Patents Assigned to The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
  • Patent number: 9476549
    Abstract: A flexible shield/diffuser attachment for a portable light, the light comprising a light emitting end emitting light generally along an axis is shown. The attachment comprises an elongated hollow body fabricated from a pliable material and having a shape memory. A first end of said hollow body is secured to the light emitting end coaxial with the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 9413181
    Abstract: There is disclosed a universal power pack, power supply and battery harvesting device. Generally, each comprises a receptacle for receiving at least one battery or battery pack having a different shape and/or nominal output voltage. A controller circuit is provided for regulating the output voltages and/or currents of the battery or batteries with the regulated voltage and current available at an output. The devices allow other devices to be powered or recharged, or batteries to be recharged. In a particular embodiment, a master cell and slave cell are provided wherein the slave cell continues to power attached devices when connection with the master cell is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 9377177
    Abstract: A flexible photoluminescent shield/diffuser attachment for a portable light, the light comprising a light emitting end emitting light generally along an axis is shown. The attachment comprises an elongated hollow body fabricated from a pliable translucent photoluminescent material and having a shape memory. A first end of said hollow body is able to be secured to the light emitting end of the light coaxial with the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 9248778
    Abstract: A mesh lighting system for emergency vehicles and method for retrofitting a vehicle with emergency lights is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of independent signalling light sources each supplied by a dedicated source of energy, a control module, and a low powered wireless network connecting said control module with the plurality of light sources. The plurality of independent signalling light sources emit at least one light flash in response to a control signal received from the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 9213084
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed comprising a plurality of small independent light sources which are arranged in a mesh network and capable of exchanging data such that they can be operated together and under control of a controller in order to provide enhanced lighting effects in particular applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 8960948
    Abstract: A light and associated mounting body is disclosed which is suitable for mounting on straps of different widths. In a particular embodiment the body can be mounted to the strap, for example a collar or the like, without removing the collar from the object it is attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 8723121
    Abstract: An identification system and method comprising a beacon unit using a highly collimated source of electromagnetic radiation, which emits towards a thermal imaging unit highly directional radiation. In this manner, improved visual identification of the beacon unit and the carrier associated therewith through the imaging unit can be achieved over both short and long distances. In particular, detection of the beacon unit is aided by emitting highly collimated radiation with high power density at great distances. When detected by the sensor array, an image of the emitted radiation is indeed displayed as a bright spot of light on the display, thus eliciting the attention of a viewer observing a scene through the imaging unit. Blooming of an array of sensing elements provided in the imaging unit may further be fostered by delivering a great amount of power to the imaging unit, thus improving detection of the beacon unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Casey Stack
  • Publication number: 20140104810
    Abstract: A flexible photoluminescent shield/diffuser attachment for a portable light, the light comprising a light emitting end emitting light generally along an axis is shown. The attachment comprises an elongated hollow body fabricated from a pliable translucent photoluminescent material and having a shape memory. A first end of said hollow body is able to be secured to the light emitting end of the light coaxial with the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: TIMOTHY D.F. FORD
  • Patent number: 8692221
    Abstract: A device, system and method for identifying an object. The device comprises an identification badge comprising a surface at least partially reflective to infrared light and having an insignia thereon, and a source of infrared light co-located with the badge and comprising at least one infrared light emitting LED. The source and the badge are both secured to the object and the source is positioned relative to the badge such that the light emitted from the at least one infrared LED falls on the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D.F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20140079405
    Abstract: An overmoulded electronic assembly wherein a moulded thermoplastic cover encapsulates and is in direct contact with the electronic components, printed circuit board and an antenna is disclosed. There also a disclosed a method of fabricating an overmoulded electronic assembly using an injection moulding machine and where the thermoplastic cover encapsulates and is in direct contact with the electronic components, printed circuit board and an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: Timothy D.F. Ford
  • Patent number: 8618940
    Abstract: There is disclosed a flotation device such as a life vest or inflatable raft for keeping a user afloat when in water, the flotation device comprising a light source attached to the flotation device, a water activated switch, wherein the light source is illuminated when the water activated switch is submersed in the water, and a control panel mounted to an outer surface of the flotation device and comprised of at least one user activated switch, wherein the light source is extinguished when the user activated switch is depressed, the control panel having instructions printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stephane Gascon
  • Patent number: 8586888
    Abstract: A safety device for attachment to a flotation device is disclosed comprising a light source, a housing, an actuator mounted within the housing and slideable between a first position wherein the light source is not illuminated and a second position wherein the light source is illuminated. The actuator further comprises a raised boss engageable from outside of the housing, a lanyard at least a portion of which is outside of the housing and a water activated switch wherein when the device is submerged in water, the water activated switch completes an electrical circuit illuminating said light source. The lanyard is releasably connected to an end of the actuator using a separable interconnection assembly. When the lanyard is pulled, the actuator moves from the first position to the second position and on reaching the second position the separable interconnection assembly separates thereby disengaging the lanyard from the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stéphane Gascon, Steve Roumeliotis
  • Patent number: 8569641
    Abstract: An environmentally protected switch for activating a signalling device, such as a light source, powered by a battery and adapted for use with a conductive fluid. The switch comprises an open ended housing and a sensing element received within the housing along a longitudinal axis thereof, a tip of the sensing element being substantially flush with the open end. The sensing element is coupled to the signalling device for providing an electrical path connecting the battery and the signalling device. Upon submersion of the switch into the fluid and agitation of the switch, a surface tension at an interface between the fluid and the open end is broken and fluid penetrates the housing up to a predetermined depth to enable an electrical current to flow within the sensing element for closing the electrical path and activating the signalling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20130277578
    Abstract: A device, system and method for identifying an object. The device comprises an identification badge comprising a surface at least partially reflective to infrared light and having an insignia thereon, and a source of infrared light co-located with the badge and comprising at least one infrared light emitting LED. The source and the badge are both secured to the object and the source is positioned relative to the badge such that the light emitted from the at least one infrared LED falls on the reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: THE FLEWELLING FORD FAMILY TRUST
    Inventor: TIMOTHY D.F. FORD
  • Publication number: 20130258686
    Abstract: A light and associated mounting body is disclosed which is suitable for mounting on straps of different widths. In a particular embodiment the body can be mounted to the strap, for example a collar or the like, without removing the collar from the object it is attached to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: TIMOTHY D.F. FORD
  • Patent number: 8491164
    Abstract: A light emitting device, method and lens, the device comprising an LED emitting a beam of light and a transparent light conditioning lens concentric with the beam of light and through which the beam of light travels. The lens comprises a light concentrating part and a light diffusing part. The concentrating part concentrates a first portion of the light to form a first beam of light having a narrow angle of dispersion, preferably of less than about 10 degrees and the light diffusing part diffuses a second portion of the light to form a second beam of light concentric with the first beam and having a wide angle of dispersion greater than the narrow angle of dispersion, preferably greater than about 70 degrees. An intensity of the first beam is greater than an intensity of the second beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: 8471414
    Abstract: A low impedance polarity conversion circuit for driving a load with a DC power source is disclosed. The DC power source has a first pole from which a first DC signal originates and a second pole from which a second DC signal originates. The first DC signal has a voltage greater than a voltage of the second DC signal. The conversion circuit includes a circuit output node through which an output DC signal is delivered from the conversion circuit to the load. The conversion circuit also includes a charge conditioning circuit for generating third and fourth DC signals. The third DC signal has a voltage greater than the first DC signal voltage and the fourth DC signal has a voltage less than the second DC signal voltage. A rectification circuit includes first and second inputs for attachment to the first pole and the second pole. A Field-Effect Transistor (FET) bridge is electrically connected to the first and second inputs. The FET bridge includes first and second pairs of cooperating FETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Bernard Moffett
  • Patent number: 8430522
    Abstract: A holster and shade used to protect a light stick as well as act as a support therefor. The holster comprises a hollow tubular sheath dimensioned to protect the entire length of the light stick placed therein when in a stored position. When illumination is desired, the light stick is extracted from the holster sheath, reversed, and inserted into the holster, which then supports the light stick with a lens thereof exposed for providing the required illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Stephen Mark Stritzinger
  • Patent number: 8387939
    Abstract: A mounting support for mounting an object, such as a light, flashlight or the like, to a mounting surface is disclosed. The support comprises a body to which may be coupled the object, at least two legs projecting from the body, the legs comprising opposed divergently arcuate inner surfaces each providing at least one abutment point for abutting the legs upon the mounting surface, and a fastener for maintaining the abutment. The object or light may be integrally, fixedly, pivotally or otherwise coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford
  • Patent number: D725809
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventor: Timothy D. F. Ford