Patents Examined by Sue Hagarman
  • Patent number: 5176442
    Abstract: A light projector is presented including a wireless power coupling mechanism and infra-red communications coupling mechanism which provide a portion of the projector with the capability of complete full-circle rotation about its pan-axis. A stationary base is provided which includes a first transmitter and receiver means for transmitting control signals to and receiving information signals from a second transmitter and receiver means on the rotating portion of the projector. A pan-axis shaft includes the second transmitter and receiver means for transmitting information signals to and receiving control signals from the transmitter-receiver means on the stationary base, and is operative to rotate the rotatable portion of the projector. The infra-red coupling mechanism and wireless power coupling mechanism eliminate the need for hard-wiring between the base and rotating portion of the projector, greatly facilitating continuous and efficient motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Morpheus Lights, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5171083
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a unique lighting structure for use on vehicles, in which concealable lights are incorporated into a luggage rack on the roof of a vehicle. The lights rotate between concealed and use positions. In the concealed position a portion of the light housing is aligned with a portion of the luggage rack housing such that the luggage rack may be used normally. In the use position, a bulb faces longitudinally forwardly of the vehicle, and is positioned vertically above the remainder of the luggage rack such that a light is directed from the roof of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: LTC Roll & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Rich
  • Patent number: 5165778
    Abstract: An aquarium lighting system for underwater illumination of an aquarium tank. The light sources each include an elongated insulated wire having a light emitting diode on one end. A water impervious encapsulating layer of material extends over the LED lens and preferably seals and electrically insulates the connection between the elongated wire and the light emitting diode. The wire insulation is both waterproof and watertight. The plug has an opening extending therethrough which cooperates with an attachment mechanism such as a tie wrap or a suction cup to facilitate attaching the light emitting diode to either an object within the tank or the tank walls. A decorative aquarium volcano and display stand also are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Universal Fiber Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Matthias, Roger W. Peterson, Stuart A. Schwalbe
  • Patent number: 5165787
    Abstract: A lamp shade including a plurality of light deflecting elements. The light deflecting elements are rotatably mounted so as to be independently rotated with respect to the frame and one another. In one embodiment the light deflecting elements are mounted end to end to allow vertical variation in light intensity and direction. In another embodiment the light deflecting elements are both horizontally and vertically disposed to increase versatility in both appearance and lighting effect. Thus, the lamp shade which advantageously allows the light to be directed in accordance with the particular area in which the light fixture is placed, both to shield the user's eyes and to direct light where it is most needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Albert Holzhacker
  • Patent number: 5161876
    Abstract: A lamp assembly has a first, second and third connections which mount a reflector body on a fixed support to enable independent adjustment of the reflector body relative to the support. Each of the first and second connections includes a screw threaded rod engaged with a boss carried by the support. A ball on the rod engages in a socket. The socket is provided in a separate member having a pair oppositely directed elliptical springs through which the socket is mounted on a respective boss integral with the body. The springs permit a degree of elastic deformation in a direction which is radial with respect to the axis about which the reflector body can be tilted by rotation of the associated rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Carello Lighting public limited company
    Inventor: Alan K. Smith
  • Patent number: 5158358
    Abstract: A flashlight having a switch and beam adjustment mechanism located in the tailcap whereby the flashlight may be turned on and focused with one hand without changing the grip on the flashlight by that hand. Batteries of "AAAA" size are contemplated for use in one embodiment of the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Robert J. DeLong, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5158357
    Abstract: A battery powered pocket flashlight has a noncorrosive and electrically nonconductive case containing a restrictive aperture for the projection of light from the lamp source and a resilient color filter attached externally upon the end of the case by integral stub axles extending inward into the case for an axis of rotation intersecting perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flashlight for operation by the user in the selection of unfiltered light of the lamp source or a light at a color of the visible spectrum of colors. The filter is secured to the case by resilience of the filter material and by its shape in the form of an acute sector of a sphere. The electrical subsystem is completely removable from the case for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Patent number: 5157591
    Abstract: An universal, selectively, attachable auxiliary vehicle lighting system is provided designed to be selectively attached to the front or rear of a vehicle, a trailer, a carrier attached to the vehicle, or to an object attached to the vehicle, trailer, or carrier, such as a ladder, a boat, or a bicycle, respectively. The lighting system includes a pair of separately attachable light assemblies each having a rigid mounting bracket and a light unit which may be electrically connected to the vehicle's lighting circuit. The mounting bracket has ear structures which extend laterally from each vertical side. In one embodiment each ear structure has a centrally located hole which engages with a wrapping member to attach each light assembly to different surfaces or objects. An optional bar extension is also provided which enables a pair of light assemblies to be structurally interconnected during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Michael J. Chudzik
  • Patent number: 5154507
    Abstract: A light for mounting a high intensity linear lamp bulb includes a bulb mount assembly adaptable to various lengths of linear lamp bulb. The light includes a front and rear cover, onto which rear cover slidably mounts the bulb mount assembly. The bulb mount assembly is slidable along longitudinally extending grooves formed in said rear cover to a preselected position set by positioning means. The positioning means also slide along said grooves. The bulb mount assembly is spring biased to allow insertion of the lamp bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: William J. Collins
  • Patent number: 5152598
    Abstract: A hole locator for use by installers of electrical fixtures is disclosed. The locator comprises a tapered shank of light conducting material having means at a first end to pierce a hole in a panel such as a ceiling. The tapered shank wedges in the pierced hole to hold the locator in place. A light source in the second end provides light through the length of the hole locator so the installer can easily find the locator from the opposite side of the panel. An eye or a hook in the first end provides means for pulling a wire or a pull string through the hole when the locator is withdrawn from the pierced hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Garry D. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 5149188
    Abstract: A self-contained solar powered light having a battery system where the battery container is mounted between two cantilevered arms on an upright vertical support. The light element is mounted at the distal end of one of the cantilevered arms. The photovoltaic panels are mounted on the upper cantilevered arm and point upward toward the sun. A computer is operably connected between the battery and the photovoltaic panels and the light element to determine when the light element should be actuated and deactuated based upon amperage produced by the photovoltaic panels. The vertical support has a U-shaped cross member which can engage poles with circular cross section or poles with external side flats. Threaded fasteners fix the vertical support onto the pole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Solar Outdoor Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Robbins
  • Patent number: 5149489
    Abstract: Skiing equipment is disclosed including improvements in ski boots and ski poles. The inventive ski boots include two layers of material for added warmth as well as a plurality of illuminated regions. Each illuminated region includes a lens which is elongated and which may be colored. Within each lens, an optical fiber is disposed. All of the optical fibers are exposed to light from a light source contained in each boot so that all of the lenses are illuminated when a switch is activated. The inventive ski poles have a transparent housing with a handle containing batteries and a light and with an optical fiber extending through the transparent portion to be illuminated by the light within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Robin Crews
  • Patent number: 5148356
    Abstract: A crib light is provided having front and rear housing portions which cooperate to clamp the light to a horizontal rail of a crib. The rear housing portion may be removed to permit the front housing portion to be mounted flush to a vertical wall surface. In addition, a lens cover is provided adjacent to a light emitting aperture of the front housing portion for controlling the brightness of light emitted and a control circuit is further provided for automatically shutting the light off after a predetermined interval of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Gerry Baby Products Company
    Inventors: T. Brent Freese, Joseph E. Janicke
  • Patent number: 5147129
    Abstract: The visual attractiveness of a variety of otherwise-autonomous articles may be significantly enhanced through the inclusion of an apertured, internally light-transmissive, peripherally light-intrareflective panel which is edge-illuminated and energized by elements self-contained within the article body. Article apertures of distributed area, point size or both may be thusly illuminated. Distributed-area display effects may be enhanced through aperture-aligned light-concentrative discontinuities formed in the panel. Enhancement of point-display effects may similarly be achieved through point-aperture-aligned, light-concentrative point discontinuities likewise formed in the panel. Point effects may also be enhanced through the employment of an end-illuminated, aperture-aligned, point-discontinuous optical fiber in conjunction with a subject apertured panel. Bi-directional display effects in subject autonomous articles may be achieved by means of a layered panel having oppositely-projective surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Tradebest International Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-ho Ku
  • Patent number: 5145247
    Abstract: A down lighting system for elevator cabs and the like includes halogen lights in standard and emergency light fixtures. Both types of fixtures are connected to the ceiling by a clamp arrangement which is universally adaptable to a wide variety of ceiling types without changing the light housing dimensions. The clamp arrangement fastens light housings against rotation with respect to the ceiling and it is adjustable to different height ceiling configurations merely by connection to different vertical positions of the outer surface of the fixture. The standard fixture includes a halogen bulb with its own reflector. The emergency lighting fixture includes a halogen bulb/reflector unit with the emergency self focusing bulbs concentrically spaced around it. Both light sources pass focused light directly into the space below the ceiling for meeting test point candle power requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: Robert R. Mandy
  • Patent number: 5146392
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp consisting of a casing containing an illumination source, a bracket for connection to a vehicle, and structure for selectively attaching the bracket to the casing at different locations on the casing to facilitate connection of the casing to various style vehicles. A vehicle headlamp consisting of an illumination source; a reflector for focusing light from the illumination source; a casing having first and second joinable parts; structure on the first and second casing parts for snap-fitting the first and second casing parts into assembled relationship; cooperating structure on the illumination source, reflector and first and second casing parts for maintaining the illumination source, reflector and casing in operative relationship with the first and second casing parts in assembled relationship and for permitting separation of the illumination source, reflector and casing upon the first and second casing parts being separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: George C. Kasboske
  • Patent number: 5143438
    Abstract: A luminaire is disclosed comprising a fluorescent plastics outer sleeve having a configuration such that a high proportion of the fluorescent light generated within the sleeve is emitted as visible light. The sleeve includes a fluorescent dye, which dye is excited by a blue phosphor discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: Len Giddens, John C. White, John G. Holden
  • Patent number: 5143442
    Abstract: A portable projection device has a case-like body made of synthetic resin and formed hollow in which a lens, a circuit connected to a light emitting means, a power source and resistances, a display film and a film setting section are arranged and housed. The circuit is opened and closed by a switch arranged on the case-like body to thereby render the portable projection device operative and inoperative. The portable projection device can be used as a time-displaying timepiece, a flashlight, an alarm lamp, a guide lamp or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Tamapack Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ishikawa, Masao Yamada
  • Patent number: 5143433
    Abstract: This invention presents a way to provide night vision viewing compatibility of backlit electrooptic modulated light valve or LCD displays designed for daylight viewing. Liquid crystal displays (LCD) designed with backlighting systems which provide a high brightness, good contrast display under daylight conditions are inappropriate for use in dark, night time conditions where viewing of the display is desired utilizing electronic night vision equipment. This invention describes improvements to standard backlighting displays which through the utilization of arrays of low-level intensity light sources such as secondary fluorescent light sources, miniature incandescent lamps or light emitting diodes, the general means used in daylight vision can be turned off and the secondary low-level lighting sources achieve a minimum intensity acceptable for night vision electronic viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Litton Systems Canada Limited
    Inventor: James F. Farrell
  • Patent number: 5142465
    Abstract: A strobe pop-up apparatus in which a strobe body is moved between a retracted position and a projection position, includes rotational levers which are pivoted at one end to the sides of a front portion of the strobe body and which are pivoted at their opposite ends to supporting members, and a cam guide mechanism having cam grooves and pins fitted in the cam grooves, between the sides of a rear portion of the strobe body and the supporting members, for guiding the movement of the strobe body between the retracted position and the projected position in accordance with the rotation of the rotational lever. The cam grooves are provided, on their terminal ends adjacent to the projected position of the strobe body, with archwise cam groove portions which extend along a circle having a center on an imaginary line parallel with the rotational levers when located in the vicinity of the projected position and having a radius that is the same as the rotational movement of the rotational lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Sato