Apr. 30, 1929, to
`wheeled vehicles. The system is a preferred embodi
`Griffin shows a headlight for an automobile which in
`wheeled vehicles. The system is a preferred embodi-
`Griffin shows a headlight for an automobile which in-
`50
`ment includes two auxiliary cornering lights plus appa
`cludes two side lights angled at 45° in a horizontal plane
`ment includes two auxiliary cornering lights plus appa-
`cludes two side lights angled at 45° in a horizontal plane
`50
`ratus for mounting the lights to the vehicle and appara
`from the main light. The side lights are selectively
`ratus for mounting the lights to the vehicle and appara-
`from the main light. The side lights are selectively
`tus for controlling the operation of the lights.
`switched off and on by rotation of the steering wheel.
`tus for controlling the operation of the lights.
`switched off and on by rotation of the steering wheel.
`Each of the light or lamp assemblies is attached to the
`The cornering lights are simply uncanted spherical
`Each of the light or lamp assemblies is attached to the
`The cornering lights are simply uncanted spherical
`front fork or to the frame of the vehicle and does not
`beam headlights and there is no suggestion of canting
`front fork or to the frame of the vehicle and does not
`beam headlights and there is no suggestion of canting
`rotate in any way with respect to that member. It is a
`the beam to compensate for tilt.
`rotate in any way with respect to that member. It is a
`the beam to compensate for tilt.
`point of novelty of the present invention, that the desir
`A number of patents make use of headlamps which
`point of novelty of the present invention, that the desir-
`A number of patents make use of headlamps which
`able illumination pattern produced by each lamp upon
`rotate relative to the frame of the vehicle, including
`rotate relative to the frame of the vehicle, including
`able illumination pattern produced by each lamp upon
`the roadway depends entirely on the tilt of the two
`the roadway_depends entirely on the tilt of the two-
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,416, issued Oct. 19, 1971 to
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,416,
`issued Oct. 19, 1971 to
`wheeled vehicle as it rounds the curve. This is accom-
`wheeled vehicle as it rounds the curve. This is accom
`Fleury, U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,919, issued Mar. 2, 1971 to
`Fleury, U.S. Pat. No. 3,567,919, issued Mar. 2, I97l to
`plished by the unique beam direction and cross-section
`Alpagn and U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,171 issued Mar. 31,
`plished by the unique beam direction and cross-section
`Alpagn and U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,171 issued Mar. 31,
`employed by the present invention.
`1970 to Martin. Likewise, rotating headlights for bicy
`employed by the present invention.
`1970 to Martin. Likewise, rotating headlights for bicy-
`Each lamp is attached to the vehicle in such a way
`cles are shown by the following: U.S. Pat. No.
`Each lamp is attached to the vehicle in such a way
`cles are shown by the following: U.S. Pat. No.
`that the projection of the centerline onto the horizontal
`2,335,676 issued Nov. 30, 1943 to Humphrey; U.S.
`that the projection of the centerline onto the horizontal
`2,335,676 issued Nov. 30, 1943 to Humphrey; U.S.
`plane makes an angle of approximately 28° with respect
`Pat. No. 654,978 issued July 31, 1900 to Henry; U.S.
`plane makes an angle of approximately 28° with respect
`Pat. No. 654,978 issued July 31, 1900 to Henry; U.S.
`to the forward end of the vehicle's longitudinal axis and
`Pat. No. 627,682 issued June 27, 1899 to Chapleau.
`to the forward end of the vehicle's longitudinal axis and
`Pat. No. 627,682 issued June 27, 1899 to Chapleau.
`in such a way that the centerline of the beam is inclined
`in such a way that the centerline of the beam is inclined
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,635,393 issued July 12, 1927 to
`U.S. Pat. No.
`l,635,393 issued July 12, 1927 to
`above the horizontal plane at such an angle that the
`above the horizontal plane at such an angle that the
`Amans and U.S. Pat. No. 1,593,075 issued July 20,
`Amans and U.S. Pat. No. 1,593,075 issued July 20,
`centerline becomes parallel to the ground when the
`1926 to Hensley, both relate to headlights for locomo
`centerline becomes parallel to the ground when the
`1926 to Hensley, both relate to headlights for locomo-
`
`60
`60
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`4,024,388
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`vehicle is leaned approximately 22° from its normally
`FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`vehicle is leaned approximately 22° from its nonnally
`upright position. About this beam centerline, the cross
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is
`upright position. About this beam centerline, the cross-
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is
`tilted 10°.
`section of the beam is substantially rectangular or
`tilted 10°.
`section of the beam is substantially rectangular or
`oblong with its longer axis extending outwardly from
`FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`oblong with its longer axis extending outwardly from
`the vehicle and upwardly at an angle of 22°, approxi
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is
`the vehicle and upwardly at an angle of 22°, approxi-
`tilted 22°.
`'
`mately, with respect to the horizontal. The light may
`mately, with respect to the horizontal. The light may
`tilted 22°.
`-
`not be switched on until the vehicle departs from up
`FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`not be switched on until the vehicle departs from up-
`right position, and as the vehicle tilts the light is low
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is
`right position, and as the vehicle tilts the light is low-
`tilted 35°.
`ered toward the road surface and rotated, whereby the
`tilted 35°.
`ered toward the road surface and rotated, whereby the
`10
`longer dimension of the rectangular crosssection be
`FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`longer dimension of the rectangular crosssection be-
`FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the area on the ground
`10
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is .
`comes more nearly horizontal.
`comes more nearly horizontal.
`illuminated by the cornering light when the vehicle is
`-
`tilted 45°.
`The effect of this unique beam orientation is to pro
`tilted 45°.
`The effect of this unique beam orientation is to pro-
`vide increasingly wide angular illumination in the
`FIG. 10 is an electrical circuit diagram showing how
`vide increasingly wide angular
`illumination in the
`FIG. 10 is an electrical circuit diagram showing how
`proper direction of turn for vehicle at lean angles up to
`the tilt actuated switch is connected to the cornering
`the tilt actuated switch is connected to the cornering
`proper direction of turn for vehicle at lean angles up to
`and including 30° from the vertical. Lean angles of
`light circuit.
`light circuit.
`and including 30° from the vertical. Lean angles of
`greater than 30° will result in a progressive narrowing
`FIG. 11 is a rear view of the vehicle executing a right
`FIG. 11 is a rear view of the vehicle executing a right
`greater than 30° will result in a progressive narrowing
`of the field of the illumination, but still adequate even
`turn, showing the relationship between the effective
`turn, showing the relationship between the effective
`of the field of the illumination, but still adequate even
`at 45°, which is considered the practical maximum lean
`“g” force vector and the tilt of the vehicle;
`“g” force vector and the tilt of the vehicle;
`at 45'’, which is considered the practical maximum lean
`angle for typical two-wheeled vehicles.
`FIG. 12 is a rear view of the vehicle executing a left
`angle for typical two-wheeled vehicles.
`FIG. 12 is a rear view of the vehicle executing a left
`20
`The cornering light system is preferably to operate
`turn, showing the relationship between the effective
`turn, showing the relationship between the effective
`The cornering light system is preferably to operate
`20
`only when it is actually needed. This may be accom
`“g” force vector and the tilt of the vehicle;
`only when it is actually needed. This may be accom-
`“g" force vector and the tilt of the vehicle;
`plished through manual switching means or by tilt-sen
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cornering lamp
`plished through manual switching means or by tilt-sen-
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cornering lamp
`assembly.
`sitive switching means. A manual override switch could
`sitive switching means. A manual override switch could
`assembly.
`also be provided for keeping both lamps on regardless
`also be provided for keeping both lamps on regardless
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`25
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`of lean angle.
`of lean angle.
`25
`EMBODIMENT
`EMBODIMENT
`To comply with existing legislation in some jurisdic
`To comply with existing legislation in some jurisdic-
`tions dimming means may also be provided. Dimming
`The number of two-wheeled vehicles in this country
`The number of two-wheeled vehicles in this country
`tions dimming means may also be provided. Dimming
`may be accomplished by use of a special dimming
`has expanded dramatically in the last decade. All of the
`may be accomplished by use of a special dimming
`has expanded dramatically in the last decade. All of the
`motorcycles and many of the bicycles are presently
`switch for turning off the cornering lights when their
`switch for turning off the cornering lights when their
`motorcycles and many of the bicycles are presently
`30
`equipped with a headlight for permitting them to be
`operation could interfere with other drivers, or it may
`operation could interfere with other drivers, or it may
`equipped with a headlight for permitting them to be
`30
`be accomplished by operating the system from the
`driven at night. Sometimes the headlight is mounted on
`driven at night. Sometimes the headlight is mounted on
`be accomplished by operating the system from the
`existing high beam circuit of the vehicle headlight,
`the body of the vehicle, while in other cases the head
`existing high beam circuit of the vehicle headlight,
`the body of the vehicle, while in other cases the head-
`which contains its own dimmer switch.
`light is mounted on a part of the vehicle, such as the
`which contains its own dimmer switch.
`light is mounted on a part of the vehicle, such as the
`Thus the present invention provides a cornering light
`handle bars, which is steered to produce a turn. It is
`Thus the present invention provides a cornering light
`handle bars, which is steered to produce a turn. It is
`35
`believed that none of these multitudes of vehicles is
`system operable over a wide range of vehicle speeds
`believed that none of these multitudes of vehicles is
`system operable over a wide range of vehicle speeds
`35
`equipped presently with adequate lights for cornering.
`and turning radii. The system makes use of a pair of
`and turning radii. The system makes use of a pair of
`equipped presently with adequate lights for cornering.
`The need for adequate cornering lights will be shown in
`headlights which do not rotate with respect to the part
`headlights which do not rotate with respect to the part
`The need for adequate cornering lights will be shown in
`the following paragraphs, and the need is a long-stand
`of the frame of the vehicle to which they are mounted.
`of the frame "of the vehicle to which they are mounted.
`the following paragraphs, and the need is a long-stand-
`ing one, which the present invention seeks to fulfill.
`Instead, the headlights are canted at an angle which
`ing one, which the present invention seeks to fulfill.
`Instead, the headlights are canted at an angle which
`40
`A description will therefore be given of a particular
`compensates for the tilt of the vehicle when making a
`compensates for the tilt of the vehicle when making a
`A description will therefore be given of a particular
`40
`preferred embodiment of a cornering light system for
`turn. The lights may be switched on manually, or by a
`preferred embodiment of a cornering light system for
`turn. The lights may be switched on manually, or by a
`use with two-wheeled vehicles. The system includes not
`tilt sensitive sensor. In either case, the switching on of
`use with two-wheeled vehicles. The system includes not
`tilt sensitive sensor. In either case, the switching on of
`only its lights, but also the electrical and control appa
`the lights is independent of the rotation of the handle
`only its lights, but also the electrical and control appa-
`the lights is independent of the rotation of the handle
`bar.
`ratus for use with the lights. The theory of the design of
`ratus for use with ,the lights. The theory of the design of
`bar.
`45
`The novel features which are believed to be charac-
`the system will be explained, and a number of non
`The novel features which are believed to be charac
`the system will be explained, and a number of non-
`45
`obvious features will be described.
`teristic of the invention, both as to organization and
`obvious features will be described.
`teristic of the invention, both as to organization and
`A two-wheeled vehicle turns in a different manner
`method of operation, together with further objects and
`A two-wheeled vehicle turns in a different manner
`method of operation, together with further objects and
`from a three-or four-wheeled vehicle, as will be shown
`advantages thereof, will be better understood from the
`from a three-or four-wheeled vehicle, as will be shown
`advantages thereof, will be better understood from the
`in greater detail below. Probably the most striking dif
`following description considered in connection with
`in greater detail below. Probably the most striking dif-
`following description considered in connection with
`50
`ference is that the two-wheeled vehicle tilts into the
`the accompanying drawings in which a preferred em
`ference is that the two-wheeled vehicle tilts into the
`the accompanying drawings in which a preferred em-
`50
`turn. The major reason for tilting is to permit the
`bodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of exam
`turn. The major reason for tilting is to permit the
`bodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of exam-
`weight of the vehicle, assumed to be concentrated at a
`ple. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
`weight of the vehicle, assumed to be concentrated at a
`ple. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
`center of gravity, to be used to counteract centrifugal
`drawings are for the purpose of illustration and descrip
`center of gravity, to be used to counteract centrifugal
`drawings are for the purpose of illustration and descrip-
`force acting on the vehicle in a direction towards the
`tion only and are not intended as a definition of the
`force acting on the vehicle in a direction towards the
`tion only and are not intended as a definition of the
`limits of the invention.
`outside of the turn. The driver, through reflex action
`outside of the turn. The driver, through reflex action
`limits of the invention.
`acquired through experience, controls the vehicle so as
`acquired through experience, controls the vehicle so as
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`to achieve a balance between the centrifugal force
`to achieve a balance between the centrifugal force
`FIG. 1 shows the lighting coverage pattern of a con
`tending to throw him towards the outside of the curve
`tending to throw him towards the outside of the curve
`FIG. 1 shows the lighting coverage pattern of a con-
`and the component of his weight which tends to pull
`ventional headlight for various lean angels of the vehi
`and the component of his weight which tends to pull
`ventional headlight for various lean angels of the vehi-
`the tilted vehicle over toward the inside of the curve
`cle.
`the tilted vehicle over toward the inside of the curve
`cle.
`Actually, the situation is more complicated because of
`FIG. 2 is a front view showing the cornering light
`Actually, the situation is more complicated because of
`FIG. 2 is a front view showing the cornering light
`the presence of gyroscopic forces, and other effects.
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 10°.
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 10°.
`the presence of gyroscopic forces, and other effects.
`FIG. 3 is a front view showing the cornering light
`The overall result, however, is simply that a two
`The overall result, however,
`is simply that a two-
`FIG. 3 is a front view showing the cornering light
`wheeled vehicle tilts into the turn.
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 22°.
`wheeled vehicle tilts into the turn.
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 22°.
`The inadequacy of the conventional headlight during
`FIG. 4 is a front view showing the cornering light
`FIG. 4 is a front view showing the cornering light
`The inadequacy of the conventional headlight during
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 35°.
`cornering of a two-wheeled vehicle is dramatically
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 35°.
`cornering of a two-wheeled vehicle is dramatically
`shown in FIG. 1. That Figure shows the lighting cover
`FIG. 5 is a front view showing the cornering light
`shown in FIG. 1. That Figure shows the lighting cover-
`FIG. 5 is a front view showing the cornering light
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 45°.
`age pattern of a conventional 7° by 35° high beam
`beam when the vehicle is tilted 45°.
`age pattern of a conventional 7° by 35° high beam
`
`55
`55
`
`I5
`15
`
`65
`65
`
`

`
`I5
`15
`
`20
`20
`
`25
`25
`
`4,024,388
`4,024,388
`6
`6
`5
`5
`The precise parameters of the present invention have
`headlight for various lean angles. The coverage pat
`The precise parameters of the present invention have
`headlight for various lean angles. The coverage pat-
`been determined empirically. It has been found advan
`terns are shown as viewed from directly in front of the
`been determined empirically. It has been found advan-
`terns are shown as viewed from directly in front of the
`tageous to arrange for the centerline of the beam of
`vehicle and looking horizontally. As the vehicle tilts,
`tageous to arrange for the centerline of the beam of
`vehicle and looking horizontally. As the vehicle tilts,
`each lamp to be positioned so that the projection of the
`first to 10° then 22°, then 35°, etc., the headlight beam
`each lamp to be positioned so that the projection of the
`first to 10° then 22°, then 35°, etc., the headlight beam
`centerline onto the horizontal plane makes an angle of
`pattern, which nominally measures 7° vertically by 35°
`centerline onto the horizontal plane makes an angle of
`pattern, which nominally measures 7° vertically by 35°
`approximately 28° with respect to the forward end of
`horizontally, also rotates. This in turn causes the light
`approximately 28° with respect to the forward end of
`horizontally, also rotates. This in turn causes the light
`the vehicle's longitudinal axis and so that the centerline
`of the beam to fall on the ground at points progressively
`the vehicle's longitudinal axis and so that the centerline
`of the beam to fall on the ground at points progressively
`of the beam is inclined above the horizontal plane at
`of the beam is inclined above the horizontal plane at
`closer to the vehcile than desirable. It also has the
`closer to the vehcile than desirable. It also has the
`such an angle that the centerline becomes parallel to
`additional undesirable effect that part of the light beam
`such an angle that the centerline becomes parallel to
`additional undesirable efiect that part of the light beam
`l0
`the ground when the vehicle is leaned approximately
`is elevated and thereby could become a hazard to other
`the ground when the vehicle is leaned approximately
`10
`is elevated and thereby could become a hazard to other
`22° from its normally upright position. Likewise it has
`drivers. The illum