Patents by Inventor James Michael Lay

James Michael Lay has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9062869
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus has an upper housing assembly and at least one additional housing assembly. The upper housing assembly has a top wall and at least one sidewall. The top wall includes a mounting portion with mounting brackets that are configured to attach to respective extension members when the lighting apparatus is rotated into a locking arrangement, with the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, William L. Dungan
  • Patent number: 9062830
    Abstract: Solid state lamps and bulbs comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffuser. These are arranged on a heat sink in a manner that allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omnidirectional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Various embodiments of the invention may be used to address many of the difficulties associated with utilizing efficient solid state light sources such as LEDs in the fabrication of lamps or bulbs suitable for direct replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay, Tao Tong, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Patent number: 9057511
    Abstract: Solid state lamps and bulbs comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffuser. These are arranged on a heat sink in a manner that allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Various embodiments of the invention may be used to address many of the difficulties associated with utilizing efficient solid state light sources such as LEDs in the fabrication of lamps or bulbs suitable for direct replacement of traditional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Larry Le, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Eric Tarsa, Paul Pickard, James Michael Lay, Tao Tong, Mark Youmans, Theodore Lowes, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr., Antony Van De Ven, Gerald Negley
  • Publication number: 20150138776
    Abstract: A multiple-ply solid state light fixture is disclosed. A panelized, solid state light fixture includes combined layers of material chemically bonded together without a traditional mechanical housing and with relatively few or no fasteners. In example embodiments, the solid state light fixture includes an LED mounting substrate, a thermal material on a non-LED side of the LED mounting substrate, and an optical material on the LED side of the LED mounting substrate. A plurality of LEDs are disposed or mounted, with or without additional packaging, on the LED side of the LED mounting substrate. A chemical bond is created between the substrate and the other layers. This chemical bond can be created, for example, through use of applied fluid or gelatinous compounds that are then solidified, or through the use of adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 9024517
    Abstract: Lamps and bulbs are disclosed generally comprising different combinations and arrangement of a light source, one or more wavelength conversion materials, regions or layers which are positioned separately or remotely with respect to the light source, and a separate diffusing layer. This arrangement allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of a co-planar arrangement of LEDs. Additionally, this arrangement allows aesthetic masking or concealment of the appearance of the conversion regions or layers when the lamp is not illuminated. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize LED chips to provide one or more lighting components instead of providing the components through phosphor conversion. This can provide for lamps that can be operated with lower power and can be manufactured at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Eric Tarsa, Tao Tong, Ronan Letoquin, Bernd Keller, Long Larry Le, James Michael Lay, Randolph Cary Demuynck
  • Publication number: 20150092449
    Abstract: A driver module is configured to generate the drive signals necessary to drive an LED or an array of LEDs of one or more LED luminaires. The driver module may, but need not, be located remotely from the LED luminaires. Since the driver module provides the drive signals, the LED luminaires do not need to have their own driver electronics, and as such, can be rendered in a more aesthetically pleasing and cost effective manner. As an example, the driver module may be located within a junction box or escutcheon plate associated with a light fixture and the LED luminaires can be mounted in the existing sockets of the light fixture. The internal wiring of the light fixture may be used to carry the drive signals provided by the driver module to the LED luminaires via the sockets of the light fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Demuynck, James Michael Lay
  • Publication number: 20150003069
    Abstract: A lamp comprises an enclosure that is at least partially optically transmissive. The enclosure comprises an optically transmissive lens and a base where the lens is connected to the base; and a LED board supporting an LED. A first of pins and a second pair of pins are rotatable relative to the enclosure and are in the electrical path supplying power to the LEDs. The lamp is positioned between a pair of tombstone connectors such that the first pair of pins engages the first tombstone connector and the second pair of pins engages the second tombstone connector. The first and second pair of pins are inserted into the tombstone connectors and are rotated to engage the electrical connectors in the tombstone connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Randall Levy Bernard, James Michael Lay, Nathan Ray Snell, Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Publication number: 20150003070
    Abstract: A LED lamp has an enclosure including an optically transmissive lens. LEDs are mounted on a plane in the enclosure and are operable to emit light through the lens when energized through an electrical path. A portion of the lens extends behind the plane of the plurality of LEDs such that a portion of the light is emitted as back light. Approximately between 5 and 25 percent of the total Lumen output of the lamp is emitted as backlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas William Medendorp, JR., Randall Levy Bernard, James Michael Lay, Nathan Ray Snell, Paul Kenneth Pickard
  • Publication number: 20140347885
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a luminaire comprises a waveguide body including a central section and first and second separate side sections extending away from the central section along first and second opposed directions, respectively. The central section includes a coupling portion and the waveguide body has a length and includes a plurality of light extraction features that extract light out of the side sections. At least one LED is disposed adjacent the coupling portion and is operated by a power circuit to produce light that is directed into the waveguide body by the coupling portion. At least one structural member extends along the length of the waveguide body for supporting the waveguide body and encloses at least one of the power circuit and the at least one LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay, Shawn Heeter, Nicholas W. Medendorp, JR., James McBryde
  • Publication number: 20140268720
    Abstract: A modular troffer-style fixture that is well-suited for use with solid state light sources, such as LEDs, to provide a surface ambient light (SAL). The fixture comprises two structural components: a housing subassembly and a lighting subassembly. These two subassemblies may be removably attached to operate as a singular fixture. Many different lighting subassemblies may be compatible with a single housing subassembly and vice versa. The housing subassembly comprises a body that is mountable to an external structure. The lighting subassembly comprises the light sources and optical elements that tailor the light to achieve a particular profile. Electronics necessary to power and control the light sources may be disposed in the housing subassembly, the lighting subassembly, or both. Various mount mechanisms may be used to attach the fixture to a surface such as a ceiling or a wall. Multiple fixtures can be connected serially to provide an extended continuous fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: William Laird Dungan, James Michael Lay, Nathan Snell, Gary David Trott
  • Publication number: 20140268825
    Abstract: A mounting and locking system for a lighting apparatus is provided. The system is configured to be attached to an electrical junction box connected to a ceiling or a wall. A mounting plate that is attachable to the junction box has extension members extending from a bottom face of the mounting plate. A lighting apparatus has an upper housing assembly and at least one additional housing assembly. The upper housing assembly has a top wall and at least one sidewall. The top wall includes a mounting portion with mounting brackets that are configured to attach to respective extension members when the lighting apparatus is rotated into a locking arrangement with the mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, William L. Dungan
  • Publication number: 20140268748
    Abstract: A modular fixture that is well-suited for use with solid state light sources, such as LEDs, to provide a surface ambient light (SAL). The fixture comprises two structural components: a housing subassembly and a lighting subassembly. These two subassemblies may be removably attached to operate as a singular fixture. Many different lighting subassemblies may be compatible with a single housing subassembly and vice versa. The housing subassembly comprises a frame that is mountable to an external structure. The lighting subassembly comprises the light sources and optical elements that tailor the light to achieve a particular profile. Electronics necessary to power and control the light sources may be disposed in the lighting subassembly. Various mount mechanisms may be used to attach the fixture to a surface such as a ceiling or a wall. Multiple fixtures can be connected serially to provide an extended linear fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, Jennifer Denise West
  • Publication number: 20140239794
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a lamp comprises an optically transmissive enclosure. An LED array is disposed in the optically transmissive enclosure operable to emit light when energized through an electrical connection. A gas is contained in the enclosure to provide thermal coupling to the LED array. The gas may include oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Hussell, John Adam Edmond, Gerald H. Negley, Curt Progl, Mark Edmond, Praneet Athalye, Charles M. Swoboda, Antony Paul van de Ven, Paul Kenneth Pickard, Bart P. Reier, James Michael Lay, Peter E. Lopez
  • Patent number: D718482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Snell, James Michael Lay, Brian Kinnune
  • Patent number: D721844
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, Don Miletich
  • Patent number: D728140
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, Jennifer Denise West
  • Patent number: D730558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: William Laird Dungan, Nathan Snell, James Michael Lay, Jennifer West, Peter Lopez, S. Scott Pratt
  • Patent number: D733347
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: William Laird Dungan, Nathan Snell, James Michael Lay, Jennifer West, Peter Lopez, S. Scott Pratt
  • Patent number: D733952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michael Lay, Nathan Snell
  • Patent number: D738033
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, John W. Durkee, James Michael Lay