Patents Examined by D. M. Cox
  • Indirect lighting fixture
    Patent number: 4975812
    Abstract: An indirect fluorescent luminaire with planar specular reflectors arranged in such a manner as to project its maximum intensity approximately at 130.degree. above nadir to optimize the uniformity of ceiling luminance. The lamps are stacked vertically to further minimize the vertical projection of intensity and enhance the lateral projection. The fixture may be suspended at distances of 12 inches or less from the ceiling without causing excessive luminance on the ceiling above the luminaire or excessive luminance ratios between the brightest area directly over the fixture and a point midway between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Litecontrol
    Inventor: John M. Cole, Jr.
  • Lamp holder
    Patent number: 4975813
    Abstract: A lamp holder includes a housing with an upper and a lower compartment. The upper compartment contains a fixed clamp block and a movable clamp block which can be moved away from and towards the first clamp block by means of a spring biased push member. The clamp blocks confine a cavity for receiving and clamping the lamp seat of a lamp. The lamp can be easily mounted on the lamp holder by simply pushing and releasing the push member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventor: Shih-Tse Chen
  • Autonomous visual-attraction enhancement utilizing edge-illuminated panel
    Patent number: 4975809
    Abstract: The visual attractiveness of a variety of otherwise-autonomous articles may be significantly enhanced through the inclusion of an apertured, internally light-transmissive essentially solid and preferably, peripherally light reflectively coated panel which is edge-illuminated and energized by elements self-contained within the article body. Article apertures of distributed area, point size or both may be thusly illuminated. Distributed-area display effects may be enhanced through aperture-aligned light-concentrative discontinuities formed in the panel. Enchancement of point-display effects may similarly be achieved through point-aperture-aligned, light-concentrative point discontinuities likewise formed in the panel. Point effects may also be enhanced through the employment of an end-illuminated, aperture-aligned, point-discontinuous optical fiber in conjunction with a subject apertured panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Tradebest International Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-ho Ku
  • Light fixture
    Patent number: 4974136
    Abstract: A light fixture for providing an aesthetically pleasing multi-colored pattern of illumination is disclosed. The light fixture comprises a housing for mounting a light bulb, a plurality of dichroic filters positioned within the beam of the light bulb, and a mounting fixture for securing and positioning the dichroic filters. Each of the dichroic filters will typically have different optical properties such that the reflected and transmitted light from each dichroic filter contributes a different color to the pattern. A second embodiment having an adjustable filter positioning means is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Artup Corporation
    Inventors: Feraydon Noori-Shad, Ebrahim Ladjevardi, Alex H. Ladjevardi
  • Compact LCD luminaire
    Patent number: 4974122
    Abstract: A compact backlighting luminaire is provided for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The body of the luminaire is formed of optically clear glass or acrylic resins. The body comprises a mesa extending from a base comprising a flange extending around the periphery of the mesa. The top of the mesa comprises at least two non-parallel sloped surfaces. The base of the luminaire body may form a wedge with the flange being thicker at one edge than at an opposite edge. The bottom surface and edges of the body may be coated with a reflective film. A fluorescent lamp extends around the periphery of the mesa and is supported by the flange. A cover may be provided to extend over the mesa and around the periphery of the flange to secure the lamp, to reduce illumination losses, and to provide a mounting surface for an LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Shaw
  • Light image generating system
    Patent number: 4972305
    Abstract: A light image generating system comprising a light conducting sculpture constructed of a material capable of diffusing, reflecting, refracting, transmitting, and/or mixing light passing therethrough from a light generating display pedestal controlled by a light frequency and amplification control module which also regulates sounds and music to accompany the projected sculpture light images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: R. Geoffrey Blackburn
  • Vehicle lamp having inner lens and reflector
    Patent number: 4972302
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp having inner and outer lenses and a reflector mirror surface. The inner lens is a Fresnel lens for converting light beams from a light source into parallel light beams, and the outer lens is an ordinary lens for obtaining a desired divergence property of the lamp. The reflector mirror may be a plane mirror, a mirror of a truncated cone shape, or a mirror of a parabolic cylinder shape. The Fresnel lens has as its focal point the virtual image of the light source as obtained by the reflector mirror, thus realizing a compact and small depth housing of the lamp while effectively using the light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Masuyama, Yoshiro Honda, Toshio Miyokawa, Hirokuni Osugi
  • Emergency lighting device
    Patent number: 4972300
    Abstract: An improved emergency chemiluminescent lighting device comprising a chemiluminescent light source, a storage container and a flexible member connecting the light source and container is disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: American Cyanamid Company
    Inventors: David A. Beisswanger, Bruce H. Baretz, Edward T. Rockwell, Jr., Edward T. Rockwell, Sr.
  • Headlamp assembly
    Patent number: 4970629
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly having a retainer member supporting a rectangular lamp unit and provided with a level device that is capable of being adjusted relative to the retainer member by a screw located between one of the sections of the retainer member and the level device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: David R. McMahan
  • Bellows brake switch for vehicular safety lights
    Patent number: 4969067
    Abstract: A tri-functional safety lamp is disclosed herein having a housing supporting at least three lamps operatively coupled to an electronic circuit incorporating a bellows switch. The switch includes a pair of contact members connected together and separated by a collapsible bellows wherein one member is secured to a movable brake cable while the member slides or floats on the cable. A stop element is fixedly carried on a stationary frame or support against which the floating contact member bears to collapse the bellows so that mating contacts on the members engage to close the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Terry J. James
  • Vehicle headlight
    Patent number: 4967318
    Abstract: A mount for a headlight reflector includes three pivot-point mechanisms, at least one of which comprises a spherical head at an end of a pivot-mechanism pin mounted in an elongated socket formed on a receiver rigidly attached to the reflector. The axis of elongation of the pivot-mechanism pin is approximately parallel to an optical axis of the headlight and an axis of elongation of the socket is perpendicular thereto, with one end of the socket being open to allow ingress and egress of the spherical head. A side of an elongated shell forming the socket has a slit therein facing a back wall of a headlight housing through which the pivot-mechanism pin passes. In one embodiment of the invention, an outer end of the pivot-mechanism pin is coupled to an adjusting bolt which is parallel to the pivot-mechanism pin by means of a moveable bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Alfred Ewert, Franz Kathmann
  • Lighting apparatus
    Patent number: 4965876
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided having a plurality N of light sources arranged annularly around the optical axis of a reflector. The efficiency of such an apparatus and its service life are improved by providing a central mirrored column which is symmetrically disposed with respect to the light sources. The column has C.sub.N or D.sub.N symmetry and reflects light emitted by the light sources away from the light sources themselves, thereby reducing the amount of light reflected back at the light sources and reducing their thermal load. The column has peaks that extend into the notional annulus on which the light sources are arranged to shield adjacent light sources from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventors: Tivadar Foldi, Gabor Biro, Tamas Barna, Imre Nagy, Laszlo Vincze
  • Flourescent lamp
    Patent number: 4965875
    Abstract: There is provided a fluorescent lamp having a fluorescent tube and a connecting element for connection to a source of current. The connecting element includes a mains plug having contact plugs electrically connected to the fluorescent tube and projecting on one side of the mains plug. The area of the connecting element facing the contact plugs is in the shape of a housing for the fluorescent tube having an oblong shape with the mains plug located on the longitudinal side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Korte-Licht
    Inventors: Heinrich Korte, Theo Spix
  • Holder with semiconductor lighting device
    Patent number: 4964023
    Abstract: An illuminated tool or key, in which a light source is detachably secured to a surface of the tool or key. Additionally, the emitted light can be modulated to perform an additional keying function when received by the lock. A three-color light emitter is preferable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Junichi Nishizawa
    Inventors: Junichi Nishizawa, Yoshikatsu Tamaoki
  • Lamp socket mounting bracket
    Patent number: 4961127
    Abstract: A lamp socket mounting bracket which contains a pair of mounting clamps and is mounted within a reflector. The mounting clamps have reflector ends and socket ends which each have feet. The mounting clamps have curved portions to encompass a lamp socket which forms a fulcrum within the lamp socket mounting bracket. A clamp adjusting means is used at the socket ends of the mounting clamps to tighten the mounting clamps around the lamp socket, help make a substantial contact between the mounting clamps and the lamp socket, and create, along with the fulcrum, a reverse scissors action within the lamp socket mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Sylvan R. Shemitz Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvan R. Shemitz, Flemming Brygger
  • Luminaire containment means for lamp rupturing
    Patent number: 4959762
    Abstract: Containment means for a luminaire that captures hot particles created by the unlikely event of a pressurized lamp rupture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the containment means comprises a mesh interposed between the lamp and a refractor of the luminaire typically formed of an acrylic material. The mesh captures hot particles having a sufficient heat capacity and temperature to create excess heat damage to the refractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Trasimond A. Soileau
  • Chemiluminescent light element dispensing and activating apparatus
    Patent number: 4959756
    Abstract: A chemiluminescent light element dispensing and activating system for use with a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having an aperture that opens to the outside of the vehicle. A disposable holder is operatively releasably connected to the housing for containing and positioning a plurality of elements relative to this housing aperture. Each positioned element is dispensed after a chemical reaction is activated in the element to operably provide a chemiluminescent light.Advantageously, an actuator, electrically coupled to a power source in the vehicle, contacts the top of the element by breaking a capsule within the element while urging the element through the housing aperture. Additionally, a quick connect means interengaged with the housing and the holder facilitates positioning and aligning of the plurality of signal elements relative to the housing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: James W. Dodson
  • Cyclops lighted motorcycle helmet
    Patent number: 4956752
    Abstract: A motorcycle helmet includes a light signalling system that signals to following vehicles the state of the forward speed of the motorcycle. The light system is adapted to signal red when the cycle's brake is applied in a hard braking maneuver, and to signal green when the forward motion of the vehicle is "normal" that is, either accelerating or continuing , and to signal amber when the brake is lightly applied. A back-up power system is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Joe Foglietti
  • Illumination system for non-imaging reflective collector
    Patent number: 4956759
    Abstract: A first concave mirror collects the light emitted by a light source in a first half space and forms a first image of the light source at a point proximate thereto. A second larger concave mirror opposite the first mirror forms second and third images from the respective source and first image. The second and third images are formed at the input aperture of a non-imaging reflector, which in turn emits the light uniformly through the output aperture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Jill F. Goldenberg, Roland Winston
  • Lighted gun sights
    Patent number: RE33485
    Abstract: Apparatus for assisting aiming of firearms in darkness comprising a sight defining two spaced upstanding elements, each bearing at identical levels thereon one of a pair of light sources defining dots; a forward pointer comprising a base portion whose height is determined by rotatable threading thereof into a socket fixed on the firearm, and a top portion which is rotatably mounted with respect to the base portion for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the pointer; and a third light source defining a dot associated with the top portion of the forward pointer of the firearm, the third light source arranged to be aligned along a line between the pair of light sources and aligned with a target when the firearm is aimed in darkness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Scopus Optical Industry
    Inventor: Itzchak Frimer