Louvered Or Grid Type Modifier Movable As A Unit Patents (Class 362/279)
  • Patent number: 5718505
    Abstract: A headlight for vehicles has a light source, a reflector having at least two different reflector regions including a first reflector region which reflects a light emitted by the light source as a converging light beam to form low beam and a second reflector region formed so that light emitted by the light source and reflected by the second reflector region together with the light emitted by the light source and reflected by the first reflector region form high beam, a lens arranged after the reflector in a light outlet direction so that at least the light which forms low beam passes through the lens, and a screening device arranged between the reflector and the lens, the screening device having a stationary screening part and a movable screening part, the movable screening part being movable between a position for low beam in which light forming low beam can pass along the movable screening part and a position for high beam in which additionally the light reflected by the second reflector region can pass alon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Daumueller, Karl-Otto Dobler, Rainer Neumann, Frieder Liedtke, Johannes Bertling, Henning Hogrefe, Gerd Bahnmueller, Martin Lampen
  • Patent number: 5526241
    Abstract: An interior or courtesy light for a motor vehicle which provides general diffused light for the passenger compartment and which also provides directed concentrated light in selected areas of the passenger compartment. The lamp includes a fluorescent bulb defining a linear series of light sources and a plurality of louvers positioned beneath the bulb and selectively positioned to deliver concentrated light to selected areas of the passenger compartment. In a first embodiment, the louvers are fixed and are arranged in a first series directing light to the front passenger area and a second series directing light to the driver's area. In a second embodiment, the louvers are movable and may be selectively positioned by an occupant to provide directed concentrated light to a selected area of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Richard Ferrell
  • Patent number: 5459557
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as electrophotographic copying machine is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a common light source of preexposure and blank exposure, and shutters for blank exposure movable in a perpendicular direction to a moving direction of photosensitive body in order to change an exposure width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Hasegawa, Yukio Takemura, Yuichi Takashiro
  • Patent number: 5313380
    Abstract: A lighting assembly has a grid (5) arranged to be adjustable at a light outlet of a housing (1). In one embodiment, there is a plurality of grids (4, 5, 6), preferably arranged one behind the other in a direction of light rays, which are movable relative to one another. When the position of a grid (5) of such a lamp assembly is adjusted, a light emission angle of the lighting assembly is adjusted. When, in a preferred embodiment, slats of the grids are arranged in true alignment to one another, a light emission angle is relatively small. By adjusting the grids, for example by one half step adjustments relative to one another, the light emissions angle is enlarged accordingly. Thus, a directional effect can be achieved without a focussing effect, even with the use of fluorescent tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Dedo Weigert Film GmbH
    Inventor: Dedo A. Weigert
  • Patent number: 5077649
    Abstract: A headlight adjustable shutter for a motor vehicle is provided in which light from the headlight can be reflected downwardly by adjustable louver shutter slats. In a modification each slat will contain an adjustable rear mirror to properly reflect the light therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventors: Ozzie Jackel, George Spector
  • Patent number: 5016975
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope having a light emitting unit for emitting illuminating light from the tip of the insertable part, a solid state imaging device at the tip for receiving an illuminated light image, a sample-holding circuit for sample-holding an output signal from the solid state imaging device, a light source for such light emitting unit and an iris device in such light source, the iris device comprising a diaphragm device for preventing the spectral characteristics of the endoscope from being changed due to the amount of light reduction which consists of a diaphragm assembly consisting of two dimensionally diaphragm units which consists of light passing openings with small sectional area and light shading parts formed by tubular surfaces surrounding the side surfaces of the openings, positioned in the beam emitted from illuminating lamp, and provided with means for turning diaphragm assembly from a position where the tubular surfaces are in parallel with the axis of the illumination beam to a position
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Sasaki, Tadashi Kato, Hiroyoshi Fujimori, Tatsuo Nagasaki, Fumiyuki Onoda, Toshiaki Nishikori, Hideo Tomabechi, Kazutake Sugawara, Kazuo Nakamura, Ootaro Ando, Koichi Karaki
  • Patent number: 4949227
    Abstract: A "line-of-light" vehicle lighting system employs a moveable mask to control the beam pattern formed by an plurality of fiber optic light bundles coupled to a single high intensity light source. The lighting system comprises a single high intensity light source coupled to forward illumination devices by means of optical light conducting devices. The forward illumination devices include an arrangement of connectors, a mask member and lens elements. The connectors lodge fiber optic light bundles branched off from the optical light conducting devices and emit light through respective apertures. The mask has a plurality of openings for selectively exposing portions of the apertures which, in combination with the lens elements, form the beam pattern. The mask is moveable between two positions to register first and second openings in the mask with associated apertures to form the high and low beam patterns of the forward lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William W. Finch, John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler
  • Patent number: 4947307
    Abstract: A light fixture assembly positionable in a recess in the ground, includes a lamp housing, a light-transparent lens, a lamp and a directional louver assembly. The directional louver assembly is mounted within the lamp housing on annular ledge between the lamp and the lens, and includes a plurality of interconnected rectangular louver members having ends lying on a single circle to form a circular lateral periphery. Rotation of louver assembly on the ledge adjusts the direction of the light emitted from the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Honesto D. Quiogue
  • Patent number: 4896656
    Abstract: The control means (10) are interposed lens-like between the radiant energy source (6) and the area to be irradiated, and comprise a structure (18) of open ended cells (22) that are adapted to transmit the energy while imaging it reflectively on the area to be irradiated in more or less intensified form than the source alone would provide by direct transmission to the area, depending on the location of the source with respect to the structure and the focal point thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Radiant Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4841947
    Abstract: The control means (10) are interposed lens-like between the radiant energy source (6) and the area to be irradiated, and comprise a structure (18) of open ended cells (22) that are adapted to transmit the energy while imaging it reflectively on the area to be irradiated in more or less intensified form than the source alone would provide by direct transmission to the area, depending on the location of the source with respect to the structure and the focal point thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Radiant Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4841421
    Abstract: Housing for long-field lamps comprising interchangeable louver insert. A lock in the form of a spring arm that is secured to the face wall of the housing is suitable for the mutually releasable interlocking of the housing and louver insert in housings of long field lamps having an interchangeable louver insert. This lock has its free end projecting beyond the upper, bent-off edge of the end louver lamella when in engagement with this upper edge and being capable of being unlocked by the accessible gripping surface that is thereby formed. When such a louver is to be interchanged for a louver insert having higher louver lamellae, then, due to the upper, bent-off edge of the end louver lamellae now being higher, a refitting of the lock is required by placing it higher on the face wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gottfried Mueller
  • Patent number: 4817163
    Abstract: A loud-speaker is combined with a device for producing lighting speakers is covered by two discs provided with openings and, for example, being formed of a grating. The inner disc of the discs, which is facing the speaker cone is rotatable, whereas the outer disc is stationary. Rotation of the rotatable disc is driven either via a motor or via driver members fixed to the speaker cone of the loud-speaker which are actuated by transmission of the vibrations of the speaker cone to the rotating disc in order to provide rotating movement. Light sources for illuminating the surface of the inner or, respectively, outer disc, which is facing the light sources, are provided either within the speaker cone or outside of the loud-speaker. The lighting effects are then generated by the rotation of the inner disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Erich Stastny
  • Patent number: 4811179
    Abstract: A display device which comprises a case in which a light source is accommodated, color changing means by which the color of light from the light source is changed to a predetermined color of illumination, a display panel that is formed of a light-transmitting material to cover the front opening of the case and which is provided with a light-shielding film in areas other than those corresponding to a display portion, and color display controller that is disposed on the display panel and which controls the color of illuminating light that issues from the light source and is transmitted through the display portion. The color display controller is composed of a plurality of thin strips that have a color different from that of illumination provided by the color changing means and which are spaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Komatsu, Atsushi Yamada
  • Patent number: 4800473
    Abstract: A lamp comprising an open main frame interconnecting a cover and a base, an elongated incandescent light tube frictionally mounted at one end to the cover and at the other end to the base, and a plurality of rectangular louvers mounted at their top and bottom ends to the cover and base respectively by corresponding pivotal rods, and arranged in concentric fashion around the light tube. Each louver is lengthwisely pivotable in increments between an opened position, about a plane radial to the light tube, and a closed position, in which the two long side edge portions thereof overlap corresponding portions of the pair of opposite adjacent louvers to completely block light. An annular gear is rotatably mounted within an annular cavity of the lamp base, and meshes with pinions each fixed to the bottom pivotal rod of each louver. Hand-operated synchronous pivotal action of the louvers is thus possible by rotating the annular gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventor: Denis Tremblay
  • Patent number: 4630181
    Abstract: A lighting fixture consisting of a downwardly opening housing having a plurality of fluorescent lamps mounted therein, a louver assembly substantially closing the open bottom of the housing and dividing its area into vertically open cells only certain of which receives light from each of the lamps, the louvers being of sufficient vertical height to restrict light passing directly through the cells to a restricted primary area of brighter illumination in the room below, and a translucent light-diffusing panel covering the cells of the louver assembly receiving light from each of the lamps. The lamps may be selected to emanate light of respectively different colors, and both the louvers and the light-diffusing panels may be of selectively different tints and colors, so as to impart a novel, decorative appearance to the louver assembly when viewed from outside of the primary lighting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: H. E. Williams, Inc.
    Inventors: Elmer E. Fain, Charles O. Sutton
  • Patent number: 4575786
    Abstract: A modulated optical radiation beacon, e.g. a flashing light beacon or an IR emmissive missile jamming source, can comprise a radiation source and two relatively movable apertured masks which, as the apertures thereof move into and out of registration, pass or block the radiation from the source. Herein, to improve the uniformity of the polar distribution of the emitted radiation (assuming, of course, that a uniform distribution is required) or, in other cases, simply to improve efficiency, the apertures of the `inner` mask, i.e. the one nearest the source, are bounded by curved reflective surfaces defining an optical cavity which at least crudely images the source at a position near the outer mask. Advantageously, the optical cavities are defined by a spaced array of prismatic members having appropriately curved facing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: British Aerospace Public Limited Company
    Inventor: John C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4567549
    Abstract: A device to provide overload protection for a shape memory metal (SMM) wire of an SMM-type actuator and to automatically compensate for cyclic creep and maintain the tension of the SMM wire. During normal operation, a restraining drum, in cooperation with a biasing spring, maintains the position of one end of the SMM wire so that the other end of the SMM wire can move an actuator. Under excessive loads, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move, thereby reducing the tension and preventing damage to the SMM actuator. When the excessive load is removed, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move under the influence of the biasing spring to its original position. By permitting the first end of the SMM wire to move in dependence upon the tension on the SMM wire, the device automatically takes up any slack caused by cyclic creep and maintains proper tension of the SMM wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Blazer International Corp.
    Inventor: Charles D. Lemme
  • Patent number: 4556934
    Abstract: A shape memory metal (SMM) actuator includes an SMM actuator element mounted to an end fitting. An end portion of the actuator element adjacent the end fitting is cold formed to a thickness no more than 40% of the original thickness of the actuator element. This cold formed region extends by about 5 times the diameter of the actuator element away from the end fitting. The cold formed end region remains in the austenitic state, and is therefore relatively hard and strong. For this reason, the tendency of the actuator element to break at the end fitting is reduced, even though the end fitting acts as a temperature sink and maintains the cold formed end region below the transition temperature of the SMM actuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Blazer International Corp.
    Inventors: Charles D. Lemme, Tracy R. Lemme
  • Patent number: 4556935
    Abstract: A shape memory metal actuator includes an actuator element that is secured at one end to an end fitting which is in turn secured to an overload protection spring. An adjustable screw is mounted to a frame and is positioned such that the overload protection spring biases the end fitting into contact with the adjustment screw. The end fitting lifts off of the adjustment screw when excessive stretching forces are applied to the actuator element. The adjustment screw can be moved to vary the rest position of the end fitting, thereby allowing manual compensation for cyclic creep of the actuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Blazer International Corp.
    Inventor: Charles D. Lemme
  • Patent number: 4513358
    Abstract: A lamp such as a fog lamp for a vehicle is provided with a housing which serves to mount an array of parallel louvers. The louvers are controlled by a heat driven actuator. Such as one which incorporates a shape memory metal actuator element. This actuator element is heated either by resistive heating or by direct heat of the light bulb when the lamp is activated. When heated, the actuator serves to pivot the louvers into an open position. Once the lamp is deactivated, heating of the actuator is terminated, and the louvers are automatically closed to protect the lens by a spring as the actuator cools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Blazer International Corp.
    Inventor: Charles D. Lemme
  • Patent number: 4480291
    Abstract: To minimize wind resistance in streamlined vehicles, headlights are mounted at a fixed angle with their frontal lenses flush and parallel to the sloping body surface. Light is reflected at the required angle and intensity onto the roadway by a system of reflective spaced slats positioned near and rearwardly of the headlight lens and well forwardly of the parabolic headlight reflector. The reflective slats may be contained in a fabricated assembly or may be embodied in a unitized molded structure. The system is compatible with incandescent and halogen light sources and with standard adjustable headlight mounting structures on vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Inventor: William M. Dranginis
  • Patent number: 4473865
    Abstract: A stationary light source electrophotographic copier wherein collimated light from the source is directed to a scanner having upper and lower document illuminating reflectors comprising thin members of negligible mass maintained under tension. The lower reflector includes a plurality of generally horizontal slats disposed in a generally vertical array. Heat from the stationary light source is used to dry or fix copies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Savin Corporation
    Inventor: Benzion Landa
  • Patent number: 4345303
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is constructed with its reflector and front lens adapted to be fixedly mounted in the bodywork of the vehicle, but incorporates a beam deflecting system, in order that the direction of the beam may nonetheless be adjusted. In one form, the beam deflecting system comprises two Fresnel lenses, mounted face to face in a position to intercept the whole of the headlamp beam, one being equivalent to a diverging lens with cylindrical surfaces, and one being equivalent to a converging lens with cylindrical surfaces. In a neutral position, the effects of the two lenses cancel out, so that no deflection of the beam occurs. One of the lenses is movable in translation away from the neutral position, so that a deflection of the beam occurs, without any other change in the beam pattern. In modified embodiments, the stationary Fresnel lens is not used; instead, its effect is produced by using a reflector of modified shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: Cibie Projecteurs
    Inventors: Roland Gerard, Norbert Brun, Jacques Ricard
  • Patent number: 4261028
    Abstract: A street lighting luminaire comprising an elongated semi-cylindrical reflector of parabolic cross-section having opposite ends, and paralumens arranged to obtain a luminous beam whose divergent with respect to a plane normal to said axis varies from one to the other end of said reflector to obtain on the street a lightened area of rectangular cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Inventor: Marie H. H. Adam
  • Patent number: 4257086
    Abstract: Radiant energy from a luminaire body is selectively controlled by means of a diaphragm structure mounted at one side of the luminaire body. The diaphragm structure includes a plurality of radiant energy transmitting leaves, means for pivotally supporting the leaves on a housing component of the luminaire body, and cylindrical adjustment means for moving the leaves through limited arcs of travel into and out of the paths of travel of constituent rays of energy emitted from the luminaire body. The diaphragm leaves may comprise filtering elements as well as refracting bodies. By such means the characteristics, for example color, distribution etc., of the emitted radiant energy, partially or in its entirety, may be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Koehler Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John E. Gulliksen
  • Patent number: 4222094
    Abstract: A light distribution louver for a lighting fixture wherein the louver together with supporting apparatus closes at least the bottom of the light fixture. The louver may be of unitary construction or preferably formed of individual louver sections or sectors depending upon the shape of the supporting apparatus. The louver sections or sectors may have fixed or movable vanes and in the case of sections, they may be positioned in a variety of orientations to attain varied light distribution characteristics. The invention further contemplates a structure wherein the supporting apparatus encloses the lighting fixture to afford more complete protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Inventor: William Wolar
  • Patent number: 4167034
    Abstract: A lampstand providing a stable and properly-oriented support for a lampshade, particularly one constituted by an oriental lantern formed by a collapsible paper shell having polar openings, each of which is bridged by a strut having a central loop. The stand includes a vertical pole carrying a bulb socket and a harp formed by a triad of arms which encage the bulb and interconnect upper and lower rings. The lower ring is secured to the pole and the upper ring supports an extension rod in axial alignment with the pole. The lantern is mounted on the stand to envelop the bulb, the upper loop being attached to the head of the extension rod, the lower loop engaging the pole at a point just below a resilient collar which embraces the pole and is shiftable to a position subjecting the lantern to tension to maintain the shell thereof in its fully expanded state. Extension rods of different length may be installed on the harp to allow for centering of the bulb for a range of shade sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Inventor: Isamu Noguchi