Patents by Inventor Stacey H. West

Stacey H. West 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: 8847520
    Abstract: An improved LED module that is thermally self-stabilizing, and that is able to be retrofitted into an existing flashlight is provided. In one embodiment, the LED module includes a light emitting diode, an amplifying circuit and a microchip. The amplifying circuit includes a temperature sensing device to sense heat from the light emitting diode. The output of the amplifying circuit is input to the microchip which output to a switching device that regulates energy that is delivered to the light emitting diode. The switching device may be part of a boosting circuit, a bucking circuit or an inverting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Patent number: 8760085
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device. A regulating circuit is used to power a controller and light source. The regulating circuit converts between current regulation and voltage regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Patent number: 8733966
    Abstract: A lighting device with improved optical performance and efficiency is provided. The lighting device includes a source of energy, a light source, a reflector and a holder. The reflector has a first open end, a second end, and a parabolic profile extending between the first open end and second end. The focus of the parabolic profile is located outside of the profile. The reflector may also be movable relative to the light source. The lighting device may include a circuit that delivers a pulsed or thermally compensated pulsed current to the light source. The light device may also include a heat sink housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Stacey H. West, John K. O'Farrell
  • Publication number: 20140070720
    Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with a circuit for reducing the initial surge of current that is sent through the lamp filament when a flashlight is turned on is provided. The circuit reduces the stresses placed on the lamp bulb when it is turned on, thereby extending the life expectancy of the lamp bulb. A flashlight with beacon mode that produces light according to a duty cycle of less than 11% is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20120262091
    Abstract: A flashlight having a locking mechanism for securing a head skirt to a head assembly is disclosed. A circuit for temporarily remember the mode of operation of the flashlight is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20120249018
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20120146552
    Abstract: A portable lighting device that provides different user interfaces that may be selected by the user. Each user interface may provide one or more operational modes, such as on mode, power save mode, strobe mode or momentary mode. After a user interface is selected, the user may select on of the operational modes. The portable lighting device may be a flashlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20120133296
    Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with a circuit for reducing the initial surge of current that is sent through the lamp filament when a flashlight is turned on is provided. The circuit reduces the stresses placed on the lamp bulb when it is turned on, thereby extending the life expectancy of the lamp bulb. A flashlight with beacon mode that produces light according to a duty cycle of less than 11% is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Patent number: 8169165
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: MAG Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20120062150
    Abstract: An improved LED module that is thermally self-stabilizing, and that is able to be retrofitted into an existing flashlight is provided. In one embodiment, the LED module includes a light emitting diode, an amplifying circuit and a microchip. The amplifying circuit includes a temperature sensing device to sense heat from the light emitting diode. The output of the amplifying circuit is input to the microchip which output to a switching device that regulates energy that is delivered to the light emitting diode. The switching device may be part of a boosting circuit, a bucking circuit or an inverting circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Patent number: 8134300
    Abstract: A flashlight having a locking mechanism for securing a head skirt to a head assembly is disclosed. A circuit for temporarily remember the mode of operation of the flashlight is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20110227500
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device. A regulating circuit is used to power a controller and light source. The regulating circuit converts between current regulation and voltage regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Patent number: 7986112
    Abstract: An improved LED module that is thermally self-stabilizing, and that is able to be retrofitted into an existing flashlight is provided. In one embodiment, the LED module includes a light emitting diode, an amplifying circuit and a microchip. The amplifying circuit includes a temperature sensing device to sense heat from the light emitting diode. The output of the amplifying circuit is input to the microchip which output to a switching device that regulates energy that is delivered to the light emitting diode. The switching device may be part of a boosting circuit, a bucking circuit or an inverting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: MAG Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Patent number: 7926971
    Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with a battery pack assembly is provided. The battery pack assembly has a cylindrically shaped housing with a base and a cover that form a chamber to hold a battery pack. A printed circuit board is installed in the cylindrically shaped housing to provide multiple functions to the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacey H. West, Robert P. Radloff
  • Publication number: 20110012534
    Abstract: A portable lighting device and method of operating the portable lighting device are disclosed. The portable lighting device is configured to operate using a portable source of power having a plurality of modes of operation. The portable lighting device comprises a main power circuit including a light source, an inertial sensor having a plurality of signal outputs, and a controller electrically connected to the outputs of the inertial sensor and the main power circuit in a manner to permit the controller to enter into a new mode of operation based on signals received from the outputs of the inertial sensor. One method of operating the portable lighting device is by positioning the portable lighting device to one of a plurality of predetermined positions to enter into one of a plurality of modes of operation. Each of the plurality of predetermined positions is associated with one of the plurality of modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Stacey H. West, Anthony Maglica
  • Publication number: 20100219775
    Abstract: A portable lighting device having a plurality of modes of operation and method of operating the portable lighting device are disclosed. One method of operating the portable lighting device is by rotating the portable lighting device along a principal axis of projection of the light source to enter into a new mode of operation. Normal, dim, motion sensitive, variable brightness, blink, right and left hand, lock out, SOS, night light, strobe, compass and signal modes are disclosed, and the modes may be adjusted. A rechargeable battery pack is disclosed that includes a housing, a rechargeable battery, and an accelerometer. A battery cassette is disclosed that provides a negative electrode at each end of the battery cassette, and a central connector that provides a positive electrode at both ends of the battery cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Stacey H. West, Scott Nathanson, Robert P. Radloff
  • Publication number: 20100177507
    Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with a battery pack assembly is provided. The battery pack assembly has a cylindrically shaped housing with a base and a cover that form a chamber to hold a battery pack. A printed circuit board is installed in the cylindrically shaped housing to provide multiple functions to the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: MAG Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacey H. West, Robert P. Radloff
  • Publication number: 20100176750
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, with a mechanical power switch and multiple operating modes is provided. The mechanical power switch is disposed in series with the controller for the lighting device and acts as the user interface to the controller to change modes of operation. Because the mechanical power switch is in series with the controller, the portable lighting device does not consume battery power when the mechanical switch is open. A state machine coupled to the controller is polled by the controller each time it is powered up to determine the operational mode of the lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Patent number: 7723921
    Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with a circuit for reducing the initial surge of current that is sent through the lamp filament when a flashlight is turned on is provided. The circuit reduces the stresses placed on the lamp bulb when it is turned on, thereby extending the life expectancy of the lamp bulb. A flashlight with beacon mode that produces light according to a duty cycle of less than 11% is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20100033972
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (“LED”) module with improved thermal characteristics is provided. The module includes an LED, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, a lower insulator, an upper insulator, a lower contact, upper contacts, and a heat sink. Preferably, the heat sink comprises an outer housing and a contact ring. The LED and the heat sink are attached to the first circuit board via solder. In addition to serving as a substrate for the LED, the first circuit board (which contains a plurality of thermally conductive layers connected by vias) facilitates the transfer of heat away from the LED to the heat sink. The module also has improved mechanical and electrical properties, including redundant electrical connections, stable mechanical connections, and a shock-absorbing lower contact. The lower insulator can also be configured to prevent misalignment of the power source with the lower contact when the module is used in a flashlight or other lighting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: MAG INSTRUMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Stacey H. West, Robert P. Radloff