Patents Examined by Alexander Garlen
  • Patent number: 9514663
    Abstract: Visual media content on a billboard display surface can be illuminated using a lighting assembly that includes a lighting unit that includes a circuit board, LEDs arranged on the circuit board, and optical elements overlying the LEDs. The method includes directing light from the lighting unit toward a portion of the billboard display surface such that the light from the lighting unit illuminates the visual media content on the portion of the billboard display surface with an illumination level and a uniformity. The optical elements are configured so that failure of one or more LEDs of the lighting assembly will cause the illumination level of light impinging the portion of the billboard display surface to decrease while the uniformity of light impinging the portion of the billboard display surface remains substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ultravision Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Siucheong Auyeung, William Y. Hall, Simon Magarill
  • Patent number: 9512981
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a luminaire including a light-emitting element and a cover provided on an irradiation side of the light-emitting element. The cover includes a first light transmitting section provided on the center side of the cover and a second light transmitting section provided at the peripheral edge of the first light transmitting section and having light transmittance higher than the light transmittance of the first light transmitting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Tsuchiya, Youhei Matsuda, Junichiro Yamamoto, Kazufumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9505342
    Abstract: A multifunction lighthead for mounting to a vehicle includes several groups of LEDs arranged to provide distinct light emission patterns. Each group of LEDs and associated optics are selected and positioned to produce light emission patterns needed to meet lighting standards applicable to the vehicle. Such standards may require wide angle light emission, which is enhanced by supporting groups of LEDs that project away from the vehicle body, enhancing visibility of the lighthead from directions close to a plane defined by the body panel. The projecting support for the LEDs and optics for a wide angle light emission pattern may be employed to support LEDs arranged for ground illumination. Other groups of LEDs in the same lighthead may be arranged with optics to provide area illumination in support of arrest, search, triage or other emergency functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Gerardo
  • Patent number: 9500355
    Abstract: A lamp is provided with multiple light emitting elements such as e.g., LEDs, positioned about a heat sink. The heat sink contains an active cooling device that provides a flow of air over the heat sink to transfer heat away from the light emitting elements. One or more optical elements are positioned over the light emitting elements to e.g., assist in light distribution. The lamp construction improves the dissipation of heat while also providing for a more omni-directional distribution of light intensity. Embodiments of the lamp can be provided with one or more features to enhance aesthetic appeal and improve manufacturability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Howard Kuenzler, Jeremias Anthony Martins
  • Patent number: 9500795
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an area light source device and a display device using the area light source device. The present invention includes a point light source, and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a protruding structure on a light entrance surface side. The protruding structure protrudes from a light exit surface side or a counter light exit surface side opposite from the light exit surface. The point light source includes an arrangement of point light sources. The protruding structure is configured such that oblique cylinders each having a semicircular upper surface protrude and arranged in a direction of the arrangement of the point light sources. The point light sources are arranged so that the lines of intersection of adjacent ones of the oblique cylinders coincide with the middles of the point light sources, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Itoga, Akimasa Yuuki, Kazutada Takaira, Seiji Sakai
  • Patent number: 9488346
    Abstract: A device including a hub portion, said hub portion including an opening with spring-loaded electrical contacts slidably disposed in said opening, a light rail an extended portion and a power contact disposed on the extended portion, wherein the light rail is operable to slide into the opening and couple the power contact to the spring-loaded contact. The extended portion may include an o-ring for fixing the light rail and the hub may have a cable for mounting and coupling power to the spring-loaded electrical contact. Some embodiments may have a second opening in said hub portion, and a second end for the light rail. Power may be coupled through the light rail to hubs on each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventors: Scott S Yu, Thomas Warton
  • Patent number: 9487279
    Abstract: A signaling apparatus having a first and second conductive surface on an outward facing surface of a base section. First and second arms of a coupling element are configured to couple to the base, the coupling element comprising conductive material such that the first and second conductive surfaces are conductively coupled when the first arm contacts the first conductive surface and the second arm contacts the second conductive surface. The first and second conductive surfaces are configured to be conductively coupled for an amount of time when a body of water spans from the first to the second conductive surface. The electrical circuitry includes a switching means configured to move a timing circuit of the electrical circuitry to an activated state when the first and second surfaces are coupled to each other such that light is emitted from the light emitting device at a predetermined repeating lighting pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Sadu Frehm
  • Patent number: 9482406
    Abstract: A light device and a method of making the same. The light device having a casing, or body, in the form of a multilayered stack that includes a supporting base layer, a scattering layer above the base layer, and an outermost protective layer above the scattering layer. The light device further includes a lighting unit contained within the casing, for emitting light outside the light device. The multilayered stack of the casing may further include a spacer arrangement, either as a separate layer between the base layer and the scattering layer, or as an integrated arrangement of one or both of the base layer and the scattering layer. The outermost protective layer may also be a prism layer having a one-way light transmitting character, and a one-way light reflecting character. The bottom layer may include a fastening element for releasably fastening the light device to a separate mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: MERROW SEWING MACHINE CO.
    Inventors: Owen W. Merrow, Charles G. Merrow
  • Patent number: 9470373
    Abstract: A lamp comprises has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base. At least one LED is located in the enclosure and is operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. A light non-transmissive portion defines a light transmissive portion where the light transmissive portion is illuminated when the at least one LED is energized. The light transmissive portion may define information such as branding information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Norbert Walter Georg Hiller
  • Patent number: 9472128
    Abstract: A fluid display device that produces the illusion of fluid droplets traveling up, traveling down or levitating, in a stable, smooth, and non-jerky motion. The fluid display device includes a housing, a reservoir for storing the fluid, an outlet nozzle for dispensing the fluid, a pump pulsating the fluid, an inlet for receiving the fluid from the outlet nozzle, and a light source having a color temperature of at least 5000 degrees K operating at or above flicker-fusion frequency to illuminate the fluid droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: L. Kenneth Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 9464784
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of an optical system for use in a lighting device, e.g., replacements for MR/PAR/R directional lamps. In one embodiment, the optical system comprises optical elements (e.g., a lens element) with features that form light from a light source into a light beam. In one embodiment, the optical elements have a plurality of focus points, which do not all converge to a single focus point proximate the light source. Rather one or more of the focus points are spaced apart from the light source so the collective configuration of focus points causes the light beam to exhibit favorable characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: GE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Yoder, Mark Edward Kaminski
  • Patent number: 9464780
    Abstract: A durable LED light engine includes an printed circuit board including LEDs mounted thereon positioned between a substantially U-shaped top enclosure and a bottom enclosure. Once assembled together using alignment holes and projections, the open spaces in the combination of the substantially U-shaped top enclosure, the printed circuit board and the bottom enclosure are filled with a plastic sealant. Once cooled, the plastic sealant holds the combination of the substantially U-shaped top enclosure, the printed circuit board and bottom enclosure together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: General LED, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Kun Huang, Glenn Freeman
  • Patent number: 9459392
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to illumination converters that are capable of converting light from one geometrical format to another. In particular, the described illumination converters are capable of converting a circular source such as an LED to a linear source useful in an edgelit waveguide, which can be used in a backlight for a display. The converter consists of a waveguide plate (210) with two edges (220, 218) oriented towards each other at 45° such that a the waveguide plate consists of a rectangular part (204) attached to a triangular part (202). The triangular part is rolled into a coil around a central axis (250) and one side of the coil is used for coupling in of the light from a source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 9459001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination device where a number of light sources are arranged on a heat sink and adapted to emit light in substantially the same direction. The heat sink comprises a first cooling plate and a second cooling plate. A first part of the light sources are arranged on the first cooling plate and a second part of the light sources are arranged on the second cooling plate. The first and second cooling plates are separated by a distance and a flow channel is defined there between. The flow channel allows cooling fluid to flow between the first cooling plate and the second cooling plate whereby the light sources can be cooled by the cooling fluid. The heat sink comprises further a number of light passages allowing light to propagate from the second cooling plate, towards the first cooling plate and through the first cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MARTIN PROFESSIONAL A/S
    Inventors: Jens Søren Kjaer, Dennis Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 9452704
    Abstract: A lighting device for vehicles having an optical fiber including a flat segment with two opposing flat sides, a light decoupling area, and a light coupling area. The light decoupling area in which light relayed by the flat sides is output in the primary direction of emission. The light coupling area couples the light into the optical fiber, and is arranged on a free end of a light coupling element which is perpendicular to the flat segment and projects from the same. A deflection structure is arranged between the light coupling element and the flat segment for the purpose of deflecting the light toward the flat segment. A rigid circuit board runs parallel to the flat segment. The circuit board is configured with a number of light sources which are each functionally assigned to the light coupling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Stefan Köhler, Matthias Mallon, Thomas Niedenzu
  • Patent number: 9447958
    Abstract: Provided is a display device that is capable of preventing heat generated in a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) from being excessively transferred to a top chassis so that the occurrence of a safety accident and poor quality of a display panel can be prevented. The display device includes: a display panel on which an image is formed; a top chassis in front of the display panel and having an opening through which the display panel is exposed; a plurality of LEDs that provide light to the display panel; a printed circuit board (PCB) on which the plurality of LEDs are mounted; and a bottom chassis behind the PCB, wherein the PCB and the bottom chassis are arranged such that an air gap is between the PCB and an inner side surface of the bottom chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kye Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9441800
    Abstract: A modular, lighted artificial tree that includes a base portion for supporting the artificial tree and a first tree portion. The first tree portion includes a trunk portion having a first end and a second end, and forms a trunk wall, the trunk wall defines a trunk cavity and a plurality of apertures. The first end of the trunk portion is configured to couple with the base portion. The first tree portion also includes a plurality of branches coupled to the trunk portion; a first tree portion power-supply wiring harness within the trunk cavity and extending from the first end of the trunk portion to the second end of the trunk portion; a first light string operably coupled to the power-supply wiring harness. The first wire and the second wire pass through a common aperture to electrically connect to the wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 9434313
    Abstract: An optical lighting assembly for use with a vehicular outside rearview mirror includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) mounted thereon. An optical device such as a light pipe is positioned adjacent to the LED for propagating light away from the LED. A mirror element includes at least one indicia where light escaping from the light pipe is used to illuminate the indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Frederick T. Bauer, Michael G. Hendricks, Michael F. Lisowski
  • Patent number: 9435931
    Abstract: An LED lighting apparatus of the invention includes a substrate having a length in a first direction and a width in a second direction. LED chips are supported on the substrate along the first direction. A light guide, having a thickness in the second direction, includes an incident surface, a reflective surface and an emitting surface. The incident surface faces in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions for receiving light emitted from the LED chips. The reflective surface spreads in the first and third directions and reflects light from the incident surface in the second direction. The emitting surface spreads in the first and third directions and allows light from the reflective surface to exit. The substrate is supported by a case that includes side plates around the light guide and a bottom plate connecting the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Tanuma
  • Patent number: 9435519
    Abstract: An LED light fixture including a housing, a heat sink secured with respect to the housing and an LED illuminator secured with respect to the heat sink. The heat sink includes central and peripheral portions. The central portion has an LED-supporting surface and forward, rearward and lateral sides, the LED illuminator being at the LED-supporting surface. The peripheral portion extends laterally from the lateral sides. The central portion of the heat sink has downwardly-extending shield members at the lateral sides thereof configured and dimensioned to block upward illumination. In embodiments where the optical member is configured for directing emitter light predominantly toward the forward side, the central heat-sink portion has a downwardly-extending shield member at the rearward side thereof configured and dimensioned to block rearward illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kinnune, Nathan Snell, Jeremy Sorenson