Patents Assigned to Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9410668
    Abstract: A light string includes a plurality of jacketed light emitting diode assemblies and drive wires configured to electrically connect the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies to a power source. The light emitting diode assemblies include a light emitting diode having a contact set and a lens body, an electrical wire sit, and an integrally molded plastic jacket molded directly onto the contact set, the lens body, and electrical connections between the contacts of the contact set and the electrical wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: FIBER OPTIC DESIGNS, INC.
    Inventors: David Allen, Mark Allen
  • Patent number: 8840279
    Abstract: A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode including a set of positive and negative contacts, and a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and end portions of the contacts. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. A light transmissive cover receives the lens body, and has an opening through which at least one of the contact set and the electrical wire set passes. An integrally molded plastic jacket at the opening of the light transmissive cover provides a seal at the opening against moisture and airborne contaminants. A waterproof light string including one or more of the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies is also provided, as are related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allen, Mark R. Allen
  • Patent number: 8206014
    Abstract: A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode including a set of positive and negative contacts, and a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and end portions of the contacts. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. A light transmissive cover receives the lens body, and has an opening through which at least one of the contact set and the electrical wire set passes. An integrally molded plastic jacket at the opening of the light transmissive cover provides a seal at the opening against moisture and airborne contaminants. A waterproof light string including one or more of the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies is also provided, as are related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Patent number: 7934852
    Abstract: A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode including a set of positive and negative contacts, and a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and end portions of the contacts. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. A light transmissive cover receives the lens body, and has an opening through which at least one of the contact set and the electrical wire set passes. An integrally molded plastic jacket at the opening of the light transmissive cover provides a seal at the opening against moisture and airborne contaminants. A waterproof light string including one or more of the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies is also provided, as are related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Allen, David Allen
  • Patent number: 7931390
    Abstract: A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode, a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and a set of positive and negative contacts exiting said lens body from a base portion. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. An integrally molded plastic jacket is provided at the base portion of the lens body around said positive and negative contacts and connection points between the contacts and the wire set to provide a seal at the base portion and at the connection points against moisture and airborne contaminants, whereby a portion of the first and second electrical wires project from the jacket to define bendable contacts for providing an electrical connection with a lamp husk. An optional light transmissive cover may further be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Allen, David Allen
  • Patent number: 7679292
    Abstract: An LED light string employs a plurality of LEDs wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage or rectified AC input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. This voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive places fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. The same method that apply to matching the sum of the LED lamps (VAC values) to the AC input, or applied voltage in an AC circuit apply to matching the sum of the LED lamps (VP values) to the full-wave or half-wave rectified AC (VP) voltage applied. Filtering capacitors may also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allen, Mark R. Allen
  • Patent number: 7377802
    Abstract: A plug and/or a plug and cord connector set that includes integrated circuitry for use with decorative lighting products such as Christmas lights and rope lights. The integrated circuitry included in the plug and/or plug and cord connector combination can serve to reduce or limit current, provide full-wave AC to DC rectification, provide overload protection, reduce voltage, protect against voltage spikes, add blinking or flashing functions, or any combination thereof. An optional intermediate circuit is included for the manufacture of light strings employing multiple series connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Patent number: 7344275
    Abstract: An LED light string employs a plurality of electrical components defined by LEDs and sockets wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. The LED light string interfaces to the source voltage using a common household plug; it may also include a corresponding common, household socket, coupled in electrical parallel, to enable multiple light strings to be connected to each other from end to end. In order to directly drive a network of diodes without current-limiting circuitry, the voltage of each series block of diodes must be matched to the input source voltage. This voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive places fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. For the voltage to be “matched,” it is possible to employ LED assemblies of different resistance values; e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allen, Mark Allen
  • Patent number: 7276858
    Abstract: An improved decorative light string circuit comprises full bridge rectification located in or downstream of the front plug, wherein the rectification circuit contains one or more voltage reducing and/or filtering elements in order to reduce or limit LED drive current and reduce (filter) DC ripple and 1 or 2 LED series sets. Additional rectification circuits and LED series sets can be added in parallel to the first in “stacked mode”, with each rectification circuit and LED series set electrically independent of prior and subsequent circuits. This eliminates the rectifying diode current summation load restrictions imposed by prior art and associated safety hazard due to diode overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Patent number: 7265496
    Abstract: An LED light string where the parallel connections of additional series blocks of LED lamps are added through an intermediate or junction circuit. The first half of the rectifying diode pair in the junction circuit receive the series connected LED lamps positive connection, complete the rectification of the first rectifying diode pair and couple with the parallel wires of the lighting chain, thus completing the circuit. The second diode pair contained in the junction circuit forms a second, independent circuit by coupling with the lighting chain parallel (AC) wires the join to form the series connection for the subsequent LED lamps connected in series. This circuit is completed by a subsequent junction circuit, or by the diode pair contained in or around the end plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Patent number: 7250730
    Abstract: An improved decorative light string circuit comprises full bridge rectification located in or downstream of the front plug, wherein the rectification circuit contains one or more voltage reducing and/or filtering elements in order to reduce or limit LED drive current and reduce (filter) DC ripple and 1 or 2 LED series sets. Additional rectification circuits and LED series sets can be added in parallel to the first in “stacked mode”, with each rectification circuit and LED series set electrically independent of prior and subsequent circuits. This eliminates the rectifying diode current summation load restrictions imposed by prior art and associated safety hazard due to diode overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Patent number: 7220022
    Abstract: A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode including a set of positive and negative contacts, and a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and end portions of the contacts. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. A light transmissive cover receives the lens body, and has an opening through which at least one of the contact set and the electrical wire set passes. An integrally molded plastic jacket at the opening of the light transmissive cover provides a seal at the opening against moisture and airborne contaminants. A waterproof light string including one or more of the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies is also provided, as are related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Allen, David Allen
  • Patent number: 7066628
    Abstract: A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode including a set of positive and negative contacts, and a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and end portions of the contacts. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. A light transmissive cover receives the lens body, and has an opening through which at least one of the contact set and the electrical wire set passes. An integrally molded plastic jacket at the opening of the light transmissive cover provides a seal at the opening against moisture and airborne contaminants. A waterproof light string including one or more of the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies is also provided, as are related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Patent number: 6830358
    Abstract: An LED light string employs a plurality of LEDs wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. The LED light string interfaces to the source voltage using a common household plug; it may also include a corresponding common, household socket, coupled in electrical parallel, to enable multiple light strings to be connected to each other from end to end. In order to directly drive a network of diodes without current-limiting circuitry, the voltage of each series block of diodes must be matched to the input source voltage. This voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive places fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. For the voltage to be “matched,” in each series block, the peak input voltage must be less than or equal to the sum of the maximum diode voltages for each series block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Allen
  • Publication number: 20040201988
    Abstract: An AC driven LED light string assembly is provided possessing reduced harmonic distortion and improved electrical efficiency when one or more series blocks of LED lamps is employed. In one embodiment, there is provided an LED light string employing a capacitor coupled in parallel across the light string AC input, or end connector terminals. According to another embodiment, LED light strings are to be manufactured with a substantially equal number of light strings produced with all LEDs in forward bias (anode first) and reverse bias (cathode first). This allows true randomness when large numbers of single series block LED light strings are connected in an end-to-end manner. It is possible to apply this concept to single LED lamps having two chips where one chip is powered in reverse bias to the second chip; thereby providing self-canceling harmonics within the single LED lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: FIBER OPTIC DESIGNS, INC.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Publication number: 20040165384
    Abstract: A jacketed light emitting diode assembly is provided, which includes a light emitting diode including a set of positive and negative contacts, and a lens body containing a semiconductor chip and end portions of the contacts. An electrical wire set of first and second electrical wires are connected to the positive contact and the negative contact, respectively. A light transmissive cover receives the lens body, and has an opening through which at least one of the contact set and the electrical wire set passes. An integrally molded plastic jacket at the opening of the light transmissive cover provides a seal at the opening against moisture and airborne contaminants. A waterproof light string including one or more of the jacketed light emitting diode assemblies is also provided, as are related methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: FIBER OPTIC DESIGNS, INC.
    Inventor: David Allen
  • Publication number: 20040046510
    Abstract: An LED light string employs a plurality of LEDs wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. The LED light string interfaces to the source voltage using a common household plug; it may also include a corresponding common, household socket, coupled in electrical parallel, to enable multiple light strings to be connected to each other from end to end. LEDs of the light string may comprise either a single color LED or an LED including multiple sub-dies each of a different color. The LED lenses may be of any shape, and may be clear, clear-colored, or diffuse-colored. Moreover, each LED may have internal circuitry to provide for intermittent on-off blinking and/or intermittent LED sub-die color changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: FIBER OPTIC DESIGNS, INC
    Inventor: Mark R. Allen
  • Publication number: 20040013139
    Abstract: Field Effect Transistors (FETs) are used to regulate current in a light emitting diode (LED). FETs are fundamentally voltage driven devices, where output current is governed by junction voltage. Since junction voltage can be controlled with little or no support circuitry, FETs present a solution to current regulation where cost, complexity, and perhaps even size are important.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: FIBER OPTIC DESIGNS, INC. & LUXIDEIN LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark R. Allen
  • Patent number: 6461019
    Abstract: An LED light string employs a plurality of LEDs wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. The LED light string interfaces to the source voltage using a common household plug; it may also include a corresponding common, household socket, coupled in electrical parallel, to enable multiple light strings to be connected to each other from end to end. In order to directly drive a network of diodes without current-limiting circuitry, the voltage of each series block of diodes must be matched to the input source voltage. This voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive places fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. For the voltage to be “matched,” in each series block, the peak input voltage must be less than or equal to the sum of the maximum diode voltages for each series block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Allen
  • Patent number: 6302570
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes an electronic assembly, a light source, a switch, a housing and a bundle of optical fibers. The electronic assembly is coupled to a power source. The light source is coupled to the electronic assembly to emit light. The switch is coupled to the electronic assembly to activate the power source for controlling an illumination from the light source. The housing has a base and a cover. The base provides a rib guide to secure the light source and an area for holding the electronic assembly. The cover and the base, when coupled together via a coupling post, provide an aperture at one end of the housing. The bundle of optical fibers has a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal length. The proximal end is formed by the first ends of the optical fibers. The distal end is formed by the second ends of the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Petell, Anthony Roberts