Patent Application
20050024885
The present invention relates to an auxiliary light assembly for a vehicle.
Utility tractors have standard front-mounted headlamps to provide illumination in the forward direction. However, front mounted implements, such as a front mounted loader, may interfere with or block the illumination from the headlights, or the material carried by the loader may block the illumination.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a vehicle illumination device which is not blocked by front mounted implements or material carried thereby.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention, wherein an auxiliary light assembly is provided for a tractor having a front-mounted implement. The assembly includes a lower support and an upper support pivotal with respect to the lower support. The lower support has a cylindrical member which is attached to a frame. Detent recesses are formed in an upper end surface of the lower support. The upper support has a lamp housing attached to an end of a support rod, and a detent member. The detent member is selectively received by the recesses to releasably hold the upper support in selected positions relative to the lower support. A bushing member is received by the support members to maintain axial alignment thereof. A spring is received by the support members, and is biased to urge the support members towards each other.
Referring to
Referring now to
Retainer 40 is partially received in the upper end of tube 32. Retainer 40 has a lower smaller diameter shaft 37 and an upper larger diameter rim 39. Retainer 40 has a pair of tabs 42 which are received in the alignment slots 35. The shaft 37 of retainer 40 is preferably press-fit into the upper end of tube 32. Two pairs of alignment recesses 44 and 46 are formed in an annular axially and upwardly facing end surface of rim 39.
An upper support includes rectangular frame 50 and a hollow support rod 54. Frame 50 holds a commercially available electric light 52. Rod 54 has a vertical portion 56 and an upper end 58 which bends horizontally and is fixed to a side of frame 50. An alignment tube or bushing 60 is received by and projects from a lower end of rod 54 and is preferably welded to rod 54. Bushing 60 receives a pin or detent member 62 which projects radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of rod 54. The outer ends of pin 62 are received by recesses 43 in the lower end of rod 54. The outer ends of pin 62 are selectively receivable by recess pairs 44 or 46. Thus, the pin 62 and recess pairs 44 and 46 form a detent device which releasably holds the upper support in selected positions relative to the lower support. The bushing 60 is received by the tube 32 and the rod 54 to maintain axial alignment thereof.
A spring 70 is received in rod 54, tube 32 and retainer 40. Spring 70 has a lower end coupled or hooked to slot 33 in the lower end of tube 32, and spring 70 has an upper end coupled or anchored to pin 62. Spring 70 is biased to urge rod 54 towards tube 32.
As shown by
The light assemblies 18 and 20 provide effective forward lighting for tractors with attached loaders. The upper portion of each assembly is retractable, so it can be swung forward when not being used or when the tractor is in tight spaces. Each assembly is spring loaded and has a “break away” design which will deflect in the event the assembly hits an object. The light assemblies 18 and 20 do not obstruct visibility of the tires, of the forward view, or of the loader bucket. The light assemblies 18 and 20 can be used with new vehicles and with vehicles which are no longer in production.
While the present invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
