Patents Examined by Denise L. Gromada
  • Patent number: 5575553
    Abstract: An optically transparent container includes a base, a sidewall extending from the base and having indicia formed as recesses. The recesses are emergent upon an exterior surface of the container and the base includes a sealed compartment. A lighting mechanism housed within the compartment, includes a battery for activating at least one diode disposed beneath a lowermost extremity of the sidewall. A switch mechanism positioned within the compartment includes a touch-sensitive switch for energizing the at least one diode for a predetermined time period when the container is touched. The at least one diode is de-energized when one of the predetermined time period expires and the container is touched subsequently. The at least one light-emitting diode is formed in an orientation which is other than parallel to a bottom surface of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Tommy B. Tipton
  • Patent number: 5573328
    Abstract: A house number light box including a housing covered with a transparent covering to hold a house number panel and a control circuit on the inside and a solar cell on the outside, the control circuit consisting of a battery, a switch circuit, an oscillatory circuit, and a light source, the house number panel having a front side bearing a house number, a plurality of through holes arranged along the border of the house number, a back side fixed with a holder to hold a number of optical fiber tubes, each optical fiber tube having one end fastened to one through hole on the house number panel and an opposite end abutted to the light source, wherein the solar cell converts the radiating energy of the sun into electric energy to charge the battery during the day; the battery provides the necessary working voltage to the control circuit, causing it to turn on the light source during the night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Steven Hwang
  • Patent number: 5573326
    Abstract: An optical axis adjusting device of a vehicle lamp is provided which comprises a reflector tiltably fixed to a lamp housing by a joint member; an aiming screw, turnably laid between the lamp housing and the reflector, for tilting the reflector; a drive gear fastened to an end of the aiming screw; a racing gear facing the drive gear and mounted on the aiming screw so as to rotate relatively with the aiming screw; toothed parts formed in respective surfaces of the drive and racing gears facing each other; and a guide, formed on the housing, for guiding a tool to be engaged with the toothed parts. When the tool is turned, the aiming screw is turned simultaneously with the rotation of the drive gear. The racing gear rotates in a direction opposite to that of the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Iijima
  • Patent number: 5573329
    Abstract: A holder is described for maintaining a flashlight or other instrumentality at a desired location. The holder includes an interface unit which is securable to a gripping device, such as vise grip pliers. A connector for the instrumentality also is provided as part of the combination, which connector is attachable to the interface unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Jan van Gennep
  • Patent number: 5570947
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ceiling light fixture suitable for conventional fluorescent lamps. The fixture has an elongate shroud with a modified elliptical cross-section having an inverted apical crease and a downwardly facing specular reflective surface. A rigid raceway extends lengthwise within the shroud and is secured to two rigid opposing end panels which support the shroud. The raceway is substantially at the ceiling level, encloses the ballast, and provides an infrastructure for the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Garold M. Felland
  • Patent number: 5570945
    Abstract: A soft light-strip includes a soft lower strip detachably engaged with a transparent soft upper strip thus together constituting a sheath and a soft light-emitting device being received in the sheath for emitting light which includes a first light portion being directly emitted outward through the transparent soft upper strip and a second light portion being reflected by the soft lower strip and finally forwarded outward through the transparent soft upper strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventors: Tseng-Lu Chien, Ping-Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 5571277
    Abstract: An automotive signal lamp is provided including a lens illuminated by a first light source on a first side, a transmissive hologram adjacent the lens for providing an image when the first light source is activated, and a reflective hologram adjacent the transmissive hologram for providing an image when the first light source is nonactuated and the lens is illuminated by a second light source on a second side of the lens generally opposite the first light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher S. Allred, Dewayne A. Landwehr
  • Patent number: 5568967
    Abstract: The electric lamp with reflector has a concave reflecting surface of a rotationally-symmetric general shape, onto which flat four-sided facets are superimposed which are tangent to the general shape. The facets each illuminate a rectangular field in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the reflector, which fields are of equal shape and size and have the same orientation. Thereby, the electric lamp with reflector is able to illuminate a rectangular field with a high degree of uniformity and of efficiency. The electric lamp with reflector may be used in an image-projection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Marten Sikkens, Johannes P. M. Ansems
  • Patent number: 5570275
    Abstract: A device for illuminating and magnifying printed cards for viewing is disclosed. A body of the device has a hollow central region with hollow, opposed sides. At least one pair of slots near a floor of the hollow central region receives at least one printed card, with a magnifying lens mounted in an upper region of the hollow central region. A separate enclosure having an illumination bulb mounted therein is provided in one of the hollow sides, with batteries mounted in another hollow side. An opening in the enclosure passes light across the central region, providing indirect illumination of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Leo H. Luquire
  • Patent number: 5568968
    Abstract: An adjustable drop light apparatus includes a lamp assembly connected to and supported by a handle assembly. A protective housing assembly is supported by the handle assembly and protects the light bulb of the lamp assembly. An orientation adjustment assembly is attached to the protective housing assembly, and a suspension assembly is adjustably connected to the orientation adjustment assembly. The suspension assembly includes a magnet retainer which retains a magnet. The suspension assembly also includes a hook assembly connected to the magnet. The magnet includes a retention well. The hook assembly includes a pivot bracket connected to the magnet within the retention well, and the hook assembly includes a selectably pivotable hook which is pivotally connected to the pivot bracket. The retention well has a well depth; the selectably pivotable hook has a hook thickness; and the well depth is greater than the hook thickness enabling the pivotable hook to be stored within the retention well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Lola Jaramillo
  • Patent number: 5568972
    Abstract: A lamp housing includes a board having a number of notches formed in the peripheral portion. The notches each includes a narrower opening portion. A number of attachment members each include a neck portion for engaging with the opening portions of the notches. Each attachment member includes an enlarged portion for engaging with the board so as to secure the attachment members to the board. The neck portions may include a cavity or a projection for engaging with the key or the recess of the board so as to prevent the attachment members from rotating relative to the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Lyu-Shong Wang
  • Patent number: 5567038
    Abstract: The present invention pertains, generally, to the lighting of darkened areas. More particularly, it pertains to a light removably affixed to a cap worn on the head which permits the wearer to see and perform functions in the dark with both hands free. More particularly, it is a fluorescent light on a cap which light is detachable for placement to another site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Banning G. Lary
  • Patent number: 5567040
    Abstract: A jacket is provided which comprises (a) a fabric shell, (b) an electroluminescent film strip, (c) a battery and (d) an inverter. The shell comprises (i) a body section and (ii) a pair of sleeves. The body section includes (A) an internal pocket for carrying the battery and inverter, and (B) a retainer comprising a pair of retaining flaps which releasably retain the film strip. The releasable retention of the film by the flaps allows for the appearance of the film as an integral portion of the jacket and further allows for convenient separation of the film from the jacket for washing and drying of the jacket. The film may be easily repositioned under the flaps for retention by the shell. The jacket is useful for enhancing the visibility of the wearer to others at night, such as during night walking or running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tabanera
  • Patent number: 5567046
    Abstract: A stretchable chandelier ornament string assembly provides a plurality of elongated spring elements joined by a common runner and formed from a continuous piece of flat spring material stock. The runner is attached to a chandelier frame and each of the spring elements engages a chandelier ornament string. Displacement of the spring elements generates tension in the ornament strings to maintain the ornament strings in substantial predetermined alignment. The spring assembly can be formed into a non-planar orientation by the chandelier frame to generate a variety of shapes and patterns of chandelier string attachment locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Schonbek Worldwide Lighting Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Lucas
  • Patent number: 5568366
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of simulating a pseudosun using a solar simulator. In the present invention the collector and lens of a lamp are designed to properly focus a plurality of light beams onto a segmented turning mirror. The path of light rays are traced from the lamp to the collector and then finally to the lens to control the solid and tangential magnification of the solar simulator. The segmented turning mirror is located at the focal point of the light beam and redirects the light into a vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Kent S. Jefferies
  • Patent number: 5567037
    Abstract: An illumination device for enhancing the structural and aesthetic appearance of associated articles or substrates and to provide operative coaction with conductive current paths made from conductive paints, inks and the like compositions on such articles and substrates is disclosed. The illumination device comprises an LED having leads, the LED and at least one portion of the leads are encapsulated within a substantially nonconductive relatively transparent or translucent housing. At least a second portion of the leads of the LED extend outside of the housing and are arranged substantially flush along an exterior surface of the housing so that when the housing is connected by suitable connectors to the associated article or substrate, electrical communication with an external power source can be established for operating and actuating the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Ferber Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Andrew R. Ferber
  • Patent number: 5568367
    Abstract: The hand held, battery operated remote control with key lighting for controlling an appliance from a remote location comprises: a housing having openings through an upper wall thereof; a plurality of transparent or translucent push-buttons each extending upwardly through one of the openings; one of the push-buttons being a light actuation button; a plurality of switches each associated with one of the push-buttons; a light emitting circuit located inside the housing and including at least one light emitting element positioned in the housing at a location not under a push button, light dispersing structure for illuminating one or more of the push-buttons with light from the at least one light emitting element, and circuitry for maintaining the light emitting circuit activated for a short period of time after said one of the switches is closed by depression of the light actuation button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young M. Park
  • Patent number: 5567032
    Abstract: An illuminating device for a vehicle has at least one light generating unit, at least one light distributing unit, at least one light conducting element connecting the units with one another, the light distributing unit being provided with at least one lens element for projecting and distributing light exiting from an end of the light conducting element associated with light distributing element, the units and the element being arranged so that a relative arrangement between the end of the light element associated with the light distributing element and also the lens element is changeable in a substantially horizontal direction for changing a distribution of light exiting the light conducting elements, and an adjusting device provided for changing the arrangement and activated by steering of the vehicle so that an illumination provided by the light distributing unit is increased in an actual driving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Frieder Heizmann
  • Patent number: 5567035
    Abstract: The headlight has a reflector mounted inside a casing and swivelable about an axis by an adjustment element rotatably mounted in the casing. The adjustment element has a portion formed eccentrically to its axis of rotation. In the casing a transmission element is mounted for swiveling about an axis and is swivelably connected to the reflector. The transmission element has a recess in which the eccentric portion of the adjustment element is received, so that the transmission element is coupled, in the tangential direction relative to the axis about which it is swivelable in the casing, to the eccentric portion. On rotation of the adjustment element the reflector is swiveled about the swivel axis and the magnitude of the swiveling movement of the reflector is determined by the magnitude of the eccentricity of the portion and the lever ratios of the transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Otto Dobler, Gustav Klett, Horst Dahm, Rainer Jocher
  • Patent number: 5567042
    Abstract: Backlighting for an LCD display is provided by a direct backlight unit which is hinged to the front panel in which the display is mounted. When closed, the backlight unit lamps and reflector transmit light directly against the back of the display. The reflector surfaces are made by a combination of constant radius, hyperbolic, parabolic and flat surfaces which maximize the emitted light transmitted to the display and help fill in for any failed or dimmed light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Farchmin, John S. Clark