Patents by Inventor Shinichi Furihata

Shinichi Furihata 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).

  • Backlight unit and electronic apparatus
    Patent number: 6309081
    Abstract: To achieve considerably simple and easy replacement of a fluorescent tube 10 in a backlight unit,a fluorescent tube 10 is provided at both ends with a bracket 12. The fluorescent tube 10 is inserted in a cylindrical portion 12b of the bracket 12 having an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the inner diameter of a gripper 300, thereby preventing a lead portion from being exposed. The gripper 300, which is made of plastic, metal, or the like, wraps the cylindrical portion 12b to cover the fluorescent tube 10 with its reflective surface, and also grips an end portion of a light guide plate 20. This structure allows the gripper 300 to be simply attached and detached, and maintains a predetermined positional relationship among the fluorescent tube 10, the reflecting surface of the gripper 300, and the light guide plate 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Furihata