Curvilinear Light Source Patents (Class 362/216)
  • Patent number: 7595583
    Abstract: A cold-cathode fluorescent lamp including a glass bulb and a pair of electrodes which are cylindrical and respectively inserted in two ends of the glass bulb. Two end portions of the glass bulb are substantially circular in transverse cross section, the two end portions respectively corresponding to the inserted pair of electrodes in length. At least part of a middle portion of the glass bulb is flat in transverse cross section, the middle portion corresponding to a space in the glass bulb between the pair of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yamashita, Toshihiro Terada, Yusuke Mori, Haruo Yamazaki, Takashi Maniwa, Koji Takasaki
  • Patent number: 7524100
    Abstract: A light for a liquid crystal device comprises a side supporter, a lamp fixing portion installed at a front surface of the side supporter, and a U-shaped lamp insertingly fixed into the lamp fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Mi Kim
  • Patent number: 7513646
    Abstract: A luminaire optical system comprises a ballast housing, a reflector having an upper end and a lower end, the ballast housing connected to the reflector, a plurality of lamp assemblies each having a base and a lamp portion, the lamp in electrical communication with the base at a single end, the base disposed downward and radially outward of said lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: JJI Lighting Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Catone, Robert Kloepple, Dan Skillington
  • Publication number: 20090073680
    Abstract: A lighting fixture where the lighting fixture uses inductive lighting technology or self ballasting lighting elements with one or a plethora of efficient light elements. The lighting fixture is used where high bay or low bay lighting may be used, but incorporates multiple light sources to provide an equivalent light intensity. The invention may include a hanging system that allows the entire assembly to be wired into a new or existing building and supply self ballasting lights, or ballast box and the dome or reflector. This fixture uses one or more high efficiency inductive lighting in similar 2 ft by 2 foot or 2 foot by 4 foot housing. A ballast box is secured to the reflector or dome retainer making the fixture a direct replacement for similar size and shape inductive fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Ruben SANDOVAL
  • Patent number: 7484861
    Abstract: An assembly structure for an energy-saving lamp includes a controlling IC board installed in the lamp seat, a lid that covers the lamp seat, lamp tubes set and fixed onto the lid, and an inductance heat radiating seat installed on the lid; the inductance heat radiating seat allows for an inductance to be installed inside. The inductance and the controlling IC board are separated, and thus damage to the inductance and related components from continuous overheating of the controlling IC board can be avoided. Due to the isolated design of the lid and the lamp seat it is easy to disassemble and change the component parts of either the lamp tubes or the controlling IC board in the event of malfunction. Finally, because the lamp tubes of the present invention branch out horizontally, the lamp's area of illumination is significantly increased. Overall, the present invention achieves the advantages of reducing cost, convenient repair and increasing the lighting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventor: Ti-Hsien Wu
  • Patent number: 7461963
    Abstract: The display device lighting unit comprises a light source lamp and a lamp holder, which has one or an arbitrary combination of the following features: (1) the lamp holder comprises a plurality of supporting members at least partly integrated, (2) the light source lamp or lamps have a curved portion and each is supported by supporting members of the lamp holder or holders at least partly at the respective curved portions, (3) the lamp holder has, for example, projections, depressions and so on that reduces the supporting area of the supporting members, (4) means for fixing the lamp holder within the display device lighting unit after the fixation of light source lamp on the supporting members of the lamp holder or holders in which at least one fixing member of the lamp holder or holders have a structure resulting from division into two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Ono, Mitsuhiro Takeguchi
  • Patent number: 7455421
    Abstract: A backlight device includes a frame, at least one lamp unit each comprising a transformer and a discharge lamp structured into an integral and rigid unit, and also includes a circuit board for lighting the discharge lamp, which is disposed at the back surface of the frame and at which the transformer is mounted at. The transformer of the lamp unit includes: two terminal blocks having terminal pins; a bobbin having a primary winding and first and second secondary windings wound around an outer circumference of the winding core member; a magnetic core; and two lamp connecting terminals attached respectively to the terminal blocks and connected respectively to the first and second secondary windings, wherein the discharge lamp is attached to the transformer with electrodes of the discharge lamp connected directly to the lamp connecting terminals of the transformer, thus forming the lamp unit into a integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080285263
    Abstract: A high bay induction fluorescent lighting fixture having a multiple of nested circular lamps suspended on a post below the ballasts therefor and enclosed in a reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Clayton M. Garrett
  • Patent number: 7445353
    Abstract: A low cost under-cabinet and display case lighting system that permits the highest degree of flexibility in the installation and location of luminaires for under-cabinet and display case lighting. The system consists of a high-frequency power source, an interconnection cord, and one or more high-frequency luminaires. The high-frequency power source is powered from a source of 50 or 60 Hertz power. The interconnection cord is connected to the high-frequency output of high-frequency power source. The high-frequency luminaires are mounted in the desired locations under the cabinets or display case shelves. Any number of high-frequency luminaires (within the capacity of the high-frequency power source) may be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Dale E. Fiene
  • Patent number: 7434961
    Abstract: A device for enhancing the appearance of a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and changing the optical properties of light emitted by the CFL is provided. The device for a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) includes a cover configured for obscuring the compact fluorescent lamp; and an attachment mechanism configured for coupling the cover to the compact fluorescent lamp by engaging an inner surface of the compact fluorescent lamp. The attachment mechanism includes at least two resilient fingers for engaging at least two spaced apart inner surfaces of the compact fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Adaptive Lighting Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary Colin Bernhardt, Wojciech Pawelko, Michael Fusco, Michael A Savona, Jonanthan Hacker
  • Patent number: 7431476
    Abstract: A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (10) is configured generally as a trapezium having first (11), second (12), third (13) and fourth (14) sides, the lamp (10) has a first end (15) adapted to be connected to an electric supply and a second end (16) adapted to be connected to the electric supply, the first and third sides (11 and 13) being generally parallel to one another and running in opposite directions, the second side (12) extending between the first and third sides (11 and 13) and not at right angles to either the first side (11) or the third side (13), and the fourth side (14) being defined by a first portion (17) extending from the third side (13), a second portion (18) of generally inverted U-shape extending towards the second side (12) and a third portion (19) extending from the second portion (18) towards the first side (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Bright Group Pty Limited
    Inventor: Barrie James Holst
  • Patent number: 7416312
    Abstract: A multi-color lighting device 30 capable of emitting light of at least two colors. A group 9 of LED lamps comprising a variety of colors each color having a plurality of LED lamps disposed in an equiangular array. The color of the emitted light selected by a circuit having a schematic 16 and a switch 6, which selectively energizes lamps of the desired color. Each color of emitted light is refracted by a light converging lens 1 which surrounds group 9 of LED lamps and concentrates the light emitted by the energized lamps to intensify the light emitted by the lighting device toward an elongated output beam having a specification vertical beam width smaller than a specification azimuth. Switch 6 selectively energizes each plurality of lamps representing each color within the group to an established and usually substantially fixed power level. The established power level for each color is established as adequate when light emitted from the lighting device of that color meets a required photometric specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Patent number: 7390106
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of enhancing illumination by a variety of lamp types through the use of reflective technologies, for example, replacement of expensive high intensity density of mercury vapor lamps with low wattage fluorescent tubes having at least one and in some cases, up to three reflective surfaces for focusing otherwise lost light toward a target illumination area. Further, the placement of light sources at the focal point of said reflective surfaces aids in optimizing the amount of light focused in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Randal D. Walton
  • Patent number: 7388324
    Abstract: An all-rounded illumination enveloped fluorescent lamp. The light translucent materials used for lamp carrier disk fixing lamp tube, segregation board segregating wires, ballast circuit board and rear housing enables light emitted by the lamp tube to penetrate through the rear housing, thus causing the whole lamp body to illuminate as the lamp is turned on. The rear housing, which is made of PC plastic with proper amount of colour powder added, provides good light transmission property but is not transparent, thus shielding the ballast. No darkness zone is formed when in use. The lamp thus provides an advantageous aesthetic quality and illumination effect. The light transmission amount of the rear housing is increased further by setting the circuit board perpendicular to the lamp carrier disk or by adjusting the circuit board to be smaller than the bottom projection of lamp tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Mass Technology (H.K.) Limited
    Inventor: Onn Fah Foo
  • Patent number: 7331681
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. Lenses and/or filters are adjusted in distance from the light elements, by for example moving the lenses/filters into different slot positions of the frame, to alter characteristics of the emitted light. Focal lenses, diffusion lenses, and color filters may be used individually or in combination. A compound lens includes lens elements having different characteristics arranged in a pattern. Through groupwise control of the intensity of the light elements, the different characteristics are emphasized or de-emphasized. The light panel may have an integrated battery, and may be be mounted on a stand. The panel may be modular, allowing larger panels to be constructed from smaller panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin C. Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20080002400
    Abstract: A illuminating ring includes an annular body with an arcuate front face, a flat rear face and having multiple grooves defined in the flat rear face and an illuminating element mounted on the flat rear face to illuminate the annular body such that the annular body is able to substantially glow evenly due to groove arrangement in the annular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: YUJING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jack HUANG
  • Patent number: 7303307
    Abstract: An electrodeless lamp (10a), wherein the lamp comprises a closed-loop, tubular lamp envelope (13) with parallel cylindrical glass tubes (14a 16a) containing an arc generating and sustaining medium, means (20a) in the form of magnetic toroids for energizing the medium; and a reflector coating (22) associated with the envelope (13) and affixed thereto. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the reflector coating (22) is on the internal surface (24) of the envelope and comprises a layer of a reflective m, such as alumina. Alternatively, the reflective coating (22) can be applied to the external surface of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Martin, Aline Tétreault, Arunava Dutta, Daniel Marian
  • Patent number: 7273295
    Abstract: A lighting module comprises a bezel, a lamp and a fixing component. The lamp includes two straight portions and one bending portion therebetween. The two straight portions substantially being parallel to each other. A fixing component includes a main body fixed with the bezel and two C-ring structures individually having two ends connecting with the main body. The two straight portions are individually encircled by one of said two C-ring structures and in touch with the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chang-Ho Shen, Ern-Hoo Then, Chih-Kang Tung, Wen-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 7270463
    Abstract: An area light source device includes an L-shaped cold-cathode fluorescent lamp, a wedge-shaped light guide having an incidence surface, on which emission light from the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp is incident, and a reflector that surrounds the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp, has an opening facing the incidence surface, and reflects the emission light from the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp toward the light guide, wherein the opening of the reflector has a shape corresponding to shapes of two mutually neighboring incidence surfaces of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yasuda, Toshihiko Ura
  • Patent number: 7268494
    Abstract: A compact fluorescent lamp comprises a fluorescent tube having a helical portion on at least a part thereof and turned down in the middle, a pair of tube ends thereof each provided with a discharge electrode, the pair of tube ends juxtaposing with each other in the same direction, a holder for holding the tube ends so as that the fluorescent tube is supported at the one side thereof, a lighting device for supplying a high-frequency power to the fluorescent tube, the lighting device comprising a circuit board facing the other side of the holder and circuit elements mounted on the circuit board, a cover for accommodating the lighting device, the cover opening at both ends and holding the holder at the one opening end, and a cap fixed to the other opening end of the cover for supplying a commercial power to the lighting device by being mounted to a socket of luminaire, wherein a thin tube is protruded from at least one of the tube ends of the fluorescent tube in the cover, and the thin tube is communicated with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Yasuda, Kunihiko Ikada
  • Patent number: 7264375
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp unit employing a fluorescent tube having a double spiral configuration is provided. The fluorescent lamp unit include a double spiral configured fluorescent tube having an upper central portion from which two spiral portions extend at a downward incline and wind around a vertical axis such that an outer diameter of the double spiral configuration increases as the spiral portions extends from the upper central portion to sealed ends of the fluorescent tube. The fluorescent lamp unit further includes a ballast housing having an electronic ballast contained therein. The ballast housing is partially enclosed by the spiral portions of the fluorescent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Byung Il Ham
  • Patent number: 7264365
    Abstract: A lamp positioning structure is disclosed. The lamp positioning structure is assembled on a display device and includes a fastening element mounted on a side plate of a rear plate. The lamp is curve-line-shaped and is mounted over the rear plate. Moreover, the lamp includes at least a curved section. Also, a display panel having a display area is assembled over the rear plate to cover the lamp. The curved section of the lamp is arranged in the display area without damaging the brightness uniformity nearby. In addition, two elastic arms are disposed on both lateral sides of the fastening element to abut against the curved section. Through the arrangement of the positioning structure, the breakage and the displacement of the lamp can be reduced or even prevented. The brightness of the curved section corresponding to the fastening element becomes more uniform and without definite dark spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Quanta Display Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Kuo, Wei-Chih Chiu, Hsin-Chih Chen, Shr-Bin Lin, Yu-Chen Hsu, Kuang-Yu Fan
  • Patent number: 7258462
    Abstract: A backlight unit that includes: an outer container; a curved fluorescent lamp that is contained in the outer container and includes two electrodes and a glass bulb that has (i) a folded portion and (ii) two straight portions that extend in parallel with each other from the folded portion, and the two electrodes being respectively attached to two ends of the glass bulb; and an inverter operable to supply power for lighting to the curved fluorescent lamp. The inverter is disposed outside the outer container, and the curved fluorescent lamp is arranged so that the electrodes are at low positions and the folded portion is at a high position in the outer container when the backlight unit is erected vertically in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yamashita, Toshihiro Terada, Takashi Maniwa, Yusuke Mori
  • Patent number: 7256539
    Abstract: An eccentric planar fluorescent tube includes an outer planar fluorescent tubular member that extends substantially but not completely about a center point and which is extended by two inner portions that extend from a first peripheral portion of the outer tubular member and on opposite sides of the center point and terminate at ends proximate to an opposite peripheral portion of the outer tubular member and wherein the ends are connected by a leg member for supplying power to the fluorescent tube. In one embodiment, the leg member includes electrical contacts that extend substantially in a plane of the outer tubular member and, in another embodiment, a central adapter may be provided including electrical contacts that extend transversely with respect to the plane of the outer tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: William Yu
  • Patent number: 7251910
    Abstract: An electrical neon display device that allows for the interchangeability of the material being displayed and includes a power track, a track head and at least one display member that is electrically connected to said track head and includes a neon tube that is preferably shaped in the configuration of a desired letter or design to be displayed by said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General-Tech Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Tsang Chiu Ming
  • Patent number: 7234826
    Abstract: The present invention mainly relates to a liquid crystal display device which comprises a casing and a backlight module; wherein the casing comprises a frame and an opening formed at a central region of the casing, the opening defining an active area; the backlight module used in providing light source via the active area comprises at least one lamp distributed equally in regions defined by the frame and the active area. The at least one lamp comprising an even luminance portion and a dense luminance portion, wherein the even luminance portion is located in the region defined by the active area while the dense luminance portion is located in the region defined by the frame. Because the dense luminance portion is located outside the active area in the invention, the luminance uniformity in the active area is raised without complex treatments thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Kuo-Shu Fan
  • Patent number: 7234838
    Abstract: A method for bending a perimeter light and a perimeter light for illuminating curved surfaces. One embodiment of a bending method according to the present invention comprises heating a perimeter light to make it pliable. A radius tool is then provided having a curved surface with a shape and radius for the desired bend in the perimeter light. The heated perimeter light is mounted to the radius tool curved surface. The perimeter light is then cooled and removed from the radius tool. One embodiment of a bent elongated perimeter light according to the present invention comprises an array of light sources and an elongated tube bent to match a curve or shape. The array of light sources is disposed within the tube and the tube transmits and disperses the light from the array to give the appearance that said array of light sources is a continuous light source. The array of light sources is cuttable at intervals to shorten the array while allowing the remaining light sources in the array to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7213946
    Abstract: A backlight module of a directly lighting backlight device comprises a casing; at least one S shape lamp tube; a reflecting sheet positioned below the lamp tube; a guide plate; the reflecting sheet reflecting light from the lamp tube with a predetermined angle to a guide plate above the lamp tube; the guide plate having the effect of diffusing the light to various angles by the pattern on the guide plate or the diffusion agents; whole reflection being not formed so that light is emitted out from a front surface of the guide plate and thus the guide plate reflects light uniformly; a diffuser receiving the uniform distributed light; the diffuser being above the guide plate; and at least one light enhancing sheet; light diffused by the diffuser will further radiate to the at least one light enhancing sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: Wen-Pao Tseng, Hsin-Chien Chiang
  • Patent number: 7198399
    Abstract: A lamp module comprising a lamp holder and a lamp is provided. The lamp holder has a structure with a curved arc surface such that the ends of the structure are inwardly converging. Light from the lamp impinging upon the curved arc surface is scattered out to a linear dimension greater than the original length of the lamp. The scattered light is projected onto the light-inlet surface of a light-guiding plate so that light emerges from the light-emitting surface as a planar light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventors: Jen-Shou Tseng, Yin-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 7192148
    Abstract: An illuminated logo unit (300) includes a reflective device (320), a pattern panel (301), and an illuminator (311). The reflective device includes a bottom portion (323) and a circumferential portion (321). The circumferential portion defines a concavity (360). The pattern panel is disposed over the reflective device, and includes a pattern (304) and a transparent body (302). The illuminating means illuminator is received in the concavity. The illuminated logo unit further includes a transflective film (305) disposed under the pattern panel opposite to the bottom portion. Virtually all light emitting from the illuminating means illuminator is reflected more than once by the circumferential portion, the bottom portion and/or a transflective film before it reaches the pattern, This improves the overall brightness of the illuminated logo unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chiang Tsai, Chun-Yu Lee, Tsung-Wei Chiang
  • Patent number: 7192157
    Abstract: A method for bending a perimeter light and a perimeter light for illuminating curved surfaces. One embodiment of a bending method according to the present invention comprises heating a perimeter light to make it pliable. A radius tool is then provided having a curved surface with a shape and radius for the desired bend in the perimeter light. The heated perimeter light is mounted to the radius tool curved surface. The perimeter light is then cooled and removed from the radius tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: SloanLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, Bruce Quaal
  • Patent number: 7178940
    Abstract: A dual functional lamp includes a lamp shade, a dual light seat unit mounted in the lamp shade, and a dual light bulb unit mounted on the dual light seat unit and located in the lamp shade. Thus, the dual light bulb unit can emit optical rays outward to provide a warming and illuminating effect and can also emit ultraviolet rays outward, so that the single dual light bulb unit produces two different functions, thereby enhancing the versatility of the dual functional lamp. In addition, the dual light bulb unit is fully hidden in the lamp shade, so that the dual functional lamp has a smaller volume, thereby saving the space of storage, and thereby facilitating storage, package and transportation of the dual functional lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 7175331
    Abstract: A backlight module with two translucent faces applicable to operations of scanner is used for scanning of transparent documents. The backlight module has a shell and a light source unit disposed in the shell. The shell has a first translucent portion and a second translucent portion corresponding to each other. The light source unit in the shell can emit light via the first translucent portion and the second translucent portion. When the backlight module is used for scanning of a transparent document and the transparent document is placed outside the first translucent portion, the user can preview the content of the transparent document before scanning via the second translucent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Yi-Ting Chen
  • Patent number: 7160012
    Abstract: A lamp (10) is disclosed with a single or double-sided socket, whereby a bulb element (11) is arranged on the at least one socket (12), which surrounds a volume of space (14) and said lamp is provided with at least one LED element (13). An irradiation of the LED light into the bulb element occurs and, as a result of reflection, in particular total reflection, on the defining surfaces (16,17) of the bulb element a transmission of the LED light within the bulb element occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für elektrische Glëhlapen mbH
    Inventors: Achim Hilscher, Harald Hofmann, Thomas Noll, Martin Zachau
  • Patent number: 7128451
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for illuminating the interior of an automotive passenger vehicle for ingress and egress. The apparatus comprises a lighting device integrated into the periphery of a sun visor or similar object. The lighting device is typically activated by a remote entry device, a door opening, or by an interior switch. The apparatus is particularly applicable where overhead interior lighting is impractical, such as in convertibles and other types of vehicles with removable tops. The lighting device may be customized for color and intensity, as well as for physical configuration. The apparatus can also be used in lieu of conventional interior roof lighting as a manufacturing cost reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R Kaphengst, Olimpia Maria Hernandez, Kevin M Hester, Bruce R. Koch
  • Patent number: 7121681
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp system is provided that facilitates high-brightness in a compact size needed for liquid crystal displays. The fluorescent lamp system comprises a lamp having a plurality of interdigitated legs arranged in multiple planes. By arranging the interdigitated legs in multiple planes, the lamp system efficiently fills the available space, thus maximizing the lamp surface area in general, and the lamp surface area oriented toward the display in particular, all while maintaining relatively small overall dimensions. The lamp system is thus able to provide the high-brightness needed for displays in a compact size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Cull, Allen E. Harris, Elias S. Haim, Danny Lee Heath, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7063439
    Abstract: A backlight module which includes at least a U-shaped fluorescent tube, a first and a second heat-dissipating structure is provided. The U-shaped fluorescent tube includes a curved tube portion, two straight-tube luminous portions and two electrode portions. Of which, each of the two straight luminous sections has one end connected to one or the other end of the curved tube portion while the two electrode portions are correspondingly disposed at the other end of the two straight-tube luminous portions which are of equal length, parallel to each other and situated at the same side of the curved tube portion. The first heat-dissipating structure which envelops the entire or partial of curved tube portion is thermal-conductively connected to the curved tube portion. The second heat-dissipating structure which envelops one of the two electrode portions is thermal-conductively connected to the enveloped electrode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chung Peng, Chih-Kang Wu
  • Patent number: 7064488
    Abstract: A compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes an arc tube formed by a glass tube double-spirally wound from its middle to both ends around a spiral axis, and a cylindrical holding member having a closed bottom and holding the arc tube, a case fit to cover a circumferential wall of the holding member, and the like. End-vicinity parts of the glass tube are formed to have a larger gap with glass tube parts adjacent in the direction of the spiral axis. The arc tube is held in a state where the distance L1 between a first point that is on an outer surface of a glass tube part adjacent to one of the ends of the glass tube in the direction of the spiral axis and a second point on a surface of the end wall facing the first point is about 1.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushige Tomiyoshi, Kenji Itaya, Akiko Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7052157
    Abstract: A multiple function lighting fixture that uses compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), and circular fluorescent lamps positioned in strategic locations inside a lampshade. A shield within the lampshade divides the area into a primary interior zone and a secondary interior zone. One of the respective lamps is located in each of the respective interior zones. One of the lamps provides for upwardly directed light and the other lamp provides downwardly directed light. The inner and outer surfaces of the shield may have reflective properties. The lampshade may have portions thereof having light transmitting properties. The inner surface of the lampshade may have reflective properties in some areas. LEDs may be mounted in various areas of the respective primary interior zone and secondary interior zones. The light fixture may also have dimmer control switches/sensors and there may be sensors for remote control operation for turning the respective lamps on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Lau
  • Patent number: 7018080
    Abstract: Shaped neon light spark plug connectors which include a continuous length of neon tubing fitted with electrodes at each end and configured to extend between and connect to the spark plug and coil of a motorcycle engine. The spark plug connectors are each characterized by a continuous, shaped neon tube light source that pulsates and flickers with operation of the engine at low engine speeds and displays a substantially continuous glow of a selected color at higher engine speeds. A specially designed jig is provided for bending the heated neon tubing into the desired configuration and fitting it between the spark plug and the coil locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Kevin L. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6994452
    Abstract: The invention relates to LED-based lamps, luminaires and lighting systems for buildings particularly, though not exclusively, for providing emergency light in the event of power failure. In particular it provides a light-emitting diode lamp comprising a support (26) and an array of light emitting diodes (58) on the support, an optical axis (72) passing through the middle of the array (58) and diodes increasing in number and increasing in inclination with distance from the optical axis (72). It also provides a luminaire (24) comprising a lamp as described above and a lens (30) having facets for generally un-deviated and un-reflected passage of light from off-axis diodes, and a building emergency lighting system comprising luminaires (24) as described above. In an alternative embodiment inclination of the light is through progressively increasing inclination of the facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventors: Simon Grant Rozenberg, Ian Shaun Lawry, George Alan Limpkin
  • Patent number: 6979101
    Abstract: A bent fluorescent lamp for backlighting a display providing uniform illumination. A fluorescent lamp is made from a tubular glass envelope having right angles formed therein. The right angles provide improved illumination of a plane surface for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The right angles eliminate dark regions in the illuminated surface. A right-angled bend is also formed at the ends of the fluorescent lamp. An electrode is positioned sufficiently far from a central portion of the lamp so that any dark spaces in the gas discharge of the fluorescent lamp, such as the Faraday dark space associated with a cathode of a lamp are not formed within the central portion. As a result, the central portion of the fluorescent lamp has a uniform brightness or intensity providing improved illumination for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The resulting more uniform illumination with less dark regions results in a more legible display and more accurate information being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: LCD Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Sauska, Arpad Pirovic
  • Patent number: 6976777
    Abstract: A simulated neon-light tube assembly (10) that is comprised of four major elements: a transparent tube (12) having a closed front end (16) and an open rear edge (18), a light-diffusing material (24), a light source (50) and a power source (60). The light-diffusing material (24) consists of stacks of thin acetate, or a like material, which are rolled and inserted into the tube (12) through the tube's open rear edge (18). The light source (50) can consist of a single LED (52) or an LED cluster. In either case, the LED(s) are located within a light-power assembly (70) that encloses the LED (52). The power source (60) for the LED can consist of an internal battery located within the assembly (70) or the assembly (70) can include a cable that is connected to an external battery. In either design, when the LED (52) illuminates, the light travels through the light emitting material (28) to cause the simulation of a neon-light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Herold Design Group, LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Herold
  • Patent number: 6971763
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter (1) having an integrated ballast and starting arrangement for annular fluorescent lamps (2) having a pin base (3) for connecting them to conventional incandescent lamp sockets. The adapter (1) has a cuboidal housing and has at each end a holder which partially encloses the pin base (3) of the fluorescent lamp (2) or the discharge vessel (12) of the fluorescent lamp (2). The first holder in this case also contains a socket for accommodating and making electrical contact with the pin base (3) and the other holder contains a sliding apparatus for locking the lamp (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur Elektrisch Gluhlampen mbH
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Moreno Marton
  • Patent number: 6969179
    Abstract: An elongated perimeter light is disclosed, which comprises a linear array of light sources (LEDs) that are electrically illuminated. The array of light sources is disposed within an elongated transparent tube, with the tube transmitting and dispersing the light from the array giving the appearance that said array of light sources is a continuous light source. The array of light sources is capable of being cut at intervals down its length to shorten it. The light sources that remain in the array continue to emit light and the tube can be cut to match the length of said array. The present invention also discloses systems for lighting structural features, with one system according to the present invention comprising a plurality of elongated perimeter lights. The perimeter lights are electrically coupled in a daisy chain with the electrical power at each of the perimeter lights being transmitted to the successive light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Sloanled, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sloan, James J. Sloan
  • Patent number: 6964495
    Abstract: A reduced emissions work light includes a bulb with an elongated bulb tube. A handle is provided adjacent the bulb, and is adapted for being gripped by a user to manipulate the work light. An emissions containment housing is located within the handle. A ballast is located within the housing, and is operatively connected to the bulb. An emissions filter is located within the housing, and is operatively connected to the ballast. The filter and housing cooperate to reduce emissions generated by the work light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: MacLean Jameson, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Schnaufer, Thomas S. Crates
  • Patent number: 6960000
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for illuminating a dartboard comprising filtering of an illumination source from direct view by the player while protecting the illumination source from damage or breakage by darts or other objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nuvolux, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Harrison
  • Patent number: 6942366
    Abstract: The invention provides a light fixture for illuminating a sign. The light fixture has a lamp and one or more reflectors to provide for substantially uniform illumination of a sign with a minimum number of light fixtures. One or more of the reflectors of some embodiments can formed from a material having predetermined pattern for reflecting and transmitting light from the lamp. For example, the reflectors can be made from a neutral density polymeric material consisting of a translucent or substantially transparent polymeric substrate with a pattern of reflective media disposed on or within the substrate. In some embodiments, one of the reflectors can be a specular reflector. Some embodiments of the light fixture can also include a thermal shield to at least partially prevent thermal convection along a portion of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Everbrite, LLC
    Inventor: Ferenc Mohacsi
  • Patent number: 6939019
    Abstract: A backlight assembly including a light guide plate having a plurality of side surfaces, a first lamp having a first lamp tube disposed adjacent to the plurality of side surfaces, first and second electrodes disposed at opposite end portions of the first lamp tube, a second lamp having a second lamp tube disposed adjacent to the plurality of side surfaces, third and fourth electrodes disposed at opposite end portions of the second lamp tube, the third and first electrodes being disposed adjacent to one another, and the fourth and second electrodes being disposed adjacent to one another, a connector for electrically connecting the first and third electrodes, and a power supply for supplying a first discharge voltage to the second electrode and a second discharge voltage to the fourth electrode, the first and second discharge voltages having a phase difference of 180° and a same voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Min Choi, Hee-June Kwak, Sang-Duk Lee
  • Patent number: 6909238
    Abstract: This back-lighted control and protection device for multi-lamp liquid crystal display consists of a LCD back-lighted driver circuit, a lamp driven by the driver circuit that generates high-voltage power supply and lights up the LCD backplate, a sensor unit that is used to detect the light source of the lamp and a protection circuit that is connected to the output of the sensor unit and accepts the sensor signals given by the sensor unit to stop the driver circuit from output of high-voltage power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventor: Shih-Chung Huang