Patents Examined by Gunyoung T. Lee
  • Patent number: 7635216
    Abstract: A backlight structure comprises a light-guide plate and a light source module. There is a light-entering surface, which is a burnished surface, on one side of the light-guide plate. Besides, there is an effective light-emitting area on the light source module, and there is a distance between the centerline of which area and that of the light-entering surface. Thereby, the luminance on the bottom-left corner of the backlight structure is made identical to the luminance on the bottom-right corner by increasing the propagation ranges of the light on the bottom-left and the bottom-right corners as a result of a burnish surface as well as of asymmetrically adapting the light source module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Liang Pan, Shih-Wu Yuan, I-Jan Wang
  • Patent number: 7594741
    Abstract: A bicycle lighting device configured to be mounted to a bicycle includes a lamp case, a control case and a mounting unit. The lamp case has a light emitting diode arranged therein. The control case is connected to the lamp case by a hinge. The control case is configured to clamp onto a handlebar. A control circuit for controlling the light emitting diode is installed inside the control case. The mounting unit is for attaching the lamp case and the control case to the handlebar in such a fashion that the lamp case and the control case are drawn close together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Masashi Goto
  • Patent number: 7585096
    Abstract: A light assembly and reflector are provided for redirecting light from a light source in a motor vehicle. The reflector generally includes a first parabolic trough, a second parabolic trough, and third trough. The first and second parabolic troughs define first and second trough axes. The third trough has a third trough axis. The first and second parabolic troughs are positioned on opposing sides of the third trough, and the first and second trough axes are angled relative to the third trough axis. In this manner, the reflector collects and reflects a sufficient amount of light while providing control over the beam pattern spread, particularly in the horizontal direction, whereby a single LED may be employed such that constraints imposed by heat dissipation are significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Amir P. Fallahi, Jeffrey Allen Erion, Jeyachandrabose Chinniah
  • Patent number: 7568820
    Abstract: The present invention is a light-controlling sheet for making light emitted from light sources uniform and/or converging the light. The light-controlling sheet includes a lens part having a large number of rod-like unit lenses arranged in parallel, with a lens surface of each unit lens facing to the light-exiting side. A cross section of the lens surface of each rod-like unit lens taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the unit lens is asymmetrical. The lens surface of each unit lens has a flat surface part in the shape of a flat surface, and a curved surface part in the shape of part of a cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daijiro Kodama, Masahiro Goto, Wataru Tokuhara
  • Patent number: 7568825
    Abstract: A headlight for motor vehicles comprising a light-shield mechanism having at least first and second rotary light shields for producing respectively at least first and second different light beams, wherein the shield mechanism also comprises at least one means of mechanically locating the idle position of the shield mechanism, and an actuator able to make the first and second light shields, turn in two directions of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Nicolas Louvet, Alexandre Mensales
  • Patent number: 7566138
    Abstract: A light guiding body configured utilize light emitted by a light source for lighting and a lighting apparatus having the light guiding body are provided. The light guiding body has a base, lighting portions and leg portions. The base is formed by a light intake surface that is located in front of an LED. The lighting portions are formed by light emission surfaces. The leg portions individually extend from the base to the lighting portions. Each of the leg portions has a root portion that partially overlaps an area in front of the LED so that the leg portion can receive radiating light entering through the light intake surface. The lights received by the leg portions are respectively guided to the light emission surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatomo Inoue
  • Patent number: 7559672
    Abstract: A linear Fresnel lens for LED illumination is configured initially by using a meridional flux-assignment method and is then corrected by assessing the three-dimensional flux distribution of individual facets. The facet angles are slightly altered as required to produce uniformity. A variety of specialized lens shapes are generated, such as for illuminating shelves in commercial refrigerator food-display cases. The lens shapes are suitably thin for economical production by extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: InteLED Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Parkyn, David G. Pelka
  • Patent number: 7553043
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for illuminating an inner portion of a container. The apparatus includes a first electroluminescent lamp for emitting light within the container. Also, the apparatus includes a holding member for stabilizing the position of the lamp within the container. The holding member includes a first lamp retaining portion secured to the first electroluminescent lamp. Additionally, the holding member includes an extending portion continuous with the first lamp retaining portion. The extending portion has a width and a length defining a surface for engaging an inner portion of the container. Further, at least a portion of the length of the extending portion is remote from the retaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Curtiss M. Venn
  • Patent number: 7549773
    Abstract: A high power LED Housing consisting of one or more LED to form a LED assembly fitted into a metal body having an upper portion with a gripping means and a lower portion with a fitting means and a base. The LED assembly is connected by electrical wire to a base of the metal body, the base of the metal body having an electrical contact. By means of the gripping means, the LED housing can be installed or removed from a socket shaped to receive the LED housing. The LED housing can be assembled into panels of LED housing which can be fitted with electrical and electronic circuits to monitor and control the operation of the LED housing for various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Lam Chiang Lim
  • Patent number: 7549763
    Abstract: A light adapted for attachment to an article of clothing such as a strap of an assault or MOLLE vest. A preferred light embodiment includes a clip for removable attachment to the strap, and a light body removably securable to a docking base pivotally secured to the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Y. Kim, Travis S. Mitchell, Laichang Tang
  • Patent number: 7547125
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to the protection of electronic displays and includes a guard configured to protect a lighting means while providing an expanded field of view. The guard may include a first element and a second element each having at least a top surface and a wall. The lighting means may be positionable substantially between the first element and the second element such that the top surface of the lighting means is below the first top surface and the second top surface to protect the lighting means from incidental impact. A gap between the first and second elements provides a field of view. The field of view may include a substantially orthogonal line of sight to one side surface of the lighting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey F. Burt, Jason L. Klassen, Eric E. Sly
  • Patent number: 7547117
    Abstract: A multiple position luminaire is described having a hinged lens frame and lens. The lens rotates about a hinge affixed to the luminaire housing, the lens frame being sealed against the luminaire housing with a double gasket seal, a first seal interposed between the lens frame and the housing and the second seal being a plurality of gasket fingers contacting an inner surface of the luminaire side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Russello, Dylan Akinrele, David S. Monteiro, Frank L. Locascio
  • Patent number: 7540622
    Abstract: A tree ornament for being positioned on top of a tree to decorate the tree includes a base being configured to be mounted on a top of the tree. A centerpiece includes a reflective surface to reflect light off of the centerpiece. The centerpiece is mounted to the base. A support ring is coupled to the base. The support ring extends upwardly from the base and is positioned around the centerpiece. Each of a plurality of light assemblies is coupled to the support ring and arranged around the centerpiece. Each of the light assemblies is electrically coupled to a power supply. The light assemblies emit light towards the centerpiece to be reflected off of the centerpiece when the light assemblies are provided power by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Bryan F. Bechtol
  • Patent number: 7530717
    Abstract: A recessed down lighting system having an adjustable retaining bracket. The adjustable retaining bracket facilitates attachment of a reflector to ceilings, walls, or the like of variable thicknesses. The recessed down lighting system may be installed in locations having reduced overhead space above the ceiling or where minimal lateral clearance is available behind the ceiling. The retaining bracket and fastener can be installed and vertically adjusted through the open end of the reflector to secure the reflector to the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Antonio Magisano, Yong Wang
  • Patent number: 7532479
    Abstract: In a spread illuminating apparatus including: an LED at a side surface of a light conductor plate; and an FPC having a land formed on a side thereof for mounting the LED, throughholes are formed at the land, and solder is contained at least partly in each of the throughholes, whereby the LED can be mounted solidly on the FPC with a high precision in height position from the FPC, and at the same time the heat emitted from the LED can be efficiently conducted to a conductive pattern at the rear side of the FPC through an electrode terminal of the LED and the throughholes filled with the solder composed of a metallic material having a high heat conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ohno, Chiharu Ota
  • Patent number: 7527397
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solid state lighting package structure that breaks through the present small power packaging method to achieve the required power for lighting and overcome the heat and light issues, and uses a good heat sink and thermal conducting structure to quickly dissipate the heat produced by a chip to the outside. Special symmetric chip pattern and optical structure can evenly and efficiently guide the light out and select different color chips to meet the requirements for different color lights. The structure can be combined with a lamp easily, such that the solid state lighting can be applied for illumination easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Chia-Mao Li
  • Patent number: 7525611
    Abstract: A system and method of backlighting a display using LEDs is night vision viewing compatible and requires no filters. The backlight includes an array of LEDs and a controller configured to selectively illuminate the LEDs in the array. The array of LEDs includes orange LEDs that are illuminated during a night vision viewing mode and may include red LEDs that are illuminated in a non-night vision viewing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Astronautics Corporation of America
    Inventors: Peter A. Zagar, Thaddeus Raymond Ulijasz
  • Patent number: 7520637
    Abstract: A backlight unit and an LCD device are provided, in which an LED (light emitting diode) is used as a light source of the backlight unit, and the heat generated from the LED is rapidly discharged to the outside. The backlight unit includes in one embodiment a cover bottom; at least one heat pipe located on the cover bottom; and a plurality of light sources located on the at least one heat pipe at fixed intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In Suk Jeong, Gi Bin Kim, Tae Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 7520630
    Abstract: A mask illumination device and method. The device includes a mask having a face shield, a portion of which is visible therethrough, and configured to substantially isolate fluid communication of an external environment from an interior of the mask when worn by the user. The mask also includes an illumination apparatus disposed within the interior of the mask. The illumination apparatus is configured to illuminate the face of the user, project light outward of the mask, or illuminate or beacon a user from a distance. The method includes substantially isolating fluid communication of an external environment from an interior environment with a mask worn by a user, the mask having a face shield, a portion of which is visible therethrough. The method also includes disposing an illumination apparatus within the interior of the mask, the illumination apparatus configured to project light outward of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Trispec Eye Gear
    Inventor: Gary E. Murphy
  • Patent number: RE40934
    Abstract: The improved bollard luminaire has an upwardly directed, elliptical main reflector and a lamp “nested” within such reflector and positioned at or near its lower focal point. An upper cone-shaped reflector receives light from the main reflector and directs it laterally through a transparent lens element. Such element provides a 360° lateral light opening unobstructed by wiring, support posts or the like. Light reflected through such opening is relatively sharply focused along an axis about 70° from vertical. Unreflected light from the lamp which “misses” both reflectors also provides a degree of “uplighting,” often found useful for aesthetic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ruud Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Ruud, Eric J. Haugaard