Patents Assigned to National Service Industries, Inc.
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Patent number: 5887968Abstract: A reflector element intended to locate each light emitting diode of an array of light emitting diodes between outwardly angled, reflective surfaces in order to manage the distribution of light within an enclosure of an exit sign or other illuminated sign thereby illuminating a legend-bearing sign panel of the sign, the invention allows compact sign enclosure formation and provides even illumination of sign panels on all legend-bearing face walls of the exit sign even though multiple point light sources such as light emitting diodes comprise the illumination source. The reflector element of the invention is preferably embodied in a U-shaped dual wall configuration with each wall being formed substantially with a plurality of triangular tooth-like projections interspersed with substantially triangular openings, the projections angling outwardly from a reflector base, a series of apertures being formed in the reflector base for receiving the light emitting diodes of the array.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventor: Mark Campbell Logan
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Patent number: 5823663Abstract: An improved fluorescent troffer lighting fixture particularly intended for recessed mounting to a suspended ceiling grid, the fixture of the invention having a housing frame configured with spaced end plates which secure to a top plate and side flanges without the need for separate fasteners. The end plates, top plate and side flanges of the fixture housing snap-fit together through the use of cooperating fastening elements formed integrally with said end plates inter alia. The fixture housing mounts a louver and a channel with fastening structure integrally formed with the fixture housing, the channel mounting at least one fluorescent lamp and having reflective surfaces opposing said lamp for increasing efficiency of the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: L. Michael Bell, Peter Michael Schmidt
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Patent number: 5814971Abstract: An improved inverter or "fluorescent battery pack" useful particularly in an emergency lighting system with both magnetic and electronic ballasts of both "rapid start" and "instant start" configurations, the present inverter is rapidly installable in emergency lighting systems which include fluorescent lighting fixtures operable with either magnetic ballasts which are typically "non-isolated" or electronic ballasts which are typically "isolated". The inverter circuitry of the invention is simply installable in the present emergency lighting system due to an effective disconnection of the ballasts with concurrent connection between the inverter and lamping, only two effective connections to the lamp thus being necessary with a resulting avoidance of wiring redundancy.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventor: James C. Johnson
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Patent number: 5806972Abstract: An improved light trap and louver mounting assembly particularly intended to be used as a component of a fluorescent troffer lighting fixture, the invention comprises a light trap structure formed with integral fastening elements which attach component parts of the light trap together, which attach the light trap to the louver and which releasably mount the light trap and louver mounting assembly to a housing assembly of the lighting fixture. The integral fastening elements of the invention act to provide the aforesaid functions without the use of separate fastening elements such as screws, hinges, latches and the like. The light trap and louver mounting assembly of the invention is structurally rigid and imparts desirable rigidity to the louver and to the lighting fixture.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Kaiser, Peter Michael Schmidt, Roger Erle Norris
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Patent number: 5707143Abstract: A pull-on clip manually assembled to a downlighting reflector trim in a snap-fastening manner without the need for tools, the invention mounts the reflector trim and a socket/spring clip assembly snap-fastened onto the trim within the interior of a lamp housing or can particularly in a downlighting fixture. The pull-on clip facilitates lamp positioning within the can and thereby within the fixture such that optimum lamp performance is obtained. The structure of the pull-on clip further facilitates the snug positioning of the reflector trim about a ceiling hole above which the downlighting fixture utilizing said clip is mounted for operation, thereby providing a clean appearance and positive lamp positioning.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventor: Joseph A. Hentz
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Patent number: 5640792Abstract: Lighting fixtures which feature indicia illuminated more uniformally and with greater brightness than in conventional lighting fixtures. LEDs which operate at a higher frequency/shorter wavelength, such as blue LEDs, emit light which causes the transformation material to reemit, reradiate or emit light at a lower frequency/longer wavelength with increased brightness and uniformity. In a preferred embodiment of the lighting fixtures, blue LEDs cause the transformation material to emit green light for bright and even illumination of indicia such as letters and chevrons in exit signs, and at a wavelength to which the human eye is serendipitously sensitive.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Stephen T. Smith, Donald C. O'Shea
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Patent number: 5611163Abstract: Detachable chevron-shaped panels that fit within chevron-shaped apertures in the cover of an exit sign. The panels are dimensioned to fit integrally into the apertures in order to withstand years of stress, temperature changes, and wear and tear but continue to perform in a light-fast and reliable manner. Yet they may be easily installed from the exterior of the exit sign, with minimum risk that they will fall into the interior during installation. Surprisingly, the present devices permit such easy installation without the need to use conventional "slide `n` snap" exit sign arrow fasteners that usually allow reliable installation but have proven to be destructive of a secure fit and light fastness. The panel accomplishes this by employing at least three tabs positioned in a certain manner about the perimeter of each wing of the panel which engage the (preferably bevelled) edge of the chevron-shaped aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1994Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventor: Stephen T. Smith
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Patent number: 5526251Abstract: Emergency lighting housing/canopy interfacing structure. The structure employs one or more fasteners which may be positioned into place quickly and simply without the aid of tools in order to retain the housing and canopy securely together. Additional redundance members such as conventional snap-fitting barb members may additionally be employed to assist in installation and for extra safety. The present invention accordingly provides emergency lighting housing/canopy interfaces which allow simple, quick and reliable installation of emergency lighting fixtures, but which add additional structure to support the housing and the considerable load imparted by transformers, batteries and other structure within the housing. A preferred embodiment includes an elongated fastener which may be snapped and rotated into place into mounting posts formed on the canopy.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gary S. Andre, Andrew E. Masters, Stephen T. Smith
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Patent number: 5463280Abstract: A retrofittable lamp using light emitting diodes as the illumination source, the lamp is fitted with any one of the common lamp bases and is intended as a retrofit for incandescent lamps having such bases in illuminated signs such as exit signs and the like. The invention contemplates the packaging of a number of light emitting diodes in a circuit usually having a current limiting device to allow LED operation at a desired current level. The light emitting diodes are placed within a standard glass or plastic bulb envelope in arrangements capable of providing even illumination from the lamp.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventor: James C. Johnson
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Patent number: 5452193Abstract: Lighting fixtures which may be employed in inclined ceiling applications. The fixtures feature substantially elliptical cross-sectioned housings which, when intersected by the plane of an inclined ceiling, yield a circular opening and trim in order to lend an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Such fixtures may also employ adjustable socket housings in order to allow the lamp contained within the fixture to be disposed substantially perpendicular to the floor space, or as otherwise desired, to impart a desired lighting pattern.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1993Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jon D. Hinnefeld, Mark E. Jennings, Michael D. Wallace
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Patent number: 5202608Abstract: An emergency lighting system operable on line voltage under normal conditions and on battery power upon failure of line voltage, the system comprises a battery, a battery charging circuit, a line monitor, a lamp/ballast interface and a switching transistor inverter circuit in addition to an electric discharge lamp, ballast and conventional associated circuitry as well as mechanical packaging and connections to line voltage. Advantages in installation and operation of the present emergency lighting system occurs through use of the switching transistor inverter circuit which starts and operates the discharge lamp from the battery on line voltage failure. The emergency lighting system of the invention is rapidly installable through wiring of an associated lighting fixture to the system using power input leads to conventional ballast, thereby substantially simplifying installation of the inverter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1991Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventor: James C. Johnson
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Patent number: D379373Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1995Date of Patent: May 20, 1997Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Mark C. Logan, David T. Garza, Andrew E. Masters, Edwin L. Hull
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Patent number: D383501Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gary Stephen Andre, Richard Born
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Patent number: D398413Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventor: James Patrick Compton
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Patent number: D399586Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: David Richard Ranieri, Gregory Randal Holder
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Patent number: D402075Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Christopher Hudak, Scott David Wegner, Kenneth Marion Bowen, Kevin F. Leadford
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Patent number: D405206Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Ray Taylor, Sean H. Brown, David W. Bailey
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Patent number: D409325Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1998Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Randal Holder, David Richard Ranieri, James Robert Benya
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Patent number: D411641Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: David R. Ranieri, Gregory Randal Holder
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Patent number: D412040Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1998Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: National Service Industries, Inc.Inventors: Joseph C. Hudak, Karl L. Hopper