Patents Examined by Matthew J. Spark
  • Patent number: 5839813
    Abstract: A vehicle exterior lamp system that includes a light source (11) for providing a plurality of beams, a plurality of optical fiber channels (17) responsive to the plurality of beams for providing a plurality of optical fiber channel outputs, a plurality of optical switches (15) for controlling the transmission of light by the plurality of optical fiber channels, and a plurality of rear exterior lamps (19) for projecting light received from the optical fiber channels to provide respective exterior lamp outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 5839816
    Abstract: A road marker is flush with and preferably slightly below the grade of the surface of the road and may be either solar operated, recharging batteries within it so that light emitting diodes which are connected to the battery source may be turned on during darker night conditions to provide illumination along the boundary lines between traveling lanes along the highway. The surface of the delineator, is profiled to provide a central depression or floor with end inclined walls, at least one of which may carry a light retro-reflective media. Light emitting elements that gain their electrical power from a battery source which itself is energized and recharged by a solar collector occupying most of the surface area of a central depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: ATSI, LLC
    Inventors: Zoltan A. Varga, Murray B. Corless, John D. Pinnock
  • Patent number: 5829869
    Abstract: An electric candle light system is provided wherein one or more lamp holders (20) are releasably coupled to a building structure (12) by respective number of bracket members (70). Each bracket member (70) includes a wireway (80) through which a power cord (100) is passed. Each lamp holder (20) includes an open channel (44) into which the respective bracket member (70) is received. A pair of insulation piercing terminals (50) disposed within the open channel (44) make an electrical connection between the lamp leads (26, 28) and the respective insulated conductors (104, 106) of the power cord (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Thomas J. Clegg, Mark Maclean-Blevins
  • Patent number: 5820244
    Abstract: A synthetic resin part integrally formed with metal members manufactured by the steps of integrally forming a plurality of metal member sets through coupling portions, each of the metal member sets comprising a plurality of kinds of metal members, inserting the metal member sets into the molding dyes of a forming machine, injecting synthetic resin for molding into the molding dye, forming a synthetic resin part integrally formed with metal members in sequence to form a synthetic resin part continuum where a plurality of synthetic resin parts are connected, and cutting off the coupling portions to complete the manufacture of the plurality of synthetic resin parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamada, Tadayuki Okuda, Masaki Hagiwara, Yoshihide Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5820248
    Abstract: A fiber optic Christmas tree is provided including an artificial tree trunk with a plurality of hollow tubular sections. Each section is coupled in axial alignment. Also included is a plurality of fiber optic cables situated within the hollow sections of the tree trunk which are adapted to transfer light to fiber optic cables of an adjacent section upon the releasable coupling thereof. The fiber optic cables extend outwardly from an associated bore in a corresponding section of the tree trunk for emitting light therefrom upon the application of light to the associated fiber optic cables. Further provided is a base having a bulb assembly including a bulb situated within the base for applying light to the fiber optic cables upon the receipt of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Raymond K. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5820249
    Abstract: A fish tape locator has a first threaded end for fixing to the end of a fish tape and an opposite second end which emits light to help locate the end of the fish tape when it is being fished through a blind space. The first end is provided with a cross-bore for connecting the locator to a string, chain, hook or other line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventors: Dean R. Walsten, Joseph M. Kampschroer
  • Patent number: 5820245
    Abstract: A rearview mirror for vehicles includes a mirror case, a reflective element, a support for mounting the assembly on a vehicle, at least one lamp assembly having a reflector member which substantially directs light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle, and a circuit board mounted within the mirror case and having at least one holder for holding a light source which projects into the reflector member. A lens provides shaping and directing properties for light emitting from different areas of the reflector and includes a prescription region which focuses light from the reflector member to a particular target area of the vehicle, and a second region having a prescription different from said first prescription region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Desmond, Sean McCormack, Patrick J. Lawlor, Rick Mousseau
  • Patent number: 5820251
    Abstract: A self-illuminated, decorative ornamental device intended for indoor or outdoor residential use is suitable for day and night viewing. The device includes a planer surface having a two-dimensional color graphic image, and a multiplicity of electric lamps which are arranged on the surface to define a pattern which corresponds to the color graphic image. The color graphic image may include reflective elements to reflect light from the electric lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Michael J. Greenberg, Robert M. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 5816689
    Abstract: An illuminating service for creating a broad area of illumination is preferably enclosed in a compact and hand held housing, and includes an illumination source consisting of a bulb and a reflector. The illumination source is directly connected to a moving means using an attachment means, and is rotated at a frequency to provide an increased area of illumination having an intensity perceived as being substantially equivalent to that of a non-rotating beam when viewed by an observer. In addition, an energy reuse and DC notching reducer are disclosed that includes a load member and an energy storage means that are operatively connected with a pair of switches. The switches are selectively energized as to allow current to pass through the load member and to allow the energy storage means to store and discharge energy such that the energy is recycled through the load member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Frank Strazzabosco
  • Patent number: 5816681
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes an on/off source of light and an optical diffuser characterized in that it receives light from the source and emits it in a desired viewing direction, but with underlying surfaces being at least diffusely visible therethrough. Thus, in an automotive or other vehicular application, the surface may be a body panel, the color of which may be visibly evident through the diffuser panel, thereby enhancing desired aerodynamic/styling characteristics. The source of light preferably comprises one or more semiconductor devices such as light-emitting diodes, and the optical diffuser is holographically recorded and provide high transmission and low backscatter to shape the emitted light in addition to its redirection in accordance with a desired beam profile or cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 5806970
    Abstract: A visionary replacement (substitute) back panel for a commercially available television cabinet is provided which permits a security inspection of the interior of the television cabinet without the removal of any cabinet walls or the opening of the cabinet members. The substitute back panel conforms to the shape, electrical and structural standards of the O.E.M. (original equipment manufacturer) back panel. Optically clear viewing planes are provided. Ultraviolet (U.V.) light filtering may be incorporated. Tamper resistance attachment may be included. An auxiliary light source may also be included which is selectively activated. A method of inspection of the interior of the cabinet is easily conducted from the outside thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Visual Security Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Giorgianni, Dorothy M. Giorgianni
  • Patent number: 5795056
    Abstract: A lamp can be mounted in an opening of a reflector of a vehicle headlight from the rear side of the reflector. The lamp has a socket which lies against a support surface of the reflector and is covered by a cover mounted on the reflector. The lamp is held in position on the reflector by a spring holding element. The spring holding element has, laterally to the opening of the reflector, a reflector attaching first portion, a cover bracing free-standing second portion and a lamp socket gripping third portion which presses the lamp socket against the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Ralf Seiger
  • Patent number: 5785410
    Abstract: An electronic road beacon is provided with a flashing light. The beacon functions as a traffic alert device by being placed on the surface of a roadway or other surface. Accordingly, the beacon is designed to withstand the impact of a car, truck or other vehicle which may strike or run over the beacon. The beacon comprises three essential components. The first is a circular base plate having a raised annulus around the periphery which defines an interior opening and a bottom portion. The second component is a dome comprising a spherical lens having internal concentric radial freznel and at least one reflector mirror. The dome is mounted to the base plate and define a sealed interior space that is protected from weather and other harmful conditions. The third component is a circuit board that is mounted to the bottom portion of the base plate in the interior space of the beacon. The circuit board contains solid state circuitry and a light emitting bulb. The light is focused and intensified by the dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventor: Michael Del Branson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5785413
    Abstract: A dual lamp fixture having an integral power supply and control circuit. The dual lamp fixture utilizes stroboscopic and incandescent lamps mounted near the focus of a parabolic reflector which may be actuated alternately, individually or simultaneously. Multiple lamps may be connected in parallel to a DC power bus and a differential line, twisted-pair communication bus to achieve a variety of controlled flashing patterns. Each lamp will perform its given tasks when an appropriate command signal is placed on the communication bus. To take full advantage of this distributed control and the advantages in bus-wiring topology, the power supply is located in close proximity to its controller and light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Weldon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Tillinghast, Daryl A. Popig, Terry Dawson
  • Patent number: 5772310
    Abstract: A cap for securing a plurality of discharge tubes to a discharge lamp assembly includes a pair of ribs formed on a base plate of the cap. The ribs guide adhesive towards openings in the base plate through which the tubes extend. Adhesive is kept away from the base plate perimeter, which may include a rim, such that assembly of the cap with a housing does not upset the adhesive bond securing the discharge tubes to the cap. Similarly, an assembly method for the cap involves the step of forming a pair of ribs on the base plate of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Erzsebet Cserteg, Jozsef Fulop, Jozsef Tokes, Istvan Wursching