Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kenneth E. Darnell
  • Patent number: 6193395
    Abstract: A lamp assembly adjustable between narrow beam and wide beam light distributions, the lamp assembly is particularly intended for housing lamping or the like for mounting to industrial emergency unit fixtures of differing size and conformation. At least one and preferably two of the lamp assemblies are mounted to a unit fixture in spaced relation to illuminate critical areas within an industrial or commercial space during emergency conditions, such as failure of mains power, to allow evacuation of the space. In order to illuminate the desired areas, each of the lamp assemblies can be adjusted along an internal track to allow light to be directed toward a particular location within a wide range of possible locations, thereby facilitating illumination of the most desirable area in the vicinity of the unit fixture for a particular mounting location. Additional flexibility in the delivery of illumination to a desired area is provided by adjustability between narrow and wide beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Logan
  • Patent number: 6190023
    Abstract: Luminaires intended to deliver maximal light flux to a playing field with improved uniformity, the invention provides primary reflector structures having shaped facets, the several reflectors being capable of maximizing lumen delivery onto the playing field when considered relative to economy of manufacture. In certain embodiments of the invention, a shielding device or flux manager is employed for producing target extinctions by management of flux to precisely pass flux nearby original arc and through a second bounce off the reflector structure to direct that flux back into the beam. A virtual arc is thus produced in proximity to the original arc with the virtual arc acting as a second source. The flux manager acts to reduce glare and “spill” light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin F. Leadford, Jeffrey Mansfield Quinlan
  • Patent number: 6168298
    Abstract: A clip formed of flat spring steel stock material and operable in association with a lamp housing mounting arrangement of a downlighting fixture to exert a force on a lighting trim through the lamp housing to retain the trim snugly against a ceiling about an opening in the ceiling through which at least lowermost portions of the lamp housing and/or trim extends, an environmental space beneath the opening being illuminated through the opening by lamping carried by the lamp housing. In the preferred embodiment, an adjustable, U-shaped mounting yoke is carried by a conventional downlighting pan with the bight of the yoke being disposed immediately over a socket cup mounted to an uppermost end of the lamp housing or reflector, the clip extending between spaced arms of the yoke and being attached to a central portion of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: NSI Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hentz, Richard F. Ashcraft, James M. Mershon
  • Patent number: 6164800
    Abstract: Coated articles having optically useful reflective properties suitable for manufacture of components of lighting fixtures and the like including parabolic louvers utilized as primary elements of fluorescent parabolic troffer lighting fixtures, the invention provides light sheets formed of said coated articles and used in the manufacture of lighting fixtures, the reflective lighting components formed from said light sheets and the coated articles including the coatings utilized for coating optically reflective substrates according to the invention. The coated articles are formed of reflective substrates and particularly polished metal substrates having reflectance values within a predetermined useful range, the substrates being coated preferably with a thin polymeric coating wherein the base polymer is polyester, polycarbonate, epoxy, acrylic, acrylate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: George McIlwraith
  • Patent number: 6152581
    Abstract: A housing frame preferably formable as a single integral unit being capable of use as a primary structural portion of a housing suitable for multiple exit sign configurations, the several exit sign configurations of the invention being either intended for emergency or non-emergency operation and further being intended for use with different light sources and power sources. The frame and associated plates forming the housing of the invention are preferably formed from polymeric material of a thickness less than that of prior "plastic" housings, the strength and rigidity necessary to proper operation of the housing being provided by a functionally interrelated combination of structural elements which allows a substantial reduction in material used for formation of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Masters, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 6142648
    Abstract: An emergency lighting fixture combining the functions of an illuminated sign such as an exit sign and an emergency lighting unit integrated into one housing onto which one or more emergency lights can be mounted at predetermined locations of the housing, the combined emergency lighting structure providing both exit location information and ambient emergency lighting in a single cooperatively operating device. The present device replaces bulky prior combinations of discrete exit signs and emergency lighting units which have been assembled together essentially as individual devices without integration into a single housing or without substantial integration of operational features, the housing of the present device being only slightly larger than standard exit signage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Campbell Logan, Andrew Edward Masters, Edwin Lewis Hull
  • Patent number: 6135624
    Abstract: A mounting plate capable of mounting emergency unit fixtures or similar fixtures in an industrial environment, the mounting plate of the invention being securely attachable to a variety of support structures including horizontal and vertical wall surfaces, posts of differing cross-sectional shapes and dimensions and Unistrut components. The mounting plate is formed generally as a flat body having integral portions formed out of plane to provide particular mounting functions. The unit fixtures per se mount directly to the mounting plate through engagement of openings formed on rear walls of the unit fixtures with free legs of bayonet mounts extending from a face of the mounting plate, the plate being snap-locked in certain embodiments to the fixtures, a locking mechanism being actuated on full engagement of the bayonet mounts to positively hold the unit fixtures to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Masters, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: 6126490
    Abstract: Wiring components of a relocatable wiring system having respectively identical male and female terminal housings used respectively in male and female ports of said wiring components, the relocatable wiring system formed of the respective wiring components having particular utility in above-ceiling air handling spaces for electrical connection of lighting fixtures inter alia. Each male port of each wiring component configured according to the invention includes a male terminal housing including latching structure preferably formed of a plenum-rated polymeric material, each male port having a male terminal housing which is identical to the male terminal housing in each of the other male ports. Similarly, each female port of each wiring component includes a female terminal housing formed of polymeric material with all of the female terminal housings being identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ormand Gilbert Anderson, Jr., Holley Deanne Renfro
  • Patent number: 6123438
    Abstract: A lighting fixture having an insulation shield mounted thereto for maintaining surrounding insulation a desired spacing from at least portions of the fixture to increase permissible lamp wattages in an insulation contact application, the shield is preferably formed of a polymeric material molded with openings to permit access to portions of the fixture such as a junction box. The insulation shield is particularly useful with downlighting fixtures installable immediately above ceiling openings, such fixtures typically being mounted to structural joists or to suspended ceilings, and especially downlighting fixtures where lighting performance is to be improved through use of higher wattage lamping. The insulation shield acts to provide a desired volume of air around the fixture in order to more effectively dissipate heat generated by the higher wattage lamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Hentz
  • Patent number: 6116750
    Abstract: A lighting fixture intended for mounting in a relationship with a shower stall for illumination of the shower stall, the fixture of the invention particularly taking the form of a recessed downlight fixture mounted above the ceiling of a shower stall or the like with light from the fixture entering the shower stall through an opening formed in the shower ceiling surmounted by the fixture. In this extremely wet location, a finishing trim of the fixture acts not only to cover the ceiling opening but also to provide means for preventing moisture capable of damaging electrical components of the fixture from coming into contact with said components. The finishing trim acts in concert with sealing structure which can take the form of gaskets, flexible bellows or the like to comprise the means for preventing potentially damaging moisture contact with said electrical components in certain embodiments of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Hentz
  • Patent number: 6113435
    Abstract: Wiring components of a relocatable wiring system having respectively identical male and female terminal housings used respectively in male and female ports of said wiring components, the relocatable wiring system formed of the respective wiring components having particular utility in above-ceiling air handling spaces for electrical connection of lighting fixtures inter alia. Each male port of each wiring component configured according to the invention includes a male terminal housing including latching structure preferably formed of a plenum-rated polymeric material, each male port having a male terminal housing which is identical to the male terminal housing in each of the other male ports. Similarly, each female port of each wiring component includes a female terminal housing formed of polymeric material with all of the female terminal housings being identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ormand Gilbert Anderson, Jr., Holley Deanne Renfro
  • Patent number: 6102733
    Abstract: Wiring components of a relocatable wiring system including a converter device having respectively identical male and female terminal housings used respectively in male and female ports of the wiring components, the relocatable wiring system formed of the respective wiring components having particular utility in above-ceiling air handling spaces for electrical connection of lighting fixtures inter alia. The converter device forms an interface between hardwiring, such hardwiring being enclosed by a junction box or forming part of a switch, and the relocatable wiring system. Each male port of each wiring component is configured according to the invention to include a male terminal housing including latching structure preferably formed of a plenum-rated polymeric material, each male port having a male terminal housing which is preferably identical to the male terminal housing in each of the other male ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ormand Gilbert Anderson, Jr., Holley Deanne Renfro
  • Patent number: 6089732
    Abstract: A universal housing can assembly used as a component of a recessed downlight fixture and which can be utilized in both insulation contact (I.C.) and non-insulation contact (non-I.C.) applications. The preferred housing can is deep drawn of aluminum or other suitable materials and is configured to operate at or below thermal standards for I.C. applications and also for non-I.C. applications. The housing can assemblies formed according to the invention utilize thermal protective devices positioned within the assemblies to shut the fixture off or "cycle" the fixture in the event that predetermined thermal conditions are exceeded in either an I.C. or a non-I.C. application. According to the invention, a single can assembly can be used as and marked as both I.C. and non-I.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Dean Wright, Mark E. Jennings, Bryan Scott Steele
  • Patent number: 6083053
    Abstract: Wiring components of a relocatable wiring system having respectively identical male and female terminal housings used respectively in male and female ports of said wiring components, the relocatable wiring system formed of the respective wiring components having particular utility in above-ceiling air handling spaces for electrical connection of lighting fixtures inter alia. Each male port of each wiring component configured according to the invention includes a male terminal housing including latching structure preferably formed of a plenum-rated polymeric material, each male port having a male terminal housing which is identical to the male terminal housing in each of the other male ports. Similarly, each female port of each wiring component includes a female terminal housing formed of polymeric material with all of the female terminal housings being identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ormand Gilbert Anderson, Jr., Holley Deanne Renfro
  • Patent number: 6062704
    Abstract: Direct/indirect lighting fixtures particularly intended for recessed applications of fluorescent lighting as wall sconces or the like, the lighting fixtures of the invention combine the efficient lighting capabilities of parabolic fluorescent lighting with the aesthetic appeal of indirect lighting to produce a visually appealing effect. The luminaires of the invention combine an arcuate reflector with an illumination source mounted near one end of the reflector with an arcuate diffuser disposed over the illumination source. Both direct and indirect light thus emanates from the luminaire. The diffuser is mounted within the luminaire to mechanical light trap elements located at either end of the diffuser, the light trap elements serving the dual purposes of minimizing light leakage and mounting the diffuser. In one embodiment of the invention, the light trap elements are integrally formed with the reflector by injection molding of a polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Randal Holder
  • Patent number: 6033098
    Abstract: A clip mountable to a lighting fixture or the like adjacent a bar hanger assembly for pivotal movement between positions which are either disengaged from the bar hanger assembly or engaged with the bar hanger assembly in one or more positions, disengagement of the clip allowing elements of the bar hanger assembly to be displaced relative to each other to fit the fixture properly in an installation between joists of a ceiling or a gridwork of a suspended ceiling. Engagement of the clip with portions of the bar hanger assembly of two differing sizes allows positive latching of the bar hanger assembly to the fixture regardless of the degree of extension between the elements of the bar hanger assembly. The clip is easily moved between latched and unlatched positions by means of thumb pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hentz, Philip D. Wright
  • Patent number: 6010230
    Abstract: Extension brackets capable of being rapidly attached to standard lampholder brackets of conventional fluorescent lighting fixtures for retrofit of such fixtures to accommodate lamping, including metric lamping such as T5 lamping, of generally shorter lengths than conventional tubular fluorescent lamping. The extension brackets of the invention attach by interference fit to standard cutouts in standard lampholder brackets, which cutouts normally attach conventional "tombstone" T12 lampholders, the extension brackets further acting to mount conventional lampholders capable of mounting the metric lamping at locations disposed inwardly of the fixtures to accommodate the several conventional lengths of metric lamping or the like while locating the metric lamping on a plane no higher than that of the conventional lamping for which the lighting fixtures are originally configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Michael Schmidt, Roger Erle Norris
  • Patent number: 5988825
    Abstract: A housing frame preferably formable as a single integral unit and being capable of use as a primary structural portion of a housing suitable for multiple exit sign configurations, the several exit sign configurations of the invention being either intended for emergency or non-emergency operation and further being intended for use with different light sources and power sources. The housing frame of the invention includes structural features which allow mounting of any one of a variety of light sources and mounting of those components necessary for operation of the light sources within a single housing, which housing is of a size reduced in volume relative to most presently available signs. Structural features of the frame also include in at least certain embodiments a printed circuit board comprising a platform and having essentially all circuit components including light emitting diode light sources and a battery for operation of the light sources in an emergency mode mounted on said printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Masters, James Michael Lay
  • Patent number: D417026
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy Ray Taylor, Sean H. Brown, David W. Bailey
  • Patent number: D419097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: NSI Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Pickard, James Michael Lay, Mark C. Logan