Patents Examined by James Endo
  • Patent number: 9044055
    Abstract: A garment (30) with a retroreflective and electroluminescent article (35) includes one or more electroluminescent structures (36), which may in some embodiments be discontinuous from each other. In some embodiments, the electroluminescent structures can be electrically connected with conductors (34) including conductive adhesive. The article further includes one or more retroreflective structures (39) disposed at least partially in the light path capable of being emitted by one or more of the electroluminescent structures. The article can be disposed on a support (33), such as a garment shell. The present disclosure also includes methods for making such garments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Rodney K. Hehenberger
  • Patent number: 9046247
    Abstract: A niche for a pool or spa light includes a back wall having an aperture for a power cable, a side wall, a plurality of mounting ribs, and a groove formed in at least one of the plurality of mounting ribs for receiving a locking mechanism of a pool or a spa light for locking the pool or spa light in position with respect to the niche. In another embodiment, a niche for a pool or spa light includes a body and a rotatable hub with a plurality of mounting ribs for attaching a pool or spa light to the hub. The body includes a back wall having a power cable aperture and a threaded aperture for receiving a screw, and a side wall. The hub includes a back wall having an aperture for receiving the screw and a plurality of mounting ribs, the hub being rotatable about the screw. A groove is formed in at least one of the plurality of mounting ribs for receiving a locking mechanism of a pool or a spa light for locking the pool or spa light in position with respect to the niche.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Potucek, Carl Davidson, Alan R. Levin, Greg Fournier
  • Patent number: 9028113
    Abstract: A hanging lamp assembly provides visual stimulation and relaxation. The assembly includes a container having a transparent perimeter wall defining an interior space. A first fluid and a second fluid are positioned in the interior space defining a liquid mass. The second fluid has a density different than a density of the first fluid wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are layered within the interior space defining a fluid interface between the first liquid and the second liquid. The first fluid is a non-clear color and the second fluid is a different color than the first fluid. A plurality of items is positioned in the interior space such that the items are suspended in the liquid mass. A light source is coupled to the container directing light towards the liquid mass. A hanger is coupled to the container such that the container swings freely from a supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Sean M. Giliberti
  • Patent number: 8876336
    Abstract: In LED lamp unit, a flat LED body has a light emitting part at a front surface side, and a pair of terminal parts at a rear surface side. Each of a pair of busbars includes a busbar body which is provided with a lock piece which locks the LED body and a contact spring piece which contacts the terminal part. A lock part provided at a free end side of the contact spring piece is inserted through a hole in the busbar body. A lens member accommodates an LED connection body in which the LED body is assembled to the pair of busbars. The LED connection body includes locked parts engaged with the lock parts, and an inner wall surface to which the lock part is press-contacted in a direction opposite to the terminal part in a state where the locked parts are engaged with the lock parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Suzuki