IP Library Granted Patent US 6,969,184
Granted Patent B2
US 6,969,184 · App. 10/262,756 · Granted Nov 29, 2005

Adjustable headlight

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,969,184
App. No.
10/262,756
Granted
Nov 29, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle headlight assembly having a lamp housing that is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body. One embodiment of the invention includes a lamp housing that is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body and includes a threaded aperture for receiving a threaded adjustment mechanism that is inserted through an aperture in the vehicle body and into the housing aperture. Rotation of the adjustment mechanism adjusts a position of the lamp housing relative to the vehicle body. Typically, a head portion of the adjustment mechanism is positioned on an exterior of the vehicle and is accessible by an operator of the vehicle from a normal operating position of the vehicle for adjusting the position of the housing relative to the vehicle body.

Claims (24)

1. A headlight assembly for a snowmobile or an ATV, comprising:

a lamp housing pivotally mounted to a vehicle body with first and second pivot members, the lamp housing comprising a threaded aperture;

a threaded adjustment member at least partially exposed through an aperture of the vehicle body and engaging the housing aperture, a portion of the adjustment member being accessible from an exterior of the vehicle;

wherein the first and second pivot members extend in a first plane, and the housing aperture extends in a second plane, noncoplanar relative to the first plane.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lamp housing comprises first and second ends and first and second sides, the first pivot member being secured to the first end, and the second pivot member being secured to the second side, wherein the housing pivots about the first and second pivot members.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the vehicle body includes mounting brackets, and the first and second pivot members comprise pivot axles secured to the lamp housing that engage the mounting brackets.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the threaded aperture is formed in the housing between the first and second pivot members.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the threaded aperture is formed in an adjustment protrusion extending from the housing second side.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , whereby rotation of the threaded adjustment member adjusts a position of the housing relative to the vehicle body.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the threaded adjustment member comprises a threaded shaft and head portion at an end of the threaded shaft, and rotating the head portion moves the threaded shaft relative to the housing threaded aperture.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the lamp housing is located at a front end of the vehicle and the adjustment member head portion is accessible by an operator of the vehicle from an operating position of the vehicle.

9. The assembly of claim 2 wherein rotation of the threaded adjustment member — rotates the housing about the first and second pivot members to adjust the height of a beam of light emitted from the headlight assembly.

10. A snowmobile, comprising:

a body;

a hood; and

the headlight assembly of claim 1 ;

wherein the lamp housing is pivotally mounted to the body, the hood is secured to the body to cover a portion of the lamp housing, and the adjustment member — is accessible from a normal operating position of the snowmobile.

11. The snowmobile of claim 10 further comprising an operator control panel, and the threaded member extends through the body at the control panel.

12. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lamp housing is pivotally mounted to a hood portion of the vehicle body.

13. A headlight assembly for a snowmobile or an ATV, comprising:

a lamp housing pivotally mounted to a vehicle body and comprising a threaded aperture; and

a threaded adjustment member at least partially exposed through an aperture of the vehicle body and engaging the housing aperture, a portion of the adjustment member being accessible from an exterior of the vehicle;

wherein the lamp housing is pivotally mounted to a hood portion of the vehicle body.

14. The headlight assembly of claim 13 , wherein rotation of the threaded adjustment member adjusts a position of the housing relative to the vehicle body.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: ARCTIC CAT INC.
Reel/Frame 042168/0853 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2016
From: WELLS FARGO BANK. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ARCTIC CAT INC.
Reel/Frame 040791/0864 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 17, 2009
From: ARCTIC CAT INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023525/0176 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 14, 2009
From: ARCTIC CAT INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 022542/0308 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2002
From: BERGMAN, RON; ZINS, JOHN
To: ARCTIC CAT, INC.
Reel/Frame 013358/0246 →