Patents by Inventor Ronald L. Sitzema
Ronald L. Sitzema 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: 6698908Abstract: An improved optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor device and a reflector collar provided for enhanced directional illumination control. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. A light source is disposed within the reflector/refractor substantially along a central vertical axis of the reflector/refractor. The reflector collar supports the reflector/refractor and attaches the reflector/refractor to a luminaire ballast. The reflector collar has a predetermined contour and a plurality of reflector impressions formed into the predetermined contour. The predetermined contour and the plurality of reflector impressions provide directional illumination control for the optical assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Lexalite International CorporationInventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Gwen Barber
-
Publication number: 20030185012Abstract: An improved optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor device and a reflector collar provided for enhanced directional illumination control. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. A light source is disposed within the reflector/refractor substantially along a central vertical axis of the reflector/refractor. The reflector collar supports the reflector/refractor and attaches the reflector/refractor to a luminaire ballast. The reflector collar has a predetermined contour and a plurality of reflector impressions formed into the predetermined contour. The predetermined contour and the plurality of reflector impressions provide directional illumination control for the optical assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: LEXALITE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Gwen Barber
-
Patent number: 6575601Abstract: An optical assembly enables improved optical control of an uplight illumination component and a downward illumination component. The optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor and a shroud carried by the reflector/refractor. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. The shroud has a plurality of prisms disposed proximate to the reflector/refractor prisms for providing optical control of incident light from the reflector/refractor. The shroud is formed substantially corresponding to the predefined shape of the reflector/refractor, surrounding and spaced from the reflector/refractor exterior body surface. The shroud is formed, for example, by vacuum forming or by injection molding technique. The shroud provides optical control of incident light from the reflector/refractor, generally refracting incident light from the reflector/refractor.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Lexalite International CorporationInventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Paul D. Cardwell
-
Patent number: 5983581Abstract: A tubular skylight having an improved dome improving the efficiency of the skylight and reducing the shadows cast by the skylight. The dome includes a substantially vertical rear face having an integral prism in a portion of its outer surface, and the rear face is offset inwardly from the perimeter of the reflective tube, thus allowing light to escape from the bottom edge of the rear face downwardly into the reflective tube. The integral prism does not extend to the top or front face of the dome, thus reducing the prevalence of shadows created by light rays entering the dome through the prism.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: ODL, IncorporatedInventors: David A. DeBlock, Joel E. Robinson, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5743634Abstract: In brief, the objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a reflector for an ornamental luminaire. The reflector includes a member formed of a metal material, the metal member having a predetermined thickness and being perforated with spaced apart apertures of a selected diameter and selected density. The metal member has a predefined reflector shape with the spaced apart apertures and the predefined reflector shape arranged to provide control of both an upper illumination distribution and a lower illumination distribution. The reflector metal member includes a plurality of positioning portions arranged for press-fit engagement within the ornamental luminaire. A hydroforming technique is used to form the metal member into the predefined reflector shape. The reflector is trimmed via a stamping process to a desired diameter and to provide the plurality of positioning portions in a precompression state.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Lexalite International CorporationInventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Joel E. Robinson, Robert D. Towne, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5655339Abstract: A tubular skylight having an improved dome improving the efficiency of the skylight. The dome includes an integral prism in a portion of its outer surface to reflect light downwardly through the skylight. The dome is hemispherical, and the prism includes a plurality of grooves extending along great circles that pass through the apex of the dome. The prism covers only an angular segment of the hemispherical dome; and the grooves stop short of the apex of the dome.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: ODL, IncorporatedInventors: David A. DeBlock, Gwen H. Kramer, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5481445Abstract: A transflection reflector includes a body for simultaneously reflecting and transmitting light rays. The body is formed by a plurality of layers of a polymeric reflective material and has reflected rays at each interface between adjacent ones of the multiple layers. The body is both selectively configured and positioned relative to a light source for a predetermined distribution of reflected and transmitted rays.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1994Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignees: Lexalite International Corp., Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Dale A. Troppman, Gregg A. Motter
-
Patent number: 5321417Abstract: A light transmitting, visual display panel for use as a sign or message board and comprised of a plurality of closely adjacent, rectangular modules, each of which includes a closed, vertically disposed housing having top, bottom, side and back walls, and a front wall comprised of a plurality of closely adjacent, interchangeable, rectangular, 3-dimensional, light refracting filtering lenses. The lenses are removably secured in the housing. A vertical array of individual light sources is disposed within the housing behind the lenses and dividers behind the lenses separate the light sources. Each housing includes at least one pressurizing cooling fan and narrow, slot-like air exhaust ducts are provided between adjacent lenses.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1991Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.Inventors: Vernon P. Voelzke, Troy A. Erickson, Ronald L. Sitzema
-
Patent number: 5249109Abstract: An adjustable outdoor light fixture powered by an electrical current provided by wire leads capable of producing a variable light beam distribution pattern comprising, a housing having an outside surface and an inside surface and defining a cavity with an open face, a reflector supported within the cavity of the housing, a lens covering the open face of the housing, the lens movable relative to the reflector, and a light source connected to the leads adapted to be attached to the lens within the cavity of the housing whereby the lens and the light source are movable relative to the reflector in order to produce a variable light beam distribution pattern. Also included is a reflex optics reflector for an outdoor light fixture that improves transmittance of light from the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1991Date of Patent: September 28, 1993Assignee: Intermatic IncorporatedInventors: John F. Denison, John A. Czerlanis, Ronald L. Sitzema
-
Patent number: 5228772Abstract: A solar powered light comprises a cover containing a fresnel lens structure (also referred to as a fresnel lens cover) which is disposed directly above and adjacent to a photovoltaic cell thereof. The fresnel lens cover comprises a continuous and smooth outer surface and a prismatic inner surface having a plurality of prismatic means arranged in concentric circles to bend incoming radiation, especially at high angles of incidence, such as during winter months or at the beginning or end of a day, toward an optical axis thereof. The prisms have different thicknesses and are arranged in different angular configurations to accomplish the desired bending at each point of the cover. In a preferred embodiment, additional prismatic means are formed on a peripheral portion of the outer surface to cover a photodetector used for sensing the absence of light and triggering circuitry to turn on the solar powered lights.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1991Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries, L.P.Inventors: Kim Mitchell, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5207498Abstract: A vacuum cleaner headlight system incorporating a light pipe is provided. The light pipe includes reflex optics to control the distribution of light across the width of the output edge of the light pipe, as well as to prevent light from escaping through the sides of the light pipe. A reflex optical reflector is also part of the system, for reflecting light from a light bulb into the light pipe without requiring a metallized mirror.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1991Date of Patent: May 4, 1993Assignee: Electrolux CorporationInventors: Randall K. Lawrence, Timothy W. Jackson, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5086379Abstract: A light fixture having a base coupled to a housing by means of a coupling of the ball and socket type. The light housing may be fixed in any angular orientation over a range of azimuth angles well in excess of two hundred and seventy degrees and any angle of elevation from completely horizontal to completely vertical. The coupling can do so while accommodating the passage of electrical conductors from the base of the fixture extending toward the lamp and while also protecting the fixture against misuse in the form of repeated rotation tending to disconnect those conductors internally of the fixture. Altering the relative positions of a lamp and reflector changes the width of the beam cast by the apparatus. With the reflector and front lens fixed, a lamp holder is mounted for sliding motion with respect to the rear of the housing and is moved by manual actuation of a mechanism accessible from the rear of the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1989Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Assignee: Intermatic IncorporatedInventors: John F. Denison, John A. Czerlanis, Ronald L. Sitzema
-
Patent number: 4969074Abstract: A tier light comprising a lamp, a substantially clear lamp housing having an upper end and a lower end, a plurality of baffles on the housing and spaced apart along the housing to prevent generally horizontal emissions of light through the housing, and a reflector system. The reflector system comprises refracting means on the housing lower end for refracting light passing through the housing generally dominantly.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1989Date of Patent: November 6, 1990Assignee: Intermatic Inc.Inventors: August Davis, Ronald L. Sitzema
-
Patent number: 4867682Abstract: A dental impression tray and method of using it to form in a light-polymerizable impression material an impression of a portion of dental anatomy in an oral cavity, the tray being formed of transparent material, preferably clear plastic, and molded into a channel-like shape defined by walls capable of having visible actinic light applied to the walls transmitted both through and within the walls. At least some of the outer edge portions of the tray are beveled, guiding light that has entered the walls of the tray against exiting loss that would not be effective in initiating polymerization of the impression material.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1987Date of Patent: September 19, 1989Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.Inventors: Paul D. Hammesfahr, Steven R. Jefferies, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: 4839781Abstract: A reflector/refractor device is provided for use with a variety of lighting fixtures and light sources. The reflector/refractor device includes a body having a predetermined profile and defining a cavity with the body having an inside surface and an outside surface. An illuminating source for emitting light is disposed within the cavity substantially along a central vertical axis of the body. The body includes a series of sectional zones for reflecting and refracting light. The exterior surface of the device includes a plurality of substantially vertical prisms consisting of reflective elements, refractive elements and elements that may be either reflective or refractive depending on light center location. These reflective or refractive elements act in combination to selectively vary light distribution characteristics of vertical and lateral angles, and intensities, by vertical displacement of the illuminating lamp source.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1988Date of Patent: June 13, 1989Assignee: Lexalite International CorporationInventors: Josh T. Barnes, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: 4398239Abstract: A luminaire particularly suited for outdoor applications (e.g., for illuminating roadways and alleyways) and including a two-part housing wherein one of the parts (the base) is metallic and the other (refracting portion) is of lightweight (plastic) material and includes both an opaque chamber for housing the luminaire's lightweight rectangular aluminum reflector and a refracting, multiplanar prismatic lens. The reflector is slidably positioned in the chamber portion and thus readily removable when both parts of the housing are separated. The luminaire is capable of providing a predetermined scheme of light distributions (including IES types II, III, and IV) on the ground therebelow when oriented in either a horizontal or vertical position.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1981Date of Patent: August 9, 1983Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Hendrik A. J. de Vos, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: D270577Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1981Date of Patent: September 13, 1983Assignee: GTE Products CorporationInventors: Hendrik A. J. DeVos, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: RE38217Abstract: A tubular skylight having an improved dome improving the efficiency of the skylight. The dome includes an integral prism in a portion of its outer surface to reflect light downwardly through the skylight. The dome is hemispherical, and the prism includes a plurality of grooves extending along great circles that pass through the apex of the dome. The prism covers only an angular segment of the hemispherical dome; and the grooves stop short of the apex of the dome.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1999Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: ODL, IncorporatedInventors: David A. DeBlock, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Gwen H. Barber
-
Patent number: D332669Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1991Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries, L. P.Inventors: John S. Frost, David P. Tanner, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.
-
Patent number: D333008Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries, L. P.Inventors: John S. Frost, David P. Tanner, Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr.