IP Library Granted Patent US 11,396,991
Granted Patent B2
US 11,396,991 · App. 17/508,752 · Granted Jul 26, 2022

Clear obelisk projector shield

Inventors: James Spalding (Dearborn Heights, MI); Brett Reid Spencer (Farmington Hills, MI)
F21S41/43F21S41/25F21S41/28F21S41/321
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,396,991
App. No.
17/508,752
Granted
Jul 26, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A projector shield including a clear obelisk optic configured to modulate light exiting a vehicular headlamp. The clear obelisk optic comprises a base configured to sufficiently allow the passage of light therethrough, and a tip configured to refract light thereby preventing it from exiting the vehicular headlamp. The clear obelisk optic generates a light projection having a sufficiently dimmed area compared to surrounding areas.

Claims (39)

1. A light modulation system configured to modulate a light projection exiting a vehicular headlamp, the system comprising:

a light source;

a reflector configured to reflect light from the light source in a specific direction;

a projector shield comprising:

a black metalized portion configured to form a cutoff line in the light projection;

a transparent optic protruding from the projector shield into the light projection,

wherein the transparent optic is configured to redirect a portion of the light projection; and

an outer lens configured to invert the light after passing the projector shield.

2. The light modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent optic comprises a base configured to allow the passage of light therethrough, and a tip configured to refract light preventing a refracted light from exiting the vehicular headlamp.

3. The light modulation system of claim 2 , wherein the tip comprises four sides angled inwardly, said sides configured to refract light towards the base.

4. The light modulation system of claim 2 , further comprising a lens holder that mechanically couples the outer lens to the light modulation system, wherein the lens holder is configured to absorb the refracted light.

5. The light modulation system of claim 1 , further comprising a motor operatively connected to the projector shield, wherein the motor is configured to adjust a position of the projector shield therein removing the cutoff line from the light projection.

6. The light modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent optic comprises one of a clear plastic or a glass.

7. The light modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent optic causes a first area within the light projection to be dimmer than other areas in the light projection not affected by the transparent optic.

8. The light modulation system of claim 7 , wherein the transparent optic causes a second area within the light projection to be substantially as bright as the other areas in the light projection, said second area located between the first area and the cutoff line.

9. The light modulation system of claim 1 , wherein the projector shield further comprises a clear metalized portion aligned with the black metalized portion.

10. The light modulation system of claim 9 , wherein the clear metalized portion and the transparent optic are formed of one piece of material and the transparent optic is an extension of the clear metalized portion configured to extend into the light projection.

11. A projector shield for a vehicular headlamp, said projector shield comprising:

a black metalized portion configured to block a portion of projected light;

a clear metalized portion coupled to the black metalized portion; and

a clear obelisk optic coupled to the clear metalized portion, the clear obelisk optic comprising:

a base protruding from the clear metalized portion; and

a tip protruding from the base,

wherein the base is configured to allow a first portion of light to pass therethrough for projecting from the headlamp, and

the tip is configured to refract a second portion of light for preventing the second portion of light from exiting the vehicular headlamp.

12. The projector shield of claim 11 , wherein the clear obelisk optic further comprises a clear surface connected to the base opposite the tip, said clear surface coupled to the clear metalized portion.

13. The projector shield of claim 11 , wherein the clear obelisk optic is an extension of the clear metalized portion.

14. The projector shield of claim 11 , wherein the base and the tip of the clear obelisk optic form an obelisk shape.

15. The projector shield of claim 11 , wherein the clear obelisk optic comprises one of a clear plastic or a glass.

16. A clear obelisk optic, comprising:

a transparent optic extending from a projector shield of a headlamp, the transparent optic comprising:

a tip portion having four sides angled inwardly; and

a base portion configured to support the tip portion;

wherein the tip portion and the base portion together form an obelisk shape; and

wherein the tip portion is configured to redirect a first portion of light for preventing the first portion of light from exiting the headlamp, and the base portion is configured to allow a second portion of light to pass therethrough for projecting from the headlamp.

17. The clear obelisk optic of claim 16 , wherein the four sides of the tip portion are angled inwardly at an angle between thirty-five degrees to fifty-five degrees.

18. The clear obelisk optic of claim 16 , wherein the clear obelisk optic is made of a clear plastic.

19. The clear obelisk optic of claim 16 , wherein the clear obelisk optic is made of glass.

20. The clear obelisk optic of claim 16 , further comprising a clear surface coupled to a clear metalized portion of the projector shield.

Assignments (2)
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 12, 2024
From: FLEX-N-GATE LLC, (F/K/A FLEX-N-GATE CORPORATION); FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 068539/0865 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: SPALDING, JAMES; SPENCER, BRETT REID
To: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 058005/0379 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63106207 · Oct 27, 2020
Related Publication 20220128208A1 · Apr 28, 2022