Patents by Inventor Todd Kolstee

Todd Kolstee 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: 10414222
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a swivel connector assembly and method of securing a swivel connector assembly to a tractor-trailer system comprising a non-rigid, movable socket to reduce stress on the connection interface when a tractor makes a turn. The axis of the socket follows and approximates the axis of the tractor as the electrical cord stretches, while the swivel connector assembly provides more than a single axis of rotation to accommodate multiple angles of cord movement. The swivel connector assembly provides at least two separate and distinct rotation axes for the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Truck-lite Co, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Troutman, Roger Elmer, Todd Kolstee
  • Publication number: 20180244117
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a swivel connector assembly and method of securing a swivel connector assembly to a tractor-trailer system comprising a non-rigid, movable socket to reduce stress on the connection interface when a tractor makes a turn. The axis of the socket follows and approximates the axis of the tractor as the electrical cord stretches, while the swivel connector assembly provides more than a single axis of rotation to accommodate multiple angles of cord movement. The swivel connector assembly provides at least two separate and distinct rotation axes for the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Scott Troutman, Roger Elmer, Todd Kolstee
  • Patent number: 9874328
    Abstract: A headlamp includes heat sink structure for positioning a light emitting diode at an angle offset from the longitudinal axis of the headlamp and a reflector lens subassembly including a reflector portion and a light transmissive portion. The reflector portion includes a reflective surface for directing light from the light emitting diode towards the light transmissive portion. The reflector lens subassembly includes an upper rim with alignment features for engaging the perimeter of the heat sink structure to define a sealed three-dimensional space within the headlamp and to facilitate positioning of the light emitting diode with respect to the reflector lens subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Truck-lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Alan Felmlee, Douglas Buffone, Nicholas Kenyon, Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: 9638388
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a vehicle includes housing for coupling the headlamp assembly to a vehicle and a heat sink structure having a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, and a second edge. A first light emitting diode assembly and a second light emitting diode assembly are each electrically connected to a circuit board. The second edge of the heat sink structure directly contacts an inner surface of the housing, such that the housing is separated into first and second sections by the heat sink structure. Illumination of the first light emitting diode assembly results in a low beam and illumination of both the first light emitting diode assembly and the second light emitting diode assembly results in a high beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DiPenti, Michael Marley, Todd Kolstee, Ryan Smith
  • Publication number: 20160084460
    Abstract: A headlamp includes heat sink structure for positioning a light emitting diode at an angle offset from the longitudinal axis of the headlamp and a reflector lens subassembly including a reflector portion and a light transmissive portion. The reflector portion includes a reflective surface for directing light from the light emitting diode towards the light transmissive portion. The reflector lens subassembly includes an upper rim with alignment features for engaging the perimeter of the heat sink structure to define a sealed three-dimensional space within the headlamp and to facilitate positioning of the light emitting diode with respect to the reflector lens subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: TRUCK-LITE CO., LLC
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Alan Felmlee
  • Publication number: 20140369062
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a vehicle includes housing for coupling the headlamp assembly to a vehicle and a heat sink structure having a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, and a second edge. A first light emitting diode assembly and a second light emitting diode assembly are each electrically connected to a circuit board. The second edge of the heat sink structure directly contacts an inner surface of the housing, such that the housing is separated into first and second sections by the heat sink structure. Illumination of the first light emitting diode assembly results in a low beam and illumination of both the first light emitting diode assembly and the second light emitting diode assembly results in a high beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy DiPenti, Michael Marley, Todd Kolstee, Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: 8845161
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a vehicle includes a housing for coupling the headlamp assembly to a vehicle. The housing includes a reflector and a planar heat sink is positioned therein. The planar heat sink structure includes a first surface and a second surface for supporting a circuit board, a first light emitting diode assembly, and a second light emitting diode assembly. The headlamp assembly is adapted to emit a high beam and a low beam and the headlamp assembly is completely bisected by the planar heat sink structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DiPenti, Michael Marley, Todd Kolstee, Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: 8305225
    Abstract: A lamp assembly to be incorporated into or positioned on a truck's existing support structure comprising: a heat sink; an electrically insulating dielectric coating disposed on the heat sink; a plurality of circuit traces disposed on the dielectric coating; a plurality of LEDs disposed on and electrically connected to one another by the dielectric coating; and a cover disposed substantially over and protecting the heat sink, the dielectric coating, the circuit traces, and the LEDs. The LEDs are spaced apart at intervals to provide general illumination. The cover can be clear or be solid and have a plurality of apertures, each corresponding to one LED, and can further include a lens over the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Craig Hefright, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Publication number: 20120201043
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a vehicle includes a housing for coupling the headlamp assembly to a vehicle. The housing includes a reflector and a planar heat sink is positioned therein. The planar heat sink structure includes a first surface and a second surface for supporting a circuit board, a first light emitting diode assembly, and a second light emitting diode assembly. The headlamp assembly is adapted to emit a high beam and a low beam and the headlamp assembly is completely bisected by the planar heat sink structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy DiPenti, Michael Marley, Todd Kolstee, Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: 8104941
    Abstract: A retrofit vehicle mini lamp assembly for attaching a mini lamp to an existing opening in a vehicle surface includes a housing having a body with an interior portion and a lens portion covering a top end of the interior portion. The lamp assembly also includes circuitry disposed within the interior portion of the housing and at least one light source being electrically connected to the circuitry. An attachment member is also provided. The attachment member includes an aperture therein adapted to receive the housing, a rim adapted to abut the vehicle surface around the existing opening, and a spacer portion extending laterally from the aperture to the rim. The spacer portion includes an outer surface, wherein the lens portion of the housing is substantially continuous with the outer surface of the spacer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Timothy A. DiPenti, Gary R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7819566
    Abstract: A vehicle mini lamp assembly for attaching a mini lamp to a mounting surface includes a housing having a body with an interior portion and a lens portion covering a top end of the interior portion. The lamp assembly also includes circuitry disposed within the interior portion of the housing and at least one light source being electrically connected to the circuitry. A mounting device is also provided. The mounting device includes first and second sides and an aperture therein adapted to receive the body of the housing, a bottom adapted to abut the mounting surface, a top surface adapted to be substantially flush with the lens portion when the housing is positioned within the aperture. The mounting device further includes at least one rail for protecting the lens portion from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Timothy A. DiPenti, Gary R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7572043
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing having a top end, a body portion with an interior portion, and a lens portion covering the top end. The lamp assembly also includes an attachment member having a sleeve portion with an open top end and an open bottom end. The sleeve portion includes a recess and is adapted to receive the body of the housing and to fit within an opening in a vehicle surface such that the lens portion of the housing is substantially flush with an outer face of the vehicle surface and the body portion of the housing is positioned substantially behind the surface. A securing device is positioned between a back face of the vehicle surface and a plurality of legs from the attachment member, wherein the securing device prevents the attachment member and housing from being removed from the vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Timothy A. DiPenti, Gary R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080247187
    Abstract: A vehicle mini lamp assembly for attaching a mini lamp to a mounting surface includes a housing having a body with an interior portion and a lens portion covering a top end of the interior portion. The lamp assembly also includes circuitry disposed within the interior portion of the housing and at least one light source being electrically connected to the circuitry. A mounting device is also provided. The mounting device includes first and second sides and an aperture therein adapted to receive the body of the housing, a bottom adapted to abut the mounting surface, a top surface adapted to be substantially flush with the lens portion when the housing is positioned within the aperture. The mounting device further includes at least one rail for protecting the lens portion from damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Timothy A. DiPenti, Gary R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080219015
    Abstract: A retrofit vehicle mini lamp assembly for attaching a mini lamp to an existing opening in a vehicle surface includes a housing having a body with an interior portion and a lens portion covering a top end of the interior portion. The lamp assembly also includes circuitry disposed within the interior portion of the housing and at least one light source being electrically connected to the circuitry. An attachment member is also provided. The attachment member includes an aperture therein adapted to receive the housing, a rim adapted to abut the vehicle surface around the existing opening, and a spacer portion extending laterally from the aperture to the rim. The spacer portion includes an outer surface, wherein the lens portion of the housing is substantially continuous with the outer surface of the spacer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Timothy A. DiPenti, Gary R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7401960
    Abstract: A light emitting diode headlamp capable of low beam and high beam functions. The light emitting diode headlamp assembly comprises high-flux light emitting diodes, a reflector subassembly, a first and second light transmissive member, and a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Truck-Life Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Pond, Philip C. Roller, Chris A. Suckow, Ronald D. Madison, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Publication number: 20080062708
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing having a top end, a body portion with an interior portion, and a lens portion covering the top end. The lamp assembly also includes an attachment member having a sleeve portion with an open top end and an open bottom end. The sleeve portion includes a catch member and is adapted to receive the body of the housing and to fit within an opening in a vehicle surface such that the lens portion of the housing is substantially flush with an outer face of the vehicle surface and the body portion of the housing is positioned substantially behind the surface. A securing device is positioned between a back face of the vehicle surface and the catch member of the attachment member, wherein the securing device prevents the attachment member and housing from being removed from the vehicle surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Kolstee, Timothy DiPenti, Gary Johnson
  • Publication number: 20060202850
    Abstract: A lamp assembly to be incorporated into or positioned on a truck's existing support structure comprising: a heat sink; an electrically insulating dielectric coating disposed on the heat sink; a plurality of circuit traces disposed on the dielectric coating; a plurality of LEDs disposed on and electrically connected to one another by the dielectric coating; and a cover disposed substantially over and protecting the heat sink, the dielectric coating, the circuit traces, and the LEDs. The LEDs are spaced apart at intervals to provide general illumination. The cover can be clear or be solid and have a plurality of apertures, each corresponding to one LED, and can further include a lens over the apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Craig Hefright, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Patent number: 7070310
    Abstract: A light emitting diode headlamp capable of low beam and high beam functions. The light emitting diode headlamp assembly comprises high-flux light emitting diodes, a reflector subassembly, a first and second light transmissive member, and a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Pond, Philip C. Roller, Chris A. Suckow, Ronald D. Madison, Timothy DiPenti, Todd Kolstee
  • Patent number: D709226
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DiPenti, Michael Marley, Todd Kolstee, Ryan Smith
  • Patent number: D712079
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Timothy DiPenti, Michael Marley, Todd Kolstee, Ryan Smith