IIIH
US007261450B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,261,450 B2
Tiesler (45) Date of Patent: Aug. 28,2007
(54) DUAL FUNCTION CONSOLE LAMP WITH INTEGRATED SWITCHING
(75) Inventor: John M Tiesler, Harrison Township, MI (US)
(73) Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 90 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 10/709,785
(22) Filed: May 27, 2004
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2005/0276056 Al Dec. 15, 2005
(51) Int. CI.
F21V 21/14 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 362/523; 362/259; 362/287;
362/427; 362/479; 362/490; 362/492; 362/802
(58) Field of Classification Search 362/471,
362/479, 490, 492, 802, 269, 287, 427, 523 See application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2.996.608 A * 8/1961 Clayton 362/490
4,600,978 A * 7/1986 Kimura 362/365
4,628,417 A * 12/1986 Kaminski et al 362/485
4.686.609 A 8/1987 Dykstra et al.
5,070,434 A 12/1991 Suman et al.
5,508,897 A 4/1996 Van Order
5,526,241 A 6/1996 Ferrell
5,938,321 A 8/1999 Bos et al.
5,951,155 A 9/1999 Lanser
6,092,917 A * 7/2000 Litke et al 362/490
Dual function console lighting with integrated switching includes a lamp housing held by a retainer within a bezel secured to a vehicle interior. The lamp housing includes eccentrically positioned collinear pivot arms relative to a central longitudinal axis of a lamp positioned within the housing. The pivot arms engage the retainer to hold the lamp housing within the retainer while allowing the lamp housing to pivot relative to the plane of the retainer. The retainer is rotatably held within the bezel by a plurality of snap features spaced around its circumference, allowing the lamp housing and retainer to rotate. A latching mechanism holds the lamp housing in a retracted position with a lens of the housing preferably substantially flush relative to immediately surrounding portions of the bezel. A spring provides a force to pivot the housing about the pivot arms to a second position when the latch is released. An integrated switch is operated by movement of the housing between the first and second positions to turn the lamp on in the extended position. A second switch is provided to select manual or automatic operation of the lamp when in the retracted position. Automatic operation may be actuated by a remotely located auxiliary switch, such as a door switch, for example. The lamp housing preferably includes an integrated lens that includes a protrusion to facilitate rotation of the housing within the retainer. A dimple may also be providing in the lens to facilitate operation of the integrated switch.
19 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
